Machining fixture for centering and holding workpiece

Abstract

A centering and holding fixture includes a base, a piston disposed within a piston chamber at least partially located within the base, and a radially flexible ring connected to the piston by force transmission apparatus operable to contract and expand the radially flexible ring by upward and downward motions respectively of the piston. The flexible ring may be slotted and may include alternating inwardly and outwardly extending radial slots extending axially through the flexible ring and extending radially inwardly and radially outwardly from radially outer and inner surfaces of the flexible ring respectively to axial stress relief holes extending axially through the flexible ring. The apparatus may further be operable to contract the radially flexible ring when the piston chamber is pressurized and to expand it when the piston chamber is depressurized. Spring loaded clamps mounted to the base may be used to secure a workpiece to the holding fixture.

1 . A centering and holding fixture comprising: 
 a base,    a piston disposed within a piston chamber at least partially located within the base,    a radially flexible ring connected to the piston by a force transmission means for causing the radially flexible ring to contract and expand by upward and downward motions respectively of the piston,    the radially flexible being ring including a conical annular upper portion stacked above a cylindrical annular lower portion and circumscribed about a vertical axis, and    the conical annular upper portion being attached to and entirely located above the cylindrical annular lower portion.    
     
     
         2 . A fixture as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the flexible ring being slotted.  
     
     
         3 . A fixture as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising alternating inwardly and outwardly extending radial slots extending axially through the flexible ring and extending radially inwardly and radially outwardly from radially outer and inner surfaces of the flexible ring respectively to axial stress relief holes extending axially through the flexible ring.  
     
     
         4 . A fixture as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the force transmission means being effective for causing the radially flexible ring to contract when the piston chamber is pressurized and to expand when the piston chamber is depressurized.  
     
     
         5 . A fixture as claimed in  claim 4  further comprising alternating inwardly and outwardly extending radial slots extending axially through the flexible ring and extending radially inwardly and radially outwardly from radially outer and inner surfaces of the flexible ring respectively to axial stress relief holes extending axially through the flexible ring.  
     
     
         6 - 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A fixtured machining assembly comprising: 
 an annular workpiece mounted in a centering and holding fixture having a base,    a piston disposed within a piston chamber at least partially located within the base,    a radially flexible ring connected to the piston by a force transmission means for causing the radially flexible ring to contract and expand by upward and downward motions respectively of the piston and center and hold the annular workpiece in place for machining when the flexible ring is expanded,    the radially flexible being ring including a conical annular upper portion stacked above a cylindrical annular lower portion and circumscribed about a vertical axis, and    the conical annular upper portion being attached to and entirely located above the cylindrical annular lower portion.    
     
     
         21 . A fixtured machining assembly as claimed in  claim 20  further comprising the flexible ring being slotted.  
     
     
         22 . A fixtured machining assembly as claimed in  claim 21  further comprising alternating inwardly and outwardly extending radial slots extending axially through the flexible ring and extending radially inwardly and radially outwardly from radially outer and inner surfaces of the flexible ring respectively to axial stress relief holes extending axially through the flexible ring.  
     
     
         23 . A fixtured machining assembly as claimed in  claim 20  further comprising the force transmission means being effective for causing the radially flexible ring to contract when the piston chamber is pressurized and to expand when the piston chamber is depressurized.  
     
     
         24 . A fixtured machining assembly as claimed in  claim 23  further comprising alternating inwardly and outwardly extending radial slots extending axially through the flexible ring and extending radially inwardly and radially outwardly from radially outer and inner surfaces of the flexible ring respectively to axial stress relief holes extending axially through the flexible ring.  
     
     
         25 - 42 . (canceled)