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An apparatus and method for centering a shaft (for an impeller or other rotating component) in a gas turbine engine, such as that used in aircraft or other vehicles. The apparatus includes a base, at least one arm and an actuator. The arm is connected to the base and the actuator is located on a pre

An apparatus and method for centering a shaft (for an impeller or other rotating component) in a gas turbine engine, such as that used in aircraft or other vehicles. The apparatus includes a base, at least one arm and an actuator. The arm is connected to the base and the actuator is located on a predetermined axis and aligns the impeller shaft to that axis. The actuator also applies a force to the actuator to simulate actual operational forces in the engine so that proper tolerances can be measured. The method includes steps of coupling the apparatus to a locator surface, impeller shaft with the actuator and moving the actuator such that an axial load is provided on the shaft.

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1. A tool for centering an impeller shaft in a jet engine in reference to a locator surface having a plurality of locator holes thereon, the tool comprising:a base having a main opening and a plurality of locator openings extending therethrough, the plurality of locator openings formed and spaced ap

1. A tool for centering an impeller shaft in a jet engine in reference to a locator surface having a plurality of locator holes thereon, the tool comprising:a base having a main opening and a plurality of locator openings extending therethrough, the plurality of locator openings formed and spaced apart to substantially collocate with the locator holes for coupling the tool to the locator surface; a plurality of arms, each having a first end coupled to the base and a second end separated from the locator surface; and an actuator mounted on the arms and aligned on a predetermined axis to engage the impeller shaft, apply force thereto and align the shaft with the predetermined axis. 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:a hub, having an outer surface and opening therethrough that forms an inner surface; and a rod inserted through the hub opening and adjustably moveable axially therein, the rod having at least a first end adapted to engage the impeller shaft. 3. The tool of claim 2, wherein:the hub inner surface includes threads with a predetermined thread pitch; and the rod has an outer surface that includes threads with the predetermined thread pitch. 4. The tool of claim 2, further comprising:a sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface, the sleeve outer surface coupled to the hub inner surface and the sleeve inner surface having threads with a predetermined thread pitch. wherein the rod has an outer surface that includes threads with the predetermined thread pitch. 5. The tool of claim 2, wherein:the first end of the rod includes a lower surface having at least a portion thereof that is beveled to a predetermined angle and sized to engage the impeller shaft. 6. The tool of claim 2, wherein:the rod further includes a second end and the tool further comprises: a nut coupled to the second end of the rod. 7. The tool of claim 1, wherein:the opening is dimensioned to allow the base to surround at least a portion of the jet engine. 8. The tool of claim 2, wherein the tool further comprises:a shaft engagement piece coupled to the first end of the rod, the shaft engagement piece having at least a portion thereof that is beveled to a predetermined angle. 9. The tool of claim 1, wherein:the plurality of arms is three arms. 10. A tool for centering an impeller shaft in a jet engine with reference to a locator surface having a plurality of locator holes thereon, comprising:a base having a main opening and a plurality of locator openings extending therethrough, the plurality of locator openings formed and spaced apart to substantially collocate with the locator holes for coupling the tool to the locator surface; a hub having a threaded inner surface defining an opening; a plurality of arms, each arm having a first end mounted to the base and a second end mounted to the hub to locate the hub along a predetermined axis; and a threaded rod, engaged with the threaded inner surface of the hub, the threaded rod having at least a first end adapted to engage the shaft and a second end adapted to engage a nut, and having an outer surface that includes threads with the predetermined thread pitch. 11. The tool of claim 10, further comprising:a sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface, the sleeve outer surface coupled to the threaded inner surface of the hub and the sleeve inner surface having threads with a predetermined thread pitch. 12. The tool of claim 10, wherein:the plurality of arms is three arms. 13. A tool for centering an impeller shaft in a jet engine in reference to a locator surface, the tool comprising:a base having an opening extending therethrough, the base adapted-for coupling the tool to the locator surface; a plurality of arms, each having a first end coupled to the base and a second end separated from the locator surface; and an actuator mounted on the arms and aligned on a predetermined axis to engage the impeller shaft, apply force thereto and align the shaft with the predetermined axis, the actuator comprising: a hub, having an outer surface and opening therethrough that forms an inner surface; and a rod inserted through the hub opening and adjustably moveable axially therein, the rod having at least a first end adapted to engage the impeller shaft, and a sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface, the sleeve outer surface coupled to the hub inner surface and the sleeve inner surface having threads with a predetermined thread pitch, wherein the rod has an outer surface that includes threads with the predetermined thread pitch. 14. A tool for centering an impeller shaft in a jet engine in reference to a locator surface, the tool comprising:a base having an opening extending therethrough, the base adapted-for coupling the tool to the locator surface; a plurality of arms, each having a first end coupled to the base and a second end separated from the locator surface; and an actuator mounted on the arms and aligned on a predetermined axis to engage the impeller shaft, apply force thereto and align the shaft with the predetermined axis, the actuator comprising: a hub, having an outer surface and opening therethrough that forms an inner surface; and a rod inserted through the hub opening and adjustably moveable axially therein, the rod having at least a first end adapted to engage the impeller shaft, the first end of the rod includes a lower surface having at least a portion thereof that is beveled to a predetermined angle and sized to engage the impeller shaft. 15. A tool for centering an impeller shaft in a jet engine in reference to a locator surface, the tool comprising:a base having an opening extending therethrough, the base adapted-for coupling the tool to the locator surface; a plurality of arms, each having a first end coupled to the base and a second end separated from the locator surface; and an actuator mounted on the arms and aligned on a predetermined axis to engage the impeller shaft, apply force thereto and align the shaft with the predetermined axis, the actuator comprising: a hub, having an outer surface and opening therethrough that forms an inner surface, a rod inserted through the hub opening and adjustably moveable axially therein, the rod having at least a first end adapted to engage the impeller shaft, and a shaft engagement piece coupled to the first end of the rod, the shaft engagement piece having at least a portion thereof that is beveled to a predetermined angle. 16. A tool for centering an impeller shaft in a jet engine with reference to a locator surface, comprising:a base having an opening extending therethrough, the base adapted for coupling the tool to the locator surface; a hub having a threaded inner surface defining an opening; a sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface, the sleeve outer surface coupled to the threaded inner surface of the hub and the sleeve inner surface having threads with a predetermined thread pitch; a plurality of arms, each arm having a first end mounted to the base and a second end mounted to the hub to locate the hub along a predetermined axis; and a threaded rod, engaged with the threaded inner surface of the hub, the threaded rod having at least a first end adapted to engage the shaft and a second end adapted to engage a nut, and having an outer surface that includes threads with the predetermined thread pitch.