Abstract:
A mount assembly for securing a machine base to a foundation including: a first block secured to the machine base; a second block secured to the foundation wherein the first and second blocks are configured for mating engagement that permits adjustment of the machine base relative to the first block and to the foundation along any of three mutually perpendicular axes.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to mounting arrangements for large machines and, more specifically, to an adjustable mounting system for securing turbomachines to a hard foundation. 
         [0002]    Oftentimes, large machines such as steam and gas turbines, have skids or frames attached to their undersides, with the skids or frames secured to a foundation by multiple mount assembles. In prior designs, such mounts allowed for vertical adjustment and some minor horizontal adjustment. 
         [0003]    With an increasing demand for smaller machine envelopes, increased portability and commonality of hardware, there is a need for a simple, reliable mounts that afford a greater degree of adjustability in the machine-to-foundation installation process. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In accordance with one exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, there is provided a mount assembly for securing a machine base to a foundation comprising: a first block secured to the machine base; a second block secured to the foundation wherein the first and second blocks are configured for mating engagement that permits adjustment of the machine base relative to the first block and to the foundation along any of three mutually perpendicular axes. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, there is provided A mount assembly for securing a machine base to a foundation comprising: a first block secured to the machine base; a second block secured to the foundation wherein the first and second blocks are configured for mating engagement that permits adjustment of the machine base relative to the first block and to the foundation along any of three mutually perpendicular axes; wherein the first block is formed with a recessed area, and the second block has a substantially sideways T-shape including a stem portion and a cross portion, the stem portion of the second block adapted to be slidably received in the recessed area; wherein the second block further comprises an anti-shear member extending vertically downwardly from an underside of the second block; and wherein at least one tie-down rod extends through at least one aperture in the second block and through at least one aligned aperture in the first block. 
         [0006]    In still another aspect, there is provided a method of securing a machine base to a foundation comprising attaching first and second mount blocks to the machine base; locating the machine base over a foundation in a desired installation position; embedding the second mount block in the foundation; adjusting the machine base and the first mount block to the second mount block along any of three mutually perpendicular axes; and tightening the machine base and the first mount block to the second mount block. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary, non-limiting implementation of the mount assembly disclosed herein; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mount assembly in  FIG. 1 , in an assembled state; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partial side elevation of a machine skid with mount assemblies as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the skid shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a mount assembly  10  includes a first mount block (or, simply, “first block”)  12  that is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of a beam  14  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of a machine skid or base  16  ( FIG. 3 ), and a second mount block (or, simply, “second block”)  18  that is adapted to be embedded within a hard foundation, such as concrete. A shear lug  19 , which may have an I-beam shape (or any other suitable shape), is welded or otherwise fixed to the underside of the second block  18 . A pair of J-shaped (or other suitable shapes that enhance securement in the foundation) stabilizer or tie-down rods  20 ,  22  are adapted to pass through respective apertures  24 ,  26  in the second block  18  and apertures  28 ,  30  in the first block  12 , with threaded ends for receiving complimentary threaded nuts  32 ,  34 , as described further herein. 
         [0012]    First block  12  is formed with a generally centered recessed area or slot  36  opening downwardly. The second block  18  is formed with a substantially sideways T-shape, with a cross portion  37  and a stem portion  38  adapted to fit loosely and move within the recessed area or slot  36 . Thus, the width W 1  of the stem portion  38  is sufficiently smaller than the width W 2  of the stem portion  38  to allow sideways adjustment via laterally extending jack screw pairs  40 ,  42  that are threadably received in respective aperture pairs (one pair shown at  44 ) in the first block  12 , and adapted to contact opposite stem faces (one shown at  46 ). 
         [0013]    A pair of vertically oriented jack screws  48 ,  50  are adapted to pass through drilled holes  52 ,  54 , respectively, in the block  12  and are threadably received in holes  53 ,  55  opening on the flat surface  56  of the block  18 . The function of screws  48 ,  50  is described further below. 
         [0014]    A second pair of horizontally-oriented jack screws  58 ,  60  are threadably received in holes  62 ,  64  in the extended side flanges  66 ,  68  of the second block, adapted to engage the flat side face  70  of the first block  12 , on either side of the recessed area or slot  36 . 
         [0015]    A flat shim plate  72  is formed with a pair of elongated, parallel slots  74 ,  76 . The plate may be slidably inserted between the first and second blocks, with the slots  74 ,  76  accommodating the tie-down rods  20 ,  22 , as further described herein. 
         [0016]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , the mount component assembly  10  may be welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the skid  16  for shipment to the installation site. During shipment and initial placement, the bolts  48 ,  50  (along with nuts, not shown) are used to clamp the entire assembly together in a neutral position. At the site, the skid  16  is positioned on the foundation and aligned to the generator or other driven equipment while supported on temporary shims along the length of the skid as needed. At this point, the shear lug  19  and J-bolts  20 ,  22  extend into existing voids in the foundation. Concrete or grout is then poured into the voids up to a level that partially submerges the lower part of the block  18 . After the concrete/grout cures, bolts  48  and  50  can be removed and discarded. At this point, the skid  16  should be aligned with all mounting assemblies in a neutral position. Further adjustment in a horizontal position is accomplished with the six horizontal bolts (bolt pairs  40 ,  42  and bolts  58 ,  60 ). More specifically, adjustment in either of two opposite directions along axis A ( FIG. 2 ) is effected with jack screw pairs  40 , 42 . Adjustment in one direction along the axis B is effected with jack screw pair  58 ,  60 . Movement vertically along axis C is accomplished with an external jack and the shim or shims  72  added or removed as required. Tightening nuts  32  and  34  secures the skid to the foundation. Note that apertures  28 ,  30  are sufficiently oversized relative to the diameter of the rods  20 ,  22  to permit movement of the first block  12  (with the machine skid) relative to the second block  18  via the jack screw pairs. 
         [0017]    Thus, with the above-described mount, adjustments may be made along three mutually perpendicular axes A, B and C. 
         [0018]    With reference now to  FIG. 4 , it will be appreciated that multiple mount assemblies may be employed, with two shown on each of two parallel beams  74 ,  76  of the skid  16 . It will further be appreciated that other configurations of the first and second blocks may be suitable, with hydraulically or electrically actuated jacking elements. 
         [0019]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.