Claims:
1. A motor mounting system for mounting a motor between two blower housings, said motor having an axial extension at both ends, the motor mounting system comprising:
at least three brackets adapted at predetermined intervals in a circular arrangement between the two blower housings; and
a pair of supporting clamps for holding the axial extensions of the motor for resisting circumferential movement of the motor, each supporting clamp is formed by detachably interconnecting at least two supporting arcs and each supporting arc is connected to the bracket by at least one connecting arm.

2. The motor mounting system of claim 1, wherein the supporting clamp has dimples on inner surface for gripping the motor tightly.

3. The motor mounting system of claim 1, wherein the brackets are detachably connected to the blower housings by way of a plurality of fasteners at a first connecting point each.

4. The motor mounting system of claim 1, wherein the brackets are fixedly connected to the connecting arms by way of a plurality of fasteners at a second connecting point each.

5. The motor mounting system of claim 1, wherein the first and second supporting clamps, the connecting arms and the brackets are made of steel sheet metal.

6. The motor mounting system of claim 1, wherein the first supporting arc extends to an angle 240-270 degrees, and wherein the second supporting arc extends to an angle 90-120 degrees.

7. The motor mounting system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined interval is 120 degrees.
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)

&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

MOTOR MOUNTING SYSTEM;

BLUE STAR LIMITED A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS KASTURI BUILDINGS, MOHAN T. ADVANI CHOWK, JAMSHETJI TATA ROAD, MUMBAI – 400 020, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in general relates to mounting systems and particularly to a motor mounting system for an air moving device.
BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION
Air moving devices are used in the air conditioning systems for providing indoors a cool air. Generally, the air moving devices include a first blower that moves warm interior air over a refrigerant filled coil inside the air conditioning unit and a second blower that moves hot air outside.
These two blowers are placed into two scroll shaped housings (hereinafter referred to as “blower housings”) enclosed in a single housing and are driven by a single motor. The motor is fitted between the blower housings in the said single housing also known as motor housing. The motor is mounted by direct driving means or by belt-pulley means. The belt-pulley means is not advisable as it requires space, induces vibrations and also increases maintenance cost.
In direct drive applications, the motor is generally fitted on the side panel of the motor housing between the blower housings. However, vibrations in the motor get directly transferred to the housing. Moreover, due care is required to be taken during maintenance as well as alignment of the motor. Thus, this increases the complexity, the cost, and the bulkiness of the air conditioning unit.
Therefore, there is a need for a motor mounting system that reduces vibrations transmitted by the motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the present invention is to provide a motor mounting system for mounting a motor in an air conditioning system.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a motor mounting system for mounting a motor having axial extensions at ends, between two blower housings, comprising at least three brackets and a pair of supporting clamps.
According to the present invention, the three brackets are arranged in a circle around the motor at predetermined intervals and are connected between the two blower housings.
According to the present invention, the supporting clamp is formed by interconnecting at least two supporting arcs. Each support arc is connected to the brackets by at least one connecting arm.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the supporting clamp has a plurality of dimples on the inner surface for gripping the axial extensions of the motor.
The mounting system of the present invention holds the motor firmly between the two blower housings in such a way that the motor does not sag, slip, or drop from the brackets. The motor mounting system of the present invention is steady and provides proper alignment of the motor as well as stable balancing of the motor.
Further, the brackets are easily manufactured by CNC machines and hence, the brackets can be adapted for blowers and motors of different sizes. The load of the motor is equally distributed on the brackets, thereby reducing stress on individual components. The motor is centered by way of the brackets and the connecting arms, thereby reducing vibrations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments:
Figure 1 shows a motor mounting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows the motor mounting system of the Figure 1 along with a motor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows the motor mounting system of the Figure 2 housed in an air moving device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a bracket of the motor mounting system of the Figure 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 5 shows a side elevation view of a supporting arc of the motor mounting system of the Figure 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.
References in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” member that a particular feature, structure, characteristics, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
In general, the present invention provides a motor mounting system comprising a plurality of brackets and supporting clamps formed by connecting a plurality of supporting arcs.
Referring now to Figure 1, a motor mounting system (100) is shown in accordance with the present invention. The motor mounting system (100) includes first through fourth supporting arcs (102a, 102b, 103a and 103b), three brackets (104a-104c) (collectively referred to as “the brackets (104)”), first through sixth connecting arms (105a-105c and 106a-106c) (collectively referred to as “the connecting arms (105 and 106)”) connected to the supporting arcs (102a, 102b, 103a and 103b), and fasteners (107, 108a and 108b).
The first and second supporting arcs (102a and 102b) are detachably connected by the fastener (108a) to form a first supporting clamp (referred to as “the first supporting clamp (102)”). Similarly, the third and fourth supporting arcs (103a and 103b) are detachably connected by the fastener (108b) to form a second supporting clamp (referred to as “the second supporting clamp (103)”). The first and second supporting clamps (102 and 103) have dimples (110) therein.
The first connecting arm (105a) connects the first supporting clamp (102) to the first bracket (104a). The second connecting arm (105b) connects the first supporting clamp (102) to the second bracket (104b). The third connecting arm (105c) connects the first supporting clamp (102) to the third bracket (104c). That is, the connecting arms (105) connect the first supporting clamp (102) to the brackets (104).
Similarly, the fourth connecting arm (106a) connects the second supporting clamp (103) to the first bracket (104a). The fifth connecting arm (106b) connects the second supporting clamp (103) to the second bracket (104b). The sixth connecting arm (106c) connects the second supporting clamp (103) to the third bracket (104c). That is, the connecting arms (106) connect the second supporting clamp (103) to the brackets (104).
The first, second and third connecting arms (105a-105c) are detachably connected to the brackets (104) by way of known fasteners (107). Similarly, the fourth, fifth and sixth connecting arms (106a-106c) are detachably connected to the brackets (104) by way of known fasteners (107).
In an example, the first and third supporting arcs (102a and 103a) extend to an angle of 120 degrees each, and wherein the second and fourth supporting arcs (102b and 103b) extend to an angle of 240 degrees each. Alternatively, the first and third supporting arcs (102a and 103a) can extend between 90 and 120 degrees, including 90 and 120 degrees. Similarly, the second and fourth supporting arcs (102b and 103b) can extend between 240 and 270 degrees, including 240 and 270 degrees.
It will be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the first and second supporting arcs (102a and 102b) may have any two values that add up to 360 degrees. For example, the first supporting arc (102a) may extend to 270 degrees and the second supporting arc (102b) may extend to 90 degrees. It would also be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above explanation applies equally to the third and fourth supporting arcs (103a and 103b).
Referring Figure 2 shows the motor mounting system (100) along with a motor (202) in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The Figure 2 is explained below with reference to the motor mounting system (100) show in the Figure 1.
The shafts (204) extend from two axial extensions (206) of the motor (202) at two ends of the motor (202). Preferably, the axial extensions (206) at the ends of the motor (202) are fitted with rubber sleeves. The shafts (204) pass through two bearings (208) that are positioned inside the motor (202). Rubber cushioning (210) is provided over housing of the bearings (208). The motor (202) is held within the first and second supporting clamps (102 and 103) by clamping to the axial extensions (206) of the motor (202).
The first and second supporting clamps (102 and 103) are connected to connecting arms (105 and 106) by fasteners (212) (for e.g. nuts, bolts, or washers). The connecting arms (105 and 106) are connected to brackets (104) by known fasteners including nut-bolts, screws, rivets, etc. Preferably, the connecting arms (105 and 106), the first and second supporting clamps (102 and 103), and the brackets (104) are made of steel sheet metal. The brackets (104) have flanges (214) at each end.
Referring Figure 3 shows the motor mounting system (100) housed in an air moving device (300) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The Figure 3 is explained below with reference to the motor mounting system (100) shown in the Figure 2.
The air moving device (300) includes first and second blower housings (302a and 302b) (collectively referred to as “the blower housings (302)”), a panel (304), and first and second blower wheels (306a and 306b) (collectively referred to as “the blower wheels (306)”). Further, the shaft (204), and a motor (202) are also included in the air moving device (300).
The brackets (104) are connected at predetermined intervals in a circular arrangement between the blower housings (302) at a first connection point each by the fasteners (308) (for e.g. nut, bolt, or washer). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the brackets (104) are placed at equal intervals in the circular arrangement such that the interval between two adjacent brackets (104) is 120 degrees.
The blower housings (302) enclose the blower wheels (306) therein. The blower housings (302) are made of thin sheet of metal and have a round opening (310) on both sides and a square opening (not shown) on a front side. The round opening functions as an inlet and the square opening functions as an outlet for the blower wheels (306). The blower wheels (306) are cylindrical fan devices formed by axially extending fan blades. The blower wheels (306) are mounted on the shafts (204) within the blower housings (302).
The blower housings (302) are affixed on the panel (304) by known means (312) (for e.g. screws). The motor mounting system (100) is fitted within the air moving device (300), by the fastener (314) (for e.g. screws).
The motor (202) is held within the first and second supporting clamps (102 and 103). The first and second supporting clamps (102 and 103) have the dimples (110) in contact the axial extensions (206) at the ends of the motor (202). The dimples (110) provide a firm grip on the motor (202) and avoid slippage of the motor (202).
Preferably, the dimples (110) are spherical or semi-spherical in shape. However, it would be apparent to a person of skill in the art that the dimples (110) may be of various shapes, such as, curved bulges, pointed bulges, or other such shapes.
The rubber sleeves of the axial extensions (206) of the motor (202) are in contact with the dimples (110) such that the dimples (110) provide a firm grip on the rubber sleeves, thereby preventing sagging of the motor (202).
The design of the first through three brackets (104a-104c) is made simple so that the first through three brackets (104a-104c) are easily attachable to the blower housings (302) by way of the fasteners (308) such as nuts, bolts, or washers.
The enlarged Detail (A) in Figure 3 shows the fastener (308) that is inserted through the flange (214) to connect the second bracket (104b) to the first blower housing (302a) at the first connection point. Further, the enlarged Detail (A) shows fastener (316) that connects the second bracket (104b) to the second connecting arm (105b) at a second connection point.
Referring now to Figure 4, a perspective view of the second bracket (104b) of the motor mounting system (100) is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The Figure 4 is explained below with reference to the motor mounting system (100) show in the Figure 3.
The second bracket (104b) has the side flanges (214), a vertical flange (402), and a horizontal flange (404). The side flanges (214) each have holes (406) at center for connecting to the blower housings (302) by means of the fasteners (308). The vertical flange (402) has holes (408) along the length.
It will be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the first and third brackets (104a and 104c) are structurally and functionally similar to the second bracket (104b).
Further, the connections and the connection points of the first and third brackets (104a and 104c) are similar to that of the second bracket (104b).
Referring now to Figure 5, a side elevation view of the first supporting arc (102a) of the motor mounting system (100) is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The Figure 5 is explained below with reference to the motor mounting system (100) show in the Figure 4.
The first supporting arc (102a) is connected to the first connecting arm (105a). The first supporting arc (102a) has a side flange (502) for attachment with the second supporting arc (102b) to form the first supporting clamp (102). The first connecting arm (105a) has multiple holes (504) along the width. The first supporting arc (102a) has the dimples (110) on surface therein for establishing contact with the axial extensions (206) of the motor (202).
It will be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the second through fourth supporting arcs (102b, 103a and 103b) are structurally and functionally similar to the first supporting arc (102a) while having either same or different angles.
Further, the connections and the connection points of the first supporting arc (102a) are similar to that of the second through fourth supporting arcs (102b, 103a and 103b).
The mounting system of the present invention holds the motor firmly between the two blower housings in such a way that the motor does not sag, slip, or drop from the brackets. The motor mounting system of the present invention is steady and provides proper/easy alignment of the motor as well as stable balancing of the motor. Moreover, the motor mounting system of the present invention allows to remove or replace the motor easily by removing first and third supporting arcs and picking the motor hanged over the second and forth supporting arcs. Further, the load of the motor is equally distributed on the brackets, thereby reducing stress on individual components. The motor is centered by way of the brackets and the connecting arms, thereby reducing vibrations.
Further, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, improvements and sub-combinations of the various embodiments, adaptations and variations can be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof as claimed in the following claims: