Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of determining certain propeller parameters for a boat propeller that has a hub, a central axis and a plurality of propeller blades attached to the hub. The method includes providing a laser displacement sensor in proximity to the propeller. The laser displacement sensor has a laser head that generates a laser beam. The laser displacement sensor is used to measure the distance from the laser head to the propeller. The laser head is moved and the laser again measures the distance from the laser head to the propeller after the laser head is moved in relation to the propeller. The movement can be along either or both of the two axes including a first axis that is a linear axis and a second axis that is curved. The method includes computing a selected parameter or parameters by using the measurements that are obtained, the parameters being selected from a group that includes pitch, rake and squareness.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/667,146, filed Mar. 31, 2005, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of measuring selected parameters relating to a boat propeller. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method that measures the pitch, rake and squareness of a boat propeller. 
   2. General Background of the Invention 
   The present invention provides a method and apparatus that reads the pitch, rake and squareness of a boat propeller and lays out a pattern for boat propellers. It can be a self-contained unit as well as or mount to a propeller straightening machine. Servo motors can be used to propel it. It actually reads the pitch, rake and blade squareness with a laser. The apparatus can be controlled using a computer. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a method of determining propeller parameters for a boat propeller that has a hub, a central axis and a plurality of propeller blades attached to the hub. 
   The method includes providing a laser displacement sensor in close proximity to the propeller. The laser displacement sensor is used to measure the distance from the laser head to the propeller. The laser head is moved and the laser displacement sensor again measures the distance from the laser head to the propeller after the laser head is moved in relation to the propeller along either or both of the two axes including a first axis that is a linear axis and a second axis that is curved. 
   The method includes computing a selected parameter or parameters by using the measurements that are obtained, the parameters being selected from a group that includes pitch, rake and squareness. 
   The method of the present invention provides a method and apparatus to measure the pitch, rake and squareness of a boat propeller. The method of the present invention uses a laser to measure the distance from a laser head to the propeller. The laser head is moved on two axes, which can be computer controlled, driven by servo motors, for example. One axis moves from the center of the propeller outwardly. This axis will move the laser head out to a controlled circumference setting. The other axis will rotate the laser head 360° around the propeller central axis. 
   The method of the present invention provides a laser scan that is controlled by a computer. Controlling software can be prepared using Microsoft® Visual Basic software. A display can be provided to display company information such as company name, address and logo. 
   The data will include the measured pitch of the propeller. The pitch is defined as the distance the propeller will move in one complete revolution and is displayed in inches. 
   The data also will include the measured rake of the propeller. The rake is defined as the amount the blade is bent in relation to the hub and is displayed in degrees. 
   The data will also include the squareness of the propeller. The squareness is defined, as the distance the blades are separated and is displayed in degrees. A screen will also display a graph representing the measured blade parameters, including all of the measurements listed above. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partially cutaway perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a tracking of a laser relative to the propeller to be measured; 
       FIG. 4  is a elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIGS. 5-10  are screen shots that illustrate the method of the present invention when utilizing a computer to control operation of the apparatus; and 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1-4  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Propeller measuring system  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  measuring a propeller  11  that has a hub  12  and a plurality of blades  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 . 
   In most cases, a propeller  11  being measured is a damaged propeller. Assume that a 24″ diameter propeller with 24 pitch has one blade that is damaged. If the blade is damaged, its pitch could vary. The blade may be damaged so that it gives pitch readings of 21, 22 and 23 at different locations on the blade and at a given radii (e.g. 50% radius or 6″ from the hub). After the blade is measured, this damage is quantified, making repair easier. During the repair process, a user can check the propeller parameters from time to time until the propeller has been restored to its as manufactured dimensions, pitch, rake, squareness. Further, the damaged blade may not be squared with the other blades. On a four blade propeller, squareness is correct if the blades are exactly ninety degrees (90°) apart. The damaged blade may be eighty eight degrees (88°) from the blade closest to it. 
   In order to measure a propeller  11 , the hub  12  is mounted upon support  17 . The support  17  provides a conical outer surface  18  that is receptive of the hub  12  of the propeller. Support  17  also provides a conical socket  19  that is receptive of shaft  21  of measuring apparatus  20 . The vertical shaft  21  provides a conical outer surface  22  that mates with a correspondingly shaped conical socket  19  of support  17  or removal therefrom. 
   The assembly of the apparatus  20  to support  17  is indicated schematically by arrow  23  in  FIG. 1 . Handles  24  can be provided for lifting and manipulating apparatus  20  during such placement upon support  17 . 
   The apparatus  20  carries a laser displacement sensor  25 . Sensor  25  is a commercially available device, sold by Micro-Epsilon (www.micro-epsilon.com). The sensor  25  can be a 1750-500CCD laser displacement sensor, 500 mm range (for example model no. OPTONCDT1700). Such a sensor operates according to the triangulation principle. A laser diode projects a visible spot of light through an optical receiving system onto a positive sensitive element (CCD array). If the target changes its distance to the sensor, this leads to a change of the imaging spot on the CCD array. The position of the spot incident on the CCD array is evaluated. The laser takes about 40,000 samples in a 360 degree sweep of the propeller  11 . This laser sensor  25  is used to measure the distance between the laser  25  and the propeller  11  blade  13 ,  14 ,  15 , or  16 . The laser  25  puts out an analog signal that is proportional to that distance. The analog signal is then applied to a driver (e.g. National Instruments driver used with Microsoft® Visual Basic software such as model number N.I.NIDAQVER). This driver enables data retrieved from laser sensor  25  using Microsoft® Visual Basic software. The data is entered into a computer via the drivers and Microsoft® Visual Basic software. 
   In  FIG. 3 , beam  41  is shown emitted by sensor  25  and striking propeller  11  at blade  13 . 
   Apparatus  20  has a slide  26  that carries bracket  28 . Slide  26  can be obtained from IAI actuator (www.intelligentactuator.com), for example their part number DS-SS6-1-30-3-400-C1-N. Slide  26  is supplied with Microsoft® Visual Basic drivers that enable control of motor  27  and data retrieval from the motor  27 . The bracket  28  supports laser displacement sensor  25 . Motor drive  27  can be used to move the bracket  28  and its laser displacement sensor  25  to a selected position upon slide  26  as indicated schematically by arrows  43  in  FIG. 3 . 
   Motor drive  27  engages a threaded shaft  29 . The shaft  29  engages internally threaded sleeve  44  that mounts to slide bracket  28  as shown in  FIG. 2 . A bearing  45  supports an end of shaft  29  opposite motor drive  27 . Arrow  30  in  FIG. 2  illustrates the ability of bracket  27  to be moved to a selected position upon slide  26 . Thus, rotation of motor drive  27  rotates shaft  29 , moving bracket  28  and sensor  25 . 
   A second motor drive  31  is provided for rotating the slide  26  and thus slide bracket  28  and laser displacement sensor  25  through a circle or arc (e.g. 360 degrees) relative to propeller  11 . Motor drive  31  is coupled to a right angle gear box  32  providing drive shaft  33 , bevel gears  34 ,  35  and vertical shaft  36 . A bearing  37  (e.g. ball bearings) can be used to support rotary movement of arm  26  relative to propeller  11 . The bearing  37  can be contained within a protective housing. The motor drives  27 ,  31  are commercially available from Animatics Corporation, 3050 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054 (www.smartmotor.com) The motor  31  can for example be Animatics Smartmotor® model SM2337DT. This product is supplied with Microsoft® Visual Basic drivers that enable operation and control of motor  31  and data retrieval from the motor by use of Microsoft® Visual Basic software. Motor  31  rotates the laser sensor  25  three hundred sixty degrees (360°). 
   As part of the method of the present invention, the slide  26  is rotated 360 degrees after the laser displacement sensor  25  is affixed to a selected position along the slide  26 . In this fashion, multiple concentric circles ( 38 ,  39  in  FIG. 3 ;  89 - 92  in  FIG. 11 ) can be tracked by the beam  40  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 11 . A first inner circle  38  in  FIG. 3  is illustrated as well as a second outer circle  39 . It should be understood however that any number of circles  38 ,  39  can be generated with the laser displacement sensor  25  when it is positioned at different distances along slide  26  as selected by a user. In  FIG. 11 , a grid is defined by curved lines  89 - 92  and radial lines  93 - 95 . The laser sensor  25  measures each blade  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  of propeller  11  in such a grid fashion. 
   A laser beam  40  is emitted by laser displacement sensor  25  that strikes its target  41  on the propeller blades  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 . The laser displacement sensor  25  also provides optical paths  42  that use triangulation to determine the distance between the laser displacement sensor  25  and the target  41 . 
   The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring selected parameters relating to a boat propeller using a computer. The apparatus utilizes laser displacement sensor  25  to measure the distance from a laser head to the propeller  11 . The laser sensor  25  measures the distance between the laser head and propeller  11  at intervals while being moved along two axes. The first axis is a linear axis (see arrow  30 ,  FIG. 2 ). The second axis is a curved axis (see arrows  38 ,  39  in  FIG. 3 ). The linear axis moves the laser from the center of the propeller outward while the curved axis rotates the laser 360 degrees around the propeller  11 . 
   The pitch is defined as the distance a propeller will move in one complete revolution and is displayed in inches. The method and apparatus of the present invention uses a computer to calculate the pitch by recording the distance between two points, done by counting pulses from the encoder on the servomotor in  FIG. 2  part number  31 . Then using the laser sensor  25  in  FIG. 2  the computer will record the distance from the laser to the blade at point number one, then record it at another point number two. Using these recordings, a known calculation can now determine the pitch. 
   The data also will include the measured rake of a propeller. The rake is defined as the amount a blade is angled or bent in relation to the hub  12  and is displayed in degrees. The method and apparatus of the present invention uses a computer to determine rake by recording from the laser sensor  25  in  FIG. 2  the distance from the laser  25  to the blade at a point close to the hub  12 . Then those points that are in a straight line out from the hub at this point in each radii scan is then used to determine how much the blade is bent. The computer makes a known calculation to determine rake. 
   The data will also include the measured squareness of the propeller. The squareness is defined as the distance the blades are separated and is displayed in degrees. The method and apparatus of the present invention uses a computer to determine the squareness by recording from the encoder on the servomotor  31  in  FIG. 2  a particular point. Then it will record the same position on the next blade and calculate using these two points the curvature distance between the two points. 
   International Standard ISO 484/2 (UDC 629.12.037.1: 621.753.1 Ref. No. IS0 484/2-1981 (E)) is incorporated herein by reference, and explains how to calculate the data in the three preceding paragraphs. 
   Once a new “job” has been created, an operator enters the Auto Scan mode on the computer. The operator is then ready to begin a propeller scan. The operator will start the auto scan by pressing the Start Scan button on the Auto Scan screen. The measuring apparatus  20  will begin by moving the laser out on the linear axis to a first radii position that has been selected. The measuring apparatus  20  will then begin to rotate on the curved axis around the propeller  11 . The laser  25  will measure the distance from the laser head to the propeller  11  and a computer can be used to record these parameters as it rotates. Once the curved axis has reached 360 degrees it will reverse on the curved axis and return to its original home position at 0 degrees. Once it has reached 0 degrees or “home position” the linear axis will move the laser head to a different radii position and repeat the process. This process is continued until the laser has moved out to each of the radii positions pre-selected by the operator. 
   The method and apparatus of the present invention can be computer controlled, using software that is user-friendly enabling easy training of users. Software can be used by an operator to operate the apparatus  10 , collect data, and to report that data to a customer. In the computer screen shots of  FIGS. 5-10 , fields that can be selected from a database using pull down menus. A user can start typing in a selected (e.g. light green) field and selectable information will begin to pop up in the pull down menu. As a user is typing, the information you are looking for comes up simply hit the enter key and that information will be entered in the field. The field that automatically pulls in information from a database and cannot have information typed in is another color, e.g. light gray fields. The field that information can be typed in or sometimes can also be selected from a pull down menu can be e.g. light red fields. 
   To create a new customer, click on the Customer tab  45  in  FIG. 5 . Under this tab there are four different icons. The first icon is the Browse Customer screen. This screen is used to view customers that have already been added to the database. The second icon is the Add Customer screen. This screen is used to add new customers to the database. The third icon is the Edit Customer screen. This screen is used to change information about a customer that is already in the database. The fourth icon is the Delete Customer screen. This screen is used to delete customers out of the database. These screens under the Customer tab  45  are similar to each other. Following is a review of one of these screens, the Add Customer screen. 
   Once a user has clicked on the Customer tab  45  then simply click on the Add Customer icon to create a new customer. The screen shown in  FIG. 5  will display and a new customer can be entered to the database. Simply click in the text boxes  46  in  FIG. 5  and enter the information about the new customer. Notice at the bottom of the screen the note  47  (* Indicates Required Fields) indicated in  FIG. 5 . Information must be entered in these fields before the software will allow a user to save this customer to the database. At the bottom of the screen indicated in  FIG. 5  is a box  48  that will allow entry of any selected personal notes  48  about this customer. This note  48  can be used to enter additional contact information, tax ID number or other desired information. Once the information is entered, a user clicks the Save New Customer  49  button indicated in  FIG. 5 . To exit the screen simply click the Exit button  50 . 
   To create a new job, simply click on the Prop Jobs tab  51  in  FIG. 7 . Once a user has clicked on the Prop Jobs tab  51  a user will notice three different icons. The first icon is the Browse Jobs screen. This screen is used to browse jobs that have already been done and is saved in the database. The second icon is the Create New Job screen. This screen is used to create a new job and prepare the system for auto scan (See Create New Job screen description following). A new job must be created in order to run auto scan, preparing the database and providing a place for the data to be collected and saved. The third icon is the Set Laser Reference screen. This screen is used to set the laser reference to insure accurate readings. This reference should be set only when the apparatus has been set on a new spindle or anytime the distance from the laser and the table below the prop has changed (See Set Laser Reference screen description following). 
   The laser reference is set so that the laser will ignore anything it reads beyond the propeller. First, ensure that the laser is measuring the closest item to the bottom of the propeller. The closest item to the bottom of the propeller can be e.g. a table under the propeller. To move the laser to this location go to the Manual Gage Control screen and turn the rotary motor  31  and traverse slide motor  27  off and pull the laser sensor  25  into location by hand or use the manual controls. Once the laser has been moved into position and a user has clicked the Prop Jobs tab, click the Set Laser Reference icon. The Set Laser Reference Surface screen of  FIG. 6  will display. This screen ( FIG. 6 ) shows two indicator boxes. The first box indicated in  FIG. 6  is the Current Reference  52  indicator. This indicator  52  will display the last reference set for the laser sensor  25 . The second box indicated in  FIG. 6  is the Laser Reading indicator  53 . This indicator  53  will display the actual reading of the laser and display the note indicated in  FIG. 6  as  54 . 
   To set the laser reference simply click the SET Laser Reference button  55  in  FIG. 6 . When this button is clicked the software will subtract 0.25 inches from what the laser is reading in the Laser Reading indicator box. The system will now ignore anything the laser measures beyond this point. To exit this screen simply click the Exit button  56  in  FIG. 6 . 
   Once a user has clicked on the Prop Jobs tab  51 , the user can click on the Create New Job icon and the Create New Prop Job screen will display. This screen is used to give the apparatus important information that is needed for auto scans. It prepares the databases and readies the system to collect data for the propeller about to be scanned. Notice at the bottom of the screen the note (* Indicates Required Fields) indicated in  FIG. 7  next to note  57 . Information must be entered in these fields before the software will allow this job to be saved. This screen has three parts the first of which is the Job Information  58  in  FIG. 7 . The second part is the Prop Information  59 . The third part is the Measurement Configuration  60 . 
   Job in formation  58  is used to enter selected information about the job. When the Customer is selected information such as the customers address, phone number, contact person is automatically pulled in from a database. If the customer you have is not listed then simply exit this screen and go to the Create New Customer screen and add the customer to the list. The software will automatically increment the Prop ID field by one number each time a new job is created. The text box  61  is a field where a user can enter notes in about this job. 
   Prop Information  59  is used to enter key information about the propeller  11  to be scanned. The diameter of the propeller  11  can be typed in or selected from the pull down menu. If a user does not know the diameter of the propeller, the user exits this screen and goes to the Manual Gage Control screen ( FIG. 10 ) The user manually moves the laser sensor  25  out to the edge of the propeller  11  and read the radius of the propeller  11  from the Traverse Radius indicator box  62 . This reading is the radius of the propeller, so multiply this number by two and enter it in the Diameter field (See the description on the Manual Gage Control screen below for more information on moving the laser). 
   Measurement Configuration  60  is used to enter the measurement configuration for a job. When the desired class is selected the number of radii scans and the position of that radii scan (entered as percentage of the prop diameter) will automatically be entered and is according to the ISO standards for the selected class. Simply clicking the check box under each radii scan to add or take away radii scans can easily change this configuration. The check box is indicated in  FIG. 7  as  63 . A user can also change the position of the radii scan by simply clicking in the radii scan box  64  and typing in the desired position or selecting it from the pull down menu. 
   Once all the information has been entered in the three parts of the Create New Prop Job screen the job can be saved by clicking the Save New Job button  65  in  FIG. 7 . Notice the job information status bar  66  at the bottom of the screen in  FIG. 7 . This status bar  66  indicates what job has been loaded by the software and is current. This status bar  66  will remain throughout other screens such as the PropEye Auto Prop Scan screen and the Manual Gage Control screen to give a quick indication as to what job is loaded. To exit this screen simply click the Exit button  67  in  FIG. 7 . 
   To automatically scan a propeller, simply click on the PropEye Scan tab  68  in  FIG. 8 . Under this tab you will notice two icons. The first icon is the Automatic Scan screen. This screen is used to do a complete automatic scan of a propeller. This screen is described hereinafter in the PropEye Auto Prop Scan screen description. The second icon is the Quick Scan screen and is used to make quick individual scans of one blade while repairs are being made. This screen will allow a user to make adjustments and then scan what has been adjusted quickly. 
   Once the PropEye Scan tab  68  has been clicked, a user can display the PropEye Auto Prop Scan screen by clicking the Automatic Scan icon. This screen has six parts. The first is the Job Setup Parameters  69  in  FIG. 8  and is used to display and modify the job parameters. The second part is the Real Time Indicators part  70  in  FIG. 8 . This part  70  displays the current position of the apparatus and what the laser is measuring. The third part is the Gage Commands part  71  in  FIG. 8 . This part  71  is used to give the operator some control of the apparatus. The fourth part is the Repair Status part  72  in  FIG. 8 . This part  72  is used to give the operator a way to indicate in the report when this scan was made during the repair process. The fifth part is the Repair Status/Results part  73  in  FIG. 8 . This part  73  takes up most of the screen and is broken down for easier viewing. The sixth part is the message box  74  in  FIG. 8 . This part  74  will let the operator know what the machine is currently doing or what it is ready to do. 
   Job Setup Parameters  69  is used to indicate and modify the job parameters. This part  69  will display information about the current job that has been loaded into the system and is ready to collect data. This information will include the Customer name, ID number and some information about the prop being scanned. Some of this information can be changed. Clicking in the Diameter or Pitch boxes and either typing in the change or selecting it from a pull down menu can change the diameter and pitch values. Clicking the Class box and selecting the desired change from a pull down menu can change the Class value. Clicking in the desired Radius box and either typing or selecting from a pull down menu the radius values can be changed or radiuses can be added or deleted. 
   Real Time Indicators  70  displays the current position of the apparatus and what the laser sensor  25  is measuring. These displayed values are real time and will give the operator a quick visual as to where the apparatus is located in relation to the propeller  11 . 
   Gage Commands  71  is used to give the operator some control of the apparatus  20 . The Motor OFF and Motor ON commands are used to turn the rotator servo motor  31  on and off. By clicking the Motor OFF command the operator can turn the motor  31  off and then rotate the laser sensor  25  around by hand to a desired position then by clicking the Motor ON command the operator can turn the motor  31  back on. This will help the operator to place the laser  25  to a desired position before starting an automatic scan. For example, the laser sensor  25  can be turned off, rotated to a position before a selected blade and then turned on again. Once in the desired position the operator by clicking the Motor ZERO command can zero out the position of the rotator servomotor  31  making this the new home position. The operator by clicking the Motor HOME command can send the laser to the home position. The operator by clicking the START SCAN command can begin an auto scan of the prop. 
   Repair Status  72  is used to give the operator a way to indicate in the report when this scan was made during the repair process. The report when printed will indicate which of these check boxes was clicked. 
   Repair Status/Results  73  takes up most of the screen and is broken down for easier viewing. Clicking the desired display in the View Select 75 part indicated in  FIG. 9  can change the results displayed in this part. By clicking the Graphs/Charts box then selecting from a pull down menu by clicking the Graph Type box the display can be changed to display a PolarPlot, BarChart or a LineChart.  FIG. 8  is shown displaying Tubular Data as per selected in the View Select part  75 .  FIG. 9  is shown as displaying a bar chart as per selected in the View Select part indicated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  next to note A. 
   Message Box  74  informs the operator what the machine is currently doing or what it is ready to do. In the displays shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the message (Press [START SCAN] to Measure the Propeller) is displayed and lets the operator know the system is ready to begin an automatic scan. 
   To operate the apparatus  20  manually simply click on the Manual  76  tab in  FIG. 10 . Under this tab is found the Manual Operation icon. Clicking this icon the Manual Gage Control screen will display. The Manual Gage Control Screen Description screen is broken down into three parts. The first part is the Laser Rotate Axis  77  part in  FIG. 10  enabling operator to command the rotary axis of the apparatus  20 . The second part is the Laser Traverse Axis  78 . The operator to command the traverse slide of the apparatus uses this part. The third part is the Laser Displacement  79  part in  FIG. 10 . The operator can use the laser value to calculate the pitch between two points using this part of the apparatus. 
   The Laser Rotate Axis  77  is divided into three parts and is used by the operator to command the rotary axis of the apparatus  20 . The Rotary Master Commands part  80  in  FIG. 10  is used for the following functions: 1) Motor ON turns the rotary servomotor motor  31  on; 2) Motor OFF turns the rotary servomotor motor  31  off; 3) Motor STOP stops the rotary servomotor  31  when it is in motion; 4) Motor ZERO will zero the position of the rotary servomotor  31  making this position the home position; 5) Motor HOME will cause the rotary servomotor  31  to move to the home position; and 6) Select Speed will allow the operator to change the speed of the rotary servomotor  31  by selecting the speed from a pull down menu. 
   The Rotary Motion  81  part in  FIG. 10  is used for the following functions: 1) Jog CW jogs the rotary servomotor  31  in the clockwise direction; 2) Jog CCW jogs the rotary servomotor  31  in the counterclockwise direction. Notice the hint box  82  over this command indicated in  FIG. 10 . When the operator places the mouse over a command a hint box giving some description as to what this command does will display; 3) Move to Position will run the rotary servomotor  31  to the position entered in the Enter Angle box or the Select Angle box; 4) Memory commands when clicked will store the position of the rotary servomotor  31 . By clicking the Recall command under the Memory commands the rotary servomotor will move to the point that was stored. The operator can record and recall 5 different positions. 
   The Rotary Angle  83  display indicated in  FIG. 10  simply displays the current position of the rotary servomotor. 
   The Laser Traverse Axis  84  in  FIG. 10  is divided into three parts and is used by the operator to command traverse axis of the apparatus. The Traverse Master Commands  85  part is indicated in  FIG. 10  is used for the following functions: 1) Slide ON turns the traverse slide motor  27  on; 2) Slide OFF turns the traverse slide motor  27  off; 3) Slide STOP stops the traverse slide motor when it is in motion; 4) Slide HOME will cause the traverse slide motor  27  to move to the home position; and 5) Select Speed will allow the operator to change the speed of the traverse slide  26  by selecting the speed from a pull down menu. 
   The Traverse Motion  86  part in  FIG. 10  is used for the following functions: 1) Jog IN jogs the traverse slide bracket  28  in toward the hub of the propeller  11 ; 2) Jog OUT jogs the traverse slide bracket  28  out away from the hub  12  of the propeller  11 ; 3) Enter Diameter box allows the operator to enter or select from a pull down menu the diameter of the propeller  11  being repaired; and 4) Move to Position will run the traverse slide bracket  28  to the position entered in the Enter Radius box or the Select Radii % box. 
   The Traverse Radius display  62  in  FIG. 10  simply displays the current position of the traverse slide  26 . The operator can use this display to find the diameter of the prop if it is not known. It is recommended that the operator jog the laser sensor  25  by using the jog commands for the rotary servomotor  31  and traverse slide motor  27  to the edge of the blade  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 . The operator can also turn the rotary servomotor  31  and traverse slide motor  27  off and pull the laser sensor  25  out to the edge of the propeller  11  by hand. Once in this position the value is shown in this display. The value in this display is measuring the radius of the propeller  11  so the operator will need to multiply this value by two (2) to achieve the diameter of the propeller  11 . 
   The Laser Displacement  79  in  FIG. 10  has a laser measurement display and a quick pitch measurement from two points. The Mem P 1  and Mem P 2  indicated in  FIG. 10  commands  87  are used to store the laser measurement and position of the rotary servomotor  31  between two points. Once these two points was stored in memory then the operator can click on the Cal Pitch in  FIG. 10  and the pitch between these two points will be calculated and displayed in the box  89  in  FIG. 10 . The Clear button when clicked will clear the memory of the two points that has been stored. 
   The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               PARTS LIST 
             
           
        
         
             
               Part Number 
               Description 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               10 
               propeller measuring system 
             
             
               11 
               propeller 
             
             
               12 
               hub 
             
             
               13 
               blade 
             
             
               14 
               blade 
             
             
               15 
               blade 
             
             
               16 
               blade 
             
             
               17 
               support 
             
             
               18 
               conical outer surface 
             
             
               19 
               conical socket 
             
             
               20 
               apparatus 
             
             
               21 
               vertical shaft 
             
             
               22 
               conical outer surface 
             
             
               23 
               arrow 
             
             
               24 
               handle 
             
             
               25 
               laser displacement sensor 
             
             
               26 
               slide 
             
             
               27 
               motor drive 
             
             
               28 
               bracket 
             
             
               29 
               threaded shaft 
             
             
               30 
               arrow 
             
             
               31 
               motor drive 
             
             
               32 
               gear box 
             
             
               33 
               drive shaft 
             
             
               34 
               bevel gear 
             
             
               35 
               bevel gear 
             
             
               36 
               shaft 
             
             
               37 
               bearing 
             
             
               38 
               first circle 
             
             
               39 
               first circle 
             
             
               40 
               laser beam 
             
             
               41 
               target 
             
             
               42 
               optical path 
             
             
               43 
               arrow 
             
             
               44 
               sleeve 
             
             
               45 
               customer 
             
             
               46 
               text box 
             
             
               47 
               required fields 
             
             
               48 
               personal notes 
             
             
               49 
               save new customer 
             
             
               50 
               exit 
             
             
               51 
               prop jobs 
             
             
               52 
               current reference 
             
             
               53 
               laser reading 
             
             
               54 
               note 
             
             
               55 
               set laser reference 
             
             
               56 
               exit 
             
             
               57 
               note 
             
             
               58 
               job information 
             
             
               59 
               prop information 
             
             
               60 
               measurement configuration 
             
             
               61 
               text box 
             
             
               62 
               traverse radius 
             
             
               63 
               check box 
             
             
               64 
               radii scan 
             
             
               65 
               save new job 
             
             
               66 
               job information status bar 
             
             
               67 
               exit 
             
             
               68 
               propeye scan 
             
             
               69 
               job setup parameters 
             
             
               70 
               real time indicators 
             
             
               71 
               gage commands 
             
             
               72 
               repair status 
             
             
               73 
               repair status/results 
             
             
               74 
               message box 
             
             
               75 
               view select part 
             
             
               76 
               manual 
             
             
               77 
               laser rotate axis 
             
             
               78 
               laser traverse axis 
             
             
               79 
               laser displacement 
             
             
               80 
               rotary master commands 
             
             
               81 
               rotary motion 
             
             
               82 
               hint box 
             
             
               83 
               rotary angle 
             
             
               84 
               laser transverse axis 
             
             
               85 
               traverse master commands 
             
             
               86 
               traverse motion 
             
             
               87 
               MEM P1/MEM P2 commands 
             
             
               88 
               cal pitch 
             
             
               89 
               curved line 
             
             
               90 
               curved line 
             
             
               91 
               curved line 
             
             
               92 
               curved line 
             
             
               93 
               radial line 
             
             
               94 
               radial line 
             
             
               95 
               radial line 
             
             
               96 
               selected class 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
   The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.