Alternator holding apparatus and method for alternator testing

• US 20060090554A1
• 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, Krampitz, Scott, Opsahl, Scott, Murphy, Jason, Harrigan, Andrew Michael, Miller, Garrett
• Granted Patent: US 7,134,324 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 supporting an alternator for testing has a base, a turret having a socket defined therein, and a holding pin having two ends with a head at one end adapted to be inserted into the socket and retained therein. An elongated extension portion extends from the turret when the head is inserted in the socket, and engages with a portion of the alternator.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting an alternator for testing, comprising:

a base;

a turret having a socket defined therein; and

a holding pin having two ends with a head at one end adapted to be inserted into the socket and retained therein, and an elongated extension portion that extends from the turret when the head is inserted in the socket, wherein the extension portion engages with a portion of the alternator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnet disposed as part of the socket and configured to magnetically attract the head when the head is inserted into the socket.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the socket has an open end and a closed end and the magnet is at the closed end of the socket.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extension portion is of a constant diameter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extension portion comprises two regions of different diameters from each other.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base plate to which the turret is mounted.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a magnet disposed as part of the socket and configured to magnetically attract the head when it is inserted into the socket.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the socket has an open end and a closed end and the magnet is at the closed end of the socket.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a base plate to which the turret is mounted.

10. An apparatus for supporting an alternator for testing, comprising:

a base;

mounting means having a socket defined therein; and

a holding pin having two ends with a head at one end adapted to be inserted to the socket and retained therein, and an elongated extension portion that extends from the mounting means when the head is inserted in the socket, wherein the extension portion engage with a portion of the alternator.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a magnet disposed as part of the socket and configured to magnetically attract the head when the head is inserted into the socket.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the socket has an open end and a closed end and the magnet is at the closed end of the socket.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the extension portion is of a constant diameter.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the extension portion comprises two regions of different diameters from each other.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a base plate to which the supporting means is mounted.

16. A method for supporting an alternator for testing, comprising:

a base;

inserting a holding pin into a turret having a socket defined therein with the holding pin having two ends with a head at one end adapted to be inserted to the socket and retained therein and an elongated extension portion that extends from the turret head; and

engaging the holding pin with a portion of the alternator.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising magnetically attracting the head when it is inserted into the socket, via a magnet disposed part of the socket.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the extension portion is of a constant diameter.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the extension portion comprises two regions of different diameters from each other.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the engaging step further comprises inserting the holding pin through at least one hole in an ear of the alternator.