Dynamic (spinning) Patents (Class 73/460)
  • Patent number: 11788414
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for balancing the out-of-balance of a shaft/wheel assembly. The balancing method involves a step of measuring the value of the out-of-balance of a wheel/shaft assembly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mechanical shaft, and then measuring the position of at least two different target zones present on the surface of the wheel. The method involves removing material from the surface of the vaned wheel in order to reduce the value of the out-of-balance of the shaft/wheel assembly depending on the measurements taken in steps a) and b). In this way, the balancing method is much more precise compared with the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: DATATECHNIC
    Inventor: Christophe Sillon
  • Patent number: 11047770
    Abstract: A mass-balance means and a rotary microtome having the same are provided in the present disclosure. The mass-balance means includes: a connecting element, a first end of the connecting element being configured to be connected with a movable mass of the rotary microtome; a gear set having a preset gear ratio, a first end of the gear set being connected with a second end of the connecting element; an elastic element, the elastic element being pre-tensioned and adjustable, in which a first end of the elastic element is connected with a second end of the gear set for moving along with a rotation of the gear set so as to balance the movable mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Ltd., Shanghai
    Inventors: Zheguang Fan, Xiangyu Hao, Xiaoqi Jiang
  • Patent number: 10944306
    Abstract: A rotary electric rotor includes a rotor core having a shaft through-hole; a rotor shaft having a male screw portion on its first side; a washer having an annular structure with cutouts elastically deformable in a radial direction, having a washer tapered surface, and having an annular projection portion that extends in an axial direction from an end surface and is fixed to the rotor core in a state of being disposed in a gap between an inner circumferential surface of the shaft through-hole and an outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft and pressing the inner circumferential surface of the shaft through-hole, the end surface and the washer tapered surface are opposite surfaces of the washer; and a nut having a female screw portion that meshes with the male screw portion and having a nut tapered surface that faces the washer tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yushi Takeuchi, Shingo Fubuki, Yasuo Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10302520
    Abstract: A crankshaft balancer suspension system for measuring an imbalance of a crankshaft. The crankshaft balancer suspension system has a base structure, a measurement bridge structure configured to support the crankshaft during rotation, and a plurality of flexural support legs extending between the base structure and the measurement bridge structure. The plurality of flexural support legs are sized and shaped to permit flexure of the measurement bridge structure relative to the base structure. The crankshaft balancer suspension system further having a drive system having a drive shaft connectable to the crankshaft for rotating the crankshaft and a sensor coupled to the measurement bridge structure for detecting an imbalance in the crankshaft during rotation and outputting imbalance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Dominion Technologies Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Edward Essad
  • Patent number: 10245909
    Abstract: Described is a device for locking a rim of a wheel to a wheel-holder unit (4) equipped with a supporting plate (12) and a hollow rotary shaft having an end portion projecting in a cantilever fashion from the supporting plate (12), comprising: a centring cone (16) having a through hole; a clamping rod (11) having at a first end a clamping element (10) which can be inserted inside the hollow shaft to prevent a movement of the clamping rod (11) along a first axis (A) of the wheel-holder unit (4), and having at a second end a threaded portion; a clamping element (17) coupled to the threaded portion and which can be rotated for translating along an axis of the clamping rod; a centring flange (23) operatively interposed between the centring cone (16) and the clamping element (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: NEXION S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giulio Corghi
  • Patent number: 10190655
    Abstract: Tooling for balancing a turbine engine module (10) in a balancing machine, the turbine engine module having at least one stator housing (14) and a rotor (16) having a shaft (18) with a longitudinal axis A and at least one blade stage (20) surrounded by the stator housing (14). The tooling has at least a balancing frame (14), having rotor (16) guide bearings, first and second annular plates (30, 32) designed to be attached to the stator housing (14), third and fourth attachment lugs (34, 36) provided on the balancing frame (24), to attach the first and second annular plates (30, 32) to the frame. A trolley is for transporting the frame (24), and a support (84, 94) for supporting the frame, provided on the balancing frame (24) and cooperating equally well with the balancing machine and with the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Alain Roland Luinaud, Alain Decocq, Francois Viviande
  • Patent number: 10125682
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a target member, a sensor and a mounting assembly. The target member is coupled to a shaft that is disposed within an engine housing and that rotates about an axis. The target member includes a target surface that is substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the shaft. The sensor is configured to produce a signal associated with a distance between a sensor tip and the target surface. The mounting assembly is coupled to the sensor and the engine housing, and is configured to adjust the distance between the sensor and the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Fuller, Christopher E. LaMaster
  • Patent number: 10024748
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for aligning a workpiece in a mass-centering device, in which in an initial position an upper flange (1) and a lower flange (2) are arranged concentrically around an axis (3) of a balancing spindle of the mass-centering device, with the upper flange (1) comprising an interface (4) for clamping means to clamp the workpiece, and the lower flange (2) an interface (5) for fastening means to fasten the device to the balancing spindle. At least two spring elements (22, 23) reside between the upper and the lower flange (1, 2), such that in the initial position the upper flange (1) takes support axially and radially exclusively on the two spring elements (22, 23). In the initial position, the upper flange (1) is movable relative to the lower flange (2) into an eccentric position by a force acting in opposition to the spring elements (22, 23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Breitwieser
  • Patent number: 9731566
    Abstract: A tire changer with a controller includes a with a mount assembly adapted for contacting a wheel assembly to mount the wheel to a rotating spindle. The tire changer controller is configured to regulate the operation of a motor, and which is operatively connected to the rotating spindle to rotate the wheel assembly. A sensor coupled to the controller provides a data representative of the rotational position of the wheel assembly about a rotational axis. The controller is further configured to engage a load roller with the wheel assembly to apply a radial force to a tire mounted on a rim of the wheel assembly during rotation of the wheel, and to regulate the operation of a tire handling means and mount assembly, enabling identification, optional marking, and adjustment of the tire angular mounting position relative to the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: David A. Voeller, Douglas S. Hanneken, Steve Molbach, Joel Clasquin, Michael D. Gerdes
  • Patent number: 9037381
    Abstract: This invention relates to the operation of gas turbine engines, and in particular to determining deterioration of components during operation. In a specific embodiment, the invention is concerned with determining the actions to be taken when a foreign body impact has been detected, for example on a fan blade. Accordingly, the invention provides a method to take one or more FOD detection apparatus, analyse the likely (probabilistic) outcome, and provide a system to determine subsequent action that assures safety whilst minimising operational disruption. This invention provides a method and apparatus to identify FOD or bird impact to gas turbine fan blades, assessing the damage that may have occurred whist still in flight and determining post impact actions, including replacement parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Ian Colin Deuchar Care
  • Publication number: 20150128698
    Abstract: A portable machine includes a base assembly defining a vacuum chamber, the base assembly including a decking having a machine way. The portable machine also includes a machine component releasably coupled to the machine way, and a plurality of load-equalizing members coupled to the base assembly that evenly distribute and support a load positioned on the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Jason Sinkhorn
  • Publication number: 20150114110
    Abstract: An apparatus for a wheel service machine includes a body having an axis and a aperture through the axis, the aperture shaped to receive a rotary shaft, a first chamber and a second chamber located in the body, a pneumatic inlet communicated with the second chamber, the pneumatic inlet configured to be couple to a pneumatic supply line. A piston is movably disposed in the first chamber between a retracted and an extended position, the piston moving from the retracted position to the extended position when pressure from the second chamber is supplied to the first chamber. A valve is positioned between the first and second chambers, the valve selectively communicating the first and second chambers. A wheel service apparatus includes a base, a motor configured to rotate a rotary shaft, and a pneumatic nut. A docking station for the pneumatic nut can be located on the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: James Marler, John Story, Matthew Weis
  • Patent number: 9010183
    Abstract: The invention relates to a balancing machine for measuring the rotating unbalance of a tool holder in two different clampings, comprising a spindle which can be set into rotation. The spindle comprises an automatically actuatable coupling, by which the tool holder can be coupled rigidly to the spindle in a first position in order to rotate with the spindle around the rotational axis of the tool holder and the tool holder can be coupled rigidly to the spindle in a second position in order to rotate with the spindle around the rotational axis of the tool holder. The balancing machine also comprises at least one measuring sensor for determining the rotating unbalance of the tool holder rotating in the spindle unit, wherein the device has a brake which retains the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Franz Haimer Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer
  • Patent number: 8955378
    Abstract: A method for efficiently operating a vehicle wheel balancing system having a wheel mounting structure upon which a vehicle wheel assembly is mounted for rotation during a measurement or service procedure, and a load roller assembly disposed in operative proximity to the wheel mounting structure for engaging a surface of the vehicle wheel assembly and applying a controlled load there to during rotation. After mounting a vehicle wheel assembly to the mounting structure, the wheel assembly is rotationally driven and a measurement of imbalance is initially acquired and the results displayed to an operator. Subsequently, the load roller assembly is engaged with the still rotating wheel, while measurements of radial forces and/or runout of the wheel are acquired, before the wheel rotation is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Clasquin, Michael D. Gerdes
  • Publication number: 20150013453
    Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, Robert Reece, Barry A. Clark, Donald G. Straitiff
  • Patent number: 8904863
    Abstract: A tire changer with a controller includes a with a mount assembly adapted for contacting a wheel assembly to mount the wheel to a rotating spindle. The tire changer controller is configured to regulate the operation of a motor which is operatively connected to the rotating spindle to rotate the wheel assembly. A sensor coupled to the controller provides a data representative of the rotational position of the wheel assembly about a rotational axis. The controller is further configured to regulate the operation of a hydraulic actuating means for engaging a load roller with the wheel assembly to apply a radial force to a tire mounted on a rim of the wheel assembly during rotation of the wheel, and to regulate the operation of a tire handling means and mount assembly, enabling identification, marking, and adjustment of the tire angular mounting position relative to the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: David A. Voeller, Douglas S. Hanneken, Steve Molbach, Joel Clasquin, Michael D. Gerdes
  • Patent number: 8887565
    Abstract: A device for measuring the rotational imbalance of a specimen, having a spindle unit with a spindle, which is embodied to hold the specimen and to allow it to rotate at a testing speed, a holder suspension by means of which the spindle unit is anchored to the machine base in pendulum fashion such that the imbalance forces occurring during the measurement operation are able to move the spindle unit back and forth in a predetermined measuring direction M, and a sensor arrangement that detects at least one imbalance parameter occurring in the measuring direction M during rotation of the spindle, wherein the spindle unit is supported by means of at least one auxiliary bearing that is only able to transmit forces in the direction of a normal N to the measuring direction M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Franz Haimer Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer
  • Patent number: 8875572
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotatably mounting a rotor to be balanced is provided. The apparatus include a rotatably mounted balancing spindle to which the rotor to be balanced is to be non-rotatingly connected, at least one bearing block, a plurality of spring bars aligned parallel to the spindle axis and used to mount the balancing spindle on the bearing block such that the balancing spindle is able to vibrate, and a drive mechanism for the balancing spindle. The spring bars are arranged in more than two planes at different distances from the spindle or in planes having different rotary angular positions about the spindle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hofmann Maschinen-und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Bork
  • Patent number: 8863573
    Abstract: A method of dynamically balancing a shaft for multiple rotational speeds comprising: rotating the shaft in the balancer at a first rotational speed while measuring a first force and a first angle of a first shaft imbalance measurement; rotating the shaft at a predetermined second rotational speed while measuring a second force and a second angle of a second shaft imbalance measurement; comparing the first shaft imbalance measurement to a first predetermined imbalance specification and comparing the second shaft imbalance measurement to a second predetermined imbalance specification; if the first shaft imbalance does not meet the first predetermined imbalance specification or the second shaft imbalance does not meet the second predetermined imbalance specification, then calculating a composite correction based on the first and second shaft imbalance measurements; and applying a first weight to the shaft at a correction first angle based on the calculated composite correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Rolando V. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20140283598
    Abstract: The dynamic balance detecting device includes a platform, a pillar, a main shaft, a vibration sensor, a rotation sensor, a dynamic measuring tester, and a controller. The pillar is connected to the platform. The main shaft is positioned on the pillar for driving a rotor. The vibration sensor is positioned adjacent to the main shaft for detecting vibration amount of the main shaft. The rotation sensor is positioned adjacent to the main shaft and spaced from the vibration sensor for detecting a rotation of the main shaft. The dynamic measuring tester is positioned on the platform for receiving vibration data obtained by the vibration sensor and rotation data obtained by the rotation sensor in real time to analyze and determine whether dynamic balance of the rotor achieving as required, and calculates a dynamic balance regulating amount for the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventors: GANG LIU, JI-DONG DING, JUN ZHANG, XIAO-DONG WANG, GUO-XUAN ZHANG, XUE-FEI PENG, ZHONG-HUA HE
  • Publication number: 20140251008
    Abstract: A wheel balancing device, comprising a rotation shaft on which a wheel can be mounted and elements for fixing the wheel to the rotation shaft and further comprising: a plate, which is adapted to be fixed rigidly to a tire removing device, a tubular element, which is connected to the plate and accommodates rotatably the rotation shaft, sensors, which are fixed to the plate, are connected to the tubular element and are adapted to measure the forces that constrain the tubular element when the rotation shaft and the wheel are turning and to provide a measurement of the forces generated by the dynamic imbalance of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Carlo BUZZI
  • Publication number: 20140238128
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining current eccentricity of rotating rotor (1) at which is rotor (1) equipped with a phase marker (5) scanned at constant speed of rotation up to 500 rpm by a sensor (50) of phase marker (5) at the point of the phase marker (5), and outside of the phase marker (5) by at least one sensor (3, 30, 4, 40) of relative rotor vibrations, while after digitizing the signals of the sensors (3, 30, 4, 40, 50), is from them estimated current position of phasor of the 1st harmonic component of signal of the sensor (3, 30, 4, 40) of relative rotor vibrations in the complex plane, which is subsequently compared to a reference position of the phasor of the 1st harmonic component of this signal, which has been determined in advance, whereas the variation vector of the phasors is an image of eccentricity of the rotor (1). Further on, is the invention related to a method of diagnostics of eccentricity of rotating rotor (1) based on this method for determining current eccentricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: DOOSAN SKODA POWER S.R.O.
    Inventors: Jan Vosejpka, Vaclav Cerny
  • Publication number: 20140238127
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire-wheel assembly comprising a single-cell workstation including a plurality of sub-stations. The plurality of sub-stations includes a weight application sub-station, and an audit balancing sub-station. The apparatus also includes a tire/wheel transporting device positioned within reach of all of the plurality of sub-stations. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, Robert Reece, Lawrence L. Reece, Richard J. Standen, Ramsey R. Niazy
  • Patent number: 8770022
    Abstract: A method and system for a wheel assembly service system are provided. The system includes a rotatable spindle configured to receive a wheel assembly wherein the wheel assembly includes at least a rim and a tire. The system further includes a load device configured to apply a load to the tire during a rotation of the wheel assembly on the spindle, and a controller configured to determine a first force variation vector of the wheel assembly, prompt a user to rotate the tire with respect to the rim, determine a second force variation vector of the wheel assembly with the tire rotated with respect to the rim, and determine a force variation of at least one of the tire and the wheel using the first and second force variation vectors. The system also outputs at least one of the determined force variation vector values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Douglas, William B. Feero
  • Publication number: 20140060181
    Abstract: A tire testing apparatus allows attachment and detachment of a rim assembly in which first and second rims are integrated and performs testing of a tire attached to the rim assembly. The tire testing apparatus includes a first attaching part; a second attaching part; a rotating part that rotates the first attaching part around a reference axis orthogonal to the first reference surface of the first rim attached to the first attaching part; a fixing part that fixes the first attaching part and the second attaching part to each other and is capable of releasing the fixation; an attaching portion moving part that adjusts the distance in a direction along the reference axis between the first attaching part and the second attaching part; and a rotation regulating part that regulates rotation of the second attaching part around the reference axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MACHINERY TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Tachibana, Jiro Agawa, Morihiro Imamura, Tatsuya Ueda, Yoshinori Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20140007679
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tire balance measuring device capable of minimizing the influence exerted on a measured value due to an inclination of a lock shaft even when the lock shaft (fitted shaft) is inclined in a random direction at an angle created by a gap corresponding to a fitting allowance every time a tire is supplied with gas. The tire balance measuring device of this invention comprises a sensor for measuring the inclination of the lock shaft, and a computing unit for computing an amount of change in a unbalance of the tire from an output value received from the sensor after the tire is supplied with gas, and correcting a result of measuring a balance of the tire using the computed amount of change in the unbalance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Naofumi KANEI, Maiko NAKAYAMA, Michiya KUROHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140007680
    Abstract: A method for determining an imbalance in a drum washing machine includes increasing a rotational speed of a motor of the drum washing machine to a target RPM, and then measuring an RPM for each rotation section; comparing the RPM for each rotation section to an RPM limit to obtain a comparison result; and determining whether an imbalance occurs according to the comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Ui Kun Hwang
  • Publication number: 20130333468
    Abstract: A balance test indexing tool for use in a balance testing machine to assist a user in testing unbalance in a rotor. The tool includes a rotor mount face disposed on the rotor being tested. The rotor mount face may be machined in a surface of the rotor or provided in a separate rotor mount temporarily fixed to the rotor. The tool also includes a rotor mount receiver configured to receive the rotor mount face in the balance testing machine. The rotor mount face and rotor mount receiver are configured to provide an indexing coupling that allows the rotor to be readily indexed to any of a plurality of index positions for unbalance testing in the testing machine. The tool allows multiple balancing runs to be made with relatively little effort needed to re-index the rotor. In some embodiments the tool includes a kinematic coupling that provides highly accurate and repeatable indexing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Moscow Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Anderson S. Leveille, IV, George I. Allen, IV
  • Patent number: 8578772
    Abstract: A rotating machine element is monitored for displacements using co-rotating sensors for acceleration, rotation or the direction of gravitation. In doing so, the sensor data are received by a, likewise, co-rotating electronic unit. The data can also be stored and further processed in this electronic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pruftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventors: Edwin Becker, Dieter Busch, Johann Loesl, Heinrich Lysen
  • Publication number: 20130152679
    Abstract: A method for efficiently operating a vehicle wheel balancing system having a wheel mounting structure upon which a vehicle wheel assembly is mounted for rotation during a measurement or service procedure, and a load roller assembly disposed in operative proximity to the wheel mounting structure for engaging a surface of the vehicle wheel assembly and applying a controlled load there to during rotation. After mounting a vehicle wheel assembly to the mounting structure, the wheel assembly is rotationally driven and a measurement of imbalance is initially acquired and the results displayed to an operator. Subsequently, the load roller assembly is engaged with the still rotating wheel, while measurements of radial forces and/or runout of the wheel are acquired, before the wheel rotation is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Hunter Engineering Company
  • Publication number: 20130125648
    Abstract: A system and method for non-contact specimen container characterization includes a processor, and a specimen container diameter sensor, and a specimen container length sensor. The non-contact specimen container can also include a cap color sensor. The sensors are located in a fixed position relative to a conveyor for transporting a plurality of specimen containers. Another embodiment is directed to a system and method for detecting centrifuge imbalance along multiple axes. First, second and third comparators compare an accelerometer output corresponding to x-, y- and z-axes with reference voltage levels. The outputs are used to determine whether to discontinue operation of the centrifuge. The outputs can also be used to generate alerts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130111989
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods according to these exemplary embodiments provide couplings or interfaces usable, for example, in the high speed balance testing of rotors are provided. A coupling includes a main body portion having an extended thin portion therein which is configured to fit a shaft of the balancing machine and an extended insert portion which is configured to fit an opening in the rotor. A plurality of connection elements is disposed in holes in the main body portion of the coupling and a ring is disposed over the extended insert and proximate exits of the holes in the main body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Stefano Casadio, Sergio Palomba, Giovanni Ballerini, Adriano Grossi
  • Patent number: 8359921
    Abstract: A method to balance a wheel assembly. In a first aspect, corrective balance weights and position thereof are determined by a balancer and a closest corrective balance weight thereto is chosen, as well as one of higher and one of lower weight increment for each plane; chosen weights are paired to provide minimized residual and then attached to the planes of the wheel assembly. In a second aspect, imbalance weights are determined by a balancer; a pair of corrective balance weights, one at least ½ the determined imbalance weight are chosen, each separated by determined position angles to minimize residual and then respectively attached to the corrective balance plane(s) of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Oblizajek
  • Patent number: 8347713
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dynamic rigidity of a main shaft of a machine tool with high accuracy. The apparatus includes an unbalanced master that is attached to the main shaft and of which position of a center of gravity is offset with respect to a center of rotation of the main shaft; a tachometer that measures a rotational speed of the main shaft; and a run-out amount measuring device that is positioned so as to face the unbalanced master at a predetermined position in an axial direction and is any given position in a circumferential direction, and that measures an amount of run-out of the unbalanced master. The dynamic rigidity of the main shaft is calculated based on a relation between the rotational speed measured by the tachometer and the amount of run-out measured by the run-out amount measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Masato Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 8336378
    Abstract: A method for estimating the moment of inertia of a rotating unit of a washing or washing-and-drying machine comprising the steps of: establishing one or more linear parameters; rotating the drum of the rotating unit in such a way as to reach a set of speeds of a pre-set value; once each speed of a pre-set value is reached, detecting the value of the torque provided to the rotating unit; and finally estimating the moment of inertia of the rotating unit through a linear combination of the torques detected and by means of the linear parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Fabio Altinier, Terenzio Girotto, Marco Giovagnoni
  • Publication number: 20120304764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a balancing machine for measuring the rotating unbalance of a tool holder in two different clampings, comprising a spindle which can be set into rotation. The spindle comprises an automatically actuatable coupling, by which the tool holder can be coupled rigidly to the spindle in a first position in order to rotate with the spindle around the rotational axis of the tool holder and the tool holder can be coupled rigidly to the spindle in a second position in order to rotate with the spindle around the rotational axis of the tool holder. The balancing machine also comprises at least one measuring sensor for determining the rotating unbalance of the tool holder rotating in the spindle unit, wherein the device has a brake which retains the tool holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: FRANZ HAIMER MASCHINENBAU KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer
  • Patent number: 8322204
    Abstract: An unbalance correction device of a high speed rotary apparatus which can prevent the lowering of productivity in the production line of a high speed rotary apparatus while reducing variation in the posture of a workpiece supported by a jig and suppressing vibration of a member (clamp member) for securing the workpiece to the jig, and can enhance the precision of unbalance correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Maeda
  • Publication number: 20120227485
    Abstract: A pendulum combining balanced and eccentric masses oscillates with a period that is rapidly and continuously varied by shifting the balanced masses and eccentric mass to and from the rotational axis, by controlling the amplitude of oscillation and, in a rolling embodiment, by varying the curvature of the rolling surface. Long period oscillations can be achieved without the large heights required by an equivalent conventional pendulum. The pendulum can be substantively isochronous. The pendulum can be applied to harvesting vibrational energy and especially to wave energy extraction by dynamically achieving resonance over the typical frequency range of energetic ocean swell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce Gregory
  • Patent number: 8250915
    Abstract: A tire changer with a controller includes a with a mount assembly adapted for contacting a wheel assembly to mount the wheel to a rotating spindle. The tire changer controller is configured to regulated the operation of a motor, which may be hydraulically driven, and which is operatively connected to the rotating spindle to rotate the wheel assembly. A sensor coupled to the controller provides a data representative of the rotational position of the wheel assembly about a rotational axis. The controller is further configured to regulate the operation of a hydraulic actuating means for engaging a load roller with the wheel assembly to apply a radial force to a tire mounted on a rim of the wheel assembly during rotation of the wheel, and to regulate the operation of a tire handling means adapted to hold the tire during rotation of the wheel rim enabling automated adjustment of the tire angular mounting position relative to the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: David A. Voeller, Douglas S. Hanneken, Steve Molbach, Joel Clasquin, Michael D. Gerdes
  • Publication number: 20120186344
    Abstract: A method and system for a wheel assembly service system are provided. The system includes a rotatable spindle configured to receive a wheel assembly wherein the wheel assembly includes at least a rim and a tire. The system further includes a load device configured to apply a load to the tire during a rotation of the wheel assembly on the spindle, and a controller configured to determine a first force variation vector of the wheel assembly, prompt a user to rotate the tire with respect to the rim, determine a second force variation vector of the wheel assembly with the tire rotated with respect to the rim, and determine a force variation of at least one of the tire and the wheel using the first and second force variation vectors. The system also outputs at least one of the determined force variation vector values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Douglas, William B. Feero
  • Patent number: 8225657
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for quantitatively detecting the unbalanced state of a rotating shaft and a clamping state of a workpiece clamped to a shaft are disclosed by solving with a nonlinear multivariable method a Lagrange kinematics equation to determine from acquired position, velocity, acceleration and torque signals of the rotating shaft an unbalanced amplitude variable and an unbalanced angle variable of the rotating shaft, optionally both with and without a workpiece. The motor driving the shaft is energized with a combined S-shaped and sinusoidal velocity profile with a position profile component, a velocity profile component, and an acceleration profile component. The components are selected such that the motor speed during the accelerating and decelerating stages does not change abruptly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Xiao Yin Shao, Wei Min Ma, Qing Gang Wang, Wen Gang Shi, Xi Hu, Jian Hui Xing, Yue Zhuo
  • Patent number: 8186215
    Abstract: A method and system for a wheel assembly service system are provided. The system includes a rotatable spindle configured to receive a wheel assembly wherein the wheel assembly includes at least a rim and a tire. The system further includes a load device configured to apply a load to the tire during a rotation of the wheel assembly on the spindle, and a controller configured to determine a first force variation vector of the wheel assembly, initiating rotation of the tire with respect to the rim, determine a second force variation vector of the wheel assembly with the tire rotated with respect to the rim, and determine a force variation of at least one of the tire and the wheel using the first and second force variation vectors. The system also outputs at least one of the determined force variation vector values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Douglas, William B. Feero
  • Patent number: 8171789
    Abstract: Provided is a dynamic balancing apparatus using a simple harmonic angular motion, including a rotational shaft on which a rotational body having an unbalanced mass is installed; a simple angular motion generator for periodically vibrating the rotational shaft; a support for supporting both sides of the rotational shaft; an angular vibration measuring sensor for measuring the simple harmonic angular motion of the rotational shaft; and force or vibration transducers for measuring applied force acting on or vibration transferred to the support by means of the simple harmonic motion of the unbalance mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Wan Sup Cheung, Jong Yeon Lim, Sae Won Yoon
  • Publication number: 20120073764
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire-wheel assembly comprising a single-cell workstation including a plurality of sub-stations. The plurality of sub-stations includes a weight application sub-station, and an audit balancing sub-station. The apparatus also includes a tire/wheel transporting device positioned within reach of all of the plurality of sub-stations. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, Robert Reece, Ramsey Richard Niazy
  • Publication number: 20120060603
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotatably mounting a rotor to be balanced is provided. The apparatus include a rotatably mounted balancing spindle to which the rotor to be balanced is to be non-rotatingly connected, at least one bearing block, a plurality of spring bars aligned parallel to the spindle axis and used to mount the balancing spindle on the bearing block such that the balancing spindle is able to vibrate, and a drive mechanism for the balancing spindle. The spring bars are arranged in more than two planes at different distances from the spindle or in planes having different rotary angular positions about the spindle axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Hofmann Maschinen-und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard BORK
  • Publication number: 20120060602
    Abstract: A method to balance a wheel assembly. In a first aspect, corrective balance weights and position thereof are determined by a balancer and a closest corrective balance weight thereto is chosen, as well as one of higher and one of lower weight increment for each plane; chosen weights are paired to provide minimized residual and then attached to the planes of the wheel assembly. In a second aspect, imbalance weights are determined by a balancer; a pair of corrective balance weights, one at least ½ the determined imbalance weight are chosen, each separated by determined position angles to minimize residual and then respectively attached to the corrective balance plane(s) of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Oblizajek
  • Patent number: 8082787
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring forces which are produced by an unbalance of a rotary member, the apparatus including a measuring shaft (2) which is supported in a rotary mounting (26) rotatably about its axis (23) and to which the rotary member (1) is fixed for the measurement operation, and a support device (3) having force measuring sensors (4, 5) for supporting the measuring shaft (2) on a stationary frame (6), wherein the support device (3) has an intermediate frame (7) on which the measuring shaft is supported in a mounting plane having a force measuring sensor (4), the intermediate frame (7) is supported on the stationary frame (6) by way of a further force measuring sensor (5) and by way of a first pair (11, 12) of support levers and pivots (15 to 18), the rotary mounting (26) is fixedly connected to a stiff holding device (29) at an axial spacing with respect to the mounting plane (8) in which the force measuring sensors (5, 6) are disposed, the holding device (29) is supported on the intermediate frame (8)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Snap-On Equipment SRL a Unico Socio
    Inventors: Paolo Sotgiu, Lillo Gucciardino
  • Publication number: 20110290017
    Abstract: A device for measuring the rotational imbalance of a specimen, having a spindle unit with a spindle, which is embodied to hold the specimen and to allow it to rotate at a testing speed, a holder suspension by means of which the spindle unit is anchored to the machine base in pendulum fashion such that the imbalance forces occurring during the measurement operation are able to move the spindle unit back and forth in a predetermined measuring direction M, and a sensor arrangement that detects at least one imbalance parameter occurring in the measuring direction M during rotation of the spindle, wherein the spindle unit is supported by means of at least one auxiliary bearing that is only able to transmit forces in the direction of a normal N to the measuring direction M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: FRANZ HAIMER MASCHINENBAU KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer
  • Patent number: 8056410
    Abstract: A method for determining an imbalance of a propeller shaft assembly can include establishing balancing planes relative to certain areas of the propeller shaft assembly and identifying each component of the propeller shaft assembly that could have a potential imbalance condition due to a tolerance variation. The method can also include determining the potential imbalance condition for each identified component, and determining a contribution of each determined potential imbalance condition to a respective pair of the established balancing planes. The method can further include determining a total magnitude of imbalance at the respective pair of established balancing planes based on the determined contributions of each potential imbalance condition, and determining a statistically representative value of the determined magnitude of imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor S. Sanchez, James P. Borowiak
  • Patent number: 8051709
    Abstract: A method and system for relieving forging induced residual stresses in a rotor forging balances a pre-spin machine with the forging mounted thereon at a first rotational speed and then pre-spins the forging with it mounted on the machine at a substantially greater second rotational speed. A one per rev sensor is used for determining a weight placement angle and a vibration sensor is used for determining an amount of weight to add to a spinning assembly including the forging during the balancing. High-density non-metallic balance weights adhesively attached on an inside surface of the forging or spinning assembly may be used. The rotational inertia of the spinning assembly may be checked during a spin up period by determining a rate of rotational acceleration vs. torque applied to the spinning assembly and used to stop the pre-spinning if it is to great.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Allen, Robert Lynn Kesecker, James Hamilton Grooms