Motor Adapter Coupling for Pump Interchangeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coupling methods for brushless motors to pumps, such as lovejoy couplings, lead to space constraints, increased costs, and difficulties in interchangeability due to multiple bushings and complex interconnections, as well as issues with fretting and corrosion damage.
Innovation Solution
A motor component with a flange and adapter featuring a shaft aperture and a pattern of through-holes for universal coupling to various pump pads and shafts, reducing the distance between the motor and pump, and incorporating a shaft adapter for universal compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lovejoy coupling is used to couple the motor to the pump, then the motor can be coupled to the pump, but the distance between the motor and pump increases leading to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate modular components: a motor component with flange and adapter, and a pump component with mounting pads. This segmentation allows direct coupling while maintaining flexibility for different configurations, reducing the overall distance compared to traditional lovejoy couplings that require multiple interconnected parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor component is designed with a universal adapter that can couple to various pump configurations through different mounting pad arrangements. The adapter includes a pattern of through-holes that can accommodate different pump types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized couplings and reducing the distance between motor and pump across different applications.
2Ease of operation
If a lovejoy coupling with multiple bushings and couplers is used, then the motor can be coupled to the pump, but component and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple traditional coupling components (bushings, couplers, flanges) are merged into a single integrated adapter component. The adapter combines the functions of alignment, connection, and adaptation into one piece that attaches directly to the motor shaft and couples to various pump mounting pads, significantly reducing component count and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables coupling to different pump configurations, maintains alignment, and facilitates easy installation and removal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, reducing both complexity and maintenance costs.
3Ease of operation
If lovejoy couplings with multiple bushings and couplers are used, then the motor can be coupled to the pump, but interchangeability of motors and pumps becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate various pump mounting pad configurations through its pattern of through-holes. This allows the same motor component to be interchanged across different pump applications without requiring specialized couplings, significantly improving versatility and interchangeability while maintaining proper coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system allows for flexible configuration and reconfiguration. The adapter can be easily attached and detached, and the through-hole pattern allows for different mounting arrangements depending on the pump configuration. This dynamic adaptability enables quick interchangeability of motors and pumps without complex field modifications.
4Ease of operation
If traditional coupling methods are used, then the motor can be coupled to the pump, but fretting occurs in the motor shaft and pump shaft leading to wear and corrosion damage
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the motor shaft and pump mounting pads. It provides a protected interface that prevents direct contact and relative motion between the motor shaft and pump shaft, eliminating the conditions that cause fretting. The adapter absorbs any misalignment or movement, protecting the shafts from wear and corrosion damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor component for coupling a motor to a work component is provided. The motor component includes a flange coupled to the motor; and an adapter coupled to the flange. The adapter includes a shaft aperture and a pattern of a plurality of through-holes disposed about the shaft aperture and configured to couple to a plurality of pads of the work component. A method of assembling an electrical machine to a work component includes coupling a motor component to a motor of the electrical machine. The method further includes aligning a pattern of a plurality of through-holes of the motor with at least one pad of a plurality of pads of the work component. The method includes coupling the pattern of the plurality of through-holes to the at least one pad of the plurality of pads of the work component.