Disassembly of motor, motor bracket and impeller assembly from in-line close-coupled pumps without interfering with piping arrangement

Abstract

A system for raising / lowering a motor / pump assembly with respect to a frame structure, the motor / pump assembly having a motor for driving an impeller-equipped pump, the system having features: one or more motor / pump rails coupled to the frame structure and also coupled to a first motor / pump mounting assembly of the motor / pump assembly; and a motor / pump lift assembly having a mounting bracket coupled to the frame structure, a motor / pump lift mechanism having a second motor / pump mounting assembly coupled to the motor / pump assembly, and configured to move the motor / pump assembly upward along the one or more motor / pump rails, the motor / pump assembly is moved to lift the motor / pump assembly away from the body of the pump to expose the impeller of the pump for pump maintenance, or to move downward after completion of pump maintenance to return the motor / pump assembly into the body of the pump.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application serial number 63 / 443,098, filed February 3, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a system for raising and lowering a motor / pump assembly, and more particularly, to a system for raising and lowering a motor / pump assembly using manual or automated operation. BACKGROUND

[0004] Within a centrifugal pump assembly, in order to service the seals or rotating elements, the motor / pump assembly must be separated from the body of the pump. When the motor / pump assembly is in a vertical orientation, this will require external lifting equipment. For example, it can require an overhead crane, or more commonly, a lifting device incorporated with a forklift. Another alternative is to remove the body of the pump from the motor / pump assembly and lower it down with the entire pump and motor unit suspended.

[0005] Disadvantages of known devices

[0006] Disadvantages of known devices include:

[0007] It is not always feasible to place the pump assembly within the reach of an overhead crane. Even if an overhead crane is available, the maneuvering to align the motor / pump assembly with the body of the pump presents inherent risks. Lifting equipment incorporated with a forklift also introduces inherent risks to the process, and creates constraints to the layout of the equipment, and adds additional time to the maintenance task. This also presents additional safety challenges to support the weight of the body of the pump when the motor / pump assembly is raised and has the ability to lower the body of the pump from it, and creates additional maintenance time to disconnect the piping.

[0008] In view of the above, there is a need in the industry for an enhanced solution to raise the motor / pump assembly for maintenance. SUMMARY

[0009] In summary, the purpose of the present invention is to lift the motor and motor bracket from the body of the pump using a novel system to expose the impeller for disassembly and servicing of the seals. For example, the motor of the motor / pump assembly is secured on a set of rails for ease of lifting. There are locks on the rails to secure the motor / pump assembly in the lowered and raised positions. When the locks are triggered, the motor will be disabled. This function system should be integrated with the main control panel that controls the locking and de-energizing of the motor / electric actuator. For safety purposes, the operation of the linear motor / electric actuator should be within the line of sight of the pump and motor unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] According to some embodiments, for example, the present application can include or take the form of a system for raising and lowering a motor / pump assembly relative to a frame structure, the motor / pump assembly having a motor for driving a pump with an impeller, the system characterized by: one or more motor / pump rails and a motor / pump lifting assembly.

[0011] The one or more motor / pump rails can be configured to be coupled to the frame structure and can also be configured to be coupled to a first motor / pump mounting assembly of the motor / pump assembly.

[0012] The motor / pump lifting assembly can include a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to the frame structure and can also include a motor / pump lifting mechanism configured to be coupled to a second motor / pump lifting assembly of the motor / pump assembly.

[0013] In operation, the motor / pump lifting assembly can be configured to move the motor / pump lifting mechanism and the motor / pump assembly upward along the one or more motor / pump rails to lift the motor / pump assembly away from a body of the pump to expose the impeller of the pump for pump maintenance or downward to return the motor / pump assembly back into the body of the pump after completion of the pump maintenance.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the present application can also include one or more of the following features:

[0015] Manual operation

[0016] The motor / pump lifting assembly can include a bevel gear screw jacking arrangement for enabling manual operation to move the motor / pump assembly upward and downward along the pump / motor rails.

[0017] For example, the motor / pump lifting assembly can include a handle attached to a bevel gear mechanism having a lead screw rotationally coupled to the motor / pump lifting mechanism; and the handle can be configured to be rotated such that the bevel gear mechanism rotates the lead screw to move a traveling nut to slide up and down to move the motor / pump assembly upward and downward along the pump / motor rails.

[0018] The mounting bracket can include a metal plate bracket configured to attach the motor / pump lifting assembly to a second mounting portion of the frame structure.

[0019] The motor / pump lifting mechanism can include a traveling nut coupled to the lead screw and configured to slide up and down as the lead screw rotates to provide a lifting action.

[0020] The motor / pump lifting mechanism can include a metal strip attached to the traveling nut and configured to hold the motor / pump assembly therein.

[0021] Automatic operation

[0022] The motor / pump lift assembly can include an electric arrangement for enabling automatic operation of moving the motor / pump assembly up and down along one or more pump / motor rails, for example, such as an electrically operated lift mechanism configured to move the motor / pump assembly up and down along the pump / motor rails in response to a control signal.

[0023] Furthermore, in such electric arrangement, the one or more motor / pump rails can include rails with locks configured to secure the motor / pump assembly in lowered and raised locked positions; the system can include a controller configured to provide a control signal to lock and secure the motor / pump assembly into lowered and raised locked positions and remove power provided to the motor of the motor / pump assembly.

[0024] Electric cylinder actuator

[0025] The motor / pump lift assembly can include an electric cylinder actuator arrangement for enabling automatic operation of moving the motor / pump assembly up and down along the pump / motor rails, for example, having an electric cylinder actuator with an actuator rod attached to the motor / pump lift mounting assembly and configured to move up and down along the pump / motor rails within a stroke length.

[0026] Electric cylinder actuator with linear motion (LM) rails

[0027] The one or more motor / pump rails can include linear motion (LM) rails. The second motor / pump mounting assembly of the motor / pump assembly can include a mounting base configured to be coupled to the LM rails. The electrically operated lift mechanism can include an electric cylinder actuator having an actuator rod configured to be attached to the mounting base and move the motor / pump assembly up and down along the pump / motor rails within a stroke length.

[0028] Ball screw actuator

[0029] The motor / pump lift assembly can include a ball screw actuator arrangement for enabling automatic operation of moving the motor / pump assembly up and down along one or more pump / motor rails, for example, having a gear motor with a motor shaft coupled to a ball screw by means of a flexible coupling. The second motor / pump mounting assembly of the motor / pump assembly can include a mounting base attached to the motor and can further include a floating nut configured to be coupled to the ball screw such that the ball screw is configured to rotate and translate the floating nut and the mounting base up and down along the one or more pump / motor rails.

[0030] Chain hoist

[0031] The motor / pump lifting assembly can include a chain hoist arrangement for effecting automated operation of moving the motor / pump assembly up and down along the pump / motor rail, e.g., having a chain hoist configured to be coupled to the motor / pump assembly and to pull and move the motor / pump assembly up and down along the pump / motor rail.

[0032] The motor / pump lifting mounting assembly can include an I-beam support for coupling the chain hoist to the second mounting portion of the frame structure; and the chain hoist can have an I-beam support coupler configured to be slidably coupled to the I-beam support.

[0033] Method

[0034] According to some embodiments, the invention can take the following form: A method for raising and lowering a motor / pump assembly having a motor for driving an impeller of a pump relative to a frame structure, the method comprising:

[0035] coupling one or more motor / pump rails to the frame structure;

[0036] coupling a first motor / pump mounting assembly of the motor / pump assembly to the motor / pump rail;

[0037] coupling a mounting bracket of a motor / pump lifting assembly to the frame structure;

[0038] attaching a motor / pump lifting mechanism of the motor / pump lifting assembly to the motor / pump assembly; and

[0039] moving the motor / pump lifting mechanism and the motor / pump assembly up along the one or more motor / pump rails to lift the motor / pump assembly away from a body of the pump to expose the impeller of the pump for pump maintenance; or down to return the motor / pump assembly into the body of the pump after completion of the pump maintenance.

[0040] The method can further include one or more features described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] The drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, include the following figures:

[0042] Figure 1 A system having a bevel gear screw jacking arrangement for providing manual operation of raising and lowering a motor / pump assembly relative to a frame structure is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0043] Figure 2 A system having an electric cylinder actuator arrangement for providing automated operation of raising and lowering a motor / pump assembly relative to a frame structure is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0044] Figure 3 A system with an electrically operated cylinder actuator with linear motion (LM) guide rails is shown for providing automated operation of raising and lowering the motor / pump assembly relative to the frame structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present application.

[0045] Figure 4 A system with a ball screw actuator arrangement is shown for providing automated operation of raising and lowering the motor / pump assembly relative to the frame structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present application.

[0046] Figure 5 A system with a chain hoist arrangement is shown for providing automated operation of raising and lowering the motor / pump assembly relative to the frame structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present application.

[0047] Figure 6 A controller for providing control signals to an electrically operated lifting mechanism for providing automated operation of raising and lowering the motor / pump assembly relative to the frame structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present application.

[0048] For consistency, like parts are marked with like reference numbers and labels in the figures. To reduce clutter in the figures as a whole, the leads for each element and the associated reference labels are not included in every figure of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In summary, different types of motor / pump assemblies are known in the art to have different weights. For performing pump maintenance, for example, maintenance of the mechanical seal(s) or other rotating element(s), the motor / pump assembly needs to be lifted to be separated from the main body of the pump. The inventors have designed several novel and unique mechanisms that can achieve the purpose with minimum effort, as set forth below, which include arrangements using the following elements:

[0050] 1. Bevel gear screw jacks Figure 1

[0051] 2. Electrically operated cylinder actuators Figure 2

[0052] 3. Electrically operated cylinder actuators with LM guide rails Figure 3

[0053] 4. Ball screw actuators Figure 4

[0054] 5. Chain hoists Figure 5

[0055] BASE INVENTION

[0056] ​​​​​In accordance with some embodiments, the present application can include or take the form of a system, generally indicated as 10, for raising and lowering a motor / pump assembly, generally indicated as 20, relative to a frame structure, generally indicated as 30, having mounting members, such as elements 32, 34, the motor / pump assembly including a motor 22 for driving a pump 24 with an impeller (not shown). Figures 1-5

[0057] For example, and in accordance with what is shown in Figure 1 The system 10 can include one or more motor / pump rails, such as element 40, and a motor / pump lifting assembly, generally indicated as element 50.

[0058] The one or more motor / pump rails 40 can be configured to be coupled to the frame structure 30 and can also be configured to be coupled to a first motor / pump mounting assembly, such as element 26, of the motor / pump assembly 20.

[0059] The motor / pump lifting assembly 50 can include a mounting bracket, such as element 52, configured to be coupled to the frame structure 30 and can also include a motor / pump lifting mechanism, such as element 54, configured to be coupled to a second motor / pump mounting assembly, such as element 28, of the motor / pump assembly 20.

[0060] In operation, the motor / pump lifting assembly 50 can be configured to move the motor / pump lifting mechanism 54, coupled to the motor / pump assembly 20, up along the one or more motor / pump rails 40 to lift the motor / pump assembly 20 out of the body of the pump 24 to expose the impeller (not shown) of the pump 24 for pump maintenance or down to return the motor / pump assembly 20 into the body of the pump 24 after pump maintenance is completed.

[0061] The present application will now be described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment shown in Figures 1-5

[0062] Figure 1 : Bevel Gear Screw Jack - Manual Operation

[0063] Figure 1 The system 10 is shown with a motor / pump lifting assembly 50 in the form of a bevel gear screw jack arrangement or mechanism for providing manual operation of raising and lowering the motor / pump assembly 20 relative to the frame structure 30. In Figure 1 The bevel gear screw jack arrangement 50 includes a mounting bracket 52, a lead screw 54, a traveler nut 28a, a handle 56, and a bevel gear screw mechanism 58, which in combination allow a person to lift the motor / pump assembly 20 with minimal effort.

[0064] ​​As shown, the bevel gear screw jacking arrangement or mechanism 50 with lead screw 54 is designed as a single unit that will be attached to the frame structure 30 with the help of a mounting bracket 52 that can take the form of a metal plate bracket 52, for example. The second motor / pump mounting assembly 28 of the motor / pump assembly 20 can include a traveler nut 28a that will slide up and down with the rotation of the lead screw 54 to provide the lifting or lowering action, for example. The second motor / pump mounting assembly 28 can also include a metal bar 28b that is attached at one end to the traveler nut 28a and at the other end to the motor 22, which helps to support and lift the motor 22 and motor / pump assembly 20. The lead screw 54 serves at least in part as a motor / pump lifting mechanism for the bevel gear screw jacking arrangement or mechanism.

[0065] In operation, the rotation of the handle 56 will turn the lead screw 54 with the help of the bevel gear screw mechanism 58 arranged inside the housing. Due to the rotation of the lead screw 54, the traveler nut 28a will travel through the length of the lead screw 54 and, since the metal bar 28b has been tied or attached to the motor 22, it will lift the motor / pump assembly 20. The lead screw 54 has a diameter and a pitch, the handle 56 has a diameter, and the bevel gear screw mechanism 58 has a bevel gear ratio, for example, all of which can be configured and designed such that only one person can easily lift the motor / pump assembly 20 with the help of a rope or chain, for example.

[0066] Figures 2-5 : Automatic operation embodiment

[0067] Figure 1 A manual operation embodiment is shown, while Figures 2-5 An automatic operation embodiment is shown.

[0068] The motor / pump lifting assembly 50 can include or take the form of an electrically operated lifting mechanism 150, 250, 350, for example, as Figures 2-5 shown in FIGS. 1-3, which is configured to respond to a control signal Figure 6 ) and move the motor / pump assembly 20 up and down along one or more pump / motor guide rails 40, 140, 240.

[0069] Figure 2 : Electric cylinder actuator - automatic operation

[0070] For example, Figure 2System 10 is shown, which has a motor / pump lifting assembly 50 as an electrically operated mechanism, in the form of an electric cylinder actuator, typically indicated as 150, such as an actuator motor 151 having an actuator rod 154 for driving the actuator rod 154. As shown, the electric cylinder actuator 150 is attached to a component 32 of the frame structure 30 by means of a bracket system 152, and the bottom end of the actuator rod 154 is attached to a second motor / pump mounting assembly 28 of the motor / pump assembly 20, for example by means of a rope or chain. The actuator rod 154 serves at least partially as the motor / pump lifting mechanism of the electric cylinder actuator.

[0071] When the electric cylinder actuator 150 is energized, the actuator motor 151 will cause the electric actuator rod 154 to reciprocate (i.e., move up or down) within a predefined stroke length. This will generate sufficient force to lift, for example, the largest or heaviest motor / pump assembly 20 along the pump / motor guide 40 by means of a rope or chain.

[0072] Figure 3 Electric cylinder actuator with LM guide rail - automatic operation

[0073] and Figure 2 Consistent with what is shown, Figure 3 System 10 is shown, which has an electric cylinder actuator 150, which can be used as a drive component and is attached to component 34 of frame structure 30 via bracket 152'. The electric cylinder actuator 150 has an actuator rod 154 and a second motor / pump mounting assembly 28 ( Figure 1 The actuator rod 154 will be assembled and attached to one end of the actuator base 126, for example, using a bracket (not shown). The motor / pump guide 40 will include or take the form of an LM guide 140. The mounting base 126 includes a sliding bracket 126a and is configured to be slidably coupled to the LM guide 140 and guided vertically through and along the LM guide 140. The motor / pump assembly 20 will be directly mounted on the mounting base 126, as shown.

[0074] When the electric cylinder actuator 150 is energized, the reciprocating motion of the actuator rod 154 will cause the motor / pump assembly 20 mounted on the mounting base 126 to be lifted along the LM guide rail 140.

[0075] Figure 4 Ball screw actuator - automatic operation

[0076] Figure 4A system 10 is shown having a motor / pump lift assembly 50 as an electrically operated mechanism, in the form of a ball screw actuator 250, using a gear motor 251 as the driving force. The ball screw actuator 250 includes a ball screw 254 having a specified diameter and pitch that will be attached to a motor shaft 255, for example using a flexible coupling. The motor / pump lift assembly 50 includes a mounting base 226 having a traveler nut and is attached to the motor / pump assembly 20. The traveler nut and mounting base 226 will be coupled and attached to the ball screw 254 to enable the mounting base 226 to travel linearly as the ball screw 254 is rotated. The motor 22 of the motor / pump assembly 20 will be mounted directly on the mounting base 226 as shown. This entire unit 250, including its gear motor 251, mounting bracket 252 and guide rail 240, can be attached to the vertical frame structure 30, for example by means of suitable bolts. The ball screw 254 at least partially acts or functions as a motor / pump lift mechanism for the ball screw actuator.

[0077] When the gear motor 251 is energized, the ball screw 254 will rotate at a certain speed (RPM). Due to the rotation of the ball screw 254, the traveler nut and mounting base 226 will translate vertically. Since the motor 22 of the motor / pump assembly 20 is bolted directly to the mounting base 226, the motor will be raised or lowered depending on the direction of rotation of the ball screw 254.

[0078] Figure 5 : Chain hoist - automatic operation

[0079] Figure 5 A system 10 is shown having a motor / pump lift assembly 50 as an electrically operated mechanism, in the form of a chain hoist 350, which can be used to lift the motor / pump assembly 20. The chain hoist 350 can include a chain hoist motor 351 and can also be an electrically powered remote control mechanism. The chain hoist 350 can include a chain hoist coupling member 352 that can be slidably attached to an I-beam structural steel support 370 and it can slide thereon. The I-beam structural steel support 370 can include an I-beam segment 370a that can be bolted to the second portion 34 of the frame structure 30.

[0080] For example, the motor / pump assembly 20 can be slidably coupled to the motor / pump guide rail 40, similar to that shown in Figure 1 .

[0081] Although Figure 5 the chain, or coupling of the chain hoist motor 351 to the motor / pump assembly 20 is not shown, one skilled in the art will appreciate how to couple them together without undue experimentation, for example with the teachings of Figures 1-4in accordance with the teachings shown in the detailed description and known in the art. The chain will at least partially act or function as a motor / pump lifting mechanism for the chain hoist.

[0082] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the chain hoist 350 can not be suitable for larger and heavier motor / pump assemblies, such as element 20, because the units of the chain hoist become too large and the mechanism space for the motor / pump assembly to move upwards can be limited.

[0083] When the chain hoist 350 is powered on, it will pull the motor / pump assembly 20 upwards, which will be directly attached to the motor 22 of the motor / pump assembly 20.

[0084] Locking embodiments

[0085] With Figure 3 In accordance with the teachings shown in the detailed description, in the contemplated embodiments, the motor / pump guide rail 40 can comprise a LM guide rail 140, which guide rail has a lock or locking mechanism configured to secure the motor / pump assembly 20 to lowered and raised locked positions. The system 10 can comprise a controller 100 Figure 6 ) configured to provide control signals to the lock and to secure the motor / pump assembly 20 to lowered and raised locked positions and to remove power to the motor 22 of the motor / pump assembly 20.

[0086] Figure 6 : Controller 100

[0087] Figure 6 A controller 100 for controlling the operation of the electric actuator shown in the detailed description is shown. Figures 2-5 A controller 100 for controlling the operation of the electric actuator shown in the detailed description is shown.

[0088] The functionality of the controller 100 can be implemented in whole or in part using one or more signal processors or processing modules 102, which can be configured using hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof, but the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to any particular embodiment thereof. In a typical software implementation, the signal processors or processing modules, such as element 102 Figure 6The signal processor may take the form of one or more microprocessor-based architectures, including a processor or microprocessor, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), wherein the RAM and ROM together form at least a portion of a memory for storing computer program code, input / output devices, and control, data, and address buses connected to them. Those skilled in the art can use computer program code to write such microprocessor-based implementations, thereby performing the functionality described herein without extensive experimentation. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular implementation using existing known or future-developed technologies. Furthermore, the scope of the invention is intended to include signal processors or processing modules as independent modules, or signal processors or processing modules combined with other circuitry to implement other modules. Moreover, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of signal processor or processing module used to perform signal processing functionality, nor is it limited to the manner in which the computer program code is programmed or implemented to make the signal processor work.

[0089] The signal processor or processing module, such as element 102, may include one or more other sub-modules for implementing other functionalities known in the art, but these sub-modules are not part of the present invention and therefore will not be described in detail herein. For example, the functionality of one or more other modules may include techniques for receiving signaling, providing signaling for activating, deactivating, or controlling the pump based on certain processing control functionalities, including automatically providing signals, providing signals after a certain period of time, etc., which may depend on the specific application for a particular customer.

[0090] The signal processor or processing module can also be configured to combine with other signal processor circuits or components 102, such as input / output modules, memory modules, data, address and control bus architectures, to achieve underlying signal processing functionality.

[0091] bevel gear mechanism

[0092] like Figure 1 The bevel gear mechanism shown is known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind, whether now known or developed in the future. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a bevel gear mechanism may include a bevel gear for driving / rotating a lead screw. Those skilled in the art will also understand how to connect such a bevel gear mechanism to a motor / pump assembly such as element 20 without excessive experimentation to lift the motor / pump assembly from the pump body to expose the pump impeller for pump maintenance, or to lower the motor / pump assembly back into the pump body after pump maintenance has been completed.

[0093] Electric cylinder actuator

[0094] Electric cylinder actuators as shown in Figures 2-3 Electric cylinder actuators as shown in

[0095] Ball screw actuators

[0096] Ball screw actuators as shown in Figure 4 Ball screw actuators as shown in

[0097] Chain hoists

[0098] Chain hoists as shown in Figure 5 Chain hoists as shown in

[0099] Scope of the invention

[0100] Furthermore, the embodiments set forth herein are provided by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting; and the scope of the application is not to be construed as limited to the specific configurations, sizes, and / or designs detailed herein. Rather, the scope of the application is to be understood as encompassing all embodiments that can be reasonably substituted for the embodiments disclosed herein, and further to be understood that modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein, and further to be understood that such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the application.

[0101] It should be understood that any features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described herein in relation to a particular embodiment can also be applied, used or incorporated into any other embodiment described herein, unless otherwise stated.

[0102] While the application has been described and illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be recognized that various modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the application.

Claims

1. A system for raising and lowering a motor / pump assembly relative to a frame structure, the motor / pump assembly having a motor for driving a pump with an impeller, the system comprising: one or more motor / pump rails configured to be coupled to the frame structure and further configured to be coupled to a first motor / pump mounting assembly of a motor / pump assembly; and a motor / pump lifting assembly having a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to the frame structure and having a motor / pump lifting mechanism configured to be coupled to a second motor / pump mounting assembly of the motor / pump assembly, the motor / pump lifting assembly configured to move the motor / pump lifting mechanism and the motor / pump assembly up along the one or more motor / pump rails to lift the motor / pump assembly out of a body of the pump to expose the impeller of the pump for pump maintenance or down after the pump maintenance is completed to return the motor / pump assembly into the body of the pump. manual operation 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor / pump lifting assembly includes a handle attached to a bevel gear mechanism having a lead screw rotationally coupled to the motor / pump lifting mechanism; and the handle is configured to be rotated such that the bevel gear mechanism rotates the lead screw to move the motor / pump assembly up and down along the one or more pump / motor rails.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mounting bracket includes a sheet metal bracket configured to attach the motor / pump lifting assembly to a mounting portion of the frame structure.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the motor / pump lifting mechanism includes a traveling nut coupled to the lead screw and configured to slide up and down as the lead screw rotates to provide a lifting action.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the motor / pump lifting mechanism includes a metal strip attached to the traveling nut and configured to hold the motor / pump assembly therein. automatic operation 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor / pump lifting assembly includes an electrically operated lifting mechanism configured to move the motor / pump assembly up and down along the one or more pump / motor rails in response to a control signal.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the motor / pump rails include rails with locks configured to secure the motor / pump assembly in lowered and raised locked positions; and the system includes a controller configured to provide the control signal to lock and secure the motor / pump assembly into the lowered and raised locked positions and remove power to the motor of the motor / pump assembly. electric cylinder actuator 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the electrically operated lift mechanism comprises an electric cylinder actuator having an actuator rod attached to the motor / pump lift mounting assembly and configured to move up and down along the one or more pump / motor rails over a length of travel. Electric cylinder actuator with LM rails 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more motor / pump rails comprise linear motion rails; the second motor / pump mounting assembly of the motor / pump assembly comprises a mounting base configured to couple to the linear motion rails; and the electrically operated lift mechanism comprises an electric cylinder actuator having an actuator rod configured to attach to the mounting base and move the motor / pump assembly up and down along the pump / motor rails over a length of travel. Ball screw actuator 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the electrically operated lift mechanism comprises a gear motor having a motor shaft coupled to a ball screw; and the second motor / pump mounting assembly comprises a mounting base configured to attach to the motor of the motor / pump assembly and further comprises a floating nut configured to couple to the ball screw, the ball screw configured to rotate and translate the floating nut and the mounting base up and down along the one or more pump / motor rails. Chain hoist 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the electrically operated lift mechanism comprises a chain hoist configured to couple to the motor / pump assembly and pull the motor / pump assembly up and down along the one or more pump / motor rails.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the motor / pump lift mounting assembly comprises an I-beam support for coupling the chain hoist to the second mounting portion of the frame structure; and the chain hoist comprises an I-beam support coupler configured to slidably couple to the I-beam support.

13. A method for raising and lowering a motor / pump assembly relative to a frame structure, the motor / pump assembly having a motor for driving a pump with an impeller, the method comprising: coupling one or more motor / pump rails to the frame structure; coupling a first motor / pump mounting assembly of a motor / pump assembly to the one or more motor / pump rails; coupling a mounting bracket of a motor / pump lift assembly to the frame structure; attaching a motor / pump lift mechanism of the motor / pump lift assembly to a second motor / pump mounting assembly of the motor / pump assembly; and moving the motor / pump lift mechanism and the motor / pump assembly up along the one or more motor / pump rails to lift the motor / pump assembly off a body of the pump to expose an impeller of the pump for pump maintenance. or moving downward after the pump maintenance is complete to return the motor / pump assembly back into the body of the pump.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: configuring the motor / pump lift assembly as a handle that is attached to a bevel gear mechanism having a lead screw that is rotationally coupled to the motor / pump lift mechanism; and rotating the handle such that the bevel gear mechanism rotates the lead screw to move the motor / pump assembly upward and downward along the one or more pump / motor guide rails.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: configuring the motor / pump lift assembly as an electrically operated lift mechanism; and configuring the electrically operated lift mechanism to move the motor / pump assembly upward and downward along the one or more pump / motor guide rails in response to a control signal.

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