Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A shaft alignment apparatus for statically aligning a first shaft with a second shaft, comprising: a first dual-axis position sensing detector providing a first signal; a second dual-axis position sensing detector providing a second signal; first mount means for mounting the first dual-axis position sensing detector to the first shaft; second mount means for mounting the second dual-axis position sensing detector to the second shaft; a first alignment radiation source mounted on the first mount means and oriented to provide a first alignment radiation beam to the second dual-axis position sensing detector to generate the second signal; a second alignment radiation source mounted on the second mount means and oriented to provide a second alignment radiation beam to the first dual-axis position sensing detector to generate the first signal; and a readout means having defined alignment conditions and being responsive to the first signal and the second signal for visually displaying shaft alignment, whereby with adjustment of the first shaft with respect to the second shaft, alignment of the first shaft with the second shaft will be indicated on the readout means according to the defined alignment conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A shaft alignment apparatus for statically aligning a first shaft with a second shaft, comprising: a first dual-axis position sensing detector providing a first signal; a second dual-axis position sensing detector providing a second signal; first mount means for mounting the first dual-axis position sensing detector to the first shaft; second mount means for mounting the second dual-axis position sensing detector to the second shaft; a first alignment radiation source mounted on the first mount means and oriented to provide a first alignment radiation beam to the second dual-axis position sensing detector to generate the second signal; a second alignment radiation source mounted on the second mount means and oriented to provide a second alignment radiation beam to the first dual-axis position sensing detector to generate the first signal; and a readout means having defined alignment conditions and being responsive to the first signal and the second signal for visually displaying shaft alignment, whereby with adjustment of the first shaft with respect to the second shaft, alignment of the first shaft with the second shaft will be indicated on the readout means according to the defined alignment conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A shaft aligning apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the first dual-axis position sensing detector is a first dual-axis position photodetector and the second dual-axis position sensing detector is a second dual-axis position photodetector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the first dual-axis position photodetector is a first electronic optical autocollimator, and the second dual-axis position photodetector is a second electronic optical autocollimator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 2 further including a first phase orientation means mounted on the first mount means and a second phase orientation means mounted on the second mount means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the first phase orientation means is a first spirit level and the second phase orientation means is a second spirit level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the first alignment radiation source is a first laser and the second alignment radiation source is a second laser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the first dual-axis position photodetector comprises a first single-axis position sensing photodetector and a third single-axis position sensing photodetector, and the second dual-axis position photodetector comprises a second single-axis position sensing photodetector and a fourth single-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the readout means is selectively responsive to the first single-axis position sensing photodetector, second single-axis position sensing photodetector, third single-axis position sensing photodetector and fourth single-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the first alignment radiation source comprises a first laser providing the first alignment radiation beam and a first radiation beam splitter means for intercepting the first alignment radiation beam and generating a first vertical alignment radiation beam oriented to intercept the second single-axis position sensing photodetector and a first horizontal alignment radiation beam oriented to intercept the fourth single-axis position sensing photodetector, and the second alignment radiation source comprises a second laser providing the second alignment radiation beam and a second radiation beam splitter means for intercepting the second alignment radiation beam and generating a second vertical alignment radiation beam oriented to intercept the first single-axis position sensing photodetector and a second horizontal alignment radiation beam oriented to intercept the third single-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the first dual-axis position photodetector comprises: a first-front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a first rear single-axis position sensing photodetector, and a third front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a third rear single-axis position sensing photodetector, and wherein the second dual-axis position photodetector comprises: a second front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a second rear single-axis position sensing photodetector, and a fourth front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a fourth rear single-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
197 words
A shaft alignment apparatus for aligning a first shaft with a second shaft, comprising: first mount means carrying a first dual-axis radiation sensing means, the first mount means mounted on the first shaft; second mount means carrying a second dual-axis radiation sensing means, the second mount means mounted on the second shaft; first radiation means for providing a first radiation beam, the first radiation means carried on the first mount means and oriented to project the first radiation beam to the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and generate a second signal; a second radiation means for providing a second radiation beam, the second radiation means carried on the second mount means and oriented to project the second radiation beam to the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generate a first signal; and readout means having defined alignment conditions and being responsive to the first signal and the second signal for visually displaying shaft alignment, whereby with adjustment of the first shaft with respect to the second shaft, alignment of the first shaft with the second shaft will be indicated by the readout means when the first signal and the second signal coincide with the defined alignment conditions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
197 words
A shaft alignment apparatus for aligning a first shaft with a second shaft, comprising: first mount means carrying a first dual-axis radiation sensing means, the first mount means mounted on the first shaft; second mount means carrying a second dual-axis radiation sensing means, the second mount means mounted on the second shaft; first radiation means for providing a first radiation beam, the first radiation means carried on the first mount means and oriented to project the first radiation beam to the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and generate a second signal; a second radiation means for providing a second radiation beam, the second radiation means carried on the second mount means and oriented to project the second radiation beam to the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generate a first signal; and readout means having defined alignment conditions and being responsive to the first signal and the second signal for visually displaying shaft alignment, whereby with adjustment of the first shaft with respect to the second shaft, alignment of the first shaft with the second shaft will be indicated by the readout means when the first signal and the second signal coincide with the defined alignment conditions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the first dual-axis radiation sensing means is a first dual-axis photodetector and the second dual-axis radiation sensing means is a second dual-axis photodetector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the first dual-axis photodetector comprises a first single-axis position photodetector and a third single-axis position photodetector, and the second dual-axis photodetector comprises a second single-axis position photodetector and a fourth single-axis position photodetector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein the first radiation means is a first laser and the second radiation means is a second laser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 14 further including first means for intercepting the first radiation beam and generating a first vertical alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the second single-axis position photodetector and a first horizontal alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the fourth single-axis position photodetector, and second means for intercepting the second radiation beam and generating a second vertical alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the first single-axis position photodetector and a second horizontal alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the third single-axis position photodetector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the first dual-axis photodetector comprises: a first front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a first rear single-axis position sensing photodetector, and a third front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a third rear single-axis position sensing photodetector, and wherein the second dual-axis photodetector comprises: a second front single-axis position sensing photodetector and second rear single-axis position sensing photodetector, and a fourth front singl-axis position sensing photodetector and a fourth rear single-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 12 further including a first phase orientation means mounted on the first mount means and a second phase orientation means mounted on the second mount means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
110 words
Static shaft alignment apparatus, comprising: a first dual-axis radiation sensing means mounted on a first mount means; a second dual-axis radiation sensing means mounted on a second mount means; a first radiation source carried on the first mount means and oriented to provide a first radiation beam to the second dual-axis radiation sensing means to generate a second signal; a second radiation source carried on the second mount means and oriented to provide a second radiation beam to the first dual-axis radiation sensing means to generate a first signal; and readout means having defined alignment conditions and being responsive to the first signal and second signal for visually displaying alignment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
110 words
Static shaft alignment apparatus, comprising: a first dual-axis radiation sensing means mounted on a first mount means; a second dual-axis radiation sensing means mounted on a second mount means; a first radiation source carried on the first mount means and oriented to provide a first radiation beam to the second dual-axis radiation sensing means to generate a second signal; a second radiation source carried on the second mount means and oriented to provide a second radiation beam to the first dual-axis radiation sensing means to generate a first signal; and readout means having defined alignment conditions and being responsive to the first signal and second signal for visually displaying alignment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
Static shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the first dual-axis radiation sensing means is a first dual-axis position photodetector and the second dual-axis radiation sensing means is a second dual-axis position photodetector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
Static shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein the first dual-axis position photodetector is a first dual-axis electronic optical autocollimator, and the second dual-axis position photodetector is a second dual-axis electronic optical autocollimator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
Static shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 19 further including a first phase orientation means mounted on the first mount means and a second phase orientation means mounted on the second mount means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
Static shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein the first dual-axis position photodetector comprises a first single-axis position photodetector and a third single-axis position photodetector, and the second dual-axis position photodetector, comprises a second single-axis position photodetector and a fourth single-axis position photodetector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
Static shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein the first radiation source is a first laser and the second radiation source is a second laser.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
102 words
Static shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 23 further including a first radiation beam splitter means for intercepting the first radiation beam and generating a first vertical alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the second single-axis position photodetector and a first horizontal alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the fourth single-axis position photodetector, and a second radiation beam splitter means for intercepting the second radiation beam and generating a second vertical alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the first single-axis position photodetector and a second horizontal alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the third single-axis position photodetector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
86 words
Static shaft alignment apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein the first dual-axis position photodetector comprises: a first front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a first rear single-axis position sensing photodetector, and a third front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a third rear single-axis position sensing photodetector, and wherein the second dual-axis position photodetector comprises: a second front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a second rear single-axis position sensing photodetector, and a fourth front single-axis position sensing photodetector and a fourth rear single-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of statically aligning a first shaft with a second shaft, wherein the first shaft has mounted thereon a first dual-axis radiation sensing means and a first radiation source providing a first radiation beam and the second shaft has mounted thereon a second dual-axis radiation sensing means and a second radiation source providing a second radiation beam, and readout means having defined alignment conditions, comprising the steps of: orienting the first radiation beam to the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a second signal representing the orientation of the first radiation beam; orienting the second radiation beam to the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a first signal representing the orientation of the second radiation beam; sensing the first signal and second signal at the readout means and visually displaying the orientation of the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam; and adjusting the first shaft with respect to the second shaft until the first signal and the second signal are replicating the defined alignment conditions on the readout means.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of statically aligning a first shaft with a second shaft, wherein the first shaft has mounted thereon a first dual-axis radiation sensing means and a first radiation source providing a first radiation beam and the second shaft has mounted thereon a second dual-axis radiation sensing means and a second radiation source providing a second radiation beam, and readout means having defined alignment conditions, comprising the steps of: orienting the first radiation beam to the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a second signal representing the orientation of the first radiation beam; orienting the second radiation beam to the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a first signal representing the orientation of the second radiation beam; sensing the first signal and second signal at the readout means and visually displaying the orientation of the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam; and adjusting the first shaft with respect to the second shaft until the first signal and the second signal are replicating the defined alignment conditions on the readout means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 26 wherein the first radiation sensing means is a first dual-axis position sensing photodetector and the second radiation sensing means is a second dual-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention according to claim 27 wherein the first dual-axis position sensing photodetector is a first dual-axis electronic optical autocollimator and the second dual-axis position sensing photodetector is a second dual-axis electronic optical autocollimator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention according to claim 27 wherein the first dual-axis position sensing photodetector comprises a first single-axis position photodetector and a third single-axis position photodetector, and the second dual-axis position sensing photodetector comprises a second single-axis position photodetector and a fourth single-axis position photodetector.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
119 words
The invention according to claim 29 wherein the first radiation source is a first laser and the second radiation source is a second laser, the further steps of: providing a first radiation beam splitter means intercepting the first radiation beam and generating a first vertical alignment radiation beam directed to impinge upon the second single-axis position photodetector and a first horizontal alignment radiation beam directed to impinge upon the fourth single-axis position photodetector; and providing a second radiation beam splitter means intercepting the second radiation beam and generating a second vertical alignment radiation beam directed to imping upon the first single-axis position photodetector and a second horizontal alignment radiation beam directed to impinge upon the third single-axis position photodetector.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention according to claim 27 further including the steps of: providing a first phase orientation means for orienting the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and first radiation source on the first shaft; and providing a second phase orientation means for orienting the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and second radiation source on the second shaft.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of statically aligning a first shaft with a second shaft, wherein the first shaft has mounted thereon a first dual-axis radiation sensing means and first radiation source providing a first radiation beam and the second shaft has mounted thereon a second dual-axis radiation sensing means and a second radiation source providing a second radiation beam, and readout means having defined alignment conditions, comprising the steps of: sensing the position of the first radiation beam on the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a second signal representing the position of the first radiation beam; sensing the position of the second radiation beam on the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a first signal representing the position of the second radiation beam; and replicating the defined alignment conditions on the readout means by adjusting the first shaft with respect to the second shaft until the first signal and second signal coincide with the defined alignment conditions.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of statically aligning a first shaft with a second shaft, wherein the first shaft has mounted thereon a first dual-axis radiation sensing means and first radiation source providing a first radiation beam and the second shaft has mounted thereon a second dual-axis radiation sensing means and a second radiation source providing a second radiation beam, and readout means having defined alignment conditions, comprising the steps of: sensing the position of the first radiation beam on the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a second signal representing the position of the first radiation beam; sensing the position of the second radiation beam on the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a first signal representing the position of the second radiation beam; and replicating the defined alignment conditions on the readout means by adjusting the first shaft with respect to the second shaft until the first signal and second signal coincide with the defined alignment conditions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 32 wherein the first radiation sensing means is a first dual-axis position sensing photodetector and the second radiation sensing means is a second dual-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention according to claim 32 further including the steps of: providing a first phase orientation means for orienting the first dual-axis position sensing photodetector and first radiation source on the first shaft and; providing a second phase orientation means for orienting the second dual-axis position sensing photodetector and second radiation source of the second shaft.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention according to claim 34 wherein the first dual-axis position sensing photodetector a first single-axis position photodetector and a third position photodetector, and the second dual-axis position sensing photodetector comprises a second single-axis position photodetector and a fourth single-axis position photodetector.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
115 words
The invention according to claim 35 wherein the first radiation source is a first laser and the second radiation source is a second laser, the further steps of: positioning a first radiation beam splitter means intercepting the first radiation beam and directing a first vertical alignment radiation beam to impinge upon the second single-axis position photodetector and a first horizontal alignment radiation beam to impinge upon the fourth single-axis position photodetector; and positioning a second radiation beam splitter means intercepting the second radiation beam and directing a second vertical alignment radiation beam to impinge upon the first single-axis position photodetector and a second horizontal alignment radiation beam to impinge upon the third single-axis position photodetector.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for monitoring the alignment of a driving unit having a driving shaft and a driven unit having a driven shaft, the driving shaft and the driven shaft interconnected by a coupling, comprising: a first support mounted on the driving unit, the first support carrying a first dual radiation sensing means; a second support mounted on the driven unit, the second support carrying a second dual-axis radiation sensing means; first means carried on the first support for providing a first alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and a generate a second signal; second means carried on the second support for providing a second alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generate a first signal; and readout means having defined alignment conditions and being responsive to the first signal and the second signal for visually displaying the alignment of the driving shaft with respect to the driven shaft.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for monitoring the alignment of a driving unit having a driving shaft and a driven unit having a driven shaft, the driving shaft and the driven shaft interconnected by a coupling, comprising: a first support mounted on the driving unit, the first support carrying a first dual radiation sensing means; a second support mounted on the driven unit, the second support carrying a second dual-axis radiation sensing means; first means carried on the first support for providing a first alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and a generate a second signal; second means carried on the second support for providing a second alignment radiation beam oriented to impinge upon the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generate a first signal; and readout means having defined alignment conditions and being responsive to the first signal and the second signal for visually displaying the alignment of the driving shaft with respect to the driven shaft.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention according to claim 37 wherein the first dual-axis radiation sensing means is a first dual-axis position sensing photodetector and the second dual-axis radiation sensing means is a second dual-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention according to claim 38 wherein the first dual-axis position sensing photodetector is a first dual-axis electronic optical autocollimator and the second dual-axis position sensing photodetector is a second dual-axis electronic optical autocollimator.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention according to claim 38 wherein the first dual-axis position sensing photodetector comprises a first single-axis position photodetector and a third single-axis position photodetector, and the second dual-axis position sensing photodetector comprises a second single-axis position photodetector and a fourth single-axis position photodetector.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
93 words
The invention according to claim 40 further including first means for intercepting the first alignment radiation beam and generating a first vertical radiation beam directed to impinge upon the second single-axis position sensing photodetector and a first horizontal radiation beam directed to impinge upon the fourth single-axis position sensing photodetector, and second means for intercepting the second alignment radiation beam and generating a second vertical radiation beam directed to impinge upon the first single-axis position sensing photodetector and a second horizontal radiation beam directed to impinge upon the third single-axis position sensing photodetector.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 37 further including first means for phase orienting the first support on the driving unit and second means for phase orienting the second support on the driven unit.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention according to claim 42 wherein the first means for orienting the first support is a first spirit level and the second means for orienting the second support is a second spirit level.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 37 wherein the first means for providing a first alignment radiation beam is a first laser and the second means for providing a second alignment radiation beam is a second laser.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of monitoring operating changes in the alignment of a driving unit having a driving shaft and a driven unit having a driven shaft, the driving shaft and driven shaft interconnected by a coupling, wherein the driving unit has mounted thereon a first dual-axis radiation sensing means and means for providing a first alignment radiation beam, and the driven unit has mounted thereon a second dual-axis radiation sensing means and means for providing a second alignment radiation beam, and readout means having defined alignment conditions, comprising the steps of: sensing the position of the first alignment radiation beam on the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a second signal representing the position of the first alignment radiation beam; sensing the position of the second alignment radiation beam on the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a first signal representing the position of the second alignment radiation beam; sending the first signal and the second signal to the readout means for visual display; and calibrating the first and second signals to coincide with the defined alignment conditions, whereby the first and second signals will monitor operating changes in the alignment of the driving unit with respect to the driven unit as compared to the defined alignment conditions.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of monitoring operating changes in the alignment of a driving unit having a driving shaft and a driven unit having a driven shaft, the driving shaft and driven shaft interconnected by a coupling, wherein the driving unit has mounted thereon a first dual-axis radiation sensing means and means for providing a first alignment radiation beam, and the driven unit has mounted thereon a second dual-axis radiation sensing means and means for providing a second alignment radiation beam, and readout means having defined alignment conditions, comprising the steps of: sensing the position of the first alignment radiation beam on the second dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a second signal representing the position of the first alignment radiation beam; sensing the position of the second alignment radiation beam on the first dual-axis radiation sensing means and generating a first signal representing the position of the second alignment radiation beam; sending the first signal and the second signal to the readout means for visual display; and calibrating the first and second signals to coincide with the defined alignment conditions, whereby the first and second signals will monitor operating changes in the alignment of the driving unit with respect to the driven unit as compared to the defined alignment conditions.