Apparatus and method for aligning stators and rotors
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorElwood W. Wingeier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool for aligning a stator with respect to a crankshaft of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The tool comprises a central hub, a plurality of alignment members, and an actuating device. The central hub has a mating surface configured to secure the central hub to the crankshaft. The alignment members are configured to engage the stator and are slideably mated with the central hub for movement between a first position and a second position. The actuating device moves the plurality of alignment members between the first and second positions. The second position is further away from the crankshaft than the first position. The stator is moved to an aligned position with respect to the crankshaft when the aligning members are at the second position.
Claims31
A tool for aligning a stator with respect to a crankshaft of a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- a central hub having a mating surface, said mating surface being configured to secure said central hub to said crankshaft;
- a plurality of alignment members being configured to engage said stator and being slideably received within said central hub for movement between a first position and a second position, said second position being further away from said crankshaft than said first position wherein said stator is moved to an aligned position with respect to said crankshaft when said plurality of aligning members are at said second position;
- and
- means for moving said plurality of alignment members between said first position and said second position.
A method for installing an electric machine in a position to provide a driving force to one or more drivable wheels of a vehicle, comprising:
- securing an alignment device to a force transmitting device of said vehicle;
- disposing an inner opening of a stator over a plurality of alignment members of said alignment device;
- and
- re-positioning said stator to a preferred location with respect to said force transmitting device by re-positioning said plurality of alignment members of said alignment device.
A method for installing an electric machine between an engine and a transmission of a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- securing a tool to a crankshaft of said engine in a predetermined position;
- manipulating a plurality of aligning members of said tool to a first peripheral dimension, said first peripheral dimension being smaller than an inner dimension of a stator;
- positioning said inner dimension of said stator over said plurality of aligning members such that a first end of said stator is adjacent said engine and a second end is remote from said engine;
- manipulating said plurality of aligning members from said first peripheral dimension to a second peripheral dimension, said second peripheral dimension being substantially equal to said inner dimension of said stator such that said stator is in an aligned position with respect to said crankshaft when said plurality of aligning members are at said second peripheral dimension;
- securing said stator in said aligned position by securing said first end of said stator to said engine;
- manipulating said plurality of aligning members to said first peripheral dimension;
- un-securing said tool from said crankshaft;
- and
- withdrawing said tool from said inner dimension of said stator through said second end.
An apparatus for positioning a stator with respect to a crankshaft of a vehicle, comprising:
- a central member being configured for securement to said crankshaft;
- a plurality of alignment members each having an inner portion and an outer portion, said plurality of alignment members being movably mounted to said central member for movement in a range defined by a first position and a second position, said first position allowing said outer portion of each of said plurality of alignment members to be received within an inside diameter of said stator, said second position causing said stator to be repositioned with respect to said crankshaft, said second position corresponding to a preferred location of said stator with respect to said crankshaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.