US Patent 8689455 Shaft alignment tool

An alignment tool is disclosed for aligning a first shaft assembly and a second shaft assembly to be connected by a coupling device. The alignment tool includes: a housing assembly having a first end and a second end, and a front plate assembly coupled to the first end of the housing assembly. The front plate assembly forms a cavity within the housing, and the front plate assembly has a stationary support housing disposed within the cavity and aligned with the first shaft assembly in the radial direction. The alignment tool also includes a core assembly having a rotatable core shaft disposed within the support housing of the front plate assembly and aligned with the first shaft assembly in the radial direction, the core assembly configured to receive an alignment device for aligning the first shaft assembly and the second shaft assembly in the radial direction.