Agitator Shaft Translation Tool for Bearing and Seal Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agitator systems face challenges in safely and efficiently translating the rotary shaft assembly relative to the bearing housing due to the risk of damaging delicate components and safety hazards during maintenance, especially when the shaft is not vertically oriented.
Innovation Solution
A service tool with a tool body, attachment portion, shaft assembly attachment bracket, and translation unit that supports the rotary shaft assembly during translation, featuring a radially inwardly facing support surface to counteract radial displacement and ensure controlled movement, allowing attachment and detachment without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the rotatable shaft is lifted during service to access bearings and seals, then the bearings and seals can be removed and replaced, but the delicate bearings and seals are at risk of damage and personnel safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The service tool acts as an intermediary device between the lifting mechanism and the rotatable shaft. It includes a support surface that contacts the shaft and translation means that controlledly moves the shaft assembly, preventing direct lifting that could damage delicate components. The tool body with bearing housing interface provides a mediating connection point for force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The service tool is attached to the bearing housing before the rotatable shaft is moved. The translation means is prepared and positioned in advance to control the movement. This preliminary setup ensures that when lifting or moving the shaft, the control mechanisms are already in place to prevent damage to bearings and seals.
2Ease of operation
If the rotatable shaft is lifted without proper support, then the shaft can be moved for maintenance, but safety risks increase due to the significant weight of the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The service tool provides structural support that counteracts the significant weight of the rotatable shaft. The tool body connected to the bearing housing acts as a counterbalancing structure, distributing the load safely. The translation means is designed to handle the shaft weight in a controlled manner, preventing sudden drops or uncontrolled movements that could harm personnel.
3Reliability
If a dedicated lifting tool is used for the rotatable shaft, then the shaft can be lifted safely, but the tool is difficult to use when the shaft extends in a non-vertical direction
Solution Approach 1:
The service tool is designed with universal applicability to handle rotatable shafts in various orientations (vertical, horizontal, angled). The bearing housing interface and translation means are configured to adapt to different shaft positions. The support surface can contact the shaft regardless of its orientation, and the translation means can move the shaft along the required path, making the tool versatile for multiple maintenance scenarios.
4Productivity
If the rotatable shaft is moved without controlled translation, then the shaft can be accessed for maintenance, but the bearings and seals are at risk of damage during insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The service tool incorporates dynamic control through the translation means, which enables controlled movement of the rotatable shaft assembly along a defined path. This dynamic control allows the shaft to be moved smoothly in and out of the bearing housing, preventing sudden impacts or misalignments that could damage bearings and seals during maintenance operations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a service tool (100) for translating a rotary shaft assembly (20) of an agitator system (10) in relation to a bearing housing (30) supporting the rotary shaft assembly (20). The service tool (100) comprises a tool (110) body, a shaft assembly attachment bracket (150) configured to be releasably attached to an end portion of the rotary shaft assembly (20), and a translation unit (180) configured to, when actuated, translate the shaft assembly attachment bracket (150) in relation to the tool body (100) along a translation axis (TA). The tool body (110) comprises a radially inwardly facing support surface (120) extending along an axial direction (AD), the support surface (120) being circumferentially distributed about the translation axis (TA) and being configured to slidingly bear against the rotary shaft assembly (20) while translating the rotary shaft assembly (20) in relation to the bearing housing (30) along the translation axis (TA), such that a radial displacement of the rotary shaft assembly (20) is counteracted. A service arrangement (200) and a method (300) of translating a rotary shaft assembly (20) of an agitator system (10) in relation to a bearing housing (30) are also provided