Patent GB-708372-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for gauging the clearance relationship between bearing race members
IPC: G01B5/14
Filed: 1951-12-31
Abstract: 708,372. Linear-dimension gauges. SHEFFIELD CORPORATION. Dec. 31, 1951 [Jan. 3, 1951], No. 30441/51. Class 106 (2) Apparatus for gauging a bearing for radial clearance between inner and outer races comprises a frame carrying a support for holding one of the races horizontal with limited radial play, means for applying a predetermined vertical force to the other race and means for reversing the direction of the force, a pair of movable elements on the frame for contact with the two races respectively, a holder for the elements slidably supported for movement radially of the bearing and movable by one of the elements and means responsive to relative movement of the elements for gauging the changes in the distance across the inner and outer races on one side of the bearing produced by changes in the direction of force application. An inner bearing race to be gauged is placed on an arbor 15, removably secured by a locking screw 17 with knob 18 in an opening 14 of the front wall 11 of the frame 10, and a stop ring 20 locates the race centrally with respect to an element 21 partially housed in a groove in the arbor with its rear part extending upwardly and secured by a screw 22 to a movable holding plate 23. The plate 23 is vertically slidable on the rear side of the wall 11, preferably with antifriction bearing members 24 interposed between its sides and guide strips 25, and its upper limit of travel is determined by an adjustment screw 27 with knob 26. Fixed to the plate 23 and projecting forwardly through a slot in the wall 11 is a block 28 carrying a dial gauge 29 adjustably secured by an eccentric clamping shaft 30 operated by lever 31. The spring pressed plunger 33 of the gauge 29 engages the outer race. The element 21, slide 23, block 28 and dial gauge 29 are normally held in raised position against the screw 27 with the element 21 projecting slightly above the arbor 15 by means of a counter balance weight 35 connected by cable 36 extending round a guide roller 37 to a post 38 fixed to the slide 23. A light gauging pressure is thus applied to the inner race by the element 21 and to the outer race by the plunger 33. To determine the radial play existing in any bearing gauged, the indication produced when all radial play is taken up at the gauging zone is compared with that produced when it is all taken up at a point diametrically opposite. Means for taking up the radial play comprise a pressure bar 40 having a flexible cable 41 extending from one side to the other, preferably anchored to the bar by springs 42, and sufficiently flexible to conform to the shape of the outer race for evenly distributing an upward force. The bar 40 is guided by posts 43 slidable in sleeve portions 44 of a guide plate 45 adjustably secured to the wall 11 by studs 46 extending through slots 47. The plate 45 also supports a fluid pressure cylinder 48 with piston rod 49 fixed to the pressure bar 40 so that a predetermined force can be applied to the outer race upwardly at the gauging zone by applying fluid pressure to the lower side of the cylinder 48. A similar arrangement enables a predetermined force to be applied downwardly on the outer race, a flexible cable 52 being doubled in its central portion to extend around opposite sides of the plunger 33. Preferably the pressure bars are controlled by a foot treadle, which when rocked one way or the other allows air from a pressure regulator, to enter the lower or upper cylinder to apply an upward or downward force. When rocked, the treadle also closes an electric circuit to a vibrator which mechanically vibrates the frame to assist in centralizing the balls in the races during gauging. Specification 685,864 is referred to.