GB1588666A - Creación de Inventos y Patentes con Inteligencia Artificial

GB1588666A – Rotators
– Google Patents

GB1588666A – Rotators
– Google Patents
Rotators

Download PDF
Info

Publication number
GB1588666A

GB1588666A
GB2324478A
GB2324478A
GB1588666A
GB 1588666 A
GB1588666 A
GB 1588666A
GB 2324478 A
GB2324478 A
GB 2324478A
GB 2324478 A
GB2324478 A
GB 2324478A
GB 1588666 A
GB1588666 A
GB 1588666A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
drive
rotator
support
wheel
assembly
Prior art date
1978-05-26
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)

Expired

Application number
GB2324478A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Individual

Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1978-05-26
Filing date
1978-05-26
Publication date
1981-04-29

1978-05-26
Application filed by Individual
filed
Critical
Individual

1978-05-26
Priority to GB2324478A
priority
Critical
patent/GB1588666A/en

1981-04-29
Publication of GB1588666A
publication
Critical
patent/GB1588666A/en

Status
Expired
legal-status
Critical
Current

Links

Espacenet

Global Dossier

Discuss

Classifications

F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING

F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

F16H—GEARING

F16H13/00—Gearing for conveying rotary motion with constant gear ratio by friction between rotary members

F16H13/02—Gearing for conveying rotary motion with constant gear ratio by friction between rotary members without members having orbital motion

Description

(54) ROTATORS
(71) I, STANLEY JOHN MATTHEWS, a
British subject of Budock, Meadow Close
Wrea Green, Preston, in the county of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a Patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement : – The invention concerns rotators, and has more particular reference to a rotator for supporting one end of a large diameter tube or cylinder, and for the rotation of such tube or cylinder mounted on the rotator and an idler spaced therefrom.
In the rotation of large diameter tubes and cylinders, say tubes and cylinders of the order of twenty feet in diameter and weighing upwards of several tons, during the formation of a welded seam peripherally thereof, as, for example, in the attachment of a domed cap, it is important that the tube or cylinder be rotated at a constant speed in order to ensure that a seam of uniform character is produced.
It is known in the art to utilise a rotator for the support of the driven end of the tube or cylinder, hereinafter referred to as ‘cylinder’, which comprises spaced rollers or pairs of rollers mounted on respective pivoted arms, the rollers lying in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, and each roller or one roller of each pair being driven by a respective electric motor.
Having regard to the difficulties experifenced in achieving exact synchronism in the starting of the two motors, it sometimes happens that momentarily all of the driving load is carried by one motor to the exclusion of the other, and in those circumstances in which the load exceeds the capacity of the motor damage to such motor can result.
In another rotator it has been proposed to drive both rollers or the driven roller of each pair of rollers from a common motor, the drive transmission from the motor to the drive rollers passing first to one roller and then to the other via suitable drive shafts. Having regard to the possible torsional deformation of the drive shafts, and the tandem relationship therebetween, simultaneous start up of the drive of the driven rollers is difficult to achieve, with, at worst, possible damage to the equipment and, at best, less than a smooth start to the rotation of the cylinder.
In a still further prior arrangement a chain drive is provided in the drive transmission between a drive motor and the ‘driven rollers, such chain drive militating against simultaneous start up of both of the driven rollers, with risk of damage to the equipment.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved form of rotator which will provide for a simultaneous start up of both of the driven rollers and which will, therefore, reduce the likelihood of damage to the rotator.
According to the present invention a rotator including opposed support wheels arranged in spaced apart disposition and drive means for effecting rotation of such support wheels is characterised in that the drive means comprises a drive motor common to the said wheels and drivingly connected therewith by respective and like rigid drive transmission means.
According to a preferred feature the drive motor is symmetrically disposed in relation to the opposed support wheels and is located therebetween.
According to a further preferred feature, each drive transmission means includes a torque limiter or slipping clutch therein, thereby to protect the drive motor against overload.
According to a still further preferred feature, – the speed of the drive motor is positively infinitely variable, and such motor preferably includes a worm adjuster.
The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment thereof and in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a rotator
constructed in accordance with
the invention;
Fig. 2 is a view taken on line A-A of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the rotator as
shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a non-driven
support for use in conjunction
with the rotator shown in Figs.
1 to 3.
Referring now to the drawings, a rotator 11 comprises a rigid base frame 12 having spaced pairs of upstanding flanges 12a, 12e’, 12b 12b’, each pivotally to support a respective drive wheel assembly 13, 13′ therein, a drive motor 14 symmetrically positioned between the said assemblies 13, 13′ and mounted on the said base frame 12, and a drive transmission means 15, 15′ drivingly connecting the said motor 14 with drive wheel assemblies 13, 13′ respectively. Each drive wheel assembly 13, 13′, such assemblies being of like form and one only being described in detail, comprises a support wheel sub-assembly 16 mounted on a respective pair of the upstanding flanges 12a 12a’ for limited pivotal motion about an axis, such sub-assembly including two generally triangular plates 16a arranged in spaced apart, parallel disposition, and two side-by-side support wheels (or support wheel pairs) 17, each support wheel (or support wheel pair) being rotatably mounted on a respective axle 16c 16c’ supported in bearings 18 in the plates. The wheel axles 16c 16c’ are located adjacent respective corners 16d 16a» of the tri
angular plates 16a, whilst the support wheel sub-assembly 16 is pivotally mounted in the flanges 12a 12a’ for motion about an axis passing through the third corner 16a»‘ thereof.
The drive wheel assemblies 13, 13′ further include a drive shaft 19 coaxial with the pivot axis of the support wheel subassembly 16, such shaft supporting such sub-assembly and itself being supported in bearings 20 in the upstanding flanges 12a 12a’ and carrying a drive wheel 21 thereon in nesting contact from below with the two support wheels (or support wheel pairs) 17.
As will be appreciated, on pivotal motion of the support wheel sub-assembly 16 to adjust to the dimensions of the cylinder applied thereto, the sub-assembly 16 will pivot about the axis of the drive shaft 19 and thus the support wheels 17 will maintain their engagement with the drive wheel 21 irrespective of the adjusted position of the sub-assembly 16.
The drive motor 14 is connected with a worm-type positively infinitely variable speed reducer 14a of conventional form, the output shaft 14b of such speed reducer being connected with the drive transmission means 15, 15′ through bevel gears in gear box 14c.
The drive transmission means 15, 15′ each comprise a drive shaft 22, 22′ connected with a respective output shaft 23a 23d of the bevel gear via a pin-type coupling 24, 24′ and driving a worm box 25, 25′ of which the output shaft 26 26′ is connected with the drive shaft 19 19′ of the respective drive wheel assembly 16 16′ through a torque limiter or slipping clutch 27, 27′.
Having regard to the fact that identical drive transmission means are provided for each of the drive wheel assemblies and such drive transmission means are driven from a common motor, the drive to such assemblies will be synchronised and the load will be taken simultaneously or sub
stantially so by both means, thereby avoiding the differential drive take-up and loading met with in conventional arrangements and the damage arising therefrom.
The inclusion in each of the drive transmission means of a torque limiter serves to prevent damage to the motor in the event that the rotator is overloaded, whilst the provision of a means for varying the speed of the drive will allow of the selection of a rotational speed for the workpiece best suited to the requirements of the situation.
The control of the motor, both as regards speed adjustment and otherwise, can be effected at a position remote from the rotator, this being particularly convenient in the case of the speed adjustment in that the operator can vary the rotational speed of the cylinder to fit his own particular needs without the need to leave his work station.
The rotator as herein proposed can be modified, if desired, to provide for an automatic compensation for any slight misalignment of the rotator and the nondriven support at the opposite end of the cylinder with the axis of the cylinder, which non-driven support is shown in side elevation in Fig. 4, thus to avoid the corkscrew effect and progressive axial shift of the cylinder on the rotator and non-driven support which arises from such slight misalignment. The modification proposed involves the rotational mounting of the rotator on a turntable or the like, via a suitable thrust bearing.
The non-driven support may also be rotatably supported if desired.
WHAT I CLAIM IS:
1. A rotator including opposed support wheels arranged in spaced apart disposition and drive means for effecting rota
tion of such support wheels, characterised in that the drive means comprises a drive
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (12)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a view taken on line A-A of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the rotator as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a non-driven support for use in conjunction with the rotator shown in Figs.

1 to 3.
Referring now to the drawings, a rotator 11 comprises a rigid base frame 12 having spaced pairs of upstanding flanges 12a, 12e’, 12b 12b’, each pivotally to support a respective drive wheel assembly 13, 13′ therein, a drive motor 14 symmetrically positioned between the said assemblies 13, 13′ and mounted on the said base frame 12, and a drive transmission means 15, 15′ drivingly connecting the said motor 14 with drive wheel assemblies 13, 13′ respectively. Each drive wheel assembly 13, 13′, such assemblies being of like form and one only being described in detail, comprises a support wheel sub-assembly 16 mounted on a respective pair of the upstanding flanges 12a 12a’ for limited pivotal motion about an axis, such sub-assembly including two generally triangular plates 16a arranged in spaced apart, parallel disposition, and two side-by-side support wheels (or support wheel pairs) 17, each support wheel (or support wheel pair) being rotatably mounted on a respective axle 16c 16c’ supported in bearings 18 in the plates. The wheel axles 16c 16c’ are located adjacent respective corners 16d 16a» of the tri
angular plates 16a, whilst the support wheel sub-assembly 16 is pivotally mounted in the flanges 12a 12a’ for motion about an axis passing through the third corner 16a»‘ thereof.
The drive wheel assemblies 13, 13′ further include a drive shaft 19 coaxial with the pivot axis of the support wheel subassembly 16, such shaft supporting such sub-assembly and itself being supported in bearings 20 in the upstanding flanges 12a 12a’ and carrying a drive wheel 21 thereon in nesting contact from below with the two support wheels (or support wheel pairs) 17.
As will be appreciated, on pivotal motion of the support wheel sub-assembly 16 to adjust to the dimensions of the cylinder applied thereto, the sub-assembly 16 will pivot about the axis of the drive shaft 19 and thus the support wheels 17 will maintain their engagement with the drive wheel 21 irrespective of the adjusted position of the sub-assembly 16.
The drive motor 14 is connected with a worm-type positively infinitely variable speed reducer 14a of conventional form, the output shaft 14b of such speed reducer being connected with the drive transmission means 15, 15′ through bevel gears in gear box 14c.
The drive transmission means 15, 15′ each comprise a drive shaft 22, 22′ connected with a respective output shaft 23a 23d of the bevel gear via a pin-type coupling 24, 24′ and driving a worm box 25, 25′ of which the output shaft 26 26′ is connected with the drive shaft 19 19′ of the respective drive wheel assembly 16 16′ through a torque limiter or slipping clutch 27, 27′.
Having regard to the fact that identical drive transmission means are provided for each of the drive wheel assemblies and such drive transmission means are driven from a common motor, the drive to such assemblies will be synchronised and the load will be taken simultaneously or sub
stantially so by both means, thereby avoiding the differential drive take-up and loading met with in conventional arrangements and the damage arising therefrom.
The inclusion in each of the drive transmission means of a torque limiter serves to prevent damage to the motor in the event that the rotator is overloaded, whilst the provision of a means for varying the speed of the drive will allow of the selection of a rotational speed for the workpiece best suited to the requirements of the situation.
The control of the motor, both as regards speed adjustment and otherwise, can be effected at a position remote from the rotator, this being particularly convenient in the case of the speed adjustment in that the operator can vary the rotational speed of the cylinder to fit his own particular needs without the need to leave his work station.
The rotator as herein proposed can be modified, if desired, to provide for an automatic compensation for any slight misalignment of the rotator and the nondriven support at the opposite end of the cylinder with the axis of the cylinder, which non-driven support is shown in side elevation in Fig. 4, thus to avoid the corkscrew effect and progressive axial shift of the cylinder on the rotator and non-driven support which arises from such slight misalignment. The modification proposed involves the rotational mounting of the rotator on a turntable or the like, via a suitable thrust bearing.
The non-driven support may also be rotatably supported if desired.
WHAT I CLAIM IS:
1. A rotator including opposed support wheels arranged in spaced apart disposition and drive means for effecting rota
tion of such support wheels, characterised in that the drive means comprises a drive
motor common to the said wheels and drivingly connected therewith by respective and like rigid drive transmission means.

2. A rotator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive motor is symmetrically
disposed in relation to the opposed support wheels and is located therebetween.

3. A rotator as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each drive transmission means includes a torque limiter or slipping clutch therein, thereby to protect the drive motor against overload.

4. A rotator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the output of the drive motor is applied to a positively infinitely variable speed adjuster.

5. A rotator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the positively infinitely variable speed adjuster comprises a worm adjuster.

6. A rotator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opposed support wheels are mounted in respective frames pivotal about the axis of the final drive to such support wheels.

7. A rotator as claimed in claim 6, wherein each frame supports two support wheels or support wheel pairs in spaced parallel disposition thereon, the final drive to such wheels or wheel pairs being via a drive wheel in nested engagement therewith from below.

8. A rotator as claimed in claim 7, wherein each said frame comprises spaced parallel plates of generally triangular form mounted for pivotal motion about the axis of the final drive to the support wheels, which axis passes through corresponding corners of the said plates, the respective axes of the support wheels or support wheel pairs passing through the other corresponding corners of the plates, the arrangement being such that the support wheels or support wheel pairs rest on the drive wheel and are angularly adjustable about the periphery thereof on pivotal adjustment of the said frame.

9. A rotator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including a rotatable mounting on which such rotator is supported.

10. A rotator as claimed in claim 9, in combination with a non-driven support of analogous form arranged in spaced, substantially aligned disposition relative thereto.

11. A rotator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said non-driven support is rotatably mounted.

12. A rotator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the various figures of the accompanying drawings.

GB2324478A
1978-05-26
1978-05-26
Rotators

Expired

GB1588666A
(en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB2324478A

GB1588666A
(en)

1978-05-26
1978-05-26
Rotators

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB2324478A

GB1588666A
(en)

1978-05-26
1978-05-26
Rotators

Publications (1)

Publication Number
Publication Date

GB1588666A
true

GB1588666A
(en)

1981-04-29

Family
ID=10192511
Family Applications (1)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

GB2324478A
Expired

GB1588666A
(en)

1978-05-26
1978-05-26
Rotators

Country Status (1)

Country
Link

GB
(1)

GB1588666A
(en)

1978

1978-05-26
GB
GB2324478A
patent/GB1588666A/en
not_active
Expired

Información de contacto