Compound application apparatus and method for gear testing machine

摘要

An apparatus (40) for applying marking compound to the tooth surfaces of a gear or pinion member (14). The apparatus comprises a brush (42) having a central shaft (82) and a plurality of bristles (44) emanating from the shaft (82) with the brush (42) being rotatable about an axis of rotation coincident with the shaft (82). The apparatus also includes a cover plate (49) and a marking compound manifold (48) adjacent to the brush (42) comprising an inlet (92) in a first side of the manifold (48), an inner distribution chamber (94) communicating with the inlet (92), and a plurality of outlets (96) in a second side of the manifold (48) communicating with the inner chamber (94), the outlets (96) facing the bristles (44) of the brush (42). The apparatus (40) further includes means (52, 54) to move the brush (42) and manifold (48) from a first position remote from the gear or pinion (14) to a second position wherein the bristles (44) engage the tooth surfaces of the gear or pinion (14). The brush (42) is rotated by engaging the bristles (44) with the tooth surfaces of the gear or pinion member (14) and rotating the engaged gear or pinion member (14) about its respective axis. The apparatus (40) may further include a movable splash guard (98) to protect the brush (42) from contamination when the apparatus (40) is in the first position.