US2410093A - Gauging device - Google Patents

Description

Oct 29; 9 6- E. F. MARTIN EC- GAUGING DEVICE Filed March 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l Obt. 29, 1946. 5. F. MARTINEC 2,410,093

GAUGING DEVICE FiledMarch 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 grwc/wtm mm m Patented Qct. 29,1946

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,410,093 GAUGING DEVICE Eugene F. Martinec, Cleveland, Ohio Application March 15, 1943, Serial No. 479,239

2 Claims.

This invention relates to gauging devices, and has for an object to provide a simple and effective device for very accurately gauging various parts or elements, and one which can be employed to operate an indicating means, either visible, audible, element sorting or separating, and the like.

It is particularly adapted for indicating and controlling tolerances; that is, indicating when elements being gauged are within given tolerances, or separating them so that elements within the given tolerances are placed together and separated from those outside those tolerances.

It is also an object to provide such a device which may be contructed and assembled as a unit, to be assembled and adjusted independently of its application, and may be mounted as such a unit on an application locating support in position for gauging the desired parts or elements involved,

and at the same time may be used in connection with the device with which it is so located to control operation of the device on the elements to be gauged to maintain them accurately within predetermined small limits.

Another object is to provide a device com-' prising a complete assembled unit which may be located and used as such, and includes a lightsensitive element with means connected therewith for connecting it with indicating means to be controlled, a light element to provide a light beam to the light-sensitive element, a movable means positioned to be aiiected by the element to be gauged, and means located between the light element and the cell element to control the light beam to the cell element including a movable member operated by said movable means to be positioned in accordance with dimensions of the element to be gauged.

Another object is to provide a device in which it is possible to vary the tolerances desired without 'in any way disassembling the gauge unit.

Still another object is to provide a gauging unit that will not only automatically gauge parts to within .0001 inch or less, but may also be employed to automatically grade them or sort them into receptacles according to size.

A particular object is to provide a gauging means which will not only automatically gauge the elements within close limits, but in which the errors due to the human element in reading a gauge and depending on such readings are eliminated. With the foregoing and other objects in view I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown but may employ various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention. These drawings are somewhat diagrammatical, but show the device in sufiicient detail so that the principles of con- '22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical. section substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2; I Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical view showing one arrangement of electrical connections which may be used and its relation to the gauging element and the article to be gauged;

Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrammatical views of the indicating arm showing modified arrangements;

Fig. 7 is a. side elevation and edge view of the indicating arm of Fig. 5 showing one way in which 7 the light controlling element carried by the arm may be mounted, and

Figs. 3 to 12 are diagrammatical views indicating some examples of-difierent applications for which the device may be used.

This invention was developed for the purpose of filling a definite need on the part of industry for gauging equipment capable of not only automatically gauging parts or elements to within .0001 inch or less, but which also could be used to automatically grade them and sort them into bins or receptacles according to size. Gauges now largely employed are dependent upon the human element to correctly read the gauge, and then depend on the operator to sort the articles according to such readings in the correct receptacle. The ordinary dial type of gauge is rather dlfjClllt to read and becomes extremely tiresome to the operator where a large number of pieces are handled, resulting in liability to error, which tendency increases as the number of pieces handled is increased. In an attempt to remedy this condition several so-called electro-limit gauges and other types of electric gauges have been developed which spread the indication of size over a much larger dial area so as to make them easier for the operator to read. All the electric gauges are extremely critical devices and require considerable setting and maintaining of adjustment and in addition are quite expensive and complicated. In spite of the larger dial area for any given tolerance provided by these electric type gauges, they are still subject to the human element in correctly reading and sorting the pieces.

To overcome these clifiiculties and problems I have devised the present construction which will not only automatically register extremely small tolerances, but may also be employed to sort the measured piece into its correct receptacle. In this invention the extremely simple gear type dial gauge, which over a good many years has proved to be extremely durable and ac curate, is employed, and there is built around it and'assembled therewith in a complete unit, means of translating the reading given by the dial gauge into any amount of energy necessary for correctly indicating the reading or doing any type of feeding, grading, sorting, feed or adjustment control and the like. This has been accomplished without in any way affecting the accuracy, life or simplicity of the dial gauge.

This new device makes use basically of the indicator hand of the dial gauge for interrupting in various ways a beam of light focused on a photocell element which may be used directl or associated with an extremely stable, simple and economical amplifier. No special equipment in the form of special vacuum tubes, relays or other similar equipment is necessary, as standard devices readily available on the market may be employed. As a beam of light offers absolutely no resistance to the passage of a solid through it, it will be understood that this system or device in no way affects the stability and accuracy of the simple dial gauge. The device is so constructed and arranged that no specia1 optical system is required and a standard small type lamp developed for projector use may be employed, All vacuum tubes and relays used may be of standard types produced in large quantities for other purposes and therefore may be readily secured on the market.

, Referring first to Figs. 1 to 7, the device com" pri'sesa small and compact housing I made of suitable material, preferably a suitable molded plastic material or a die-casting, and may for conven ience and simplicity of molding comprise two or more sections secured together, as for example in the present case a body portion 2 having suitable chambers 3, 4 and 5 in which are mounted various elements of the device, and some or all of which may open through one side of the housing, as for example the top thereof to facilitate mounting the elements in these chambers, and which chambers may be closed by a suitable top or closure section 6. The housing also includes a split lateral extension or frame 7! having an opening 8 therethrough to receive and embrace an application locating post or support 9 and on which it is adjustable to permit location in the proper desired position and on which it may be clamped in adjusted position by a clamping screw Hi. There is also provided a locking collar i i also embracing the post or support 9 and split so that it may be clamped in the desired position on this post or support by a similar clamping screw 12. Frame portion I is connected to this collar by a micrometer adjusting screw is mounted for turning movements in the collar and having threaded connection with the housing frame I. This may be a single or double micrometer screw as desired, and is designed for close micrometer adjustments between the collar and the housing to properly locate the housing and the gauging means carried thereby with respect to the gauging table or sup-- port indicated diagrammatically at G, and permit locating of the device in zero position in respect to its master or standard element it with which the elements to be gauged are to be compared, as will be more fully described later. The collar i may be clamped in desired position on the post or support Q, and, after loosening the clamping sore $23, the housing may be raised or lowered by the micrometer screw l3 to the desired position and then clamped in this position by again tightening or setting the screw l0.

Mounted in the housing, as for example in the chamber l, is a light-sensitive or photocell element hi, and in the adjacent chamber 3 is a light source such as a relatively small filament incandescent electric light element 1 5 to provide a beam of light to be projected on the cell element H3. Located between the light element and the cell element is means for controlling the light beam which means is in turn controlled by a means responsive to variations in the dimensions of the elements to be gauged. For this purpose, although various types of gauging or measuring mechanism may be used, I prefer a typical gear type dial gauge [8 which has over a good man years of use proven to be extremely durable and accurate. A satisfactory type of this mechanical gauging element is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically and comprises a movable stem I! guided for vertical sliding movement and projecting from the housing in position to engage the element to be gauged, such as the master gauge block [8 used for setting the device, and the elements to be gauged, such as the circular element I9 (Fig. 4). It will be understood this stem need not directly engage the element being gauged, but could engage an intervening member whose position is determined by the element so that the position of the stem is determined by this element, An example of such an arrangement is disclosed in my copending application filed of even date herewith. This movable stem I! is connected by a rack 20 and suitable gearing 2! with an indicating arm 22, the gearing being such as to step up or amplify the movement of stem H to give a much larger movement of the indicating arm. This arm may move over a suitable indicating dial 23 and have a zero setting slot 24 or other indicating means to indicate when it is in zero position over the dial. A spring 25 tends to shift the stem i? downward to engage the article being gauged.

The arm 22 is extended to a position between the photocell element and the light element and is provided with means 26 so positioned that during the measuring operation it cooperates with a slot 2'! in a Wall 28 located between the cell element and the light element for passage of a light beam fromv the light element to the cell element and at the proper time, depending on the size and shape of the member 26 on the indicating arm and the location of this arm, to interrupt the light beam to the cell element and therefore cause operation of this element to control some device, such for example as an indicating device, as either visible or audible indicating means, or a suitable sorting or separating mechanism for the elements gauged, The term indicating means is used in a broad sense as meaning any one of a number of different devices, such for example as a visible indicator, an audible signal, sorting means, adjusting means, etc., or any device aifected or controlled by the reaction of a cell due to interruption or change of the light beam. In the diagrammatical View as shown in Fi 4, thecell I4 is shown as connected by suitable wiring 29 with a suitable source of current, as a batteryand coil 3] operating the clapper 32 of a signal bell 33. This particular indicator is shown merely by way of example to indicate some device controlled by the cell. The'mechanical gauging element I6 is also shown diagramatically, and instead of showing the gear train connection between the stem 11 and the gauging arm 22, merely a; conventional connection is shown to indicate that movement of the stem I1 upwardly swings the free end of the arm 22 upwardly or clockwise.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 7, various shapes and sizes of elements may be carried by the indicating arm to cooperate with the slot 21 to control the light beam. depending on tolerances or other effects d esired,it being preferred that these elements be detachably mounted in the arm 22 so that they may be changed to secure the effect desired.

In the present case, by way of example, four different shapes and sizes of these elements are shown, indicated by the numerals 26, 26a, 26b and 26c, these being shown as thin plates slipped into the forked end 22a of the indicator arm, the sides of which may be spring elements frictionally gripping and holding the removable element. audible signal 33 may also be mounted in the housing as indicated, and if relays or other operating mechanism are desired as well as amplifying tubes and devices for amplifying the current from the cell element, they may also be mounted in the housing, as indicated diagrammatically at 34, making a self-contained g u un t which may be assembled and adjusted independently and separately from its position of use, and then it may be mounted at the position of use on a suitable support, such asfor example the application locating post or support 9 on a gauging or sorting device, or on a machine tool where the device is to be used for adjusting the operating tools, such for example as a grinding wheel'to control grinding of a series of articles within close tolerances and adjust the grinding, operation for variations in the wheel as it wears, for example. Thus as shown in Fig. 1 there may be an attachment cap 35 for plugging the device into a source of electric power, as for example the outlet from a house wiring system, and another plug 36 connected by a flexible cable extension 31 from the device to connect it with a field application, such as an indicating device, including a sorting, adjusting or similar field application as indicated above.

' As above indicated, the arm 22 is so positioned that during the measuring operation it may pass between the light source 15 and the light-sensitive cell element M, particularly through a light beam passing through the slot 21 from the light source to the cell element. The completed unit is so constructed physically that the. onl light that can reach the cell element is through this slot, and although the indicator arm with its element 25 is shown mounted between the slot and the source of the light beam, the same effect would be secured if it were mounted between the slot and the cell element, it being required only that it be positioned to interrupt the light beam at a given location or locations.

'- As'indicated, from the broad and fundamental operation of the unit it will be understood that if the indicating arm 22 (specifically the element 26, 26a, 26b or 26c) during measurement of an element l9 being gauged should interrupt the light beam passing through the slot 21 onto the photocell element 14, it will cause the resistance of this element to increase to a point where the battery 30 cannot force sufficient current through the coil 3! of the signal device to keep the spring biased clapper 32 down against the coil. The biasing spring 38 will then pull the clapper against the signal bell 33 giving a single stroke audio signal. As the indicating arm 22, as shown in Fig. 4, again uncovers the slot either by going up past the slot because the element 19 is oversize, or falling back due to removal of the element or part [9 from under the gauging stem I1, the resistance of the photocell I4 is again lowered allowing sufi'icient current to flow through the circuit to again pull the clapper 32 down and away from the signal bell.

If the indicating arm 22 is originally set so that it covers the slot 21 to interrupt the light beam when a master part or element l8 of exactly the [correct size i placed under the gauge stem l1, it will be seen that when a part or element I9 to be gauged is inserted under the gauge stem and that element is smaller than the master element, no signal will be given because the indicating arm of the gaugin unit will not be forced high enough to interrupt the light beam, and consequently no signal will result. If the piece or element being gauged is of the correct size, the arm will come up and cover the slot 21, thus interrupting the light beam and cause one stroke of the clapper 32 against the bell 33. If on the other hand the piece or element is too large, the indicating arm 22 will pass beyond the slot 21 interrupting the light beam once going up, resultin a signal, and once coming down, when the part or element being gauged is removed from under the stem l1, resulting under these conditions in a total of two strokes of the clapper against the bell; The upward movement of the indicating arm 22 may be limited by a stop pin It will'therefore be seen that in this particular broad arrangement used as an example, no signal signifies that'the element being gauged is too small, one signal that the element is of the correct size, and two signals that the element being gauged is too large. This principle, as will be further pointed out, can be modified to indicate various conditions and secure different resulting operations or eiiects in accordance with permissible tolerances and desired results.

Some of these effects and conditions are lustrated in Figs. 2, 5, 6, and 8 to 12.

Referring to Fig. 5, the tip 26b on the indicating arm can be substituted for the tip 25a of Fig. 4. The slot 21 is exactly the same as that in Fig. 4, but the tip 26b has been made considerably wider than the tip 26a. With the tip 26a of substantially the same width as the slot 21 or only slightly larger the piece or element [9 being gauged had to be exactly the correct size if only one signal was to result." However, if the tip 26b is made wide enough so that the slot 21 is covered, both if the part it) being gauged is one measuring unit too small or one measuring unit too large, the operator will still hear only one signal for all parts varying from one unit under the desired size to one unit over the desired size;

thus giving tolerances plus or minus one measuring unit. It will be evident that by using tips 261) of different widths, any tolerances desired may be secured. r v

In the arrangement of -Fig'. 6, the-principle is the same, the slot 21 being the same as in the previous forms ,and'the indicating arm being similar except that the tip 260 is so shaped and arranged that, instead of light falling on the photocell element I4 by the beam through the slot 21 at all times except when an element IQ of the correct size is under the gauge stern l1, light falls on the photocell element only when an element l9 of the correct size is under the stem of the gauge, and at all other times no light falls on the photocell element. This arrangement is sometimes desirable depending on the type of signal or other manifestation it is desired that the varying resistance of the photocell element, due to the light falling on it, is to produce. In this arrangement the tip 260 has an opening 39 of a width dependin on the tolerances desired so that when the element l9 being gauged is within these tolerances the slot 21 will be within or in alignment withthe opening 39 and the light beam will pass to the cell element. On both sides of the opening 39 the member 260 is extended and made sufliciently wide so that at all other times, when the element being gauged is either below or above the permissible tolerances, the slot 21 is covered and the light beam cut oif. This is really a reversal of the arrangement of Figs, 2, 4 and 5, in that the light passes to the cell when the element being gauged is within the permissible tolerances instead of being cut oif as in the arrangements of Figs. 2, 4 and 5, but the principle is the same in both cases.

It will be seen in Fig. 2 that the removable tip 26 of the indicating arm 22 is arranged entirely below the center line of the arm or the zero line. With this arrangement light will pass to the cell element through the slot 21 at all sizes of the element 19 being gauged at or below the exact size, but when this element is of any size or any adopted measuring units above the exact size, there will be one signal when the slot 21 is covered by the piece 26, and there will be two signals only when the piece is larger than the permitted largest tolerance size. Therefore, in this arrangement only a given number of measuring units of tolerance above the exact size will be allowed, but anything at or under the exact size will give no signal.

It is to be understood the signal 33 is shown merely by way of example, but that the varying resistance of the photocell element due to the light beam being interrupted can be utilized for any purpose desired. Thus for example it may be used when properly connected through suitable amplifiers to produce any type of signal such as audio, visual, etc., or may be used to translate the interruptions of the light beam through suit-- able amplifiers and associated electrical circuits, relays and electrically actuated mechanical means to do any type of sorting, rejection of parts being gauged, or controlling of associated machinery in manufacturing said parts.

The drawings show the device specifically employed for gauging round and similar articles, but it is to be understood it is not limited to such uses, but may be employed in a large number of different applications. For example, in addition to gauging the sizes or dimensions of various articles and indicating these sizes, it may be used for controlling a device for sorting the articles according to size, as described in my copending applications filed of even date herewith, Serial Nos. 479,241 and 479,242 and designated Cases D and E; or by using any other type of standard counting or sorting equipment that operates on signal impulses; or it may be used to control various devices as machine tools and the like to adjust metal Working operations to maintain the parts within certain size limits, or it may be used to automatically measure and control size variations, temperature variations, pressure variations and the like of minut nature, and to do it very accurately. A few examples of these difierent applications are illustrated in Figs. 8 to 12.

Fig. 8 shows the application similar to the application of Figs. 1 to 6, but indicates the device as used for measuring a somewhat different shaped article 55 very accurately to .0001 inch or less, and it may be used for actuation of sorting devices, feeding fixtures, or use of instruments for general mass production by all types of fabrication shops and Warehouses.

Fig. 9 indicates how the same automatic gauge may be applied to the superaccurate control of minute changes of liquid or gas pressure in confined vessels of all types permitting the most simple control for these and other processes, as for example sensitive chemical processes in many industries. As illustrated, the device is mounted (on an application support as in Fig. 3) with the gauging stem ll of the gauging unit resting on a bellows 56 or other shaped device sensitive to pres sure changes within a vessel 51, and records it to .0001 inch or less with positive accuracy. The device may be used to control changes from mechanical, temperature or other causes.

In Fig. 10 is indicated how this gauging device or unit may be applied for measuring or controlling minute temperature variations with very exacting control, the device being shown responsive to movements of a bi-metallic element which is sensitive to temperature changes. Thus it is shown with the gauging stem l1 engaging a bimetallic thermostat or element 58, responsive to temperature changes in any device or location, as for example in an electric resistance coil 59, or the vessel 60, or it could be responsive to temperature changes in pipes, tubes, wires, and so forth. This will provide an extremely accurate means for controlling all heating operations of buildings, processes and other treating needs.

Still another example is illustrated in Fig. 11 where the same gauging device or unit is indicated for the high-pressure safety control of boilers or other pressure tanks by having the gauging stem l'l resting on the explosion plate 6| of a boiler 62 thereby assuring a supersensitive means of indication or safety control for the boiler or tank before the plate bursts, with resulting damage to and extensive shut-down of equipment. It will be understood that all types of receivers and closed cycle equipmentmay be given this protection.

Fig. 12 shows how this device may be used for testing or indicating in the field, laboratory or testing shop actual deflections of beams, rails, machine frames, and so forth in operation to enable the securing of safety control of loading, and so forth. As illustrated, the gauging unit is mounted on a suitable adjustable support 63 so that the gauging stem ll engages a beam, shaft or similar element 64 supported on spaced supports 65 and loaded intermediate the supports by load 66 under a bridge rail machine 61. This will indicate deflection of the beam or other member under the applied load, and could be used in actual field application to control the load or other actions or operations according to deflection of the loaded element. This provides accurate means for weighing moving vehicles of great 9 weight, or indicating whether they are over a certain weight limit, without their being stopped to do so. To illustrate, it may be used for overload weighing control on state highways of automobile trucks and similar vehicles and trains and other means of transportation of heavy articles.

The elements actually controlled are not shown in these figures, as it will be understood they may be various devices and it is therefore believed to be unnecessary to illustrate them. The device may provide automatic control or actuation of relays, switches, valves, motors, or other equipment in starting, stopping, or adjusting any operation involved.

Having set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. A gauging device comprising a photocell element, means for connecting said element with an indicating means to be controlled thereby, a light,

element positioned to provide a light beam to the cell element, means between the light element and the cell element to control the light beam comprising a wall member and a movable control member over the wall member, one of said members having a narrow slot therein for the light beam and the other member having a slot of sufl'icient width so that the first slot is in alignment therewith both if the part being gauged is of the correct given size and at least one measuring unit different from the correct size, said indicating means being so connected with the cell element as to give an indication when said slots are in alignment, a mechanical gauging element including a movable member positioned to be affected by the element to be gauged, and an operative connection from the latter movable member to the control member to shift said control member to correspond with the size of the element being gauged.

2. A gauging devic comprising a photocell element, means for connecting said element with a device to be controlled, a light element positioned to provide a light beam to the cell element, a wall member between the light and the cell provided with a slot therein for passage of the light beam, an arm including a head movable over said slot and provided with a slot adapted to be brought into alignment with the first slot, said second slot being wider than the first slot and of a width equal to movement of the head caused by a variation of more than one measuring unit in the element being gauged, said head being of a Width to cover the first slot to interrupt th light beam except when the slots are in alignment, said device to be controlled being so connected with the cell element as to be operated in a given manner whenever the slots are in alignment, a movable member in position to be affected by the element being gauged, and an operative connection from said member to the arm.

EUGENE F. MARTINEC.

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