Self-Leveling Pad for Uneven Mounting Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for aligning and leveling heavy loads on uneven surfaces are inefficient, particularly due to issues like angular soft/foot caused by worn or irregular mounting feet, which can lead to misalignment and require frequent adjustments with shims, and lack of horizontal adjustment mechanisms, making it difficult to maintain accurate centerline alignment.
Innovation Solution
A self-leveling pad device with a base and swivel pad system that accommodates irregularities in mounting feet, featuring complementary concave and convex surfaces for pivoting and adjustable mounting points with hold-down washers and jackscrews, allowing for horizontal and vertical adjustments to ensure precise alignment on uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal shims are placed between mounting feet and surface to level equipment, then equipment can be raised and lowered to match centerlines, but additional shims are required over time when feet rust or warp, creating angular soft/foot and requiring frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling device incorporates adjustable mounting points with jackscrews that allow dynamic adjustment of the base position relative to the mounting surface. This enables the base to be repositioned horizontally and vertically to compensate for foot irregularities, eliminating the need for static shims that require frequent replacement and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The base acts as an intermediary component between the mounting feet and the mounting surface. It provides a stable platform that can be adjusted to accommodate irregularities in the feet, distributing loads evenly and preventing angular soft/foot without requiring additional shims.
2Manufacturing precision
If shims are installed to restore alignment when feet become irregular, then equipment alignment with motor can be maintained, but shim thickness varies greatly causing angular soft/foot and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable mounting points with jackscrews allow for dynamic adjustment of the base position, enabling precise centerline alignment to be achieved and maintained without relying on uniform shim thickness. The mounting points can be repositioned to compensate for variations in foot dimensions.
3Manufacturing precision
If step shimming is used to resolve angular soft/foot, then alignment can be restored, but surface contact between foot and mounting surface is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The base with adjustable mounting points provides a large, stable surface area that maintains excellent contact with the mounting surface. The mounting points can be adjusted to ensure optimal surface contact while restoring alignment, eliminating the need for step shimming that reduces contact area.
4Ease of operation
If horizontal adjustment mechanisms are added to allow movement during alignment, then accurate centerline alignment becomes easier, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable mounting points with jackscrews that provide controlled horizontal and vertical movement capability. These adjustment mechanisms are integrated into the base structure, allowing accurate centerline alignment to be achieved during installation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device design.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment mounting and aligning device including a base having an upwardly facing convex portion and a swivel pad having a downwardly facing concave portion, the swivel pad being pivotally supported on the base by means of the complimentary concave and convex portions which, when joined, interact to allow the swivel pad to pivot to compensate for a piece of equipment's bent or irregular mounting feet and for uneven mounting surfaces.