Centralized alignment management system
First Claim
1. A shaft alignment system comprising:
- a base computer having a memory, a data port, and an input device,alignment documentation corresponding to at least one alignment job residing in a data base in the memory of the base computer,a portable alignment analyzer having memory, a data port, and an input device,a data link for communicating between the base computer data port and the analyzer data port,means for transferring the alignment documentation from the data base in the memory of the base computer, through the data port of the base computer, through the data link, through the data port of the analyzer, and into the memory of the analyzer,means for editing the alignment documentation transferred to the analyzer, while the alignment documentation is in the analyzer, and means for reconfiguring the analyzer in automated response to the alignment documentation stored in the analyzer'"'"'s memory to produce a reconfigured analyzer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for managing the alignment of a plurality of machine sets includes a portable alignment analyzer for calculating machine moves tending to bring the shafts of a machine set into alignment, and a base computer. A database of alignment documentation for the machine set is maintained in the base computer, the database including alignment fixture setup data, machine dimensions and tolerances, by way of example. A data link at least periodically enables communication between the base computer and the portable alignment analyzer. When the data link is active, alignment documentation for the machine set may be selectively Loaded into the portable alignment analyzer, and measured misalignment data may be selectively Dumped to the base computer for storage in the database. The system allows previously entered and stored machine-specific setup information to be used for a current alignment job, requiring only minor changes in the field.
29 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A shaft alignment system comprising:
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a base computer having a memory, a data port, and an input device, alignment documentation corresponding to at least one alignment job residing in a data base in the memory of the base computer, a portable alignment analyzer having memory, a data port, and an input device, a data link for communicating between the base computer data port and the analyzer data port, means for transferring the alignment documentation from the data base in the memory of the base computer, through the data port of the base computer, through the data link, through the data port of the analyzer, and into the memory of the analyzer, means for editing the alignment documentation transferred to the analyzer, while the alignment documentation is in the analyzer, and means for reconfiguring the analyzer in automated response to the alignment documentation stored in the analyzer'"'"'s memory to produce a reconfigured analyzer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A shaft alignment system comprising:
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a base computer having a memory, a data port, and an input device, alignment documentation corresponding to a plurality of alignment jobs residing in a data base in the memory of the base computer, said alignment documentation further comprising; a rotation direction variable indicating the direction in which the shafts rotate; an alignment method variable indicating which set of a plurality of alignment equations are to be used during the alignment calculations; a fixture configuration variable indicating which type of fixture is to be used during the alignment procedure; machine dimension variables indicating locations of points of adjustment and locations of reference points on the first and second shafts; tolerances variables indicating maximum allowable differences in horizontal and vertical offset and angularity between the first and second shafts; and a machine description variable indicating the type of equipment in which the rotating shafts operate; a portable alignment analyzer having memory, a data port, and an input device, the memory further comprising a stored job area and a current job area, a data link for communicating between the base computer data port and the analyzer data port, means for transferring the alignment documentation from the data base in the memory of the base computer, through the data port of the base computer, through the data link, through the data port of the analyzer, and into the stored job area of the memory of the analyzer, means for transferring a portion the alignment documentation corresponding to one alignment job from the stored job area to current job area of the memory of the analyzer, means for performing alignment calculations, and means for reconfiguring the operation of analyzer in automated response to the alignment documentation stored in the current job area of the memory of the analyzer so that the alignment calculations automatically correspond to the direction in which the shafts rotate, the set of alignment equations which are to be used during the alignment calculations, the type of fixture which is to be used during the alignment procedure, the locations of points of adjustment, the locations of reference points on the first and second shafts, and the type of equipment in which the rotating shafts operate.
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28. A shaft alignment method comprising:
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providing a base computer having a memory, a data port, and an input device, entering alignment documentation corresponding to at least one alignment job into a data base residing in the memory of the base computer using the input device, providing a portable alignment analyzer having memory, a data port, and an input device, the memory further comprising a stored job area and a current job area, communicating between the base computer data port and the analyzer data port using a data link, transferring the alignment documentation from the data base in the memory of the base computer, through the data port of the base computer, through the data link, through the data port of the analyzer, and into the stored job area of the memory of the analyzer, transferring the alignment documentation corresponding to one alignment job from the stored job area to the current job area of the memory of the analyzer, editing the alignment documentation in the current job area of the analyzer, reconfiguring the operation of the analyzer in automated response to the alignment documentation in the current job area, providing an alignment fixture having an attachment means, and a measurement means for producing measurements corresponding to offset and angularity between first and second rotating shafts which are coupled together with a coupling, connecting the fixture to the first and second shafts using the attachment means, rotating the first and second shafts, taking alignment measurements on the first and second shafts, corresponding to at least three different rotational orientations, using the measurement means, acquiring the alignment measurements into the current job area of the memory of the analyzer, supplementing the alignment documentation stored in the current job area with the alignment measurements, calculating alignment adjustments using the analyzer, based on the alignment measurements, the configuration of the analyzer, and the alignment documentation, moving one of the first and second shafts relative to the other based on the calculated alignment adjustments, transferring the alignment documentation, which has been edited and supplemented, from the current job area to the stored job area, transferring the alignment documentation from the stored job area of the memory of the analyzer, through the data port of the analyzer, through the data link, through the data port of the base computer, and into the data base in the memory of the base computer. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification