Belt tensioning apparatus and method for alternator testing

• US 20060090555A1
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Miller, Garret, Krampitz, Scott, Murphy, Jason, Harrigan, Andrew Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,152,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/116.04
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/02 Details or accessories of testing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 15/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining or repairing of dynamo-electric machines

Abstract

An apparatus for testing an alternator has a base, a motor mounted to the base and a pulley extending from the motor. A belt is connected to the motor pulley and the alternator. A mount mounts the alternator to the base, and a pivoting idler arm pivotally is mounted with respect to the base and has an idler pulley that engages the belt to apply tension to the belt.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing an alternator, comprising:

a base;

a motor mounted to the base and having a pulley extending from the motor;

a belt connected to the motor pulley and the alternator;

a mount that mounts the alternator to the base; and

a pivoting idler arm pivotally mounted with respect to the base and having an idler pulley that engages the belt to apply tension to the belt.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the idler arm has a handle extending therefrom.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a idler arm support mounted to the base and having the idler arm pivotally mounted thereto.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the motor, the idler arm support, and the alternator mount are each mounted to the base, and wherein the base is a unitary base plate.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a gas strut that biases the idler arm in a direction in which idler pulley supplies tension to the belt.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the idler arm has a handle extending therefrom.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a idler arm support mounted to the base and having the idler arm pivotally mounted thereto.

8. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a gas strut that biases the idler arm in a direction in which idler pulley supplies tension to the belt.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pulley has two belt grooves of different types from each other.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein one of the grooves is a V-Groove and one is a serpentine belt groove.

11. An apparatus for testing an alternator, comprising:

a base;

a motor mounted to the base and having a pulley extending from the motor;

a belt connected to the motor pulley and the alternator;

means for mounting the alternator to the base;

an idler pulley; and

idler pulley supporting means pivotally mounted with respect to the base and for supporting the idler pulley to engage the belt to supply tension to the belt.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the idler pulley supporting means has a handle extending therefrom.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, further wherein the idler pulley supporting means comprises an idler arm support mounted to the base and having an idler arm pivotally mounted thereto.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the motor, the means for supporting the idler pulley, and the means for mounting the alternator are each mounted to the base, and wherein the base is a unitary base plate.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for biasing the idler pulley in a direction in which idler pulley supplies tension to the belt.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the means for biasing comprises a gas strut.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the idler arm has a handle extending therefrom.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the alternator, the idler arm support and the alternator mount are each mounted to the base, and wherein the base is a unitary base plate.

19. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising bias element that biases the idler arm in a direction in which idler pulley supplies tension to the belt.

20. A method for testing an alternator, comprising:

mounting the alternator to a base having a motor mounted to the base and having a pulley extending from the motor;

connecting a belt to the motor and the alternator; and

pivoting an idler arm pivotally mounted with respect to the base and having an idler pulley so that the idler pulley engages the belt to supply tension to the belt.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising biasing the idler arm in a direction in which idler pulley supplies tension to the belt.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the biasing step includes use of a gas strut attached to the idler arm and the base.