US4027549A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plug-type counterweight and lock
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-10-16
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Granted: 1977-06-07
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Expires: 1995-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for balancing rotating machinery components whichncorporate butted flanges or faces is provided. A circumferential slot is formed on the interior face of one of the flanges and a hole is bored in either flange communicating with the slot. A sheet metal lock is inserted through the hole along the side surface thereof and a balancing weight or counterweight is inserted adjacent the lock. End tabs in the lock which extend in opposite directions are bent to support and retain the counterweight within the hole in the flange.
Inventors
- 👤 Vincent Colletti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:25
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/32; F16F15/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A balancing device adapted for rapid change of weight within a constant outer weight configuration comprising: a rotatable body adapted to be balanced by a cylindrical weight, a generally cylindrical weight having a constant outer configuration and replaceable by substitution of weights having selected amounts of internal mass removed, a hole in said body formed to accommodate said weight and an elongate locking strip for holding said weight in place in said hole, said locking strip foldable at least 90° at selected transverse positions and adapted when folded to support said weight at one end, said body having a recess for receiving one end portion of said locking strip, said one end portion folded at an angle of substantially 90° to the remainder of said locking strip, said weight having an outer longitudinally extending recess for receiving an intermediate portion of said locking strip, said weight shorter in length than the depth of said hole and said locking strip folded at its end remote from said one end at an opposite angle to the fold of said one end for supporting said weight, whereby said weight may be applied by folding said strip at said one end, inserting the strip in said recess in said rotatable body, inserting said weight in said hole with said intermediate strip portion in said longitudinal recess, and folding said other end of said strip across the exposed surface of said weight.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A balancing device adapted for rapid change of weight within a constant outer weight configuration comprising: a rotatable body adapted to be balanced by a cylindrical weight, a generally cylindrical weight having a constant outer configuration and replaceable by substitution of weights having selected amounts of internal mass removed, a hole in said body formed to accommodate said weight and an elongate locking strip for holding said weight in place in said hole, said locking strip foldable at least 90° at selected transverse positions and adapted when folded to support said weight at one end, said body having a recess for receiving one end portion of said locking strip, said one end portion folded at an angle of substantially 90° to the remainder of said locking strip, said weight having an outer longitudinally extending recess for receiving an intermediate portion of said locking strip, said weight shorter in length than the depth of said hole and said locking strip folded at its end remote from said one end at an opposite angle to the fold of said one end for supporting said weight, whereby said weight may be applied by folding said strip at said one end, inserting the strip in said recess in said rotatable body, inserting said weight in said hole with said intermediate strip portion in said longitudinal recess, and folding said other end of said strip across the exposed surface of said weight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said weight has an axial void and said other end of said strip is formed with lateral portions which extend substantially to the adjacent walls of said hole when said other end is folded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said body is formed of abutting disc-like members and said body recess is an annular recess in one of the abutting surfaces of said members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said hole is formed in any one of said members in communication with said annular recess and said weight may be disposed in any one of said members and positioned circumferentially as desired with respect to said annular recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said annular recess and said hole are disposed in the same disc-like member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said recess is a planar surface formed by removing a longitudinal segment of said cylindrical weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
185 words
An arrangement for balancing rotating bodies having abutting discs or flanges wherein at least one disc or flange is provided with an annular recess comprising: a pair of abutting disc-like members in said rotating bodies having abutting surfaces; an annular recess in one of said abutting surfaces and a hole transverse to said recess in any one of said disc-like members communicating with said recess; a cylindrical balancing weight adapted to be received in close fitting relationship in said hole; an elongate locking member adapted to be folded at one end for insertion circumferentially into said recess, said locking member substantially traversing the dimension of said hole transverse to said recess, said locking member adapted to be folded at the end opposite said one end and in the opposite direction so as to pass under and support said weight in said hole, said weight shorter in length than the depth of said hole so that the outer surface of said other end of said locking member when folded will be planar with or disposed within the adjacent surface of the disc-like member having said hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
185 words
An arrangement for balancing rotating bodies having abutting discs or flanges wherein at least one disc or flange is provided with an annular recess comprising: a pair of abutting disc-like members in said rotating bodies having abutting surfaces; an annular recess in one of said abutting surfaces and a hole transverse to said recess in any one of said disc-like members communicating with said recess; a cylindrical balancing weight adapted to be received in close fitting relationship in said hole; an elongate locking member adapted to be folded at one end for insertion circumferentially into said recess, said locking member substantially traversing the dimension of said hole transverse to said recess, said locking member adapted to be folded at the end opposite said one end and in the opposite direction so as to pass under and support said weight in said hole, said weight shorter in length than the depth of said hole so that the outer surface of said other end of said locking member when folded will be planar with or disposed within the adjacent surface of the disc-like member having said hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said weight has an axial opening of at least sufficient width to accommodate said locking member and the inner disposed end of said weight is cut away to accommodate a transverse section of said folded one end of said locking member, whereby said weight is applied to a rotating body by folding said locking member at said one end, inserting said one end in said annular recess, passing the weight over the locking member into said hole, and folding said other end of the locking member across an exposed end surface of said weight.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of balancing a rotating body with a weight readily changeable in mass while maintaining a constant outer configuration or with a plurality of weights of differing mass having the same outer configuration comprising: first inserting a locking strip in an opening in said body; next engaging the locking strip in a recess in said body transverse to the opening therein; then inserting a balancing weight in the opening alongside the portion of the locking strip therein; and lastly bending the protruding end of the locking strip over the exposed end of the balancing weight.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of balancing a rotating body with a weight readily changeable in mass while maintaining a constant outer configuration or with a plurality of weights of differing mass having the same outer configuration comprising: first inserting a locking strip in an opening in said body; next engaging the locking strip in a recess in said body transverse to the opening therein; then inserting a balancing weight in the opening alongside the portion of the locking strip therein; and lastly bending the protruding end of the locking strip over the exposed end of the balancing weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as defined in claim 9 and further including adjusting the balancing weight to achieve rotary balance of said body by varying the mass of the balancing weight through internal removal of mass so as to maintain a constant outer configuration of the balancing weight.
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) | 1980-06-06 | 1980-12-06 | 1981-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-06 | 1984-12-06 | 1985-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-06 | 1988-12-06 | 1989-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |