Method and device for locating hole center
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJohn F Suarez, Daniel W Campbell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device locates an apparatus to the center of a hole in a structure. The device includes a hub adapted to have the apparatus mounted thereon and a plurality of locator elements spaced around the hub which extend at least partially into the hole. Means coupled with the locator elements and the hub are used to displace the locator elements outwardly into engagement with the edges of the structure and to move the hub into axial alignment with the center of the hole.
Claims20
A device for locating an apparatus to a center of a hole in a structure, comprising:
- a hub adapted to have the apparatus mounted thereon;
- a plurality of locator elements spaced around the hub and extending at least partially into the hole;
- and,
- means coupled with the locator elements and the hub for displacing the locator elements outwardly into engagement with the edges of the structure and for moving the hub into substantial alignment with the center of the hole.
A device for locating an apparatus to a center of a hole in a structure, comprising:
- a hub having a centerline and adapted to have the apparatus mounted thereon;
- a ring surrounding the hub and adapted to be placed on the structure overlying the hole;
- and,
- an expandable locator assembly mounted between the hub and the ring and including locator elements extending into the hole, the locator elements being expandable into engagement with the structure to move the hub and bring the centerline of the hub into substantial alignment with the center of the hole.
A method of locating an apparatus to a center of a hole in a structure, comprising:
- placing the apparatus on a hub;
- positioning the hub over the hole;
- placing locator elements in the hole;
- expanding the locator elements outwardly into engagement with edges of the structure surrounding the hole;
- and,
- using the expansion of the locator elements to move the hub to the center of the hole and bring the center of the hub into substantial alignment with the center of the hole.
A method of locating an apparatus to a center of a hole in a structure, comprising:
- mounting the apparatus on a hub having a centerline;
- placing a ring on the structure surrounding the hole;
- using the ring to support the hub over the hole;
- placing locator elements in the hole, including retracting a set of locator elements inwardly by rotating the ring relative to the hub;
- expanding the locator elements outwardly into engagement with the of the structure surrounding the hole, including—
- using spring bias to cam the locator elements outwardly along ramped surfaces on the hub;
- and
- using the expansion of the locator elements to move the hub and bring the hub centerline into alignment with the center of the hole.
A device for locating an apparatus to a center of a hole in a structure, comprising:
- a generally round hub having a central opening therethrough and a plurality of ramped surfaces spaced around the periphery thereof, the ramped surfaces being concentric about the central opening, the hub further including a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses therein around the periphery thereof;
- a ring adapted to be placed on the structure and surrounding the hub, the ring being rotatable relative to the hub and supporting the hub over the hole, the ring including a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets therein;
- and
- a roller sprague assembly mounted between the ring and the hub, the sprague assembly including—
- a plurality of cage segments arranged end-to-end in a circle, each of the cage segments having fingers respectively received in the recesses in the hub for retaining the cage segments on the hub,
- a roller within each of the cage segments, each of the rollers being held in one of the pockets and bearing against one of the ramp surfaces, and
- a spring associated with each of the rollers for biasing the roller to move in one direction along one of the ramp surfaces,
- the biasing force applied by the springs causing the rollers to cam outwardly along the ramp surfaces into engagement with the structure and move the centerline of the hub opening into substantial axial alignment with the center of the hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.