GB2200456A

GB2200456A - Alignment checking tool

Info

Publication number: GB2200456A
Application number: GB08801459A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard P Meyers
Original assignee: Dana Inc
Current assignee: Dana Inc
Priority date: 1987-01-30
Filing date: 1988-01-22
Publication date: 1988-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-22
Also published as: CA1301449C; GB2200456B; AU606646B2; GB8801459D0; BR8800285A; JPS63193001A; DE3800750A1; FR2610398B1; FR2610398A1; JP2564159B2; DE3800750C2; AU1038288A

Description

1 tr er, I- 0 JC 2 0 0 0 0 Z 11 1 0 2,'e',- 0 0 -4 5 6 ALIGNMENT CHECKING

TOOL 1 This invention relates to a gaging tool and the 0 8 method of using the tool, and, more particularly to a gaging tool for checking the alignment of two spaced apart holes 0 located on a common axis. The tool has special utility for 0 It checking the alignment of bearing seats on half round end d Th6re are a wide variety of what are usually termed plug gages for determining the dimensional accuracy, usually a diameterl, of holes. These may be supplied in sets to 1: provide a type of go/no-go gaging in which a plug gage of A one size passes within or through the hole,. and a plug gage of a slightly larger size does not pass into the hole. Thus the dimension of the hole can be established as lying between the diameters of the two plug gages.

When it comes to measuring the alignment accuracy 46 W J of two spaced apart holes, the simple plug gage will not suffice. The usual procedure for checking the alignment of spaced holes involves the use of jigs and a feeler gage which must be - elaborately set up for checking each individual pair of- spaced holes. Such a procedure is not Z > practical and often impossible to perform in the field checking of the alignment of cross holes on a universal joint.

Gaging tools recently developed by the Spicer Division of Dana Corporation permits checking the alignment cf cross holes in U-joint components such as the end yokes, yokes of universal joints.

-I- slip yokes and flange yokes used in universal joints. This alignment gage tool consists of a single alignment bar having accurately ground surface for checking the alignment 1 ' J p of spaced full round bearing holes. This tool, however, does not provide a means for checking the alignment of half round holes or bearing seats or of spaced holes of non-round It configuration such as square or hexagonal shape holes.

A SUMARY OF THE INVENTION

A gaging tool for checking the alignment of two 6 spaced apart holes located on a common axis includes a pair of gage bushings each having an outside configuration which E corresponds to the configuration of the holes whose alignment is to be checked. This configuration can be of K any shape such as square or round, and typically is of a 0 0 Z round configuration for checking alignment of half round 0 11 bearing surfaces on. end yokes of universal joints. Each of 0 the pair of gage bushings has a uniform internal gage bore.

8The tool also includes a cylindrical. alignment bar having an external diameter adapted to be closely received through the X - Z 1 internal gage bore in each of the pair of gage bushings.

0 2 Each of the gage bushings are secured in the holes to be checked. Passage of the alignment bar through one of the gage bushings and into the other gage bushing indicates A 0 Z >alignment of the spaced holes. The inability to move the v 0 It alignment bar into the other gage bushing indicates misalignment.

Typically the gaging tool has more than one pair of gage bushings withdifferent external diameters for checking the alignment of spaced holes of different sizes. Each of f 51 r 4.1 is the pairs of gage bushings typically has the same uniform internal gage diameter closely receiving the cylindrical alignment bar.

The method of checking the alignment of two spaced ji apart holes located on a common axis, where the holes are partially defined by the bearing seats on a half round end Q yoke includes the following steps:

(a) selecting a pair of gage bushings which have the same uniform internal bore and an external cylindrical configuration conforming to the earing seat diameter; (b) securing one of the gage bushings in each of the spaced apart bearing seats by attaching a pair of retaining straps to the yoke so that the bearing seats and retaining straps define the pair of spaced apart holes; (c) providing an alignment bar adapted to be 0 closely received in the internal bore of the gage bushings; 0 C5 -3 8 bore of one of the gage bushings; and J v (e) determining if the alignment bar will also pass z into the internal bore of the other of the gage bushings.

4K 0 The alignment bar is passed into the other or (d) passing the alignment bar through the internal second gage bushing by a combination of a rotary -and axial movement of the bar in a sliding engagement. DRAWING V z The preferred embodiments of the invention are Ci illustrated in the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially exploded view showing the tool of this invention as it is employed to check the alignment of spaced holes formed in part by the -3 0 1 C 0 bearing seats of a connection yoke; FIG. 2 is an elevational view partially in section showing the gaging tool of this invention checking the 0 'round yoke structure of FIG.

0 alignment of holes in the half 0 1 wherein the holes are found in alignment; FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a connection yoke 0 with the alignment tool of this invention detecting misalignment, shown on an exaggerated scale, typically caused by an improper disassembly procedure or a previous failure resulting in heat dis tortion; FIG. 4 is an end view of a connection yoke with the tool of this invention detecting misalignment, shown on an exaggerated scale, typically caused by excessive torque or a previous heat distortion failure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED z EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawing, gaging tool 10 for checking the alignment of two spaced apart holes located on a common axis is shown as including cylindrical alignment Z bar 12 and a pair of gage bushings 14 and 16. The outside configuration o.f gage bushings 14 and 16# or at least a 13 K 1 portion thereof, corresponds to the configuration of the holes whose alignment is to be checked. This configuration 0 ZX can be a round hole, square hole, or of any geometrical shape,. the holes being located on a common axis. In the example shown in the drawing, these holes, 18 and 20, appear 0 0 as a semi-circular bearing seat on a half round end yoke 22..

In renewing worn universal joints, for example, at the ends of an automotive drive shaft, the four bearings and t, i t 1 1 1 91 U-joint cross are comletely replaced. To assure that the new installation reaches its potential life, it is extremely important that the cross holes are in alignment. This alignment cannot be ascertained by the naked eye, and sometimes complex procedures are used to check alignment. The aforementioned Dana alignment bar solved this alignment checking problem for full round types of yokes, but it does not offer a solution for non round shapes or the illustrated bearing seats on a half round yoke. As shown in FIG. lr gage bushings 14 and 16 are placed in bearing seats 18 and 20 and are secured to yokd 22 by retaining strap 24 with bolts 26. Gage bushings 14 and 16 have uniform internal gage bores 28 and 30 respectively.

Alignment bar 12 has a cylindrical configuration with a gaging portion 32 and an abutting knurled handle portion 34 of the slightly smaller diameter than the gaging S portion. Gaging portion 32 is accurately ground to be 0 closely received through the internal. gage bores 28 and 30 of gage bushings 14 and 16.

In user after the gage bearings have been secured in the holes, their alignment and hence the bearing seat alignment can be checked by inserting the gaging portion 32 of alignment bar 12 through the internal bore 28 in a first L 0 z gage bearing 14, and if it enters and passes through the 0 , internal gage bore 30 of the second gage bushing 16 by an (5 d axial.and rotating movement of the alignment bar 12, the two 0 holes are in alignment as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows on an exaggerated scale an end yoke in which the holes are clearly out of alignment due to the fact that one of its lugs 36 has become distorted. This is normally caused by the improper disassembly of the joint or by a heat distortion failure in use. Likewise, FIG. 4 shows 0,p on an exaggerated scale an axial misalignment of the two holes. This type of condition has been usually caused by the application of excessive torque (overload) or by heat It distortion.

Alignment tool 10 would normally be supplied with Z 2 Lr more than one pair of gage bushings so that the alignment of various size holes can be checked. In this case, each pair of gage bushings would have an appropriately different W > external diameter to match the size of the bearing seats in the particular yoke 22 being checked. Non circular external profile pairs can also be supplied to match the configuation Z of the holes being checked. Normally, the internal bores 28 0 >an 30 of all of the gage bushing pairs would be identical to 0 gaccomodate a single uniform gaging portion 32 on the J 0 alignment bar 12. In some circumstances these gage bores W can be different, and the gaging portion of the can be.

Z wappropriately stepped to accomodate this difference in diameter. It is only necessary that the gaging portion of 1 M the alignment bar intended to be received in the internal W 0 bore of the individual gage bushings have a matching, close Z fitting, uniform diameter. The gaging portion 32, or at 0 W least a portion thereof, is preferably circular in 0 t cross-section at the gage bushing engaging locations to avoid any necessity for, in effect, requiring alignment of the gage bushings before hole alignment checking can take place.

11 I 1 i A e fl

Claims

8 1. A gaging tool for checking the alignment of two z spaced apart holes located on a common axis comprising, in combination:

a pair of gage bushings each having an outside configuration corresponding to the configuration of the holes whose alignment is to be checked and a uniform internal gage bore; and a cylindrical alignment bar having an external diameter adapted to be closely received through the internal gage bore in each of said pair of gage bushings, said alignment bar being received through said gage bores of each of said pair of gage bushings when said holes are in alignment and each of.said pair of gage bushings are secured within said holes.

2 The gaging tool according to claim 1 wherein said gage bushings have a cylindrical outside configuration for determining the alignment of round holes.

4 3. The gaging tool according to claim 2 wherein W each of said pair of gage bushings have the same outside diameter for checking the alignment of two spaced apart holes of the same diameter.

f 2 0 9 4. The gaging tool according to claim 1 wherein 0 each of said pair of gage bushings has the same internal gage bore diameter and at least the portions of said alignment bar which are to be received in each of said internal gage bores have the same external diameter.

I_ 5. The gaging tool according to claim 4 wherein said alignment bar has a gaging portion of uniform diameter spanning the distance between the holes whose alignment are p to be checked.

6. The gaging tool according to claim 5 wherein 0 said alignment bar has a handle portion abutting said gaging portion.

2 7. The gaging tool of claim 1 wherein said pair of gage bushings constitute a first pair of gage bushings for FP 6 checking the alignment of a.first pair of holes on a common axis, and further comprising: a second pair of gage bushings each having an W 11 outside configuration different from the outside configuration of said first pair of gage bushings and having z the same uniform internal gage diameter of said first pair 0 of gage bearings to check the aligment of a second pair of holes on a common axis.

0 0 - 9 8. A gaging tool for checking the alignment of bearing seats on half round yokes with bearing retention Z straps# comprising, in combination: a cylindrical alignm ent bar having a gaging portion and abutting handle portion, said gaging portion 1 L 0 spanning the yoke bearing seats to be checked; z 4 > a pair of gage bushings each having an outside 0 diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bearing seats d c to be checked and a uniform internal gage diameter; and 0 at least that portion of the alignment bar at the ends of the gaging portion intended to span the bearing seats having a uniform diameter less than said gage diameter -g- 6 f i' to produce sliding engagement within said gage bearings; whereby when said gage bushings are secured in said bearing seats by said retention straps, alignment is checked by moving the gaging portion of the alignment bar through one of said gage bushings and into the other gage bushing, 0 0 1 I 9 2 non-alignment being indicated by the inability to move the alignment bar into said other gage bushing.

9. The gaging tool of claim 8 wherein the entire 4 gaging portion of said alignment bar is of a uniform a diameter.

10. The gaging tool of claim 9 wherein the handle portion of said alignment bar is of a smaller diameter than the diameter of the gaging portion.

11. The gaging tool of claim 10 wherein said handle portion has a knurled finish.

12. The gaging tool of claim 8 wherein said pair of 0 gage bushings constitute a first Pair of gage bushings for 0 checking the alignment of bearing seats on a yoke of a first given size, and further comprising: a second pair of gage bushings each having an I outside diameter different from the outside diameters of 4 said first pair of gage bushings and having the same uniform 0 internal gage diameter of said first pair of gage bushings 0 'lignment of bearing seats on a second, Z to check the a different size,, end yoke.

6 13. The method of checking the alignment of two c 0 E spaced apart holes located on a common axis, comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a pair of gage bushings each having W 4C is the same uniform internal bore and external configurations conforming to the configurations of the spaced apart holes; (b) securing one of said gage bushings in each of said spaced apart holes; (c) providing an alignment bar adapted to be closely received in the internal bore of both of said gage bushings; (d) passing said alignment bar through the internal bore of one of said gage bushings; i X 2: 0 g 1 a a 6 (c) determining if said alignment bar will also C4 pass into the internal bore of a second one of said gage M m bushings.

z The method of checkina alianment of round T 91 0 14. holes according to claim 13 further including the initial z step of providing a plurality of pairs of gage bushings all 0 0 having the same uniform internal bore and each pair having 0 11 a cylindrical configuration with a diameter different from Ir 0 2 0 others of said pairs, and performing step (a) by selecting one of said pairs of said bushing members.

3C z 15. The method of checking alignment of two spaced 2 apart holes according to claim 14 wherein said spaced apart W 1 holes are partially defined by the bearing seats on a half W 1 round end yoke and wherein said step (b) includes the 0.

0 z X > following sub-steps:

(ba) positioning one of said selected pair of gage bushings on each of said bearing seats; and (bb) attaching a pair of retaining straps to said half round yoke securing said selected pair of gage bushings in said pair of apaced apart holes def ined by said bearing seats and-retaining straps.

1 A r 16. A gaging tool substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

17. A method of checking alignment of spaced 5 apart holes substantially as described herein.

z 17 Published 19IR81at The Patent Office, State House. 66'71 High Holborn. London WCIR 4TP. Ilixther copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent SR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent. Con. 1/87.