Systems and methods for honing a shaft

Abstract

A system for honing a shaft is provided. The system includes a rod having an axis and a head coupleable to the rod. The system also includes a drive motor coupleable to the rod such that the rod and the head are rotatable via the drive motor. The system further includes a linear actuator coupleable to the rod such that the rod and the head are translatable along the axis while being rotated via the drive motor.

1 . A system for honing a shaft, said system comprising:
 a rod having an axis;   a head coupleable to said rod;   a drive motor coupleable to said rod such that said rod and said head are rotatable via said drive motor; and   a linear actuator coupleable to said rod such that said rod and said head are translatable along the axis while being rotated via said drive motor.   
     
     
         2 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a pedestal on which said rod is supportable, said drive motor coupled to said pedestal such that said pedestal and said drive motor are stationary when said rod and said head translate along the axis. 
     
     
         3 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said linear actuator is a mechanical linear actuator. 
     
     
         4 . A system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said linear actuator comprises a servomotor and a steering roller pivotably coupled to said servomotor. 
     
     
         5 . A system in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising a drive roller rotatably coupled to said drive motor, said rod positionable between said drive roller and said steering roller. 
     
     
         6 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a truss to which said rod is coupleable such that said rod and said head are supportable by said truss. 
     
     
         7 . A system in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising a pedestal to which said truss is coupleable such that said truss is supportable by said pedestal, said pedestal comprising a linear actuator by which a vertical position of said truss is adjustable when said truss is coupled to said pedestal. 
     
     
         8 . A system in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a fluid reservoir and at least one conduit coupleable between said head and said fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . A method for honing a shaft, said method comprising:
 coupling an adapter to the shaft;   operating a drive motor to rotate a rod having a head coupled thereto; and   operating a linear actuator to translate the rod and the head along an axis of the rod while the rod and the head are rotated via the drive motor.   
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising operating the linear actuator to oscillate the rod and the head back-and-forth along the axis. 
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising operating a pump to supply a fluid to the head. 
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising discharging a liquid from the head onto an inner surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , further comprising draining the discharged liquid from the shaft into a sump while the rod and the head are rotating. 
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising operating a pneumatic actuator within the head to seat a plurality of abrasive elements against an inner surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising:
 detaching the head from the rod; and   coupling another head to the rod.   
     
     
         16 . A drive assembly for rotating and translating a rod, said drive assembly comprising:
 a drive motor;   a servomotor;   at least one drive roller rotatably coupled to said drive motor; and   at least one steering roller having a roller axis about which said at least one steering roller is rotatable, said at least one steering roller coupled to said servomotor such that said at least one steering roller is pivotable via said servomotor about a pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to said roller axis, wherein said at least one steering roller is spaced apart from said at least one drive roller to define a passage sized to receive the shaft.   
     
     
         17 . A drive assembly in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said at least one drive roller comprises a first drive roller and a second drive roller oriented substantially parallel to one another in spaced-apart relation to receive the shaft in the passage such that the shaft is positioned between said drive rollers. 
     
     
         18 . A drive assembly in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said at least one steering roller comprises a first steering roller and a second steering roller that are pivotable via said servomotor. 
     
     
         19 . A drive assembly in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said steering rollers are coaxially alignable via said servomotor. 
     
     
         20 . A drive assembly in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said steering rollers are pivotable in parallel via said servomotor.