US3525158A

US3525158A - Apparatus for aligning shafts and the like

Info

Publication number: US3525158A
Application number: US657311A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dwight L Torlay
Original assignee: United States Steel Corp
Current assignee: United States Steel Corp
Priority date: 1967-07-31
Filing date: 1967-07-31
Publication date: 1970-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 1987-08-25

Description

Aug. 25, 1970 D. L. TORLAY 13,525,153

APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING SHAFTS AND THE LIKE Filed July 51, 1967 3 Sheets- Sheet 1 TE=Z- I80 /8d 220 26a 18:

\ INVENTOR.

\- 20c DWIGHT L. TORLAY 1 u 20 MKM/ I I 22a 22b 15a Attorney Aug. 25, 1970 TORLAY 3,525,158

APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING SHAFTS AND THE LIKE Filed July 31, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' m IDA. 'PE'BIEID- l/V VENTOR. DWIGHT L. T'ORL A Y MJM A Horney United States Patent O 3,525,158 APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING SHAFTS AND THE LIKE Dwight L. Torlay, Lawrence Township, Mercer County, N.J., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 31, 1967, Ser. No. 657,311 Int. Cl. G01b 3/30 US. Cl. 33-180 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for aligning one elongated member with an elongated reference member. This apparatus has a body which is self-leveling and seats firmly on either the reference member or another member to be aligned therewith, an indicating device on the body for engaging and checking the alignment of the other member, a securing device on the body for securing the body to one of the reference member or the other member and engageable with a hook device on the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order to couple together two or more pieces of machinery, it is necessary for the satisfactory operation of such pieces of machinery to correctly align the adjacent shafts of the drive and driven members of the two pieces of machinery. The conventional apparatus for setting and checking the alignment of two such shafts, has an indicating-type instrument or dial indicator graduated in thousandths of an inch mounted on the base or reference shaft and engageable with the shaft to be aligned therewith. One of the conventional mounting means for the dial indicator has included therein the use of magnetic base clamps. Another conventional mounting means comprises a hole drilled and tapped in the reference shaft for the stem of the dial indicator. A still further conventional mounting means required the fabricating of a special clamp and the like. Such conventional mounting means are not always satisfactory and require considerable time to install.

Further, the different shapes and sizes of the various types of couplings increase the problems of aligning the reference shaft and the shaft to be aligned therewith. For example, a mill motor type coupling is secured on a shaft by means of a hexagon nut on the end of the shaft. Again, some couplings are secured on the shafts by bolted plates. In another case some couplings are forced on the shafts with an interference fit. Also the shape of the particular shaft or coupling (i.e. flat, concave, convex or pointed) or the size of the particular shaft or coupling affect the alignment problem.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of this invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to prior art practices by the provision of appara tus for aligning one elongated member with an elongated reference member, and an improved mounting means for such apparatus, which apparatus and mounting means:

(1) are simple and rugged in construction;

(2) provide substantially maintenance-free operation;

(3) are quickly and easily mounted on either the reference member or the member to be aligned with the reference member; and

(4) are adapted for use with all types of shafts and couplings of any size or shape.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid objects of this invention, and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing apparatus for checking the alignment of a reference member and another member to be aligned with the reference member. This apparatus has a body provided with a plurality of spaced legs for engagement with one of the reference member and the other member and for self-leveling and for seating firmly the body on the one, indicating means mounted on the body and engageable with the other of the reference member and the other member, hook means on the body, and securing means on the body extending around the one and adapted to engage the hook means to secure the body on the one.

Improved mounting means are provided for mounting the indicating means on the apparatus. The mounting means has a body provided with a plurality of spaced legs for engagement with one of the reference member and the other member, and for self-leveling and for sealing firmly the body on the one, hook means on the body, and securing means On the body extending around the one and adapted to engage the hook means to secure the body on the one.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a reference shaft on the left and a shaft to be aligned with the reference shaft on the right, and the apparatus for checking the vertical alignment and horizontal alignment of such shafts and utilizing a side mounting hole in the body of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the body of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line lIII of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the body of the apparatus with the hook means, tensioning means and the securing means removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a rod-clamping device taken along the lines IVIV of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a rod-clamping device;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing use of the top mounting hole in the body of the apparatus for checking the alignment of a reference shaft having a smaller diameter than the other shaft;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing use of the front mounting hole in the body of the apparatus for checking the horizontal alignment of a workpiece in a milling machine with a rotary cutter of such milling machine;

FIGS. 8A-8B are bottom views similar to FIG. 3 of alternative embodiments of the legs of the body of the apparatus;

FIGS. 9A-9C are side elevational views of alternative embodiments of the body of the apparatus; and

FIGS. 10A10E are fragmentary side elevational views similar to FIG. 2 of alternative embodiments of the securing means and hook means.

Although the principles of this invention are broadly applicable to the alignment of an elongated reference member of one machine and another elongated member of another machine, this invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the alignment of shafts, couplings and the like and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION With specific reference to the form of this invention illustrated in the drawings, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the improved apparatus of this invention for checking the alignment of a reference member (such as a reference shaft and another member (such as the shaft 12 to be aligned with the reference shaft 10) is indicated by the reference numeral 14 (FIG. 1).

This apparatus 14 (FIG. 1) has a body 16 (FIGS. 1-2) provided with a plurality of spaced legs, such as the legs 18:1, 18b, 18c (FIGS. 1-3) arranged in a tripod and having

flat surfaces

20a, 20b, 200 respectively (FIGS. 2-3) for engagement with flat planar surfaces and inclined surfaces 22:1, 221), 220 respectively (FIGS. 2-3) forming a V-block for engagement with curved surfaces (i.e. concave or convex) or pointed surfaces. The body 16 (FIG. 1) engages one of the reference shaft 10 and the other shaft 12 (in this case the reference shaft 10) for selfleveling the apparatus 14 and for seating the apparatus 14 on the reference shaft 10. A clearance recess 18:1 (FIGS. 2-3) between the

legs

18a, 18b, 180 is adapted to receive pointed surfaces.

In order to hold the body 16 firmly on the reference shaft 10, securing means, such as a timing chain 24 (FIGS. l2) is secured to the legs 18b, 18: by a pin 26 (FIGS. 1-2) extending from holes 26:1 (FIGS. 1-3) in the

legs

18b, 18c and between the

legs

18b, 18c. The timing chain 24 is wrapped around the reference shaft 10 and is secured in a hook means, such as a hook 28 (FIG. 2). This hook 28 is connected by a link 30 (FIG. 2) to a tensioning means 32 (FIG. 2) for tightening the chain 24 about the reference shaft 10.

TENSIONING MEANS This tensioning means 32 (FIG. 2) has a rod 32:: (FIG. 2) of square cross section connected to the link 30 on one side in this case the left side of the body 16, as viewed in FIG. 2, and passing through a hole 32b in a round plug 32b (secured as by welding in a countersink 16:1 of a hole 16b in the body 16) and the hole 16b. The rod 32:: has a rounded threaded end 32b (FIGS. 1-2) eX- tending through the other side, in this case the right side as viewed in FIG. 2, of the body 16. The square cross section of the rod 32:1 and the hole 32b in the plug 32b prevents rotation of the rod 32:1 with respect to the body 16 but permits longitudinal reciprocable movement of the rod 32:: with respect thereto.

In order to tighten the chain 24 around the reference shaft 10, a knurled nut 32c (FIGS. 1-2) is threadable on the threaded end 32b of the rod 32a and bears against the right side, as viewed in FIG. 2, of the body 16 to move the rod 32:1 to the right through. the plug 32b and the hole 1611, thereby tightening the chain 24 about the reference shaft 10.

For the purpose of adapting the body 16 for substantially universal indicating or checking use, such body 16 is provided with a plurality of threaded mounting holes (FIGS. 1-2) for mounting rods similar to the mounting rod 3411 (FIG. 1) of a mounting means 34, such as a top mounting hole 160 (FIGS. 1-2), a through side mounting hole 16d (FIGS. 1-2) to provide mounting on either side of the body 16, and a front mounting hole 16e (FIG. 2).

As viewed in FIG. 1, the side mounting hole 16:1 is employed to mount a mounting rod 34a for an indicating means, such as indicator dials 36a, 36b for, in this case, checking the vertical and horizontal alignment, respectively, of the shaft 12 with respect to the reference shaft 10.

The structure utilized to mount the indicator dials 36a, 36b (suitably of the type manufactured by the L. S. Starrett Company, Athol, Mass), and engageable with the other of the reference shaft 10 and the shaft 12, in this case the shaft 12. to check the horizontal alignment 4 of the shaft 12 with the reference shaft 10, is a mounting means 34 (FIG. 1). This mounting means 34 has the indicator dial 36:1 (FIG. 1) mounted by a screw 34b (FIG. 1) on a rod 34:11, which rod 34:11 is mounted by means of a rod-clamping device 34:1 (FIGS. 1, 4-, 5) on the rod 34:1.

For the purpose of mounting the indicator 36b to check the vertical alignment of the shaft 12 with respect to the reference shaft 10, such indicator 36b (FIG. 1) is mounted by means of a screw 34b (FIG. 1) on a rod 34:12 connected by a rod-clamping device 3411:: (FIG. 1) to a rod 34:13, which rod 34:13 is mounted by a rod-clamping device 341111 on the rod 34a.

ROD-CLAMPING DEVICE This rod-clamping device 34d (FIGS. 1, 4, 5) has a pin 34:11 (FIG. 5) having a rounded end 341112 provided with a hole 34a'13 for the rod 34:11, a straight sided mid portion 341114 of smaller outside diameter than the rounded end 34d12 and a threaded end portion 34:115 of still smaller outside diameter. A sleeve 34:12 (FIGS. 4-5) is provided with a hole 34:121 (FIG. 5) registerable with the hole 34:113 in the pin 34011 and a rectangular slot 341122 (FIG. 5) for receiving the mid portion 34d14 of the pin 34:11 to permit integral rotation of the pin 34:11 and the sleeve 34:12. The pin 34:11 extends through a hole 341131 (FIG. 5) of a split yoke 34d3 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5) so that the end of the mid portion 341114 of the pin 3401 may receive a straight sided hole 341141 of a washer 34:14 (FIGS. 4-5). A hole 34d32 in the yoke 34:13 receives the rod 3411. A knurled nut 34:15 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5) threads on the threaded end 34:115 of the pin 34:11 to compress a spring 34116 (FIG. 5) against the washer 34:14, thereby securing the rods 34:1, 34:11 in the rodclamping device 34:1.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS It will be understood by those skilled in the art that alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, where a shaft 12 has a larger diameter than a reference shaft 10 a rod 34:14 of the mounting means 34 is mounted in the top mounting hole 16c of the body 16 The horizontal alignment indicator dial 36:: is mounted by a screw 34b on a rod 34111 The rod 34a1 is secured by a rod-clamping device 34:1 to a rod 34:1 which rod 34a is connected by rodclamping device 34:10 on the rod 34a4. In turn the vertical indicator 3611 checks the vertical alignment of the shaft 12 with respect to the reference shaft 10 and is mounted as explained with respect to in FIG. 1 on a rod 34a5 in the side mounting hole 16d of the body 16 In FIG. 7 a milling cutter 38 of a milling machine (not shown) is rotatable in the direction of the arrow on a shaft 40 and is engageable with the work 42 clamped at 43 on a traveling table 44, which table 44 is reciprocable in the direction of the arrows on a bed or frame 46 of the milling machine. Here the apparatus 14 is mounted on the periphery of the cutter 38 and the indicator dial 3611 for checking the alignment of the work 42, is mounted in a front mounting hole of the body 16 A screw 34b secures the indicator dial 36b on the rod 34:18. A rod-clamping device 34:1:1 connects the rod 34a8 to a rod 34:17. A rod-clamping device 34de secures the rod 34:17 to a rod 34119, which rod 34:19 is connected by a rodclamping device 3411 to a rod 34:1 Such rod 34:1 screws into the front mounting hole 160 of the body 16".

Referring now to FIGS. 8A, 9A, two legs 1811 18b are shown having serrated fiat surfaces 20:1 ZGb for improved gripping on a fiat planar surface (not shown) and serrated inclined surfaces 22a 22b for improved gripping on curved (concave or convex) or pointed surfaces. The chain 24 (not shown in FIG. 9A) is secured to lugs 26b (FIGS. 8A, 9A) projecting from the leg 18b by a pin 26 (FIG. 9A) extending through holes 26a in the lugs 26b and between the leg 18b. In FIGS. 83, 913 four legs 18a 18b 180 18g are provided with fiat corrugated gripping surfaces 20a 2%, 20c 20g and corrugated inclined gripping surfaces 22a 22M 22c 22g. As shown in FIG. 9C the inclined gripping

surfaces

22a, 22b 220 may be arcuate, either concave (FIG. 9C) or convex (not shown), and have a cross section, such as an irregular curve, parabola, ellipse or hyperbola.

In FIG. A the hook 28 is provided with a resilient retaining member 48 secured to the hook 28 by a screw 48a. The hook 28 is provided with a V-shaped end portion 28a. FIG. 10B shows a spring biased clamp 50 connected at 30a to the rod 32a for use with a chain, metal or leather band or an elastic stretchable rope 52. The clamp 50 has serrated or

corrugated jaws

50a, 50b and biasing spring 50c. Referring to FIG. 10C, an S-shaped hook 28 is employed with a metal or leather band 54 provided with holes 54a. In FIG. 10D a buckle 56 having the tongue 56a pivotable at 56b engages a hole 54a in a metallic band 54 FIG. 10E shows a buckle 56 pivotable at 56b on the link 30 and having bars 57 for use with a flexible plastic or fabric band 54 SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing apparatus 14 (FIGS. 1-5) etc. for aligning

shafts

10, 12 and the like and an improved mounting means 34 for such apparatus 14, which apparatus 14 and mounting means 34 is simple and rugged in construction, provides substantially maintenance-free operation, is quickly and easily mounted on either the reference member 10 or the member 12 to be aligned with the reference member 10, and is adapted for use with all types of shafts and couplings of any size or shape.

While in accordance with the patent statutes preferred and alternative embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for checking the alignment of a reference member with another member to be aligned with said reference member, said apparatus having:

(a) a body provided with a plurality of spaced legs for engagement with one of said reference member and said other member and for self-leveling and for seating firmly said body on said one, said body being provided with:

(1) a side mounting hole for use when said reference member has a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of said other member;

(2) a top mounting hole for use when said reference member has a diameter substantially different from the diameter of said other member;

(3) a front mounting hole for use when said reference member is reciprocable with respect to said other member; and

(4) a tensioning means hole of polygonal cross section;

(b) mounting means in one hole of said side mounting hole, said top mounting hole and said front mounting hole;

(c) indicating means mounted on said mounting means, engageable with the other of said reference member and said other member and for indicating the alignment of said reference member with said other member;

(d) securing means having one end secured to said body and extending around said one,

(e) hook means connected to the free end of said securing means, and

(f) tensioning means connected to said nuuk means for tightening said securing means about said one;

(1) said tensioning means having a longitudinal member having a polygonal cross section, reciprocable in said tensioning means hole and connected at one end to said hook means and a fastener member threadable on the other end of said longitudinal member and bearing against said body to reciprocate said longitudinal member in said tensioning means hole without twisting said securing means.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said legs have a serrated surface to engage said one.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said legs have a corrugated surface to engage said one.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 and having two legs on one side of said body and an opposed leg on the other side of said body.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 and having two legs on one side of said body and two opposed legs on the other side of said body.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said hook means is a hook and said hook has a retaining member.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said hook means is a spring biased clamp.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said hook means is an S-hook.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said hook means is a buckle.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said securing means is an elastic member.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said securing means is a chain.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said securing means is a band provided with a hole.

13. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said securing means is a flexible band.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said hook has a V-shaped end portion.

15. Mounting means for mounting an indicating means for apparatus for checking the alignment of a reference member with another member to be aligned with said reference member, said mounting means having:

(l) a side mounting hole for use when said reference member has a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of said other member;

(4) a tensioning means hole of polygonal cross section;

(b) mounting means in one hole of said side mounting hole, said top mounting hole and said front mounting hole for supporting said indicating means;

(c) securing means having one end secured to said body and extending around said one,

(d) hook means connected to the free end of said securing means, and

(e) tensioning means connected to said hook means for tightening said securing means about said one;

(1) said tensioning means having a longitudinal member having a polygonal cross section, reciprocable in said tensioning means hole and connected at one end to said hook means and a fastener member threadable on the other end of said longitudinal member and bearing against said body to reciprocate said longitudinal mem- 7 bet in said tensioning means hole Without twisting said securing means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,593,986 4/1952 Comstock 33174 2,429,923 10/ 1947 Cavicchi 33-169 2,155,705 4/ 1939 Gottwald.

8 3,244,392 4/1966 Sheets- 33-180 2,815,582 12/1957 Karstens 33l80 2,634,939 4/1953 Voss 33-84 US. Cl. X.R. 33-84, 180; 248231 Patent No. 3,525,158 August 25, 1970 Dwight L. Torlay rror appears in the above identified It is certified that e s Patent are hereby corrected as patent and that said Letter shown below:

d seating Column 2, line 20, "sealing" should rea Column 5, line 1, cancel "and between the leg 18 Signed and sealed this 16th day of March 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Atlesting Officer WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.