System and Method for a Grinding Wheel

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/645,658 filed May 10, 2024, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to a system and method for a grinding wheel.

Grinding wheels exist for grinding various materials. However, with respect to grinding steel, the options are very limited. Consequently, there is a need for an improved grinding wheel.

Several embodiments of Applicant's invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Turning to,is a top view of a grinding wheel in one embodiment.is a side profile view of a grinding wheel in one embodiment.

show one embodiment of a grinding wheel. The shape and relative dimensions of the grinding wheelin these figures is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting.

As shown the grinding wheelis circular in shape so that it can be rotated. The grinding wheelcan be utilized on any equipment known in the art. In one embodiment the grinding wheelcan be coupled to machinery or equipment such as a grinder. In one embodiment the grinding wheelcomprises a coupler on the backside of the grinding wheel. Specifically, the coupler is located on the opposite side depicted in. The coupler allows the grinding wheelto be coupled to machinery or equipment. In one embodiment the coupler comprises an attachment which allows the grinding wheelto be coupled and de-coupled to equipment, such as a grinder. This can include any attaching device known in the art. It can include screws, bolts, and the like.

As shown, the grinding wheelhas a planar portion. The planar portioncan comprise virtually any material. This includes steel, carbide, etc. The planar portionprovides a surface on which to rest the piece to be ground, referred to as the working piece(depicted in).

In some embodiments, the working piececomprises steel. Grinding steel offers difficulties that are not present with other working pieces. The material used to grind the steel must be carefully selected.

In some embodiments the working piececomprises undesirably sharp edges. Depending upon the environment in which the working piece will be utilized, these sharp edges must be reduced or eliminated. Ships, submarines, etc. are one example wherein the sharp edges must be removed for a variety of reasons. As ship, boats, submarines, etc. utilize steel, reducing these sharp edges can be difficult. Sharp edges provide an ideal location for rust, paint wearing, corrosion, etc. Thus, rounding or dulling these sharp edges is beneficial as it reduces the likelihood of corrosion, damage, etc. Additionally, sharp edges must often be reduced in welding environment.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the grinding wheelcomprises a chamfer surface. As used herein the chamfer surfaceis a surface which has a different shape and dimension than the planar portion. As shown, the chamfer surfaceextends vertically outward from the planar portionof the grinding wheel. Further, as shown, the planar surfaceextends radially around the chamfer surface. Put differently, the chamfer surfacehas a radius, as measured from the center of the grinding wheel, which is less than the radius of the planar portion.

It should be noted that while the term refers to a “chamfer” surface, this term, as used herein, refers to chamfers, and angles and shapes to shape whatever material is to be used on the work piece.

The chamfer surfacecan have a constant or a non-constant slope. As such, in one embodiment the chamfer surfacecomprises a non-constant slope. This is for illustrative purposed only, however, and should not be deemed limiting. The shape, slope, and size of the chamfer surfacewill depend upon the size and dimensions of the working piece, the desired edge of the working piece, and other factors. Those of ordinary skill will understand the need to modify the shape of the chamfer surfaceto obtain the desired outcome on the working piece.

In one embodiment, the chamfer surfacecomprises a cutting material. As used herein, a cutting material can refer to a material of sufficient hardness to grind workpieces such as steel. A cutting material can include diamond particles, shaped tungsten carbide, or carbide inserts. These materials can be incorporated atop or within the chamfer surface. These cutting materials can be used to cut and round steel, for example. As an example, The diamonds can be incorporated within and/or atop the chamfer surfaceusing methods known in the art. Diamonds, unlike other materials, can grind steel and do not easily wear. Other materials used to grind steel become worn over time and must be replaced. The cutting material, such as diamond particles grind the steel without the wear associated with other materials.

As shown, the grinding wheelfurther comprises a band. The bandlocks the chamfer surfacein place. As depicted, the bandis approximately perpendicular to the planar portion.

is a perspective of a grinding wheel coupled to equipment in one embodiment. The grinding wheelis shown being coupled to equipment. As noted, the equipmentcan comprise virtually any equipment or machinery which rotates a part. As shown, the equipmentcomprises a grinder. As depicted, the traditional abrasive wheel has been removed. In its place, the grinding wheelhas been coupled to the equipment. The grinding wheel, in one embodiment, has an integrally made abrasive wheel, which is the planar portion, and a chamfer portion, which functions as a chamfer tool. As noted, this single wheelfunctions as two tools in one.

In one embodiment, the grinding wheelwill screw onto a/-threaded grinder. Such a size is standard in the industry. This allows the grinding wheelto be utilized on pre-existing equipment. This is an advantage as customers can obtain the grinding wheelsand not require any other specialized equipment or machinery. Instead, the user can utilize the equipmentthey already own and use.

Turning to,is a perspective view of a work piecein one embodiment. As noted, the work piececan comprise various sizes, shapes, and materials. In one embodiment, the work piececomprises steel. As noted, steel has various properties which make grinding and rounding corners difficult. The grinding wheeldiscussed herein overcomes these disadvantages by providing a single wheelwhich accomplishes the tasks of multiple tools but with a single wheel.

show what the work piecedoes to a piece of steel. As shown, the grinding wheelwas used to create a uniform round-over of the sharp edge of steel. This is similar to what can be accomplished with a router with woodworking. Previously, a separate tool was utilized to attempt to round the sharp edges. This was a separate tool which required maintenance, upkeep, etc. Additionally, users had to separately carry and house this tool in their tool bag. The grinding wheel, however, provides a single tool which can both grind and create uniform round-over to dull the sharp corners.

As noted, in many industries sharp corners are to be rounded. For instance, all sharp edges in shipyards must be rounded over in order for paint to stick to the steel. As discussed, sharp edges create vulnerability to corrosion and chipping of paint accelerates when sharp edges are not rounded over. The grinding wheel, given the combination of the planar portionand the chamfer surface, offers virtually limitless shape profiles to create different edges.

Additionally, as noted, in welding, in order to weld thick weldments, the user must first bevel the edges of the steel to be joined so that you can get full penetration. The angles range from about 5 degrees to about 37.5 degrees. Often, there is a land or an area that does not get beveled, that the weld itself can penetrate through. The grinding wheeldiscussed herein provides an opportunity to create the desired and needed edges.

There are several benefits associated with diamond particles being located on the chamfer surface. First, the grinding wheellasts much longer than other grinding wheels. Thus, the equipment lasts longer and can be used longer than other grinding wheels. This reduces downtime associated with swapping and replacing worn grinding wheels. This, accordingly, reduces the amount of waste.

Additionally, rather than requiring a separate chamfering tool, the grinding wheeloffers multiple tools in one. The chamfering tool is combined with the grinding wheelto offer a superior combination tool not previously available. A chamfering tool can have consumable inserts which must be replaced when they become worn. Further, this tool needs to be separately carried, maintained, etc. However, by utilizing a combination chamfer surfacewith a grinding wheel, the need for a separate chamfering tool, with consumable inserts, is eliminated. Thus, the waste associated with the consumable inserts, is also eliminated.

As noted, in one embodiment, the diamond particles are only located on the chamfer surface. This reduces cost of the entire grinding wheeland only utilizes the costly diamonds where they are most needed, i.e., the chamfer surface. Thus, in one embodiment, the planar surfaceand the chamfer surfacewill comprise dissimilar materials. The planar surfacecan comprise virtually any material.

While one embodiment has been described wherein diamond particles are only utilized on the chamfer surface, in other embodiments the planar surfacecan also comprise diamond particles.

The system described herein includes placing diamond particles on a disc in shapes to create profiles on the edge of plates, such as steel plates. The desired profile will determine the specific shape of the chamfer surface.

Turning to,is a perspective view of a grinding wheel in one embodiment.shows the various chamfer surfaceshapes which can be utilized. As noted, this will be determined, in part, by the work piece and the desired shape for the edge of the work piece.

As noted, in one embodiment, the grinding wheelcomprises a planar portionand a chamfer surface. The chamfer surfaceextends vertically from the planar portion. The combination tool operates as both a grinding wheel and a chamfering tool. In one embodiment, the chamfer surfacecomprises diamond particles. This allows the tool to be utilized on steel and steel work pieces. The components of the planar surfacecan be selected depending upon the final work piece.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.