Coupled assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) comprising a machine (2) consisting of a first element (10) coupled to a second element (20), the machine (2) being connected to a chassis (30), the chassis (30) also comprising a guide interface (40) for guiding the second element (20) in translation relative to the first element (10) along a decoupling direction (O1), the guide interface (40) comprising a first guide track (41) and a second guide track (42).

Description

Coupled set FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of industrial machines and more particularly to machines comprising a motor element coupled to a driven element.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An assembly comprising a turbocharger consisting of a motor-compressor to which a turbine is coupled and connected to a piping network is known. The turbocharger is generally bolted to a receiving frame which allows the coupling of the motor-compressor to be locked to the turbine in addition to the direct connections between the motor-compressor and the turbine. The frame also allows the turbocharger to be connected to a surface of a support. Coupling the turbine to the motor-compressor requires an alignment precision of these two elements relative to each other which is between a tenth of a millimeter and one millimeter. An assembly of such precision is very delicate, particularly when the elements to be assembled have masses of several tons.Furthermore, on-site maintenance operations that require uncoupling of the two elements in a difficult and / or unstable mechanical environment, such as a ship or an offshore platform, are complex and risky for the elements.

[0004] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention aims in particular to facilitate the operations of assembly and disassembly of a machine comprising two coupled elements.

[0006] To this end, according to the invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a machine consisting of a first element coupled to a second element, the machine being connected to a chassis which comprises an interface for guiding the translation of the second element relative to the first element in a direction of uncoupling, the guiding interface comprising a first guiding track and a second guiding track.

[0007] The guide interface and in particular the two guide tracks is (are) configured to carry the second element and allow its movement relative to the first element in the uncoupling direction and in a direction normal to the latter.

[0008] Thus, the assembly / disassembly of the second element of the machine is facilitated by the translational guidance interface and the use of lifting equipment is limited.

[0009] The stability of the second element during the assembly and disassembly operations is improved when a first straight line normal to the first track considered in a first plane orthogonal to the uncoupling direction makes with the support a first angle of between ten and eighty degrees, preferably forty-five degrees and / or a second straight line normal to the second track considered in the first plane makes with the support a second angle of between ten and eighty degrees, preferably forty-five degrees.

[0010] Advantageously, a first straight line normal to the first track and a second straight line normal to the second track considered in a first plane orthogonal to the uncoupling direction intersect at a first point. The forces to achieve the translation of the second element are reduced when a third angle formed by the first straight line and the second straight line is between twenty and one hundred and sixty degrees, preferably ninety degrees, or even when the first point belongs to a third straight line substantially parallel to the uncoupling direction and which passes through a center of gravity of the second element.

[0011] Advantageously, the guide interface comprises at least one first roller and / or at least one first sliding pad.

[0012] Preferably, the first point is located on an axis of rotation of a rotating shaft of the first element or the second element.

[0013] Advantageously, the guide interface comprises a mechanism for adjusting the position of the first roller and / or the first sliding pad relative to the second assembly or to the chassis and / or a third mechanism for adjusting the position of the first track and / or the second track relative to the chassis. An economical embodiment is obtained when the first roller is an eccentric roller.

[0014] The compactness of the assembly is improved when the guide interface is removably connected to the frame or the second element.

[0015] Preferably, the machine being a rotating machine, the first element is a driven element, such as at least one turbine wheel or at least one compressor wheel and the second element is a drive element such as a motor provided where appropriate with at least one compressor wheel or a turbine. That is to say that the first element is assembled at one end of an axis of a motor, the other end of the axis of which may comprise at least one other wheel. Note that it is also possible to provide more than one wheel on one side and / or on the other side of the motor shaft, for example two compressor wheels and one turbine wheel on one side of the shaft (first element) and on the other side a drive motor (second element). Alternatively, a turbine may have the function of a drive element and drive an alternator and / or a compressor.

[0016] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the following description of a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, including:

[0018] is a schematic front view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0019] is a schematic side view of the whole;

[0020] is a schematic top view of the whole;

[0021] is a partial schematic view of a detail of the whole;

[0022] is a schematic side view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0023] is a schematic top view of the whole;

[0024] This is a partial schematic view of a detail of the whole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the assembly according to the invention, and generally designated 1, comprises a turbo-compressor 2 comprising a turbine 10 of which a first shaft 11 is coupled to a second shaft 21 of a motor-compressor 20 using a flange 3. The flange 3 comprises a first half-flange 3.10 secured to the first shaft 11 and a second half-flange 3.20 secured to the second shaft 21. The first shaft 11 and the second shaft 21 are mounted to rotate about a first axis A1. The turbine 10 is bolted to a frame 30 provided with lugs 31 for attachment to a deck 4, here shown horizontally, of a ship not shown. The assembly 1 also comprises an interface 40 for guiding the motor-compressor 20 in translation in a decoupling direction O1. The interface 40 comprises a first track 41 and a second track 42 bolted to the chassis 30. The track 41 is, here, a flat track made using a first chrome-plated metal plate 41.1.Track 42 is, here, a flat track made using a second chrome metal 42.1 flat.

[0026] As can be seen in, a first straight line D1 normal to runway 41, and considered in a first plane P1 orthogonal to direction O1, makes with bridge 4 a first angle α1 equal to forty-five degrees. A second straight line D2 normal to the second runway, and considered in plane P1, makes with bridge 4 a second angle α2 equal to forty-five degrees. The straight line D1 and the straight line D2 intersect at a first point 43 and form a third angle α3, here equal to ninety degrees. The first point 43 belongs, here, to a third straight line D3 parallel to direction O1 and which passes through a center of gravity G of the motor-compressor 20. The third straight line D3 coincides, here, with the first axis A1.

[0027] The interface 40 also comprises a first sliding pad 50, a second sliding pad 51, a third sliding pad 52 and a fourth sliding pad 53, for example made of polytetrafluoroethylene. The pads 50 and 52 bear on the track 41 and the pads 51 and 53 bear on the track 42.

[0028] As can be seen in, the shoe 50 preferably comprises a central housing 50.1 for receiving a threaded rod 21.1 welded to the motor-compressor 20. A first nut 22 mounted on the rod 21.1 between the motor-compressor 20 and the shoe 50 makes it possible to adjust the position of the shoe 50 relative to the motor-compressor 20.

[0029] The pads 51 to 53 are identical to the pad 50 and mounted identically on the motor-compressor 20. Thus, the pad 51 is adjustable in position using a second nut 23, the pad 52 is adjustable in position using a third nut 24 and the pad 53 is adjustable in position using a fourth nut 25.

[0030] The assembly of the motor-compressor 20 of the assembly 1 will now be described. The motor-compressor 20 is lifted using a lifting beam and positioned relative to the chassis 30 so that at least two pads among the pads 50 to 53 are in contact with the first track 41 and / or the second track 42. The motor-compressor 20 being detached from the lifting beam, it is moved in the direction A1 until the second half-flange 3.20 comes into contact with the first half-flange 3.10. The position of the motor-compressor 20 relative to the turbine 10 is then adjusted using the nuts 22 and 24, and using the nuts 23 and 25 so that the half-flange 10 and the second half-flange 20 are in the assembly position. Half flanges 10 and 20 are then bolted together.The invention thus makes it possible to adjust the position of the axis of the motor-compressor 20 relative to the turbine 10 by acting in sequence, preferably first on the nuts secured to a first track 41, then on the nuts secured to the second track 42.

[0031] The removal / reinstallation of the motor-compressor 20 of the assembly 1 will now be described.

[0032] When a maintenance operation (diagnosis or replacement) must be carried out on the motor-compressor 20, the tracks 41 and 42 are mounted on the chassis 30 (when the tracks are not integral with the chassis). Then, the nuts 22 to 25 are acted upon so that the majority of the mass of the motor-compressor 20 is taken up by the tracks 41 and 42. The flange 3 is then dismantled. The motor-compressor 20 is then separated from the turbine 10 by causing it to translate in the direction O1 manually or using suitable mounting equipment such as winches or hoists. It is then possible to work on the motor-compressor 20 resting on the tracks 41 and 42 or to remove it. The refitting operations are carried out in the reverse order to those set out above. A fine adjustment of the position of the pads 50 to 53 can be carried out at any time by acting on the nuts 22 to 25 if necessary.Once the motor-compressor 20 is coupled to the turbine 10, it is possible, if the flange 3 has been sized to also ensure the mechanical retention of the motor-compressor 20 relative to the turbine 10, to proceed with the removal of the tracks 41 and 42, or even the pads 50 to 53.

[0033] This means that the assembly and / or disassembly of the unit can be carried out more quickly and accurately, reducing the risk of damaging the machines and simplifying post-installation work.

[0034] In particular, when the third angle α3 is substantially equal to ninety degrees, the invention makes it possible to adjust the assembly in a single operation, the adjustment of the movement elements (shoes and / or rollers) linked to the first guide track being decorrelated from the adjustment of the movement elements (shoes and / or rollers) linked to the second guide track.

[0035] Elements identical or analogous to those previously described will bear a numerical reference identical to this in the following description of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0036] With reference to figures 5 and 6, the interface 40 here comprises, as a substitute for the pads 50 to 53, a first rolling roller 60, a second rolling roller 61, a third rolling roller 62 and a fourth rolling roller 63. The rollers 60 and 62 come to bear on the track 41 and the rollers 61 and 63 come to bear on the track 42.

[0037] As can be seen in, the roller 60 is a first eccentric roller 60.1 of known type connected to the motor-compressor 20 by two welded tabs 26 which cooperate with the first adjustment crank 60.2 of the eccentric 60.1. Thus, it is possible by acting on the crank 60.2 to adjust the position of the roller 60 relative to the motor-compressor 20.

[0038] The rollers 61 to 63 are identical to the roller 60 and mounted identically on the motor-compressor 20. Thus, the roller 61 is adjustable in position using a second crank 61.2, the roller 62 is adjustable in position using a third crank 62.2 and the roller 63 is adjustable in position using a fourth crank 63.3.

[0039] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0040] In particular, although here the assembly comprises a turbo-compressor composed of a motor-compressor and a turbine, the invention also applies to other types of machines comprising a first driven element coupled to a second drive element such as for example a motor coupled to a reducer, a turbine coupled to an alternator, a turbine coupled to a compressor, a turbine coupled to a motor, a turbine coupled to a motor-compressor, a motor coupled to a compressor, a motor coupled to a turbine, a compressor coupled to a motor, a motor coupled to a compressor; although here the turbine is bolted to the chassis, the invention also applies to other means of connecting the machine to the chassis such as for example a connection of the two elements by bolting, screwing, welding, clipping or other;although here the tracks are connected to the chassis by bolting, the invention also applies to other methods of connecting the guide means removably to the chassis, such as for example screwing or pinning; although here the tracks are mounted removably relative to the chassis, the invention also applies to guide means permanently connected to the chassis, such as for example a connection by welding; although here the sliding or rolling tracks are carried by the chassis and the rollers or pads are carried by the second element, the invention also applies to a kinematic inversion of the guide means, namely tracks carried removably or not by the second element and rollers or pads carried by the chassis;although here the first angle and the second angle are both equal to forty-five degrees, the invention also applies to a first angle and a second angle of identical or different values ​​and whose values ​​can be between ten and eighty degrees; although here the third angle is equal to ninety degrees, the invention also applies to other values ​​of the third angle which can be between twenty and one hundred and sixty degrees; although here the second element comprises four rollers or four pads cooperating with two tracks, the invention also applies to a translational guidance interface comprising a different number of sliding or rolling elements, such as for example a single sliding or rolling element per track, more than two tracks, a single track, a rolling track cooperating with one or more rollers and a sliding track cooperating with one or more pads;although here the pads are threaded onto a threaded rod secured to the second element, the invention also applies to other means of adjusting the position of the pads relative to the second assembly or to the chassis, such as, for example, a threaded rod secured to the pad and a nut attached to the rotating machine, or a pneumatic cylinder; although here the roller is an eccentric roller, the invention also applies to other means of adjusting the position of the roller relative to the second element, such as, for example, a roller support mounted on a threaded rod or on a pneumatic cylinder; although flat rolling or sliding tracks have been described, the invention also applies to other types of guide tracks, such as, for example, flat, convex, concave tracks, tracks having a convex or concave rail-type guide profile;although here the frame is fixed using ears on a ship deck, the invention also applies to other means of connection to a support such as for example screwing, welding or tightening, the support can be horizontal, vertical or oriented in any way; although here the pads are made of Polytetrafluoroethylene, they could be made of other plastic materials, bronze, stainless steel or other suitable materials.;

Claims

Assembly (1) comprising a machine (2) consisting of a first element (10) coupled to a second element (20), the machine (2) being connected to a chassis (30) which includes a guidance interface (40) in translation of the second element (20) relative to the first element (10) in a discoupling direction (O1), the guidance interface (40) comprising a first guide track (41) and a second guide track (42) characterized in that the guidance interface and in particular the guide tracks (41), (42) are permanently connected to the chassis (30). Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein a first straight line (D1) normal to the first track (41) considered in a first plane orthogonal (P1) to the direction of uncoupling (O1) makes with the chassis (30) a first angle (α1) between ten and eighty degrees, preferably forty-five degrees. Assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein a second straight line (D2) normal to the second track (42) considered in the first plane (P1) makes with the support a second angle (α2) between ten and eighty degrees, preferably forty-five degrees. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first straight line (D1) normal to the first track and a second straight line (D2) normal to the second track considered in a first plane (P1) orthogonal to the uncoupling direction (O1) are intersecting at a first point (43). Assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein a third angle (α3) formed by the first line (D1) and the second line (D2) is between twenty and one hundred and sixty degrees, preferably ninety degrees. Assembly (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first point (43) belongs to a third line (D3) substantially parallel to the uncoupling direction (O1) and which passes through a center of gravity (G) of the second element (20). Assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first point (43) is located on an axis of rotation (A1) of a rotating shaft (11, 21) of the first element (10) or of the second element (20). Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding interface (40) comprises at least one first roller (60). Assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein the guidance interface (40) includes a first adjustment mechanism (60.1) for the position of the first roller (60) relative to the second assembly (20) or the chassis (30). Assembly (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first roller (60) is an eccentric roller. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding interface (40) comprises at least one first sliding pad (50). Assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the guidance interface (40) includes a second mechanism for adjusting the position of the first sliding pad (50) relative to the second assembly or chassis (30). Assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the guidance interface (40) includes a third mechanism for adjusting the position of the first track (41) and / or the second track (42) relative to the chassis (30). Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding interface (40) is removably connected to the chassis (30) or to the second element (20). Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine (2) being a rotating machine, the first element (10) is a driven element, such as a turbine and the second element (20) is a driving element such as a motor or a motor-compressor or an alternator. Method of assembling or separating the first (10) and second (20) elements of an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising a step of modifying the relative alignment of the first (10) and second (20) elements by adjusting the position of the guidance interface according to the uncoupling direction (O1) and / or according to the normal to the guide track or tracks.

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