In place superfinishing of crankshaft thrust bearing faces

Abstract

An apparatus for the in situ superfinishing of crankshaft thrust bearing surfaces includes an oscillator, an oscillation arm connected to the oscillator such that the oscillation arm is reciprocable by the oscillator, a caliper disposed on the oscillation arm remote from the oscillator, and at least two abrasive pads disposed on the caliper. The oscillation arm facilitates the extension of the arm into the engine to cause the abrasive pads to engage the bearing and to abrasively superfinish the surfaces of the bearing. A method for the in situ superfinishing of the surfaces of the bearing includes operably locating a superfinishing apparatus adjacent the engine, extending the abrasive pads into the engine, causing the abrasive pads to engage the surfaces to be superfinished, and oscillating the abrasive pads in contact with the surfaces to be superfinished.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.