With Counterbalancing Means Patents (Class 73/468)
  • Patent number: 10996128
    Abstract: A balancing device for installing a counterweight in a specified shaft balancing region paired with a balancing plane includes a securing device which can be controlled via a control unit. The securing device has a first and a second receiving area for a counterweight or the shaft at a free end. A slot is arranged on the balancing device such that the balancing device can be moved along the shaft in the axial direction. The balancing device has a sensor for ascertaining the position of the balancing device relative to the shaft. The balancing device further includes a display unit which is connected to the control unit so as to exchange data and which is designed such that the position of the balancing device relative to the balancing region can be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Muth
  • Patent number: 9952116
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a rotor, including: a first portion for connection to a driving means, for rotation about a first rotational axis; a second portion comprising a mounting assembly adapted for engaging with a portion of the rotor so as to hold the rotor relative thereto, configured for rotation about a second rotational axis; and a connection member connecting the first portion to the second portion so that rotational movement of the first portion effects rotational movement of the second portion about the second rotational axis, wherein the connection member is configured substantially to prevent radial movement of the second portion relative to the first portion, while enabling inclination of the first rotational axis relative to the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Universal Balancing Limited
    Inventor: Steve Fowler
  • Patent number: 9172290
    Abstract: To correct an unbalance of rotors, a method and a device are proposed by means of which a corrective weight (15) is adapted to be welded to a rotor (2) by means of an electric welding device (14). The device comprises a robot (20) with a jointed arm (21) mounting the electric welding device (14). Arranged within reach of the jointed arm (21) is an unbalance measuring station (1) for measuring the amount of unbalance of the rotor (2) with an electronic computer which computes a corrective weight (15) to be attached to the rotor (2) for unbalance correction and transmits control data to a control device (23) of the robot (20). Under robot control, the welding device (14) picks the computed corrective weight (15) from a magazine (27) arranged within reach of the jointed arm (21) and welds it to the rotor (2) in the unbalance measuring station (1). During the welding operation the rotor (2) takes support on a first supporting device (11) and the welding device (14) on a second supporting device (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Muth, Martin Rogalla
  • Publication number: 20150090032
    Abstract: An apparatus for balancing a wheel includes a tool and an arm control module. The tool is mechanically coupled to an arm and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a face surface that forms an arc between the leading and trailing edges. The arm control module actuates the arm to position the leading edge of the tool a predetermined distance from an edge of a deck of a cutting apparatus to receive a piece of non-segmented wheel weight material. A blade of a cutting apparatus passes between the edge of the deck and the leading edge of the tool to cut the piece from the non-segmented wheel weight material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Louis R. HEDTKE, JR., Matthew W. KING, Scott R. CLAXTON, Mark A. COMPTON, David L. MCDOLE, John K. FUNCHEON, Mark R. GABEL, Benjamin D. BELKNAP
  • Patent number: 8985291
    Abstract: A vehicle differential unit (DU), including: a torsional damper assembly having a plurality of independently sprung damper assemblies positioned with respect to the DU, each damper assembly configured to reduce noise or vibration generated by the DU in a predetermined frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Javed Iqbal, Amir E. Keyvanmanesh, Yitzongn Chern, Tony Ge, Wan Joe Chen
  • Patent number: 8943940
    Abstract: An apparatus for balancing a wheel includes a tool and an arm control module. The tool is mechanically coupled to an arm and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a face surface that forms an arc between the leading and trailing edges. The arm control module actuates the arm to position the leading edge of the tool a predetermined distance from an edge of a deck of a cutting apparatus to receive a piece of non-segmented wheel weight material. A blade of a cutting apparatus passes between the edge of the deck and the leading edge of the tool to cut the piece from the non-segmented wheel weight material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Esys Corporation, 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Louis R. Hedtke, Jr., Matthew W. King, Scott R. Claxton, Mark A. Compton, David L. McDole, John K. Funcheon, Mark R. Gabel, Ben D. Belknap
  • Patent number: 8863389
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes the step of determining a spatial location of a match-mark region of each of a tire and a wheel, wherein at least one of the tire and the wheel does not include a physical match mark formed upon a surface or within a body portion of the tire and the wheel. A system is also disclosed. An apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, George B. Byma, Robert Reece, Ramsey R. Niazy
  • Patent number: 8739624
    Abstract: The present application relates to a wheel balancer which includes a stationary frame, a measuring shaft mounted rotatably about a shaft axis on the stationary frame and adapted to receive coaxially a rim/tyre assembly. The wheel balancer further includes an encoder configured to determine the angular positions of the measuring shaft or of the rim/tyre assembly, a load device configured to apply a load to the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly, a first measuring device configured to measure forces resulting from an unbalance of the rotating rim/tyre assembly, a second measuring device configured to measure forces acting between the load device and the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly, and a locking device configured to keep the distance between the shaft axis and a contact portion at which the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly contacts the load device constant during the measurement of the forces acting between the load device and the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Snap-On Equipment SRL a Unico Socio
    Inventors: Paolo Sotgiu, Lillo Gucciardino, Francesco Braghiroli
  • Publication number: 20140094091
    Abstract: A balancing device for a rotating body is provided, comprising at least one unbalance detector apt to measure the unbalance of the rotating body; two balancing masses apt to be handled along a handling circumference so as to cancel the unbalance; a position sensor apt to detect the mutual position of the balancing masses; and a motor apt to handle independently of each other the balancing masses as a function of their mutual position and unbalance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: BALANCE SYSTEMS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Gianni TRIONFETTI
  • Patent number: 8522423
    Abstract: A device for feeding and attaching corrective elements for unbalance correction on propeller shafts in a balancing machine includes an attachment device positionable longitudinally to the rotor axis, with a receptacle for receiving a corrective element attachable to the outer rotor circumference. Associated with the balancing machine is a supply unit supplying corrective elements measured for the individual unbalance correction. A feeding device feeds supplied corrective elements to the attachment device and includes a transfer shuttle for performing reciprocating movements between the supply unit and the attachment device on a guideway parallel to the rotor axis via a controllable motion drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Schenck Ro Tec GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Kuno Ebert, Christian Muth
  • Patent number: 8517685
    Abstract: A device (10) for reducing vibration of a main rotor (1) having a support (20) and a plurality of heavy elements (30) and of rollers (50). Each heavy element (30) includes two first openings (31) respectively at least partially in registration with two second openings (22) of the support (20. Each roller (50) passes through a first opening (31) and a second opening (22). The device (10) has link means (60) for connecting the support (20) to the hub (2). A drive shaft (70) and a drive means (80) rotate at a first speed of rotation (V1) greater than a second speed of rotation (V2) of the hub (2). The drive shaft (70) rotates about an axis of rotation (AX1) of the support (20). The link means (60) is connected to the support (20) by a link member (90) enabling the support (20) to rotate about the axis of rotation (AX1) relative to the link means (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Thomas Manfredotti
  • Patent number: 8336379
    Abstract: For compensating unbalance of vehicle wheels, adhesive weight elements (8) are positioned and pressed onto a determined compensation surface (17) on a wheel (7) using a balancing head (1) and a program-controlled handling device (9). The adhesive weight elements (8) in the form of an endless weight strand (5) are fed by a feed device (2) arranged on the balancing head (1) to a following roll-on roller (3) that presses the beginning of the endless weight strand (5) onto the beginning of the compensation surface (17) and thereafter rolls along thereon. A length cut-off device (4) is provided in or before the roll-on roller (3) and cuts-off the endless weight strand (5) of the adhesive weight elements (8) in a determined length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Dieter Thelen
  • Patent number: 8251484
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer enables a controller in the printer to operate electrical motors for aligning printheads in the printer with greater accuracy. The method includes generating a test pattern on media with a plurality of printheads, identifying a first position for each printhead in the plurality of printheads from test pattern image data, operating an electrical motor operatively connected to one of the printheads to move the printhead in a first direction in the cross-process direction by a predetermined distance, generating a second test pattern on the media, identifying a second position for each printhead, comparing the second position of the printhead with the first position of the printhead to measure a distance moved by the printhead, identifying a first calibration parameter with reference to the predetermined distance and measured distance, and operating the electrical motor with reference to the first calibration parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Mizes
  • Patent number: 8069554
    Abstract: The application discloses an assembly tool for installing a disc clamp on a spindle hub. In the illustrated embodiments, the assembly tool includes a head including an inner portion, an intermediate portion and an outer portion configured to install a disc clamp on a spindle motor assembly. In the illustrated embodiments, the inner portion includes a raised portion and datum surface that interface with the spindle hub to align the spindle hub for installation of the disc clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology
    Inventors: Shawn A. Ruden, Roland Sesselmann, Samuel E. Severson
  • Publication number: 20110283790
    Abstract: An apparatus for balancing a wheel includes a tool and an arm control module. The tool is mechanically coupled to an arm and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a face surface that forms an arc between the leading and trailing edges. The arm control module actuates the arm to position the leading edge of the tool a predetermined distance from an edge of a deck of a cutting apparatus to receive a piece of non-segmented wheel weight material. A blade of a cutting apparatus passes between the edge of the deck and the leading edge of the tool to cut the piece from the non-segmented wheel weight material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ESYS Corporation
    Inventors: Louis R. Hedtke, JR., Matthew W. King, Scott R. Claxton, Mark A. Compton, Christopher J. Marcus
  • Patent number: 8051710
    Abstract: A midlength balanced rotor comprises a rotor assembly for rotation about an axis of rotation defining at least one of an axially extended, radially concentric, centerline borehole; an array of radially or tangentially distributed, axially extended pockets; and a series of radially or tangentially distributed, axially extended slots. At least one balance weight is positioned within at least one of the axially extended, radially concentric, centerline borehole, the array of radially or tangentially distributed, axially extended pockets, or the radially or tangentially distributed, axially extended slots to balance the rotor assembly. Alternatively, at least one balance correcting mass is removed from at least one of the axially extended, radially concentric, centerline borehole, the array of radially or tangentially distributed, axially extended pockets, or the radially or tangentially distributed, axially extended slots to balance the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Blake Weldon Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110226055
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for feeding and attaching corrective elements for unbalance correction on propeller shafts in a balancing machine, which includes an attachment device adapted to be positioned longitudinally to the rotor axis, with a receptacle for receiving a corrective element attachable to the outer circumference of the rotor. Associated with the balancing machine is a supply unit supplying corrective elements measured for the individual unbalance correction. A feeding device is provided which feeds supplied corrective elements to the attachment device, said feeding device including a transfer shuttle capable of performing reciprocating movements between the supply unit and the attachment device on a guideway parallel to the rotor axis by means of a controllable motion drive mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Kuno Ebert, Christian Muth
  • Patent number: 7954376
    Abstract: A balancing device is provided that is able to balance a rotor of an electrical machine. The machine includes a mounted rotor in a central bore of a stator and coaxially thereto. Between the rotor and the stator there is an air gap. The rotor preferably comprises a plurality of axially extending ferromagnetic teeth and non-magnetic wedges being arranged alternately around the circumference of the surface of the rotor. The teeth and/or the wedges preferably include balancing openings for balancing weights. The balancing device includes a mounting device and/or a locking device and/or a confirmation device. The device has a radial height that is smaller than the minimal clearance of the air gap and an axial extension such that it can be inserted into the air gap. With such a device it is possible to balance a rotor in an efficient way, when it is located in the bore of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Anders Angantyr, Gabor Csaba
  • Patent number: 7916599
    Abstract: A method to balance spindles in a plurality of disk drives is disclosed and claimed. An initial imbalance and initial phase for one of the plurality of disk drives is determined, the determination depending upon an amplitude and phase calibration. One of a plurality of balancing masses is selected based on the initial imbalance and attached at an angular position selected based upon the initial phase. A final imbalance after attachment is similarly determined. These determinations are repeated for each of the plurality of disk drives, with the final imbalance and the initial imbalance recorded for each. The amplitude calibration is adjusted based on a comparison of a measured distribution and a theoretical distribution of the final imbalance versus the initial imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Boworn Panyavoravaj, Maneerat Suthampitak
  • Patent number: 7882739
    Abstract: A wheel balancer utilizing a novel calibration technique in which the operator must only measure and enter one dimension of the tire. By requiring the operator to measure only one dimension of the tire, the probability of introducing measurement error into the system is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Don A. Truex
  • Patent number: 7761256
    Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing vibrations of a variable speed rotating body. The method includes producing a signal that is proportional to an acceleration of the rotating body and producing a plurality of pulses. Each pulse represents a revolution of the rotating body and is indicative of a vibration sample at a rotational position of the rotating body. The signal is converted to a numeric value that is indicative of a vibrational amplitude of the rotating body. The plurality of pulses are converted to revolution time periods indicative of a rotational rate of the rotating body. The method also includes producing a harmonic vibrational amplitude at a harmonic of the rotational rate of the rotating body, and representing a phase of the harmonic vibrational amplitude relative to the rotational position of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Henry Studer, John Lynn Abbott
  • Patent number: 7685876
    Abstract: Methods and systems of balancing a rotatable member are provided. A method includes separately balancing a first portion and a second portion of the rotatable member wherein the second portion mateable to said first portion, coupling the first and second portions to each other, measuring a physical dimension of the coupled first and second portions, and determining a balance weight magnitude and position based on the measured physical dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Mollmann, Steven Alan Ross, Stephen Wade Faw, Enzo Luigi Morabito, Jeffrey Scott Allen
  • Publication number: 20100064801
    Abstract: Gas turbines are used for power generation with units in a range of sizes. They serve as power plants for both military and commercial aircraft. Demand is for faster, lighter engines, utilizing more advanced manufacturing processes. One of the means of meeting this goal is through use of longer, thinner, more flexible shafts which operate supercritically. Supercritical operation was once viewed as impractical, however, a number of today's production gas turbines operate in this mode. The shaft manufacturing process is optimal if the shaft balance procedure can be conducted at low speeds, rather than requiring a more expensive and complicated high speed balance process. One embodiment of the present invention includes a systematic process for a low speed balance procedure which, would permits a high speed shaft system to transition through additional critical speeds and operate safely above them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Peter D. Hylton
  • Patent number: 7654138
    Abstract: Dynamically measuring the unbalance of a rotor arranged in a device housing (1) and rotating at high angular velocity, wherein the rotor is supported in a separate bearing housing (14), involves the following steps: fastening the bearing housing (14) on the device housing (1) with interposition of resiliently yielding elements (6) so that the bearing housing (14) can be moved relative to the device housing (1) in at least two spatial dimensions and the rotor is arranged in a working position in the device housing (1) suitable for driving, accelerating the rotor, measuring the vibrations induced by unbalance while the rotor rotates at a substantially normal working speed, determining the phase position of the induced vibrations to the relative position of the rotor at the measuring speeds, and using the measured vibrations and the phase position to determine the unbalance of the rotor to be compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Thelen
  • Publication number: 20100009833
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic balance adjusting centrifuge which calculates the magnitude and the location of imbalance of itself based on the vibration generated in the dynamic state and automatically compensate for the imbalance based on the calculation, and the control method thereof. The automatic balance adjusting centrifuge of the present invention comprises: a rotor supporting buckets that load samples; a rotation driving means for rotating the rotor; a vibration detecting means for detecting vibration; a imbalance compensating means for compensating the weight imbalance of the rotor; and a control means for controlling the imbalance compensating means to compensate for the weight imbalance of the rotor after calculating the imbalance based on the amount of the vibration detected by the vibration detecting means in the state of rotating the rotor with a predetermined rotational velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: HANLAB CORPORATION
    Inventors: Heuigeun RYU, Ohhun KWON, Sunghyuk Lee, Jaehong OH
  • Patent number: 7610808
    Abstract: A method for balancing motor vehicle wheels, comprising mounting the wheel onto the rotating spindle of a balancing machine, using a probe of known type, selecting balancing planes and diameters, providing the data to the balancing machine, spinning the wheel, calculating the value of imbalance, calculating an entity and angular position for balancing weights to be applied in the balancing planes and diameters previously selected by the operator; during the spinning of the wheel, measuring an acceleration time between two predetermined speeds of the wheel; calculating an imbalance threshold value and applying the balancing weight only if it is above the calculated threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Corghi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Remo Corghi
  • Patent number: 7611091
    Abstract: A high-speed vertical take-off and land aircraft includes a body with an engine supported by the body. A fan assembly is also carried by the body. The fan assembly includes a hub and a plurality of blades to provide vertical lift for the aircraft. A plurality of frictionless air bearings vertically support the fan assembly while a plurality of idler wheels horizontally center the fan assembly. In addition the aircraft includes an active system for sensing vibration and balancing the fan assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Go Aircraft Ltd.
    Inventors: Gordon Y. W. Ow, Donald J. Trent
  • Patent number: 7574913
    Abstract: A method for determining weight display thresholds for static and dynamic imbalances and correction weights on a rotating body such as a vehicle wheel assembly, which vary with parameters of the rotating body, wheel and/or tire, and for displaying measured imbalances in relation to determined imbalance thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Michael W. Douglas, David M. Scribner, Joel Clasquin, William B. Feero
  • Patent number: 7569241
    Abstract: A magnetically aligned scraped-surface heat exchanger and method are provided. A stator includes electromagnetic elements, such as solenoids. A rotor, attached to a shaft of the heat exchanger, rotates within the stator. Sensors detect the position of the rotor, such as a radial or an axial position. The position data is provided to the control circuit. When the position of the rotor is to be re-aligned or adjusted, the control circuit activates or de-activates one or more of the solenoids of the stator to alter or complete a magnetic field through the rotor to re-align the rotor and the shaft attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventor: Constantine Sandu
  • Publication number: 20090177419
    Abstract: An adjustment device of a rotary machine including a movable base formed rotatable around an axis, vibration sensors formed so that the sensors can measure amplitudes of longitudinal vibration and transverse vibration of the rotary machine, an adjustment weight to be arranged on the movable base, and a PC including a control section for calculating a position and weight of the adjustment weight, a storage section, and an amplifier are provided, an approximate expression is obtained by the PC from an amplitude measured by the vibration sensor, and a predetermined function, an optimum change amount x and position ? of the adjustment weight are calculated from the approximate expression, whereby the adjustment weight is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Takeshi YAMANAKA
  • Patent number: 7555939
    Abstract: A method of balancing a first turbomachine module (20), including along an axis of rotation a bearing plane (22) on one side and a junction plane (24) on the other, with respect to a rotor (1) including said module (20), in which an equivalent complementary module is defined such that the two modules form a rotor equivalent to said rotor by assembling along the junction plane (24), the total unbalance of said equivalent rotor and the corresponding correction to be made to said module are determined, which method includes the following steps: the concentricity deviation of the bearing (22) of the first module (20) with respect to the axis perpendicular to the junction plane (24) is determined; the theoretical geometric unbalance of said equivalent complementary module is calculated; a short journal (40) is mounted on the first module adjacent to the junction plane (24) to form a short rotor whose axis of rotation is substantially coincident with the axis of the module (20) and the unbalance of the short ro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Paul Lucas, Alain Luinaud
  • Patent number: 7481108
    Abstract: A method is provided for balancing a rotating member having an annular balancing groove which is configured to receive and retain a balancing projectile. The method includes determining a circumaxial imbalance location, and firing a balancing projectile in timed relationship with the rotation of the member so that the balancing projectile enters the groove at the imbalance location. Such steps are repeated as required to cure additional points of imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Bergquist Torrington' Company
    Inventors: Drew M. Rocky, John F. O'Connor, Jr., Russel H. Marvin
  • Publication number: 20080302181
    Abstract: A balance ring for a component (1) rotating about a rotation axis (3), for example a tool holder for a rotating tool or else a machine spindle or the like, is proposed. The balance ring has an annular body (11) which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis of rotational symmetry, a guide arrangement (13) guiding the annular body (11) in a radially movable but axially fixed manner on the component (1) with an axis of rotational symmetry essentially parallel to the rotation axis (3) of the component (1), and a plurality of adjusting elements (21) arranged in the circumferential direction of the annular body (11), preferably at equal angular distances from one another, radially supported between the annular body (11) and the component (1) and having a variable radial supporting length. The guide arrangement may be designed as an axially extending spring link arrangement or else as spring webs extending in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: FRANZ HAIMER MACHINENBAU KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer
  • Patent number: 7448266
    Abstract: A fabrication method of an optical disk drive is provided. The method adapted for alleviating the eccentric issue of a loaded optical disk. The optical disk drive, for example, includes a turntable having a plurality of engaging springs. The engaging springs are adapted to secure the optical disk through a hole in the center of the optical disk. The steps for fabricating the optical disk drive include the following: first, the eccentric degree of the optical disk caused by the engaging springs is measured. Then a result is obtained. According to the obtained result, material is added to at least one of the engaging springs or a part of original material is removed from at least one of the engaging springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Lite-On It Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Lung Ho, Yi-Cheng Tsao
  • Patent number: 7441456
    Abstract: The invention is a machine for balancing drive shafts under computer control. Compensatory weights are formed in a weight-forming dye assembly which is coaxially repositionable in relation to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. Additionally, the weights formed are transported along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft, and are secured to the drive shaft utilizing a welding head which is selectively positionable along one side of the length of the drive shaft. Sensors are provided to determine the out-of-balance of the shaft, and an associated computer performs the necessary calculations for determining the appropriate position and mass of the compensatory weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventors: Robert R. Corbin, Andrew J. Abraham, Brad L. Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 7426858
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical suction unit for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a turbine unit and an electrical motor with a rotor and a stator. The turbine unit is attached to the rotor and forms, together with the rotor, a rotatable part of the suction unit, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation. An amount of material is removed from the rotor and from the turbine unit to torque-balance the rotatable part of the suction unit. In this manner, the amount of material to be removed from the rotor to torque-balance the rotatable part is considerably reduced, so that the adverse influence of the removal of the material from the rotor on the performance of the electrical motor is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Wessel Adolf Otten
  • Patent number: 7347784
    Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a yoke including a body portion, a pair of opposed yoke arms that extends generally in a first axial direction from the body portion, and a neck portion that extends generally in a second axial direction from the body portion. A driveshaft tube is secured to the neck portion of the yoke, such as by magnetic pulse welding. A ring is secured to the body portion of the yoke, such as by press fitting, and a balance weight is secured to the ring, such as by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Keller, James A. Duggan
  • Publication number: 20070277606
    Abstract: A rotor such as a blisk B is balanced by determining the extent of any static or couple unbalance when the rotor is rotated about a test axis X while supported at a location surface 10 at which the rotor is supported in normal use. The location surface 10 is then modified, for example by removing material in a final machining operation, to eliminate the unbalance. For example the swash of the surface 10 may be altered and/or modification may be made to other location features (11) in order to cause the rotor to rotate, in normal operation, about an axis which is eccentric to the test axis X.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: William E. Robbins
  • Patent number: 7272513
    Abstract: Determining a shaft balance adjustment includes measuring an initial vibration of the shaft, determining if the initial vibration is greater than a predetermined value, and, if the initial vibration is greater than the predetermined value, determining an adjustment by choosing a best adjustment for each possible location for adjustments. Choosing the best adjustment may include choosing an adjustment that causes a lower amount of vibration than adjustments not chosen. Measuring an initial vibration may include using an accelerometer. Measuring an initial vibration may include using conditioning electronics in connection with the accelerometer. The predetermined value may be 0.01 ips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 7249508
    Abstract: In a device (3) for fastening balancing weights to rotors (2) with a plurality of compensation planes, in particular to propeller shafts or Cardan shafts, preferably in a balancing machine (1) that includes at least one gripper-like device which can be positioned along the rotor axis, and with which a balancing weight is placed on the external periphery of the rotor (2) and can be fastened there, the gripper-like device (5) includes plural receivers for receiving a plurality of the balancing weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Frank Hillringhaus
  • Patent number: 7237326
    Abstract: A device for applying balancing weights to vehicle wheels in wheel balancing machines, comprising: a detector for the position of an indicator that can slide on rectilinear guides with respect to a wheel supported rotatable on the frame of a balancing machine; removable locking elements the indicator in at least one direction of sliding activatable when a preset position of the indicator is reached and comprising at least one first and second gears, supported rotatable on the wheel machine which mesh with each other; transmission elements for transmitting motion of the indicator to the first gear; and motion elements for moving a third gear between an inactive configuration, in which it is disengaged from the first and second gears, and a locking configuration, in which the third gear is engaged with the teeth of the first and second gears to prevent their rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sicam S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dido Boni, Marco Montanari
  • Patent number: 7219036
    Abstract: A method for statistically analyzing the operation of a machine for balancing articles for rotation so as to reduce measurement errors and thereby enhance productivity and quality including the steps of collecting raw data during production balancing of articles for rotation, and statistically analyzing the data to determine appropriate process control limits for prompting investigative or corrective action if a process control limit is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Abbotoy, Vincent J. Morgillo
  • Patent number: 7191650
    Abstract: An apparatus for balancing a vehicle wheel simultaneously shows both dynamic imbalance and static imbalance. At least one corrective weight is attached to the wheel to correct the static imbalance. A residual static imbalance is then determined after attachment of the corrective weight. Finally, the corrective weight is adjusted to reduce the residual static imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Cunningham, Carlo Buzzi
  • Patent number: 7066025
    Abstract: A method for automatically balancing a drive shaft about a rotational axis. The method includes providing an unbalanced drive shaft for rotation about a rotational axis to determine an out-of-balance condition with respect to the drive shaft. A plurality of standardized weights or counterweights are provided wherein each standardized weight has a substantially equivalent mass. The method determines an optimal position for placing at least one of the standardized weights on a drive shaft to correct the out-of-balance condition. Standardized weights are then attached to the outer circumference of the drive shaft at the optimal position. The effectiveness of the added standardized weights is verified by subsequently rotating the drive shaft to determine whether an out-of-balance condition still exists. If the out-of-balance condition still exits, additional standardized weights may then be added to the circumference of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Raven Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Corbin
  • Patent number: 7065444
    Abstract: A method for determining an optimized position between the tire and rim of a wheel to improve operation smoothness of the wheel. Measurements are conducted to determine respective effects of wheel imbalance and non-uniformities contributed by the tire and rim at different rotational positions. An index vector representing the respective effects is defined. The optimized position is determined based on an observation of changes of the index vector relative to the changes of respective effects of wheel imbalance and non-uniformities contributed by the tire and rim at different rotational positions. The relative position between the tire and rim is adjusted according to the optimized position to achieve better operation of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Snap-on Equipment SRL a Unico Socio
    Inventor: Francesco Braghiroli
  • Patent number: 6981302
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tube for a vehicle driveshaft assembly forms a flat sheet of material having a greater thickness than other portions over a portion of its width and along its length, rolling the sheet about a longitudinal axis such that its lateral edges are mutually adjacent, then securing the lateral edges together by seam welding to form a tube. The mass distribution is not uniform because the wall thickness of certain portions of the tube is greater than the wall thickness of other portions of the tube. A tube yoke is machined and the angular location of its overbalance about its longitudinal axis is determined. The tube is secured to the tube yoke such that the angular location of overbalance of the yoke is aligned with the weld seam and diametrically opposite the region of the tube having the greater wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Breese, Jeffrey D. Periat, James A. Duggan
  • Patent number: 6950763
    Abstract: Determining a shaft balance adjustment includes measuring an initial vibration of the shaft, determining if the initial vibration is greater than a predetermined value, and, if the initial vibration is greater than the predetermined value, determining an adjustment by choosing a best adjustment for each possible location for adjustments. Choosing the best adjustment may include choosing an adjustment that causes a lower amount of vibration than adjustments not chosen. Measuring an initial vibration may include using an accelerometer. Measuring an initial vibration may include using conditioning electronics in connection with the accelerometer. The predetermined value may be 0.01 ips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 6901798
    Abstract: The apparatus (1) comprises at least two balancing rings (10) disposed in axial side by side relationship and coaxial with each other on the rotating body (13) to be balanced. The rings (10) are each unbalanced and rotatable with the rotating body (13), but can each be angularly rotated relative to the latter through positioning members. These members may comprise either a gear (29) that can be selectively engaged in rotation with peripheral toothings (28) of the rings (10) when the rotating body (13) is stopped, to bring the rings (10) to a relative angular position to which the situation of balance of the rotating body (13) corresponds, or locking elements to be selectively engaged with peripheral notches in the rings (10) to retain the rings (10) one by one while the rotating body (13) is rotated relative to the rings (10) through such an angle that the angular balance position is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Balance Systems S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Trionfetti
  • Patent number: 6890100
    Abstract: A method and system for balancing CT gantry mechanisms. Two balance locations are preselected on the rotating base member and stacks of spacers, shims, and weights are provided at each site. Strain gate sensors are provided on the stationary base member and included as part of a sensor circuit. Trial and test runs determine the mass and Z-location of the mass which needs to be added to the system to statically and dynamically balance it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Edmund Reznicek, Eric Matthew Plate, Shawn Patrick Faessler
  • Publication number: 20040226368
    Abstract: A process for balancing a vehicular driveline including a propeller shaft and an input shaft of a vehicle axle interconnected by a universal joint. First, the vehicle propeller shaft is balanced to a predetermined residual imbalance having an imbalance vector angle of 0° or 180° which lies inline with open set of cardan joint trunnions. The corrected residual imbalance is then visually marked. Next, the input shaft is balanced to a predetermined residual imbalance having an imbalance vector angle of 0° or 180° which lies inline with cross-holes in yoke ears. Again, the corrected residual imbalance on the input shaft is then visually marked. During the assembly of the vehicle, the assembly line operator couples the propeller shaft to the input shaft through a cardan joint cross by aligning the marks on the propeller shaft and the input shaft so that the marks are located opposite to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew L. Nieman, Kerry Shannon