Shaft Alignment Tool With Roller Arms And Magnetic Mount

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaft alignment techniques are cumbersome, dangerous, and can cause damage to shafts and components, as they require rotating and handling of shafts, which complicates the radial alignment process.

Innovation Solution

A shaft alignment tool featuring a center hub and adjustable arms with roller assemblies and a self-adjustment mechanism, allowing for radial alignment without the need for precise manual adjustments, using magnetic components for secure attachment and minimizing physical handling of the shafts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing alignment techniques rotate and handle shafts directly, then radial alignment can be achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome and dangerous with risk of damage to shafts and components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft safetyVSAvoidalignment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an alignment tool as an intermediary device that attaches to the shaft housing rather than directly to the shaft. This tool includes a center hub with adjustable arms that can be positioned against the shaft housing, allowing alignment measurements to be taken without physically handling or rotating the shaft itself. The intermediary tool transfers the alignment function from the shaft to a separate, safer device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of alignment tools is used, then alignment precision can be achieved, but extensive manual handling and adjustment are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial alignment precisionVSAvoidmanual adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment tool incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms where the arms can be easily extended or repositioned against the shaft housing. The tool allows for quick adjustment of arm positions and lengths to accommodate different shaft diameters and configurations, enabling precise alignment measurements without complex manual manipulation. The dynamic nature of the adjustment mechanisms simplifies the operation while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables efficient and safe radial alignment of shafts by automatically adjusting to different diameters and securely attaching to the shaft housing, reducing the risk of damage and improving alignment precision without requiring extensive manual handling.

Implementation Method 1

one or more roller assemblies mounted on each distal end section of each adjustable arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

using magnetic components for secure attachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attachment: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS8955230B2Shaft alignment tools and methods

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 SOLAR TURBINES INC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a shaft alignment tool including a center hub and a plurality of adjustable arms. The plurality of adjustable arms are coupled to the center hub and include a proximal end section and a distal end section. The shaft alignment tool further includes one or more roller assemblies mounted on each distal end section of each adjustable arm.