US 2001.

0024927A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2001/0024927 A1
Garvin et al. (43) Pub. Date: Sep. 27, 2001
(54) IN PLACE SUPERFINISHING OF (52) U.S. Cl. ................................. 451/1; 451/163; 451/56
CRANKSHAFT THRUST BEARING FACES

(76) Inventors: Douglas Garvin, Fairview, PA (US); (57) ABSTRACT

Floyd Curry, Fairview, PA (US)
Correspondence Address: An apparatus for the in Situ Superfinishing of crankshaft
Cantor Colburn LLP thrust bearing Surfaces includes an oscillator, an oscillation
55 Griffin Road South arm connected to the OScillator Such that the oscillation arm
Bloomfield, CT 06002 (US) is reciprocable by the Oscillator, a caliper disposed on the
(21) Appl. No.: 09/811,665 oscillation arm remote from the oscillator, and at least two
abrasive pads disposed on the caliper. The oscillation arm
(22) Filed: Mar. 21, 2001 facilitates the extension of the arm into the engine to cause
the abrasive pads to engage the bearing and to abrasively
Related U.S. Application Data Superfinish the Surfaces of the bearing. A method for the in
(63) Non-provisional of provisional application No. Situ Superfinishing of the Surfaces of the bearing includes
60/190,826, filed on Mar. 21, 2000.
operably locating a Superfinishing apparatus adjacent the
engine, extending the abrasive pads into the engine, causing
Publication Classification the abrasive pads to engage the Surfaces to be Superfinished,
and Oscillating the abrasive pads in contact with the Surfaces
(51) Int. Cl. ................................ B24B 1700; B24B 7/00 to be Superfinished.
Patent Application Publication Sep. 27, 2001 Sheet 1 of 3 US 2001/0024927 A1
Patent Application Publication Sep. 27, 2001 Sheet 2 of 3 US 2001/0024927 A1

- - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
l
Patent Application Publication Sep. 27, 2001 Sheet 3 of 3 US 2001/0024927 A1
US 2001/0024927 A1
IN PLACE SUPERFINISHING OF CRANKSHAFT
THRUST BEARING FACES
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION
0001. This application claims the benefit of U.S. provi
sional patent application Ser. No. 60/190,826 filed Mar. 21,
2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
0002 Some engine componentry, particularly crank
shafts and thrust bearings, oftentimes requires Surface fin
ishes of higher quality than Surface finishes of other engine
components. The finishing, or "Superfinishing,” of Such
engine componentry has been effectuated in the related art
by removing the Subject component from the engine, fiX
turing the part, and applying an oscillatory motion of a
Superfinishing Stone to the part. The Superfinishing Stone is
appropriately geometrically and abrasively formed. The
engagement of the Superfinishing Stone and the Subject
component and the oscillatory motion of the Stone on the
Surface of the component creates the desired Surface finish.
PreSSure applied to the Surface through the Stone is adjust
able depending upon the desired final finish, thereby allow
ing extremely high quality finishing to be achieved.
0003) Devices of the related art available for the Super
finishing of Surfaces generally require that the particular
component to be finished be removed from the machine
before the finishing process can be executed. The time
required for Superfinishing of the componentry of the
machine generally results in a considerable amount of
downtime of the operation of the machine. A significant
amount of Such downtime is often attributed to the disas
Sembly of the machinery in order to allow the components
requiring Superfinishing to be removed therefrom. Other
downtime is attributable to the Superfinishing operation
itself as well as the reassembly of the machinery. Such
downtime may significantly increase the overall costs asso
ciated with the machine.
SUMMARY
0004. An apparatus for the in situ Superfinishing of
crankshaft thrust bearing Surfaces is described herein. The
apparatus includes an oscillator, an oscillation arm con
nected to the OScillator Such that the oscillation arm is
reciprocable by the OScillator, a caliper disposed on the
oscillation arm in a location remote from the Oscillator, and
at least two abrasive pads disposed on the caliper. The
oscillation arm is configured, positioned, and dimensioned
to facilitate the extension of the arm into the engine to cause
the abrasive pads to engage the bearing. The abrasive pads
are configured to abrasively Superfinish the Surfaces of the
bearing.
0005. A method for the in situ Superfinishing of the
Surfaces of the bearing includes operably locating a Super
finishing apparatus adjacent the engine, extending the abra
Sive pads into the engine, causing the abrasive pads to
engage the Surfaces to be Superfinished, and oscillating the
abrasive pads in contact with the Surfaces to be Superfin
ished.
Sep. 27, 2001
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
0006 FIG. 1 is a schematic end view of a crankshaft and
thrust bearing with an in Situ Superfinishing apparatus
mounted on the exterior of the engine wall
0007 FIG. 2 is a side view of the oscillation arm.
O008) FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the oscillation arm.
0009) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the caliper.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
0010 Referring to FIG. 1, a crankshaft assembly is
shown generally at 8. Crankshaft assembly 8 comprises a
crankshaft 10 positioned adjacent to an inner wall of an
engine block 12 of an engine (not shown) into which
crankshaft assembly 8 is incorporated. Crankshaft 10 pro
vides articulated movement to connecting rods and pistons
(not shown) of the engine during operation thereof. A thrust
bearing 14 is maintained in operable association with crank
shaft 10.
0011. An in situ Superfinishing apparatus for use with
crankshaft assembly 8 is shown generally at 15 and is
hereinafter referred to as "Superfinishing apparatus 15.”
Superfinishing apparatus 15 comprises an oscillator arm 24,
a caliper 36 extending Substantially coaxially from one end
of oscillator arm 24 and mounted thereon via pins 40, and
abrasive pads 42 disposed on an end of caliper 36 distal from
oscillator arm 24. Abrasive pads 42 are maintained in
mechanical communication with thrust bearing 14. An
opposing end of oscillator arm 24 extends through an outer
wall of engine block 12 and includes an oscillator 22
mounted thereon. An adjuster Support, shown generally at
20, is disposed on OScillator arm 24 intermediate oscillator
22 and the outer wall of engine block 12. Adjuster Support
20 is pivotally mounted to the outer wall of engine block 12
using a pin 19 extending therethrough. Ends of pin 19 are
secured by a clevis 18 mounted on a bracket 16. Pivotal
adjustment of adjuster Support 20 is effectuated by the
repositioning of a Set Screw 21 disposed through adjuster
support 20 and mounted into bracket 16. The degree of
lateral movement of oscillator arm 24 depends upon the
length of pin 19 along which adjuster support 20 can
laterally translate as well as the width of adjuster Support 20.
The range of lateral movement is preferably about one half
to two inches. Operative portions of oscillator 22 are fixedly
connected to oscillation arm by fasteners (not shown)
extending through oscillator 22.
0012 Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, oscillation arm 24
is illustrated in greater detail. Oscillator arm 24 is fabricated
from a lightweight material Such as aluminum and com
prises an attachment end 28 through which holes 26 extend,
an extension Section 30 disposed on attachment end 28, and
a caliper attachment Section 32 disposed on extension Sec
tion 30. Caliper attachment 32 is an offset clevis having an
opening 34 appropriately dimensioned to receive the caliper.
Pin openings 38 extend through the offset clevis to provide
acceSS for the pins that connect the caliper to caliper
attachment 32. The dimensions of the offset clevis and an
opening 34 thereof are Such that the caliper can be main
tained on caliper attachment Section 32 with Some degree of
play between the caliper and the defining Surfaces of the
offset clevis. Tolerances between the outer Surfaces of the
pins and pin openings 38 are Such that the pins may axially
US 2001/0024927 A1
rotate in pin openings 38, thereby enhancing the flexibility
of the caliper relative to oscillation arm 24.
0013 Referring now to FIG. 4, caliper 36 is shown in
greater detail. Caliper 36 comprises a first caliper finger 36a
and a Second caliper finger 36b, each being individually
connected to caliper attachment Section 32 by a pin extend
ing through a corresponding pin opening 38. Caliper fingers
36a, 36b are spacedly arranged to enable each abrasive pad
42 to maintain mechanical communication with respective
opposing Surfaces of the thrust bearing. Materials of con
struction of caliper fingers 36a, 36b include, but are not
limited to, aluminum and other lightweight materials having
rigidity Sufficient to reduce the effects of cantilevered weight
on the oscillator.
0.014 Caliper fingers 36a, 36b are furthermore biased
together with a biasing element. The biasing element, as
shown in FIG. 4, comprises an arrangement of tension
Springs 44 disposed between each caliper finger 36a, 36b.
Tension Springs 44 are sized for caliper 36 to provide a
tensile force Selected for maintaining appropriate frictional
communication between each abrasive pad 42 and its
respective Surface for which finishing is desired. The tensile
force provided by the arrangement of tension Springs 44 is
selected such that between about 3 and about 5 lb/in of
compressive force is maintained on abrasive pads 42 when
abrasive pads 42 are maintained in operable contact with the
thrust bearing. Providing the finishing force at caliper 3610
utilizing the biasing element reduces bending movement that
would otherwise be required along the oscillation arm,
thereby deflecting Such bending movement from the oscil
lation arm and imposing the Stresses associated there with on
the Oscillator itself and its bracketry. By avoiding Such
bending movement, a much simpler design can be realized
while Superior finishing characteristics can be maintained.
0.015 Abrasive pads 42 comprise an abrasive material
disposed on a backing material. The abrasive material is
generally finely graded diamond particles Securely anchored
to the backing material with a metal plated bond or resin
bond. Abrasive pads 42 are dimensioned to enable operation
of the Superfinishing apparatus in a Space having clearance
of less than about ys inches. Such abrasive pads are known
as flexible diamond products and are commercially available
from various suppliers including 3M in Minneapolis, Minn.
0016 Referring back to FIG. 1, the operation of Super
finishing apparatus 15 is described. The rotational motion of
crankshaft 10 during operation of the engine necessitates the
rotational motion of thrust bearing 14. Caliper 36 extends
from caliper attachment Section 32 Such that mechanical
communication can be maintained between abrasive pads 42
disposed on the caliper fingers and the outer Surfaces of
thrust bearing 14. The biasing element effectuates the
mechanical communication to ensure that frictional contact
is maintained between abrasive pads 42 and the outer
Surfaces of thrust bearing 14. Upon rotation of thrust bearing
14 and the oscillation of oscillation arm 24, the frictional
contact between abrasive pads 42 and the outer Surfaces of
thrust bearing 14 causes the Superfinishing of the Surfaces of
thrust bearing 14. Because of the flexibility provided in
caliper attachment 32 via pins 40 disposed in the pin
openings, caliper 36 is Self-centering with respect to thrust
bearing 14. Self-centering of caliper 36 necessitates the
equal application of pressure by abrasive pads 42 to the
Sep. 27, 2001
Surfaces of thrust bearing 14, thereby ensuring that a proper
and even finish is applied to thrust bearing 14.
0017 While the invention has been described with ref
erence to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and
equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the Scope of the invention. In addition,
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the invention without departing
from the essential Scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended
that the invention not be limited to the particular embodi
ment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying
out this invention, but that the invention will include all
embodiments falling within the Scope of the appended
claims.
1. An in Situ Surface Superfinishing apparatus, comprising:
an oscillator;
an oscillation arm connected to Said oscillator Such that
Said oscillation arm is reciprocated by Said oscillator,
Said oscillation arm being configured, positioned, and
dimensioned to facilitate extension thereof into and
retraction thereof out of a remote location in a device
having Surfaces to be Superfinished;
a caliper disposed on Said oscillation arm, Said caliper
being located remote from Said oscillator; and
at least two abrasive pads disposed on Said caliper,
adjacent to each other and mounted under a bias into
engagement with the Surfaces, said abrasive pads being
configured to abrasively Superfinish Said Surfaces to be
Superfinished upon reciprocation of the arm.
2. The in Situ Surface Superfinishing apparatus as claimed
in claim 1 wherein Said abrasive pads are positioned on Said
caliper Such that abrasive Surfaces of Said abrasive pads are
configured to opposedly face each other.
3. The in Situ Surface Superfinishing apparatus as claimed
in claim 2 wherein Said abrasive pads are biased toward each
other by Said caliper.
4. The in Situ Surface Superfinishing apparatus as claimed
in claim 1 wherein Said caliper includes at least two fingers
and wherein each of Said at least two abrasive pads are
located on a corresponding finger of Said caliper.
5. The in Situ Surface Superfinishing apparatus as claimed
in claim 4 wherein Said at least two fingers are biased toward
each other with a biasing element.
6. The in Situ Surface Superfinishing apparatus as claimed
in claim 5 wherein Said biasing element is a Spring.
7. The in Situ Surface Superfinishing apparatus as claimed
in claim 1 wherein Said caliper is flexibly connected to Said
oscillation arm.
8. The in Situ Surface Superfinishing apparatus as claimed
in claim 7 wherein Said caliper is Self-aligning with respect
to a Surface to be Superfinished.
9. The in Situ Surface Superfinishing apparatus as claimed
in claim 3 wherein Said caliper applies a finishing force to
Said at least two abrasive pads.
10. An apparatus for Superfinishing a Surface in an engine,
the apparatus comprising:
means for causing an abrasive pad to engage the Surface;
and
US 2001/0024927 A1
means for oscillating Said abrasive pad while Said abra
Sive pad is in frictional contact with the Surface.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for
causing Said abrasive pad to engage the Surface comprises an
arm having Said abrasive pad disposed thereon, Said arm
being mounted on an outer Surface of the engine and
extending inside the engine to engage the Surface to be
Superfinished.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein Said arm comprises
a caliper, Said caliper having Said abrasive pad mounted
thereon.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein Said caliper
comprises a first caliper finger and a Second caliper finger,
Said first caliper finger having a first abrasive pad disposed
thereon and Said Second caliper finger having a Second
abrasive pad disposed thereon.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first caliper
finger and Said Second caliper finger are biased together to
apply opposing compressive forces to the Surface to be
Superfinished through Said first abrasive pad and Said Second
abrasive pad.
Sep. 27, 2001
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first caliper
finger and Said Second caliper finger are biased together with
a tension Spring.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein Said caliper is
Self-centering on the Surface to be Superfinished.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for
oscillating Said abrasive pad while Said abrasive pad is in
frictional contact with the Surface comprises an oscillator.
18. A method for in Situ Superfinishing of Surfaces in an
engine, the method comprising:
locating a Superfinishing device operably adjacent the
engine;
extending at least two abrasive pads into the engine;
causing Said at least two abrasive pads to engage a Surface
to be Superfinished; and
oscillating Said at least two abrasive pads in contact with
Said Surface to be Superfinished.
k k k k k