US 11,752,720 B2
Press machine with modular linear actuator system
Jeffrey E. Debus, Ballwin, MO (US); and Darrell B. Harrelson, St Peters, MO (US)
Assigned to PDInnovative LLC, Fenton, MO (US)
Filed by PDInnovative LLC, Fenton, MO (US)
Filed on May 23, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/664,644.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/263,603, filed on Nov. 5, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/260,978, filed on Sep. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0071694 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B30B 1/18 (2006.01); B21J 9/10 (2006.01); F16H 25/20 (2006.01); B30B 15/12 (2006.01)
CPC B30B 1/18 (2013.01) [B21J 9/10 (2013.01); B30B 1/183 (2013.01); B30B 15/12 (2013.01); F16H 25/205 (2013.01); F16H 2025/2081 (2013.01); F16H 2025/2087 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A press system for forming a part, comprising:
a first linear actuator having a first male-female screw arrangement and a first actuator rod that is coupled to the first male-female screw arrangement, the first actuator rod undergoing linear movement in response to rotational movement of the first male-female screw arrangement;
a second linear actuator having a second male-female screw arrangement and a second actuator rod that is coupled to the second male-female screw arrangement, the second actuator rod undergoing linear movement in response to rotational movement of the second male-female screw arrangement;
a press ram that is coupled to the first actuator rod and the second actuator rod, the press ram for receiving a tool for engaging and forming the part, the press ram undergoing movement toward or away from the part in response to the corresponding linear movement of the first and second actuator rods;
a high-speed motor coupled to the first male-female screw arrangement of the first linear actuator for providing a high-speed and low-force condition on the press ram, the high-speed motor for advancing the press ram toward the part and retracting the press ram from the part;
a first high-torque motor coupled to the first male-female screw arrangement of the first linear actuator;
a second high-torque motor coupled to the second male-female screw arrangement of the second linear actuator, the first and second high-torque motors for providing a low-speed and high-force condition on the press ram for forming the part; and
a clutch that limits the rotational speed of at least one of the first high-torque motor and the second high-torque motor when the high-speed motor of the first linear actuator is operating in the high-speed and low-force condition,
wherein the high-speed motor is operational while the part is being formed and provides additional force to the press ram.