Centering apparatus for sensing alignment of engaging, aligned machine elements, typically screws and bolts with nuts

Centering apparatus for centric alignment of engaging, aligned machine elements having a respective projecting part and a matching bore such as bolts, screws and nuts, and comprising

• movable means (15, 16, 17) holding one of said elements and movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said one element in response to input signals to axially align it with the other of said elements and means (14) to axially move said elements with respect to each other,
• a conical centering feeler (18, 18') carried by said movable means located in axial alignment with the central axis of said one of said elements and having its axis directed towards the other of the elements so that, upon axial movement of the feeler (18, 18'), the other element will engage the conical feeler at a side wall of the cone and deflect the same if misaligned;
• laterally flexible means (9) carried by said movable means holding said feeler (18, 18') in said axially aligned position while permitting lateral deflection thereof;
• and sensing means (19) operatively associated with said flexible holding means (9) and sensing lateral deflections thereof, and providing deflection output signals, said deflection output signals being connected to said movable means (15, 16, 17) to control said movable means to move until the deflection output signals become zero or null, indicative of axial alignment of said elements.