초록 ▼

A power transmission is provided. The power transmission includes a housing including a continuous channel following a three-dimensional path. A plurality of beads is located within the continuous channel and movable therein. A first sprocket is rotateably connected to the housing and forms a first

A power transmission is provided. The power transmission includes a housing including a continuous channel following a three-dimensional path. A plurality of beads is located within the continuous channel and movable therein. A first sprocket is rotateably connected to the housing and forms a first portion of the continuous channel in movable contact with the plurality of beads. A second sprocket is rotateably connected to the housing and forms a second portion of the continuous channel in movable contact with the plurality of beads, the second sprocket having an axis of rotation angled with respect to an axis of rotation of the first sprocket. A milling tool and a method of removing material from a work piece are also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A milling tool comprising: a housing including a continuous channel; a plurality of beads located within the channel and movable therein; a first sprocket rotateably connected to the housing and forming a portion of the continuous channel in movable contact with the plurality

What is claimed is: 1. A milling tool comprising: a housing including a continuous channel; a plurality of beads located within the channel and movable therein; a first sprocket rotateably connected to the housing and forming a portion of the continuous channel in movable contact with the plurality of beads; and a second sprocket rotateably connected to the housing and forming another portion of the continuous channel in movable contact with the plurality of beads, the second sprocket configured for connection to a milling bit for removing material. 2. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein the second sprocket includes a keyed aperture for connection with a keyed shaft. 3. The milling tool of claim 1, further comprising a lubricating fluid in contact with the plurality of beads. 4. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein an axis of rotation of the first sprocket is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the second sprocket. 5. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein a cumulative gap between the plurality of beads is between about 쩍% and 3% of a diameter of one of the beads. 6. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beads are substantially spherical. 7. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beads are aligned in single file within the continuous channel. 8. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of beads is at least one of in contact with and in close proximity to an adjacent one of the plurality of beads, and wherein the continuous channel is substantially entirely filled with beads. 9. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beads are substantially spherical and aligned in single file within the continuous channel, the milling tool further comprising at least one separator between at least two of the plurality of beads for maintaining a desired distance between the at least two of the plurality of beads. 10. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second sprockets comprise a plurality of cups at a periphery thereof, and the plurality of beads removably contact the plurality of cups. 11. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second sprockets comprise a plurality of cups at a periphery thereof, and the plurality of beads removably contact the plurality of cups, wherein at least one of the plurality of cups comprises a spherical contact surface. 12. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second sprockets comprise an outwardly extending integrally formed shaft. 13. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second sprockets comprise a keyed aperture for removably receiving a keyed shaft. 14. The milling tool of claim 1, further comprising at least one cooling passage within the housing for passing a flow of cooling fluid. 15. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein the continuous channel follows a substantially three-dimensional path, and wherein the second sprocket has an axis of rotation angled with respect to an axis of rotation of the first sprocket. 16. The milling tool of claim 1, further comprising a third sprocket rotateably connected to the housing in movable contact with the plurality of beads. 17. The milling tool of claim 1, further comprising the milling bit connected to the second sprocket. 18. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein the beads are sized between about 3/32 inch and 쩌 inch. 19. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: a first body with at least a segment of the continuous channel machined therein, the continuous channel having an open top portion; and a second body connected to the first body which covers the open top portion of the continuous channel. 20. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein the housing includes extending portions for retaining the plurality of beads along a bead path within the housing in the continuous channel without contact from one of the first and second sprockets. 21. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beads are substantially spherical, wherein at least a portion of the continuous channel is at least partially contoured to a perimeter of the plurality of beads, wherein a portion of the housing comprising the channel comprises an open section in an area adjacent to at least one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket to permit engagement of the at least one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket with the plurality of beads, wherein the housing comprises extending portions, the extending portions defining the open section in at least a transition area where the plurality of beads begin to engage the at least one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket and wherein the open section has a width smaller than a diameter of the plurality of beads, for retaining the plurality of beads along a bead path within the housing in the continuous channel. 22. The milling tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket is adjustable relative to the housing for adjusting an effective width of the continuous channel adjacent to the at least one of the first sprocket and the second sprocket. 23. A method of removing material from a work piece, the method comprising: providing a milling tool comprising: a housing including a continuous channel; a plurality of beads arranged within the channel in a substantially continuous chain and movable therein; an input sprocket rotateably connected to the housing and forming a first portion of the continuous channel in movable contact with the plurality of beads for transferring motion to the plurality of beads; and at least one output sprocket rotateably connected to the housing and forming a second portion of the continuous channel in movable contact with the plurality of beads for rotation by movement of the plurality of beads; connecting the at least one output sprocket to at least one bit for removing material from a work piece; rotating the input sprocket, whereby the at least one output sprocket is automatically rotated; and engaging a work piece with the at least one bit to remove material from the work piece.