Patent ID: 8793856

Claim:
An alignment tool for a pitch link having a first rod end, a second rod end, and an adjustment member, the alignment tool comprising: a first pitch link retainer for receiving the first rod end of the pitch link, and a second pitch link retainer for receiving the second rod end of the pitch link, wherein each of the first and second retainers comprises an alignment surface, and wherein the distance between the first retainer and the second retainer is adjustable to accommodate the length of the pitch link; and a measurement system for measuring the displacement of the second rod end from the adjustment member, comprising a first measurement reference point fixedly associated with the first retainer, and a second measurement reference point fixedly associated with the second retainer, wherein the displacement between the first measurement reference point and the second measurement reference point may be measured; wherein the alignment surfaces are oriented at different angles relative to one another and are configured to align the first rod end at a predetermined angle relative to the second rod end; and wherein the overall length of the alignment tool is variable.