US3330514A

US3330514A - Support structure for rotating machinery

Info

Publication number: US3330514A
Application number: US476982A
Authority: US
Inventors: John G Williams
Original assignee: Worthington Corp
Current assignee: Edison International Inc
Priority date: 1965-08-03
Filing date: 1965-08-03
Publication date: 1967-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1984-07-11

Description

July 11, 1967 J. G. WILLIAMS 3,330,514 7 SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR ROTATING MACHINERY 2 Sheets-Sheefi Filed Aug. 5, 1965 JOHN G. WILLIAMS INVENTOR. $MJ

July 11, 1967 J. G. WILLIAMS 3,330,514

SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR ROTATING MACHINERY Filed Aug. 5, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN G: WILLIAMS INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,330,514 SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR ROTATING MACHINERY John G. Williams, Plainfield, N.J., assignor to Worthington Corporation, Harrison, N .J., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 476,982 2 Claims. (Cl. 248-20) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to support bases and more specifically to a light weight support structure for rotating machinery composed of a tubular reinforced base, which base has interconnected passages forming therein an oil sump for the rotating machine, said base further having affixed thereto a pair of spaced vertically extending support struts rigidly attached to opposite sides of the rotating machine with a third vertical deflecting support strut attached to the machine at a point spaced from the paired support strut attaching points so that bending stresses imparted to the rotating machinery by movement of the support base will be absorbed by deflections of the third support member.

Thisv invention relates to a new and improved support structure for rotating machinery and, more particularly but not exclusively, to a relatively light weight support structure of high strength characteristics for use in the support of large, turbo generator units.

A problem in the support of large, turbo generator units resides in the necessity for the provision of relatively massive support structures therefor, whereby the overall weight of the turbo generator unit and its support structure which must in turn be supported from fixed base means in the nature of a concrete floor is materially increased. Thus, for example, the fabrication and installation costs of large, turbo generator units supported in this fashion are maintained at a high level, and the rapid transportation of such units complete with the support structures therefor, as by air freight, made virtually impossible. A further problem in the support and operation of such turbo generator units resides in the necessity for the provision of separate oil sump means, or sufiicient oil capacity to contain oil in the amount required to insure proper lubrication of the said turbo generator unit, and the necessity of a plurality of relatively long oil supply and return conduits to enable the circulation of the oil betweenthe said turbo generator unit and oil sump means. In addition, the usual uneveness, however slight, of the fixed base means which are utilized in the support of large turbo generator units through turbo generator unit support structures, has been found to give rise to distortion causing stresses which may be transmitted to the said turbo generator units by the turbo generator unit support structures, due to the nature of the connection therebetween, with resultant adverse effect upon the coaxial alignment of the respective components of the latter. This uneveness which occurs either originally or through gradual settling of the said fixed base means can be alleviated by the construction of massive sub-base means, the construction of which of course adds mate- Patented July 11, 1967 rially to the costs of installation of the turbo generator unit and thus does not represent a particularly satisfactory solution to the problem. Too, since most large turbo generator units comprise a plurality of casing contained, coaxially aligned components, it is in any event of great importance that the structures thereof include means which tend to maintain the said coaxial alignment notwithstanding the application of stresses thereto, without necessitating material increase in the costs of fabrication and installation of the said units or the overall Weight thereof. It is therefore, an object of this invention to provide a turbo generator support structure of relatively light weight and high strength characteristics whereby the overall Weight of the turbo generator unit and its support structure is materially reduced, and the rapid transportation thereof, as by air freight, made more practicable.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a turbo generator support structure as above of tubular construction comprising an interior chamber of substantial capacity and extent formed therein which is ideally suited for use as an oil sump to eliminate the need for separate oil sump means and a plurality of relatively long oil supply and return conduits and materially reduce the overall costs of the turbo generator unit.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a support structure as above for the support of a turbo generator unit from three spaced points with freedom for controlled, relative movement therebetween whereby uneveness in the support base from which the said support structure is in turn supported may be accommodated by the latter without the formation of distortion causing stresses in the said turbo generator unit, and the need for massive sub-base means, and the additional costs thereof, eliminated.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a support structure as above of uncomplicated design which requires the use of only readily available, relatively inexpensive components of proven dependability whereby the costs of fabrication, installation and maintenance thereof are minimized and long periods of satisfactory, maintenance free operation thereof are assured.

In a hereindisclosed preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a plurality of support pipes welded together in generally rectangular form to result in a support frame of maximum strength per unit weight. The turbo generator unit is supported from the said support frame at three spaced points with controlled, relative movement therebetween made possible to enable thermal expansion of the said unit and prevent the transmission of damaging stresses thereto from the said support frame. The sealed, interior chamber formed within the said support pipes is utilized as an oil sump of sufficient capacity and extent to contain and cool sufiicient oil for the lubrication of the turbo generator unit and eliminate the need for separate oil sump means and relatively long, oil supply and return conduits extending therefrom to the said turbo generator unit. Rabbet fitted attachment flanges are provided at the casing junctures of the various turbo generator unit components which tend to maintain the coaxial alignment thereof to make possible the use of relatively light weight, turbo generator component casings.

The above and other objects and advantages of my invention are believed made clear by the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a turbo generator unit constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of the unit of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the unit of FIGURE 1, with parts in cross section and parts cut away for purposesof illustration;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the turbo generator unit support frame; and

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a modified form of oil pump for the turbo generator unit of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, a turbo generator unit is indicated generally at 10, and comprises a feed pump 12, a power generation, steam turbine 14, a power transmission gear assembly 16, an electric generator 18, and a lubricating oil supply pump 20 relatively positioned as shown in generally conventional, coaxial turbo generator fashion. The power generation, steam turbine 14 comprises a steam inlet 22 and a steam exhaust 24. The feed pump 12 similarly includes a pump inlet 26 and a pump outlet 28.

The turbo generator unit is supported as shown, in a manner described in detail hereinbelow, from a fixed base as indicated at 30, by a relatively light weight, turbo generator support frame generally indicated at 32 and disposed therebetween. As best seen in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4, the support frame 32 comprises two generally parallel and generally axially extending

support pipes

34 and 36, respectively, and two generally parallel, generally transversely extending

support pipes

38 and 40, respec tively, which are joined in any convenient manner, as for example, by welding as indicated at 42, at the respective, complementary shaped extremities thereof to form a rigid, generally rectangular support frame in the manner made clear by FIGURE 4. Thus is provided a sealed, fluid-tight chamber 50 within the interiors of the respective support pipes.

Reinforcing

pipes

52 and 54 extend respectively between

support pipes

34 and 36 in the manner best seen in FIGURE 4, with the respective extremities of the former being welded to the latter, as indicated at 44, to place the respective interiors of the said reinforcing pipes in fluid flow communication with the sealed chamber 50.

Bearing plates

56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 7t), respectively, are attached as shown to the bottoms of the

respective support pipes

34, 36, 38 and 40, by

support ribs

46 and 48, and rest on the fixed base 30 to support the turbo generator unit 10 therefrom.

A pair of

support struts

72 and 74, each of which is of the same tubular construction as the support pipes, are welded to the support pipe 34 and extend upwardly therefrom as shown to form an upstanding support assembly in the nature of an inverted V, and a generally horizontally disposed support platform 76 is welded thereto at the apex thereof. A second pair of similarly constructed

support struts

78 and 80 extend upwardly in the same manner from the support pipe 36, in an axially corresponding location, and include a generally horizontally disposed support platform 82 welded to the apex thereof. It is believed of interest to note that

hearing plates

60, 62, 64 and 66 are attached to the bottoms of the

respective support pipe

34 and 36 at locations which generally coincide vertically with the locations at which the

respective support struts

72, 74, 78 and 88 are welded to the said support pipes. The use of support pipes and support struts of tubular, rather than solid, construction is of great advantage in that it provides for maximum strength per unit weight and requires the use of only readily available structural components, i.e. pipes.

Support flanges

84 and 86 extend respectively as shown from opposite sides of the generator 18, and sets of generally triangular reinforcing

ribs

88 and 90 are provided to extend as shown from the said generator to the said support flanges to rigidize the latter.

The

respective support flanges

84 and 86 rest as shown on the upper surfaces of the

respective support platforms

76 and 82 to thus provide for the support of the generator 18, which is the heaviest single component of the turbo generator unit 10, from the said support platforms. Thus, the positioning of the

bearing plates

60, 62, 64 and 66 at locations directly beneath the junctures of the

support struts

72, 74, 78 and 80 with the

support pipes

34 and 36 provide for the substantially direct transfer of the weight of the generator 18 from the said support struts through the said support pipes to the said bearing plates, and therefrom to the fixed base 30, to prevent the development of undesirable bending stresses in the said support pipes. In addition, it may be further noted that the axial center line of reinforcing pipe 54 is in general vertical alignment with the transverse centerlines of the

respective support platforms

76 and 82, whereby the said reinforcing pipe insures the structural integrity of the support frame 32 in this area of concentrated loading.

The third support means for the turbo generator unit 10 is located at the feed pump end of the said unit and comprises a support plate 92 which is welded to the top of the middle portion of the support pipe 38. A channel member 94 is disposed in an upright position thereof atop the support plate 92 and is welded thereto. A support platform 96 is welded to the top of the channel member 94, and a flexure plate 98 is positioned in the depicted upright manner atop the support platform 96 and is similarly welded thereto.

The upper end of the flexure plate 98 terminates in a cradle-like cut-out formed therein of a shape which corresponds to the generally circular shape of the lower portion of the casing of the feed pump 12. Thus the said feed pump casing may be conveniently supported in the said cradle-like cut-out and retained therein in any convenient manner, as for example by welding, to complete the support of the turbo generator unit 10 from the support frame 32.

The inherent flexibility of the flexure plate 98 will provide for limited thermal growth of the turbo generator unit 10 while at all times providing a firm support for the feed pump end thereof. Too, the said inherent flexibility enables the controlled movement of this third turbo generator unit support point relative to the two support platform support points, whereby reasonable distortion of the support structure may be readily accommodated by the said relative movement and not transmitted to the turbo generator unit in the form of damaging stresses. Thus is made possible the use of the relatively lightweight support structure of the invention and the elimination of the need for massive sub-base means or the like to prevent uneveness in the fixed base 30. The reduction in support structure weight made possible by the use of the turbo generator support structure of the invention, as compared to the more massive support structures of the prior art, is of considerable magnitude, ranging from 50 to percent in most applications.

In units of the nature of turbo generator unit 10 it is of importance that the alignment of the respective coaxial components thereof be maintained within very close tolerances to insure proper operation of the said turbo generator unit. To this elfect, the casings of the respective components are joined, at the respective junctures thereof, by self-aligning means which comprise rabbet fitted attachment flanges which are further joined by spaced, attachment bolts extending therebetween. Thus, as best seen in FIGURE 3, an attachment flange 102 is formed on the generator end of the casing of the gear assembly 16, and is rabbet fitted into a complementary shaped attachment 75 flange 104 which is formed on the gear assembly end of the casing of the generator 18. A series of spaced, attachment bolts 106 project as shown through aligned bores provided therefor in the said attachment flanges to securely attach the same. Thus is believed made clear whereby the use of these pairs of rabbet fitted attachment flanges at the junctures of the casings of the respective feed pump, turbine, gear assembly and generator components of the turbo generator unit 10, will provide a rigid turbo generator unit casing construction which will tend to maintain the coaxial alignment of the said turbo generator components and make possible the use of relatively lightweight casings therein.

An oil cooler 112 is supported as shown on the support pipe 40 and an oil filter 114 supported as shown from the oil pump 20. An oil pump inlet conduit 116 extends as shown from the oil pump 20 through the oil filter 114 and oil cooler 112 into the sealed chamber 50 formed in part by the support pipe 40, and terminates adjacent the bottom of the said support pipe.

An oil outlet conduit 118 extends downwardly as shown from the lower portion of the casing of the gear assembly 16 and terminates in attachment flange 120. An oil transfer conduit which includes an attachment flange 122 formed thereon and a rubber hose portion 124 extending downwardly therefrom is attached as shown in any convenient manner to the oil outlet conduit 118 through the use of

attachment flanges

120 and 122, and extends downwardly as shown into fluid flow communication with the portion of the sealed chamber 50 formed by the interior of reinforcing pipe 52. Thus may be understood whereby both the oil inlet conduit 116 and the oil outlet conduit 118 are in fluid flow communication with the sealed chamber 50 to thus make possible the convenient use of the said chamber as an oil sump and eliminate the need for separate oil sump means. Thus, oil may be conveniently withdrawn from the said chamber through oil inlet pipe 116 by oil pump 20, utilized in conventional manner in the lubrication of the generator 18, gear assembly 16, turbine 14, and feed pump 12, and returned tothe said chamber through oil outlet conduit 118.

Thus is believed made clear whereby the necessity for relatively long oil conduits extending from the turbo generator unit to remotely located oil sump means, is eliminated by the provision of the generally coextensive, oil sump forming chamber 50 within the support frame 32 to make possible the convenient connection of oil conduits 116 and 118 to the said chamber in the depicted manner. Although, for convenience of illustration, only two oil conduits, i.e., oil pump inlet conduit 116 and oil outlet conduit 118, have been depicted, it is to be understood that additional oil conduits would, in practice, probably prove necessary to the proper lubrication of the turbo generator unit 10 during operation thereof, which additional oil conduits would, of course, be connected directly to the sealed chamber 50 in the same convenient manner illustrated for oil conduits 116 and 118. A slight slant toward the right (refer to FIGURE 1) may, if desired, be provided in any convenient manner in chamber 50 to promote the flow of the oil contained therewithin toward oil inlet conduit 116 for the recirculation thereof through the turbo generator unit 10. In addition, non-illustrated, readily removable hatch means may, if desired, be incorporated in the support pipes adjacent the respective, joined extremities thereof to enable the periodic cleaning of the chamber 50 in any convenient manner, as for example by the running of swab means therethrough.

Alternatively, the generator mounted oil pump 20 may be replaced by a centrifugal pump 126 which is positioned within support pipe 40 in the manner made clear in FIG- URE 5. In such case, vertical drive shaft means 128 would be provided to extend from the adjacent extremity of the casing of generator 18 to the said centrifugal pump for the drive thereof, and an oil inlet conduit 130, including rubber hose portion 132 connected therein, provided to extend as shown from the outlet of the said centrifugal 6 pump, through the wall of support pipe 40, to' the said generator end for the supply of oil thereto from the chamber 50.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown but that they may be widely modified within the invention defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In the combination of a light weight support structure for the support of rotating machinery the improvement comprising:

(a) fixed base means; a

(b) support frame means supportably disposed on the fixed base means comprising,

(1) a plurality of tubular support members joined together,

(2) tubularreinforcing members connected with the tubular support means,

(3) said tubular support members and said tubular reinforcing members being in fluid flow communication forming a chamber means therein, whereby the hollow tubular support frame means is utilized as the machinery support structure as Well as the oil supply sump for the rotating machinery thereby reducing the overall weight of the machinery and support combination,

(c) means for supporting the rotating machinery from the support frame means at a plurality of spaced points with freedom for controlled relative movement between the rotating machinery and the support frame means so as to permit said means to deflect when the support frame means is distorted thereby minimizing the transmission of stress to the rotating machinery;

((1) oil conduit means in fluid flow communication with the rotating machinery and the chamber means within the support frame;

(e) oil pump means for the rotating machinery disposed within the chamber means and connected to the rotating machinery by the oil conduit means.

2. The combination of a light weight support struccture for the support of a turbo-generator unit the improvement comprising:

(a) fixed base means;

(b) a support frame supportably disposed on the fixed base means comprising;

( 1) a plurality of tubular support members joined together in a generally horizontal plane,

(2) tubular reinforcing members interconnected with the tubular support members within a generally horizontal plane,

( 3) said tubular support members and said tubular reinforcing members being in fluid flow communication forming chamber means therein, whereby the hollow tubular support frame is utilized as the turbo-generator support structure as well as the oil supply sump for this turbogenerator thereby reducing the overall weight of the combination turbo-generator and support,

(c) tubular support struts extending generally vertically from the support frame and connected to spaced tubular support members axially parallel with the turbo-generator axis;

(d) first and second support platforms disposed on the spaced tubular support struts;

(e) first and second support flanges connected at one end to respective first and second support platforms;

(f) spaced means for supporting the turbo-generator connected at one end to the first and second support flanges and at the other end to opposite sides of the turbo-generator;

(g) flexible plate support means disposed on another of said tubular support members and extending therefrom into cooperative association with the turbogenerator so that thermal growth within the turbogenerator as well as any stresses imparted to the turbo-generator by movement of the support frame means will be absorbed within the flexible plate support means by suitable flexing and distortion therein thereby preventing damage to the turbo-generator;

(h) oil conduit means operatively connected to the turbo-generator on one end and connected to the chamber means at the other end so as to permit cir culation of oil therebetween; and

(i) oil pump means for the turbo-generator unit operatively disposed within the chamber means and connected to the oil conduit means so as to insure a supply of lubricating fluid to the turbo-generator.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,061,672 5/1913 Hodgkinson 308-76 1,491,423 4/1924 Rice 24819 X 1,716,132 6/ 1929 Hodgkinson.

1,833,050 1'1/1931 Hubbs 24819 JOHN PETO, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN THE COMBINATION OF A LIGHT WEIGHT SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR THE SUPPORT OF ROTATING MACHINERY THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: (A) FIXED BASE MEANS; (B) SUPPORT FRAME MEANS SUPPORTABLY DISPOSED ON THE FIXED BASE MEANS COMPRISING, (1) A PLURALITY OF TUBULAR SUPPORT MEMBERS JOINTED TOGETHER, (2) TUBULAR REINFORCING MEMBERS CONNECTED WITH THE TUBULAR SUPPORT MEANS, (3) SAID TUBULAR SUPPORT MEMBERS AND SAID TUBULAR REINFORCING MEMBERS BEING IN FLUID FLOW COMMUNICATION FORMING A CHAMBER MEANS THEREIN, WHEREBY THE HOLLOW TUBULAR SUPPORT FRAME MEANS IS UTILIZED AS THE MACHINERY SUPPORT STRUCTURE AS WELL AS THE OIL SUPPLY SUMP FOR THE ROTATING MACHINERY THEREBY REDUCING THE OVERALL WEIGHT OF THE MACHINERY AND SUPPORT COMBINATION, (C) MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE ROTATING MACHINERY FROM THE SUPPORT FRAME MEANS AT A PLURALITY OF SPACED POINTS WITH FREEDOM FOR CONTROLLED RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ROTATING MACHINERY AND THE SUPPORT FRAME MEANS SO AS TO PERMIT SAID MEANS TO DEFLECT WHEN THE SUPPORT FRAME MEANS IT DISTORTED THEREBY MINIMIZING THE TRANSMISSION OF STRESS TO THE ROTATING MACHINERY; (D) OIL CONDUIT MEANS IN FLUID FLOW COMMUNICATION WITH THE ROTATING MACHINERY AND THE CHAMBER MEANS WITHIN THE SUPPORT FRAME; (E) OIL PUMP MEANS FOR THE ROTATING MACHINERY DISPOSED WITHIN THE CHAMBER MEANS AND CONNECTED TO THE ROTATING MACHINERY BY THE OIL CONDUIT MEANS.