A device used in the optical alignment of machinery to maintain a measuring scale in the proper position for optical readings to be taken is described. The device consists of a block containing a notch in the shape of an inverted ""v'' and a rotatable plug positioned over the centerline of notch. The block is placed on the object to be aligned, the notch allows the block to be securely placed upon flat or curved surfaces. A weighted measuring scale is inserted through plug so that it contacts the object to be aligned. The scale and plug combination can be rotated so that the scale faces an optical aligning instrument. The instrument is then used in conjunction with the scale to measure the distance of the machinery from a reference plane

Mann, C. W.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

States Patent [I91 
Mann 
11 11 4,428,122 
[45] Jan. 36, I984 
[54] ROTARY TARGET V-BLOCK 
[75] Inventor: Charlton W. Mann, Yorktown, Va. 
[73] Assignee: The United States of America as 
represented by the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, Washington, D.C. 
[21] Appl. No.: 352,831 
[22] Filed: Feb. 26, 1982 
Related U.S. Application Data 
[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 30,964, Apr. 17, 1979, aban- 
doned. 
[51] Int. Cl.3 ....................... GOlB 11/30; GOlC 15/00 
[52] U.S. CI. ...................................................... 33/293 
[58] Field of Search ................. 33/292, 293, 295, 296, 
33/290, 1 H, 286, 287,412 
[561 References Cited 
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 
2,169,533 8/1939 Kasten .............................. 33/412 X 
2,565,382 8/1951 Lernaire ................................ 33/287 
2,647,733 4/1949 Ehrenberg ............................ 33/293 
2,840,913 7/1958 Houser .................................. 33/295 
3,080,656 3/1963 Olliff ............... 
3,107,168 10/1963 Hogan et al. .... 
4,003,133 1/1977 Pierik .................................... 33/286 
4,085,512 4/1978 Bod et al. .............................. 33/293 
4,128,945 12/1978 Barritt ........................ 33/DIG. 1 X 
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 
244614 3/1912 Fed. Rep. of Germany ........ 33/287 
975059 10/1950 France .................................. 33/287 
6055 of 1903 United Kingdom ............. 33/178 R 
Primary Examiner-Harry N. Haroian 
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Howard J. Osborn; John R. 
Manning 
1571 ABSTRACT 
A device is disclosed for measuring the distance from a 
reference plane to a flat or cylindrical surface. The 
device contains a rotatable measuring scale which is 
sited with a optical instrument to make the measure- 
ment. Readings are taken at various points along the 
surface to establish an elevation curve which is used to 
align the surface with the reference plane. 
6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19840008455 2020-03-22T08:12:41+00:00Z
U.S. Patent JZUL 31, 1984 Sheet 1 of 3 4,428,122 
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U.S. Patent Jan. 31, 1984 Sheet 2 of 3 4,428,122 
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U S .  Patent Jan. 31, 1984 Sheet 3 of 3 4,428,122 
FIG. 3 
25 
FIG. 4 
4,428,122 
ROTARY TARGET V-BLOCK 
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION 
The invention herein described was made by an em- 
ployee of the United States Government and may be 
manufactured and used by or for the Government for 
governmental purposes without the payment of any 
royalties thereon or therefor. 
This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 
030,964, filed Apr. 17, 1979 now abandoned. 
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a device used in the optical 
alignment of inachinery and more particularly to a de- 
vice that maintains a measuring scale in the proper 
position for optical readings to be taken. The device has 
been wed to align electric motors and fans that use a 
common shaft in a wind tunnel. 
PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION 
A wind tunnel may contain various pieces of machin- 
ery connected to a common shaft, for example fans and 
electric motors. It is important io maintain the shaft and 
the pieces of machinery in precise alignment with each 
other. Incorrect alignment can lead to costly break- 
downs due to uneven stresses placed upon the machin- 
ery pieces. 
In the optical alignment of machinery a measuring 
scale is placed in a vertical position upon the object to 
be aligned. An optical instrument containing a crosshair 
in the viewfinder is directed toward the scale to take a 
reading. By looking through the eyepiece of the optical 
instrument the distance between an arbitrary reference 
plane acd the object can be read off the scale. The scale 
is moved to different locations on the object and further 
readings are taken from which an elevation curve is 
drawn. Adjustments in the position of the object are 
made, according to the elevation curve, to correct the 
alignment thereof. 
Tne present method of optically aligning machinery 
requires someone to hold the scale and someone else to 
take the readings. Frequently a block will be placed on 
the machinery being aligned against which the scale 
will be held to add stability to the scale. There are sev- 
erai basic disadvantages to this procedure. Firstly, two 
people are required to take an optical reading. Se- 
condly, it introduces inaccuracies due to the difficulty 
in holding the scale vertically and the uncertainty of 
scale faces an optical aligning instrument. The optical 
aligning instrument is then used, in conjunction with the 
scale, to measure the distance of the machinery from a 
reference plane. 
An alternate embodiment discloses a device as above 
but made of ferrous material and containing a magnetic 
device. The magnetic device is of the type well known 
in the art in which the lines of force of a permanent 
magnet can be directed to cause the magnet to adhere or 
10 not adhere to a ferromagnetic surface. Tnis type of 
magnetic device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,337,248 
which was granted to S. Koller. Hereinafter it will be 
referred to as a switched magnet. 
The V-block with switched magnet may be placed on 
l5 a flat or curved surface at any angle. The magnet is 
turned on to hold the block in position against the ma- 
chinery while measurements are taken. 
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to 
provide a convenient, easy to use, accurate alignment 
A further object of the present invention is to provide 
an alignment device that requires only one man for its 
use. 
An additional object of the present invention is to 
25 provide an alignment device that ensures proper posi- 
tioning of the measuring scale, thereby reducing mea- 
surement error. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide 
3o an alignment device that ensures constant contact be- 
tween the base of the scale and the object being aligned 
thereby reducing measurement error. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide 
an alignment device that can be used on flat and round 
An additional object of the present invention is to 
provide an alignment device with a measuring scale that 
can be positioned to face any direction. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide 
40 an alignment device that can ensure that the centerline 
of the measuring scale is aligned along the plumbline of 
the object being aligned. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide 
an alignment device that can be used with scales of 
Another object of the present invention is to provide 
an alignment device that can be used with scales of 
different sizes and configurations. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide 
5 
2o device. 
35 surfaces of any diameter. 
45 varying lengths. 
where the scale contacts the machinery. And thirdly, if 50 an alignment device that can be placed on and *#ill 
the scale is held against a block it may be impossible to adhere to flat or curved surfaces at any angle. 
rake a reading since machinery may obstruct the line of Another object of the present invention is to provide 
sight of the optical instrument and the scale cannot be an alignment device that can be used with a decrease in 
rotated to face a different direction. the set up time. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 55 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
In the present invention a block containing a notch in 
the shape of an inverted v is used to check the alignment 
of machinery. The notch allows the block to be placed 
on flat or curved surfaces. 
The block contains a level indicator to enable the 
operator to position it correctly on the surface being 
FIG. 1 is an elevational view demonstrating the use 
FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the invention. 
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an embodiment of the 
FIG. 4 is a graph of the elevation curve. 
of the invention on a curved surface. 
60 
invention containing a switched magnet. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE 
DRAWINGS 
aligned. 
A weighted measuring scale is inserted through a 
rotatable plug positioned over the centerline of the 65 
inverted v. The-weight of the scale holds it in contact 
with the surface of the machinery being aligned. The 
scale and plug combination can be rotated so that the 
The invention can be understood easily by referring 
to the drawings in which like numbers indicate identical 
components of the device. 
4,428,122 
3 4 
FIG. 1 illustrates equipment with which the inven- plane 35 and the surface 12 can then be ascertained by 
tion may be utilized and the normal manner alignment peering through the optical instrument at the scale. This 
apparatus would be associated therewith. For example, measurement is recorded and the device is moved to 
the invention may be used with equipment found in a other locations on the surface 12 and further readings 
wind tunnel to drive a plurality of fans 14 by means of 5 are taken and recorded. 
shaft 12. Shaft I2 is driven by a plurality of electric The measurements are used to establish an elevation 
motors 16. curve which is displayed in FIG. 4. Finally adjustments 
The invention consists of a modified V-block 22 are made in the position of the surface, by referencing 
which rests on shaft 12. Projecting from the block 22 is the elevation curve, in order to put the surface in the 
a scale 34 which contains markings 36 evenly spaced 10 desired aligned position. 
along the scale’s length. Optical instrument 18, such as The alternate embodiment operates in the Same man- 
a surveyors transit, is positioned so viewfinder 20 faces 
scale 34. Viewfinder 20 contains a crosshair to facilitate 
an accurate reading of the markings 36 on scale 34. 
containing a horizontal surface or, as in FIG. 1, a line 
painted on the wall at an arbitrary height. 
block 22 with legs 27 and 29 forming a 45 degree notch 
25 in the shape of an inverted “v”. 
A block constructed by the invention is 7 in. long 
(A-A in FIG. 2), 3& in. high (B-B), and 3 in. wide 
(C-C). This block can be used on shafts measuring 
from 1 in. to 2 ft. in diameter. It should be noted that 
V-blocks can be constructed of varying sizes and the 25 
aforementioned dimensions are not intended to restrict 
the invention. 
surface 40 of the block immediately surrounding the 
aperture 24 is slightly recessed 26. A flanged cylindrical 30 
plug 28 is inserted into the aperture, the flange 30 
contacts the recessed surface 26 of the block which 
supports the plug and allows its rotation within the 
block. 
ner except that it can be used to align a device with any 
reference plane; it is not limited to horizontal reference 
planes. The V-block 22 is placed against the surface 12 
Reference plane 35 may be any stationary Object l5  such that the measuring scale 34 is perpendicular to the 
reference plane. The knob 46 is turned so that the mag- 
net 42 causes the V-block 22 to adhere to the surface 12. 
turning the knob 46. 
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by 
Letters Patent of the United States is: 
1. An alignment device comprising: 
an elongated member to be aligned having a surface 
holder means adapted to be placed at any position 
As best Seen in the invention comprises a After the reading is taken the block may be removed by 
2o 
thereon; 
along said elongated member to be aligned; 
therethrough at the apex thereof the top of said 
means for determining and establishing a reference 
plane; 
target 
with respect thereto enabling siting from any angle; 
said target means being a scale carried by a rotatable 
ings 36 evenly spaced along its length. The markings 36 said rotatable Plug positioned by the recessed lip 
indicate distances along the scale. A K and E pared within the hole of said V-block such that said plug 
scale, as is well known in the art, can be used for scale may rotate while within said hole; and 
34. means for siting said target means supported by said 
The V-block 22 also contains a level indicator 38 on holder means at various positions along said elon- 
its upper surface 40. The indicator may be of the con- gated member to determine the variations of the 
ventional liquid bubble type, well known in the art. elongated member to be aligned from said refer- 
ence plane. An alternate embodiment employs a switched perma- 
nent magnet 42 within on of the legs 29 of the V-block 45 2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said rotatable plug 
22 as displayed in FIG. 3. The V-block in this embodi- has a through aperture receiving said scale slidable 
merit, is constructed of ferrous material. A knob 46 on therein such that said scale contacts said surface of said 
the side of the V-block is used to change the alignment elongated member to be aligned. 
of the magnetic field. The design of a switched magnet 3. A device as in claim 2 wherein said Plug and said 
is well known in the art and will not be herein discussed. 50 scale are positioned coaxially within and rotate about 
the vertical centerline of said V-block, said plug sup- 
OPERATION O F  THE INVENTION porting said scale such that the axis of said scale main- 
Referring to FIG. 1, the V-block 22 is placed upon tains vertical alignment with a plumbline of the surface 
the surface to be aligned which may be, as shown in the of said elongated member to be a b e d .  
figure, a cylindrical shaft 12 used in a wind tunnel. The 55 4. A device as in claim 3 wherein a level indicator is 
V-shape allows the block to rest securely upon shafts of carried by said V-block to center said V-block on said 
varying diameter. The V-block 22 is positioned so that elongated member to be aligned. 
its upper surface 40 is horizontal by observing the bub- 5. A device as in claim 1 wherein said V-block is 
ble in the level indicator 38. made of ferrous material and contains means for selec- 
Once the V-block 22 is positioned correctly on the 60 tive magnetization to enable said V-block to adhere at 
shaft 12 scale 34 is inserted through the rotatable plug any angle to a ferromagnetic elongated member to be 
28 until it contacts the surface of the shaft 12. The aligned. 
weight of the scale 34 ensures that it maintains contact 6. A device as in claim 2 wherein said scale is 
with the surface of shaft 12. The scale is then rotated weighted to assure contact thereof with the surface of 
with plug 28 until it faces the optical aligning instru- 65 said elongated member to be aligned. 
ment 18. The distance between the horizontal reference 
V-block 22 contains a central aperature 24. The top said being a V-block having a 
containing a recessed lip; 
by said V-block 
plug 28 contains a slot 32 into which a weighted 35 
measuring scale 34 is inserted. Scale 34 contains mark- plug; 
40 
* * * * *  


Rotary target V-block

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