Patent · US Expired

Alignment bracket assembly integrity check and sag determination

US5185937A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
3References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 3, 1992
Grant dateFeb 16, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 3, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B5/25
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods for verifying the mechanical integrity of an alignment bracket, particularly a multi-configurable alignment bracket, used for aligning co-rotatable in-line machine shafts, and for determining the amount of alignment bracket "sag" to be accounted for when subsequently employing readings taken with the alignment bracket. The invention employs a previously-established relationship between sag and deflection of the alignment bracket under the influence of a known force to determine sag and to verify mechanical integrity of the alignment bracket in situ, avoiding the need for the usual prealignment sag determination on a separate straight pipe or mandrel. In the practice of the method, the alignment bracket is set up in a position for use, on the actual shafts being aligned. The extension bar of the alignment bracket is positioned above the centerlines of the shafts, and a known force is applied by hanging a known weight at a predetermined point on the alignment bracket. This force results in a deflection of the extension bar, which is measured. From the measured deflection, a sag value is determined based on a previously-determined relationship. To verify integrity of the align…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.