US 5,392,526 AGranted

Angularity gauge for cylindrical surfaces

AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Corporation

InventorsLewis J. Sprague, Jerome A. Fulton

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Abstract

An angularity gauging apparatus for determining if an angle formed between two longitudinally joined cylindrical surfaces is within expected straightness tolerances without requiring a direct measurement. The apparatus includes a fixed locating member and pivotable locating member which respectively interface with the two surfaces being examined. The members are pivotally connected so that angular displacement of their longitudinal axes about the connecting point is possible. A signaling device activates to inform a user when the two surfaces under examination form an angle to each other which equals or exceeds a maximum allowable angle preset into the apparatus. A device is also incorporated for adjusting the apparatus to allow a user to change the angle at which the signaling device activates.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An apparatus for gauging whether a juncture between two longitudinally joined cylindrical surfaces is rectilinear within a predetermined limit on a go/no-go basis, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a fixed locating member including a first means for interfacing the fixed locating member with a first of the two surfaces to be gauged;
(b) a pivotable locating member including a second means for interfacing the pivotable locating member with a second of the two surfaces to be gauged;
(c) means for pivotally connecting the fixed locating member with the pivotable locating member;
and,
(d) means for signaling a user whenever the two cylindrical surfaces to be gauged form an angle which one of (i) equals, and (ii) exceeds the predetermined limit, thereby providing a go/no-go signal to the user, said means for signaling comprising
a signaling device having first and second electrical connection points,
an annular electrical contact attached to and electrically isolated from the fixed locating member and connected via first electrical signal means to said first electrical connection point, and
an electrically conductive contact stein adjustably attached to the pivotable locating member such that the stein is extendible and retractable over a full length of an interior of the annular electrical contact and retractable to clear a proximal end of the annual electrical contact, the stem being connected via second electrical signal means to said second electrical connection point.

5 more elements

An apparatus for gauging whether a juncture between two longitudinally joined cylindrical surfaces is rectilinear within a predetermined limit on a go/no-go basis, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a fixed locating member including a first means for interfacing the fixed locating member with a first of the two cylindrical surfaces to be gauged, the first interfacing means comprising a first locating plate including a first elongated angle piece with two flat sides perpendicular to each other along their lengths, the first locating plate being attached to the fixed locating member such that a first vertex formed by an intersection of the flat sides of the first locating plate points away from the first cylindrical surface being interfaced with;
(b) a pivotable locating member including a second means for interfacing the pivotable locating member with a second of the two cylindrical surfaces to be gauged, the second interfacing means comprising a second locating plate including a second elongated angle piece with two flat sides perpendicular to each other along their lengths, the second locating plate being attached to the pivotable locating member such that a second vertex formed by an intersection of the flat sides of the second locating plate points away from the second cylindrical surface being interfaced with;
(c) means for pivotally connecting the fixed locating member with the pivotable locating member, the pivotally connecting means comprising a swivel bearing which allows angular displacement of longitudinal axes of the fixed and pivotable locating members about the swivel bearing;
(d) stabilization means for limiting the degree to which the fixed and pivotable locating members can pivot in relationship to each other, the stabilization means comprising a hollow housing attached to the fixed locating member with a notch that interfaces with a stabilization pin attached to the pivotable locating member such that sides of the notch restrict travel of the stabilization pin;
(e) means for signaling a user whenever the two cylindrical surfaces to be gauged form an angle which one of (i) equals, and (ii) exceeds the predetermined limit, thereby providing a go/no-go signal to the user, the signaling means comprising
a signaling device having first and second electrical connection points,
an annular electrical contact attached to and electrically isolated from the fixed locating member, and connected via first electrical signal means to the first electrical connection point, and
an electrically conductive contact stem adjustably attached to the pivotable locating member such that the contact stem is extendible and retractable over a full length of an interior of the annular electrical contact and retractable to clear a proximal end of the annular electrical contact, the contact stem being connected via second electrical signal means to the second electrical connection point;
and,
(f) means for adjusting the apparatus to allow the user to change the predetermined limit at which the signaling means activates.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.