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J European Patent Office

Publication number: 0 4**%g\
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Office europeen des brevets

EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

Date of publication of patent specification: 13.12.95 Int. CI.6: F27B 7/20, F27D 2 1 / 0 0 ,
G01B 1 1 / 2 7
Application number: 90310634.2

@ Date of filing: 28.09.90

Hot kiln alignment system

Priority: 29.09.89 CA 614456 Proprietor: HARTCO ENGINEERING INC.,

72 Tapscott Rd.,
@ Date of publication of application: Unit 2
03.04.91 Bulletin 91/14 Scarborough,
Ontario M1B 3G7 (CA)
Publication of the grant of the patent:
13.12.95 Bulletin 95/50 Inventor: Gebhart, Walter M.
Hartco Engineering Inc.,
Designated Contracting States: 72 Tapscott Road, Unit 2
AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI LU NL SE Scarborough,
Ontario M1B 3G7 (CA)
References cited:
EP-A- 0 113 552
US-A- 3 902 810 Representative: Dempster, Benjamin John
Naftel et al
Withers & Rogers
4 Dyer's Buildings,
Holborn
London EC1N 2JT (GB)

00
00
CO
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person

may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition
CL shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee
LU has been paid (Art. 99(1) European patent convention).
Rank Xerox (UK) Business Services
(3. 10/3.09/3.3.3)
 1 EP 0 420 663 B1
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention is directed to a surveying pro-
cess and apparatus for carrying out the process. In
particular the surveying process is directed to tak-
ing alignment measurements of a rotary kiln, in-
cluding use of the method with a hot, operating
kiln.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hot kilns are used in carrying out a large
number of economically important processes.
Owing to the nature of the process for which
they are used such kilns may attain lengths as
great as six hundred feet and be supported by
annular tires carried on rollers, mounted upon piers
as high as seventy feet above the ground.
The steel vessel constituting the kiln is rela-
tively thin walled, being usually lined with a refrac-
tory lining to protect the walls of the vessel and to
provide a protective thermal gradient to the kiln.
The kiln shell is quite flexible, as a consequence.
Owing to the size of such kilns the daily
throughput is of such value that shutdown of a kiln
is to be avoided at all costs.
The construction of high temperature kilns ne-
cessitates provision being made for expansion of
the shell, relative to its supporting tires. For this
reason the tires generally fit loosely on the shell.
The "looseness" of the arrangement is further
complicated by wear that takes place in the sup-
porting rollers, on which the tires are carried, and
the susceptibility of the supporting piers, in many
instances, to swaying during operation of the kiln.
As a consequence of these and other factors
such kilns get out line, in that intermediate portions
of the kiln do not rotate coaxially with other por-
tions of the shell. This misaligned condition intro-
duces unnecessary, but frequently unavoidable
stresses, particularly in the thin walled shell, which
are potentially destructive thereto.
In order to ameliorate this condition it is the
aim of many existing methods to determine the
centre of rotation at differing axial locations along a
kiln, to permit compensating adjustment to be
made to the rolls on which the kiln tires are sup-
ported, without shutting the kiln down, so as to
bring the kiln into more close approximation of a
single rotational axis.
The foregoing enunciated difficulties are com-
pounded by the fact that kiln shells frequently
exhibit dynamic ovality, in the running of the flexi-
ble shell within the stiffer tire.
Prior methods include sighting off side vertical
tangents and the bottom dead centre of the tire,
2
but could not effectively compensate for uneven
wear over both the tires and the supporting rollers.
Wear also takes place between the tire and its
supporting pads, or the tire and the shell, which
5 wear may destroy the concentricity of the construc-
tion.
The importance of an effective on-stream align-
ment measuring scheme is that, if of sufficient
accuracy, it permits effective preventive mainten-
io ance to be carried out, to minimize kiln wear and
damage.
Certain prior art hot kiln alignment measure-
ment schemes exist, such as "Alignment of Rotary
Kilns and correction of Roller Settings During Op-
75 eration", B. Krystowczyk, Bromberg, Poland 1983,
published Zement-Kalk-Gips Translation ZKG No.
5/83 (p.p. 288-292). This method uses an optical
plumb to sight off vertical tangents to the kiln tires.
The method suffers from inaccuracies due to vari-
20 ations in the tire to shell clearances.
The method is totally manual, and requires
working closely adjacent to hot kiln surfaces, and is
limited by human response times in the rate of
taking readings as the kiln rotates.
25 In the case of faster rotating hot calciner kilns
these can prove to be serious drawbacks. The
method also requires the simultaneous taking of
readings by three individuals, which again limits
both speed and accuracy of applying the method.
30 The method further required a determination of
the gaps existing between the tires and the kiln
shell at the respective measuring spots, if de-
sireable accuracy is to be achieved, as it is an
improvement to the trueness of the shell to which
35 the process is usually directed.
Another process involves the use of a laser
theodolite and a second theodolite having their
outputs connected with a computer. The laser
theodolite is focussed at a point on the face of the
40 surveyed tire, and the second theodolite, from a
different location, is also focussed on the laser
illuminated spot. The computer digests the respec-
tive angles of the theodolites and provides three
dimensional x.y and z axis coordinates as the ad-
45 dress for the instantaneous target, during rotation
of the kiln. In addition to requiring multiple vantage
points for viewing the tire, this method requires that
the instruments be set up and calibrated a number
of times, relative to a selected, single originating
50 point. This system appears related to a similar
system that has been used with considerable ad-
vantage in erecting large static structures such as
chimney stacks, buildings and rocket launchers.
However, its adaption to a dynamic target such
55 as a kiln wherein the supporting piers may be
moving as a consequence of the dynamic and shell
reaction forces generated, has been less than
straightforward. The time required to set up the
2
 3 EP 0 420 663 B1
system is somewhat prohibitive, and the results
achieved are barely adequate. Thus, the cost and
complexity of this prior system has limited its ap-
plicability and popularity, with regard to kiln hot
alignment.
A yet further process apparently adopted in
response to the Krystowczyk method includes the
use of plumb lines draped over the rotating tires, to
determine their positions as vertical tangents rela-
tive to an established centre line datum.
The adoption of such manipulations has tended
to reduce the credibility of hot alignment of kilns in
the eyes of users.
In considering the prior art systems, it will be
understood that kiln internal temperatures as high
as 3000 degrees F require that measurements to
be made external to the kiln.
Most prior methods basically rely upon external
procedures, for measurements involving measuring
the diameter of the kiln supporting tires; the diam-
eter of the tire supporting rolls; the gaps between
the tire and kiln shell; and, the spacing between the
respective supporting rolls. Using these measured
values the location of the kiln centre is establishes
geometrically.
However, it must be born in mind that typically
the kiln tires may be as wide as two to three feet
axial width, and the supporting rollers may be three
to four feet in axial width. However, these items
wear in service, the tires becoming convex sur-
faced, the rollers concave surfaced. As a con-
sequence, the accuracy and constancy of mea-
surements is highly suspect. Also, the kiln structure
is temperature sensitive, so that thermal changes
may effect significant variations in the relationships
between the respective moving parts, some of
which are directly influenced by kiln temperature,
and others, such as the supporting rollers, much
less so.
In further considering the background to kiln
operation, including implications stemming from
their design, it will be appreciated that the kiln
supports, located at selected positions along its
length , are intended to achieve even loading.
Factors such as variations in refractory lining thick-
ness, due to different temperatures and wear rates,
variations in shell plate and tire thicknesses, non-
uniformity in the travelling kiln load, variation in the
thickness of internal coating of the refractory etc.,
may cause variations in load shell stiffness and
ovality, and changing deflections at the supports
which generally develop during the operation of a
kiln.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there
is provided a method of determining the location of
4
a long, substantially cylindrical body, during rota-
tion thereof substantially about its polar axis, hav-
ing the features of claim 1.
The method includes determining the location
5 of both sides of the body during its rotation, in
relation to at least one fixed datum, to establish the
mean centre of rotation relative to that datum.
The method relies upon the making of direct
measurements on the location in space of external
io surface portions of the shell, namely the shell itself,
or the annular ring of pads secured to the shell
outer surface, upon which the kiln tires bear.
The establishment of the location of each side
of the kiln during rotation generally involves the
is taking of a series of lateral distance readings at
predetermined intervals during rotation of the body,
which lateral readings may be averaged in order to
provide a mean lateral distance to the targeted side
of the body, from the point of measurement. These
20 readings may then be corrected, relative to a fixed
datum.
Repetition of these series of readings may be
carried out for selected stations located at axial
intervals along the length of the body, to permit the
25 distance from the datum, as a mean value, to be
obtained for each such station. Reading locations
on the shell surface, or on tire support pads lo-
cated adjacent the tires, are usually chosen.
Repetition of this process along the opposite
30 side of the body, at the same axial stations, per-
mits calculation of the respective mean centre line
location at each station, from a selected common
datum line or lines.
Positioning of the distance reading device
35 away from the piers on which the kiln supporting
rollers are carried serves to eliminate the effects of
pier sway.
Recording of readings electronically permits
readings to be taken of sufficient accuracy to en-
40 compass distance variations due to variations of
the surface curvature of the shell, providing an
enhanced and simplified method of determination.
In accordance with the present invention there
is also provided an apparatus according to claim
45 13, in which distance readings are taken using
diode laser linear displacement type instrument or
sonic or other equivalent located on the supporting
piers, and reading at points on the surface of the
kiln shell, or on the machined riding ring pads,
50 which carry the supporting tire. These surfaces are
oriented normally to the instrument.
Owing to the use of an electronic recording
instrument such as a micro computer connected
with such a short range diode laser or equivalent,
55 continuous or pulsed distance measurements may
be taken, to provide a comprehensive shell profile
for the selected station.
3
 5 EP 0 420 663 B1
As an example, in the case of the riding tire
pads, at a kiln rotational speed as high as three
revolutions per minute, with, typically, 36 pads
equally spaced about the kiln circumference, by
use of a microprocessor coupled to the diode laser,
several readings for each pad may be obtained and
logged electronically, during the fraction of a sec-
ond for passage of the pad surface opposite, and
normal to, the beam of the diode laser.
In the preferred embodiment a theodolite is
first located in a reference plane, established be-
tween a pair of spaced apart targets, by taking
sightings from the theodolite to the targets. Next,
the theodolite is brought into registry with a gradu-
ated horizontal scale secured to the diode laser,
and focussed upon a gradation on that scale. The
theodolite is now, by manual adjustment, held in its
registry with the diode laser horizontal scale. Ad-
justments to maintain such registry are read out
automatically, and transmitted as correction values
to the microporcessor, or other recording means,
so as to tie the diode laser to its fixed datum plane.
Thus, in the preferred embodiment the instan-
taneous location of the diode laser itself is re-
corded, using a theodolite positioned upon, or in
known relation with an established datum plane, to
read the diode laser position.
From readings thus obtained, the actual dis-
tance of the mean centre line from a preferred
datum may be readily calculated, for each of a
selected series of axial stations, referred to above.
Selecting a desired origin for the kiln theoreti-
cal centre line, the respective existing deviations
from the theoretical centre line may then be cal-
culated, and the respective supporting rollers or
bearings may be repositioned, to bring the kiln to a
new and improved alignment.
The process generally includes obtaining ele-
vation values, by readings taken off bottom dead
centre positions along the kiln, corresponding to
the lateral reading stations, in lateral alignment
therewith, in order to establish a mean centre line
elevation profile. This elevational centre line is usu-
ally inclined from the horizontal, in accordance with
kiln inclination, in order for the kiln to carry out its
product feed function.
In carrying out the vertical measurements to
the kiln the diode laser, functioning in a vertical
orientation, is located at a respective work station,
at the bottom dead centre (BDC) position, some
inches below the kiln shell. From this position the
desired distance readings are taken.
A lateral reference, to provide a horizontal da-
tum plane for the diode laser is achieved by use of
an auto level in conjunction with a fixed vertical
elevation scale. The auto level is aligned with the
reading plane of the diode laser and the vertical
scale then read.
6
Thus, as the diode laser is measuring vertically
to the shell or to the ring pads, as the case may
be, the auto level is read, being focussed upon the
fixed vertical elevation scale. This scale is of suffi-
5 cient height to encourage the full range of vertical
reading positions for all the kiln work stations. The
auto level establishes the datum plane, relative to
the diode laser, by which the diode laser readings
are corrected to the common horizontal reference
io plane thus established.
Thus there is provided a method of determin-
ing the location of a rotating, substantially cylin-
drical body during the rotation thereof about its
polar axis, having previously established a plurality
is of measuring stations in mutually spaced relation
along one side of the body, characterized by the
steps of:
a) establishing a first datum plane, preferably
parallel with the body longitudinal axis, having
20 visual access to the measuring station, and ex-
tending for at least a portion of the length of the
body;
b) locating a distance measuring radiant beam
instrument successively at each measuring sta-
25 tion;
c) operating the distance measuring instrument
at each station at predetermined intervals, dur-
ing rotation of the kiln to provide readings of
distance from the instrument to predetermined
30 surface portions of the body aligned normal to
the instrument and positioned about the body;
d) determining the off-set distance from the first
datum plane to the measuring instrument, at
each position of use; and,
35 e) obtaining a mean value of the distance read-
ings during rotation of the body, corrected for
instrument off-set distance, to give a mean value
of distance from the first datum plane to the
surface of the body.
40 The method further extends to include estab-
lishing a second datum plane, preferably parallel
with the first datum plane and a predetermined
distance therefrom, on the other side of the body;
carrying out the foregoing steps b) through e), to
45 provide mean values for distance readings, cor-
rected for instrument off-set relative to the second
datum plane, between the body surface and the
second datum plane, at measuring stations in lat-
eral alignment with the previously used measuring
50 stations on the opposite side of the body; and
calculating the distance of the mean centre of the
body from one of the datum planes for each of the
axial station locations, using the established data
and the distance between the first and second
55 datum planes.
In addition to the foregoing the method further
includes the steps of determining the vertical dis-
tance from an established third datum plane ex-
4
 7 EP 0 420 663 B1
tending below the bottom dead centre portion of
the body, in a fashion similar to the use of the first
and the second datum plane; orienting the radiant
beam instrument successively, at axially spaced
stations in lateral alignment with the aforemen-
tioned measuring stations, to measure vertically
from the instrument to the bottom dead centre
portion of the body, during rotation of the body;
and calculating the respective mean vertical dis-
tance of the means centre of the body from the
elevation datum plane.
In the preferred case, namely that of a rotary
kiln mounted upon at least three supporting annular
tires the aforesaid measuring station axial locations
are positioned in close axial proximity to the tires.
With the kiln being a heated kiln, and mounted
upon piers, the lateral measuring stations are pref-
erably mounted upon the piers, in a position to
permit upward viewing of the measuring station in
a vertical plane that includes the reference datum.
In carrying out the method using a diode laser
(DL) or equivalent for measuring the lateral and
vertical distances, a mini-computer may be used to
record the distance reading electronic outputs from
the DL distance measuring instrument. These read-
ings are simultaneously co-ordinated with readings
from a theodolite giving the off-set distance be-
tween the respective datum plane and the DL.
Owing to the low frequency and short amplitude or
pier motion, if any, the datum establishing
theodolite is kept focussed in fixed registry on a
fixed gradation on the diode laser datum correction
scale.
Lateral displacements of the DL in order to
maintain its registry with the scale selected grada-
tion is measured electronically as a digital readout,
and sent to the mini computer, as a correction to
the lateral distance reading outputs of the DL.
In calculating the mean distance R from a
selected datum to the kiln centre line, the formula
is used:
R = K1 + X + i [S-(K1 +K2 + X + X1]
where
K1 is the off-set distance from first datum plane
to instrument;
K2 is the off-set distance from second datum
plane to instrument;
X1 is the mean distance from instrument to the
adjacent shell surface;
X2 is the mean distance from the relocated
instrument to the adjacent shell surface; and,
S is the lateral distance between the first and
the second datum planes.
From a table showing R value for each of the
axial work stations, together with an E value, (for
elevation calculated values) the requisite correc-
8
tions, both lateral and vertical, to be applied to the
support bearings may be readily obtained.
In general, such R values would be adjusted in
relation to one fixed support, which would remain
5 unadjusted. The adjusted values, as algebraic dif-
ferences from the fixed support would represent
lateral corrections to be applied to the respective
other supports, necessary to bring the shell rota-
tional axis back into alignment.
io The vertical bearing corrections may be simi-
larly applied, due attention being paid to the re-
quired kiln gradient, to restore a true, unitary axis
of rotation.
The present invention further provides appara-
15 tus for determining the location of a body having a
generally cylindrical annular surface, during rotation
of the body, comprising a diode laser distance
measuring instrument for measuring from a pre-
determined location to an adjacent surface portion
20 of the body positioned normal to the instrument;
datum plane generating means for establishing a
predetermined vertical datum, including instrument
means positionable relative to the datum and
pivotable parallel with the datum plane, the diode
25 laser having indexed locating means related there-
to, to extend through the reference datum, being
readable by the instrument means, whereby the
projected distance from the body surface portion to
the datum comprises the algebraic sum of the
30 readings of the instruments.
The subject instruments, having electronic out-
puts therefrom, may be combined with electronic
recording means connected thereto, enabling re-
cording of simultaneous readings from the instru-
35 ments, and the recording of a multiplicity of such
reading during rotation of the annular surface.
In the preferred embodiment and method, the
theodolite means is maintained in continuous align-
ment with a registration on the indexed locating
40 means. As the theodolite is traversed laterally,
manually, to maintain the indexed registration, a
readout of its displacement is transmitted to the
recording means, to provide a continuous correc-
tion relating the diode laser to the datum plane.
45 The electronic recording means may comprise
a computer; and the datum generating means may
comprise a pair of theodolite targets in mutually
spaced apart relation, having the theodolite located
therebetween, for positioning the theodolite so as
50 to enable it to generate a desired reference plane.
As an alternative embodiment, a laser beam gener-
ator, generating a narrow, visible beam may be
used for locating the theodolite instrument in
aligned operative relation therewith, to establish the
55 desired reference plane.
5
 9 EP 0 420 663 B1
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Certain embodiments of the invention are de-
scribed by way of illustration, and without limitation
of the invention thereto, reference being made to
the accompanying drawings, wherein;
Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of typical
kiln arrangement;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the Figure 1 kiln,
indicating the arrangement of datum lines rela-
tive thereto;
Figure 3 is an end elevation showing a sche-
matic set up relating the distance measuring
radiant beam instrument to the respective verti-
cal and horizontal datum planes;
Figure 4 is an enlarged shcematic detail show-
ing tire pads and the radiant beam instrument;
Figure 5 is a typical shell profile graph showing
peripheral variation and the mean shell position,
and
Figure 6 is an enlarged portion of the Figure 5
graph, showing an indication of shell deviation
from the mean value.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a kiln 10,
being generally of a high length to diameter ratio,
is mounted upon piers 12, 14, 16, 18.
The shell 22 is carried by tires 24, which are
rotatably mounted on rollers 26.
The assembly is mounted atop the piers 12 to
18.
A radiant beam distance measuring device
comprising a medium distance diode laser 28,
mounted on tripod 30 is positioned at a suitable
location, such as pier 18.
A theodolite instrument 32 is positioned upon
the datum A-A or B-B, provided by a theodolite
targets 33, the datum A-A and datum B-B being
frequently made mutually parallel, and substantially
parallel to the polar axis of kiln 10, for convenience.
The theodolite 32 is pivotal vertically in the
plane containing reference datum A-A, enabling an
optical alignment scale 34 of the instrument 28 to
be read, so as to relate the instrument 28 directly
to the datum A-A, provided by projector 33, as
previously described, and referred to below.
The digital outputs from diode laser 28 and
theodolite 32 may be connected with a computer
36, enabling high speed, simultaneous read outs
by both instruments, in reading lateral distances to
the kiln 10, and to the datum A-A or B-B.
Figure 4 shows a typical arrangement of an
annular ring of pads 40, mounted on the outer
peripheral surface of the shell 22 of kiln 10. The
tires 24 are generally mounted, somewhat loosely,
upon the pads 40, which protrude axially from
10
beneath the tires 24. The pads 40, illustrated as
being thirty six in number, every third pad being
numbered in the illustration, can serve as reading
surfaces for the diode laser 28.
5 Figure 5 shows a typical plot for one revolution
of kiln 10.
Each of the pads 40 is clearly defined, owing
to he high reading rate of the automated instrumen-
tation.
io The mean value of reading, shown by line DD
and EE represent the mean or "true" position of
the pad surfaces, from which is obtained the values
of X and X1 , from which the value R is obtained.
It will be understood that a simple computer
is program may be provided, to give a direct com-
putational read out.
Alternatively, the control capability and storage
capacity of computer 36 may be used to operate
the system and provide graphic output as in Figure
20 5, by which the mean value may be obtained, and
the value of R calculated.
In operation, the datum plane base, or datum
lines may be laid down, even in extremely arduous
situations, to provide a reference grid to which the
25 outputs from the diode laser 28 may be readily
referenced, permitting ready determination of the
true location of the mean centre of rotation of the
mill.
This in turn makes readily possible the deter-
30 mination of the lateral correction to be applied to
each of the support bearings or roller arrange-
ments, for lateral correction to the kiln centre line.
It will be understood that the datum lines A-A
and B-B, and their respective vertical reference
35 planes do not require to be mutually parallel. It is
beneficial that the datum lines be made parallel, for
convenience, but this is not imperative.
The vertical distance readings are taken from a
reference datum CC, using the diode laser 28
40 focussed on the bottom dead centre i.e. lower most
pad surfaces. This yields a variation output akin to
Figure 5, whence the mean variation and the true
position of the rotational axis may be obtained.
The desired vertical correction to the support
45 rollers may be applied by appropriate change of
the distance between the rollers supporting the
respective bearing, to restore a substantially linear
common axis of rotation to the kiln 10.
In the case of a kiln of constant diameter and
50 uniform construction in regards both to plate thick-
ness and the supporting rolls, the effects of kiln
ovality may generally be neglected, as being sub-
stantially consistent, and therefore self-cancelling.
However, in the case of kilns wherein the shell
55 varies in diameter or construction, different rollers
are used at respective support bearings, or where
major thermal gradients exist, or other factors such
as wear, create ovality or unevenly distributed oval-
6
 11 EP 0 420 663 B1
ity, it may be preferable to take the ovality of the
kiln into account. This can be readily done by the
use of an ovality beam, which measure the change
in curvature of the shell for each revolution, at
selected longitudinal locations. The variations in
ovality are applied in a corrective sense to the
vertical readings, to ensure linearity of the rotating
polar axis, in the elevation view.
Claims
1. A method of determining the location of a long
substantially cylindrical body (22) during rota-
tion thereof about its polar axis, having pre-
viously determined a plurality of axial locations
(12, 14, 16, 18) other than the ends along the
length of said body, to establish a measuring
station adjacent the body at each location,
characterised by the steps of:
a) establishing a first datum (AA, BB), gen-
erally substantially parallel with the body
and external thereto, extending for at least a
portion of the length of the body;
b) locating a distance measuring, radiant
beam instrument (28) at a said measuring
station and located laterally between said
first datum (AA, BB) and said cylindrical
body (22), obtaining readings of the dis-
tance (X, Xi) from the instrument to the
surface of the body (22) aligned normal to
the instrument (28);
c) determining the distance (Ki , K2) from
said first datum to said measuring instru-
ment (28);
d) taking a plurality of said distance read-
ings (Xi , X) at predetermined intervals, dur-
ing rotation of the periphery of the body
(22) past said instrument (28), for said sta-
tion;
e) obtaining a mean value of said readings
(X, Xi ) to establish the mean distance from
said instrument to said body surface, and
f) correcting said mean value to establish
the distance between said first datum (AA,
BB) and said body surface.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1, further
including repeating the steps b) to f) for a
plurality of said predetermined axial locations
(12, 14, 16, 18) positioned along the length of
said body (22), to establish corrected mean
values of the respective distances of said body
from said datum at said axial locations.
3. The method as set forth in Claim 2, further
including establishing a second base datum
spaced on the opposite side of said body (22),
and located a predetermined distance from
12
said first datum; carrying out the steps a)
through f) for a second plurality of axial loca-
tions, each of said second axial locations being
located adjacent said second datum plane in
5 substantially transverse alignment with a re-
spective one of said first axial locations, to
establish the corrected mean values of the
respective distances from the second datum
plane to the adjacent side of said body; and
io calculating the distance of the mean centre of
said body from a said datum baseline for each
of said axial locations, by way of said estab-
lished mean distances.
is 4. The method as set forth in Claim 2, including
determining the vertical distance from the bot-
tom dead centre of said body (22) to an estab-
lished third datum plane (CC), located beneath
said long body (22), in substitution of said first
20 datum; orienting said instrument at a said pre-
determined location at said bottom dead cen-
tre, in lateral alignment with said axial stations
to measure vertically to said rotating body at
predetermined rotational intervals, to establish
25 the means distance to said body from said
instrument; utilizing previously obtained later-
ally directed measurements for the same said
axial locations to establish the diameter of said
body at the respective predetermined axial lo-
30 cation, and calculating the respective vertical
distance of said mean centre for each said
predetermined axial location.
5. The method as set forth in Claim 1, said rotary
35 body (22) being an elongated kiln rotatably
mounted upon at least three supporting an-
nular tires (24), said predetermined axial loca-
tions being positioned in close axial proximity
to said tires.
40
6. The method as set forth in Claim 5, said axial
locations being positioned on each side of at
least one said tire (24).
45 7. The method as set forth in any preceding
claim, said body (22) being a heated kiln sup-
ported upon rollers (26), said rollers being
mounted upon piers, said radiant beam instru-
ment being positioned on said piers.
50
8. The method as set forth in any preceding
claim, said long body (22) being a heated kiln
supported upon rollers (26), said rollers (26)
being mounted upon piers, said radiant beam
55 instrument being positioned on said piers, and
at least one said vertical datum plane being
established in close proximity to said instru-
ment.
7
 13 EP 0 420 663 B1
9. The method as set forth in any preceding
claim, said body being a heated kiln supported
upon rollers (26), said rollers (26) being moun-
ted on piers, said radiant beam instrument
being positioned on said piers, at least one
said vertical datum plane being established
adjacent said instrument and the lateral dis-
placement of said instrument from said datum
plane being precisely determined by a
theodolite axised for rotation in the said vertical
datum plane and measurably moveable lat-
erally therefrom in alignment maintaining rela-
tion with index means carried by said radiant
beam instrument.
10. The method as set forth in Claim 1, said ra-
diant beam instrument (28) being a short range
diode laser.
11. The method as set forth in Claim 1, said steps
including measuring the lateral distance of said
beam instrument (28) from said first datum
plane at substantially the same time as taking
said distance readings therewith, to effectively
correct any discrepancy occurring as a result
of the lateral movement of said beam instru-
ment.
12. The method as set forth in Claim 4, at least
one said datum plane being established using
alignment means including a pivotal theodolite
to locate said beam instrument laterally relative
thereto.
13. Apparatus for determining the location of an
elongated body (22) having a generally circular
annular surface, during rotation thereof, char-
acterized by a diode laser distance measuring
instrument (28) for measuring distance (X, Xi)
from a predetermined location (12, 14, 16, 18)
to an adjacent surface portion of the body (22),
when positioned normally thereto, datum plane
generating means (33) for establishing a pre-
determined datum plane, location instrument
means (32) positionable precisely relative to
said datum plane and moveable in a predeter-
mined axis normal to said datum plane, in-
dexed locating means (34) extending normal to
said datum plane in predetermined indexed
relation with said diode laser (28) and readable
by said location instrument means (32), where-
by the projected distance from the surface of
said body to said datum plane comprises the
algebraic sum of the readings of said diode
laser (28) and said location instrument means.
14. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 13, in
combination with electronic recording means
14
(36) electrically connected to outputs from said
instrument (28), in use to read simultaneous
readings therefrom, enabling a multiplicity of
said distance readings to be made during rota-
5 tion of said annular surface.
15. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 14,
wherein said automatic recording means (36)
comprises a computer.
10
16. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 13, Claim
14, or Claim 15, wherein said datum plane
generating means comprises alignment target
means in combination with a theodolite (33)
is instrument for location of said theodolite (32)
instrument in aligned operative relation there-
with.
Patentanspruche
20
1. Verfahren zur Ermittlung des Orts eines im
wesentlichen zylindrischen Korpers (22) wah-
rend seiner Drehung urn seine Polarachse, wo-
bei vorausgehend eine Mehrzahl von sich von
25 dem Korperenden unterscheidenden axialen
Orten (12, 14, 16, 18) entlang der Lange des
Korpers bestimmt worden sind, urn benachbart
zum Korper an jedem Ort eine MeBstation
festzulegen, gekennzeichnet durch die Schritte:
30 a) Festlegen einer ersten Bezugsbasis (AA,
BB), die allgemein im wesentlichen parallel
zum Korper und auBerhalb von diesem liegt
und sich zumindest entlang einem Abschnitt
der Lange des Korpers erstreckt;
35 b) Anordnen eines AbstandsmeB-Leucht-
strahlinstruments (28) an einer MeBstation,
sowie seitlich zwischen der ersten Bezugs-
basis (AA, BB) und dem zylindrischen Kor-
per (22) angeordnet, zum Erhalten von Aus-
40 lesungen des Abstands (X, Xi) von dem
Instrument zu der Oberflache des Korpers
(22), der senkrecht zum Instrument (28)
ausgerichtet ist;
c) Bestimmen des Abstands (Ki , K2) von
45 der ersten Bezugsbasis zu dem MeBinstru-
ment (28);
d) Vornehmen einer Mehrzahl der Abstands-
auslesungen (Xi , X) mit vorbestimmten Zwi-
schenraumen wahrend der Drehung des
50 Umfangs des Korpers (22) an dem Instru-
ment (28) vorbei fur die Station;
e) Erhalten eines Mittelwerts der Auslesun-
gen (X, Xi) zum Festlegen des mittleren
Abstands von dem Instrument zu der Korp-
55 eroberflache, und
f) Korrigieren des Mittelwerts, urn den Ab-
stand zwischen der ersten Bezugsbasis (AA,
BB) und der Korperoberflache festzulegen.
8
 15 EP 0 420 663 B1
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend:
Wiederholen der Schritte b) bis f) fur eine
Mehrzahl der vorbestimmten axialen Orte (12,
14, 16, 18), die entlang der Lange des Korpers
(22) angeordnet sind, urn korrigierte Mittelwer-
te der jeweiligen Abstande des Korpers von
der Bezugsbasis an den axialen Orten festzule-
gen.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, auBerdem umfas-
send: Festlegen einer zweiten Bezugsbasis,
die auf der gegenuberliegenden Seite des Kor-
pers (22) beabstandet und mit einem vorbe-
stimmten Abstand von der ersten Bezugsbasis
angeordnet ist; Durchfuhren der Schritte a) bis
f) fur eine zweite Mehrzahl axialer Orte, wobei
jeder der zweiten axialen Orte benachbart zu
der zweiten Bezugsebene in einer im wesentli-
chen quer verlaufenden Ausrichtung mit einem
jeweiligen der ersten axialen Orte angeordnet
ist, urn die korrigierten Mittelwerte der jeweili-
gen Abstande von der zweiten Bezugsebene
zu der benachbarten Seite des Korpers festzu-
legen, und Berechnen des Abstands des mitt-
leren Zentrums des Korpers von einer Bezugs-
basislinie fur jeden der axialen Orte mittels der
festgelegten mittleren Abstande.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, umfassend: Be-
stimmen des vertikalen Abstands vom Boden-
totpunkt des Korpers (22) zu einer festgelegten
dritten Bezugsebene (CC), die unter dem Ian-
gen Korper (22) angeordnet ist, als Ersatz fur
die erste Bezugsbasis, Ausrichten des Instru-
ments an dem vorbestimmten Ort am Boden-
totpunkt in seitlicher Ausrichtung mit den axia-
len Stationen, urn in vertikaler Richtung zu
dem sich drehenden Korper an vorbestimmten
Drehzwischenraumen zur Festlegung des mitt-
leren Abstands zu dem Korper von dem Instru-
ment Messungen durchzufuhren; Verwenden
der vorausgehend erhaltenen seitlich gerichte-
ten Messungen fur dieselben axialen Orte, urn
den Durchmesser des Korpers an dem jeweili-
gen vorbestimmten axialen Ort festzulegen,
und Berechnen des jeweiligen vertikalen Ab-
stands des mittleren Zentrums fur jeden vorbe-
stimmten axialen Ort.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Dreh-
korper (22) ein langlicher Ofen ist, der auf
zumindest drei ringformigen Tragereifen (24)
angebracht ist, wobei die vorbestimmten axia-
len Orte in unmittelbarer axialer Umgebung der
Reifen angeordnet sind.
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, wobei die axialen
Orte an jeder Seite von zumindest einem Rei-
16
fen (24) angeordnet sind.
7. Verfahren nach einem der vorausgehenden An-
spruche, wobei der Korper (22) ein durch Rol-
5 len (26) getragener Hochtemperaturofen ist,
wobei die Rollen auf Stutzen angebracht sind,
wobei das Leuchtstrahlinstrument auf den Stut-
zen angeordnet ist.
io 8. Verfahren nach einem der verausgehenden An-
spruche, wobei der lange Korper (22) ein auf
Rollen (26) getragener Hochtemperaturofen ist,
wobei die Rollen (26) auf Stutzen angebracht
sind, wobei das Leuchtstrahlinstrument auf den
is Stutzen angeordnet ist, und wobei zumindest
eine vertikale Bezugsebene in unmittelbarer
Umgebung des Instruments angordnet ist.
9. Verfahren nach einem der vorausgehenden An-
20 spruche, wobei der Korper ein auf Rollen (26)
getragener Hochtemperaturofen ist, wobei die
Rollen (26) auf Stutzen angebracht sind, wobei
das Leuchtstrahlinstrument auf den Stutzen an-
geordnet ist, wobei zumindest eine vertikale
25 Bezugsebene benachbart zu dem Instrument
festgelegt ist, und wobei die seitliche Verstel-
lung des Instruments aus der Bezugsebene
durch einen Theodoliten prazise bestimmt
wird, der zur Drehung in der vertikalen Be-
30 zugsebene axial ausgerichtet und messend
seitlich davon unter die Ausrichtung aufrecht
erhaltender Beziehung mit einer Indexeinrich-
tung beweglich ist, die durch das Leuchtstrahl-
instrument getragen ist.
35
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Leucht-
strahlinstrument (28) ein Kurzstrecken-Dioden-
laser ist.
40 11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Schritte
umfassen: Messen des seitlichen Abstands
des Strahlinstruments (28) von der ersten Be-
zugsebene im wesentlichen zur selben Zeit,
wie die Abstandsauslesungen vorgenommen
45 werden, urn jegliche Diskrepanz zu korrigieren,
die als Ergebnis der seitlichen Bewegung des
Strahlinstruments auftritt.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, wobei zumindest
50 eine Bezugsebene unter Verwendung einer
Ausrichteinrichtung festgelegt wird, die einen
schwenkbaren Theodoliten einschlieBt, urn das
Strahlinstrument seitlich relativ dazu anzuord-
nen.
55
13. Vorrichtung zur Ermittlung des Orts eines lang-
lichen Korpers (22) mit im wesentlichen kreis-
ringformiger Oberflache wahrend seiner Dre-
9
 17 EP 0 420 663 B1
hung, gekennzeichnet durch ein Diodenlaser-
AbstandmeBinstrument (28) zum Messen des
Abstands (X, Xi ) von einem vorbestimmten Ort
(12, 14, 16, 18) zu einem benachbarten Ober-
flachenabschnitt des Korpers (22), wenn das
Instrument senkrecht dazu angeordnet ist, eine
Bezugsebenen-Erzeugungseinrichtung (33)
zum Festlegen einer vorbestimmten Bezugs-
ebene, eine Lokalisierinstrumenteinrichtung
(32), die relativ zu der Bezugsebene prazise
positionierbar und in einer vorbestimmten Ach-
se senkrecht zu der Bezugsebene beweglich
ist, eine Index-Lokalisiereinrichtung (34), die
senkrecht zu der Bezugsebene in vorbestimm-
ter gerasteter Beziehung zu dem Diodenlaser
(38) verlauft und durch die Lokalisierinstrum-
enteinrichtung (32) auslesbar ist, wobei der
projezierte Abstand von der Oberflache des
Korpers zu der Bezugsebene die algebraische
Summe der Auslesungen des Diodenlasers
(28) und der Lokalisierinstrumenteinrichtung
umfaBt.
14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13, in Kombination
mit einer elektronischen Aufzeichnungseinrich-
tung (36), die an die Ausgange von dem In-
strument (28) elektrisch angeschlossen ist, zur
Verwendung zum Auslesen gleichzeitiger Aus-
lesungen von diesem, damit eine Mehrzahl von
Abstandsauslesungen wahrend der Drehung
der ringformigen Oberflache vorgenommen
werden kann.
15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 14, wobei die auto-
matische Aufzeichnungseinrichtung (36) einen
Computer umfaBt.
16. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13, 14 oder 15,
wobei die Bezugsebenen-
Erzeugungseinrichtung eine Ausrichtzieleinrich-
tung in Kombination mit einem Theodolitenin-
strument (33) zur Anordnung des Theodoliten-
instruments (33) in ausgerichteter operativer
Beziehung zu dieser umfaBt.
Revendicatlons
1. Procede de determination de la position d'un
long corps (22) sensiblement cylindrique lors
de sa rotation autour de son axe polaire, apres
avoir prealablement determine une pluralite de
positions axiales (12, 14, 16, 18) autres que
celles des extremites suivant la longueur dudit
corps, de fagon a etablir un poste de mesure
adjacent au corps a chaque position, ledit pro-
cede etant caracterise par les etapes consis-
tant a :
18
a) etablir une premiere reference (AA, BB)
generalement sensiblement parallele au
corps et exterieure a lui, s'etendant sur au
moins une partie de la longueur du corps ;
5 b) positionner un instrument (28) a faisceau
rayonnant de mesure de distance audit pos-
te de mesure en le positionnant laterale-
ment entre ladite premiere reference (AA,
BB) et ledit corps cylindrique (22), obtenir
io des lectures de distance (X, Xi ) a partit de
I'instrument en direction de la surface du
corps (22) en alignement perpendiculaire-
ment a I'instrument (28) ;
c) determiner la distance (Ki , K2), separant
is ladite premiere reference dudit instrument
de mesure (28) ;
d) effectuer une pluralite desdites lectures
de distance (Xi , X) a des intervalles prede-
termines, lors de la rotation de la peripherie
20 du corps (22) devant ledit instrument (28),
pour ledit poste ;
e) obtenir une valeur moyenne desdites lec-
tures (X, Xi) de fagon a etablir la distance
moyenne separant ledit instrument de ladite
25 surface du corps, et
f) corriger ladite valeur moyenne de fagon a
etablir la distance entre ladite premiere refe-
rence (AA, BB) et ladite surface du corps.
30 2. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
en plus on repete les etapes b) a f) pour une
pluralite desdites positions axiales predetermi-
ners (12, 14, 16, 18) positionnees le long dudit
corps (22), de fagon a etablir les valeurs
35 moyennes corrigees des distances respectives
dudit corps a partir de ladite reference dans
lesdites positions axiales.
3. Procede selon la revendication 2, comprenant
40 en outre I'etablissement d'une seconde refe-
rence de base espacee sur le cote oppose
dudit corps (22) et positionne a une distance
predetermined de ladite premiere reference ;
on effectue les etapes a) a f) pour une secon-
45 de pluralite de positions axiales, chacune des-
dites secondes positions axiales etant position-
nee adjacente audit second plan de reference
sensiblement en alignement transversal avec
I'une respective desdites premieres positions
50 axiales, de fagon a etbalir les valeurs moyen-
nes corrigees des distances respectives a par-
tir du second plan de reference en direction du
cote adjacent dudit corps ; et Ton calcule la
distance du centre moyen dudit corps a partir
55 d'une dite ligne de base de reference pour
chacune desdites positions axiales, au moyen
desdites distances moyennes etablies.
10
 19 EP 0 420 663 B1
4. Procede selon la revendication 2, comprenant
la determination de la distance verticale mesu-
ree a partir du point mort central bas dudit
corps (22) en direction d'un troisieme plan
(CC) de reference etabli, situe en dessous
dudit corps allonge (22), en substitution de
ladite premiere reference ; et dans lequel on
oriente ledit instrument dans ladite position
predeterminee audit point mort central bas, en
alignement lateral avec lesdits postes axiaux
de fagon a mesurer verticalement eh direction
dudit corps tournant a des intervalles de rota-
tion predetermines, de maniere a etablir la
distance moyenne audit corps a partir dudit
instrument ; on utilise les mesures precedem-
ment obtenues dirigees lateralement pour les
memes dites positions axiales de fagon a eta-
blir le diametre dudit corps a I'endroit de la
position axiale predeterminee respective, et
Ton calcule la distance verticale respective du-
dit centre moyen pour chaque position axiale
predeterminee precitee.
5. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
ledit corps rotatif (22) etant un four de forme
allongee monte tournant autour d'au moins
trois bandages de support annulaires (24), les-
dites positions axiales predetermines sont po-
sitionnees a proximite axiale etroite desdits
bandages.
6. Procede selon la revendication 5, dans lequel
lesdites positions axiales sont disposees sur
chaque cote d'au moins I'un desdits bandages
(24).
7. Procede selon I'une quelconque des revendi-
cations precedentes, dans lequel ledit corps
(22) est un four chauffe supporte sur des rou-
leaux (26), lesdits rouleaux etant montes sur
des piles, ledit instrument a faisceau rayonnant
etant positionne sur lesdites piles.
8. Procede selon I'une quelconque des revendi-
cations precedentes, dans lequel ledit corps
allonge (22) est un four chauffe supporte sur
des rouleaux (26), lesdits rouleaux (26) etant
montes sur des piles, ledit instrument a fais-
ceau rayonnant etant positionne sur lesdites
piles, et au moins I'un des plans de reference
verticaux precites etant etabli a proximite etroi-
te dudit instrument.
9. Procede selon I'une quelconque des revendi-
cations precedentes caracterise en ce que le-
dit corps est un four chauffe qui est supporte
sur des rouleaux (26), lesdits rouleaux (26)
etant montes sur des piles, ledit instrument a
20
faisceau rayonnant etant positionne sur ledites
piles, au moins I'un desdits plans de reference
verticaux etant etabli adjacent audit instrument
et le deplacement lateral dudit instrument a
5 partir dudit plan de reference etant precise-
ment determine au moyen d'un theodolilite axe
pour tourner dans ledit plan de reference verti-
cal et etant deplagable de fagon mesurable
lateralement a partir de lui tout en maintenant
io une relation d'alignement avec des moyens de
repere portes par ledit instrument a faisceau
rayonnant.
10. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
is ledit instrument (28) a faisceau rayonnant est
un laser a diode a bande courte.
11. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
lesdites etapes comprennent la mesure de la
20 distance laterale dudit instrument (28) a fais-
ceau depuis ledit premier plan de reference
sensiblement au meme moment que celui au-
quel sont effectues lesdites lectures de distan-
ce, de fagon a corriger effectivement toute
25 discordance pouvant se produire par suite d'un
mouvement lateral dudit instrument a faisceau.
12. Procede selon la revendication 4 dans lequel
au moins I'un desdits plans de reference est
30 etabli en utilisant des moyens d'alignement
comprenant un theodolite pivotant permettant
de positionner ledit instrument a faisceau late-
ralement par rapport a lui.
35 13. Appareil pour determiner la position d'un corps
allonge (22) ayant une surface annulaire gene-
ralement circulaire, lors de sa rotation, caracte-
rise en ce qu'il comprend : un instrument (28)
de mesure de distance a diode laser pour
40 mesurer une distance (X, Xi) a partir d'une
position predeterminee (12, 14, 16, 18) en di-
rection d'une partie de surface adjacente du
corps (22), lorsqu'il est positionne normale-
ment a lui, des moyens (33) pour engendrer
45 un plan de reference afin d'etablir un plan de
reference predetermine, des moyens d'instru-
ment de position (32) pouvant etre positionnes
precisement relativement audit plan de refe-
rence et pouvant etre deplaces selon un axe
50 predetermine normal audit plan de reference,
des moyens de positionnement (24) indexes
s'etendant normalement audit plan de referen-
ce dans une relation indexee predeterminee
avec ladite diode laser (28) et pouvant etre lus
55 par lesdits moyens d'instrument de positionne-
ment (32), grace a quoi la distance projetee
depuis la surface dudit corps en direction dudit
plan de reference comprend la somme algebri-
11
 21 EP 0 420 663 B1 22

que des lectures de ladite diode laser (28) et

desdits moyens d'instrument de positionne-
ment.

14. Appareil selon la revendication (13) en combi- 5

naison avec des moyens (36) d'enregistrement
electroniques relies electriquement aux sorties
dudit instrument (28), utilises pour lire simulta-
nement les lectures qui en sont issues, per-
mettant d'effectuer une multiplicity desdites 10
lectures de distance lors de la rotation de
ladite surface annulaire.

15. Appareil selon la revendication 14 dans lequel

lesdits moyens d'enregistrement automatiques is
(36) comprennent un ordinateur.

16. Appareil selon la revendication 13, la revendi-

cation 14 ou la revendication 15, dans lequel
lesdits moyens engendrant le plan de referen- 20
ce comprennent un moyen d'alignement de
cible en combinaison avec un instrument theo-
dolite (33) pour positionner ledit instrument
theodolite (32) en relation d'alignement fonc-
tionnel entre eux. 25

30

35

40

45

50

55

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