Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

Don E Beeson

Gordon K Butler

Karen S Smith

An inspection system for determining if the measured features within a measured pattern of features on a mechanical component are within specified tolerances by repositioning a representation of the dimensioned features relative to the corresponding measured pattern of features within the coordinate system and by determining whether each measured feature is within the tolerance zone associated with the corresponding dimensioned feature. To accomplish this purpose, a data processor is provided for simulating the relative positions of the measured and dimensioned pattern of features and for moving in incremental steps the dimensional pattern relative to the measured pattern within a predetermined coordinate system. The directions of movement for the incremental steps are chosen by the data processor by simulating restoring forces between corresponding features of the measured and dimensioned patterns. In one mode of operation, these restoring forces are simulated only for those measured features that are outside of the tolerance zone of the corresponding dimensioned features and additional trapping forces are simulated between corresponding features of the measured pattern and the tolerance zone boundary of that feature if the measured features are up against and inside the tolerance zone boundaries of the corresponding dimensioned features and neither restoring nor trapping forces are simulated if the measured feature is inside its tolerance zone but not up against the tolerance zone boundary. In another mode, the trapping forces are turned off and all the restoring forces are used to determine the direction of movement of each incremental step. The second mentioned mode is used to obtain a good starting position for the first mode mentioned.

Computer implemented go/no go gauging system

An expandable hydraulic tappet with a variable exit valve is supplied for use in an internal combustion engine to selectively vary timing by altering the effective profile of a camshaft. The tappet expands to extend the drive train between the camshaft and a camshaft operated mechanism by enlarging and filling an internal hydraulic chamber with a noncompressible hydraulic fluid via an inlet port and inlet valve. The fluid is retained in the tappet chamber until a predetermined pressure is attained, when an exit valve opens to exit the pressurized fluid from the chamber at a predetermined rate. The exit valve includes a bore having a predetermined configuration to provide one or more exit flow rates and also dampen valve operation. An exit valve control means responds to the pressure within the hydraulic chamber to open and close the exit valve and vary the flow rates as desired.

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Columbus, IN, United States of America

Don E Beeson