Patent JPS5039345A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5083458A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5083458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for recording loaded running tooth contact patterns on large reduction gears
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1991-02-28
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Granted: 1992-01-28
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Expires: 2011-02-28
Abstract
Abstract Method for recording loaded running tooth contact patterns on navy or marine large reduction gears comprising the steps of providing a pair of meshing gears having transversely spaced teeth with surfaces subject to wear, coating the surfaces of as least one gear with a substance providing visual indication of tooth wear, running the gears under load, providing a platform adapted to move along the teeth and adapted to support and guide a video imaging probe, moving the platform along selected teeth while directing the probe at the contact surface of a transversely spaced "observed" tooth, and recording a video image of the observed tooth surface. The method further includes synchronizing the video image with the video image of an identification marker temporarily disposed adjacent to the observed tooth and synchronizing the video image with an audio record describing the tooth contact location and pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Vincent A. DeGeorge
- 👤 Michael A. Burt
- 👤 Reginald B. Santos
- 👤 Bruce G. Keiper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N5/77; H04N5/772; G; G01; G01M; G01M13/00; G01M13/02; G01M13/021; H04N5/775; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S33/00; Y10S33/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An improved method for recording loaded running tooth contact patterns on mating gears comprising: providing a pair of meshing gears having transversely spaced teeth with contact surfaces subject to wear, coating said contact surfaces on at least one of said gears with a substance providing a visual indication of tooth wear, running said gears under load, providing a platform mounting a video imaging probe, adjusting said video imaging probe on said platform to direct the probe at the contact surface of a transversely spaced tooth to be observed, moving said platform along the length of selected teeth while directing the probe at said contact surface, the platform having at least two guide elements each supported between a pair of adjacent gear teeth in order to guide said probe along the length of said selected gear teeth, said at least two guide elements located to one side of the tooth to be observed, and recording a video image of said contact surface of said observed tooth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An improved method for recording loaded running tooth contact patterns on mating gears comprising: providing a pair of meshing gears having transversely spaced teeth with contact surfaces subject to wear, coating said contact surfaces on at least one of said gears with a substance providing a visual indication of tooth wear, running said gears under load, providing a platform mounting a video imaging probe, adjusting said video imaging probe on said platform to direct the probe at the contact surface of a transversely spaced tooth to be observed, moving said platform along the length of selected teeth while directing the probe at said contact surface, the platform having at least two guide elements each supported between a pair of adjacent gear teeth in order to guide said probe along the length of said selected gear teeth, said at least two guide elements located to one side of the tooth to be observed, and recording a video image of said contact surface of said observed tooth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1, including the additional step of recording a description of the location of said observed tooth within said at least one gear which is synchronized with said video image record.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said description recording step comprises temporarily attaching an identification marker with preselected indicia adjacent said observed tooth within the field of said video imaging probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said description recording step comprises making an audio recording describing the observed tooth location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said video imaging probe includes a flexible fiber optic bundle and wherein said platform is moved manually.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1, further including providing at least one adjustable slide element slidable on the top of a gear tooth between said at least two guide elements and adjusting said slide element to hold said platform level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said probe is adjusted to an angle substantially identical to a helix angle of the observed tooth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for recording loaded running tooth contact patterns on mating gears comprising: a video imaging system including a video imaging probe; and a platform mounting said video imaging probe, said platform including an adjustment mechanism for directing said probe toward a contact surface of an observed gear tooth, said platform further provided with plural transverse guides adapted to ride between selected non-observed transversely spaced gear teeth pairs, said gear teeth pairs located to one side of the observed gear tooth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for recording loaded running tooth contact patterns on mating gears comprising: a video imaging system including a video imaging probe; and a platform mounting said video imaging probe, said platform including an adjustment mechanism for directing said probe toward a contact surface of an observed gear tooth, said platform further provided with plural transverse guides adapted to ride between selected non-observed transversely spaced gear teeth pairs, said gear teeth pairs located to one side of the observed gear tooth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said video imaging system comprises a video camera, a video tape recorder and a monitor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the video imaging probe comprises a fiberscope coupled to said video camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 and including a light source optically coupled to the fiberscope.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plural transverse guides comprise replaceable conical guide elements terminating in ball shaped guide surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plural transverse guides comprise a pair of grooves formed in a block member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plural transverse guides comprise wheels slideable along an axle for adjustment to different gear pitches and radii.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plural transverse guides includes a pair of steadying elements cooperable with a grooved pad located between said elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said longitudinal guides comprise pads threadably and adjustably mounted to said platform.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust said video imaging probe is adjusted to an angle equal to a helix angle of the observed tooth.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 and including an identification marker adapted for attachment to teeth adjacent the observed tooth.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-27 | 1995-07-29 | 1996-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-07-29 | 2000-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-27 | 2003-07-29 | 2004-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |