GB2512320B

GB2512320B - Device for releasing seized mass with controlled vibration

Info

Publication number: GB2512320B
Application number: GB1305464.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Williams Stuart
Original assignee: Hydrosave UK Ltd
Current assignee: Hydrosave UK Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-26
Filing date: 2013-03-26
Publication date: 2019-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-26
Also published as: GB2512320A; GB201305464D0

Description

Device for releasing seized mass with controlled vibration

The invention relates to a device utilised for the release of seized or semi seized components within any mechanical assembly, particularly pipework assets.

Mechanical assemblies often become seized due to a build-up of particulates which restrict movement by taking up the space between the moving parts. These particulates can be in the form of foreign bodies, corrosion or material fragments dislodged due to wear and tear. Seizure of mechanical assemblies often renders the device inoperable and thus causes cosdy down time and repair/replacement costs. Pipework inffastructure is particularly prone to problems relating to seizures, which in turn causes network control issues. Within the water industry this also creates water quality issues, supply issues and further problems within the system.

Every mass has what’s called ‘free movement’ even when seized. When a known vibration is applied to the mass at various frequencies/amplitudes the resonant frequency can be ascertained. The resonant frequency is a natural frequency of vibration determined by the physical parameters of the vibrating object. This same basic idea of physically determined natural frequencies applies throughout physics in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and even throughout the realm of modern physics. It is easier to get an object to vibrate at its resonant frequency but hard to get it to vibrate at other frequencies. Most vibrating objects have multiple resonant frequencies. When the vibration becomes most efficient in exciting the mechanical components the particulates break up and disperses causing the release of the seizure components. The resonant frequency can be measured and simulated by the invention in a controlled manner. Throughout the procedure the resonant frequency can be checked and adjusted by the invention where necessary.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for the release of a seized mass, which is connected to water supply pipework, said apparatus including a bi-directional torque motor, a vibration unit and a plurality of adapter heads to allow the apparatus to be fixed to a spindle or shaft of the said seized mass via the selection of an appropriate one of the adapter heads, connecting the vibration unit to the selected adapter head and the torque motor to the vibration unit and oscillation of the free movement of said seized mass is created by the operation of the torque motor and wherein vibration and torsion are applied to the said seized mass by the selective operation of the vibration unit and torque motor respectively to free the same and said apparatus is free standing when in use and operated by an operative remotely from the said apparatus while the apparatus is located on and supported by the spindle or shaft of the seized mass.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes control means to measure the frequency of the mass and thus calculate the resonant frequency of vibration which is to be applied.

In one embodiment the known resonant frequency and torsion are applied to the shaft simultaneously.

In one embodiment the control means reassesses the resonant frequency at any time and alters the vibration frequency if required. A specific embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawing. The invention consists of a transducer assembly which is either housed in the connection adapters (4, 5 & 6), or the vibration system (1) or attached separately to the outer surface of the moving part on the mechanical mass. This transducer is connected to a PC device whereby the signal is received and processed for resonance. A multitude of frequencies can be induced by the vibration unit (1) and this can also be tuned by applying torsion to the rotating parts using the motor assembly (2). The motor assembly can be utilised to operate the seized component in either direction at variable, but fully controlled torque settings.

The whole invention can be setup and stabilised by its own design and thus is capable of being utilised remotely. This is a major step forward in risk limitation to operatives and can also be used in hazardous environments with only setup time exposure.

The invention is modular in design and thus can be handled easily and safely by one man. In the first instance, a suitable adapter is selected and fixed to the seized shaft (3,4 or 5). The vibration unit (1) is then connected to the adapter by the drive square and nut assembly. The torque motor (2) is then fitted to the vibration unit (1) and secured in place by aluminium structures attached to the reaction arm (Yellow part of(2)). key to drawings 1. Vibration System 2. Bi-Directional Torque Motor 3. Four Jaw Adjustable Fixing Adapter 4. Multi-Point Hand Wheel Adapter 5. Taper Dolly Adapter

Claims

1. Apparatus for the release of a seized mass, which is connected to water supply pipework, said apparatus including a bi-directional torque motor, a vibration unit and a plurality of adapter heads to allow the apparatus to be fixed to a spindle or shaft of the said seized mass via the selection of an appropriate one of the adapter heads, connecting the vibration unit to the selected adapter head and the torque motor to the vibration unit and oscillation of the free movement of said seized mass is created by the operation of the torque motor and wherein vibration and torsion are applied to the said seized mass by the selective operation of the vibration unit and torque motor respectively to free the same and said apparatus is free standing when in use and operated by an operatíve remotely from the said apparatus while the apparatus is located on and supported by the spindle or shaft of the seized mass.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes control means to measure the frequency of the mass over a given time and thus calculate the resonant frequency for vibration which is to be applied. 3 Apparatus according to claim 1-wherein the vibration and torsion are applied to the mass simultaneously. 4 Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the control means reassesses the resonant frequency at any time and alters the vibration frequency if required.