Angularly Adjustable Clamp Assembly for Shaft Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rigid couplings used in vertical applications for torque transfer are inflexible and require laborious trial-and-error adjustments, necessitating disassembly and reassembly to achieve proper alignment between motor and device shafts, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially in down-well scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An angularly adjustable clamp assembly comprising a hub clamp with an annular sleeve and collar, allowing axial movement to secure shafts and enable angular adjustments without disassembly, using attachment members to deform the assembly and align shafts accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid couplings are used to support the weight of vertically positioned pumps, then the weight support capability is improved, but the ease of alignment adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid coupling is segmented into a hub clamp with a collar and sleeve portion that can be independently adjusted. The sleeve portion is divided into multiple segments by longitudinal slits, allowing incremental angular adjustments while maintaining overall structural rigidity for weight support.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamically adjustable one. The collar can be moved axially along the sleeve to change the angular orientation of connected shafts, enabling alignment adjustments without losing the weight-bearing capability of the rigid structure.
2Measurement precision
If trial and error adjustments are made to achieve proper shaft alignment, then the alignment precision is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve portion is pre-divided into multiple segments by longitudinal slits before installation. This preliminary segmentation allows for systematic angular adjustments in predetermined increments, eliminating the need for trial-and-error deformations and reducing adjustment time while maintaining alignment precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If permanent deformations are made to rigid couplings for alignment, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deforming the entire rigid coupling, only the sleeve portion is segmented into multiple sections by longitudinal slits. This localized segmentation provides adaptability for angular adjustments while keeping the rest of the coupling structure simple and maintaining its weight-bearing capability.
4Measurement precision
If disassembly and reassembly are performed for alignment adjustments, then the alignment precision is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is designed with a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the collar can be moved axially along the segmented sleeve to change angular orientation. This allows alignment adjustments to be made in-place without disassembling the coupling from the shafts, significantly improving installation efficiency while maintaining alignment precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables in-place angular adjustments of shafts, supporting the weight of vertically positioned devices, reducing alignment errors and eliminating the need for serial disassembly and reassembly, thus improving efficiency and reducing wear on mechanical devices.
Implementation Method 1
The attachment members are arranged and disposed to cause the collar to move axially along the length of the sleeve portion of the hub and thereby urge the sleeve segments radially inward such that the sleeve segments apply a clamping force to secure a shaft within the passageway
Implementation Method 2
further engaging less than all of the attachment members after the first shaft has been secured in the passageway sufficient to cause a deformation of the adjustment base such that the angular alignment of the second shaft is modified with respect to the first shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An angularly adjustable clamp assembly includes a hub clamp, an adjustment base connectable to the hub clamp and a plurality of attachment members. The hub clamp includes a hub and collar, the hub having a sleeve portion forming a passageway to receive a shaft. The sleeve portion has multiple slits along the sleeve portion to form a plurality of sleeve segments. The collar has an inner surface configured to engage an outer surface of the sleeve portion. The attachment members cause the collar to move axially along the length of the sleeve portion to urge the sleeve segments radially inward to secure the shaft within the passageway. The assembly is configured such that at least one attachment member further connects the adjustment base to the hub clamp. The attachment members can be actuated to cause an angular adjustment of two shafts connected by the assembly.