GB2541171A

GB2541171A - A device for adjusting the positioning of an apparatus relative to a foundation in a shaft alignment process and a method thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2541171A
Application number: GB1513314.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Van Baal Jeroen; Baart Pieter
Original assignee: SKF AB
Current assignee: SKF AB
Priority date: 2015-07-29
Filing date: 2015-07-29
Publication date: 2017-02-15
Also published as: GB201513314D0

Abstract

The invention resides in a device (100) for adjusting the positioning of an apparatus comprising a shaft (470) relative to a foundation (490) in a shaft alignment process, the device (100) comprising: i) a plate (110) comprising: · a frame section (112) extending at the perimeter of the plate (110), the frame section (112) defining an interior space; · an inner section (113) for supporting the apparatus (480), the inner section (113) arranged in the interior space; · a first adjusting means (147, 147'); and · a plurality of flexure hinges (115, 115') connecting the inner section (113) to the frame section (112) for allowing a movement of said inner section (113) relative to the frame section (112) along a first axis (Y) when said inner section (113) is pushed by the first adjustment means (147, 147'); and ii) a support member (130) for supporting the plate (110) on a foundation (490), the support member (130) arranged for protruding from the frame section (112) to allow for movement of the plate (110) relative to the foundation (490) along a second axis (Z) transverse to the first axis (Y).

Description

A DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITIONING OF AN APPARATUS RELATIVE TO A FOUNDATION IN A SHAFT ALIGNMENT PROCESS AND A METHOD

THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of devices for adjusting the position of an apparatus for achieving shaft alignment and methods for achieving shaft alignment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the art, when two shafts are coupled together, shaft alignment is necessary. The position of one apparatus, such as an electric motor, comprising one of the shafts is adjusted to achieve alignment with the other shaft.

Shaft alignment is a critical process for a good performance and low risk of premature wear and vibrations which may result from misalignment that may cause breakdown of the apparatus, the apparatus-shaft and the shaft. In the art it is known to use devices such as shims or set screws for adjusting the position of the apparatus in order to achieve shaft alignment in different degrees of freedom (DOF). A problem is that the shaft alignment using shims or set screws is a process where the adjustment of a first DOF can affect a second DOF. A second problem is that the use of shims in incremental adjustment goes in steps of the thickness of the shim, so there is no continuous alignment possibility. The present invention tries to alleviate these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for adjusting the positioning of an apparatus relative to a foundation in a shaft alignment process, the device comprising: i) a plate comprising: • a frame section extending at the perimeter of the plate, the frame section defining an interior space; • an inner section for supporting the apparatus, the inner section arranged in the interior space; • a first adjusting means; and • a plurality of flexure hinges connecting the inner section to the frame section for allowing a movement of said inner section relative to the frame section along a first axis when said inner section is pushed by the first adjustment means; and ii) a support member for supporting the plate on a foundation, the support member arranged for protruding from the frame section to allow for movement of the plate relative to the foundation along a second axis transverse to the first axis. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for aligning the shaft of an apparatus in a shaft alignment process, the method using a device for adjusting the positioning the apparatus relative to a foundation (490), the device (100) comprising: i) a plate comprising: • a frame section extending at the perimeter of the plate, the frame section defining an interior space; • an inner section arranged in the interior space; • first adjusting means; and • a plurality of flexure hinges connecting the inner section to the frame section for allowing a movement of said inner section relative to the frame section along a first axis when said inner section is pushed by the first adjustment means; and ii) a support member for supporting the plate on the foundation, the support member arranged for protruding from the frame section to allow for movement of the plate relative to the foundation along a second axis transverse to the first axis; and wherein the method comprises the steps of: - placing the device (100) between the foundation (490) and the apparatus such that said apparatus can be supported by the inner section (113) and the support member is supporting the device (100) on the foundation (490); - adjusting the shaft (470) of the apparatus along the second axis (Z) by protruding and/or retracting the support member from the frame section (112) to move the plate (110); and - adjusting the shaft (470) of the apparatus along the first axis (Y) by moving the inner section via the first adjustment means (147, 147’)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The first aspect of the invention concerns a device according to claim 1. In this way, the device allows for adjustment of the apparatus relative to a shaft in height and a lateral position independently in a shaft alignment process.

The device comprises a plate and a support member for supporting said plate on a foundation. The plate comprises a frame section defining the perimeter of said plate and an interior space. An inner section is arranged within the interior space, the inner section being connected to the frame section via a plurality of flexure hinges. The inner section is arranged for supporting the apparatus by itself or via a further plate that can be fixed to said inner section.

Flexure hinges are known in the art, see for example US4559717. Flexure hinges connect two components. The flexure hinges have axial stiffness when said flexure hinges are pushed in a direction parallel to their longitudinal direction. However, the flexure hinges are thin enough to develop bending along their longitudinal direction when one of the two elements is pushed in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction.

In the present invention, the pattern of the plurality of flexure hinges is designed to allow for movement of the inner section relative to the frame section along a first axis Y, when said inner section is pushed. The inner section thus moves corresponding with a first DOF. This movement is achieved since the longitudinal direction of the flexure hinges responsible for said movement is transverse relative to the first axis. A first adjustment means is arranged at the plate for pushing the inner section in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis. For example, the first adjustment member may be a screw arranged at a threaded hole present in the frame section, the screw being capable of protruding towards the inner section to push said inner section by its distal end. Thus the first adjustment means pushes in a direction transverse relative to the flexure hinges responsible for movement of the inner section in the first DOF. It is preferred that two first adjusting means are arranged opposite to each other in the plate to move the inner section in opposite directions along the first axis, said first adjusting means cooperating in a pair arrangement.

The support member is arranged at the frame section of the plate for protruding relative to said plate along a second axis Z transverse to the first axis. Thus, when the device is supported on the foundation the support member adjusts the plate in height along the axis Z. The support member provides then a second DOF independent of the first DOF, said first DOF allowing for lateral adjustment along the axis Y, since the support member is arranged at the frame section. The support member may be a support plate that can be moved relative to the plate by screws arranged at a threaded hole present in the frame section, the support plate being capable of protruding from a bottom face of said frame section towards the foundation. In general, the support member comprises three support elements comprising a distal end capable of protruding from the bottom face of the frame section. The support member may be three screws arranged respectively at a corresponding threaded hole present in the frame section.

In an embodiment, the support member comprises at least three support elements, wherein at least one of the three support elements is arranged for protruding independently with respect to the others to tilt the plate relative to the foundation. In this way, the plate can be tilted relative to the foundation in an angle φ, the support elements providing for a third DOF for achieving shaft alignment.

In an embodiment, the device comprises a second adjustment means and the plurality of flexure hinges also allows for a rotational movement of the inner section relative to the frame section when said inner section is pushed by the second adjustment means. In this way, the inner section can be rotated about the second axis in an angle a, the device providing for a fourth DOF for achieving shaft alignment.

In an embodiment, the frame section, the inner section and the flexure hinges are all part of an integral block defining the plate. In this way, the plate can be easily manufactured. Said plate comprises a rigid material, the word rigid meaning that the flexure hinges, formed by a slot or a groove, have axial stiffness relative to the bending flexibility around the longitudinal direction of the slot. The material may be a metal, for example steel, or a rigid polymer, such as polyamide 6.6. The block may be a single piece made by milling the different sections of the plate or by moulding said plate. The plate may also be a composite comprising an outer protective layer to improve the lifetime of the plate under aggressive environments.

In an embodiment, the device comprises a further plate arranged for being fixed to the inner section of the plate. In this way, the apparatus can be supported by the further plate, providing a higher support area relative to the inner section. The further plate can also be easily fixed to the foundation after shaft alignment.

In an embodiment, the device comprises fixing means arranged for fixing the plate and/or the further plate to the foundation. In this way, the device can be fixed to the foundation. Since the inner section is subjected to stress due to the flexure hinges and the pressure applied by the first adjustment means and the second adjusting means, it is preferred that the fixing means allows for fixing of said inner section to the foundation. The fixing means can be for example holes or threaded holes designed to receive screws or bolts for fixing the device to the foundation.

The second aspect of the invention relates to a method according to claim 7.In this way, the shaft alignment process can be achieved in a more cost-effective way by using the device since the apparatus, and thus its shaft, can be aligned in height and laterally relative to the centreline of a further shaft to which the apparatus-shaft is coupled. The inner section may support directly the apparatus or by means of a further plate connected to said inner section.

In an embodiment, the support member comprises at least three support elements, wherein at least one of the three support elements is arranged for protruding independently with respect to the others to tilt the plate relative to the foundation and wherein the shaft of the apparatus is tilted relative to the foundation in an angle φ by protruding or retracting independently the at least one of the three support elements. In this way, the apparatus can also be adjusted relative to the shaft in an angle φ relative to the foundation.

In an embodiment, the device comprises second adjustment means and the plurality of flexure hinges also allows for a rotational movement of the inner section relative to the frame section, about the second axis (Z) when the inner section is pushed by the second adjustment means. In this way, an angular position of the apparatus and its shaft can be adjusted relative to the centreline of the further shaft.

In an embodiment, the device comprises a further plate fixed to the inner section and the apparatus is supported on said further plate. In this way, the apparatus is supported by the further plate, providing a higher support area relative to the inner section.

In an embodiment, the inner section and/or the further plate of the device is fixed to the foundation once the apparatus-shaft of the apparatus is aligned to the further shaft. In this way, the risk of misalignment of the apparatus due to movement of the inner section after shaft alignment is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of said invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of a plate of the device depicted in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the plate depicted in Fig. 2, the plate comprising a pair of first adjustment means and a pair of second adjustment means;

Fig. 4A is a top view of the device depicted in Fig. 1 when in use; and

Fig 4B is a side view of the device depicted in Fig. 4A when in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be noted that items which have the same reference numbers in different figures, have the same structural features and the same functions. Where the function and/or structure of such item has been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanation thereof in the detailed description.

It should further be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments.

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of an example of the device 100 according to the invention. The device 100 comprises a plate 110, a further plate 120 and a support member 130 comprising three support elements 130a, 130b and 130c.

The plate 110 forms a block defining a top face 161, a bottom face 162 (see Fig. 4B) opposite to the top face 161 and four lateral faces 163. In the present example, the material of the block defining the plate 110 is steel, but it may be another metal or a rigid polymer, depending upon the particular application for the device.

The plate 110 comprises three threaded holes 116a, 116b and 116c to receive respectively the three support elements 130a, 130b and 130c. The function of said support elements will be discussed later. The plate 110 also comprises three holes 140 near to the threaded holes 116a, 116b and 116c.

In the present example, the further plate 120 is also made of steel. The width of the further plate 120 corresponds to the width of the plate 110, but its length is smaller than the length of said plate 110 to provide access to the three support elements 130a, 130b and 130c. The further plate 120 comprises countersunk holes 121 that cooperates with blind holes 119 present in the plate 110 to fix said further plate 120 to the plate 110 by screws 128. This will be explained later.

The further plate 120 also comprises four fixing holes 152 mating four fixing holes 151 present in the first plate when said further plate 120 is fixed to the plate 110. The diameter of the fixing holes 152 is bigger than the diameter of the fixing holes 151. Said fixing holes 151 and 152 can receive screws 153. The function of said screws 153 will be explained later.

Figure 2 depicts a top view of the plate 110. The plate 110 comprises a plurality of channels 111 extending from the top face 161 to the bottom face 162. The plurality of channels 111 defines the frame section 112, the inner section 113 and arms 114a, 114b, 114c and 114d. These elements are connected via a plurality of flexure hinges 115a, 115b, 115c and 115’a, 115’b, 115’c, 115’d.

As shown in Figure 2, the frame section 112 comprises a pair of first threaded holes 117 and 117’ and a pair of second threaded holes 118 and 118’. The first threaded holes 117 and 117’ and the second threaded holes 118 and 118’ extend from the lateral faces 163 to the plurality of channels 111.

Fig. 3 depicts a top view of the plate 110 comprising a pair of first adjustment means 147 and 147’ and a pair of second adjustment means 148 and 148’. A comparison of said Fig. 3 with Fig. 2 shows that the first adjustment means 147 and 147’ are respectively arranged at the threaded holes 117 and 117’ and the second adjustment means 148 and 148’ are respectively arranged at the threaded holes 118 and 118’ of the first plate 110. In the present example, each of the first adjustment means 147 and 147’ and the second adjustment means 148 and 148’ are set screws.

As mentioned before, the frame section 112, the inner section 113 and arms 114a, 114b, 114c and 114d of the plate 110 are connected via the plurality of flexure hinges. The longitudinal direction of each of the arms 114a, 114b, and 114c and the flexures hinges 115a, 115b and 115c is aligned with the axis X. The longitudinal direction of the arm 114d and the flexure hinges 115’a, 115’b, 115’c and 115’d is aligned with the axis Y.

Although the flexure hinges have high axial stiffness when are pushed in a direction parallel to their longitudinal direction, they are thin enough to develop bending flexibility when they are pushed in a direction transverse to their longitudinal direction at a distal end of a connected arm. Thus, as will be explained later, said flexure hinges allow for movement of said inner section 113 and the arms 114a, 114b, 114c and 114d relative to the frame section 112 in cooperation with the first adjustment means 147 and 147’ and the second adjustment means 148 and 148’.

The cooperation of the first adjustment means 147 with the arm 114b is as follows. When the first adjustment means 147 is screwed or unscrewed, it moves along the threaded hole 117. Thus the distal end 142 of said first adjustment means 147 can push or not the arm 114b at a distal end relative to the flexure hinge 115b. When the distal end 142 pushes the arm 114b, since said arm is connected to the frame section 112 by the flexure hinge 115b and the longitudinal direction of said flexure hinge 115b is transverse to the direction of movement of the first adjustment means 147, said flexure hinge 115b is flexible for allowing a clockwise rotational movement of the arm 114b about said flexure hinge 115b. Thus, said arm 114b is displaced by the adjusting means 147 relative to the frame section 112.

As shown in Figure 3, the arm 114b is also connected to the inner section 113 by a flexure hinge 115’b, and the first adjustment means 147 is aligned to said flexure hinge 115’b. Although the arm 114b rotates as explained before, the direction of the movement is still substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flexure hinge 115’b. Thus, said flexure hinge 115’b is relatively stiff, meaning that bending effect can be disregarded, and the arm 114b pushes the inner section 113 as said arm 114b rotates. Since the inner section 113 is also connected to the arms 114a and 114c via the flexure hinges 115’a and 115’c respectively, said arms 114a and 114c are respectively pulled and pushed by the inner section 113, causing clockwise rotation of said arms 114a and 114c about the flexure hinges 115a and 115c respectively. As a result, the inner section 113 moves in the direction A along the axis Y. Here there might also be a rotational movement of the inner section, but its effect can be disregarded with respect to the movement in the direction A.

The movement of the inner section 113 in a direction opposite to the direction A is also possible by the cooperation of the first adjustment means 147’ with the arm 114c. In this case the first adjustment means 147’ pushes the arm 114c at a distal end relative to the flexure hinge 115c. Thus, the arm 114c is displaced relative to the frame section 112 in anticlockwise rotational movement about the flexure hinge 115c due to the bending of said flexure hinge 115c. Again, the displacement of the arm 114c causes displacement of the inner section 113 in a direction opposite to the direction A via the flexure hinge 115’c. Thus, the first adjustment means 147 and the first adjustment means 147’ cooperate together as a pair for achieving movement of the inner section 113 relative to the frame section 112 along the axis Y in the direction A or in a direction opposite to the direction A.

The pair of second adjustment means 148 and 148’ is arranged for moving the inner section 113 in a rotational movement about an axis transverse to the first face 161. For example, said inner section 113 can rotate in a direction B shown in Fig. 3 by the cooperation of the adjustment means 148 with the arm 114d. When the distal end 142 of the adjustment means 148 pushes the arm 114d at a distal end relative to the flexure hinge 115’d, said arm 114d is displaced relative to the frame section 112 in a clockwise rotational movement due to the bending of the flexure hinge 115’d. Since the flexure hinge 115c is aligned with the direction of displacement of the arm 114d, said hinge 115c is relative rigid and pushes the arm 114c in a direction parallel to the axis X. Said arm 114c is connected to the inner section by the flexure hinge 115’c, which longitudinal direction is transverse to the movement of the arm 114c. Thus, said hinge 115’c can thus bend. The cooperation of flexure hinge 115’c the flexure hinges 115’a and 115’b causes a rotation of the inner section 113 relative to the frame section in the direction B.

The second adjustment means 148 and the second adjustment means 148’ cooperate together as a pair for achieving a rotational movement of the inner section 113 in the direction B or in a direction opposite to B.

As mentioned before, the further plate 120 is fixed to the inner section 113 of the plate 110 by the screws 128 (see Fig. 1). Thus, if the inner section 113 is moved relative to the frame section 112 by the first adjustment means 147 and 147’ or the second adjustment means 148 and 148’, the further plate 120 also moves.

The device 100 is used in a method for aligning a shaft (not shown) with a further shaft 470 of an apparatus (not shown) to achieve shaft alignment. The adjustment of the further shaft 470 relative to the shaft is achieved by adjusting the position of the apparatus. The method is explained in Fig. 4Aand Fig. 4B.

Fig. 4A depicts a top view of the device 100 used to align the further shaft 470, and Fig. 4B depicts a lateral side view from a plane IV-B of Fig. 4A.

In the method, the device 100 is supported on a foundation 490, and the apparatus comprising the further shaft 470 is supported on the further plate 120. Thus, since the apparatus comprising the further shaft 470 is supported by the further plate 120, the centreline of the further shaft 470 can be adjusted relative to the axis Y by means of the first adjustment means 147 and 147’. Thus, the device 100 allows for adjustment in a first DOF, as shown in Fig. 4A.

As shown in Figures 4B, the device 100 is supported on the foundation 490, the bottom face 162 facing said foundation 490, and the apparatus 480 is supported on the further plate 120. The apparatus is placed such that the fixing holes 152 are accessible.

In the present embodiment, each of the three support elements 130a, 130b and 130c is respectively a screw arranged at the threaded holes 116a, 116b and 116c. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, only the screw 130a will be discussed in detail, the same explanation being applicable for the screws 130a and 130b. The screw 130a comprises a head 131, an end 132 distal to the head 131 and a thread (not shown) between them. The thread mates another thread present in the hole 116 such that when torque is provided to the head 131 the distal end protrudes from the bottom face 162. Consequently, the distance of said distal end 132 relative to the bottom face 162 can be adjusted. The apparatus comprising the further shaft 470 to be aligned can be moved along the axis Z for adjustment in height relative to the further shaft 470. This adjustment is achieved by protruding the distal ends 132 of the three support elements 130a, 130b and 130c from the bottom face 162 to the desired extend. Thus, the device 100 allows for adjustment in a second DOF, as shown in Fig. 4B.

Further, since each of said support elements can be protruded independently with respect to the others, the plate 110 can also be tilted relative to the axis X. In the present example the tilting of the further shaft 470 is achieved in an angle φ, as shown in Figure 4B by adjusting the distance of the distal end 132 of the screw 130a or 130b relative to the other adjusting elements. Thus, the device 100 allows for adjustment in a third DOF, as shown in Fig. 4B.

The centreline of the further shaft 470 can also be adjusted in an angle a by means of the second adjustment means 148 and 148’, as shown in Fig. 4A. Thus, the device 100 allows for adjustment in a fourth DOF.

In the method it is preferred to adjust the position along the axis Z, followed by the adjustment of the angle φ. Then, the adjustment of the angle a and along the axis Y can be done.

Once the apparatus comprising the further shaft 470 is adjusted to achieve shaft alignment, both the plate 110 and the further plate 120 can be fixed to the foundation 490 by screws 153 arranged at the fixing holes 152 of the further plate 120 and the fixing holes 151 of the inner section 113 of the plate 110. In this way, movement of the further plate that may cause misalignment effect of the further shaft 470 is reduced. Since the further plate 120 has been adjusted, the diameter of the fixing holes 152 in the present example is bigger than the diameter of the threaded holes 151, so the screws 153 can be tightened. The plate 110 can also be fixed to the foundation by screws 422 arranged in holes 140 depicted in Fig. 1.

The example discussed can be amended within the scope of the claims. For example, the pattern of the plurality of channels and arms can be different as the one discussed before and the displacement of the arms have an angle relative to the axis X and axis Y to facilitate non-parallel transverse displacement of the inner section.

Claims

1. A device (100) for adjusting the positioning of an apparatus relative to a foundation (490) in a shaft alignment process, the device (100) comprising: i) a plate (110) comprising: • a frame section (112) extending at the perimeter of the plate (110), the frame section (112) defining an interior space; • an inner section (113) for supporting the apparatus (480), the inner section (113) arranged in the interior space; • a first adjusting means (147, 147’); and • a plurality of flexure hinges (115, 115’) connecting the inner section (113) to the frame section (112) for allowing a movement of said inner section (113) relative to the frame section (112) along a first axis (Y) when said inner section (113) is pushed by the first adjustment means (147, 147’); and ii) a support member (130) for supporting the plate (110) on a foundation (490), the support member (130) arranged for protruding from the frame section (112) to allow for movement of the plate (110) relative to the foundation (490) along a second axis (Z) transverse to the first axis (Y).

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the support member (130) comprises at least three support elements (130) and wherein at least one of the three support elements is arranged for protruding independently with respect to the others to tilt the plate (110) by an angle (cp) relative to the foundation (490).

3. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device (100) comprises second adjustment means (148, 148’) and the plurality of flexure hinges (115, 115’) also allows for a rotational movement of the inner section (113) relative to the frame section (112), about the second axis (Z), when said inner section (113) is pushed by the second adjustment means (148, 148’).

4. The device (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the frame section (112), the inner section (113) and the flexure hinges (115, 115’) are all part of an integral block defining the plate (110).

5. The device (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the device (100) comprises a further plate (120) arranged for being fixed to the inner section (113) of the plate (110).

6. The device (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the device (100) comprises fixing means (422) arranged for fixing the plate (110) and/or the further plate (120) to the foundation (490).

7. A method for aligning a first shaft with a second shaft (470) of an apparatus in a shaft alignment process, the method using a device for adjusting the positioning the apparatus relative to a foundation (490), the device (100) comprising: i) a plate (110) comprising: • a frame section (112) extending at the perimeter of the plate (110), the frame section (112) defining an interior space; • an inner section (113) arranged in the interior space; • first adjusting means (147, 147’); and • a plurality of flexure hinges (115, 115’) connecting the inner section (113) to the frame section (112) for allowing a movement of said inner section (113) relative to the frame section (112) along a first axis (Y) when said inner section (113) is pushed by the first adjustment means (147, 147’); and ii) a support member (130) for supporting the plate (110) on the foundation (490), the support member (130) arranged for protruding from the frame section (112) to allow for movement of the plate (110) relative to the foundation (490) along a second axis (Z) transverse to the first axis (Y); and wherein the method comprises the steps of: placing the device (100) between the foundation (490) and the apparatus such that said apparatus can be supported by the inner section (113) and the support member (130) is supporting the device (100) on the foundation (490); - adjusting the second shaft (470) of the apparatus along the second axis (Z) by protruding and/or retracting the support member (130) from the frame section (112) to move the plate (110); and - adjusting the second shaft (470) of the apparatus along the first axis (Y) by moving the inner section via the first adjustment means (147, 147’).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the support member (130) comprises at least three support elements (130a, 130b, 130c), wherein at least one (130c) of the three support elements (130a, 130b, 130c) is arranged for protruding independently with respect to the others to tilt the plate (110) relative to the foundation and wherein the method comprises tilting the further shaft (470) of the apparatus relative to the foundation (490) in an angle cp by protruding or retracting independently the at least one (130c) of the three support elements (130a, 130b, 130c).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the device (100) comprises second adjustment means (148, 148’) and the plurality of flexure hinges (115, 115’) also allows for a rotational movement of the inner section (113) relative to the frame section (112), about the second axis (Z), when said inner section (113) is pushed by second adjustment means (148, 148’), and wherein the method comprises adjusting an angular position (a) of the second shaft (470) relative to a centreline of the first shaft via the second adjustment means.

10. The method according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the device comprises a further plate (120) fixed to the inner section (113) and the apparatus is supported on said further plate (120).

11. The method according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the inner section (113) and/or the further plate (120) of the device (100) is fixed to the foundation (490) once the second shaft (470) has been aligned.