Modular system including a vacuum pump

Abstract

A modular system comprising a vacuum pump system and a support frame for supporting the vacuum pump system above a surface is disclosed. The vacuum pump system comprises: a vacuum generator 20; and a motor for driving the vacuum generator. The support frame comprises an upper mounting means configured for supporting the vacuum generator and the motor; and a lower level; wherein the support frame is configured to receive control circuitry 10 for controlling operation of the vacuum generator between said upper mounting means and said lower level. There may be a housing 52 with a fan 50 which directs air flow over the vacuum generator and the control circuitry.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention relates to vacuum pumps. 5 BACKGROUND Vacuum pump systems may be made up of different components, the vacuum generator, the motor and in some cases control circuitry and a lubricant reservoir. Vacuum pumps are often heavy and may be unwieldy and parts of them may be io sensitive to shocks and tilting. They also need to be secured in use due to the vibrations that they produce. It would be desirable to provide a vacuum pump system that is compact, easy to secure and move. 15 SUMMARY One aspect provides a modular system according to claim 1. It was recognised that vacuum generators tend to generate significant vibrations 20 and need to be mounted securely. It was also recognised that where there is circuitry associated with them for controlling the vacuum generator then this should be at least partially enclosed and protected where possible. Both of these issues have been addressed by the provision of a support structure or frame for supporting the different components of the vacuum pump in a stack like 25 arrangement, such that there is a location under the mounting means below the vacuum generator for the control circuitry. This allows the vacuum system to be supported and moved as a modular system and provides for a compact arrangement and some protection for any control circuitry. The control circuitry is mounted between the lower level and upper mounting means. 26 07 24 ln some embodiments, said lower level of said support frame comprises at least one support protrusion extending away from the upper mounting means for mounting said lower level of said support frame above said surface. 5 In some embodiments the support frame is supported above a surface by protrusions extending from the lower level. These may protect the lower level of the support frame and protect the components. In some embodiments said upper mounting means comprises at least one io protrusion extending away from said lower level, said at least one protrusion comprising retaining means for retaining at least one of said motor and said vacuum generator. In some embodiments the upper mounting means may comprise a surface on 15 which the vacuum generator and / or motor. In other embodiments, the upper mounting means may comprise a frame like structure for mounting the components. In some cases the upper mounting means may have at least one protrusion extending up from the upper mounting means to which the motor and / or vacuum generator may be attached to hold them in position. The 20 attachments may be by bolts or other attaching means. In some embodiments the lower level may comprise a surface, or it may comprise a portion of a surface. The lower level and upper mounting means may be configured to extend substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the 25 surface that the vacuum system is mounted above by the support frame. In some embodiments, said at least one upwardly extending protrusion comprises an upwardly extending lip at at least one edge of said upper mounting means, said upwardly extending lip comprising said retaining means for retaining 30 said vacuum generator. 26 07 24 An upwardly extending lip that is one extending away from the lower level along at least one side or edge of the upper mounting means may increase its rigidity and stability which may be important where the modular vacuum system is heavy and in some embodiments, provides a site for retaining means for holding the 5 vacuum generator or motor in position. These retaining means may simply be an aperture for receiving a bolt for bolting the module to the support frame. In some embodiments, the support frame further comprises damping means mounted between said vacuum generator and said upper mounting means io In some embodiments, said upper mounting means, lower level and said side walls are formed from a single piece of metal deformed to form said mounting means and said side walls. 15 It may be advantageous if much of the support frame is formed of a single piece of metal bent to form the upper mounting means, in some cases the lip and the lower level. This provides a strong support frame for supporting significant a weight. 20 In other embodiments, said support frame may be formed in two parts one of the vacuum system components being mounted on each of the parts and acting to join them Said system further comprises said control circuitry mounted below said upper 25 mounting means between said upper mounting means and said lower level. The support frame is configured for supporting a modular vacuum system. This comprises a control circuitry module for controlling the vacuum generator that slots into a space between the upper mounting means and lower level. However, 30 the support frame may also support a modular vacuum system that does not have complex control circuitry in which case the space between the upper mounting means and lower level may be empty. The modular nature allows the 26 07 24 support frame to be used for different vacuum systems, having different capacities, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and increasing uniformity of products. 5 The control circuitry is used to control the vacuum generator and in some embodiments comprises a frequency convertor for controlling a speed of said motor driving said vacuum generator. In some embodiments, said control circuitry further comprises diagnostic circuitry io configured to receive signals from sensors associated with said vacuum system. In some embodiments, said system further comprises a fan forming part of said modular system and arranged for cooling said vacuum generator and said control circuitry and optionally said motor. 15 A further advantage of having a support frame for mounting the components in a predetermined fixed manner and in some cases as a stack, means that a single fan may be used for cooling the control circuitry and vacuum generator and in some cases the motor too. 20 In some embodiments, said system further comprises a housing at least partially surrounding said fan, said housing being configured to direct airflow from said fan over an outer surface of said control circuitry and said vacuum generator and in some cases said motor. 25 A housing around the fan may help both shield and protect the fan and if suitably arranged direct the air flow to the required modular components. In some embodiments, said support frame comprises side walls connecting said 30 upper mounting means and lower level and at least one of an open face for receiving said circuitry. 26 07 24 ln some embodiments, the open face of the support frame helps allow air flow over the control circuitry, the fan being mounted to point towards the open face. 5 In some embodiments, said side walls comprise retaining means for cooperating with latching means on said control circuitry for retaining said control circuitry on said support frame The control circuitry may be slid into position between the upper mounting means io and lower level and may be retained in position by retaining means such as clips on the side walls. In some embodiments, said at least one support protrusion comprises at least one flexible foot extending from said lower level, said at least one flexible foot 15 being configured to support said support frame above said surface and to distort in response to vibrations generated by said vacuum generator. The support protrusion(s) may be used not just to support the lower level above a surface but also to absorb some of the vibrations generated by the vacuum 20 generator in operation. In some embodiments, said at least one support protrusion comprises at least one wheel extending from said lower level of said support frame and configured to support said support frame above said surface. 25 The support protrusion(s) may alternatively and / or additionally comprise wheels, wheels allow the modular system to be moved in a simple way, which maintains a certain orientation of the components and reduces shocks to the components which may occur when they are placed on surfaces. 26 07 24 ln some embodiments, said at least one wheel comprises a flexible coating configured to distort in response to vibrations generated by said vacuum generator. 5 The wheel(s) may comprise coatings for absorbing vibrations due to operation of the vacuum generator. In some embodiments, said support frame comprises two wheels and two flexible feet for supporting said lower level above a surface. io One arrangement may be for the support frame to be supported on two wheels and two flexible feet, allowing the frame to be moved by tilting such that the wheels support the frame but having feet for more stability and better vibration absorption when the vacuum generator is not being moved and is in use. 15 Said vacuum generator comprises a lubricant sealed vacuum generator comprising a lubricant reservoir for supplying lubricant to and receiving exhaust from said vacuum generator, said upper mounting means supporting said lubricant sealed vacuum generator. 20 The vacuum system is a lubricant sealed vacuum pump system and in this case the lubricant reservoir may also be mounted on the upper mounting means. This has the advantage of the reservoir being raised above the surface on which the support frame rests, such that the drain outlet for draining the reservoir is 25 elevated above this surface allowing a receptacle to be placed under it when the lubricant is to be changed, allowing lubricant to be collected without the need to manipulate the vacuum pump system. In some embodiments, said system further comprises damping means for 30 absorbing vibrations mounted between said vacuum generator and said upper mounting means. 26 07 24 Mounting the vacuum generator on the support frame provides a location for damping means to be placed allowing at least some of the vibrations due to operation of the vacuum generator to be absorbed. 5 A further aspect provides a method of assembling a modular vacuum pump system comprising: mounting a vacuum generator and motor to an upper mounting means of a support frame; mounting a fan for cooling said circuitry and at least one of said vacuum generator and said motor to form part of said modular vacuum pump system supported by said support frame; and sliding io control circuitry between said upper mounting means and a lower level of said support frame. Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be 15 combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Where an apparatus feature is described as being operable to provide a function, it will be appreciated that this includes an apparatus feature which provides that 20 function or which is adapted or configured to provide that function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described further, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 25 Figure 1 schematically shows a front and side view of a modular system according to an embodiment; Figure 2 schematically shows the air flow from the fan over the modular system of Figure 1; Figure 3 schematically shows a front view of a modular system according to an 30 embodiment; Figure 4 schematically shows a further front view of a modular system according to an embodiment; 26 07 24 Figure 5 shows the support frame; and Figure 6 shows a flow chart showing steps in a method according to an embodiment. 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Before discussing the embodiments in any more detail, first an overview will be provided. A modular system for supporting the different components of a vacuum system io on a support frame is provided. The support frame has different levels for supporting different components. There is an upper level or mounting means, which may comprise a surface and on which the vacuum generator, and other components such as the motor and oil reservoir may be mounted. 15 There is a lower level connected to the upper level by side walls. The lower level may comprise support protrusions extending from a lower surface, and this lower level may be a partial surface extending from the side walls, but only for a portion of the width of the support frame. 20 The support frame may have an open front for receiving a control circuitry module for controlling the vacuum generator between the upper and lower levels, and an at least partially open back, which allows air flow from the fan to pass over the control circuitry. The control circuitry is mounted below the upper mounting means in some embodiments it is mounted by fixing it to the side walls. 25 Figure 1 schematically shows a modular system according to an embodiment. The modular system comprises support frame 5 having a lower level 6 and an upper mounting means 8. Extending from the lower level 6 of the support frame are mounting protrusions 7 in the form of feet 7a or wheels 7b. Also mounted to 30 the vacuum system is fan 50 which is configured for cooling both the vacuum generator 20 and in some cases a motor associated with the vacuum generator and the control circuitry 10. There is a housing 52 associated with the fan and 26 07 24 the vacuum system for directing the airflow from the fan over the vacuum generator 20 and the control circuitry 10. The housing 52 obscures the side walls of the support frame in this embodiment. 5 Figure 2 shows the air flow from fan 50 to cool the control circuitry and the vacuum generator. The air flow to the control circuitry flows through an open face of the support frame at the rear of the support frame. In this regard, the support frame has an open front and back face between side walls (not shown). The open front face allows a control circuitry module 10 to be inserted and io removed from the support frame while the open back allows air flow from fan 50 to cool the control circuitry at the same time as it cools the vacuum generator 20. Figure 3 shows a front view of the support frame having protrusions 7 in the form of flexible feet 7a extending from the lower level 6 of support frame 5. The frame 15 has side walls 9 extending between the upper mounting means 8 and the lower level 6. In this embodiment upper mounting means 8 supports a vibration damping means 40 mounted between the frame and the vacuum generator, which vibration damping means absorbs vibrations from the vacuum generator 20 when operating. 20 Adjacent to the vacuum generator in this embodiment is lubricant reservoir 30. The vacuum generator 20 is in this embodiment an oil sealed rotary vacuum pump and the lubricant reservoir contains the oil for this pump. The lubricant reservoir 30 has a drain 32 allowing the oil to be drained from the reservoir when 25 it needs to be changed. The support frame 5 mounts the vacuum system above a surface which facilitates draining of the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir by allowing a collection receptable to be placed under the drain means 32 without the need to move or raise the vacuum system. 30 Figure 4 shows a further front view showing more details of the vacuum system and support frame. In this embodiment, the support frame 5 has an upper lip 3 formed in two sections which in this case is on the front surface. This upper lip 26 07 24 strengthens the support frame and also provides a retaining means for retaining the vacuum generator and lubricant reservoir in position. There is also a downwardly extending lip in this embodiment which also strengthens the frame and helps retain the control circuitry 10 in position. This figure also schematically 5 shows the motor 50 for driving the vacuum generator 20. The support frame has support protrusions 7 extending from the lower level of the frame, these may be flexible and configured to absorb vibrations generated by the vacuum system in use. io The support frame 5 is formed from a single sheet of metal which is bent to form the lower level, the upper mounting means, side walls and lip. This makes for a robust frame able to support considerable mass in a limited space. Figure 5 shows a three dimensional view of the support frame 5 without the 15 vacuum system mounted on it. In this embodiment, the support frame 5 has two wheels 7b at the front and two flexible feet 7a at the back extending down from and attached to a portion of the lower level 6 of the support frame. This allows the support frame to be moved on the wheels by tilting the support frame such that the flexible feet are held above the surface and the frame rests on the 20 wheels. When in position the frame is returned to its horizontal position and reasons on all four protrusions. In some embodiments the wheels may have a vibration damping coating on them, such that both the wheels 7b and flexible feet 7a absorb vibrations in use. The side walls 9 have retaining means 4 configured to cooperate with a latching means on the side wall of the control circuitry to hold 25 it in pace when it is slid into position. The retaining means 4 may be in the form of an aperture so that the latching means can be pushed back out of the aperture to release the control circuitry when it is to be removed. In this embodiment the upper mounting means 8 comprises retaining means 12 30 extending up from the surface and to which the vacuum generator and lubricant reservoir can be fixed when mounted on the support frame. 26 07 24 Figure 6 schematically shows a flow diagram illustrating steps in a method of assembling a modular system according to an embodiment. At step S10 a vacuum generator is mounted on an upper mounting means of a support frame. In step S20 control circuity is slid into a gap between the lower level of the 5 support frame and the upper mounting means. At step S30 a fan is mounted to the vacuum system to cool both the control circuitry and the vacuum generator. Step s20 and S30 can be performed in any order. In some embodiments a housing is then mounted around at least a portion of the fan and vacuum generator to direct the air flow towards the control circuitry and vacuum io generator, Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and that various changes and 15 modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 26 07 24 REFERENCE SIGNS 2 downward lip 3 upward lip 4 retaining means 5   5 6 support frame lower level 7 support protrusions 7a flexible feet 7b wheels io 8 upper mounting means 9 side walls 10 control circuitry 20 vacuum generator 30 lubricant reservoir 15 32 40 drain vibration damper 50 fan 52 housing 60 motor

Claims

1. A modular system comprising a vacuum pump system and a support frame for supporting said vacuum pump system above a surface, said vacuum pump system comprising:a vacuum generator; anda motor for driving said vacuum generator;said support frame comprising an upper mounting means configured for supporting said vacuum generator and said motor; anda lower level; whereinsaid vacuum generator comprises a lubricant sealed vacuum generator comprising a lubricant reservoir for supplying lubricant to and receiving exhaust from said vacuum generator, said upper mounting means supporting said lubricant sealed vacuum generator, andsaid support frame is configured to receive control circuitry for controlling operation of said vacuum generator between said upper mounting means and said lower level, andsaid system further comprising said control circuitry mounted between said upper mounting means and said lower level.

2. A modular system according to claim 1, wherein said lower level of said support frame comprises at least one support protrusion extending from said lower level for mounting said support frame above said surface.

3. A modular system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said support frame comprises side walls connecting said upper mounting means and lower level and at least one open face for receiving said control circuitry.

4. A modular system according to claim 3, wherein said upper mounting means, lower level and said side walls are formed from a single piece of metal deformed to form said mounting means and said side walls.26 07 245. A modular system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said side walls comprise retaining means for cooperating with latching means on said control circuitry for retaining said control circuitry on said support frame.

6. A modular system according to any preceding claim, wherein said control circuitry comprises a frequency convertor for controlling a speed of said motor driving said vacuum generator.

7. A modular system according to any preceding claim, wherein said control circuitry further comprises diagnostic circuitry configured to receive signals from sensors associated with said system.

8. A modular system according to any preceding claim, said system further comprising a fan forming part of said modular system and arranged for cooling said vacuum generator and said control circuitry and optionally said motor.

9. A modular system according to claim 8, said system further comprising a housing at least partially surrounding said fan, said housing being configured to direct air flow from said fan over an outer surface of said control circuitry and said vacuum generator and optionally said motor.

10. A modular system according to any preceding claim, when dependent from claim 2, wherein said at least one support protrusion comprise at least one flexible foot extending from said lower level, said at least one flexible foot being configured to support said support frame above said surface and to distort in response to vibrations generated by said vacuum generator.

11. A modular system according to any preceding claim, when dependent from claim 2, wherein said at least one support protrusion comprises at least one wheel extending from said lower level of said support frame and configured to support said support frame above said surface.26 07 2412. A modular system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one wheel comprises a flexible coating configured to distort in response to vibrations generated by said vacuum generator.

13. A modular system according to claim 10 and 11 or 12, said support frame comprising two wheels and two flexible feet for supporting said lower level above a surface.

14. A modular system according to any preceding claim, said system further comprising damping means for absorbing vibrations mounted between said vacuum generator and said upper mounting means.

15. A method of assembling a modular vacuum pump system comprising: mounting a vacuum generator and motor to an upper mounting means of a support frame;mounting a fan for cooling control circuitry and said vacuum generator to form part of said modular vacuum pump system supported by said support frame;sliding said control circuitry between said upper mounting means and a lower level of said support frame.

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