Abstract
Machines are growth engines of the economy; each sector of the economy achieves its demand by the use of the machine. They are installed in various establishments for the purpose of using them to perform certain functions or others. However, as a result of the kind of forces, dynamic and static loads, they transmitted to their adjoining surroundings when used, they are often mounted on supporting structures, foundations or a combination of them to achieve adequate or appropriate safe operation and stability. When a machine is operating, it is subjected to several time-varying forces and as a result of which it tends to exhibit vibrations. In such a situation or process, a certain quantity of this force is transmitted to the foundation, which could undermine the life of the foundation and also affect its performance and the operation of any other machines on the same foundation. Hence, it makes sense to minimize this force transmission. This research aimed at developing an adjustable steel-framed structure for supporting the major components of a 5.0 kW micro-steam power unit (steam, turbine and alternator) and evaluating the performance of the unit with or without the vibration isolator when they are axially connected with flexible flange coupling or transversely connected with sets of belts and pulleys, in succession, respectively. The results showed that reduction in the force transmitted to the supporting structure occurred when the vibration produced by the unit is isolated from its base by the use of a vibration isolator, maximum reduction of 99.95% achieved when axially coupled and 99.91% when transversely connected with belt and pulley system. The results also showed that better performance would be attained when the steam turbine is axially coupled to the alternator than when connected with belt and pulley; The maximum voltage of 52 V and speed of 1000 rpm at 77 dB sound level attained with coupling connection, and voltage of 20 V and speed of 752 rpm at 75 dB with belt and pulley connection.
Highlights
Machines are the growth engines of the economy
This research aimed at developing an adjustable steelframed structure for supporting the major components of a 5.0 kW microsteam power unit and evaluating the performance of the unit with or without the vibration isolator when they are axially connected with flexible flange coupling or transversely connected with sets of belts and pulleys, in succession, respectively
The results showed that reduction in the force transmitted to the supporting structure occurred when the vibration produced by the unit is isolated from its base by the use of a vibration isolator, maximum reduction of 99.95% achieved when axially coupled and 99.91% when transversely connected with belt and pulley system
Summary
Machines are the growth engines of the economy. Each sector of the economy fulfils its demand by the use of the machine. The scope of the research would be limited to the development of an adjustable steel-frame structure, as a supporting structure for mounting a 5.0 kW∙h micro-steam turbine-alternator, prior to its mounting on a block-type concrete foundation [6]. The vibration investigation and analysis would be of a single degree of freedom type (1 d.o.f) as it would be limited to the isolation of the vibration transmitted by the machine (combined steam generator and alternator) to the developed adjustable steelframed supporting bed only (vibration transmitted to the concrete box-type foundation would not be considered) [7] [8]. Due to the fact of the reduction of the force transmitted to the supporting structure can be monitored/investigated at varied damping factors and frequency ratios. The selection of the vibration isolator (pads) for cushioning the vibration effect would be done based on the values of the damping factor and frequency ratio that gives the least force transmissibility factor [9]
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