Importance

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Abstract

A toolholder is provided for receiving, pressurizing, and conducting an external stream of coolant to a rotating cutting tool without mechanical containment between the toolholder and the coolant stream. The toolholder includes a shank attachably connectable to a rotatable drive shaft, an adapter, such as a collet chuck, for connecting a rotatable cutting tool to the shank, and a coolant inducer mounted between the shank and the adapter. The coolant inducer is formed from an impeller assembly having a plurality of uniformly spaced, coolant receiving openings around its periphery for receiving an uncontained coolant stream. A passageway is provided along the axis of rotation of the adapter for receiving and conducting the coolant pressurized by the impeller assembly to a cutting tool secured in the adapter. The impeller-type coolant inducer eliminates the need for fluid seals or other friction-generating mechanical interfaces between the rotating toolholder and the source of pressurized coolant.

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First Claim