Tailstock Assembly With Displacement Feedback for Thermal Expansion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tailstock systems fail to account for thermal expansion of workpieces during processing, leading to process errors due to inadequate support and pressure maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A tailstock assembly that includes a workpiece support slidably mounted in a housing, allowing the rotating member to shift along a longitudinal axis and measure vertical displacement, with a displacement sensor providing feedback for adjustments to maintain consistent pressure and prevent workpiece bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional fixed tailstock is used to support the workpiece, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate thermal expansion of the workpiece during processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of thermal expansionVSAvoidtailstock structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tailstock is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic system where the rotating member can shift along the longitudinal axis. The workpiece support is slidably mounted in the housing, allowing automatic adjustment of the tailstock position to accommodate thermal expansion of the workpiece during processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A displacement sensor measures the vertical displacement of the rotating member and provides feedback to the control system. The control system processes this information and actuates the workpiece support to maintain consistent pressure on the workpiece, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to thermal expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tailstock is made rigid to maintain stable support, then positioning accuracy is good, but it cannot adjust to workpiece dimensional changes due to thermal expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment to workpiece expansionVSAvoidsupport positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the measured displacement information from the sensor to automatically adjust its own position. The control system actuates the workpiece support based on feedback from the displacement sensor, enabling the tailstock to self-correct and maintain accurate positioning despite thermal expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameter of the tailstock along the longitudinal axis in response to measured displacement. The control system adjusts the position of the workpiece support to compensate for thermal expansion, maintaining consistent contact pressure and positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a slidable workpiece support is implemented to accommodate expansion, then adaptability to thermal expansion is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistent pressure maintenanceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces a purely mechanical fixed support with a controlled adjustment mechanism. The control system uses sensor feedback to actuate the workpiece support, substituting automatic controlled adjustment for manual or purely mechanical fixed positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively accommodates thermal expansion of workpieces by vertically displacing the tailstock assembly, ensuring consistent and controlled pressure, thereby reducing process errors and maintaining stable rotation during high-temperature processes.

Implementation Method 1

During thermal processes, the workpiece may expand. Thermal expansion of the workpiece could contribute to process errors.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS11198183B2Tail stock for a long vertically suspended workpiece that will experience heat expansion

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A method of supporting a rotating member of a tailstock includes rotating a rotating member coupled to a workpiece support slidably mounted in a housing of the tailstock, causing the rotating member to shift along a longitudinal axis in a first direction, and measuring an amount of vertical displacement of the rotating member.