GB2443305A

GB2443305A - A mounting assembly for a vibrating apparatus and an appratus incorporating such a mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2443305A
Application number: GB0720457A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Purdom
Original assignee: Clyde Pumps Ltd
Current assignee: Clyde Union Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-28
Filing date: 2007-10-19
Publication date: 2008-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-19
Also published as: GB0621485D0; GB2443305B; GB0720457D0

Abstract

A mounting assembly 24 for a vibrating apparatus 14 comprises a base member 28 adapted to be mounted on a supporting structure 26, and a support member 30 mounted on the base member 28 and defining a cantilevered portion 34 extending from the base member 28. The cantilevered portion 34 is adapted to support a vibrating apparatus 14, and the cantilevered portion 34 may be adjusted in accordance with a characteristic of the vibrating apparatus 14 being supported. Reference is also made to a mechanical assembly, e.g. a pump set, 10 including a support structure 12, a driving unit 14 and a driven pump unit 16, there being provided a mounting assembly of the type described above positioned between the support structure 12 and at least one of the driving unit 14 and the driven pump unit 16.

Description

MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE iNVENTION

The present invention relates to a mounting assembly for a mechanical apparatus, and in particular to a mounting assembly for a vibrating apparatus, such as a motor.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Vibration from mechanical equipment and assemblies is common and may have a detrimental effect on surrounding equipment and structures. For example, mechanical assemblies such as rotating machineiy or the like produce vibrations, normally at frequencies related to the operating speed range, which are transmitted into a structure supporting the assembly. In such circumstances, if the vibration frequencies coincide with one or more natural frequencies within the support structure, or other attached equipment, then unacceptable resonant responses may occur. Such resonant conditions may be avoided by suitable selection of the stiffness of the supporting structure. However, such measures may be difficult to achieve due to site variability, such as the mass and stifthess of site pipework which may affect the natural frequencies of the equipment. Alternatively, attempts may be made to alter the forcing or vibration frequency by adjusting the speed of the mechanical assembly.

However, in many instances the duty requirements of the mechanical assembly is such that the operating speed cannot be adjusted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting assembly for a vibrating apparatus, said mounting assembly comprising: a base member adapted to be mounted on a supporting structure; a support member mounted on the base member and defining a cantilevered portion extending from the base member, wherein the cantilevered portion is adapted to support a vibrating apparatus.

Advantageously, in use, the mounting assembly provides a means of securing the vibrating apparatus to a supporting structure while decoupling the inertia of said apparatus from the supporting structure. Accordingly, some natural frequencies of the supporting structure may be modified. The mounting assembly may therefore be effectively used to avoid or detune undesirable or adverse frequencies from the vibrating apparatus which match one or more natural frequencies of the support structure and thus prevent unacceptable resonant vibration responses.

Preferably, a portion of the support member is adapted to be mounted on the base member, wherein the cantilevered portion is unsupported. The support member may be directly mounted on the base member, or may be indirectly mounted.

In one embodiment, the base member may be adapted to be mounted directly on the supporting structure. Alternatively, the base member may be adapted to be indirectly mounted on the supporting structure. For example, the mounting apparatus may further comprise a mounting pad adapted to be mounted on the supporting structure, wherein the base member is mounted on said mounting pad. The mounting pad may be secured to the supporting structure, for example by welding, bolting clamping, riveting or the like. Alternatively, the mounting pad may be integrally formed with the supporting structure. Alternatively, or additionally, the mounting member may be integrally formed with the base member.

Preferably, the base member is adapted to be secured to the supporting structure, for example by bolting, welding, riveting, clamping or the like, or by any suitable combination of securing means. Advantageously also, the support member is adapted to be secured to the base member, for example by bolting, welding, riveting, clamping or the like, or by any suitable combination of securing means. In one embodiment the base member is adapted to be clamped between the supporting structure and the support member, preferably via a bolting arrangement.

The base member may be integrally formed with the support member. In this arrangement the base member and the support member preferably define a stepped profile thus establishing the cantilevered portion of the support member.

Alternatively, the base member may be separately formed from the support member such that, in use, the base member is interposed between the support member and the supporting structure in an arrangement such that a portion of the support member extends beyond an edge region of the base member to define the cantilevered portion.

Preferably the base member comprises a unitary component. Alternatively, the base member may comprise a plurality of components.

Preferably, the support member is substantially planar.

Preferably, the length of the cantilevered portion of the support member extending from the base portion is adapted to be selected in accordance with characteristics of the vibrating apparatus to be supported, and in particular in accordance with vibration frequencies of the vibrating apparatus.

More preferably, the length of the cantilevered portion is adapted to be varied.

This arrangement permits the effective stitThess of the mounting assembly to be adjusted to be suitable for use with different vibrating apparatuses, or with a vibrating apparatus with variable vibration frequency characteristics. Accordingly, tuning of the mounting assembly is permitted to modif the frequencies originating from the vibrating apparatus to prevent or substantially minimise adverse frequencies being transmitted into the supporting structure.

In one use of the mounting assembly, the support and base members may be secured to a supporting structure and a vibrating assembly then mounted and secured to the cantilevered portion of the support member. The length of the cantilevered portion extending from the base member may then be adjusted in accordance with the vibration characteristics of the supported apparatus.

In one arrangement, the base member may be translatable relative to the support member. This arrangement advantageously permits the effective length of the cantilevered portion of the support member to be varied. Alternatively, or additionally, the base member may be adapted to be replaceable with an alternative base member of different dimensions to vaiy the effective length of the cantilevered portion.

Preferably, the mounting assembly further comprises at least one packer element adapted to be interposed between the support member and the supporting structure, preferably, but not essentially, adjacent the base member. Advantageously, in use, the at least one packer element functions to adjust the effective length and thus stiffness of the cantilevered portion to tune the mounting assembly in accordance with characteristics of the vibrating apparatus. Advantageously, a single packer element may be provided and may be positioned in accordance with the required effective length of the cantilever portion. Alternatively, a plurality of packer elements may be provided. The at least one packer element may be generally plate-form, and may be a

shim, for example.

The packer element may be adapted to be secured to at least one of the supporting structure, base member and support member, for example by bolting, riveting, clamping, interference fit, bonding or the like.

In one arrangement, the effective length of the cantilevered portion may be adjusted to zero such that at least the portion of the support member upon which a vibrating assembly is mounted is supported by the supporting structure. This arrangement advantageously permits the mounting assembly of the present invention to be utilised in conditions where the vibrations characteristics of a supported vibrating apparatus are not detrimental to the supporting structure.

The mounting assembly may comprise a damping element. The damping element may, in use, be adapted to absorb shock and/or vibration originating from the vibrating apparatus mounted on the mounting assembly. The damping element may be formed separately of other components of the mounting assembly. Alternatively, the damping element may be comprised in at least one of the base member and supporting member. Alternatively, or additionally, the damping element may be comprised in a packer element utilised to valy the effective length of the cantilevered portion of the support member.

The mounting assembly may be adapted to mount a vibrating apparatus on a supporting structure aligned in a substantially horizontal plane. Alternatively, the mounting assembly may be adapted to mount a vibrating apparatus on a supporting structure aligned in a substantially vertical plane, or alternatively further, an inclined plane.

Preferably, the mounting assembly may be adapted to support a vibrating apparatus from below, such that the vibrating apparatus effectively sits on a supporting structure via the mounting assembly. Alternatively, or additionally, the mounting assembly is adapted to support a vibrating apparatus from above, such that the vibrating apparatus is effectively suspended from a supporting structure via the mounting assembly.

Components of the mounting assembly may be formed of a metal or metal alloy, composite material, plastic material or the like, or any suitable combination of materials.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the mounting assembly may form part of at least one of the vibrating apparatus and the support structure.

Preferably, the mounting assembly is adapted for use with vibrating apparatus comprising rotating machinery, such as a motor, pump, compressor, agitator, generator or the like.

Preferably, the mounting assembly is adapted for use in mounting a rotary mechanical assembly to a support structure, wherein the support structure also supports one or more other mechanical assemblies. Preferably, the mounting assembly is adapted for use within a rotating equipment set. For example, the mounting assembly may be adapted for within a pump set comprising a supporting structure, a pump unit and a motor, wherein the mounting assembly is positioned between the supporting structure and at least one of the pump unit and the motor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting a vibrating apparatus on a support structure, said method comprising the steps of: securing the mounting assembly according to the first aspect to a support structure; and securing the vibrating apparatus to the cantilevered portion of the support member of the mounting assembly.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of selecting the effective length of the cantilevered portion of the support member in accordance with a characteristic of the vibrating apparatus. Preferably, the effective length is selected in accordance with the vibration characteristics of the vibrating apparatus.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of adjusting the effective length of the cantilevered portion of the support member in accordance with a characteristic of the vibrating apparatus, and in particular vibration characteristics.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a mechanical assembly comprising: a supporting structure; a driving unit; a driven unit coupled to the driving unit; and a mounting assembly according to the first aspect, wherein the mounting assembly is positioned between the supporting structure and at least one of the driving and driven units.

Preferably, at least one of the driving and driven units comprises rotary equipment. In one embodiment the driving unit may be a motor, for example. The driven unit may be a pump, compressor, generator, agitator or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting assembly for a vibrating apparatus, said mounting assembly comprising a mounting member adapted to be mounted on a support structure such that a portion of the mounting member is supported by the support structure and a portion of the mounting member is unsupported, wherein the unsupported portion of the mounting member is adapted to be secured to a vibrating apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting a vibrating assembly on a support structure, said method comprising the steps of: securing a mounting member to a support structure such that a portion of the mounting member is supported by the support structure and a portion of the mounting member is unsupported; and securing the vibrating assembly to the unsupported portion of the mounting member.

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 diagrammatic representation of a pump set in accordance with an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a mounting assembly in accordance with an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, wherein the mounting assembly forms part of the pump set shown in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is first made to Figure 1 of the drawings in which there is shown a pump set, generally identified by reference numeral 10, in accordance with an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. The pump set comprises a supporting structure or base plate 12 upon which is mounted an electric motor 14 and a pump unit 16, wherein the motor 14 is drivingly coupled to the pump 16 via a drive shaft 18. The base plate 12 also supports a lubrication system 20 and other ancillary equipment. Pump sets of the type described herein are conventionally pre.

manufactured and assembled, and subsequently transported to the intended site and installed. The base plate 12 must provide adequate stiffness to support the equipment and to prevent misalignment of the drive shaft 18 during transportation to or use at the intended site. The base plate 12 is mounted on three pinned feet 22 (only two shown) which act to transfer operating loads to the foundation, whilst maintaining acceptable alignment of the equipment mounted on the base plate 12.

In use, vibration will originate from the motor 14 at a frequency proportional to the operational speed. The vibration will therefore be transmitted into the base plate 12. In certain conditions the vibration frequency originating from the motor 14 may coincide with one or more natural frequencies of the base plate or attached equipment which results in unacceptable resonant responses. Such conditions may be addressed by mounting the motor 14 on the base plate 12 via a mounting assembly according to the present invention, as described below with reference to Figure 2.

The mounting assembly shown in Figure 2, identified by reference numeral 24, comprises a mounting pad 26 which is adapted to be secured, via welding in the embodiment shown, to the base plate 12 (not shown in Figure 2). A base member 28 in the form of a shim is mounted on a mounting pad 26, and a support member 30 is mounted on the base member 28. The support member 30 is bolted to the mounting pad via bolts 32 which extend through the base member 28 thus clamping said member 28 between the support member 30 and the mounting pad 26. The base member 28 is smaller than the support member 30 such that a portion of the support member 30 is cantilevered from the edge of the base member 28. The cantilevered portion of the support member 30 is identified by reference numeral 34. A portion of the motor 14, such as a mounting foot, is secured to the cantilevered portion 34 of the support member 30 via bolt 36.

A mounting assembly 24 according to the present invention is positioned at all mounting locations of the motor 14 such that the mounting assemblies provide a means of securing the motor 14 to the base plate 12 (not shown in Figure 2) while decoupling the inertia of the motor 14 therefrom. Accordingly, some natural frequencies of the base plate 12 and mounted equipment assembly may be modified by virtue of the cantilevered portion 34 of the mounting assembly 24. The mounting assembly 24 may therefore be effectively used to avoid or detune undesirable or adverse frequencies from the motor 14 which match one or more natural frequencies of the base plate 12 and other supported equipment and thus prevent unacceptable resonant vibration responses.

The effective length of the cantilevered portion 34 of the support member 30 is adapted to be varied to permit the effective stiffness of the mounting assembly to be adjusted and thus to tune or modiI' the frequencies originating from the motor 14.

This therefore prevents or substantially minimises adverse frequencies being transmitted into the base plate 12 and other supported equipment. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the effective length of the cantilevered portion 34 is adjusted by one or more shims 38 which are interposed between the support member 30 and the mounting pad 26 adjacent the base member 28. Accordingly, by selection of one or more appropriated dimensioned shims 38, tuning of the mounting assembly 24 to eliminate adverse frequencies from the motor 14 may be achieved.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed are merely exemplary of the present invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the mounting assembly may be utilised to mount the pump or other equipment to the base plate. Additionally, a damping element or elements may be incorporated into the mounting assembly. For example, an elastomeric material may be positioned between the cantilevered portion and the mounting pad. Alternatively, one or more of the components of the mounting assembly may incorporate a damping material. Furthermore, the effective length of the cantilevered portion may be adjusted or varied by translating the base member relative to the supporting member, or alternatively by replacing the base member with a base member of appropriate dimensions. Furthermore, the mounting assembly may be used for mounting an vibrating equipment, rotary or otherwise, to any suitable support structure. Additionally, the components of the mounting assembly may be adapted to be secured to the supporting structure or mounted equipment by any suitable means, such as by welding, riveting, clamping or the like. Additionally, components of the mounting assembly may be integrally formed or otherwise provided on the supporting structure and/or the equipment to be supported.

In other embodiments a mounting assembly may be provided with a cantilevered portion which supports a vibrating assembly, wherein the effective length of the cantilevered portion is automatically varied in response to a measured characteristic, such as vibration, of the vibrating apparatus being supported. In this way, any changes to, for example, the vibration characteristics of the vibrating assembly during use can positively be addressed by automatic variation of the cantilever length.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A mounting assembly for a vibrating apparatus, said mounting

assembly comprising: a base member adapted to be mounted on a supporting structure; a support member mounted on the base member and defining a cantilevered portion extending from the base member, wherein the cantilevered portion is adapted to support a vibrating apparatus.
2. The mounting assembly according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the support member is adapted to be mounted on the base member, and wherein the cantilevered portion is unsupported.
3. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base member is adapted to be mounted directly on the supporting structure.
4. The mounting assembly according to claim I or 2, wherein the base member is adapted to be indirectly mounted on the supporting structure.
5. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member is adapted to be secured to the supporting structure.
6. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member is adapted to be clamped between the supporting structure and the support member.
7. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member is integrally formed with the support member.
8. The mounting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base member may be separately formed from the support member such that, in use, the base member is interposed between the support member and the supporting structure
9. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member comprises a unitary component.
10. The mounting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base member comprises a plurality of components.
11. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member is substantially planar.
12. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the cantilevered portion of the support member extending from the base portion is adapted to be varied.
13. The mounting assembly according to claim 12, wherein the length is adapted to be varied in accordance with characteristics of a vibrating apparatus to be supported.
14. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member is translatable relative to the support member to vary the effective length of the cantilevered portion.
15. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member may be adapted to be replaceable with an alternative base member of different dimensions to vary the effective length of the cantilevered portion.
16. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one packer element adapted to be interposed between the support member and the supporting structure to vary the effective length of the cantilevered portion.
17. The mounting assembly according to claim 16, wherein the at least one packer element is adapted to be positioned adjacent the base member.
18. The mounting assembly according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the at least one packer element is generally plate-form.
19. The mounting assembly according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the packer element is adapted to be secured to at least one of the supporting structure, base member and support member.
20. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the effective length of the cantilevered portion may be adjusted to zero.
21. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a damping element.
22. The mounting assembly according to claim 21, wherein the damping element is adapted to absorb shock and/or vibration originating from a vibrating apparatus mounted on the mounting assembly.
23. The mounting assembly according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the damping element is formed separately of other components of the mounting assembly.
24. The mounting assembly according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the damping element is comprised in at least one of the base member and supporting member.
25. The mounting assembly according to claim 21, 22 or 24, when dependent on any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the damping element is comprised in the at least one packer element.
26. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, adapted to mount a vibrating apparatus from below, such that the vibrating apparatus effectively sits on a supporting structure via the mounting assembly.
27. The mounting assembly according to any preceding claim, adapted to support a vibrating apparatus from above, such that the vibrating apparatus is effectively suspended from a supporting structure via the mounting assembly.
28. A method of supporting a vibrating apparatus on a support structure, said method comprising the steps of: securing the mounting assembly according to the first aspect to a support structure; and securing the vibrating apparatus to the cantilevered portion of the support member of the mounting assembly.
29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising the step of selecting the effective length of the cantilevered portion of the support member in accordance with a characteristic of the vibrating apparatus.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the effective length is selected in accordance with the vibration characteristics of the vibrating apparatus.
31. The method according to claim 28, 29 or 30, further comprising the step of adjusting the effective length of the cantilevered portion of the support member in accordance with a characteristic of the vibrating apparatus.
32. A mechanical assembly comprising: a supporting structure; a driving unit; a driven unit coupled to the driving unit; and a mounting assembly according to the first aspect, wherein the mounting assembly is positioned between the supporting structure and at least one of the driving and driven units.
33. The mechanical assembly according to claim 32, wherein at least one of the driving and driven units comprises rotary equipment.
34. A mounting assembly for a vibrating apparatus, said mounting assembly comprising a mounting member adapted to be mounted on a support structure such that a portion of the mounting member is supported by the support structure and a portion of the mounting member is unsupported, wherein the unsupported portion of the mounting member is adapted to be secured to a vibrating apparatus.
35. A method of supporting a vibrating assembly on a support structure, said method comprising the steps of: securing a mounting member to a support structure such that a portion of the mounting member is supported by the support structure and a portion of the mounting member is unsupported; and securing the vibrating assembly to the unsupported portion of the mounting member.