Method and apparatus for alignment of components

SWEDEN (₁₂₎ PATENT WRITING (13) C2 (ii) 524 366

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2004-07-27

2003-10-23

2002-04-22

2002-04-22

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(19) SE ₍₅₁₎

International class ⁷

G01B 11/27

PATENT AND REGISTRATION (45) (41) (22) (24) (62) (86) (86) (83)

Patent filed Application widely available The patent application was submitted on expiration date

Tribal application number

International filing date Filing date for European patent application Deposit of microorganism (21) Patent application number Q2012243

Application received as:

Swedish patent application completed international patent application with number converted European patent application with number _X □

(30) Priority information

PÄTENTHÄVÄRE AP Fixturlaser AB, Östergårdsgatan 11 431 53 Mölndal SEE INVENTOR Richard W Henry, West Chester OH US OMBUD Albihns Göteborg AB

NAME Method and device for alignment of components COLLECTED PUBLICATIONS:

US A 3 704 522 (33/286), US A 5 077 905 (33/412),

US A 6 040 903 (356/153), US A 6 046 799 (356 / 139.1) (73) (72) (74) (54) (56) (57)

SUMMARY: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the relative positions of a first component and a second component. The method includes: mounting a first measuring unit on a housing forming part of said first component by means of a first fixture, wherein said first measuring unit is rotatably arranged in relation to said first fixture and defining a first rotation axis and mounting a second measuring unit on a further housing forming part of said second component by means of a second fixture, wherein said second measuring unit is rotatably arranged in relation to said second fixture and defines a second axis of rotation. The invention also includes measuring the relative position of said first component in relation to said second component in a first operating state of said first component and said second component; providing measurement values ​​corresponding to the positions of said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation, measuring the relative position of said first component in relation to said second component in a second operating state of said first component and said second component; and obtaining information regarding the relative positions of said first component relative to said second component from the measurements taken in said first operating state and the measurements performed in said second operating state. The invention also relates to a device

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The numbers in brackets indicate international identification code, INID code. Letters in clamps indicate international document code.

524 366

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a method for measuring the relative positions of a first component and a second component. The method includes:

mounting a first measuring unit on a housing forming part of said first component by means of a first fixture, said first measuring unit being rotatably arranged in relation to said first fixture and defining a first rotation axis and mounting a second measuring unit on a further housing forming part of said second component by means of a second fixture, wherein said second measuring unit is rotatably arranged in relation to said second fixture and defines a second axis of rotation. The invention also includes measuring the relative position of said first component in relation to said second component in a first operating state of said first component and said second component; providing measurement values ​​corresponding to the positions of said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation, measuring the relative position of said first component in relation to said second component in a second operating state of said first component and said second component; and obtaining information regarding the relative positions of said first component relative to said second component from the measurements taken in said first operating state and the measurements performed in said second operating state. The invention also relates to a device for such measurements.

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TECHNICAL AREA 5

The present invention relates to a method for measuring the relative positions of a first component and a second component. The invention can, for example, be applied to the alignment of components, for example in the form of machines such as motors, pumps or couplings.

The present invention also relates to a device for measuring the relative positions of a first component and a second component.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

In several technology areas, there is a need for proper alignment of different components and machines in relation to each other. During operation of, for example, large motors, pumps and similar equipment, it is necessary that an output shaft of a driving unit, for example in the form of a motor, is correctly aligned with respect to an input shaft of a driven unit, for example in the form of a pump. . In this way, the output power of the motor can be transmitted via the rotational movement of the motor shaft to the pump input shaft in an optimal manner. Any misalignment between the two axes can result in poor efficiency and an increased risk of wear and damage to the engine and pump.

As a result, in the aforementioned field of technology, there is a requirement for proper alignment of the output motor shaft in relation to the pump input shaft. In this regard, it should be noted that the two axes can give rise to alignment errors of generally two different kinds. More specifically, the axes can be arranged with a certain angle in relation to each other, which is referred to as angular error, that is, a horizontal angular error ”and a“ vertical angular error ”. For

524 366 second, the axes, although parallel to each other, may be slightly offset relative to each other so that they extend along two separate directions, that is, in parallel. This is referred to as "horizontal offset" and "vertical offset. If these errors exceed predetermined limit values, it can be assumed that the axes, and their associated machines, are poorly aligned in relation to each other.

Thus, there is a general need for systems and methods for aligning various machine units including rotating shafts. Such systems and methods can be used for motors, pumps and similar equipment. Generally, they can be used in power plants, chemical industries and oil refineries, especially in high speed applications, or in applications involving expensive process critical machines that need to be aligned.

In accordance with the prior art, alignment of two rotatable shafts of two machines can be carried out by means of measuring apparatus which comprises a first measuring unit arranged for mounting on a first machine and comprising a light source for generating light radiation in the direction of a second measuring unit which is arranged for mounting on a second machine and also comprises a second light source for generating light radiation in the direction of the first measuring unit. Furthermore, each of the measuring units comprises a detection unit for emitted light radiation. By means of this apparatus the alignment of the two axes of the machines can be examined.

The above type of measuring equipment is intended to be used when the relevant machines are stationary, that is when they are relatively cold and not in use at the moment.

However, it should be noted that for many applications, for example, the alignment between a motor and a pump can be changed as these machines are started and operated and gradually become warm, that is, from cold and shut down to normal operation. The alignment may, for example, vary depending on the machines

524 366 operating temperature. Alignment can also vary depending on changes in working pressure (if alignment is performed on a pump or compressor).

In addition, strain from pipe connections can cause changes in the alignment between cold and hot operating conditions.

The change of direction between a cold and a hot operating condition can also be affected if the relevant machines are operated in parallel, or if any changes in electrical load or rotational forces occur during operation.

Thus, there are thermal factors and other parameters that affect the alignment of the machines. As explained above, there is in particular a problem in that the correct alignment of a stationary machine does not necessarily correspond to the correct alignment of the same machine when it is in operation. This means that it will be necessary to make some kind of corrections to compensate for the fact that changes in orientation will occur between a cold and a hot state.

A prior art system for measuring the difference of the alignment from a cold operating state to a hot operating state is manufactured by the company Pruftechnik and comprises two units made up of combined transmitters and detectors intended to be mounted on a first stationary machine, preferably on a bearing housing on said first machine. The transmitters include laser light sources. Collaborating prisms are mounted on a second, movable machine that is intended to be adjusted so that a correct alignment is obtained.

The lasers are set up, one in the vertical plane and one in the horizontal plane. The horizontal head must point at 3 o'clock, and the vertical head must point at 12 o'clock. After this alignment, each prism must be aligned so that it reflects its associated laser beam into its associated detector. The units comprising the transmitters and detectors are connected to a control unit which transmits data to a computer, for example of the PC type. A special software program is used to develop data streamed from the transmitters

524 366 and the detectors. This results in measurement information in the form of graphs that indicate position changes underrating the machines in question.

One disadvantage of this prior art system is the fact that it comprises four different units which must be mounted and adjusted before measurements can be made. This means that this system is relatively complicated and time-consuming to set up and use. In fact, setting up this previously known system requires about two hours per connection to set up for an experienced user. This does not include the time it takes for the operator to program alignment formulas in the computer. The system also requires a high degree of training to be able to use correctly as well as extensive knowledge of computer use for an operator. It is also relatively expensive.

A further disadvantage of this prior art system relates to the fact that a separate graph is required from each alignment parameter to be monitored. This means that four different graphs are required for a typical measurement with a simple coupling. This results in time-consuming handling and a time-consuming and complicated evaluation of measurement data.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device by which an improved measurement of change of the relative positions of two components, in particular for carrying out alignment of axes of the chinear rotational centers of two or more axes, can be performed. A particular purpose is to provide alignment during normal (hot) operating conditions.

The above object is achieved by a method for measuring the relative positions of a first component and a second component, said method comprising: mounting a first measuring unit on a housing which

524 366 forms part of said first component by means of a first fixture, wherein said first measuring unit is rotatably arranged in relation to said first fixture and defines a first axis of rotation; mounting a second measuring unit on a further housing forming part of said second component by means of a second fixture, said second measuring unit being rotatably arranged in relation to said second fixture and defining a second axis of rotation; measuring the relative position of said first component in relation to said second component in a first operating state of said first component and said second component; providing measurement values ​​corresponding to the positions of said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation, measuring the relative position of said first component in relation to said second component in a second operating state of said first component and said second component; and obtaining information regarding the relative positions of said first component relative to said second component from the measurements taken in said first operating state and the measurements performed in said second operating state.

The above object is also achieved by means of a device for measuring the relative positions of a first component and a second component by means of a first measuring unit and a second measuring unit, the device comprising: a first fixture for mounting the first measuring unit on a housing forming part of said first component; a second fixture for mounting the second measuring unit on a further housing forming part of said second component; wherein each unit of measurement is fixedly mounted on a rotatable member arranged in each corresponding fixture, whereby a first axis of rotation is defined for the first unit of measurement in relation to the first fixture and a second axis of rotation is defined for the second unit of measurement in relation to the second fixture; wherein said measuring units are provided for measuring the relative position of said first component in relation to said second component in a first operating state of said first component and said second component, and for

524 366 measuring the relative position of said first component in relation to said second component in a second operating state of said first component and said second component.

An important advantage of the present invention is that it provides a simple solution that is also compact and easy to use. In particular, the system of the present invention is easy to set up, assemble and dismount. The invention also provides very accurate alignment using a relatively easily visible laser system. The system according to the invention is easy to install and easy to set before the actual measurements. Furthermore, the system of the present invention does not require any particular computer programming for the operator using it, and thus constitutes a user-friendly system.

A particular advantage of the invention relates to the fact that it allows the same kind of measuring equipment to be used as with normal axle alignments in a single operating condition (normally a cold stationary state). The invention also allows the same measurement process to be used as for prior art when the present invention is practiced. The invention can be adapted to all measuring units that are commercially available today, which means that the invention is a simple and flexible solution.

DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment and the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows an alignment alignment in which the present invention is used;

Figure 2 shows a device according to the present invention in a partially mounted state; and

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Figure 3 shows how a measuring unit according to the present invention can be mounted; and

Figures 4a-c how the measuring units can be moved between three different positions to obtain the measurement results.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described, first with reference to Figure 1, which schematically shows an arrangement in which the invention can be conveniently used. Said arrangement comprises a first machine 1 which may be constituted by a motor whose output power is intended to be transmitted to a second machine 2. Said second machine 2 is suitably constituted by a pump or some other form of driven unit, such as, for example, a generator. The invention is not limited to use with a motor and a pump, but can be used for all kinds of measurements of relative positions between a first component and a second component under different types of operating conditions.

The output power of the motor 1 is transmitted to the pump 2 via an output shaft 3 of the motor 1, a clutch 4 and an input shaft 5 of the pump 2.

As mentioned initially, there is a need for proper alignment of the engine

1 In particular, the alignment can be evaluated by determining the angular error and offset values ​​of the two axes 3, 5. There is also a need to determine whether these parameters are within predetermined allowable limit values.

The invention is not limited to use for any particular type of driving or driven machine or other equipment. The equipment for which the invention is used does not in itself form part of the invention.

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Generally, the invention can be used in any situation where there is a need to align two components which are arranged to transmit power in either direction between the two components. In particular, the invention is used to perform alignment of the chinear rotational centers of two or more axes. For example, the invention can be used for aligning machines such as motors and pumps. The invention can also be used in situations where no transmission of power is intended. For example, the relative position between two components (for example, a machine and its supporting structure) can generally be measured at different operating conditions.

As explained above, the invention is particularly suitable for cooperating with many different types of known measurement units. For example, as indicated in Figure 1, the invention can be used with a first measuring unit 6 which is mounted in a particular position with respect to a housing 7 of the motor 1 at the alignment of the motor 1 and the pump 2. Furthermore, the device according to the invention is intended to be used with a second measuring unit 8 intended to be mounted in a position with respect to a housing 9 provided by the pump 2. As will be described below, the invention comprises fixtures for mounting the measuring units 6, 8.

It may be noted that either the motor 1 or the pump 2, for example the motor 1, is stationary, that is, it is not intended to be moved. The other apparatus, i.e. pump 2 in this case, is removable. The invention can thus be used for an application where one measuring unit is mounted on a stationary apparatus and another measuring unit is mounted on a removable apparatus. However, the invention is not limited to such applications, but can also be used for non-removable machines.

The first measuring unit 6 comprises a first light source 10, which is preferably a laser light source arranged to provide a first laser beam 11 directed to the second measuring unit 8. For this reason, the second measuring unit 8 comprises a light detector 12 arranged to detect incident light.

524 366 from the first light source 10. Further, the second measuring unit 8 comprises a second laser light source 13 for producing a further beam 14 of laser light intended to be directed to the first measuring unit 6, in particular to a further light detector 15 arranged in said first measuring unit 6 and arranged to detect any incident light from the second laser light source 13.

Alternatively, the invention may be arranged for use with other types of measuring units. For example, measuring units of the kind that do not utilize laser light without any other form of light source can be used through the invention.

The set of measuring units can be a first measuring unit comprising a light source which cooperates with a second measuring unit comprising a light reflector. The reflected light is detected by means of a light detector at the first measuring unit. Alternatively, the detector unit may be operated manually, that is, it may comprise a target in the form of a number of lines used by an operator to visually detect whether the measuring units are aligned. As an alternative to measurements involving a light source, a mechanical alignment equipment comprising the so-called mechanical measurement clock method can also be used for the invention.

The measuring units 6, 8 are mounted on the motor 1 and pump 2, respectively, by means of a first mounting device 16 and a second mounting device 17. The mounting devices 16, 17 are shown in a simplified and schematic way in Figure 1, but will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2. As indicated in Figure 2, which shows a partially mounted arrangement, just before the measuring units 6, 8 are mounted, the invention according to the preferred embodiment comprises a first mounting ball 18 which is attached to the housing of the motor 1. A first mounting clip 19 is arranged to be attached to the mounting ball 18. In this regard, the position of the mounting clamp 19 can be adjusted and fine-tuned, and then tightened by means of a tightening screw 20. The opposite end of the mounting clamp 19 is intended to be attached to a first base fixture 21. As will be described in more detail below, the base fixture 21 acts as a support for the

524 366 first measuring unit 6. Once the first base fixture 21 has been positioned in the correct position, it can be locked to the first mounting clamp 19 by means of an additional tightening screw 22 in said mounting clamp 19.

In a manner similar to the one described above, the arrangement of the preferred embodiment comprises a second mounting ball 23 which is attached to the housing of the pump 2. A second mounting clip 24 is arranged to be attached to the second mounting ball 23. The position of the mounting clip 24 can be adjusted and fine-tuned. and then tightened by means of a tightening screw 25. The opposite end of the second mounting clamp 24 is intended to be attached to a second base fixture 26. As will be described in more detail below, the second base fixture 26 will act as a support for the second measuring unit 8. Once the second base fixture 26 has been positioned in a correct position, it can be locked to the second mounting clamp 24 by an additional tightening screw 27 in said second mounting terminal 24.

The dimensions of the mounting clamps 19, 24 can vary and are adapted to allow fine tuning of the positions of the measuring units, for example depending on the geometry of the machines. In this way, the actual positions of the measuring units can be adapted to any situation where the invention is used.

Figure 3 shows how the first measuring unit 6 is mounted on its corresponding first base fixture 21. The first measuring unit 6 is attached to a first support unit 28 which in turn is provided with a substantially cone-shaped mounting part 29. This mounting part 29 is formed so that it can be fitted into a correspondingly shaped recess of a rotatable component 30 (see also Figure 2), which is rotatably supported in the first base fixture 21. Further, the measuring unit 6 with its support unit 28 is fixedly mounted in the rotatable component 30. In this way, the first base fixture 21 constitutes a supporting element for the relevant measuring unit, which in turn is rotatable. Accordingly, the inner cone of the rotatable component 30 is rotatably arranged in the first base fixture 21. The mounting member

524 366 is also arranged to be secured to the recess in the rotatable component by means of a locking screw (not shown in Figure 3), which is arranged to cooperate with a corresponding screw hole 31 in the center of the conical mounting member 29. In this way the conical mounting member 30 is symmetrical. axis of rotation a fixed center point during the measurements of the invention. In particular, the entire support unit 28 (with its first measuring unit 6) can be rotated about said axis of rotation to allow measurements which are provided at different rotation positions of the measuring unit 6. Due to the arrangement of the cone-shaped mounting member 29 and the corresponding recess, the mounting part 29 and the first the measuring unit 6 is always correctly aligned with the center of the cone-shaped recess 30.

Figure 3 shows the way in which the first measuring unit 6 is mounted and finely tuned prior to measurements with the invention. Similarly, the second measuring unit 8 is mounted by means of a further cone-shaped mounting part arranged to be mounted in a further recess 32 (see Figure 2) provided in a further support unit.

The attachment of the support unit 28 of the first measuring unit 6 (and the attachment of a corresponding support unit of the second measuring unit) need not be carried out by inserting a cone-shaped element into an inner cone. The attachment can be carried out by any type of mounting in a fixed manner attaching the support unit to the rotatable component 30 of the first fixture 21 (and a corresponding rotatable component 32 of the second fixture 26).

Consequently, both measuring units 6, 8 can be mounted in a simple and fast way. The mounting method of these units 6, 8 will then, as described above, allow rotation of the measuring units 6, 8 with respect to the recesses.

30,32.

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The first measuring unit 6 is electrically connected to a display unit 33 via an electrical cable 34. Similarly, the second measuring unit 8 is electrically connected to the display unit 33 via an additional electrical cable (not shown in Figure 3). As shown schematically in Figure 3, the display unit 33 is provided with a display 35 arranged to display values ​​representing the vertical angle, the horizontal angle, the vertical offset and the horizontal offset between the two axes.

The operation of the invention will now be described in more detail. The invention is arranged in such a way that it allows the first measuring unit 6 and the second measuring unit 8 to be mounted on the motor 1 and pump 2, respectively, after which these two machine units are aligned in a first (or initial) operating state of the motor 1 and the pump 2, which is preferably is a cold, s permissive condition.

As will be described below, the invention is also adapted for aligning the motor 1 and the pump 2 in a second operating state, which is preferably a hot operating state of the motor 1 and the pump 2.

In the first operating state, that is, the cold state according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the horizontal angle, the horizontal offset, the vertical angle and the vertical offset are determined. In particular, these measurements are performed by collecting an initial set of alignment readings, where the measuring units 6, 8 are positioned in three rotational positions in the respective base fixtures 21, 26. The measuring unit 6 is then moved between these three positions. The three positions correspond to 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock and 3 o'clock according to the "watch-breeding method" or other known suitable measuring methods. This is shown in Figures 4a-c, which show how the measuring units 6, 8 are rotated in relation to their fixtures 21, 26 during these measurements. In each of the three positions shown in Figures 4a-c, measurements are taken regarding the position of the axis of rotation defined by the first measuring unit 6 which is rotatably arranged in relation to the first fixture 21, and the position

524 366 of the rotation axis defined by the second measurement unit 8 which is rotatably arranged in relation to the second fixture 26. In this way, said initial set of alignment readings is obtained.

The result of the aforementioned readings is programmed into the display unit 33 and used as a "reference" setting or "ηοΙΓ setting", which consequently refers to the cold state of the machines 1, 2. These initial readings from the display unit 33 correspond to the positions of the rotary shafts defined in the first fixture 21 and the second fixture 26, respectively.

After measuring the faults in the cold state, the motor 1 and the pump 2 are started. When the machines 1, 2 are in their warm operating state, the faults are measured again. This second measurement of the errors is performed in exactly the same way as in the first measurement. The results of the other readings are then stored in the display unit 33.

It should be noted that alignment readings can be collected at any time while the motor 1 is in operation. The measuring units 6, 8 can also be removed between readings (provided the fixtures are retained in their fixed positions), if desired.

If the initial fixture alignment readings were programmed into display unit 33 as setpoints, the results displayed on display unit 33 will reflect the change in the alignment state of the machines as they go from cold to hot state. Consequently, the actual changes in the alignment values ​​can be measured on-line while the machine is started under normal operating conditions. Thus, information regarding the difference between the orientation in the cold and hot state can be obtained by means of the invention.

Accordingly, a first measurement is performed in the cold state and a second measurement is performed in the hot state. The position differences are set as "setpoints" for the final axis alignment procedure.

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The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be varied within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the invention can be used to measure the alignment or relative positions of two components, in two or more distinct operating states. The above embodiment shows two distinct operating states (i.e. a cold and a hot state), but the invention can be applied to any operating state, not just a "cold" and a "hot".

With reference to the above embodiment, where two machines are aligned as they go from a cold to a hot state, it should be noted that alignment is also possible when they go from a hot to a cold state.

In general, the invention can be used to determine the change in relative position of a first component relative to a second component. Thus, for example, the invention can be used to measure the position of a machine in relation to its supporting structure. The invention can also be used to detect the position of a ship's engine in relation to its hull structure. Furthermore, the invention can be used to determine the relative positions of various components on a machine.

524 366 is