U.S. patent application number 11/289755 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-07 for device and method for alignment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Damalini AB. Invention is credited to Nils Andersson.
Application Number | 20060274311 11/289755 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20413248 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060274311 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andersson; Nils |
December 7, 2006 |
Device and method for alignment
Abstract
The present invention refers to a system and a device (10) for
alignment of at least one alignable plane with reference to at
least one reference plane. The device includes a main part (11), a
light source (18) and a number of contact points (21a, 21b, 21c),
and the light source (18) is provided to emit a light beam (25)
with a scattering angle in one plane.
Inventors: |
Andersson; Nils;
(Kungsbacka, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Marina Larson & Associates, LLC
P.O. BOX 4928
DILLON
CO
80435
US
|
Assignee: |
Damalini AB
Molndal
SE
|
Family ID: |
20413248 |
Appl. No.: |
11/289755 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09437908 |
Nov 9, 1999 |
7042561 |
|
|
11289755 |
Nov 29, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
356/399 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01B 5/25 20130101; G01B
11/27 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
356/399 |
International
Class: |
G01B 11/00 20060101
G01B011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 10, 1998 |
SE |
9803851-6 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A sheave or gear wheel alignment device (10) for alignment of
at least one alignable plane on one sheave or gear wheel with
reference to at least one reference plane on another sheave or gear
wheel, which device (10) comprises a number of contact points (21a,
21b, 21c) and a main part (11) having a light source(18), wherein
the light source (18) is arranged to emit a light beam (25) with a
scattering angle in one plane, and wherein said contact points
(21a, 21b, 21c) are adapted to fasten the device (10) with respect
to the reference plane so as to transfer the position and direction
of the reference plane to the light beam (25).
18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the contact points are
displaceable relative to each other.
19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the scattering plane is
essentially parallel to the alignable plane.
20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the device further
comprises an arm (12), and the arm (12) and the main part (11) are
rotatable relative to each other.
21. A device according to claim 20, wherein the arm (12) is
provided with at least one of said contact points (21c).
22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the contact points are
arranged to take optional positions in a plane, limited only by an
area of the physical dimensions of the device, and the contact
points independent of position, allow the device (10) to transfer a
position and direction from the reference plane in two relative
each other essentially perpendicular coordinates.
23. A device according to claim 17, wherein the scattering plane is
essentially parallel to the alignable plane.
24. A device according to claim 23, wherein the device further
comprises an arm (12), and the arm (12) and the main part (11) are
rotatable relative to each other.
25. A device according to claim 24,wherein the arm (12) is provided
with at least one of said contact points (21c).
26. A device according to claim 25, wherein the contact points are
arranged to take optional positions in a plane, limited only by an
area of the physical dimensions of the device, and the contact
points independent of position, allow the device (10) to transfer a
position and direction from the reference plane in two relative
each other essentially perpendicular coordinates.
27. A device according to claim 17, wherein the device further
comprises an arm (12), and the arm (12) and the main part (11) are
rotatable relative to each other.
28. A device according to claim 17, wherein the contact points are
arranged to take optional positions in a plane, limited only by an
area of the physical dimensions of the device, and the contact
points independent of position, allow the device (10) to transfer a
position and direction from the reference plane in two relative
each other essentially perpendicular coordinates.
29. A sheave or gear wheel alignment system for alignment of at
least one alignable plane on one sheave or gear wheel with
reference to at least one reference plane on another sheave or gear
wheel, which device (10) comprises a number of contact points (21a,
21b, 21c) and a main part (11) having a light source (18), wherein
the light source (18) is arranged to emit a light beam (25) with a
scattering angle in one plane, and said contact points (21a, 21b,
21c) are adapted to fasten the device (10) with respect to the
reference plane so as to transfer the position and direction of the
reference plane to the light beam (25), and that said system
comprises indicator devices (26a, 26b, 26c) intended to be arranged
on the alignable plane.
30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the scattering plane
is essentially parallel to the alignable plane.
31. The system according to claim 29, wherein the indicator device
comprises a part for attachment (27) to the alignable plane and a
body provided with a measurement mark (29) positioned to be
illuminated by said light beam (25) when said alignable plane is
aligned with said reference plane.
32. The system according to claim 31, wherein alignment is achieved
when the light beam essentially coincides with the measurement mark
(29).
33. The system according to claim 29, wherein at least three
indicator devices are arranged on said plane.
34. The system according to claim 29, wherein the indicator device
is part of said plane.
35. A method for alignment of at least one alignable plane with
reference to at least one reference plane, where the alignable
plane and the reference plane are sheaves or gear wheels for power
transmission between rotating shafts, so that said planes become
essentially plane-parallel, comprising the steps of: attaching a
device (10), comprising a number of contact points (21a, 21b, 21c)
and a main part (11) having a light source (18) and, on said
reference plane by means of said contact points, emitting a light
beam (25) with a scattering angle in one plane, arranging on said
alignable plane indicator devices (26a, 26b, 26c) provided with
measurement marks (29), and adjusting the alignable plane with
regard to the measuring marks so that each mark coincides with an
intersectional line between the light beam and the indicator
device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for alignment of
at least one alignable plane with respect to at least one reference
plane.
[0002] The invention also refers to a system and a method for
alignment of at least one alignable plane with respect to at least
one reference plane.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Usually, at power transmission between rotary shafts, for
example via belt or sheave, it is required that the driving and the
driven wheels are mutually, at least plane-parallel and adjusted
axially in line with each other. This is mainly to prevent abnormal
wear of the belts or chains arranged in the power transmission.
[0004] Presently, string and straight edges are used when aligning
sheave/gear wheels The string and straight edge is manually
provided on the axial plane of one of the wheels. The string and
straight edge is then held in such a direction that its distance to
the axial plane of the other wheel can be estimated. This gives
however only an estimation of the mutual position and the point of
the wheels in one direction, whereby the string and straight edge
is turned to a new position on the other wheel and a new estimation
of the distance between ruler and wheel can be obtained. This
distance is compared to the first one in order to obtain an
estimation of the mutual position and the direction of the wheel in
the other direction. This method, which prevents a simultaneous
alignment of the wheels by one operator and the fact that the
string and straight edge must be of such a length that it fits the
periphery of both wheels makes the alignment to become time
consuming and inaccurate.
[0005] Moreover, alignment with a string and straight edge is
normally done by two mechanics.
THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION AND THE MOST IMPORTANT
CHARACTERISTICS
[0006] She object of present invention is to provide a simple and
cost-effective device which allows simple and quick adjustment and
alignment of at least two essentially plane surfaces. The
substantially visible light beam used for the alignment shows the
parallel and angular misalignment directly.
[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a device
mainly intended for adjustments of sheaves/gear wheels in power
transmission systems having rotary shafts, preferably through
optical measurement, in industrial environment and a corresponding
measurement method.
[0008] Through the teachings of the invention, the alignment
results in reduced vibration, extended life of belt and sheaves,
proper belts tensioning and also eliminated downtime and production
delays.
[0009] Above mentioned objects are achieved by means of the
initially mentioned device, comprising a main part, a light source
and a number of contact points, and that the light source is
arranged to emit a light beam with a scattering angle in one
plane.
[0010] Advantageously the contact points are displaceable and also
arranged as attachment devices.
[0011] In one preferred embodiment the light beam has a scattering
plane essentially parallel to the alignable plane.
[0012] In one most preferred embodiment the device comprises an
arm. The arm and the main part are rotatable relative each other.
Furthermore, the arm is provided with at least one contact point.
Preferably, the contact points are arranged displaceable relative
each other and/or relative the device. The contact points are
arranged to take optional positions in a plane, area of which is
only limited by the physical dimensions of the device, that these
contact points independently of position, allow the device to
transfer the position and direction from the reference plane in two
opposite each other essentially perpendicular coordinates.
[0013] The system according to the invention comprises a device
consisting of a main part, a light source and a number of contact
points. The light source is arranged to emit a light beam with a
scattering angle in one plane. The system also includes an
indicator device to be an arranged on the alignable plane.
[0014] Suitably, said light beam has a scattering plane essentially
parallel to the alignable plane. Preferably, the indicator device
consists of a part for attachment and a body provided with a
measurement mark. According to the system alignment is achieved
when the light beam essentially coincides with the measurement
mark. Preferably, at least three indicator devices are arranged on
said plane. In one embodiment, the indicator device is part of said
plane.
[0015] According to a method of the invention for alignment of at
least one alignable plane with respect to at least one reference
plane so that said planes become essentially plane-parallel, a
device is arranged consisting of a main part, a light source and a
number of contact points, a light beam is emitted with a scattering
angle in one plane, an indicator device is arranged on the
alignable plane within the area of the light beam provided with
measurement mark, and with respect to the measuring mark adjust the
alignable plane is adjusted so that the mark coincides with the
intersectional line between the light beam and the indicator
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the following, the invention will be described in greater
detail with reference to a non-limiting embodiment shown in
attached drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic lateral view of an alignment device,
according to the invention,
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view in perspective of an
application using the device shown in FIG. 1, and
[0019] FIG. 3 shows the encircled section of FIG. 2 in greater
detail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] A preferred embodiment of an alignment device, according to
the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The device 10 comprises a main
part 11 and an arm 12. The main part 11 and the arm 12 are
rotatably arranged relative each other around an axis 13.
[0021] The main part is essentially designed with a first end 14
and a second end 15 connected to each other via a neck 16, which
also form an accommodation space 17. The main part 11 further
comprises a light source 18 and a possible driving unit 19, optical
elements and source of energy (not shown) arranged in a space in
the first end 14. Tie second end is arranged with a journal 13,
which pivotally connects the main pant 11 to the arm 12. In the
neck section 16 the main part is provided with a recess 20, which
in this embodiment carries two attachment devices 21a and 21b
displaceable relative to the main part. The space 17 is provided to
receive the arm 12 when it is rotated therein, which for instance
facilitates the handling and the storage of the device.
[0022] The arm 12 is also provided with a recess 22 in the
direction of its longitudinal axis, which also carries an
attachment device 21c displaceable in the recess 22.
[0023] Preferably, the attachment devices 21a, 21b and 21c consist
of magnets in one end, which can be fixed in the recess by means of
a locking device (not shown) for example a nut or the like in a
known way. Other additional attachment devices, for example
different types of fastening means, suction cups, means for
adhesion etc. may also be used. It is also possible to provide
separate attachment means and contact points.
[0024] Preferably, the light source 18 consists of a laser emitting
device, for example a laser diode, but other light sources may also
be used. By means of for example optical elements (not shown) the
light bean from the light source can be scattered, preferably
essentially parallel to that/those planes that must be aligned. The
driving unit can also be controlled by means of a switch arranged
in the main part (not shown).
[0025] An application for alignment and adjustment of two sheaves
23 and 24 is shown in FIG. 2. A light beam 25 is emitted from the
light source 18. This light beam 25 is formed with a relatively
large scattering angle in one direction and a very small scattering
angle in remaining directions and creates along its extension a
plane of light (essentially parallel to the plane of the
wheels).
[0026] The device 10 through the arm 12 is fastened on a reference
part which normally consists of one 24 of the two sheaves, for
example in a belt transmission. The device is fastened by means of
the three attachment devices (or contact points) 21a, 21b and 21c
provided with magnets, which take optional positions and are
distributed in as great mutual distance as possible and bear on the
surface situated close to the periphery of the reference 24. This
distributing is enabled through the recesses 20 and 22 and also
through the mutual articulated features of the arm 12 and the main
part 11 around the axis 13. The plane that the attachment devices
form, is limited only by the area of the physical dimensions of the
device. These contact points independent of position, allow the
device 10 to transfer from the reference plane the position and
direction in two to each other essentially perpendicular
coordinates.
[0027] The function of the magnets is now partly to fasten the
device onto the reference plane and partly to transfer the position
and direction of the reference plane to the light beam 25.
[0028] On the other sheave 23 a number of indicator devices 26 are
arranged. According to the present, preferred embodiment three
indicator devices 26a, 26b and 26c are provided. Each indicator
device, of which one is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, includes
an attachment device 27, a body aid a reference mark 29 arranged on
the body. The attachment device 27 may consist of a magnet or the
like. The distance between the mark 29 and the end fixed to the
object to be measured of the indicator device preferably
corresponds to the distance between the scattering plane of the
light beam and the end of the attachment device, which contacts the
reference plane.
[0029] When aligning, the light beam 25 is brought to encounter the
indicator devices 26a, 26b and 26c placed on the measured object
23, i.e. the other of the two sheaves in the belt transmission.
Because of the essentially great scattering angle of the light beam
and the distance to the object to be measured a simultaneous strike
of all the indicator devices is enabled. Each mark 29 on each
indicator device has a fixed distance from the measuring object 10
and when it is adjusted so that the light beam 25 essentially
encounters the centre of these marks 29, the measured object 23 is
plane-parallel to and in line with the reference 24. The non
plane-parallelism of measured object 23 results in a distance l
between the mark 29 and the point of impact of the light beam (FIG.
3) on each individual indicator device. Plane-parallelism exists
when l=0 (or l=0) at each indicator device and the intersectional
line of the light beam essentially coincide with the mark 29.
[0030] In one embodiment the indicator devices may consist of
sensors, which are able to sense the light beam. Preferably the
adjustment of the object to be measured can be done automatically
so that it is placed plane-parallel with the reference object.
Suitably, this can be achieved continuously. In one embodiment a
part of the object to be measured may be provided with a reference
mark, which is used instead of the indicator devices.
[0031] By adjusting the object to be measured 23, advantageously
both in axial and radial directions, plane-parallelism is achieved
between the sheaves.
[0032] While we have illustrated and described a preferred
embodiment, according to the invention, it is realized that
variations and modifications within the scope of the attached
claims may exist. The invention may advantageously be used in all
applications where two objects must be aligned plane-parallel or
essentially plane-parallel. These objects may also comprise of, for
example walls, tabletops, glass, ceilings etc. The design of the
device may also be varied by arranging it with three or more arms,
or a fixed body provided with a number of recesses in different
directions carrying displaceable attachment devices.
[0033] Furthermore, the reference marks of the indicator devices
may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of die body, whereby
plane-parallelism is achieved when an essentially right-angled
cross with respect to the intersectional line of the light beam is
obtained. Even the light beam may be emitted in the longitudinal
direction of the indicator device whereby the reference mark may be
arranged along its longitudinal direction or opposite its
longitudinal direction.
* * * * *