Rotating Machine Alignment via Expanded Laser Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the alignment of rotatable machine parts are either complex or lack precision, and coupling play between machine parts distorts measurement values, making it difficult to achieve high-precision alignment.
Innovation Solution
A process using a light source with a two-dimensionally expanded light beam and a detector unit with two parallel line sensors to evaluate the misalignment of machine parts, allowing for precise determination of angular and spatial offsets, and accounting for coupling play by analyzing the migration of light beam incidence points on the sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional alignment methods are used, then the alignment process can be completed, but measurement precision is insufficient and coupling play distorts measurement values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a laser beam as an intermediary measurement medium that bridges the two machine parts. The expanded laser beam creates a measurable light pattern that interacts with both parts without being affected by coupling play, serving as a mediator that transfers alignment information accurately from one part to the other despite the presence of coupling elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical measurement systems with an optical measurement system. Instead of using mechanical contacts or sensors that are susceptible to coupling play distortions, the system uses laser light and optical detectors to measure alignment, substituting the mechanical measurement field with an optical field that is immune to mechanical coupling errors.
2Measurement precision
If complex alignment devices are used, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a two-dimensionally expanded laser beam instead of a conventional one-dimensional or point beam. This dimensional expansion creates a planar light pattern that contains rich alignment information in both horizontal and vertical dimensions simultaneously, allowing precise measurement of multiple alignment parameters with a single optical component rather than requiring multiple separate measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement device is designed to perform multiple alignment measurement functions simultaneously. The same expanded laser beam and detector system can measure angular misalignment, parallelism, and perpendicularity in a single setup, making the device universally applicable to various alignment tasks without requiring complex specialized components for each measurement type.
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
Enables simple and highly precise alignment of rotatable machine parts, including those with coupling play, by increasing measurement accuracy and correcting for errors caused by coupling play, thereby minimizing operational loads on coupling elements.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for emitting a light beam which has been expanded in one plane
Implementation Method 2
a detector unit with two parallel line sensors to evaluate the misalignment of machine parts
Data Source
AI summary
A process and a corresponding device for determining the alignment of two rotatable machine parts, the alignment of two hollow cylindrical machine parts or for testing a component for straightness along one lengthwise side, with a first measurement unit with a light source for emitting a light beam which has been expanded in one plane, and a second measurement unit with an optical detector unit which has two linear sensors which are arranged parallel to one another, and with an evaluation unit to evaluate a light pattern which has been produced by the two-dimensionally expanded light beam for determining the misalignment of the axes of the machine parts relative to one another, or optionally, the straightness of the component, by the determination the points of incidence of the two-dimensionally expanded light beam on the sensors.