Dynamic laser balancing

Details Dynamic laser balancing Dynamic laser balancing

1999-08-02

2001-10-16

Elve, M. Alexandra (Department: 1725)

Electric heating

Metal heating

By arc

C219S121650, C219S121660, C219S121680, C219S121690, C219S121730

Reexamination Certificate

active

06303896

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to dynamic laser balancing of a rotating component using laser light pulses directed at imbalance locations of the component until a preselected balance tolerance is met.
2. Description of Related Art
Existing technology for balancing a rotatable vehicle drive shaft (e.g. a propeller shaft) for rear wheel drive vehicles includes rotating the drive shaft up to a selected rotational speed, measuring amount and location of imbalance of the shaft, stopping rotation of the shaft, and adding mass to the shaft to reduce imbalance. The balanced shaft then is rotated back up to the selected rotational speed and remeasured for balance. This sequence is repeated as necessary until shaft balance falls within a preselected tolerance.
An object of the invention is to provide improved method and apparatus for laser balancing vehicle drive shafts as well as other rotating components by removing material in a dynamic, automatic manner to achieve balancing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention envisions fixturing a component to be balanced between rotatable fixtures that establish a simulated rotational centerline, rotating the component to a preselected rotational speed, determining the magnitude and angular location of imbalance about the component while the component is being rotated at speed, directing a laser light pulse locally at the determined location of imbalance while the component is rotated, and repeating the sequence while the component continues to rotate until the balance satisfies a preselected balance tolerance. The laser light pulse is directed at the location of imbalance using a control system that activates the laser to direct a laser light pulse at the appropriate time to impinge the location of imbalance with the laser light pulse, which can have a fixed or variable power and/or duration dependent on the amount of material that needs to be removed from the location of imbalance. The control system automatically repeats the above sequence for additional revolutions of the component until the balance of the component satisfies a desired balance tolerance.
In dynamic balancing of a tubular drive shaft of a vehicle having a circumferential flange proximate each end of the shaft, each shaft end is balanced as described above by removing material from the respective flanges in response to measured magnitude and angular location of maximum imbalance by first and second imbalance sensors associated with each end of the drive shaft. The laser includes first and second light transmission members each in fixed position relative to a respective flange in a manner to direct a laser light pulse at each flange to remove material therefrom. Typically, first one end of the drive shaft and then the other end is balanced by removing material from the respective flanges.
The present invention is advantageous in that dynamic balancing of the component is achieved without stopping rotation of the component being balanced, thereby reducing the time required to balance a component, the laser pulse(s) is/are directed locally at the location(s) of imbalance without heating the remainder of the component, and improved balance tolerance can be achieved under control of the automatic control system.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3663795 (1972-05-01), Myer
patent: 3727027 (1973-04-01), Kaiser et al.
patent: 3909584 (1975-09-01), Brienza et al.
patent: 4037076 (1977-07-01), Blackaby
patent: 4257246 (1981-03-01), Hartmann et al.
patent: 4446732 (1984-05-01), Schoenfeld
patent: 4653324 (1987-03-01), Nugier
patent: 5046361 (1991-09-01), Sandstrom

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