Motor base for vibratory apparatus

Details Motor base for vibratory apparatus Motor base for vibratory apparatus

1999-10-21

2001-05-29

Valenza, Joseph E. (Department: 3651)

Conveyors: power-driven

Conveyor section

Reciprocating conveying surface

C074S061000, C074S087000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06237749

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally related to motor bases and, more particularly, to bases for supporting motors used in vibratory apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is well known in the art, vibratory processing equipment has been developed to satisfy a wide range of diverse applications. It is oftentimes the case that a system for handling any of a variety of different materials will include as an integral component an exciter for generating vibration. Generally, the exciter is used in a variety of applications, typically to transport a material to and through a processing section to a post-processing section, such as in a vibratory conveyor for transporting materials along a generally horizontal path, or in a spiral elevator for vertically transporting materials.
Exciters used in vibratory apparatus typically include a frame resiliently connected to a conveyor or other structure which carries the process material. At least one, and typically two, rotatable shafts are supported on the frame. Each shaft carries an eccentric weight which creates a vibrational force as it rotates with the shaft. A motor is provided to drive the driven shaft. The motor has a motor shaft, and a drive belt is entrained about the motor shaft and the driven shaft. Accordingly, rotation of the motor shaft moves the drive belt which, in turn, causes the driven shaft to rotate. The rotating eccentric weight attached to the driven shaft creates the vibrational force which is imparted to the exciter flame. Vibration of the exciter is transferred, such as by reactor springs, to the conveyor or other structure to effect the desired vibrational process.
During operation, it will be appreciated that the exciter may move in several directions. In vibratory apparatus used to produce a vertical vibration, for example, the exciter may vibrate or oscillate in different directions during startup, normal operation, and shutdown of the exciter. During startup, the driven shafts are initially at rest as the motor begins to rotate the shaft. Until the driven shafts reach normal operating speed, rotation of the eccentric weights may not be synchronized or may otherwise result in primarily horizontal movement of the exciter. During normal operation, the exciter oscillates in a generally vertical direction to impart the desired vibrational force. During shut down, the eccentric weights again may become out of synchronization, creating primarily horizontal movement of the exciter.
The varying movement of the exciter makes it difficult to reliably couple a motor to each driven shaft. Currently, each motor is typically fixed to a stationary support, such as a base frame or the ground. As a result, movement of the exciter varies the distance between each motor shaft and respective driven shaft, so that the tension in the drive belt is also varied. The varying tension causes the belt to slip during operation, and often creates excessive wear on the belt, leading to premature belt failure.
Another type of motor base for vibratory apparatus, marketed as the “TENS-A-MATIC” pivoted motor base by Murray Equipment Co., Inc. located in Detroit, Mich., provides a base which allows the motor to pivot with respect to the driven shaft. The base includes a pair of arms which is supported for pivoting about a pivot axis. The motor is positioned on the arms such that an increase in motor load (e.g. starting load) creates a reaction torque which pushes down on the arms. The pivot axis is located below the arms such that downward movement of the arms increases the distance between the motor shaft and the driven shaft. When the motor load returns to normal (e.g., motor reaches fill speed), the reaction torque dissipates and the arms swing upward, decreasing the distance between the motor shaft and the driven shaft. To compensate for overly heavy motor loads, a spring may be attached to the arms below the motor which prevents the arms from pivoting too far. The pivot motor base allows the distance between the motor shaft and driven shaft to vary according to motor load, and therefore the drive belt is still subject to wear, as detailed above.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the foregoing problems while achieving one or more of the resulting objects by providing a unique motor base for vibratory apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to certain aspects of the present invention, a motor base is provided for use in vibratory apparatus. The vibratory apparatus has an eccentric drive mounted on an exciter which includes a driven shaft rotatably mounted on the exciter and disposed along a driven shaft axis. The apparatus further includes a motor having a motor shaft disposed along a motor shaft axis, the motor shaft axis being spaced from and parallel to the driven shaft axis, and a drive belt operably coupled to the driven shaft and the motor shaft. The motor base comprises a rigid support journally supported for moving about the driven shaft axis, the rigid support having a free end adapted to carry the motor and pivoting in response to movement of the exciter. A resilient support has a first end attached to the free end of the rigid support and a fixed second end, and the resilient support is sized to suspend the motor and rigid support and to move in response to movement of the exciter acting on the rigid support. The motor base maintains a constant center distance between the driven shaft axis and the motor shaft axis as the rigid support and resilient support move in response to movement of the exciter.
In accordance with additional aspects of the present invention, a motor base is provided for use in vibratory apparatus having an eccentric drive mounted on an exciter. The eccentric drive includes a driven shaft which is rotatably mounted on the exciter and disposed along a driven shaft axis. The exciter includes a bracket attached thereto, and a motor having a motor shaft disposed along a motor shaft axis, the motor shaft axis being spaced from and parallel to the driven shaft axis. A drive belt is operably coupled to the driven shaft and the motor shaft. The motor base comprises a rigid arm attached to the bracket and supported for movement relative to the driven shaft axis. The arm has a free end adapted to carry the motor and moves in response to movement of the exciter. A spring has a first end attached to the free end of the arm and a fixed second end, the spring being sized to suspend the motor and moving in response to movement of the exciter acting on the arm. The motor base maintains a constant center distance between the driven shaft axis and the motor shaft axis as the arm and spring move in response to movement of the exciter.
In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, a vibratory apparatus is provided which comprises a material-carrying member. An exciter is resiliently connected to the material-carrying member, and includes a driven shaft journaled thereon and an eccentric weight mounted on the driven shaft. The driven shaft is rotatable about a driven shaft axis, wherein the eccentric weight generates a vibrational force which moves the exciter. A rigid support is journally supported for movement relative to the driven shaft axis, and has a free end spaced from the driven shaft axis, the rigid support moving in response to movement of the exciter. A motor is attached to the free end of the rigid support, and has a motor shaft with a motor shaft axis, the motor shaft axis being spaced from and parallel to the driven shaft axis. A resilient support has a first end attached to the free end of the rigid support and a fixed second end, the resilient support being sized to suspend the motor and the rigid support and moving in response to movement of the exciter acting on the rigid support. A drive belt is operably coupled to the motor shaft and the driven shaft. The motor base maintains a substantially constant center distance between the driven shaft axis and the motor shaft axis as the rigid support and the resilient support move in respons

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