ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT MEANS FOR AN ALTERNATOR

Abstract: A support means for an electrical power generation apparatus (22), comprising a first track means (26) on the electrical power generation apparatus, a pair of brackets (10) having a first apertured web (14) and a second apertured web (16) extending from the first web, at least one of the second webs having an elongated aperture (20) therethrough, each of the first webs being arranged to receive in an aperture (18) a mounting means of an engine and each of the second webs being arranged to receive in an aperture a mounting means (32) for the electrical power generation apparatus and each of the second webs being, in use, slidably located along the first track means of the electrical power generation apparatus so that the brackets can be moved relatively to each other so as to vary the distance between the first webs.

Description: TITLE ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT MEANS FOR AN ALTERNATOR DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a support means for an electrical power generation apparatus. FIELD OF THE INVENTION In general electrical power generation apparatus such as alternators and generators have particular mounting requirements peculiar to each individual apparatus. Furthermore, vehicles to which such electrical power generation apparatus are attached also have particular and peculiar mounting provisions. The end result is that a particular electrical power generation apparatus may be attachable to only a few vehicles. One restriction in attaching an electrical power generation apparatus to a vehicle is the distance apart that the mounting holes of the vehicle are spaced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a support means which will allow an electrical power generation apparatus to be attached to mounting means of various vehicles. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support means for an electrical power generation apparatus characterised in that it comprises a first track means on the electrical power generation apparatus, a pair of brackets having a first apertured web and a second apertured web extending from the first web, at least one of the second webs having an elongated aperture therethrough, each of the first webs being arranged to receive in an aperture a mounting means of an engine and each of the second webs being arranged to receivein an aperture a mounting means for the electrical power generation apparatus and each of the second webs being, in use, slidably located along the first track means of the electrical power generation apparatus so that the brackets can be moved relatively to each other so as to vary the distance between the first webs. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical power generation apparatus characterised in that it comprises a support means having a pair of brackets each having a first apertured web and a second apertured web extending from the first web, at least one of the second webs having an elongated aperture therethrough, and a first track means on the electrical power generation apparatus having a mounting means arranged to secure the second webs of the brackets to the first track means of the electrical power generation apparatus, each of the first webs being arranged to receive a mounting means of an engine and each of the second webs being arranged to receive in an aperture a mounting means for the electrical power generation apparatus and each of the second webs being, in use, slidably located along the first track means so that the brackets can be moved relatively to each other so as to vary the distance between the first webs. Preferably, the electrical power generation apparatus comprises a further track means having a further bracket and a further mounting means and disposed parallel to and spaced from the first track means. The further bracket being provided for use with the further track means, whereby the further bracket can be slidably located along the further track means to vary its position. The present invention will now be described with particular reference to use with an electrical power generation apparatus being an alternator for a vehicular engine although it is to be understood that it is of general applicability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure la is a lower perspective view of a support bracket in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Figure lb is a lower perspective view of an electrical power generation apparatus being an alternator in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the support bracket of Figure la; Figure 3 is a plan view of the support bracket of Figure la; Figure 4 is a side view of the support bracket of Figure la; and Figure 5 is a side view of the alternator of Figure lb having secured to it three of the support brackets of Figures 2 to 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Figures la and 2 to 4 there is shown a support means comprising a pair of brackets 10. Each bracket 10 has an intermediate bend 12 which divides the bracket 10 into two apertured webs 14 and 16 disposed at an angle to each other, such as for example substantially at right angles to each other. T e first apertured web 14 comprises a hole 18 located toward an outermost end thereof. The hole 18 is intended, in use, to receive a bolt or the like to secure the bracket 10 to a mounting means (not shown) of an engine of a vehicle. The second apertured web 16 comprises an elongated aperture 20 disposed along at least a part of the length of the second apertured web 16. In Figures la and 5 there is shown an alternator 22 comprising a housing 24 having disposed along its length a first track means 26 and a further track means 28, the track means 26 and 28 being substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of an armature of the alternator. Preferably the housing 24 is of greater thickness in the region of the first and further track means 26 and 28. The first track means 26 may be in the form of a channel or a ridge. In the former case the channel is defined by ribs 30 located on respective sides of the first track means 26. The channel is intended to receive the second web 16 of the brackets 10. A mounting means in the form of bolts 32 is provided to pass into and protrude through the apertures 20 and threadedly engage with respective threaded holes 34 in the channel to secure the brackets to the housing 24. Alternatively, the bolts 32 could be replaced by studs (not shown) fixed in the channel and arranged to protrude through respective apertures 20 and receive internally threaded nuts. In another form the first track means 26 may be in the form of a ridge (not shown) having a plateau and sides extending down to the surface of the housing 24. In such a case the second webs 16 of the brackets 10 are adapted to have a shape complimentary to the external shape of the ridge. That is, the first track means 26 and the brackets 10 are arranged to interconnect in such manner as to substantaially prevent movement of the brackets 10 with respect to the housing 24, such as by pivoting about the bolts 32. The further track means 28 is similar to first track means 26 and is arranged to recieve a further bracket 36 and like numerals denote like parts. A further mounting means in the form of a bolt 38 is provided to secure the further bracket 36 to the further track means. The further track means 28 and the further bracket 36 are arranged on the housing 24 at a location suitable to be employed as a tensioning means for a fan belt of the engine wherein the fan belt is disposed about a pulley 40 of the alternator 22 in a groove thereof. The further bracket 36 is arranged so as to meet with and to be secured to a member (not shown) extending from the engine. The tension in the fan belt may be altered by altering the position of securement of the further bracket 36 along the member. It is envisaged that a coupling means could be secured in the further track means 28 and arranged to provide a mounting for a further alternator 22. In use, the apparatus of the present invention is employed to replace an alternator of an engine. The support means is adjusted to enable the alternator 22 to be fitted to the engine. It is intended that the apparatus be so adjustable as to be able to use the manufacturer specified fan belt for the engine. The brackets 10 of the support means of the present invention are slidably located along the first track means 26 of the alternator 22 of the present invention by the bolts 32 threaded into the threaded holes 34. The brackets 10 are positioned on the first track means 26 by sliding backwardly and forwardly, in the first track means 26 so that the distance between the first webs 14 is varied so that the holes 18 of first webs 14 match with corresponding mounting means of the engine. The holes 18 can thus be positioned at a range of distances apart. Thus, the alternator 22 may be secured to various mounting means of various vehicles, where the distances between the mounting means vary. When the desired distance between the holes 18 is obtained the bolts 30 are tightened into the threaded holes 28. The position of the brackets 10 in the first track means 26 is also adjusted so that the pulley 40 is aligned in the same plane as a drive pulley of the engine. The further bracket 36 is then similarly arranged in the further track means 28 to meet with a member extending outwardly from the engine. A fan belt of the engine is filled about the pulley 40 and the pully of the engine and the alternator pivoted away from the engine about bolts fixing the brackets 10 to the engine mounting, means in order to tension the fan belt. The further bracket 36 is then fixed, such as by bolting, to the member. It is envisaged that the apparatus of the present invention could be employed by a vehicle manufacturer as an original component. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention. For example, the hole 18 could be replaced by an elongated aperture.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A support means for an electrical power generation apparatus characterised in that it comprises a first track means on the electrical power generation apparatus, a pair of brackets having a first apertured web and a second apertured web extending from the first web, at least one of the second webs having an elongated aperture therethrough, each of the first webs being arranged to receive in an aperture a mounting means of an engine and each of the second webs being arranged to receive in an aperture a mounting means for the electrical power generation apparatus and each of the second webs being, in use, slidably located along the first track means of the electrical power generation apparatus so that the brackets can be moved relatively to each other so as to vary the distance between the first webs. 2. A support means for an electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the first track means is in the form of an elongated channel formed on a housing of the electrical power generation apparatus. 3. A support means for an electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the first track means is in the form of an elongated ridge formed on a housing of the electrical power generation apparatus. 4. A support means for an electrical power generation apparatus according to any one of the preceeding claims, characterised in that it comprises a further bracket and a further mounting means arranged to be slidably located along a further track means of the electrical power generation apparatus, and said further track means being disposed parallel to and being spaced from the first track means. 5. An electrical power generation apparatus characterised in that it comprises a support means having a pair of brackets each having a first apertured web and a second apertured web extending from the first web, at least one of the second webs having an elongated aperture therethrough, and a first track means on the electrical power generation apparatus having a mounting means arranged to secure the second webs of the brackets to the first track means of the electrical power generation apparatus, each of the first webs being arranged to receive a mounting means of an engine and each of the second webs being arranged to receive in an aperture a mounting means for the electrical power generation apparatus and each of the second webs being, in use, slidably located along the first track means so that the brackets can be moved relatively to each other so as to vary the distance between the first webs. 6. An electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the first track means is in the form of an elongated channel formed on a housing of the electrical power generation apparatus. 7. An electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the first track means is in the form of an elongated ridge formed on a housing of the electrical power generation apparatus. 8. An electrical power generation apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that it comprises a further track means having a further bracket and a further mounting means, and said further track means being disposed parallel to and being spaced from the first track means. 9. An electrical power generation apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that a coupling means is arranged along the further track means to provide a mounting for a further electrical power generation apparatus.

Inventors: OSBORNE EWART TREVOR, OSBORNE, EWART, TREVOR
Applicants: UNIPOWER PTY LTD, UNIPOWER INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD
Application year: 1985
Main classification: H02K5
IPC codes: H02K5