GB2474050A

GB2474050A - Roller support and removal

Info

Publication number: GB2474050A
Application number: GB0917290A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rob Horne
Original assignee: UNITSPARK Ltd
Current assignee: UNITSPARK Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-02
Filing date: 2009-10-02
Publication date: 2011-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-02
Also published as: GB2474050B; GB0917290D0

Abstract

A roller removing apparatus 1 features a member 3,5 for partially enclosing the roller; attachment means 11,12 at both ends of the member 3,5 and an adjustable clamping means (29, fig.4) provided along the length of the member 3,5. The member 3,5 can be weight-bearingly clamped to the roller, and is divided into two removably attachable parts, which may address issues of limited access to the roller.

Description

Method and Apparatus for Removing a Roller This invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing a roller. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing a roller in a confined region.

Many motive process plants incorporate rollers. The rollers are situated within side frames, which house the roller bearings. The motive process plants are usually inside industrial buildings where they form part of a process system, and are confined due to the process system or the limitations on space by its location. Usually, there is just enough width to remove a roller, but it is very restrictive.

These rollers need to be removed for maintenance, however, due to the process system or the limitations on space by its location, there are only confined regions external to the rollers that can be exploited for access during removal.

Conventional roller removal apparatuses use slings to support the rollers. Whilst the slings are supporting the roller, the bearings and side frames can be dissembled, and then the roller can be removed. During removal, the supporting slings have to be constantly adjusted due to transfer of the load.

The conventional apparatus has many defects. The transfer of the load is constantly changing which is hazardous to the operatives of the apparatus, there is therefore a health and safety issue as the roller could slip out of the sling. The apparatus is also labour intensive and time consuming; therefore the procedure requires many operatives and results in downtime of the process system.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for removing a roller, comprising placing a first part of a member on a first part of the roller, placing a second part of the member on a second part of the roller, clamping the roller to the first and the second parts of the member by a clamping means, such that the roller is weight-bearingly clamped to the member to form a roller and member assembly, and moveably supporting the roller and member assembly, such that the roller and member assembly can move into a confined region external to one or both ends of the roller.

Preferably, the contours of the first and the second parts of the member follow the contours of the roller, such that the first and the second parts of the member closely fit the roller.

Advantageously, this increases the resistances of the first and second parts of the member to bending when supporting the weight of the roller. As the first and second parts of the member closely fit upon the roller, the first and second parts of the member and the roller form a single body. The strength of the body, and therefore the resistance to bending, is characterized by the components that make up the body. Therefore, the strength of the heavy roller contributes to the strength of the roller and the member, which increases the resistance to bending.

Preferably, a supporting frame is provided in the confined region external to one or both ends of the roller, such that the roller and member assembly can move over the supporting frame.

Preferably, the supporting frame is height adjustable, such that the supporting frame can be adjusted to support the weight of the roller and member assembly.

Preferably, the supporting frame comprises rolling means, such that the roller and member assembly can move along the supporting frame.

Advantageously, therefore, the roller and member assembly only needs to partially move into the confined region external to one or both ends of the roller, before the supporting frame can support the weight of the roller and member assembly. Then, the roller and member assembly no longer needs to be movably supported, and the roller and member assembly can move along the supporting frame into the confined region external to one or both ends of the roller.

Preferably, the first part and the second part of the member are constructed out of stainless steel, aluminium or mild steel. Advantageously, this reduces the weight of the first part and the second part of the member. Furthermore, this also increases the longevity of the first part and the second part of the member.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for removing a roller, comprising a member for partially enclosing the roller, attachment means at both ends of the member, and a clamping means provided along the length of the member, such that the member can be weight-bearingly clamped to the roller, wherein the member is divided into two removably attachable parts.

Preferably, the contours of the member follow the contours of the roller.

Preferably, the member is provided in two sections, wherein a first section is open.

Advantageously, therefore, when the member partially encloses the roller, it closely fits the roller. This increases the resistances of the member to bending when supporting the weight of the roller. As the member closely fit upon the roller, the member and the roller form a single body. The strength of the body, and therefore the resistance to bending, is characterized by the components that make up the body. Therefore, the strength of the heavy roller contributes to the strength of the roller and the member, which increases the resistance to bending.

Preferably, the member is constructed out of stainless steel, aluminium or mild steel.

Advantageously, this reduces the weight of the first part and the second part of the member.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a side view of the roller assembly; Figure 3 is an end view of the roller and side frame; Figure 4 is a side view of the roller and member assembly attached to the supporting beam; and Figure 5 is a side view of the roller and member assembly on the trestle.

As illustrated in Figure 1 and 2, the roller assembly 14 comprises a roller 15 provided between two side frames 19, 20. The roller 15 has an axle 17 protruding out of either end.

The circumference of the roller 15 is greater than that of the axle 17. The side frames 19, 20 comprise a plumber block 21, including bearings, for supporting either end of the axle 17.

The skilled reader will understand that any motive shaft can be used instead of the axle 17, and any support can be used at either end of the axle 17.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the diameter of the roller 15 is greater than the height or width of the side frame 19. This is also true of the side frame 20.

With reference to Figure 3, the apparatus for removing a roller 15 will now be described. A member 1 is formed as a semi-circular cylinder, and is constructed out of a light gauge material such as stainless steel.

The member 1 is formed as a semi-circular cylinder as the roller 15 is normally cylindrical, and it is preferable that the member 1 closely fits upon the roller 15. The skilled reader will understand that the member 1 could be any suitable shape or size such that the member 1 can closely fit upon any shape or size roller 15. The member 1 is constructed out of a light gauge material as this reduces the weight of the member 1 and, therefore, allows fewer people to operate the removal apparatus. Preferably, the member 1 is constructed to be less than 50kg, such that two people can handle the member 1.

The member 1 has attachment means 11, 12 at either end. The member 1 comprises a first section 3, which is open, and a second section 5, which is solid or hollow. The member 1 is divided at a point along its length, the division point is provided in the first section 3 of the member 1 and divides the member 1 into two separate parts -a first part 7 (comprising most of the first section 3) and a second part 9 (mostly comprising the second section 5). The two parts 7, 9 can be removeably attached to each other, by removable attachment means 13.

The removeable attachment means 13 allow the member 1 to be separated into two parts 7, 9 such that each part 7, 9 can be moved independently. Thus one person could move the first part 7 to one side of the roller 15 whilst the second part 9 could be moved by a second person to the opposite side of the roller 15. In one embodiment, the removable attachment means 13 are overlapping latches, such as mating male/female interlocks.

A method for removing a roller 15 will now be described, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

The roller assembly 14 is inside a confined region 10. The first part 7 is placed onto the roller 15, partially enclosing the roller 15. In one embodiment, the roller 15 is cylindrical, so the open first part 7 of the semi-circular cylindrical member 1 closely fits the roller 15 such that the contours of the first part 7 of the semi-circular cylindrical member 1 follows the contours of the roller 15.

The second part 9 of the member 1 is applied to the opposite end of the roller 1 in a similar method to the first part 7. That is, the open section 3 of the second part 9 is placed onto the roller 15, partially enclosing the roller 15.

The skilled reader will understand from this description and the drawings that, by dividing the member 1 into two parts 7,9, each individual part can be easily manoeuvred in the confined region external to the roller 15.

The first part 7 and the second part 9 are removably attachable to each other by using removably attachable means 13, such as latches.

There is provided a plurality of adjustable clamping means 29 along the length of the member 15. These adjustable clamping means 29 can be provided along the open section 3 of the member 1, and are removable. Once the first part 7 and second part 9 are placed onto the roller 15, the adjustable clamping means 29 can be placed around the roller 15 and member 1 and adjusted such as to weight-bearingly clamp the roller 15 to the member 1.

Once the member 1 is clamped to the roller 15 by the plurality of adjustable clamping means 29, the member 1 is able to support the weight of the roller 15.

Thus, given the close fit of the member 1 to the roller 15, once clamped, there is a greater resistance to bending of the member 1. This is because the clamped member 1 and roller form a single body, and the strength of the single body is characterized by the strength of both the member 1 and the roller 15.

The member 1, once clamped to the roller 15, therefore has the desired strength to support the weight of the roller 15; as well as being constructed out of a light gauge material, reducing the weight of the member 1, such that two people can handle the member 1.

For reference, when the roller 15 is clamped to the member 1, the assembly shall be referred to as the roller and member assembly 16.

The skilled reader will understand that the first section 3 of the member 1 must be greater in length than the roller 15, such that the roller 15 can fit therein. The second section 5 of the member 1 is of a predetermined length, the calculation of this predetermined length can be understood from the description of the method of operation below.

The first part 7 of the member 1 extends out of the first side frame 19, and includes the first attachment means 11. The second part 9 of the member 1 extends out of the second side frame 20, extending further out of the second side frame 20 than the first part 7 extends out of the first side frame 19, and includes a second attachment means 12. A supporting beam is provided above the roller assembly 14. The supporting beam 25 has two cables 27, 28 extending from either end, which attach to either end of the member 1 at the attachment means 11, 12. The supporting beam 25 can therefore bear the weight of the roller and member assembly 16, through the cables 27, 28. The supporting beam 25 is also moveable.

In one embodiment, the two cables 27, 28 are chains. Furthermore, the supporting beam 25 is clamped to stop rotation of the roller and member assembly 16.

Once the load of the roller 15 has been taken off the side frames 19,20, the top part of the plumber block 19 and the bearing removal cams 23 will be removed. This allows the race of the bearings to be lifted clear.

As illustrated in Figure 5, with the roller and member assembly 16 being supported by the supporting beam 25, the roller and member assembly 16 can be manoeuvred such that it can pass over the side frame 19. The roller and member assembly 16 can only partially pass into the confined region 10 external to the roller assembly 14, due to the space limitations.

A trestle 31 is provided, external to the roller assembly 14, outside the first side frame 19.

The trestle 31 is adjustable in height, and has a plurality of V-rollers 33 along its length. The roller and member assembly 16 passes over the trestle 31 as it passes over the first side frame 19. Once the centre of gravity of the roller and member assembly 16 is above the trestle 31, the height of the trestle 31 can be adjusted such that the trestle 31 supports the weight of the roller and member assembly 16. The supporting beam 25 therefore no longer supports the weight of the roller and member assembly 16.

Thus, the predetermined distance of the second section 5 of the member 1 should be such that the distance the roller and member assembly 16 can move due to the space limitations of the confined region 10 external to the roller assembly 14 allows the centre of gravity of the roller and member assembly 16 to pass over the trestle 31 outside the first side frame 19.

The roller and member assembly 16 can then be transferred completely onto the trestle 31 so that it is external to the first side frame 19, achieved by rolling the roller and member assembly 16 along the V-rollers 33. The roller and member assembly 16 can then be unclamped such that the roller 15 can be removed from the roller and member assembly 16.

The skilled reader will understand that an alternative supporting frame could be used instead of the trestle 31 which allows removal of the roller 15.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for removing a roller, comprising placing a first part of a member on a first part of the roller; placing a second part of the member on a second part of the roller; clamping the roller to the first and the second parts of the member by a clamping means, such that the roller is weight-bearingly clamped to the member to form a roller and member assembly; and moveably supporting the roller and member assembly, such that the roller and member assembly can move into a confined region external to one or both ends of the roller.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the contours of the first and the second parts of the member follow the contours of the roller, such that the first and the second parts of the member closely fit the roller.
3. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a supporting frame is provided in the confined region external to one or both ends of the roller, such that the roller and member assembly can move over the supporting frame.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supporting frame is height adjustable, such that the supporting frame can be adjusted to support the weight of the roller and member assembly.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supporting frame comprises rolling means, such that the roller and member assembly can roll along the supporting frame.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the rolling means are constructed of a plurality of sets of two opposing rollers, wherein the two opposing rollers are both offset from a horizontal axis such that they form a V.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the clamping means are adjustable, such as screw-clamps.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the roller is clamped to the member by a plurality of clamping means.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first part and the second part of the member are constructed out of stainless steel, aluminium or mild steel.
10. Apparatus for removing a roller, comprising a member for partially enclosing the roller; attachment means at both ends of the member; and a clamping means provided along the length of the member, such that the member can be weight-bearingly clamped to the roller; wherein the member is divided into two removably attachable parts.
11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the contours of the member follow the contours of the roller, such that the member closely fits the roller.
12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10-11, wherein there are a plurality of clamping means provided along the length of the member, such that the member can be weight-bearingly clamped to the roller.
13. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 10-12, wherein the clamping means are adjustable, such as screw-clamps.
14. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 10-13, wherein the member is constructed out of stainless steel, aluminium or mild steel.
15. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 10-14, wherein the member is provided in two sections, wherein a first section is open.
16. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 10-15, wherein the member is divided into the two removably attachable parts at a division point in the first section, wherein a first part comprises only part of the first section, and a second part comprises a second section and the remaining part of the first section.
17. An apparatus and method substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.