METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING CLUSTER GEARS

摘要

A method and apparatus for measuring cluster gears for run-out employs a plurality of master gears, each engageable with one of the gears of the cluster and each supported on a fluid cylinder powered slide movable radially to a gear to be measured. As the gear to be measured is rotated, the radial motion of the slides is sensed and compared to maximum values by a computer. An additional master gear, having sections engageable with each gear of a cluster simultaneously on its own slide, may be provided to measure the total run-out of the cluster.

主权项

1. The method of inspecting cluster gears comprising a plurality of gears of different sizes mounted as a unit on the same shaft, to detect the run-out of each gear of the plurality relative to one of a plurality of master gears, comprising:
mounting the cluster gear to be inspected on a powered spindle rotatable about a first axis; mounting each of said plurality of master gears one on each of a plurality of rotatable spindles on slides supported radially relative to said first axis, each spindle being powered for motion along its slide by a separate fluid cylinder; powering each of said spindles with its associated fluid cylinder to bring the master gear supported on such spindle into pressured meshing engagement with one of the plurality of gears of the cluster gear to be inspected; when a master gear is in engagement with one of the plurality of gears of the unit to be inspected, powering rotation of the spindle supporting the cluster gear to be inspected through at least a 360 degree rotation; and detecting radial motion of each of the slides during such rotation, and using such motion as a measure of the run-out of the gear on the cluster gear in meshing engagement with a master gear.