Dampening assembly for can bodymaker ram

Abstract

A can bodymaker includes a housing assembly, a drive mechanism, a ram assembly, a domer assembly, and a ram body dampening assembly. The ram assembly includes an elongated ram body. The drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the ram assembly so that the drive mechanism imparts a reciprocating motion to the ram body. The ram body dampening assembly is disposed adjacent the ram body path of travel. The ram body dampening assembly includes a housing and a dampening member. The dampening member is disposed immediately adjacent the ram body path of travel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ram body dampening assembly for a can bodymaker, said bodymaker including an elongated ram body, said ram body structured to reciprocate between a retracted, first position and a forward, second position, said ram body dampening assembly comprising:
 a dampening member; and   wherein said dampening member is one of an active dampening member or a passive dampening member.   
     
     
         2 . The ram body dampening assembly of  claim 1  wherein said dampening member includes a generally torus shaped body that defines a generally circular passage structured to allow said ram body to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The ram body dampening assembly of  claim 2  wherein said dampening member body is made from a resilient material. 
     
     
         4 . The ram body dampening assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a number of seals structured to remove coolant from said ram body; 
 said number of seals and said dampening member structured to form an envelope about said ram body. 
 
     
     
         5 . The ram body dampening assembly of  claim 4  further comprising a purge air system; and
 said purge air system structured to provide a pressurized fluid to said envelope. 
 
     
     
         6 . A can bodymaker comprising:
 a housing assembly;   a drive mechanism, said drive mechanism coupled to said housing assembly;   a ram assembly including an elongated ram body;   said drive mechanism operatively coupled to said ram assembly wherein said drive mechanism imparts a reciprocating motion to said ram body;   said ram body moving between a retracted, first position and a forward, second position over a path of travel;   a domer assembly coupled to said housing assembly and disposed immediately adjacent the ram body path of travel;   a ram body dampening assembly disposed adjacent said ram body path of travel;   said ram body dampening assembly including a housing and a dampening member;   said dampening member coupled to said ram body dampening assembly housing; and   said dampening member disposed immediately adjacent the ram body path of travel.   
     
     
         7 . The can bodymaker of  claim 6  wherein said dampening member defines an air gap about said ram body. 
     
     
         8 . The can bodymaker of  claim 7  wherein said air gap is between about 0.005 inch and 0.001 inch. 
     
     
         9 . The can bodymaker of  claim 6  wherein:
 said dampening member defines a generally circular passage structured to allow said ram body to pass therethrough; 
 said ram body path of travel extending through said dampening member passage; and 
 wherein, when said ram body is stationary and extending through said dampening member passage, said dampening member defines an air gap about said ram body. 
 
     
     
         10 . The can bodymaker of  claim 9  wherein said air gap is between about 0.005 inch and 0.001 inch. 
     
     
         11 . The can bodymaker of  claim 10  wherein said air gap is about 0.0025 inch. 
     
     
         12 . The can bodymaker of  claim 7  wherein:
 said ram body dampening assembly housing includes a purge air system and a number of seals; 
 said seals and said dampening member structured to define an envelope about said ram body; and 
 said purge air system structured to provide a pressurized fluid to said envelope. 
 
     
     
         13 . The can bodymaker of  claim 6  wherein:
 said rain body has a cantilever length; and 
 as said ram body moves between said retracted, first position and a forward, second position, said ram body cantilever length does not change. 
 
     
     
         14 . The can bodymaker of  claim 6  wherein
 said dampening member defines a generally circular passage structured to allow said ram body to pass therethrough; 
 said ram body path of travel extending through said dampening member passage; and 
 wherein, when said ram body is stationary and extending through said dampening member passage, said ram body does not contact said dampening member. 
 
     
     
         15 . The can bodymaker of  claim 6  wherein:
 the ram body is a non-active ram body; and 
 wherein, said non-active ram body does not contact said dampening member.