Abstract A gauging system for determining the relative relationship of given locations on an item being gauged with respect to each other or a reference location utilizing multiple-phase alternating current, in particular three-phase alternating current, wherein the item being gauged is engaged at predetermined locations by electrical linear differential measuring devices each being energized by a separate phase of the alternating current supply, the output of the measuring devices being electrically interconnected and associated with electrical indicating means to give an electrical indication of the location of the sensing components of the electrical measuring devices and, hence, give an electrical indication of the physical characteristics of the item being gauged. With three-phase alternating current three electrical linear measuring devices are angularly spaced at 120* intervals about the reference support member supporting the item being gauged, and the electrical sensing circuit may include phase indication means to indicate the location of the maximum deviation of the item being gauged with respect to a reference surface or point.
Gauging apparatus utilizing three-phase alternating current for a multi-portion item wherein the item includes a primary portion having an axis and a secondary portion mounted upon said primary portion, the secondary portion to be gauged with respect to said primary portion in the direction of said axis, said primary and secondary portions including reference surfaces perpendicularly disposed to said axis comprising, in combination, reference support means for supporting a multi-portion item to be gauged, said reference support means including an axis coincident with the axis of the item primary portion and a reference surface perpendicular to the support means axis engaging the reference surface of the item primary portion, three electrical linear displacement measuring devices fixed relative to said support means axis and reference surface at 120* intervals circumferentially spaced around said support means axis, each measuring device having an electrical primary input and an electrical secondary variable output means and a movable element movable in a direction parallel to said support means axis, each movable element having a contact surface engaging the item secondary portion reference surface upon the item primary portion being supported upon said support means axis and reference surface, said movable elements varying the output of the output means of the associated measuring device in accord with the movable element''s position, a three-phase alternating current source having phases displaced 120* relative to each other, conductor means connecting a different phase of said alternating current source to each of said measuring devices'' primary input, conductor means connecting said measuring devices'' output means in series to define a summation output circuit, and voltage sensing meter means connected to said summation output circuit for indication the resultant summation output upon energization of said three-phase alternating current source to render an electrical indication of the position of said devices'' movable elements as determined by the item secondary portion engaged thereby. Pg,15
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
Gauging apparatus utilizing three-phase alternating current for a multi-portion item wherein the item includes a primary portion having an axis and a secondary portion mounted upon said primary portion, the secondary portion to be gauged with respect to said primary portion in the direction of said axis, said primary and secondary portions including reference surfaces perpendicularly disposed to said axis comprising, in combination, reference support means for supporting a multi-portion item to be gauged, said reference support means including an axis coincident with the axis of the item primary portion and a reference surface perpendicular to the support means axis engaging the reference surface of the item primary portion, three electrical linear displacement measuring devices fixed relative to said support means axis and reference surface at 120* intervals circumferentially spaced around said support means axis, each measuring device having an electrical primary input and an electrical secondary variable output means and a movable element movable in a direction parallel to said support means axis, each movable element having a contact surface engaging the item secondary portion reference surface upon the item primary portion being supported upon said support means axis and reference surface, said movable elements varying the output of the output means of the associated measuring device in accord with the movable element''s position, a three-phase alternating current source having phases displaced 120* relative to each other, conductor means connecting a different phase of said alternating current source to each of said measuring devices'' primary input, conductor means connecting said measuring devices'' output means in series to define a summation output circuit, and voltage sensing meter means connected to said summation output circuit for indication the resultant summation output upon energization of said three-phase alternating current source to render an electrical indication of the position of said devices'' movable elements as determined by the item secondary portion engaged thereby. Pg,15
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a gauging apparatus as in claim 1, an electrical phase meter having a first input connected to the primary input of one of said linear measuring devices for sensing the phase thereof and a second input connected across said summation output circuit whereby said phase meter may indicate the location of maximum deviation of the item secondary portion being gauged with respect to the location of the measuring devices and the angular location of such deviation about the axis of the support means from the measuring device to which said first phase meter input is connected.