Controlled machining of combustion chambers, gears and other surfaces
AssigneeLMI Technologies Inc.
InventorTimothy R. Pryor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus measures cylinder head combustion chambers and provides inputs to machines which can perform operations to assure that all combustion chambers are at a correct volume. Also disclosed are devices for matching volumes of engine assemblies as well as precise machining of gears, turbine blades and other parts. Measurements are ideally made via electro-optical sensors, particularly triangulating types.
Claims9
A method of manufacturing parts comprising:
- a) shaping, by using shaping means, the contour of the surface of a part located in a part-shaping location to provide a shaped part;
- b) rapidly, accurately, and on-line, electro-optically determining, from a plurality of points on a surface of said shaped part, the contour of said surface of said shaped part;
- c) utilizing the electro-optically determined contour of said shaped part to control said shaping means to shape, by carrying out step a), the contour of the surface of a further part located in said part shaping location to provide a further shaped part;
- and
- d) repeating steps b) and c) sequentially for each shaped part.
A method of efficiently selecting a first part for operative interaction with a further part, said first part and said further part being intended to operatively interact with one another in a predetermined manner after selection, the method comprising:
- a) rapidly, accurately, and on-line, electro-optically determining, from a plurality of points on a surface of said first part, the contour of said surface of said first part;
- and
- b) utilizing the electro-optically determined contour of said first part, selecting from among a plurality of further parts, all of which are designed to operatively interact with said first part in said pre-determined manner, a particular one of said further parts which will efficiently interact with said first part.
A method of shaping a second part for operative interaction with a first part, said first part and said second part being intended to operatively interact with one another in a predetermined manner after said shaping, the method comprising:
- a) rapidly, accurately, and on-line, electro-optically determining, from a plurality of points on a surface of said first part, the contour of said surface of said first part;
- and
- b) utilizing the electro-optically determined contour of said first part, shaping said second part for efficient operative interaction with said first part in said predetermined manner.
A method of rapidly, accurately, and online assembly of parts which are intended to operatively interact with one another in a predetermined manner in an assembled object, the method comprising:
- rapidly, accurately, and on-line, electro-optically determining the contour of said surface of a first part;
- assembling said first part with a second part designed to operatively interact with said first part in a predetermined manner in an assembled object, said second part being adjustable to affect its operative interaction with said first part;
- and,
- utilizing said determined contour of said surface of said first part, adjusting the second part to optimize its interaction with said first part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.