Bushed Bore Alignment Tool to Prevent Structural Member Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing alignment tools for structural members, such as flanges, cause wear and potential damage to the inner surfaces of bores due to grinding effects during alignment, especially when dealing with large structural members.

Innovation Solution

An alignment tool featuring a first and second shaft portion with cylindrical configurations and bushings that allow mutual rotational movements, minimizing direct contact between the shafts and bore surfaces by using bushings to reduce friction and prevent grinding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the alignment tool shafts are rotated to align the bores, then the alignment function is achieved, but the inner surfaces of the bores suffer wear and potential damage due to grinding effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidwear and damage to bore surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces bushings as intermediary elements between the alignment tool shafts and the bore inner surfaces. These bushings are arranged on the shafts and allow rotational movement, creating a protective interface that prevents direct contact between the shafts and the bore surfaces, thereby eliminating the grinding effect while maintaining alignment functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the friction parameter by introducing bushings with low-friction surfaces that enable smooth rotational movement. This parameter change transforms the high-friction direct contact between shafts and bore surfaces into a low-friction interface, preventing wear and damage while allowing the necessary rotational motion for alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tool effectively aligns bores while minimizing wear and damage to the inner surfaces, allowing for precise alignment without damaging the structural members.

Implementation Method 1

mutual rotational movements are allowed between the first shaft portion and the first bushing and between the second shaft portion and the second bushing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11440172B2Alignment tool for aligning bores in structural members

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS

AI summary

An alignment tool (1) for aligning a bore (13) extending through a first structural member (14) with a bore (19) extending through a second structural member (15) is disclosed. The alignment tool (1) comprises two shaft portions (2, 3) having a cylindrical or cylindrical like configuration. The second shaft portion (3) is arranged adjacent to the first shaft portion (2). A portion of the second surface forms a continuation of a portion of the first surface. A first bushing (8) is arranged along the first shaft portion (2) and substantially covering the first surface, and a second bushing (9) is arranged along the second shaft portion (3) and substantially covering the second surface. Mutual rotational movements are allowed between the first shaft portion (2) and the first bushing (8) and between the second shaft portion (3) and the second bushing (9).