Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Bruce K Salmond

Larry J Appolonia

Kenneth S Gerkey

Hans E Leumann

Thomas W Miller

Bruce E Joy

The runout or profile of parts is measured without the need for precision supports by rotating the part generally about an axis of rotation. The changes in position of one or more reference surfaces on the part along first and second tracking axes are measured for a plurality of rotational positions of the part. The change in position of the target surface for which the runout or profile is to be determined is measured along a third tracking axis which lies substantially in a common plane with the first and second tracking axes. The change in position of the rotational axis of the part along the third tracking axis is determined from the changes in position of the one or more reference surfaces and the distances between the tracking axes, and is subtracted from the measured change in position of the target surface along the third tracking axis to determine the runout or profile. Independent measurement devices, which can be aligned to the vertical using a level when the tracking axes are horizontal comprise a transmitter generating a plane of laser energy extending along and perpendicular to the tracking axis and a receiver which detects the change in the portion of the plane of laser energy blocked by the surface being tracked.

Centerless runout and profile inspection system and method

A three-dimensional measurement system for measuring stator half coils includes a sonic digitizer which makes measurements of the stator half coil. These measurements are provided to a computing apparatus which converts the measured points to corresponding surface points on the surface of the stator half coil and combines the surface points into a measured shape. The measured shape is displayed on a display unit overlayed on the designed shape of the stator half coil for visual comparison of the two shapes. Preferably, the display is in color with different colors used for edges of the measured and designed shapes.

Growing community of inventors

Upper St. Clair, PA, United States of America

Bruce K Salmond