FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to vacuum pumps.

BACKGROUND

Vacuum pump systems may be made up of different components, the vacuum generator, the motor and in some cases control circuitry and a lubricant reservoir. Vacuum pumps are often heavy and may be unwieldy and parts of them may be sensitive to shocks and tilting. They also need to be secured in use due to the vibrations that they produce.

It would be desirable to provide a vacuum pump system that is compact, easy to secure and move.

SUMMARY

One aspect provides a modular system comprising a vacuum pump system and a support frame for supporting said vacuum pump system above a surface, said vacuum pump system comprising: a vacuum generator; and a motor for driving said vacuum generator; said support frame comprising an upper mounting means configured for supporting said vacuum generator and said motor; and a lower level; said lower level comprising at least two support protrusions extending away from the upper mounting means, for mounting said lower level of said support frame above said surface, said at least two support protrusions comprising at least one wheel and at least one foot; wherein said support frame is configured to receive control circuitry for controlling operation of said vacuum generator between said upper mounting means and said lower level.

It was recognised that vacuum generators tend to generate significant vibrations and need to be mounted securely. It was also recognised that where there is circuitry associated with them for controlling the vacuum generator then this should be at least partially enclosed and protected where possible. Both of these issues have been addressed by the provision of a support structure or frame for supporting the different components of the vacuum pump in a stack like arrangement, such that there is a location under the mounting means below the vacuum generator for the control circuitry. This allows the vacuum system to be supported and moved as a modular system and provides for a compact arrangement and some protection for any control circuitry. In some embodiments the control circuitry is mounted between the lower level and upper mounting means.

The support frame is supported above a surface by protrusions extending from the lower level. These may protect the lower level of the support frame and protect the components. The support protrusion(s) comprise at least one wheel which allows the modular system to be moved in a simple way that maintains a certain orientation of the components and reduces shocks to the components which may occur when they are lifted and then placed on surfaces.

In some embodiments, said at least one foot extending from said lower level comprises a flexible foot configured to support said support frame above said surface and to distort in response to vibrations generated by said vacuum generator.

The support protrusion(s) may be used not just to support the lower level above a surface but also to absorb some of the vibrations generated by the vacuum generator in operation.

In some embodiments, said at least one wheel comprises a flexible coating configured to distort in response to vibrations generated by said vacuum generator.

The wheel(s) may comprise coatings for absorbing vibrations due to operation of the vacuum generator. In some embodiments, said at least one wheel is arranged towards one end of said lower level of said support frame and said at least one foot is arranged towards the opposing end of said lower level of said support frame, such that lifting said opposing end of said support frame lifts said at least one foot away from said surface and allows said modular system to be moved on said at least one wheel.

In some embodiments, said support frame comprises two wheels and two flexible feet for supporting said lower level above a surface.

One arrangement may be for the support frame to be supported on two or more wheels at one end and two or more flexible feet at the other end of the support frame, allowing the frame to be moved by tilting such that the wheels support the frame in this position, with the feet providing more stability and better vibration absorption when the vacuum generator is not being moved and is in use.

In some embodiments, said vacuum generator comprises a lubricant sealed vacuum generator comprising a lubricant reservoir for supplying lubricant to and receiving exhaust from said vacuum generator, said upper mounting means supporting said lubricant sealed vacuum generator.

The vacuum system may be a lubricant sealed vacuum pump system and in this case the lubricant reservoir may also be mounted on the upper mounting means. This has the advantage of the reservoir being raised above the surface on which the support frame rests, such that the drain outlet for draining the reservoir is elevated above this surface allowing a receptacle to be placed under it when the lubricant is to be changed, allowing lubricant to be collected without the need to manipulate the vacuum pump system.

In some embodiments, said vacuum pump system comprises a handle located at an end of said vacuum pump system that is closer to said at least one foot than said at least one wheel, such that said modular system can be moved by lifting and pulling on said handle. The vacuum pump system may have a handle located at the same end as the feet allowing this end to be lifted such that the at least one foot is no longer supporting the frame and the frame and vacuum pump system can be moved on the wheels by pulling or indeed pushing on the handle.

In some embodiments, said lubricant reservoir comprises a cover, said cover comprising said handle extending from an end of said cover.

In some embodiments, said cover is detachably mounted to said lubricant reservoir and undoing an attachment mechanism allows said cover to be lifted from said reservoir by said handle.

The handle may be on the cover of the lubricant reservoir, which where the cover is removable, allows the handle to be used both for moving the vacuum pump system and for removal of the cover.

In some embodiments the vacuum pump system further comprises a second handle at an opposing end of said cover to said handle. The second handle may be smaller and extend less far from said cover than said handle.

In some embodiments, said vacuum pump system extends beyond said support frame at said one end of said support frame comprising said at least one wheel; and a lower surface of said vacuum pump system extending beyond said one end of said support frame comprises a lower surface that rises upwards as it extends away from said support frame.

A vacuum pump mounted on a support frame may extend beyond the support frame. In such a case, then where the frame has wheels at one end and is moved by tilting so that the frame is supported only on the wheels, then the extending lower surface of the vacuum pump system risks hitting the ground when the frame is tilted. Having a lower surface extending beyond the end of the frame away from the wheels that rises upwards away from the supporting surface or ground will mitigate this problem and allow the frame and system to be tilted to a larger angle than would be the case without the upwardly rising surface. The lower surface may be sloped upwards and/or it may rise upwards in steps.

In some embodiments, said system further comprises damping means for absorbing vibrations mounted between said vacuum generator and said upper mounting means.

Mounting the vacuum generator on the support frame provides a location for damping means to be placed allowing at least some of the vibrations due to operation of the vacuum generator to be absorbed.

In some embodiments said upper mounting means comprises at least one protrusion extending away from said lower level, said at least one protrusion comprising retaining means for retaining at least one of said motor and said vacuum generator.

In some embodiments the upper mounting means may comprise a surface on which the vacuum generator and/or motor. In other embodiments, the upper mounting means may comprise a frame like structure for mounting the components. In some cases the upper mounting means may have at least one protrusion extending up from the upper mounting means to which the motor and/or vacuum generator may be attached to hold them in position. The attachments may be by bolts or other attaching means.

In some embodiments the lower level may comprise a surface, or it may comprise a portion of a surface. The lower level and upper mounting means may be configured to extend substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the surface that the vacuum system is mounted above by the support frame.

In some embodiments, said at least one upwardly extending protrusion comprises an upwardly extending lip at at least one edge of said upper mounting means, said upwardly extending lip comprising said retaining means for retaining said vacuum generator.

An upwardly extending lip that is one extending away from the lower level along at least one side or edge of the upper mounting means may increase its rigidity and stability which may be important where the modular vacuum system is heavy and in some embodiments, provides a site for retaining means for holding the vacuum generator or motor in position. These retaining means may simply be an aperture for receiving a bolt for bolting the module to the support frame.

In some embodiments, the support frame further comprises damping means mounted between said vacuum generator and said upper mounting means

In some embodiments, said upper mounting means, lower level and said side walls are formed from a single piece of metal deformed to form said mounting means and said side walls.

It may be advantageous if much of the support frame is formed of a single piece of metal bent to form the upper mounting means, in some cases the lip and the lower level. This provides a strong support frame for supporting significant a weight.

In other embodiments, said support frame may be formed in two parts one of the vacuum system components being mounted on each of the parts and acting to join them

In some embodiments, said system further comprises said control circuitry mounted below said upper mounting means between said upper mounting means and said lower level.

The support frame is configured for supporting a modular vacuum system. In some cases this may comprise a control circuitry module for controlling the vacuum generator that may slot into a space between the upper mounting means and lower level. However, the support frame may also support a modular vacuum system that does not have complex control circuitry in which case the space between the upper mounting means and lower level may be empty. The modular nature allows the support frame to be used for different vacuum systems, having different capacities, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and increasing uniformity of products.

The control circuitry is used to control the vacuum generator and in some embodiments comprises a frequency convertor for controlling a speed of said motor driving said vacuum generator.

In some embodiments, said control circuitry further comprises diagnostic circuitry configured to receive signals from sensors associated with said vacuum system.

In some embodiments, said system further comprises a fan forming part of said modular system and arranged for cooling said vacuum generator and said control circuitry and optionally said motor.

A further advantage of having a support frame for mounting the components in a predetermined fixed manner and in some cases as a stack, means that a single fan may be used for cooling the control circuitry and vacuum generator and in some cases the motor too.

In some embodiments, said system further comprises a housing at least partially surrounding said fan, said housing being configured to direct air flow from said fan over an outer surface of said control circuitry and said vacuum generator and in some cases said motor.

A housing around the fan may help both shield and protect the fan and if suitably arranged direct the air flow to the required modular components. In some embodiments, said support frame comprises side walls connecting said upper mounting means and lower level and at least one of an open face for receiving said circuitry.

In some embodiments, the open face of the support frame helps allow air flow over the control circuitry, the fan being mounted to point towards the open face.

In some embodiments, said side walls comprise retaining means for cooperating with latching means on said control circuitry for retaining said control circuitry on said support frame

The control circuitry may be slid into position between the upper mounting means and lower level and may be retained in position by retaining means such as clips on the side walls.

A further aspect provides a method of providing a modular vacuum pump system according to any preceding claim comprising: mounting a vacuum generator and motor to an upper mounting means of a support frame; sliding said control circuitry between said upper mounting means and a lower level of said support frame; and raising an end of said support frame comprising said at least one foot such that said at least one foot no longer contacts said surface and moving said pump assembly on said wheels into a desired position.

Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

Where an apparatus feature is described as being operable to provide a function, it will be appreciated that this includes an apparatus feature which provides that function or which is adapted or configured to provide that function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described further, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a front and side view of a modular system according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 schematically shows the air flow from the fan over the modular system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 schematically shows a front view of a modular system according to an embodiment;

Figure 4 schematically shows a further front view of a modular system according to an embodiment;

Figure 5 shows the support frame;

Figure 6 shows a flow chart showing steps in a method according to an embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a vacuum pump system mounted on a support frame according to an embodiment; and

Figure 8 shows a further vacuum pump system according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before discussing the embodiments in any more detail, first an overview will be provided.

A modular system for supporting the different components of a vacuum system on a support frame is provided. The support frame has different levels for supporting different components. There is an upper level or mounting means, which may comprise a surface and on which the vacuum generator, and other components such as the motor and oil reservoir may be mounted.

There is a lower level connected to the upper level by side walls. The lower level may comprise support protrusions extending from a lower surface, and this lower level may be a partial surface extending from the side walls, but only for a portion of the width of the support frame. The support frame may have an open front for receiving a control circuitry module for controlling the vacuum generator between the upper and lower levels, and an at least partially open back, which allows air flow from the fan to pass over the control circuitry. The control circuitry is mounted below the upper mounting means in some embodiments it is mounted by fixing it to the side walls.

Figure 1 schematically shows a modular system according to an embodiment. The modular system comprises support frame 5 having a lower level 6 and an upper mounting means 8. Extending from the lower level 6 of the support frame are mounting protrusions 7 in the form of feet 7a or wheels 7b. Also mounted to the vacuum system is fan 50 which is configured for cooling both the vacuum generator 20 and in some cases a motor associated with the vacuum generator and the control circuitry 10. There is a housing 52 associated with the fan and the vacuum system for directing the air flow from the fan over the vacuum generator 20 and the control circuitry 10. The housing 52 obscures the side walls of the support frame in this embodiment.

Figure 2 shows the air flow from fan 50 to cool the control circuitry and the vacuum generator. The air flow to the control circuitry flows through an open face of the support frame at the rear of the support frame. In this regard, the support frame has an open front and back face between side walls (not shown). The open front face allows a control circuitry module 10 to be inserted and removed from the support frame while the open back allows air flow from fan 50 to cool the control circuitry at the same time as it cools the vacuum generator 20.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the support frame having protrusions 7 in the form of flexible feet 7a extending from the lower level 6 of support frame 5. The frame has side walls 9 extending between the upper mounting means 8 and the lower level 6. In this embodiment upper mounting means 8 supports a vibration damping means 40 mounted between the frame and the vacuum generator, which vibration damping means absorbs vibrations from the vacuum generator 20 when operating.

Adjacent to the vacuum generator in this embodiment is lubricant reservoir 30. The vacuum generator 20 is in this embodiment an oil sealed rotary vacuum pump and the lubricant reservoir contains the oil for this pump. The lubricant reservoir 30 has a drain 32 allowing the oil to be drained from the reservoir when it needs to be changed. The support frame 5 mounts the vacuum system above a surface which facilitates draining of the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir by allowing a collection receptable to be placed under the drain means 32 without the need to move or raise the vacuum system.

Figure 4 shows a further front view showing more details of the vacuum system and support frame. In this embodiment, the support frame 5 has an upper lip 3 formed in two sections which in this case is on the front surface. This upper lip strengthens the support frame and also provides a retaining means for retaining the vacuum generator and lubricant reservoir in position. There is also a downwardly extending lip in this embodiment which also strengthens the frame and helps retain the control circuitry 10 in position. This figure also schematically shows the motor 60 for driving the vacuum generator 20 and coupled to and mounted in front of it. The support frame has support protrusions 7 extending from the lower level of the frame, these may be flexible and configured to absorb vibrations generated by the vacuum system in use.

The support frame 5 is formed from a single sheet of metal which is bent to form the lower level, the upper mounting means, side walls and lip. This makes for a robust frame able to support considerable mass in a limited space.

Figure 5 shows a three dimensional view of the support frame 5 without the vacuum pump system mounted on it. In this embodiment, the support frame 5 has two wheels 7b at the front and two flexible feet 7a at the back extending down from and attached to a portion of the lower level 6 of the support frame. This allows the support frame to be moved on the wheels by tilting the support frame such that the flexible feet are held above the surface and the frame rests on the wheels. When in position the frame is returned to its horizontal position and rests on all four protrusions. In some embodiments the wheels may have a vibration damping coating on them, such that both the wheels 7b and flexible feet 7a absorb vibrations in use. The side walls 9 have retaining means 4 configured to cooperate with a latching means on the side wall of the control circuitry to hold it in pace when it is slid into position. The retaining means 4 may be in the form of an aperture so that the latching means can be pushed back out of the aperture to release the control circuitry when it is to be removed.

In this embodiment the upper mounting means 8 comprises retaining means 12 extending up from the surface and to which the vacuum generator and lubricant reservoir can be fixed when mounted on the support frame.

Figure 6 schematically shows a flow diagram illustrating steps in a method of providing a modular system according to an embodiment. At step S10 a vacuum generator is mounted on an upper mounting means of a support frame such as that shown in Figure 5. In step S20 control circuity is slid into a gap between the lower level of the support frame and the upper mounting means. At step S30 the end of the support frame above the supporting feet is raised so that the pump system is supported on the wheels and the pump system is rolled on the wheels into a desired position.

Figure 7 schematically shows a vacuum pump system according to an embodiment. The vacuum pump system comprises a pump 20, a motor 60 for driving the pump, control circuitry 10, a fan 50 for sending a flow of cooling air over the pump, motor and control circuitry, and an oil reservoir, not shown. One end of the vacuum pump system, in this embodiment, the end comprising fan 50, extends over the end of the support frame having the wheels 7b. The lower surface 70 of this end is sloped upwards towards one end that is away from the frame, such that when the protrusions 7a are lifted from the floor and the vacuum pump system is tilted, this end does not contact the ground as soon as it would were it not sloped. This allows the end of the pump system supported on feet 7a to be lifted and the pump system to be supported and moved on wheels 7b.

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment, of the pump system viewed from the other side, showing the lubricant reservoir 30 in front of the pump and motor. Here again the frame has protrusions 7a and wheels 7b and a lower surface 70 extending beyond the wheels that becomes higher as it moves away from the frame such that there is an angle of 20° in this case from the wheels to a lower end surface of the pump system. This angle allows the opposite end of the pump supported by feet 7a to be raised and the pump system to be tilted by an equivalent angle without the end of the lower surface 70 contacting the ground. The cover 33 of the reservoir 30 comprises a handle 80 that is above the end of the pump system supported on feet 7a. The handle 80 facilitates raising of one end of the vacuum pump system, such that the systems tilts and is supported by, can be moved on, the wheels by a user pulling or pushing on handle 80. The cover 33 also has a second smaller handle 82 at the opposing end of cover 33 which two handles can be used when removing removable cover 33, for cleaning the reservoir or changing a filter.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. REFERENCE SIGNS

2 downward lip

3 upward lip

4 retaining means

5 support frame

6 lower level

7 support protrusions

7a flexible feet

7b wheels

8 upper mounting means

9 side walls

10 control circuitry

20 vacuum generator

30 lubricant reservoir

32 drain

33 lubricant reservoir cover

40 vibration damper

50 fan

52 housing

60 motor

70 upwardly extending lower surface of pump system

80 mobility handle

82 smaller handle