Bearing hanger for axial motion compliance of rotating shafts

Abstract

A support system for a shaft that includes a support frame having an outer surface. The support frame can define a shaft aperture that extends through the outer surface along a shaft centerline. A cantilever can be coupled to the support frame on the outer surface, offset from the shaft aperture, extending away from the support frame along the shaft centerline. A hanger spring can be coupled to the cantilever and extending away from the cantilever along the outer surface of the support frame toward the shaft aperture past the shaft centerline. A shaft bearing can be coupled to the hanger spring, the shaft bearing defining a bearing bore sized and oriented to receive the shaft. The hanger spring can be elastically deformable to translate the shaft bearing along the shaft centerline to accommodate axial movement of the shaft along the shaft centerline.

Description

23POLY0086-WO-ORD 1BEARING HANGER FOR AXIAL MOTION COMPLIANCE OF ROTATING SHAFTSTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter is directed to a bearing hanger assembly for a idler shaft, and more particularly, to a axially compliant bearing hanger assembly for use in an industrial rotating assembly.BACKGROUND

[0002] Bearing hangers for supporting rotating idler shafts are typically utilized in industrial drive systems. In industrial drive systems, bearing hangers are often used to support rotating components, such as drums. In these applications, a rotating shaft, such as the idler shaft, can experience axial misalignment due to a variety of factors, such as thermal expansion, transitional stresses, and the like.

[0003] There are several types of bearing hangers known in the art to accommodate axial misalignment of rotating shafts. Elastomeric and visco-elastic bearing elements are designed to accommodate axial and misalignment. However, elastomeric and visco-elastic bearing elements are susceptible to fatigue failure overtime due to continuing flexure stress. They have limitations as to how hot an environment they can be used in, as well as which kind of chemicals they can be exposed to. An assembly may be configured to allow a shaft to slide within the roller, but cannot be used in applications where the shaft is interference fit in the roller. Applications where the race is allowed to slide in a housing can bind or put undesirable stress on the roller.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 9,677,607: This patent, titled "Damping device for a supercritical transmission shaft," describes a device designed to mitigate vibrations in rotating shafts operating at supercritical speeds. The system includes a support, a plate, a collar, and clamping means, arranged to allow controlled movement and damping of the shaft to enhance stability and performance.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 7,771,126: This patent, titled "Radially compliant bearing hanger for rotating shafts," details a bearing hanger assembly for supporting rotating shafts, such as those in aircraft or industrial drive systems. The assembly comprises a support plate, a damper plate, and a damper element that accommodates radial, axial, and angular misalignments of the shaft, improving operational reliability and reducing fatigue failure.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 5,603,574: This patent, titled "Fluid dampened support having variable stiffness and damping," involves a support system for bearings, such as tilt pad or rolling element bearings. The design incorporates fluid-filled chambers and flexible membranes to provide variable stiffness and damping characteristics, effectively reducing vibrations and enhancing the stability of rotating machinery. It would be beneficial therefore to provide a bearing hanger assembly for a23POLY0086-WO-ORD 2rotating idler shaft that can accommodate radial, axial and angular misalignment, while not being susceptible to fatigue failure caused by repetitive flexure.SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure depicts a bearing hanger assembly designed to overcome the limitations of prior systems by providing enhanced durability and flexibility. The assembly comprises a support frame 206 with an outer surface 208 and a shaft aperture 210 that extends along a shaft centerline 212. A cantilever 214 is coupled to the support frame on the outer surface, offset from the shaft aperture, and extends along the shaft centerline. A hanger spring 216, which is elastically deformable, is coupled to the cantilever and extends toward the shaft aperture past the shaft centerline. A shaft bearing 218 is coupled to the hanger spring, defining a bearing bore 220 sized to receive the shaft 204. This configuration allows the hanger spring to translate the shaft bearing along the shaft centerline to accommodate axial translation of the shaft due to operational factors like thermal expansion.

[0008] The detailed claims further elaborate on various embodiments and enhancements of the bearing hanger assembly. For instance, claims detail the inclusion of a bearing housing 228, possibly a plummer block type, and various sensor integrations 234 such as temperature, pressure, and vibration sensors to monitor and optimize the operational status of the assembly. The claims also describe the use of different materials and configurations for the hanger spring, such as plate steel, and methods for attaching the hanger spring to the cantilever, including bolting and welding.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structure is not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears. Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference number can be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as may non-identical reference numbers.

[0010] FIG. 1A is a partial end view of a drum, and a bearing supporting a shaft coupled to the drum, according to various examples.

[0011] FIG. 1B is a partial cross-section taken along line 1B -- 1B in FIG. 1A.

[0012] FIG. 2A is a partial end view of a drum, a bearing supporting a shaft coupled to the drum, and a bearing hanger assembly, according to various examples.

[0013] FIG. 2B is a partial cross-section taken along line 2B -- 2B in FIG. 2A.

[0014] FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-section showing a bearing hanger assembly with an relaxed hanger spring, according to various examples.23POLY0086-WO-ORD 3

[0015] FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-section showing a bearing hanger assembly with an elastically deformed hanger spring, according to various examples.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section showing a bearing hanger assembly with a bearing coupled directly to a hanger spring, according to various examples.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bearing hanger, according to various examples.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a method of making a bearing hanger assembly, according to various examples.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] A polymer reactor is a type of chemical reactor designed to produce polymers. In a gas reactor, specifically, monomers (small molecules that react to form polymers) are fed into the reactor along with a carrier gas, such as nitrogen or argon. The monomers then react to form polymers in the presence of a catalyst, which helps to facilitate the reaction. The resulting polymer is then collected and processed for use in various applications. From an engineering perspective, the design of a gas reactor can be quite complex. The reactor must be able to effectively distribute the monomers and catalyst throughout the reaction zone, while also controlling factors such as temperature, pressure, and flow rates. Additionally, the reactor must be designed to handle the physical and chemical properties of the polymer being produced, such as its viscosity and reactivity. The design of a gas reactor can also involve the use of various components, such as heat exchangers, pumps, and valves, to control the reaction conditions and ensure that the polymer is produced to the desired specifications. Understanding the principles of fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer is therefore essential for designing and operating a gas reactor effectively.

[0020] The present subject matter provides improved designs of a non-driven end (“NDE”) reactor bearing of a polymer reactor, although the system could be used for any system designed to agitate a slurry. Specifically, as set forth in FIGS 2A-B, inter alia, a hanger-style bearing is used, providing a kind of leaf spring to accommodate axial motion, in some embodiments.

[0021] The designs described herein have proven to be especially effective for a reactor used in the production of polypropylene. A shortcoming with previous designs was a limited lifetime of the bearings (appr. 1 year) with a significant chance on failure of the bearing in the meantime. A failing reactor bearing can result in a downtime of 5 days or more, which can prove costly to asset productivity.

[0022] The present approaches have resulted in an improved bearing calendar life. In addition to the mechanical enhancements, embodiments include improved condition monitoring based on multiple temperature measurements. Such monitoring can be communicated over a distributed network such as the internet, which can enable remote monitoring. Embodiments can include an inboard vibration measurement (manually). These systems can be combined to greatly increase durability of a reactor bearing, and to avoid unplanned downtime.23POLY0086-WO-ORD 4

[0023] FIGS 1A-B show a reactor system 100 that does not feature the hangar spring concept set forth in FIGS 2-6. FIG. 1A is a partial end view of a drum 102, and a bearing 104 supporting a shaft 106 coupled to the drum 102. FIG. 1B is a partial cross-section taken along line 1B - 1B in FIG. 1A. In this design the bearing, in order to accommodate lateral translation 108 of the shaft 106, such as due to thermal expansion, must either allow for shaft sliding, or if the shaft is pressed into the bearing, must translate its rollers in various paths along the translation. These kinds of stresses on bearings are well known to accelerate failure versus bearings that are not subject to such stresses.

[0024] FIG. 2A is a partial end view of a drum 202, a bearing 218 supporting a shaft 204, such as an idler shaft, coupled to the drum 202, and a bearing hanger assembly, according to various examples. FIG. 2B is a partial cross-section taken along line 2B - 2B in FIG. 2A. FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a real-world embodiment of the bearing hanger and is useful to form a quick understanding of the elements described below.

[0025] A drum 202 can define an interior portion configured to retain and agitate a slurry. The drum 202 can define a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A drive shaft can be coupled to the drum on the first side. Examples can include an idler coupled to the drum on the second side. The drive shaft and the idler shaft can be disposed in alignment along a shaft centerline.

[0026] Embodiments include a support system 200 for the shaft 204. The system 200 can include a support frame 206. The support frame 206 can include a face plate having and opposed inner surface and outer surface 208. The support frame can define a shaft aperture 210. The shaft aperture 210 can extend through the outer surface 208. The shaft 204 and / or shaft aperture 210 can extend along a shaft centerline 212.

[0027] The system 200 can include a cantilever 214. The cantilever 214 can be coupled to the support frame 206. Such coupling can be on or along the outer surface 208. The cantilever 214 can be offset a distance D21 from the shaft aperture 210, as shown. The cantilever 214 can extend away from the support frame 206 along the shaft centerline 212.

[0028] The system 200 can include a hanger spring 216. The hanger spring 216 can be coupled to the cantilever 214. The hanger spring 216 can extend away from the cantilever 214 along the outer surface 208 of the support frame 206 toward the shaft aperture 210 past the shaft centerline 212.

[0029] The bearing hanger includes a first arm 240 offset from the shaft centerline on a first side, and a second arm 242 offset from the shaft centerline on a second side, such that the bearing hanger includes a fork can define an opening sized to pass the shaft bearing therethrough. The hanger spring can be of a length selected to reduce vertical translation of the shaft bearing to a selected distance.23POLY0086-WO-ORD 5

[0030] The system 200 can include a shaft bearing 218. The shaft bearing 218 can be coupled to a hanger spring 216. The hanger spring 216 can be plate shaped, sometimes termed a “swing plate”. The swing plate can be made of steel. The hanger spring can be formed of plate steel. A suitable steel is SA51670N, although other materials can be used, even including composites.

[0031] The bearing 218 can be a “ball-bearing” style bearing. The shaft bearing can be a roller bearing. The inner race can be sized to receive the shaft in an interference fit. Tapered roller bearings can be used. However, if the shaft deflects some, a bearing, such as a spherical bearing, can be adapted to accommodate flex can prove advantageous in some embodiments. The shaft bearing can be one of a closed endcap bearing and an open bearing. The shaft bearing can be a greasable shaft bearing. Examples can include a grease line can be coupled to the greaseable shaft bearing. Such greasing can be automated, e.g. open loop based on a timer or closed loop based on feedback control.

[0032] Such a bearing can have a spherical outer diameter seated in a manner to accommodate angular movement of the shaft 204. Other types of shaft bearings can be employed with bearing hanger assembly 200 instead of a ball or roller bearing assembly. For example, an antifriction or fiction-less bearing having a flat running surface can be utilized. Such a bearing could be an oil-fed fluid-dynamic bearing. The shaft bearing 218 can define a bearing bore 220. The bearing bore 220 can be sized and oriented to receive the shaft.

[0033] In various embodiments the bearing can be fixed in the housing and does not have to shift inside the bearing housing to adapt to thermal expansion of the shaft in the reactor. With the current design thermal expansion (e.g. axial movement of the bearing housing) can be accommodated for by a hanger spring (e.g. a leaf springs or “swing plate”). This favorably reduced the loads on the bearing, yielding increases in bearing calendar life.

[0034] Additional features include the ability to greasing from outside the reactor, which can avoid gas leakages. Temperature measurements can be taken inside the reactor head. A sealing configuration can be used based on metal-to-metal contact.

[0035] Vibration sensors can be directly mounted on the bearing housing. Some vibration sensors cannot be mounted in a gas space, thus cannot be used without the embodiments disclosed herein. Measuring vibrations directly on the bearing housing can reveal wear or damage even when the rotating speed of the reactor stirrer is slow.

[0036] FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-section showing a bearing hanger assembly with an relaxed hanger spring, according to various examples. FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-section showing a bearing hanger assembly with an elastically deformed hanger spring, according to various examples. Referring to FIG. 3B in particular, the hanger spring 216 can be elastically deformable to translate a distance D31. Such translation can provide for the translation of the shaft bearing 218, such as along the shaft centerline 212. These translations can accommodate axial translation 302 of the23POLY0086-WO-ORD 6shaft 204 along the shaft centerline 212. These figures are not to scale. Often the translation is minute, however even a minute translation can result in premature bearing wear. Hence, the present systems provide an ability to translate the bearing without forcing the bearing to accommodate such stress internally, and they do so simply and cost-effectively.

[0037] Returning to FIGS 2A-1B, et al., the hanger spring 216 can be spaced apart 222 from the support frame 206. The hanger spring 216 can be a hangar plate or swing plate that can be elastically deformable to accommodate axial translation of the shaft bearing. The hanger spring 216 can be adapted to translate the shaft bearing 218 along the shaft centerline 212 to accommodate axial translation 302 or movement of the shaft due to thermal expansion. The shaft bearing 218 can include an outer race that can be coupled to the hanger spring 216 in a fixed relationship. An inner race can define the bearing bore 210. A bearing housing 228 can be coupled to the hanger spring between the hanger spring and the shaft bearing. The bearing housing can be a plummer block bearing housing, although other designs are contemplated.

[0038] Examples can include a bearing housing plate 230 that can be coupled to the hanger spring 216 between the hanger spring 216 and the bearing housing 228. The bearing housing plate 230 can define an upward facing mounting surface upon which the bearing housing can be affixed. The bearing housing can be coupled onto a damper plate to further adjust the damping properties of the system 200. A damper plate can disposed between a bearing housing plate 230 and a bearing housing 228. The bearing housing can include a bearing housing flange 232 that can be coupled to the bearing housing plate 230. The bearing housing flange 232 can include ears offset from the shaft centerline.

[0039] Examples can include one or more sensors 234 that can be coupled to at least one of the bearing, the bearing housing, the hanger spring, and the bearing housing plate. The one or more sensors 234 can include one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and a vibration sensor. The vibration sensor can be coupled directly to the bearing house.

[0040] As illustrated particularly in FIG. 3B, the hanger spring can comprise a first hanger spring 316 and a second hanger spring 336, each coupled to the cantilever extending away from the cantilever in parallel. The bearing housing can be coupled between the first hanger spring and the second hanger spring. Examples can include a bearing housing plate coupled to the hanger spring between each of the first hanger spring and the second hanger spring and the bearing housing. A bearing housing plate can define an upward facing mounting surface upon which the bearing housing can be affixed.

[0041] The hanger spring can be bolted to the cantilever. The hanger spring can be elastically deformable to translate the shaft bearing along the shaft centerline to accommodate axial movement of the shaft along the shaft centerline. The hanger spring can be welded to the cantilever. To provide for additional articulation, the hanger spring can be can be coupled to the cantilever with one or more pivots. The hanger spring can be can be coupled to the bearing housing plate with one or more23POLY0086-WO-ORD 7pivots. The hanger spring can be can be coupled to the bearing housing plate with one or more pivots. Providing one or more pivots can accommodate rotation in design cases where rotation with less restriction is desired, such as to accommodate slight rotation of the bearing with respect to the cantilever to accommodate shaft flex.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section showing a bearing hanger assembly with a bearing coupled directly to a hanger spring, according to various examples. One hanger spring is shown in the example. In the example, the bearing sits directly in the hangar spring. Such a design can further reduce complexity and cost.

[0043] The example also shows various means to additionally limit axial translation of the shaft through a frame. The shaft has a shoulder 424 to abut the support frame to restrict axial translation of the shaft through the support frame. The shaft bearing includes a flange 432 that can be fastened to the hanger spring. Examples can include a shaft seal 426 disposed between the shaft and the support frame to restrict fluid flow through the support frame. This may be particularly helpful of the frame forms a part of a sealed enclosure in which the drum is disposed. Such a design is shown in FIG. 5.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bearing hanger, according to various examples. Examples can include one or more service brackets mounted to the outer surface of the shaft housing proximal the spring hanger 516 and configured to fix the spring hanger, such as for use during service. Examples can include one or more slider brackets 538 mounted to the outer surface of the shaft housing proximal the spring hanger and oriented to constrain lateral movement of the bearing perpendicular to the shaft centerline.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a method of making a bearing hanger assembly, according to various examples. At 602 the method can include providing a supporting frame can have an outer surface and can define a shaft aperture that extends through the outer surface along a shaft centerline. At 604 the method can include disposing a shaft through the shaft aperture. At 606 the method can include coupling a cantilever to the supporting frame on the outer surface, locating the cantilever offset from the shaft aperture with the cantilever extending away from the support frame along the shaft centerline. At 608 the method can include coupling a hanger spring to the cantilever with the hanger spring extending away from the cantilever along the outer surface of the support frame toward the shaft aperture past the shaft centerline. At 610 the method can include coupling a shaft bearing to the hanger spring, with the shaft bearing can define a bearing bore sized and oriented to receive the shaft. At 612 the method can include elastically deforming the hanger spring thereby translating the shaft bearing along the shaft centerline and accommodating axial movement of the shaft along the shaft centerline.

[0046] Various methods can accommodate axial translation of a shaft. Methods can include disposing the shaft through a shaft aperture of a support frame, with the shaft extending along a shaft centerline. Methods can include fastening a cantileverto an outer surface of the support frame.23POLY0086-WO-ORD 8Methods can include coupling a hanger spring to the cantilever such that the hanger spring extends away from the cantilever along the outer surface of the support frame toward the shaft aperture past the shaft centerline. Methods can include coupling a shaft bearing to the hanger spring. Methods can include orienting the shaft bearing such that a bearing bore of the shaft bearing can be receives the shaft. Methods can include elastically deforming the hanger spring to accommodate axial movement of the shaft along the shaft centerline.

[0047] Example 1 can include a support system 200 for a shaft 204, An example can include the system including a support frame 206 having an outer surface 208, the support frame 206 defining a shaft aperture 210 that extends through the outer surface 208 along a shaft centerline 212; a cantilever 214 coupled to the support frame 206 on the outer surface 208, offset D21 from the shaft aperture 210, extending away from the support frame 206 along the shaft centerline 212; a hanger spring 216 coupled to the cantilever 214 and extending away from the cantilever 214 along the outer surface 208 of the support frame 206 toward the shaft aperture 210 past the shaft centerline 212; and a shaft bearing 218 coupled to the hanger spring 216, the shaft bearing 218 defining a bearing bore 220 sized and oriented to receive the shaft, wherein the hanger spring 216 is elastically deformable to translate D31 the shaft bearing 218 along the shaft centerline 212 to accommodate axial translation 302 of the shaft 204 along the shaft centerline 212.

[0048] Example 2 can include the system of example 1 , wherein the hanger spring 216 is spaced apart 222 from the support frame 206.

[0049] Example 3 can include the system of any of examples 1-2, wherein the hanger spring 216 is a hangar plate or swing plate that is elastically deformable to accommodate axial translation of the shaft bearing.

[0050] Example 4 can include the system of any of examples 1 -3, wherein the shaft has a shoulder 424 to abut the support frame to restrict axial translation of the shaft through the support frame.

[0051] Example 5 can include the system of any of examples 1-4, comprising a shaft seal 426 disposed between the shaft and the support frame to restrict fluid flow through the support frame.

[0052] Example 6 can include the system of any of examples 1-5, wherein the hanger spring is adapted to translate the shaft bearing along the shaft centerline to accommodate axial movement of the shaft due to thermal expansion of a system coupled to the shaft.

[0053] Example 7 can include the system of any of examples 1-6, wherein the shaft bearing comprises an outer race coupled to the hanger spring in a fixed relationship, and an inner race defining the bearing bore.

[0054] Example 8 can include the system of any of examples 1-7, comprising a bearing housing 128 coupled to the hanger spring between the hanger spring and the shaft bearing.23POLY0086-WO-ORD 9

[0055] Example 9 can include the system of example 8, wherein the bearing housing is a plummer block bearing housing.

[0056] Example 10 can include the system of example 8, comprising a bearing housing plate 230 coupled to the hanger spring between the hanger spring and the bearing housing, the bearing housing plate defining an upward facing mounting surface upon which the bearing housing is affixed.

[0057] Example 11 can include the system of any of examples 8-10, wherein the bearing housing comprises a bearing housing flange 232 coupled to the bearing housing plate, the bearing housing flange comprising ears offset from the shaft centerline.

[0058] Example 12 can include the system of any of examples 8-11, comprising one or more sensors 234 coupled to at least one of the bearing, the bearing housing, hanger spring, and the bearing housing plate.

[0059] Example 13 can include the system of any of examples 22, wherein the one or more sensors includes one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and a vibration sensor.

[0060] Example 14 can include the system of any of examples 23, wherein the vibration sensor is coupled directly to the bearing house.

[0061] Example 15 can include the system of example 8, wherein the hanger spring is a first hanger spring, and can include the system comprises a second hanger spring 336 coupled to the cantilever extending away from the cantilever along the first hanger spring, with the bearing housing coupled between the first hanger spring and the second hanger spring.

[0062] Example 16 can include the system of example 25, comprising a bearing housing plate coupled to the hanger spring between each of the first hanger spring and the second hanger spring and the bearing housing, the bearing housing plate defining an upward facing mounting surface upon which the bearing housing is affixed.

[0063] Example 17 can include the system of any of examples 15-16, wherein the hanger spring is coupled to the cantilever with one or more pivots.

[0064] Example 18 can include the system of example 17, wherein the hanger spring is coupled to the bearing housing plate with one or more pivots.

[0065] Example 19 can include the system of example 16, wherein the hanger spring is coupled to the bearing housing plate with one or more pivots.

[0066] Example 20 can include the system of any of examples 1-19, wherein the shaft bearing is a roller bearing.

[0067] Example 21 can include the system of any of examples 1-20, wherein the hanger spring is formed of plate steel.23POLY0086-WO-ORD 10

[0068] Example 22 can include the system of any of examples 1-21, wherein the inner race is sized to receive the shaft in an interference fit.

[0069] Example 23 can include the system of any of examples 1-22, comprising one or more service brackets mounted to the outer surface of the shaft housing proximal the spring hanger and configured to fix the spring hanger.

[0070] Example 24 can include the system of any of examples 1 -23, comprising one or more slider brackets 538 mounted to the outer surface of the shaft housing proximal the spring hanger and oriented to constrain lateral movement of the bearing perpendicular to the shaft centerline.

[0071] Example 25 can include the system of any of examples 1-24, wherein the bearing hanger comprises a first arm 240 offset from the shaft centerline on a first side, and a second arm 242 offset from the shaft centerline on a second side, such that the bearing hanger comprises a fork defining an opening sized to pass the shaft bearing therethrough.

[0072] Example 26 can include the system of any of examples 1 -25, wherein the hanger spring is bolted to the cantilever.

[0073] Example 27 can include the system of any of examples 1 -26, wherein the hanger spring is welded to the cantilever.

[0074] Example 28 can include the system of any of examples 1-27, wherein the shaft bearing includes a flange 432 that is fastened to the hanger spring.

[0075] Example 29 can include the system of any of examples 1-28, wherein the shaft bearing is one of a closed endcap bearing and an open bearing.

[0076] Example 30 can include the system of any of examples 1-29, wherein the shaft bearing is a greaseable shaft bearing, and comprising a grease line coupled to the greaseable shaft bearing.

[0077] Example 31 can include the system of any of examples 1-30, wherein the hanger spring is of a length selected to reduce vertical translation of the shaft bearing to a selected distance.

[0078] Example 32 can include a method of accommodating axial translation of a shaft, the method including disposing the shaft through a shaft aperture of a support frame, with the shaft extending along a shaft centerline; fastening a cantilever to an outer surface of the support frame; coupling a hanger spring to the cantilever such that the hanger spring extends away from the cantilever along the outer surface of the support frame toward the shaft aperture past the shaft centerline; and coupling a shaft bearing to the hanger spring; orienting the shaft bearing such that a bearing bore of the shaft bearing is receives the shaft, and elastically deforming the hanger spring to accommodate axial movement of the shaft along the shaft centerline.

[0079] Example 33 can include a system for agitating a slurry, can include the system including a drum 202 defining an interior portion configured to retain and agitate a slurry; the drum defining a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a drive shaft coupled to the drum on the first side;23POLY0086-WO-ORD 11an shaft 204 comprising an idler coupled to the drum on the second side, with the drive shaft and the shaft disposed in alignment along a shaft centerline; a support frame including a face plate having opposed inner and outer surfaces, the support frame defining a shaft aperture that extends along the shaft centerline; a cantilever coupled to the support frame along the outer surface, offset from the shaft aperture, extending away from the support frame along the shaft centerline; a hanger spring coupled to the cantilever, extending away from the cantilever along the outer surface of the support frame toward the shaft aperture past the shaft centerline; and a shaft bearing coupled to the hanger spring, the shaft bearing comprising an outer race coupled to the hanger spring in a fixed relationship, and an inner race defining a bearing bore sized and oriented to receive the shaft, wherein the idler shaft is disposed in the shaft bearing.

[0080] Example 34 can include the system of example 33, comprising a bearing housing coupled to the hanger spring between the hanger spring and the shaft bearing.

[0081] Example 35 can include the system of example 34, comprising a bearing housing plate coupled to the hanger spring between the hanger spring and the bearing housing, the bearing housing plate defining an upward facing mounting surface upon which the bearing housing is affixed.

[0082] Example 36 can include the system of example 34, wherein the hanger spring is a first hanger spring, and can include the system comprises a second hanger spring coupled to the cantilever extending away from the cantilever along the first hanger spring, with the housing coupled between the first hanger spring and the second hanger spring.

[0083] Example 37 can include the system of any of examples 1-36, wherein the shaft bearing is a roller bearing.

[0084] Example 38 can include the system of any of examples 1-37, wherein the hanger spring is formed of plate steel.

[0085] Example 39 can include the system of any of examples 1-38, wherein the inner race is sized to receive the shaft in an interference fit.

[0086] Example 40 can include the system of any of examples 1-39, comprising one or more service brackets mounted to the outer surface of the shaft housing proximal the spring hanger and configured to fix the spring hanger.

[0087] Example 41 can include the system of any of examples 1-40, comprising one or more slider brackets mounted to the outer surface of the shaft housing proximal the spring hanger and oriented to constrain lateral movement of the bearing perpendicular to the shaft centerline.

[0088] Example 42 A mixing drum assembly for mixing polymers during a reaction comprising An example can include the system of example 1.

[0089] Example 43 can include a support system for a shaft, An example can include the system including a support frame having an outer surface, the support frame defining a shaft aperture that23POLY0086-WO-ORD 12extends through the outer surface along a shaft centerline; a cantilever coupled to the support frame on the outer surface, offset from the shaft aperture, extending away from the support frame along the shaft centerline; a bearing suspension means for supporting a shaft bearing; and a shaft bearing coupled to the hanger spring, the shaft bearing defining a bearing bore sized and oriented to receive the shaft, wherein the hanger spring is elastically deformable to translate the shaft bearing along the shaft centerline to accommodate axial movement of the shaft along the shaft centerline.

[0090] Example 44 can include a method of supporting a shaft, the method comprising: providing a supporting frame having an outer surface and defining a shaft aperture that extends through the outer surface along a shaft centerline; disposing a shaft through the shaft aperture; coupling a cantilever to the supporting frame on the outer surface, locating the cantilever offset from the shaft aperture with the cantilever extending away from the support frame along the shaft centerline; coupling a hanger spring to the cantilever with the hanger spring extending away from the cantilever along the outer surface of the support frame toward the shaft aperture past the shaft centerline; coupling a shaft bearing to the hanger spring, with the shaft bearing defining a bearing bore sized and oriented to receive the shaft; and elastically deforming the hanger spring thereby translating the shaft bearing along the shaft centerline and accommodating axial movement of the shaft along the shaft centerline.

[0091] It is noted that the term ’’comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements. However, it is also to be understood that a description on a product / composition comprising certain components also discloses a product / composition consisting of these components. The product / composition consisting of these components may be advantageous in that it offers a simpler, more economical process for the preparation of the product / composition. Similarly, it is also to be understood that a description on a process comprising certain steps also discloses a process consisting of these steps. The process consisting of these steps may be advantageous in that it offers a simpler, more economical process. When values are mentioned for a lower limit and an upper limit, ranges made by the combinations of the values of the lower limit and the values of the upper limit are also understood to be disclosed.

Claims

23POLY0086-WO-ORD 13CLAIMS1. A support system 200 for a shaft 204, the system comprising:a support frame 206 having an outer surface 208, the support frame 206 defining a shaft aperture 210 that extends through the outer surface 208 along a shaft centerline 212; a cantilever 214 coupled to the support frame 206 on the outer surface 208, offset D21 from the shaft aperture 210, extending away from the support frame 206 along the shaft centerline 212;a hanger spring 216 coupled to the cantilever 214 and extending away from the cantilever 214 along the outer surface 208 of the support frame 206 toward the shaft aperture 210 past the shaft centerline 212; anda shaft bearing 218 coupled to the hanger spring 216, the shaft bearing 218 defining a bearing bore 220 sized and oriented to receive the shaft,wherein the hanger spring 216 is elastically deformable to translate D31 the shaft bearing 218 along the shaft centerline 212 to accommodate axial translation 302 of the shaft 204 along the shaft centerline 212.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hanger spring 216 is spaced apart 222 from the support frame 208.

3. The system of any of claims 1-2, wherein the hanger spring 216 is a hangar plate that is elastically deformable to accommodate axial translation of the shaft bearing.

4. The system of any of claims 1-3, wherein the shaft has a shoulder 424 to abut the support frame to restrict axial translation of the shaft through the support frame.

5. The system of any of claims 1-4, comprising a shaft seal 426 disposed between the shaft and the support frame to restrict fluid flow through the support frame.

6. The system of any of claims 1-5, wherein the hanger spring is adapted to translate the shaft bearing along the shaft centerline to accommodate axial movement of the shaft due to thermal expansion of a system coupled to the shaft.

7. The system of any of claims 1-6, wherein the shaft bearing comprises an outer race coupled to the hanger spring in a fixed relationship, and an inner race defining the bearing bore.

8. The system of any of claims 1-7, comprising a bearing housing 228 coupled to the hanger spring between the hanger spring and the shaft bearing.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the bearing housing is a plummer block bearing housing.23POLY0086-WO-ORD 1410. The system of claim 8, comprising a bearing housing plate 230 coupled to the hanger spring between the hanger spring and the bearing housing, the bearing housing plate defining an upward facing mounting surface upon which the bearing housing is affixed.

11. The system of any of claims 8-10, wherein the bearing housing comprises a bearing housing flange 232 coupled to the bearing housing plate, the bearing housing flange comprising ears offset from the shaft centerline.

12. The system of any of claims 8-11 , comprising one or more sensors 234 coupled to at least one of the bearing, the bearing housing, hanger spring, and the bearing housing plate.

13. The system of any of claims 22, wherein the one or more sensors includes one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and a vibration sensor.

14. The system of any of claims 23, wherein the vibration sensor is coupled directly to the bearing house.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the hanger spring is a first hanger spring, and the system comprises a second hanger spring 336 coupled to the cantilever extending away from the cantilever along the first hanger spring, with the bearing housing coupled between the first hanger spring and the second hanger spring.

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