US3704522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for optical alignment of industrial equipment
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
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Filing: 1970-01-19
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1990-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for aligning kinematic trains of industrial apparatus by optical metrology, the method including the steps of establishing a reference line of sight adjacent the devices in the kinematic train and extending generally parallel to the train, then obtaining precise measurements to the shortest distance to the reference points on the several devices by optical measurements. The measurements are made when the apparatus is in a cold, inoperative state. Then, after the apparatus has become heated and is in operation, a reference line of sight is again established adjacent the devices in the kinematic train, and then the shortest distance is then measured from the line of sight the same reference points on the devices that were used in obtaining the cold measurements. Comparison of the sets of hot and cold measurements is then made to determine the shift or change in position of the devices relative to each other which has occurred in the course of the operation of the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L Blubaugh
- 👤 Robert A Ruckle
- 👤 Hubert J Watts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/24; F; F16; F16M; F16M7/00; G01B11/00; G01B11/26; G01B11/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
403 words
The method of evaluating changes in the alignment of a plurality of machinery units, each having a drive shaft drivingly interconnected wherein the alignment of the drive shafts change when the plurality of machinery units are heated through operation, the drive shaft of each of said plurality of machinery units being supported by a bearing and bearing housing adjacent each end of the respective machinery unit comprising: designating one of said plurality of machinery units as a base machinery unit; optically establishing a first reference line of sight spaced from the plurality of machinery units and extending in substantially the same direction as that in which the interconnected plurality of machinery units extend; measuring the shortest distance from each of a plurality reference points on said machinery units on the bearing housing at each end of each machinery unit to said reference line of sight while said machinery units are in an inoperative, unheated state, said shortest distance being measured by moving a measuring means arcuately about each of said reference points to obtain a minimum reading; operating the plurality of machinery units to perform their intended function; optically establishing a second reference line of sight spaced from the plurality of machinery units and extending in substantially the same direction as that in which the interconnected plurality of machinery units extend, said second reference line of sight being positioned in substantially the same direction from said interconnected plurality of machinery units as was said first reference line of sight; measuring the shortest distance from said reference points to said second reference line of sight while said plurality of machinery units are at substantially operating temperature, said shortest distance being measured by moving a measuring means arcuately about each of said reference points to obtain a minimum reading; and correcting the second measurements taken from said base machinery unit to establish a theoretical line of sight corresponding to the first mentioned line of sight as the first mentioned line of sight existed with respect to said base machinery unit; correcting the second measurements taken from the plurality of machinery units, excluding said base machinery unit, to said theoretical line of sight; and comparing the corrected second measurements taken from the plurality of machinery units, excluding the base machinery unit, with the first measurements taken from corresponding reference points to determine the change in alignment of the drive shafts of said plurality of machinery units.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
403 words
The method of evaluating changes in the alignment of a plurality of machinery units, each having a drive shaft drivingly interconnected wherein the alignment of the drive shafts change when the plurality of machinery units are heated through operation, the drive shaft of each of said plurality of machinery units being supported by a bearing and bearing housing adjacent each end of the respective machinery unit comprising: designating one of said plurality of machinery units as a base machinery unit; optically establishing a first reference line of sight spaced from the plurality of machinery units and extending in substantially the same direction as that in which the interconnected plurality of machinery units extend; measuring the shortest distance from each of a plurality reference points on said machinery units on the bearing housing at each end of each machinery unit to said reference line of sight while said machinery units are in an inoperative, unheated state, said shortest distance being measured by moving a measuring means arcuately about each of said reference points to obtain a minimum reading; operating the plurality of machinery units to perform their intended function; optically establishing a second reference line of sight spaced from the plurality of machinery units and extending in substantially the same direction as that in which the interconnected plurality of machinery units extend, said second reference line of sight being positioned in substantially the same direction from said interconnected plurality of machinery units as was said first reference line of sight; measuring the shortest distance from said reference points to said second reference line of sight while said plurality of machinery units are at substantially operating temperature, said shortest distance being measured by moving a measuring means arcuately about each of said reference points to obtain a minimum reading; and correcting the second measurements taken from said base machinery unit to establish a theoretical line of sight corresponding to the first mentioned line of sight as the first mentioned line of sight existed with respect to said base machinery unit; correcting the second measurements taken from the plurality of machinery units, excluding said base machinery unit, to said theoretical line of sight; and comparing the corrected second measurements taken from the plurality of machinery units, excluding the base machinery unit, with the first measurements taken from corresponding reference points to determine the change in alignment of the drive shafts of said plurality of machinery units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of evaluating changes in the alignment of machinery units as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second reference lines of sight are horizontally offset to one side of the machinery units in said kinematic train; and wherein said method is further characterized to include the steps of: positioning a pair of bench marks in the vertical plane of said first reference line of sight and in a position visible from the point of origin of said first line of sight; and using said bench marks as an aid in locating said second line of sight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of evaluating changes in the alignment of machinery units defined in claim 1 wherein said reference points are provided on said machinery units by securing tooling balls to said machinery units.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
409 words
The method of ascertaining the alignment of the drive shafts of a plurality of machinery units drivingly interconnected wherein the alignment of the drive shafts change when the units are heated through operation, the drive shaft of each of said plurality of machinery units being supported by a bearing and bearing housing adjacent each end of the respective machinery unit comprising: designating one of said plurality of machinery units as a base machinery unit; establishing an unobstructed reference point on the bearing housing at each end of each of said plurality of machinery units; extending a first beam of monochromatic, coherent electromagnetic radiation in a direction substantially parallel to said interconnected machinery units and spaced therefrom; measuring the shortest distance from each of said reference points to a point of maximum intensity in said beam of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation while said machinery units are in an inoperative, unheated state, said shortest distance being measured by moving a measuring means arcuately about each of said reference points to obtain a minimum reading; operating the plurality of machinery units to perform their intended function; measuring the shortest distance from each of said reference points to a point of maximum intensity in a beam of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation extended in a direction substantially parallel to said interconnected machinery units and spaced therefrom, said measurements being made while said plurality of machinery units are at substantially operating temperature, said shortest distance being measured by moving a measuring means arcuately about each of said reference points to obtain a minimum reading; correcting said measurements made while said plurality of machinery units are at substantially operating temperature for changes in temperature which have occurred from the non-operating, unheated state of said plurality machinery units to the operating status; then correcting the second measurements taken from the base machinery unit to establish a theoretical line corresponding to the line of maximum intensity of the first mentioned beam of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation as the line of maximum intensity of the first mentioned beam of monochromatic electro-magnetic existed with respect to the base machinery unit; correcting the second measurements taken from the plurality of machinery units, excluding said base machinery unit, to said theoretical line; and comparing the corrected second measurements taken from the plurality of machinery units, excluding said base machinery unit, with the first measurements taken from corresponding reference points to determine the change in alignment of the drive shafts of said plurality of machinery units.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
409 words
The method of ascertaining the alignment of the drive shafts of a plurality of machinery units drivingly interconnected wherein the alignment of the drive shafts change when the units are heated through operation, the drive shaft of each of said plurality of machinery units being supported by a bearing and bearing housing adjacent each end of the respective machinery unit comprising: designating one of said plurality of machinery units as a base machinery unit; establishing an unobstructed reference point on the bearing housing at each end of each of said plurality of machinery units; extending a first beam of monochromatic, coherent electromagnetic radiation in a direction substantially parallel to said interconnected machinery units and spaced therefrom; measuring the shortest distance from each of said reference points to a point of maximum intensity in said beam of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation while said machinery units are in an inoperative, unheated state, said shortest distance being measured by moving a measuring means arcuately about each of said reference points to obtain a minimum reading; operating the plurality of machinery units to perform their intended function; measuring the shortest distance from each of said reference points to a point of maximum intensity in a beam of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation extended in a direction substantially parallel to said interconnected machinery units and spaced therefrom, said measurements being made while said plurality of machinery units are at substantially operating temperature, said shortest distance being measured by moving a measuring means arcuately about each of said reference points to obtain a minimum reading; correcting said measurements made while said plurality of machinery units are at substantially operating temperature for changes in temperature which have occurred from the non-operating, unheated state of said plurality machinery units to the operating status; then correcting the second measurements taken from the base machinery unit to establish a theoretical line corresponding to the line of maximum intensity of the first mentioned beam of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation as the line of maximum intensity of the first mentioned beam of monochromatic electro-magnetic existed with respect to the base machinery unit; correcting the second measurements taken from the plurality of machinery units, excluding said base machinery unit, to said theoretical line; and comparing the corrected second measurements taken from the plurality of machinery units, excluding said base machinery unit, with the first measurements taken from corresponding reference points to determine the change in alignment of the drive shafts of said plurality of machinery units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method defined in claim 4 wherein said measurements are made by the steps of: placing a target sensitive to the intensity of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation in a line extending substantially normal to said beam and including the respective reference point to which the measurement is being made; shifting said target along said line normal to the beam until said target indicates it is positioned at a point of maximum intensity within said beam; and measuring the distance from the target to the respective reference point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said shortest distance is measured by an elongated distance measuring apparatus which is pivotal about a reference point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein the shortest distance from each of said reference points is measured by placing an elongated distance measuring apparatus against the reference point and moving the elongated measuring apparatus toward and away from the origin of the respective reference line of sight until said shortest distance is determined.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |