U.S. patent application number 14/828631 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for abrasive cutting method.
The applicant listed for this patent is ATI PROPERTIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Brett R. Krueger, Gary D. McDowell.
Application Number | 20150352683 14/828631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43625595 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150352683 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McDowell; Gary D. ; et
al. |
December 10, 2015 |
ABRASIVE CUTTING METHOD
Abstract
A tool for removing material from a surface includes a body
defining a longitudinal bore and an opening connecting an outer
surface of the body to the longitudinal bore. A cutting element
comprising a cutting surface is dimensioned to be at least
partially received by the opening. The cutting surface is
configured to translate from a first position to a second position
in response to a centrifugal force. In the second position the
cutting surface is extended outwardly through the opening, beyond
the outer surface of the body. In one example, the tool may be used
to remove material, such as oxidation, from the inner walls of a
cylindrical article selected from a pipe and a tube.
Inventors: |
McDowell; Gary D.; (Albany,
OR) ; Krueger; Brett R.; (Lebanon, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ATI PROPERTIES, INC. |
Albany |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43625595 |
Appl. No.: |
14/828631 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13649350 |
Oct 11, 2012 |
9138868 |
|
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14828631 |
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12550436 |
Aug 31, 2009 |
8308530 |
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13649350 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
451/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 5/40 20130101; B24B
33/02 20130101; B24D 5/06 20130101; B24B 33/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B24B 33/02 20060101
B24B033/02; B24B 5/40 20060101 B24B005/40 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: attaching a tool comprising a body
including an outer surface and a translatable cutting element
including a cutting surface to a rotary device; retracting the
translatable cutting element including the cutting surface into the
body of the tool; placing at least a portion of the body of the
tool into a cylindrical article selected from a pipe and a tube;
rotating the tool using the rotary device to generate centrifugal
force and thereby urge a portion of the cutting element including
the cutting surface to extend outwardly from the outer surface of
the body; and abrading an inner wall of the cylindrical article
with the cutting surface as the tool rotates within the cylindrical
article.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the body defines a longitudinal
bore and an opening connecting the outer surface of the body to the
longitudinal bore, and wherein the cutting element is at least
partially received within the opening.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the body of the tool and at least
a portion of the cutting element are comprised of the same material
as the cylindrical article.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least the cutting surface of
the cutting element comprises a diamond grit abrasive.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the cutting
surface within the cylindrical article to follow the inner wall of
the cylindrical article.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the body defines a longitudinal
bore and an opening connecting the outer surface of the body to the
longitudinal bore; and the cutting element is dimensioned to be at
least partially received by the opening, wherein the cutting
surface of the cutting element is configured to translate from a
first position to a second position in response to a centrifugal
force and in the second position extends outwardly through the
opening beyond the outer surface of the body.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a periphery of the body includes
a reference line.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein in the first position the cutting
surface of the cutting element is positioned in the body.
9. The method of claim 6, the tool further comprising a retaining
device positioned within the longitudinal bore.
10. The method of claim 6, the tool further comprising a set screw
having a longitudinal axis positioned within the longitudinal bore
such that the longitudinal axis of the set screw is coaxial with
the longitudinal axis of the bore.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical article
comprises at least one of zirconium, a zirconium alloy, titanium, a
titanium alloy, aluminum, and an aluminum alloy.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein abrading the inner wall of the
cylindrical article removes at least a portion of oxidation on the
inner wall.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein: the body includes an outer
surface, a longitudinal bore, and an opening connecting the outer
surface of the body to the longitudinal bore; and the cutting
element is at least partially received within the opening and is
configured to translate from a first position to a second position
in response to a centrifugal force, wherein in the first position
the cutting surface of the cutting element is retained in the body,
and wherein in the second position the cutting surface of the
cutting element extends outwardly through the opening beyond the
outer surface.
14. The method of claim 13, the tool further comprising a retaining
device positioned within the longitudinal bore.
15. The method of claim 13, the tool further comprising a set screw
having a longitudinal axis positioned within the longitudinal bore
such that the longitudinal axis of the set screw is coaxial with
the longitudinal axis of the bore.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the body defines a second
longitudinal bore configured to receive the set screw.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein: the body includes a plurality
of the openings connecting the outer surface of the body to the
longitudinal bore; and the tool includes a plurality of the cutting
elements, wherein each cutting element is at least partially
received by an opening and is configured to translate from a first
position to a second position in response to a centrifugal force,
wherein in the second position the cutting surface of the cutting
element extends outwardly through an opening beyond the outer
surface of the body.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the openings comprising the
plurality of openings are distributed equidistantly around the
periphery of the body.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the cutting element comprises a
shoulder.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the cutting element comprises a
shoe.
21. The method of claim 13, wherein a periphery of the body
includes a reference line.
22. The method of claim 13, wherein the opening comprises a distal
end and a proximal end, wherein a depth of the longitudinal bore is
substantially aligned with the proximal end of the opening.
23. The method of claim 13, wherein the cutting element is manually
movable from the second position to the first position.
24. The method of claim 13, wherein the cylindrical article
comprises at least one of zirconium, a zirconium alloy, titanium, a
titanium alloy, aluminum, and an aluminum alloy.
25. The method of claim 13, wherein abrading the inner wall of the
cylindrical article removes at least a portion of oxidation on the
inner wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application claiming
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/649,350, filed Oct. 11, 2012, which is a
continuation application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/550,436, filed on
Aug. 31, 2009, and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,530.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to tools for
removing material from a surface involved in, for example,
applications that require high-quality weld joints. High-quality
weld joints may be achieved by autogenous welding, which is fusion
welding without the use of filler metal. Autogenous welding is
employed to join tubing used in, for example, many high-purity and
sanitary tubing systems. Because these systems require high-quality
weld joints, an emphasis is typically placed on obtaining a smooth,
contaminant-free inner tube surface to avoid weld
contamination.
[0003] In some applications, it may be necessary to form
high-purity weld joints when joining zirconium tubing sections. A
hard oxide layer forms on the inner and outer walls of air-annealed
zirconium tubing. This oxide layer may approach 1200 kg/mm.sup.2
hardness compared to the zirconium tubing hardness of about 190
kg/mm.sup.2. In order to achieve a high-purity weld, prior to
welding, at least a portion of this oxide layer should be removed
from each end of the zirconium tubing to be joined together. By
removing a portion of the oxide, weld bead contamination from
dissolved oxygen can be reduced or prevented.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one non-limiting aspect of the present
disclosure, an abrasive cutting tool is provided that includes a
body, where the body defines a longitudinal bore and an opening
connecting an outer surface of the body to the longitudinal bore.
The tool may comprise a cutting element comprising a cutting
surface, where the cutting element is dimensioned to be at least
partially received by the opening. The cutting surface may be
configured to translate from a first position to a second position
in response to a centrifugal force, such as during rotation of the
tool. The cutting surface may be extended through the opening and
beyond the outer surface of the body in the second position during
rotation.
[0005] According to another non-limiting aspect of the present
disclosure, a tool is disclosed comprising a body, where the body
defines a longitudinal bore, a first opening connecting an outer
surface of the body to the longitudinal bore, and a second opening
connecting the outer surface of the body to the longitudinal bore.
In various embodiments, the tool may comprise a first cutting
element including a first abrasive pad and a first shoe. The first
cutting element may be dimensioned to be at least partially
received by the first opening. Further, the first cutting element
may be translatable from a first position to a second position in
response to a centrifugal force. The first abrasive pad may be
extended through the first opening and beyond the outer surface of
the body in the second position. The tool also may comprise a
second cutting element including a second abrasive pad and a second
shoe. The second cutting element may be dimensioned to be at least
partially received by the second opening. Further, the second
cutting element may be translatable from a first position to a
second position in response to a centrifugal force. The second
abrasive pad may be extended through the second opening and beyond
the outer surface of the body in the second position.
[0006] According to yet another non-limiting aspect of the present
disclosure, a method is disclosed for attaching a tool to a rotary
device, retracting a cutting element of a tool into a body of the
tool, placing the body of the tool in the end of a cylindrical
article selected from a pipe and a tube, rotating the tool using
the rotary device to extend a portion of the cutting element from
the body using centrifugal force, and abrading an inner wall of the
cylindrical article. The article may be, for example, zirconium,
titanium, aluminum, or an alloy of any of those materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The features and advantages of the apparatuses and methods
described herein may be better understood by reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a tool in accordance with one
non-limiting embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a tool in accordance with one
non-limiting embodiment.
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an embodiment of the tool of FIG.
1 in a stationary-state configuration and in a dynamic-state
configuration, respectively.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates one non-limiting embodiment of a method
of removing oxidation from an inner wall of a pipe using the
embodiment of a tool shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 through FIG. 9 illustrate various embodiments of
openings in the body of a tool in accordance with various
non-limiting embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 10 through FIG. 12 are cross-sectional views of tool
bodies illustrating opening configurations in accordance with
various non-limiting embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 13 through FIG. 17 illustrate the shoes of the tool
embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with various non-limiting
embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 18 through FIG. 21 illustrate abrasive pads in
accordance with various non-limiting embodiments.
[0016] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate an embodiment of a tool in
accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.
[0017] The reader will appreciate the foregoing details, as well as
others, upon considering the following detailed description of
certain non-limiting embodiments according to the present
disclosure. The reader also may comprehend certain of such
additional details upon carrying out or using the tools and methods
described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS
[0018] In the present description of non-limiting embodiments and
in the claims, other than in the operating examples or where
otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities or
characteristics are to be understood as being modified in all
instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the
contrary, any numerical parameters set forth in the following
description are approximations that may vary depending on the
desired characteristics one seeks to obtain in the tools and
methods according to the present disclosure. At the very least, and
not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of
equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter
should at least be construed in light of the number of reported
significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding
techniques.
[0019] Generally, the present disclosure is directed toward
systems, apparatuses, and methods for removing material from a
surface. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the material is
oxidation present on the inner wall of a cylindrical article such
as a pipe or a tube. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the
cylindrical article is a zirconium tube. It is appreciated,
however, that the apparatuses, systems, and methods described
herein may be used with articles composed of a variety of other
materials, such as zirconium alloy, titanium, titanium alloy,
aluminum, and aluminum alloy, for example. Furthermore, this
disclosure is not limited to techniques for removing oxidation, but
instead is intended to cover the removal of any type of scale or
other material that may be removed from a surface using the tools
and methods described herein.
[0020] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a tool 10 in accordance with
one non-limiting embodiment. In one embodiment, the tool 10
comprises a body 12 and a shank 15. The shank 15 may be unitary
with the body 12, or may be a separate component attached to and
integral with the body 12. In one embodiment, the outside diameter
of the shank 15 is about 0.25 inches. The shank 15 may have an
outside diameter that is smaller relative to the outside diameter
of the body 12. The shank 15 may be dimensioned to be received by a
chuck or collet, for example, of a rotary device (not shown). The
rotary device may be any suitable device for rotating the tool 10,
such as an electric drill, a pneumatic drill, an electric die
grinder, a pneumatic die grinder, or a lathe, for example.
Furthermore, while the shank 15 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as having
a general cylindrical shape, it is to be appreciated that the shank
15 may have any suitable shape, where a cross-section defines a
circular, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or any
other suitable bounded shape, such as a shape having multiple
facets, defining any suitable geometry to match a corresponding
chuck or collet, for example.
[0021] Still referring to FIG. 1, the body 12 also may define a
longitudinal opening such as a bore 14. The bore 14 may be centered
on and parallel to a longitudinal axis (shown as "A") of the tool
10. In some embodiments, the bore 14 is a blind hole and therefore
does not extend the entire longitudinal length of the body 12. The
body 12 also may define one or more openings 16. In one embodiment,
the opening 16 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A and
is a rectangular slot. As described in more detail below, however,
the openings 16 may be any suitable size, shape, and configuration.
In various embodiments, the openings may be triangular,
quadrangular (e.g., square, rectangle, rhomboidal), circular, oval,
or any combination, for example. Additionally, the openings in the
body may have any suitable angular orientation relative to the
longitudinal axis A. For example, in some embodiments, the openings
may be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A or may be
oblique to the longitudinal axis A. Furthermore, the openings may
have straight edges, as illustrated in FIG. 1, curved edges, or a
combination of both. In some embodiments, the openings 16 may
generally spiral around the body 12. The openings 16 may connect an
outer surface 18 of the body 12 to the bore 14 to create
passageways in the body 12. The body 12 also may comprise a
reference line 20. The reference line 20 may be, for example, a
machined groove spanning the periphery of the body 12. The
reference line 20 may serve as a visual depth indicator during use
of the tool 10.
[0022] The tool 10 further may comprise a cutting element 22. The
number of cutting elements 22 implemented for any particular
embodiment may correspond to the total number of openings in the
body 12. The cutting element 22 may comprise a shoe 24 and an
abrasive pad 26 attached to a surface 30 of the shoe 24. The
abrasive pad 26 may be attached to the surface 30 using any
suitable adhesive, such as an epoxy, or other attachment technique
suitable for withstanding the heat, pressure, and centrifugal
forces experienced during use of the tool. In one embodiment, one
side of the adhesive pad 30 is sandblasted to accept a
LOCKTITE.RTM. epoxy.
[0023] The abrasive pad 26 may comprise a cutting surface 28. In
one embodiment, the abrasive pad 26 comprises a diamond grit (or
other abrasive) dispersed in a resin (or other binder) to create a
continuous pad. A diamond abrasive is a relatively hard material
and the bond has a tendency to break down during use. This
breakdown helps clean the cutting surface 28, prevent plugging of
the cutting surface, and expose new sharp diamond particles to aid
in the abrading process. In various embodiments, other abrasives
may be implemented, such as boron carbide, silicon carbide,
aluminum oxide, and/or zirconia alumina, for example.
[0024] Still referring to FIG. 1, the shoe 24 may comprise a
shoulder 32. The shoulder 32 may be any suitable configuration. For
example, the shoulder 32 may extend the length of the shoe 24 (as
illustrated) or may extend across a face 34. In some embodiments,
the shoulder 32 may be located on one, two, three, or four sides of
the shoe 24. Furthermore, the shoulder 32 may be continuous, as
illustrated, or may be intermittent, such as a series of pins or
teeth.
[0025] The abrasive pad 26 may be any suitable dimensions, such as
about 0.187 inches wide, about 0.060 inches high, and about 1.0
inches long. The shoe 24 also may have any suitable dimensions. For
example, if the shoe 24 is generally rectangular, the shoe 24 may
be about 0.187 inches high, about 0.25 inches wide, and about 1.187
inches long. Furthermore, the openings 16 may have dimensions about
0.010 inches longer than the shoe 24 and about 0.005 inches wider
than the shoe 24. As is to be appreciated, the total width of the
shoe 24 and the shoulder 32 will be greater than the width of the
opening 16. Similarly, if the shoulder 32 is formed on the face 34
of the shoe 24, than the total length of the shoe 24 and the
shoulder 32 will be greater than the length of the opening 16.
Therefore, the shoulder 32 serves to restrain the shoe 24 from
completely exiting the tool 10 through the opening 16. The outer
diameter of the body 12 may be determined based at least in part on
the intended application. In one embodiment, if the tool 10 is used
to remove oxidation from the inner wall of a cylindrical pipe, the
outside diameter of the body 12 may be approximately 95% of the
pipe's inside diameter. As is to be appreciated upon consideration
of the disclosure, the tool 10 may be used to abrade a variety of
surfaces, such as flat surfaces, and, for example, pipes and tubes
of varying shapes and sizes. The various components of the tool 10,
such as the shoes 24 and the abrasive pad 26, may be sized based on
the application.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cutting elements 22 may be
received in the bore 14. Each opening 16 may receive a cutting
element 22. Once all of the cutting elements 22 have been
positioned in the openings 16, a retaining device 36 may be placed
within the bore 14 to prevent the cutting elements 22 from exiting
the bore 14. In one embodiment, the retaining device 36 is a
self-locking retaining ring (McMaster-Carr part no. 98435A134). In
other embodiments, other types of retaining devices may be used,
such as a threaded cap, or a friction-fitted plug, for example.
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a tool
100 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. As illustrated,
a body 120 of the tool 100 has an outside diameter that is larger
relative to the diameter of the body 12 (FIG. 1). Additionally, the
body 120 defines a bore 114 that is larger in diameter than the
diameter of the bore 14 (FIG. 1). Due to the relatively larger
diameter of the bore 114, a set screw 136 may be installed inside
the bore 114 once the cutting elements 22 have been inserted into
the body 120. When installed, the set screw 136 prohibits the
cutting elements 22 from exiting the tool 100. In one embodiment,
the set screw 136 may be about 1.75 inches long comprising a 1/4-20
socket head set screw. It is to be appreciated that the dimensions
of the set screw 136 may be dependent on the diameter of the bore
114 and the size of the cutting elements 22.
[0028] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of the
tool 10 in a stationary-state configuration (FIG. 3A) and a
dynamic-state configuration, e.g., during rotation (FIG. 3B). The
stationary-state configuration is present when the tool 10 is not
rotating, while the dynamic-state configuration is present during
rotation of the tool 10. In the stationary state, the shoe 24 and
the abrasive pad 26 are freely slidably movable (e.g., float)
within the opening 16 in the body 12. Once the tool 10 is rotated,
the cutting elements 22 are driven outwardly, or radially, from the
body 12 in response to the centrifugal force "F" in the direction
indicated by arrow 29. During rotation the cutting surface 28 is
extended through the opening 16 and beyond the outer surface 18 of
the body 12. The shoulder 32 (FIG. 1) prevents the cutting element
22 from exiting the opening 16 during rotation. Thus, each of the
cutting elements 22 has at least two positions within the tool 10.
The first, stationary position is illustrated in FIG. 3A. In this
position, the abrasive pad 26 is not extended to its abrading
position. The second, dynamic position is illustrated in FIG. 3B.
In the second position, the abrasive pad 36 is in its dynamic-state
abrading position.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a technique for using the tool 10 to
abrade the inner wall 130 of a pipe 132. In one embodiment, the
user may manually push the cutting element 22 into the opening 16
to reduce the total outside diameter of the tool 10 to a size
smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe 132. In the
stationary-state configuration, the tool 10 may then be introduced
into an opening 134 of the pipe 132. Once the tool 10 is in
position within the pipe 132, the tool 10 may be rotated by any
suitable technique, such as a pneumatic die grinder (not shown).
When rotating, the cutting surface 28 is forced outwardly in the
direction indicated by arrow 29 from the body 12 and may contact
the inner wall 130 of the pipe 132. The force of the cutting
surface 28 against the inner wall 130 of the pipe 132 may abrade,
e.g., grind away, material, such as oxidation, on the inner wall
130. The feed pressure exerted by the cutting surface 28 against
the inner wall 130 may be adjusted by adjusting, for example, the
rotational speed of the tool 10 and/or the weight of the cutting
element 22. Generally, if the cutting element 22 has more mass, a
higher feed pressure will result. The reference line 20 allows the
operator to visually determine if the abrasive pad 24 is nearing
the opening 134 of the pipe 132. If the abrasive pad 24 is
partially withdrawn from the pipe 132 during operation, the
abrasive pad 24 may experience uneven wear resulting in uneven
oxide removal and shortened pad life. Therefore, the reference line
20 can alert the user that the abrasive pad 24 is nearing the end
of the pipe 132.
[0030] In operation, the cutting element 22 floats within the
opening 16 and may follow the internal contours of the pipe 132 and
adjust to any variations from roundness as the tool 10 rotates.
Furthermore, in some embodiments the material of the body 12 and
the shoe 24 may be similar or identical to the material of the pipe
132. Matching materials helps to prevent internal cross
contamination by the body 12 and the shoe 24 if these features
contact the pipe 132. For example, in some embodiments the body 12
and the cutting elements 22 may be made of or comprise titanium if
the tool 10 is to be used with titanium piping. Similarly, if the
tool 10 is to be used with zirconium piping, the body 12 and the
cutting elements 22 may be made of or comprise zirconium, for
example.
[0031] The configuration of the cutting elements 22 may vary. For
example, in some embodiments, the cutting element 22 may comprise a
shoe 24 and an abrasive pad 26 (FIG. 1). In other embodiments, the
cutting element 22 may only comprise an abrasive pad 26 configured
to extend through the opening 16 as the tool rotates. As is to be
appreciated, the size or weight of the abrasive pad 26 may be
adjusted to alter the feed pressure and performance of the abrasive
pad.
[0032] FIG. 5 through FIG. 9 illustrate side views of various
embodiments of openings 16 in the body 12 of the tool 10. FIG. 5 is
a side view of the tool 10 in FIG. 1, illustrated without cutting
elements, in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. The
opening 16 may have a distal end 40 and a proximal end 42. As
illustrated, the bore 14 (shown in shadow line) may extend into the
housing 12 to a depth substantially aligned with the proximal end
42 of the opening 16. FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a
tool 140, illustrated without cutting elements, in accordance with
one non-limiting embodiment. The opening 142 includes a proximal
end 144. As illustrated, the opening 142 extends from the proximal
end 144 to the distal end 146 of the tool 140. As is to be
appreciated, a cutting element (not shown) or set of cutting
elements, may be positioned within the opening 142 and a retaining
device, such as the retaining device 36 (FIG. 1), may be positioned
within the bore 14 to retain the cutting elements in place. FIG. 7
is a side view of an embodiment of a tool 150, illustrated without
cutting elements, in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.
As illustrated, the tool 150 may comprise a plurality of openings
152, 154, 156. The openings 152, 154, 156 may vary in size and
orientation. Furthermore, the cutting elements associated with each
opening 152, 154, 156 may be sized accordingly. For example, the
cutting element for use with the opening 156 may be longer than a
cutting element for use with the opening 152. FIG. 8 is a side view
of the tool 100 in FIG. 2, illustrated without cutting elements, in
accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. In this embodiment,
due to the relatively large diameter of the bore 114, a set screw
136 (FIG. 2) may be used to retain the cutting elements. The set
screw 136 may be received by a bore 116. The bore 116 may be
threaded and centered on the longitudinal axis A of the tool 100.
FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of tool 160, illustrated
without cutting elements, in accordance with one non-limiting
embodiment. As illustrated, the tool 160 may have a plurality of
openings 160, 162, 164, 166. The openings 160, 162, 164, 166 may be
staggered with respect to the longitudinal axis A. Furthermore,
while the openings 160, 162, 164, 166 are illustrated as
rectangular, it is appreciated that the openings may be any shape,
such as triangular, quadrangular (e.g., square, rectangle,
rhomboidal), circular, oval, or any combination, for example.
[0033] FIG. 10 through FIG. 12 are cross-sectional views of tool
bodies illustrating opening configurations for various embodiments.
In various embodiments, a plurality of openings may be distributed
equidistantly around the periphery of the body 12. FIG. 10
illustrates three openings 16 equally spaced around the
circumference of the body 12. Accordingly, the openings 16 are
disposed at about 120-degree intervals. While each opening 16 is
illustrated as having similar widths, it is appreciated that the
width of each opening may vary. FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment
with six openings 16 equally spaced around the circumference of the
body 12. In this embodiment, the openings 16 are separated by 60
degrees. FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment with two openings 16
disposed at about 180-degree intervals. The openings 16 are oblique
to a radial axis (shown as "B"). In this embodiment, the center
axis (shown as "C") is offset the radial axis B by an angle
.alpha..
[0034] FIG. 13 through FIG. 17 illustrate the shoe 24 in accordance
with various embodiments. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the shoe
24. As previously described, an abrasive pad, or other type of
cutting device, may be attached to a surface 30 of the shoe 24. As
shown, the shoe 24 may comprise a shoulder 32. FIG. 14 is a side
view of the shoe 24 of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view
of the shoe 24 of FIG. 14 taken along line 15-15. The shoe 24 may
have a shoulder 32 protruding from both a first side 35 and a
second side 37. The shoulder 32 generally may be aligned with a
side 39 of the shoe 24, e.g., a bottom side as illustrated. As
illustrated in FIG. 16, the shoulder 32 of a shoe 24' may be
positioned at any suitable position on the first side 35 and the
second side 37. For example, the shoulder 32 may be vertically
offset from the side 39 of the shoe 24'. Additionally, as
illustrated by a shoe 24'' in FIG. 17, the surface 30 may be
non-parallel in relation to the bottom side 39. In some
embodiments, the shoe 24 may comprise a tip in the form of a chisel
tip, for example. While various embodiments of the shoe 24 have
been described, it is to be appreciated that the size, shape, and
orientation of the shoe 24 may vary.
[0035] FIG. 18 through FIG. 21 illustrate abrasive pads in
accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 18 illustrates the
abrasive pad 26 of FIG. 1 having generally a rectangular
configuration. In various embodiments, however, the size, shape,
and orientation of the abrasive pad 26 and the cutting surface 28
may vary. FIG. 19 illustrates an abrasive pad 26' comprising a
rounded cutting surface 28. FIG. 20 illustrates an abrasive pad
26'' comprising two slanted cutting surfaces 28. FIG. 21
illustrates an abrasive pad 26''' comprising a single slanted
cutting surface 28. In other embodiments, the cross-section of the
abrasive pad may define a variety of other shapes, such as a
parallelogram, for example. Also, various edges of the abrasive pad
may be rounded or chamfered. The abrasive pads may be configured to
attach to a shoe, or may function without the use of a shoe. As is
to be appreciated, a plurality of different abrasive pads, each
with a different shape, may be implemented in a single tool.
Additionally, a first set of abrasive pads may be configured for a
first application, while a second set of abrasive pads may be
configured for a second application. An operator of the tool may
then insert the set of abrasive pads into the tool that are
application appropriate.
[0036] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate an embodiment of a tool 200 in
accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. The tool 200 may
comprise a sheath 202 that surrounds a body 204. The sheath 202 may
be translatable from a first position (shown in FIG. 22A) to a
second position (shown in FIG. 22B) through movement in the
direction indicated by arrow 206. When the sheath 202 in the second
position, openings 216 in the body 204 may be exposed. The sheath
202 may surround the entire body 204, as illustrated, or may
surround a portion of the body 204. Similar to previously described
embodiments, cutting elements (not shown) may extend from the
openings 216 during use of the tool 200. In some embodiments, the
sheath 202 may be biased in the first position using any suitable
method, such as a spring or other biasing technique. The cutting
elements used with tool 200 may vary in design. For example, in
some embodiments the cutting element does not comprise a retaining
shoulder. Instead, the sheath 202 retains the cutting elements in
the body 204 when the sheath is in the first position. During use
of the tool 200, the inner wall of the tubing being conditioned for
welding keeps the cutting elements from completely exiting the body
204 through the openings 216.
[0037] The tool 200 may be sized for particular applications. For
example, the body 204 may have a diameter that is smaller than the
inner diameter of a particular tube. The sheath 202, however, may
have a diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the
oxidized tube. Therefore, when an operator inserts the tool 200
into the end of the tube, the tube wall engages the sheath 202
while the body 204 enters the tube. Rotation of the tool 200
centrifugally extends the cutting elements through the openings and
abrades the inner wall of the tube. Upon removal of the tool 200
from the tube, the sheath 202 may return to the first position,
either manually or through a biasing force.
[0038] Numerous specific details have been set forth herein to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be
understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the
embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In
other instances, well-known operations and components have not been
described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can be
appreciated that the specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit
the scope of the embodiments.
[0039] It is also is noted that any reference to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. Also, the uses herein of the
phrase "in one embodiment" do not necessarily refer to the same
embodiment.
[0040] While certain features of non-limiting embodiments have been
described and illustrated herein, many modifications,
substitutions, changes, and equivalents will occur to those skilled
in the art after reviewing the present disclosure. The appended
claims are intended to cover all such modifications, substitutions,
changes, and equivalents as fall within the true scope of the
present disclosure.
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