GB2435498A

GB2435498A - A heat transfer reduction mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2435498A
Application number: GB0703483A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John M D Potter
Original assignee: Weir Pumps Ltd
Current assignee: Weir Pumps Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-22
Filing date: 2007-02-22
Publication date: 2007-08-29
Also published as: GB0703483D0; GB0603479D0

Abstract

A heat transfer reduction mounting 10, adapted to be secured between a first body and a second body, comprises a front portion 20 adapted to be secured to the first body, the front portion 20 defining a mating surface and wherein only a restricted portion 39, 24 of the mating surface is adapted to engage the first body in order to restrict heat transfer between the first body and the second body via the mounting 10. The engaging portion 39, 24 of the mating surface is preferably at least one relived surface extending from the mating surface of the front portion, and most preferably first 39 and second 24 engaging portions are provided with the first engaging portion 39 extending from the end face 20 of the mating surface and the second engaging portion 24 extending from a circumferential face 40 of the front portion 20. The mounting 10 may be used in a pump 14 either on its own or in combination with a heat sink (50, fig 4) in order to prevent unwanted heat from reaching bearings for example.

Description

T

MOUNTING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mounting arrangement, such as a bracket. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a pump bracket, and more particularly to a pump bearing housing bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In pump systems, the application of self contained oil lubricated anti-friction :. 10 bearings in high temperature pumping applications may be restricted due to a tendency for oil sump temperature to be adversely affected by heat transfer, or heat soak', from S...

* :. the hot pump body. Heat transfer between the pump body and the bearings in a pump * system may typically comprise a combination of conduction, convection and radiation *.

: * but by far the most significant effect is that of conduction.

* . 15 Typically, in high temperature pump applications the bearings may be located in a separate housing from the main pump body so as to assist cooling of the bearings and to aid the reduction of heat transfer from the hot pump body to the bearings. For mechanical integrity, the bearing housing must form a secure attachment to the pump body while allowing access to, for example, a pump stuffing box for fitment and monitoring of a rotary shaft seal. The bearing housing may be fixed directly to the pump casing to facilitate square running and to ensure concentricity of the rotor.

Cooling of the bearings may be assisted by external cooling methods, often in the form of water cooling. However, this cooling method may not be suitable for arid regions or regions where cooling water is not readily available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat transfer reduction mounting adapted to be secured between a first body and a second body, the mounting comprising: a front portion adapted to be secured to the first body, said front portion defining a mating surface; wherein only a restricted portion of the mating surface is adapted to engage the first body, restricting heat transfer between the first body and the second body via the :. 10 mounting.

A heat transfer reduction mounting, for example a bracket, according to the S.,.

present invention facilitates the minimisation of conductive heat transfer between the * second body and the first body, via the mounting. The first and second bodies may be, for *5I

I

example, but not exclusively, a pump casing and a bearing housing, respectively. The rate :: : 15 of conductive heat transfer may be dependent, at least in part, on the contact surface area between the first body and the mounting and, therefore, heat transfer may be restricted by providing a relatively small contact area between the mounting and the first body.

In a preferred embodiment, the mounting is integral to the second body.

Typically, the mounting and second body may be a single cast component. Alternatively, the mounting and the second body may be separate components. Thus, the mounting and second body may be manufactured as separate components and coupled together.

Preferably, the engaging portion of the mating surface comprises or provides mounting for at least one relieved surface extending from said mating surface. Thus, the engaging portion of the mounting represents a relatively small portion of the overall mating surface.

Preferably, the engaging portion comprises or provides mounting for a first engaging member, said member defining a first relieved surface. It will be understood that more than one first engaging member and more than one first relieved surface may be provided within the scope of the invention.

Preferably, the first relieved surface is adapted to engage with the first body. It should be understood that the mounting may be adapted to be coupled to the first body such that the first body is relieved or offset from the mounting when coupled, thus reducing the contact area between the first body and the mounting and assisting to restrict heat transfer between the first body and the second body. * *

Preferably, the first engaging member extends from an end face of the front ** *S : portion towards the first body. I..

Preferably, the first engaging member is an integral part of the front portion.

: ::: 15 Alternatively, the first engaging member is adapted to be detachably secured to the front portion.

Preferably, the engaging portion comprises or provides mounting for a second engaging member, said member defining a second relieved surface. It will be understood that more than one second engaging member and that more than one second relieved surface may be provided within the scope of the invention. More preferably, the second engaging member extends from a side or circumferential face of the front portion.

Advantageously, the mounting may be offset or relieved from the first body, for example but not exclusively a pump, both longitudinally and/or circumferentially.

Most preferably, the second engaging member is in the form of a spigot connection. In this way, the contact area of a spigot connection between the mounting and the first body may be reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the first engaging member comprises a hole defining a bore. Preferably, the bore is adapted to engage with a male connector on the first body to couple the mounting to the first body. Advantageously, a secure attachment between the mounting and the first body may be made, ensuring, for example, concentricity of a pump rotor.

Preferably, the front portion further comprises a hole defining a bore extending through the front portion. Advantageously, a location pin may be inserted through the :.:: hole to ensure correct orientation and accurate alignment between the first body and the S S5.

mounting. S. SI

: Preferably, the front portion is annular. Thus, for example, but not exclusively, a S..

shaft may pass therethrough. Additionally, an annular front portion permits circulation of ::: 15 air around the mounting to assist in convective cooling of the mounting and facilitates access into the mounting.

Preferably, the mounting further comprises at least one structural web extending from the front portion. Further preferably, the at least one structural web is arranged to extend away from the first body towards the second body. The provision of structural webs permits circulation of air around the mounting and allows access to, for example, but not exclusively a pump shaft, pump stuffing box, sealing arrangement or the like.

Preferably, the at least one structural web is located around the circumference of the front portion at an offset circumferential position from the first and/or second engaging members. Thus, the webs and engaging members are configured to define a tortuous heat conduction path; the distance that the heat must travel from the first body to the second body is increased.

Preferably, the mounting further comprises a base portion coupled to the at least one structural web to form an enclosed mounting. Preferably, the base portion is integral to the second body. Alternatively, the base portion is adapted to be secured to the second body. Preferably, the base portion is annular. Advantageously, an annular base portion permits, for example, a shaft to pass therethrough, such that the mounting may be mounted about the shaft between the first and second bodies.

Preferably, the mounting is utilised in combination with a heat sink device.

Preferably, the heat sink device is adapted to absorb and/or dissipate heat from the shaft.

In this way, the efficiency of self-contained' cooling on higher temperature applications S...

may be augmented by a heat sink in which heat transfer from the mounting to the second ** *.

body is restricted. Alternatively or additionally, the heat sink device is adapted to absorb S..

and/or dissipate heat from the air surrounding the mounting.

Preferably, the heat sink device is adapted to rotate such that a fluid around the device is displaced. Further preferably, the fluid is air. In this way, the heat sink device may be rotated, for example, by rotation of a shaft to act as a fan to increase displacement of warm air from around the mounting to assist in cooling of the mounting.

Preferably, the heat sink is annular. Thus, the heat sink may be adapted to be coupled to the base portion around, for example, a shaft.

Preferably the heat sink device is manufactured from a metal, ceramic, or composite material or any other material that can absorb and/or dissipate heat in a high temperature pump application.

Preferably, the mounting is manufactured from a metal material. More preferably, the mounting is manufactured from a ferrous metal material, for example but not exclusively steel, stainless steel or the like.

Preferably, the mounting is adapted to be manufactured by casting, moulding, machining S or the like.

Preferably, the first body is a pump and the second body is a bearing housing.

Alternatively, the first body is a bearing housing and the second body is a pump.

Preferably, the mounting is a bracket. Further preferably, the mounting is a pump bracket. Most preferably, the mounting is a pump bearing bracket.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat :, transfer reduction mounting secured between a first body and a second body, the S... * . I...

mounting comprising: S. a heat sink device adapted to absorb or dissipate, or absorb and dissipate heat from the mounting, the heat sink device adapted to displace air about the mounting to assist in heat dissipation from the mounting.

* . It should be understood that many of the features of the second aspect are common to the first aspect and for the purposes of clarity and brevity will not be repeated here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heat transfer reduction bearing bracket of a bearing housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of a pump system in which is shown the heat transfer reduction bearing bracket of Figure I, shown connected to a pump casing; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the pump system of figure 2; and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the heat transfer reduction bearing bracket shown in Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In reference to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a heat transfer reduction bearing bracket 10 of a bearing housing 11 for use in a pump system 12. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bearing bracket 10 is secured to a pump 14 and is mounted over a pump shaft :... 16 such that the shaft 16 passes fully through the bearing bracket 10. The bearing bracket forms a secure attachment to the pump 14 while facilitating efficient access to a pump stuffing box for fitment and monitoring of a rotary shaft seal 18.

The bearing bracket 10 comprises a substantially circular flange portion 20 : :** 15 adapted to be detachably mounted to the pump 14 by mechanical fasteners, in the form of * studs and nuts 22 (shown most clearly in Figure 4). Furthermore, the bracket 10 is secured to the pump 14 by a spigot connection which comprises four circumferentially spaced parts 24.

The flange portion 20 comprises an annulus 26 to allow the pump shaft 16 to pass through, the annular flange portion 20 allowing easy access to the bracket 10, shaft 16 and/or sealing arrangement for repair, status monitoring or the like.

Structural web portions 30 extend from the flange portion 20 towards a substantially circular base portion 32, the base portion 32, web portions 30 and flange portion 20 forming the enclosed bracket section 10 of the bearing housing Ii. The structural webs 30 are provided at defined intervals, each projecting from an arc segment of an inner face 34 of the flange portion 20 to fixedly couple with the base portion 32 to form the bracket section 10 of the bearing housing 11.

The base portion 32, and thus the bracket section 10, is integrally cast with the main body of the bearing housing I 1. The base portion 32 also comprises an annulus 36 through which the pump shaft 16 may pass.

Raised contact pads 38 define raised or relieved surfaces 39 on a front face 35 of the flange portion 20. The raised contact pads 38 relieve or offset the connection surfaces 39 of the bracket 10 and a corresponding connecting surface 42 of the pump 14. in this way, the contact pads 38 present a relatively small contact surface area between the bracket housing Ii and pump 14 and thus restricts heat transfer between the pump 14 and the bracket 10. The raised contact pads 38 are interspaced between the structural webs 30 * around the circumference of the flange portion 20 and correspond to the circumferential location of the spigot connection parts 24.

* 15 The spigot connection parts 24 extend radially from a circumferential face 40 of the flange portion 20, the connection parts 24 being located between the structural webs 30. The spigot connection parts 24 are profiled to offer a relieved surface 41 to the corresponding connecting surface of the pump 14, the profile defined by a higher portion 43 and a lower portion 44. The relieved spigot connection 24 ensures concentricity and square alignment of the pump rotor 45. The relieved spigot connection 24 thus provides the reduced relieved surface area 41 between the bracket 10 and the pump 14, restricting heat transfer between the pump 14 and the bearing housing 11.

The flange portion 20 further comprises drilled holes 46 in the contact pads 38.

The drilled holes 46 align with corresponding screwed studs fitted to the pump casing 14 to ensure sufficient mechanical integrity between the bracket 10 of the bearing housing II and the pump 14. Additionally, the flange portion 20 comprises a longitudinally drilled hole 48 through which a location pin 22 is inserted to ensure correct and accurate alignment of the bearing housing 11.

In reference particularly to Figures 2 to 4, the bracket 10 further comprises a heat sink device 50 coupled to the pump shaft 16, the heat sink 50 absorbing and dissipating heat from the shaft 16 and assisting in cooling the bracket 10. The heat sink 50 is secured by clamping the heat sink 50 to the shaft 16, the heat sink rotating with rotation of the pump shaft 16 to act as a fan to displace air surrounding the bracket 10. Thus, the cooling capability of the bracket 10 is enhanced in order to reduce heat transfer from the pump 14. The heat sink 50 comprises a substantially circular base 52 with a central annulus 54 ". through which the pump shaft 16 extends. The heat sink 50 further comprises ribs 56 extending in radial directions from the base 52. The heat sink 50 further comprises webs 58 extending between the ribs 56, the webs 58 and the ribs 56 manufactured to form a single heat sink component 50.

*:* : In operation of the pump system 12 and the heat transfer reduction bracket 10, heat travels by conduction from the hot pump 14 to the flange portion 20. The relatively small relieved contact areas 39, 41 restrict the transfer of heat from the pump 14 to the bracket section 10 of the bearing housing 11. The heat travels around the circumference of the flange portion 20 to the structural webs 30 and is subsequently conducted along the structural webs 30 to the base portion 32. Due to the staggered' design of the structural webs 30, the spigot connection parts 24 and the contact pads 38, there is no direct line of heat transfer from the webs 30 to the bearing housing 11. Thus, a longer and more indirect heat transfer path must be traversed before conductive heat transfer can occur between the pump 14 and the main body of the bearing housing 11, via the bracket section 10. This results in a greater reduction in transfer of heat from the pump 14 through conduction, and greater opportunity for convective cooling of the bracket 10.

Furthermore, the annular flange portion 20, the structural web portions 30 and the relieved contact surfaces 39, 41 allow air to travel around the bracket 10 of the bearing housing II to further assist in cooling.

Cooling of the bracket 10 may be enhanced by the heat sink 50, which absorbs heat from the pump shaft 16, reducing the heat available to transfer to the bearing housing 11. Additionally, the heat sink 50 dissipates the heat to the environment by convection. Rotation of the heat sink 50 results in displacement of the surrounding air, accelerating the natural process of cooling by convection. Rotation of the heat sink 50 pushes air through the annutus 26 of the annular flange portion 20, as shown by the arrow 60' in Figure 4, between the structural webs 30 and through the recesses created by the relieved surfaces 39, 41 of the contact pads 38 and the spigot connections 24, resulting in a further reduction in heat transfer between the pump 14 and the bearing housing 11.

Those of skill in the art will further recognise that the illustrated arrangement is merely exemplary of the present invention, and that the same objectives may be achieved by using a variety of different configurations.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A heat transfer reduction mounting adapted to be secured between a first body and a second body, the mounting comprising: a front portion adapted to be secured to the first body, said front portion defining a mating surface; wherein only a restricted portion of the mating surface is adapted to engage the first body, restricting heat transfer between the first body and the second body via the mounting.
2. A mounting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting is integral to the second * * body. S... * S. * * S * S
3. A mounting as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting and second body are a single cast component. S. S

S S S.
4. A mounting as claimed in claim I, wherein the mounting and the second body are separate components.
5. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engaging portion of the mating surface comprises or provides mounting for at least one relieved surface extending from said mating surface.
6. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engaging portion comprises or provided mounting for a first engaging member, said member defining a first relieved surface.
7. A mounting as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first relieved surface is adapted to engage with the first body.
8. A mounting as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the first engaging member extends from an end face of the front portion towards the first body.
9. A mounting as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the first engaging member is an integral part of the front portion. e * * * * *
10. A mounting as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the first engaging member is adapted to be detachably secured to the front portion. ** * * * S *S
11. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engaging portion comprises or provides mounting for a second engaging member, said member defining a second relieved surface.
12. A mounting as claim as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second engaging member extends from a side or circumferential face of the front portion.
13. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting is longitudinally offset or relieved from the first body.
14. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting is circumferentially offset or relieved from the first body.
15. A mounting as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the second engaging member is in the form of a spigot connection.
16. A mounting as claimed in any of claims 6 to 15 wherein the first engaging member comprises a hole defining a bore. * S 5.5.
17. A mounting as claimed in claim 16 wherein the bore is adapted to engage with a male connector on the first body to couple the mounting to the first body. * . * S*S

**
18. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the front portion further comprises a hole defining a bore extending through the front portion.
19. A mounting as claimed in claim 18, wherein the front portion is annular.
20. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting further comprises at least one structural web extending from the front portion.
21. A mounting as claimed in claim 20, wherein the at least one structural web is arranged to extend away from the first body towards the second body.
22. A mounting as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the at least one structural web is located around the circumference of the front portion at an offset circumferential portion from the first and\or second engaging members.
23. A mounting as claimed in claim 20, 21 or 22, further comprising a base portion coupled to the at least one structural web to form an enclosed mounting.
24. A mounting as claimed in claim 23, wherein the base portion is integral to the second body. S. * . . * S

.
25. A mounting as claimed in claim 23, wherein the base portion is adapted to be secured to the second body.

26. A mounting as claimed claim 23, 24 or 25, wherein the base portion is annular.

27. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting is adapted to be mounted about a shaft between the first and second bodies.

28. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting is utilised in combination with a heat sink device.

29. A mounting as claimed in claim 28, wherein the heat sink device is adapted to absorb and\or dissipate heat from the shaft.

30. A mounting as claimed in claim 28 or 29, wherein the heat sink device is adapted to absorb and\or dissipate heat from the air surrounding the mounting.

31. A mounting as claimed in claim 28, 29 or 30, wherein the heat sink device is adapted to rotate such that a fluid around the device is displaced.

32. A mounting as claimed in claim 31, wherein the fluid is air. * * * *.*

*::* 33. A mounting as claimed in any of claims 28 to 32, wherein the heat sink device is annular. * * * * * S..

S

34. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first body is a pump and the second body is a bearing housing.

35. A mounting as claimed in any of claims 1 to 33, wherein the first body is a bearing housing and the second body is a pump.

36. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting is a bracket.

37. A mounting as claimed in claim 36, wherein the mounting is a pump bracket.

38. A mounting as claimed in claim 37, wherein the mounting is a pump bearing bracket.

39. A heat transfer reduction mounting secured between a first body and a second body, the mounting comprising: a heat sink device adapted to absorb or dissipate, or absorb and dissipate heat from the mounting, the heat sink device adapted to displace air about the mounting to assist in heat dissipation form the mounting.

40. A heat transfer reduction mounting substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings. * S ***. ** ** * S S * * * S.. a *1 * . * *.. a. S

S S S **