Vertical alternator holding apparatus and method for alternator testing

• US 7,300,041 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Opsahl, Scott, Murphy, Jason, Walter, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; Lee D.
• Application Number:
  US10/975,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20060091597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 269/47, 269/289.R, 269/249, 269/900, 269/71, 269/53, 292/811
• US Class Current: 269/47
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 11/02 Assembly jigs
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/02 Details or accessories of testing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53961 with work-holder for assembly

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting an alternator for testing uses a supporting pin mounted to extend in a first direction relative to the alternator. A first holding pin extends in a second direction relative to the alternator, and has two ends with a first end having a bore therethrough sized to receive the first holding pin to pivot about the supporting pin and a second end having a threaded portion, with a first shoulder being disposed on the first holding pin between the first end and the second end. A first nut is adapted to engage the threaded portion to trap the alternator between the shoulder and the first nut when the nut is tightened.

Claims

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

a supporting pin mounted to extend in a first direction relative to the alternator;

a pin mount for supporting the supporting pin, wherein the supporting pin is removable from the pin mount;

a base plate, wherein the pin mount is mounted to the base plate;

a first holding pin extending in a second direction relative to the alternator, and having two ends with a first end having a bore therethrough sized to receive the first holding pin to pivot about the supporting pin and a second end having a threaded portion, with a first shoulder being disposed on the first holding pin between the first end and the second end;

a first nut adapted to engage the threaded portion to trap the alternator between the shoulder and the first nut when the nut is tightened, wherein the first nut has a bore therethrough having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the first holding pin, and further having internal threads that can engage the threaded portion of the first holding pin;

a second holding pin substantially similar to the first holding pin and including a second shoulder; and

a second nut substantially similar to the first nut, wherein the alternator is trapped between the first nut and the first shoulder respectively and the second nut and the second shoulder respectively.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, when the first holding pin is slidable along a portion of the supporting pin.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second holding pin substantially similar to the first holding pin and including a second shoulder; and

a second nut substantially similar to the first nut, wherein the alternator is trapped between the first nut and the first shoulder respectively and the second nut and the second shoulder respectively.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first and second holding pins are slidable along a portion of the supporting pin.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second nut has a bore therethrough having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the second holding pin, and further having internal threads that can engage the threaded portion of the second holding pin.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an idler support arm that provides support to the alternator, so that the alternator is supported by the holding pins and the idler arm.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pin mount comprises a turret.

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

supporting means extending in a first direction relative to the alternator;

mounting means for mounting the supporting means, wherein the supporting means is removable from the mounting means;

a base plate, wherein the mounting means is mounted to the base plate;

first holding means extending in a second direction relative to the alternator, and having two ends with a first end having a bore therethrough sized to receive the first holding means to pivot about the supporting means and a second end, with a first shoulder being disposed on the first holding means between the first end and the second end;

first securing means for engaging the second end to trap the alternator between the shoulder and the securing means when the securing means is tightened;

second holding means substantially similar to the first holding means; and

second securing means substantially similar to the first securing means.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second end of the holding means for a threaded portion and the securing means comprises a nut.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the nut has a bore therethrough having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the threaded portion and further having internal threads that can engage the threaded portion of the mounting pin.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an idler arm that provides support to the alternator, so the alternator is supported by the first and second holding means and the idler arm.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the mounting means comprises a turret.

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

installing a supporting pin in a first direction relative to the alternator;

mounting the supporting pin to a base plate via a mounting element;

removably mounting the supporting pins to the mounting element;

installing a first holding pin extending in a second direction relative to the alternator, and having two ends with a first end having a bore therethrough sized to receive the first holding means to pivot about the supporting means and a second end, with a first shoulder being disposed on the first holding means between the first end and the second end;

installing a first nut onto the holding pin to engage the second end to trap the alternator between the shoulder and the securing means when the securing means is tightened;

installing a second holding pin substantially similar to the first holding pin; and

installing a second nut substantially similar to the first nut onto the second holding pin.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second end of the holding pin has a threaded portion.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of further supporting the alternator using an idler arm, so that the alternator is supported by the holding pin and the idler arm.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the mounting element comprises a turret.