FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to a supporting structure for mounting the twin oil coolers.
More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustable intermediate support
device for mounting of twin oil coolers. The invention also relates to a method
for assembling an adjustable intermediate support device.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Twin Oil coolers are used in thermal, compressor and fertilizer plants for cooling
lubricant oil. These coolers are generally designed for 2x100% and are mounted
one over the other using an intermediate supporting structure. The coolers are
separated by at least two 3-way Valves which are used for switching over of oil
from one cooler to the other.
The dimensions of the 3-way valves differ depending on the design and make.
The intermediate support between the two coolers is fabricated during
installation of the coolers depending on dimension of the 3-way valves.
According to the prior art, two intermediate supports for holding the twin oil
coolers one over the other, are provided. Each intermediate support device
consists of two sets of fixed plates on the top and bottom portion. These are

bolted together at the end. Two mutually perpendicular welded support plates
supporting the top and bottom portion plates are arranged. The plates are so
positioned to accommodate the 3-way valves.
The prior art intermediate support device has the following limitations.
1) Fabrication of the intermediate support device is possible only after 3-way
valves are assembled.
2) Additional shims are required for further adjustment of the device during
assembly.
3) No interchangeability of the support device corresponding to the different
valve dimension is possible.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of invention to propose an adjustable intermediate
support device for mounting twin oil coolers, which eliminates the disadvantages
of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to propose an adjustable intermediate support
device for mounting twin oil cooler, which allows adjustability of height to
accommodate different sizes of 3-way valves.

A still another object of the invention is to propose an adjustable intermediate
support device for mounting twin oil cooler, which inter alia
permits interchangeability of 3-way valves.
Yet another object of the invention is to propose an adjustable intermediate
support device for mounting twin oil cooler, which reduces erection time of the
device including the time and sequence for mounting of the twin coolers.
A further object of the invention is to propose an adjustable intermediate support
device for mounting twin oil cooler, which is simple and cost-effective.
A still further object of the invention is to propose an adjustable intermediate
support device for mounting twin oil cooler, which eliminates the requirement of
total removal of shims during the erection.
Yet further object of the invention is to propose a method of assembling an
adjustable intermediate support device for mounting twin oil coolers.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided an adjustable intermediate
supporting Device which allows a quick assembly of the twin oil coolers with
provision for interchangeability of the 3-way valves of different dimensions. The
device provides the following advantages over prior art:-

a) Fabrication of the intermediate support prior to assembly of the coolers is
possible.
b) The Intermediate support device is adjustable, and thus it is independent
of the dimensions of the 3 ways Valves.
c) Requirement of the total removal of shims is eliminated.
d) The assembly process of the device including installation of the oil coolers
becomes simple and requires less time for the process.
e) Interchangeability of 3 - way valves is permitted.
Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable
intermediate supporting device for mounting twin oil coolers including 3-way
valves, comprising a first set of plates disposed on the upper portion of the
device; a second set of plates positioned on the bottom portion of the device; at
least two studs joining the first set of plates and the second set of plates in a
spaced-apart position such that the space maintained between the first and
second set of plates constitutes a variable space to accommodate at least two 3-
ways valves of different dimensions, the studs being provided with a plurality of
nuts for fastening the set of plates. The first set of plates comprises a top fixed
plate, and a top-moveable plate, the second set of plates comprises a

bottom-fixed plate and a bottom moveable plate. The studs join the two sets of
plates all-through, and the space between the movable plates are adjusted
according to the dimension of the 3-way valves before being assembled via the
nuts.
In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for assembly of
an adjustable intermediate supporting device. The method comprises the steps
of placing the bottom fixed plate and inserting the four studs into the holes
configured on the plate; placing the bottom movable plate through the studs;
inserting the nuts for the top removable plate at the fastening position; placing
the top-removable plate through the studs and keep in position; and bringing the
top fixed plate in position and fixing the nuts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure - 1 shows a typical arrangement depicting the twin coolers including the
3-way vales, mounted on an Intermediate support device.
Figure - 2 shows a schematic diagram of a fixed intermediate support device of
prior art.
Figure - 3 shows an adjustable intermediate support device for mounting twin-oil
coolers with 3-ways valves according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in figure - 1 the fabrication and provision of an intermediate support
device (ISD) is required for mounting of twin oil coolers (C1, C2) one-over-other.
The mounting of the top cooler (C1) can be done after assembly of at least two 3
- way valve (3-wv) over the bottom cooler (C1). Any dimensional changes in 3-
way valve (3-wv) affects the dimensions of Intermediate support device (ISD). In
view of above, the fabrication of an intermediate support device (ISD) is directly
linked to the dimensions of the valves (3-wv). Accordingly, the design,
fabrication and installation of the device (ISD) can be done only after receipt of
dimensions of the valve. The proposed adjustable intermediate support device
(AISD) delinks the dependency of the dimensions of the valve (3-wv). Hence the
adjustable intermediate support device (AISD) can be manufactured in advance.
This support device (AISD) can also be used irrespective of valve dimensions,
which inter alia allows a flexibility or adjustability of the device according to the
available valve dimensions.
As shown in figure - 2, the prior art Intermediate support devices (ISD)
comprises two sets of fixed-plates, one set (5,5) is placed at the top and the
other set (1,1) is located at the bottom. The first set of plates (5,5) is joined
together by a first set of by fastening means (13, 14). The second set of plates
(1, 1) is similarly joined by a second set of fastening means (15, 16). Two

mutually perpendicular welded plates (10) supporting the top set of plates (5,5)
and the bottom set of plates (1,1). At least one each pad (9) is disposed on the
upper plate of the top set of plates (5,5), and on the lower plate of the bottom
set of plates (1,1).
As shown in figure - 3, the adjustable intermediate support device (AISD) of the
invention is provided with a jacking arrangement for adjustment of the height
between the top set of plates and the bottom set of plates. According to the
invention, the top set of plates comprises a top-movable plate (4) and a top fixed
plate (5). Similarly, the bottom set of the plates comprises a bottom-fixed plate
(1) and a bottom movable plate (2). Each side of the top set (4,5), and bottom
set (1,2) of plates are joined through at least two stud (8). Thus, each stud (8)
passes through the movable and fixed bottom plates (1, 2), and through the
movable and fixed top plates (4, 5). One nut (6) each is provided to fix the top
fixed plate (5) through the studs (8), the top movable plate (4) and the bottom
movable plate (2) are then height-adjusted according to the dimensions of the
selected 3-way valves, and thereafter the said plates (2, 4) are fastened with the
studs (8) by two nuts (3,7). One each pad (9) is provided on the top and bottom
portion of the device (AISD) which frictionless supports the twin coolers.

WE CLAIM
1. An adjustable intermediate support device for mounting twin oil coolers
including 3-way valves, comprising:-
- a first set of plates (4,5) disposed on the upper portion of the device;
- a second set of plates (1,2) positioned on the bottom portion of the
device;
- at least two studs (8) joining the first set of plates (4, 5) and the second
set of plates (1, 2) in a spaced-apart position such that the space
maintained between the first and second set of plates constitutes a
variable space to accommodate at least two 3-ways valves (3wv) of
different dimensions, the studs (8) being provided with a plurality of nuts
(3, 6, 7) for fastening the set of plates (4, 5; 1, 12); characterized in that
the first set of plates (4, 5) comprises a top fixed plates (5), and a top-
moveable plate (4), the second set of plates (1, 2) comprises a bottom-
fixed plate (1) and a bottom-moveable plate (2), in that the studs (8)
joining the two sets of plates (4, 5; 1, 2) all-through, and in that the
space between the movable plates (2, 4) are adjustable according to the
dimension of the 3-way valves (3-wv) before being assembled via the nuts
(3, 7).

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least two pads (9) one
each provided at the top and bottom portions to frictionless support each
of the twin coolers.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the pads (9) is
fixed with the fixed top plate (5) or the fixed bottom plate (1) through two
mutually perpendicular supports (12).
4. A method for assembly of an adjustable intermediate supporting device as
claimed in claims 1 to 3, comprising the steps of:-

- placing the bottom fixed plate (1) and inserting the two studs (8) into the
holes configured on the plate (1);
- placing the bottom movable plate (2) through the studs (8);
- inserting the nuts (3) for the top removable plate (4) at the fastening
position;
- placing the top removable plate (4) through the studs (8) and keep in
position; and
- bringing the top fixed plate (5) in position and fixing the nuts (6).

5. An adjustable intermediate support device for mounting twin oil coolers
including 3-way valves as substantially described and illustrated herein
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. A method for assembly of an adjustable intermediate supporting device as
substantially described and illustrated herein with reference to the
accompanying drawings.

The invention discloses an adjustable intermediate supporting device for mounting twin oil coolers including 3-way valves, comprising a first set of plates disposed on the upper portion of the device; a second set of plates positioned on the bottom portion of the device; at least two studs joining the first set of plates and the second set of plates in a spaced-apart position such that the space maintained between the first and second set of plates constitutes a variable space to accommodate at least two 3-ways valves of different dimensions, the studs being provided with a plurality of nuts for fastening the set of plates. The first set of plates comprises a top fixed plate, and a top-moveable plate, the second set of plates comprises a bottom-fixed plate and a bottom moveable plate. The studs join the two sets of plates all-through, and the space between the movable plates are adjusted according to the dimension of the 3-way valves before being assembled via the nuts. The invention further relates to a method for assembly of an adjustable intermediate supporting device.