Coupling mechanisms, rotating machinery, and compressors

Abstract

To facilitate the removal of the drive unit from the gear casing while avoiding interference with surrounding components during maintenance, etc. [Solution] The coupling mechanism 13 connects the drive unit 2 to the gear components inside the gear casing 12. The coupling mechanism 13 comprises a shaft member 131, a coupling portion 132, and a cover member 133. The cover member 133 comprises an annular first flange portion 1331 configured to be attachable around the opening 12a in the gear casing 12, an annular second flange portion 1332 configured to be detachably attached to the first flange portion 1331, and a cylindrical portion 1330 having a tip portion on which the second flange portion 1332 is provided, and covering the shaft member 131 and the coupling portion 132. The second flange portion 1332 is provided in a size smaller than the first flange portion 1331 so that it can be detachably attached to the first flange portion 1331 without interfering with the surrounding members of the rotating machine 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling mechanism, a rotating machine, and a compressor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a rotating machine, a turning device is used to prevent deformation of a shaft due to the heat of a target gas. In Patent Document 1, a turning device including a cam clutch and a reduction motor is disclosed at one end of an impeller.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when trying to remove the turning device from the gear mechanism during maintenance or the like, there is a risk of interfering with surrounding members (for example, a scroll casing) arranged around the turning device. This point is not considered in Patent Document 1.

[0005] Moreover, not only in the turning device but also in other driving machines attached to the gear casing, the same problem can occur.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to facilitate the removal of a driving machine from a gear casing while avoiding interference with surrounding members during maintenance or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A coupling mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention is a mechanism for coupling a drive machine having a shaft to gear components inside a gear casing in a rotating machine having a peripheral member. The coupling mechanism comprises a shaft member, a coupling portion, and a cover member. The shaft member is configured to be insertable into an opening in the gear casing and to be inserted into the gear casing and fixed to the gear components. The coupling portion is configured to be positioned between the shaft of the drive machine and the shaft member. The cover member is configured to be attachable to the gear casing and covers the shaft member and the coupling portion.

[0008] In the coupling mechanism according to this embodiment, the cover member comprises a first flange portion, a second flange portion, and a cylindrical portion. The first flange portion is configured to be attachable around the opening in the gear casing. The second flange portion is configured to be detachable from the first flange portion. The cylindrical portion has a tip portion to which the second flange portion is provided and covers the shaft member and the coupling portion.

[0009] In the coupling mechanism according to this embodiment, the second flange portion is provided in a size smaller than the first flange portion so that it can be attached to and detached from the first flange portion without interfering with the surrounding member.

[0010] The coupling mechanism according to the above embodiment has a second flange portion that can be attached to and detached from the first flange portion without interfering with the surrounding members. As a result, the coupling mechanism allows the cover member to be easily attached to and detached from the gear casing without interfering with the surrounding members during installation or maintenance.

[0011] In the coupling mechanism according to the above embodiment, the second flange portion may be provided with a second annular projection that fits into the central hole of the first flange portion.

[0012] In the above embodiment of the connecting mechanism, the second flange portion is provided with a second annular projection, which facilitates positioning when attaching the second flange portion to the first flange portion.

[0013] In the coupling mechanism according to the above embodiment, the first flange portion may include a first annular projection that fits into the opening of the gear casing.

[0014] In the above embodiment of the coupling mechanism, the first flange portion is provided with a first annular projection, which facilitates positioning when attaching the first flange portion to the gear casing.

[0015] In the coupling mechanism according to the above embodiment, the drive unit may further include at least a mounting flange surrounding the shaft and a rotating body to which the shaft is connected. In this case, the cover member may further include an annular third flange portion attached to the mounting flange. The third flange portion may be provided integrally with or separately from the cylindrical portion at the end of the cylindrical portion opposite to the tip portion.

[0016] In the coupling mechanism according to the above embodiment, the drive unit may have a motor as the rotating body and may be a turning device for rotating the gear components.

[0017] In the coupling mechanism according to the above embodiment, the peripheral member may be attached to the gear casing adjacent to the cylindrical portion. In this case, the length of the cylindrical portion may be longer than the axial length of the peripheral member so as to avoid interference with the peripheral member.

[0018] In the above-described coupling mechanism, the length of the cylindrical portion is longer than the axial length of the surrounding member, thus preventing the drive unit from interfering with the surrounding member during installation or maintenance. As a result, the above-described coupling mechanism has ample space, allowing the surrounding member to be removed even with the drive unit attached.

[0019] A rotary machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes an operating portion, a gear mechanism, a gear casing, and a connecting mechanism. The operating portion compresses or expands gas. The gear mechanism includes the gear component and transmits power to the operating portion. The gear casing houses the gear mechanism. The connecting mechanism is a connecting mechanism according to any of the above aspects.

[0020] In the rotary machine according to the above aspect, the rotary machine may be a compressor.

[0021] In the rotary machine according to the above aspect, the gear component may be a bull gear including a bull gear shaft portion connected to the motor input shaft and provided so as to extend in the cylinder axis direction of the cylinder portion. Further, the first flange portion may have a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the rotary machine may further include a probe that inserts through the through hole and has a tip disposed close to the bull gear shaft portion, and a sensor that monitors axial movement or axial vibration of the bull gear shaft portion in the cylinder axis direction.

[0022] The rotary machine according to the above aspect is configured such that the probe of the sensor inserts through the through hole provided in the first flange portion. Therefore, in the above rotary machine, corresponding to the position of the bull gear shaft portion in the gear casing, a through hole can be opened in a portion outside the outer periphery of the second flange portion in the first flange portion to insert the probe. Thus, the above rotary machine can dispose the probe of the sensor at an appropriate position according to the arrangement of the bull gear shaft portion in the gear casing by providing the first flange portion with a size larger than the second flange portion and a cover member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] Each of the above aspects can facilitate the removal of the drive unit from the gear casing while avoiding interference with surrounding members during maintenance and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1]It is a cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of a rotating machine and a driving machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the coupling mechanism. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the coupling mechanism. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement form of the sensor. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing the arrangement form of the coupling mechanism and surrounding members in the rotating machine. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state during the removal of the coupling mechanism from the gear mechanism. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of a rotating machine and a driving machine according to the second embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below exemplify the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments except for its essential configuration.

[0026] [First Embodiment] 1. Schematic Configuration of Rotating Machine 1 The rotating machine 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a compressor. The rotating machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating machine 1 includes one or more operating parts 10, a gear mechanism 11 that includes gear parts 110 and transmits power to the operating parts 10, a gear casing 12 that houses the gear mechanism 11, and a coupling mechanism 13 for connecting the driving machine 2 to the gear parts 110.

[0028] In the rotating machine 1, which is a compressor, the operating part 10 is, for example, a compression part that compresses gas. The gear component 110 in the gear mechanism 11 has a gear body and a gear shaft portion integrally formed with the gear body. In this embodiment, the gear component 110 is a bull gear and includes a bull gear body 110a on which teeth are formed and a bull gear shaft portion 110b which is a shaft portion integrally formed with the bull gear body 110a. The bull gear shaft portion 110b is connected to a motor input shaft 14 which is connected to a motor at the end opposite to the side on which the bull gear body 110a is located in the axial direction of the bull gear shaft portion 110b. In addition to the gear component 110, the gear mechanism 11 includes a pinion gear (i.e., a pinion gear body and a pinion shaft) that meshes with the bull gear body 110a. An idler gear may be interposed between the gear component 110 and the pinion gear.

[0029] The coupling mechanism 13 according to this embodiment is a mechanism for connecting a drive unit 2 having a shaft 20 to a gear component 110. In this embodiment, the drive unit 2 to be coupled is, for example, a turning device and also includes a motor as a rotating body 21.

[0030] The turning device, acting as the drive unit 2, is an auxiliary power device that rotates the gear component 110 when the rotating machine 1 is stopped, using the rotational driving force from the rotating body 21.

[0031] The coupling mechanism 13 comprises a shaft member 131, a coupling portion 132, and a cover member 133. As shown in Figure 2, the shaft member 131 is positioned so as to align its axis with the bull gear shaft portion 110b, and is configured to be insertable into the gear casing 12 by passing it through the opening 12a of the gear casing 12. One end of the shaft member 131 has a flange portion (hereinafter referred to as "opposing flange 131a") that faces the bull gear shaft portion 110b. The opposing flange 131a is bolted to the end of the bull gear shaft portion 110b opposite to the end to which the motor input shaft 14 is fixed. This allows the shaft member 131 to be fixed to the gear component 110. Although Figures 1 and 2 show the shaft member 131 fixed to the bull gear shaft portion 110b, the shaft member 131 can be removed from the bull gear shaft portion 110b.

[0032] The connecting portion 132 of the connecting mechanism 13 is, for example, a clutch. In this embodiment, the connecting mechanism 13 is a mechanism for connecting a turning device as a drive unit 2 to a rotating machine 1, and is equipped with a clutch as the connecting portion 132. The connecting portion 132 connects / disconnects the shaft 20 connected to the motor as a rotating body 21 and the shaft member 131 in accordance with the driving / stopping of the rotating machine 1.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cover member 133 comprises a cylindrical portion 1330, a first flange portion 1331, a second flange portion 1332, and a third flange portion 1333. The cylindrical portion 1330 is a cylindrical member arranged to cover the periphery of the shaft member 131 and the connecting portion 132. The shaft member 131 housed inside the cylindrical portion 1330 and the bull gear shaft portion 110b connected to the shaft member 131 are both arranged along the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical portion 1330, with their axes coinciding. The first flange portion 1331 is an annular portion configured to be attachable around the opening 12a in the gear casing 12, and has an outer diameter D4. The second flange portion 1332 is an annular portion configured to be detachably attached to the first flange portion 1331, and has a smaller outer diameter D3 than the first flange portion 1331. In other words, the second flange portion 1332 is provided in a smaller size than the first flange portion 1331.

[0034] In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 1330 and the second flange portion 1332 are fixed together by welding the inner circumferential surface of the second flange portion 1332 to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 1330. However, the method of fixing the cylindrical portion 1330 and the second flange portion 1332 is not limited to welding. For example, they may be fixed by shrink fitting or other methods.

[0035] The first flange portion 1331 and the second flange portion 1332 are configured to be detachable. The attachment and detachment of the first flange portion 1331 and the second flange portion 1332 is performed, for example, by fastening / unfastening bolts.

[0036] Furthermore, the second flange portion 1332 has a second annular projection 1332a that fits into the central hole (the inner annular hole) 1331a of the first flange portion 1331. The second annular projection 1332a is provided so that when fitted into the central hole 1331a of the first flange portion 1331, there is substantially no radial play between the first flange portion 1331 and the second flange portion 1332.

[0037] Furthermore, the first flange portion 1331 has a first annular projection 1331b that fits into the opening 12a of the gear casing 12. The first annular projection 1331b is provided so that when the first flange portion 1331 is fitted into the opening 12a of the gear casing 12, there is substantially no radial play between the first flange portion 1331 and the gear casing 12.

[0038] Here, as shown in Figure 2, the diameter of the opening 12a in the gear casing 12 is D0, the diameter of the central hole 1331a in the first flange portion 1331 is D1, and the diameter of the central hole 1332c in the second flange portion 1332 is D2. In this case, the opening 12a of the gear casing 12, the central hole 1331a of the first flange portion 1331, and the central hole 1332c of the second flange portion 1332 are provided to satisfy the following equation (1). D0>D1>D2··(1)

[0039] The third flange portion 1333 of the cover member 133 is provided at the end of the cylindrical portion 1330 opposite to the end to which the second flange portion 1332 is fixed in the axial direction, and is configured to be detachably attached to the mounting flange 22 of the drive unit 2. The third flange portion 1333 is provided either integrally with the cylindrical portion 1330 or as a separate component.

[0040] The mounting flange 22 in the drive unit 2 is an annular portion provided to surround the shaft 20. The mounting flange 22 and the third flange portion 1333 are attached and detached, for example, by tightening / loosening bolts.

[0041] When attaching the drive unit 2 to the gear mechanism 11, the worker fixes the shaft member 131 to the bull gear shaft portion 110b. Next, the worker fixes the cover member 133 to the gear casing 12 so as to surround the shaft member 131. The drive unit 2 is fixed to the cover member 133 by fixing the mounting flange 22 to the third flange portion 1333. Then, the worker inserts their arm through an opening (not shown) provided on the side of the cylindrical portion 1330 and fixes the connecting portion 132 to the shaft member 131. When the rotating machine 1 is in operation, the opening is closed by the cover member. Note that the procedure for attaching the drive unit 2 to the gear mechanism 11 is not limited to the procedure described above.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the rotating machine 1 further includes a sensor 15 provided for monitoring the axial movement or vibration of the bull gear shaft portion 110b in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 1330. Specifically, the sensor 15 has a main body portion 15a disposed on the outside of the gear casing 12 and a probe 15b connected to the main body portion 15a, the tip of which is positioned close to the end face of the bull gear shaft portion 110b.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the first flange portion 1331 is provided with a through hole 1331c located radially inward, which penetrates through the first flange portion 1331 in the thickness direction, and the second flange portion 1332 is provided with a notch 1332b that avoids the boss around the through hole 1331c. As shown in Figure 4, the probe 15b of the sensor 15 is positioned to pass through the notch 1332b of the second flange portion 1332 and the through hole 1331c of the first flange portion 1331, and face the end face of the bull gear shaft portion 110b.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the rotating machine 1 further comprises peripheral members 16 provided in the area surrounding the coupling mechanism 13. In this embodiment, the peripheral members 16 are, for example, the casing of the impeller in the compression section, which is the operating section 10. Of course, the rotating machine 1 has various peripheral members that are directly or indirectly fixed to the gear casing 12.

[0045] The cylindrical portion 1330 of the cover member 133 in the coupling mechanism 13 has a longer cylindrical shaft length than the surrounding member 16. Therefore, interference between the drive unit 2 attached to the rotating machine 1 and the surrounding member 16 can be suppressed.

[0046] 2. Removal of the drive unit 2 from the gear mechanism 11 In some cases, such as during maintenance, it may be necessary to remove the drive unit 2 from the gear mechanism 11 of the rotating machine 1. The method for removing the drive unit 2 from the gear mechanism 11 will be explained using Figure 6.

[0047] First, the drive unit 2 is removed from the coupling mechanism 13. The drive unit 2 can be removed from the coupling mechanism 13 by releasing the fastening between the third flange portion 1333 and the mounting flange (see Figure 2, etc.) and separating one side member from the other side member of the coupling portion 132. In this case, the cylindrical portion 1330 of the cover member 133 has a longer cylindrical shaft length than the surrounding member 16. Therefore, the drive unit 2 can be removed from the coupling mechanism 13 while avoiding interference with the surrounding member 16.

[0048] Next, as shown by arrow A in Figure 6, the second flange portion 1332 is removed from the first flange portion 1331 along with the cylindrical portion 1330. The second flange portion 1332 can be removed from the first flange portion 1331 by releasing the bolts.

[0049] Next, if necessary, the connection between the shaft member 131 and the bull gear shaft portion 110b of the gear component 110 can be released, and the shaft member 131 and the connecting portion 132 can be removed from the gear mechanism 11.

[0050] In Figure 6, an example is shown in which the fastening between the first flange portion 1331 and the second flange portion 1332 is released and the cylindrical portion 1330 is removed in a direction along the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical portion 1330. However, the direction of removal of the cylindrical portion 1330 is not limited to this. For example, in order to avoid interference with the surrounding member 16, movement in the direction along the cylindrical axis and movement in the direction intersecting the cylindrical axis may be repeated as appropriate.

[0051] 3. Effects The coupling mechanism 13 according to this embodiment has a configuration that allows the cover member 133, excluding the first flange portion 1331, to be removed while avoiding interference with the surrounding members 16. That is, the coupling mechanism 13 has a double flange structure in the cover member 133, consisting of a first flange portion 1331 and a second flange portion 1332. Furthermore, the coupling mechanism 13 employs a second flange portion 1332 in the cover member 133 whose outer diameter D3 is smaller than the outer diameter D4 of the first flange portion 1331. As a result, the coupling mechanism 13 according to this embodiment allows the cover member 133, excluding the first flange portion 1331, to be easily attached to / removed from the gear casing 12 while avoiding interference with the surrounding members 16 during installation or maintenance.

[0052] Furthermore, the coupling mechanism 13 according to this embodiment has a double flange structure in which the cover member 133 has a first flange portion 1331 and a second flange portion 1332 that are detachably configured to attach to each other, so that the position of the sensor 15 relative to the bull gear shaft portion 110b can be easily adjusted. That is, when attaching the cover member 133 to the gear casing 12, the first flange portion 1331 is attached to the gear casing 12 first, and the position of the sensor 15 can be adjusted before attaching the second flange portion 1332 to the first flange portion 1331. For this reason, the coupling mechanism 13 according to this embodiment is advantageous in ensuring high workability because the work related to adjusting the position of the sensor 15 can be performed using the empty space before attaching the second flange portion 1332 and the cylindrical portion 1330.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting mechanism 13 has a second annular projection 1332a in the second flange portion 1332, which facilitates positioning when attaching the second flange portion 1332 to the first flange portion 1331. That is, when attaching the second flange portion 1332 to the first flange portion 1331, positioning can be easily performed by fitting the second annular projection 1332a of the second flange portion 1332 into the central hole portion 1331a of the first flange portion 1331.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the coupling mechanism 13 has a first flange portion 1331 which includes a first annular projection 1331b, making it easier to position the first flange portion 1331 when attaching it to the gear casing 12. That is, when attaching the first flange portion 1331 to the gear casing 12, positioning can be easily performed by fitting the first annular projection 1331b of the first flange portion 1331 into the opening 12a of the gear casing 12.

[0055] Furthermore, in the coupling mechanism 13 according to this embodiment, the length of the cylindrical portion 1330 is longer than the length of the surrounding member 16 in the direction along the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical portion 1330, so that the drive unit 2 does not interfere with the surrounding member 16 during installation or maintenance. As a result, the coupling mechanism 13 has ample space, so the surrounding member 16 can be removed from the gear casing 12 even with the drive unit 2 attached to the coupling mechanism 13.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotating machine 1 is configured such that the probe 15b of the sensor 15 passes through a through hole 1331c provided in the first flange portion 1331. Therefore, the rotating machine 1 can also have the probe 15b inserted by opening a through hole 1331c in the first flange portion 1331 in a part that is outside the outer circumference of the second flange portion 1332, corresponding to the position of the bull gear shaft portion 110b in the inner space of the gear casing 12. Thus, by providing the cover member 133 with a first flange portion 1331 having a larger size (outer diameter D4) than the second flange portion 1332, the rotating machine 1 can position the probe 15b of the sensor 15 appropriately according to the arrangement of the bull gear shaft portion 110b in the inner space of the gear casing 12.

[0057] If the outer diameter of the opposing flange 131a of the shaft member 131 can be increased, the probe 15b of the sensor 15 may be positioned to face the opposing flange of the shaft member 131. Even in this case, the probe 15b can be positioned close to the bull gear shaft portion 110b, and the axial movement or vibration of the bull gear shaft portion 110b in the cylindrical axis direction of the cylindrical portion 1330 can be monitored.

[0058] [Second Embodiment] The rotating machine 1 and the drive unit 2 attached to the rotating machine 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a pump is used as the drive unit 2. The differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described below.

[0059] As shown in Figure 7, the coupling mechanism 13 comprises a shaft member 131, a coupling portion 132, and a cover member 133. In the coupling mechanism 13 according to this embodiment, the coupling portion 132 is a coupling. The cover member 133 comprises a cylindrical portion 1330, a first flange portion 1331, a second flange portion 1332, and a third flange portion 1333, similar to the first embodiment described above.

[0060] The coupling mechanism 13 has a first flange portion 1331 of the cover member 133 attached to the outer wall surface of the gear casing 12. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the first flange portion 1331 is attached to the gear casing 12 by fastening bolts, for example.

[0061] The mounting position of the connecting mechanism 13 to the gear casing 12 is such that the shaft member 131 can be inserted through the gear casing 12 and connected to the inner bull gear shaft portion 110b.

[0062] The first flange portion 1331 and the second flange portion 1332 of the cover member 133 have the same structure as in the first embodiment described above. That is, the connecting mechanism 13 according to this embodiment also has a double flange structure. For this reason, the connecting mechanism 13 according to this embodiment is also configured so that when the cover member 133 is removed from the gear casing 12 during maintenance or the like, the cover member 133 excluding the first flange portion 1331 can be removed from the gear casing 12.

[0063] The drive unit 2, which is the pump, comprises a mounting flange 22 that is detachably configured to attach to the third flange portion 1333 of the coupling mechanism 13, and a shaft 20 that is inserted into the cylindrical portion 1330 with the mounting flange 22 attached to the third flange portion 1333. The shaft 20 is connected to the shaft member 131 of the coupling mechanism 13 by a coupling, which is the coupling portion 132, within the cylindrical portion 1330.

[0064] The drive unit 2, which is the pump, receives the rotational driving force of the bull gear shaft 110b when the rotating machine 1 is being driven, and draws oil from the oil tank and supplies oil into the gear casing 12 (arrows B1, B2).

[0065] The coupling mechanism 13 according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a coupling as the coupling portion 132, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the coupling mechanism 13 according to this embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0066] Furthermore, since the rotating machine 1 according to this embodiment also includes a connecting mechanism 13 having a double flange structure, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0067] [Differentiation] In the first and second embodiments described above, the second flange portion 1332 of the cover member 133 in the connecting mechanism 13 has a second annular projection 1332a. However, in the present invention, the second annular projection 1332a of the second flange portion 1332 is not an essential component. For positioning the second flange portion 1332 relative to the first flange portion 1331, for example, a positioning pin can be used.

[0068] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the first flange portion 1331 of the cover member 133 in the connecting mechanism 13 has a first annular projection 1331b. However, in the present invention, the first annular projection 1331b of the first flange portion 1331 is not an essential component. For positioning the first flange portion 1331 relative to the gear casing 12, for example, a positioning pin can be used.

[0069] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the drive unit 2 is attached to the coupling mechanism 13 by fastening the mounting flange 22 to the third flange portion 1333. However, the present invention is not limited to this for the mounting structure of the drive unit 2 to the coupling mechanism 13. For example, the drive unit 2 may be attached to the coupling mechanism 13 by externally or internally fitting the tip portion of the case of the drive unit 2 to the cylindrical portion 1330 of the coupling mechanism 13.

[0070] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the length of the cylindrical portion 1330 in the connecting mechanism 13 was made longer than the axial length of the surrounding member 16. However, in the present invention, it is not necessarily required that the length of the cylindrical portion 1330 be longer than the axial length of the surrounding member 16. The length of the cylindrical portion 1330 can be determined by considering the size and arrangement of the surrounding member 16 so that the connecting mechanism 13 and the drive unit 2 do not interfere with the surrounding member 16.

[0071] In the first and second embodiments described above, a compressor was used as an example of the rotating machine 1, but in the present invention, a turbine can also be used as the rotating machine 1. In this case as well, the cover member 133 can be easily attached to and removed from the gear casing 12 without interfering with surrounding members such as the operating part that expands the gas.

[0072] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the tip of the probe 15b of the sensor 15 is positioned to face the end face of the bull gear shaft portion 110b. However, in the present invention, the location of the bull gear shaft portion 110b to be monitored can be appropriately changed depending on the type of sensor used as the sensor 15. For example, the outer circumferential surface of the bull gear shaft portion 110b can also be used as the monitoring target.

[0073] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the first flange portion 1331 and the second flange portion 1332 each have an annular shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first and second flange portions can be rectangular annular, or they can be elliptical annular or oblong annular.

[0074] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the shaft member 131 is connected to the bull gear shaft portion 110b, but in the present invention, the shaft member 131 may be integrally configured with the bull gear shaft portion 110b.

[0075] In the first and second embodiments described above, a structure in which a shaft member 131 can be fixed to a gear component 110 which is a bull gear was given as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the gear component 110. For example, in the case of adopting a structure in which a spacer is interposed between the bull gear and the shaft member 131, it is also possible to define the spacer, in addition to the bull gear, as part of the gear component.

[0076] In the first and second embodiments described above, the shaft member 131 may be fixed to various gear components. For example, the shaft member 131 may be fixed to a primary gear component (e.g., a pinion gear or idler gear) that directly meshes with the bull gear body 110a. A dedicated gear component for fixing the shaft member 131 may be provided as the primary gear component. In this case, it is also possible to define the primary gear component as being included in addition to the bull gear. Furthermore, if a secondary gear component that indirectly meshes with the bull gear body 110a via the primary gear component is provided, the shaft member 131 may be fixed to the secondary gear component. The shaft member 131 may be integrally configured with the shaft portions of the respective primary and secondary gear components described above.

[0077] Furthermore, if a gear component is provided that is connected to the bull gear shaft portion 110b and rotates together with the bull gear body 110a, another gear component that meshes with the said gear component may be provided, and the shaft member 131 may be fixed to the said other gear component.

[0078] Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The present invention is not limited to the first or second embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1. Rotating machinery (compressor) 2. Drive unit 10. Operating part (compression part) 11 Gear mechanism 12 Gear casing 13 Connection mechanism 16 Peripheral members 20 shafts 110 Gear parts (bull gear) 1330 Cylinder part 1331 First flange section 1331b First annular projection 1332 Second flange section 1332a Second annular projection

Claims

1. A coupling mechanism for connecting a drive mechanism having a shaft to gear components inside a gear casing in a rotating machine having surrounding members, A shaft member configured to be insertable into the opening of the gear casing and to be inserted into the inside of the gear casing and fixed to the gear component, A connecting portion configured to be positioned between the shaft of the drive machine and the shaft member, A cover member that is configured to be attachable to the gear casing and covers the shaft member and the connecting portion, Equipped with, The cover member, A first flange portion is configured to be attachable around the opening in the gear casing, A second flange portion is configured to be detachably attached to the first flange portion, The tip portion having the second flange portion, and the cylindrical portion covering the shaft member and the connecting portion, Equipped with, A coupling mechanism in which the second flange portion is provided in a size smaller than the first flange portion so that it can be attached to and detached from the first flange portion without interfering with the surrounding member.

2. The coupling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second flange portion comprises a second annular projection portion that fits into the central hole of the first flange portion.

3. The coupling mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first flange portion comprises a first annular projection portion that fits into the opening of the gear casing.

4. The drive unit further comprises at least a mounting flange surrounding the shaft and a rotating body to which the shaft is connected. The cover member further comprises an annular third flange portion that is attached to the mounting flange, The coupling mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third flange portion is provided integrally with or separately from the cylindrical portion at the end of the cylindrical portion opposite to the tip portion.

5. The coupling mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the drive unit is a turning device for rotating the gear components and has a motor as the rotating body.

6. The surrounding member is attached to the gear casing adjacent to the cylindrical portion. The coupling mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the cylindrical portion is configured to be longer than the axial length of the surrounding member so as to avoid interference with the surrounding member.

7. An operating part that compresses or expands gas, A gear mechanism including the aforementioned gear components and transmitting power to the operating part, A gear casing housing the gear mechanism, The coupling mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, A rotating machine equipped with the following features.

8. The rotating machine according to claim 7, wherein the rotating machine is a compressor.

9. The gear component is a bull gear that is connected to the motor input shaft and has a bull gear shaft portion that extends in the direction of the cylindrical portion's axis, The first flange portion has a through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction, The rotating machine according to claim 7, further comprising a sensor that monitors the axial movement or vibration of the bull gear shaft in the cylindrical axis direction, having a probe inserted through the through hole with its tip positioned close to the bull gear shaft.

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