EXCITER WITH SEPARATE HOUSING AND MOUNTING PLATE

Abstract

A vibration exciter apparatus includes an exciter housing and at least one bearing means supporting at least one driven shaft carrying eccentric mass means. The exciter housing has an array of bore passages extending from an upper wall of the exciter housing to a lower wall of the exciter housing and a mounting structure plate securable to mineral processing or handling equipment intended to be vibrated by the exciter apparatus. The mounting structure plate includes an array of fastener receiving zones, whereby elongated fastener means can pass through the bore passages from the upper wall to be engaged in the fastener receiving zones.

Claims

1. A vibration exciter apparatus being mountable to vibration processing or handling equipment to impose, in use, a vibration regime to said vibration processing or handling equipment, said vibration exciter apparatus comprising an exciter housing with a base wall portion, two opposed end wall portions extending upwardly from opposed end zones of said base wall portion and having an upper face and two opposed side faces together defining an internal zone, said exciter housing further having a plurality of spaced first fastener positioning locations positioned at or adjacent said upper face configured in a first array, said exciter housing also having a plurality of spaced second fastener positioning locations positioned at or adjacent said base wall portion in a second array, whereby at least one of said first array of said first fastener positioning locations and/or said second array of said second fastener positioning locations co-operate with multiple fastener elements to secure said vibrational exciter apparatus in an operational position of use to said vibration processing or handling equipment with selectably either said upper face or said base wall portion being positioned relatively closer to said vibration processing or handling equipment.

2. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first array of said first fastener positioning locations are aligned with the second array of said second fastener positioning locations, whereby a said fastener element or multiple said fastener elements pass through both a said first fastener positioning location and a said second fastener positioning location when said vibration exciter apparatus is secured to said vibration processing or handling equipment.

3. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a fastener element or multiple fastener elements pass through only one of said first fastener positioning location or one of said second fastener positioning location.

4. A vibration exciter apparatus being mountable to vibration processing or handling equipment to impose, in use, a desired vibration regime to said vibration processing or handling equipment, said vibration exciter apparatus comprising an exciter housing having an upper wall portion, an opposed lower wall portion spaced from said upper wall portion, said lower wall portion and said upper wall portion being connected by two opposed mutually spaced end wall portions, said exciter housing having two spaced and opposed side faces, said exciter housing further having a plurality of spaced fastener positioning locations, each said fastener positioning location having at least a first portion positioned at or adjacent an upper face of the upper wall portion of the exciter housing and a second portion aligned with said first portion located at or adjacent a lower face of the lower wall portion of the exciter housing, and a plurality of elongated fastener elements each having a length to pass through said aligned first and second portions of a said fastener positioning location and being cooperable with at least some of said fastener positioning locations to, in use, mount said vibration exciter apparatus to said vibration processing or handling equipment with selectably either said upper wall portion or said lower wall portion of said exciter housing being relatively closer to or spaced from said vibration processing or handling equipment.

5. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a fastening formation means located at one end of each said elongated fastener element is engageable directly into a pre-existing mounting region of said processing or handling equipment.

6. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a separate plate mounting structure cooperable with said exciter housing and being secured to said processing or handling equipment, said separate plate mounting structure including multiple spaced fastener receiving fitting means positioned whereby a said first portion or a said second portion of a respective said fastener positioning location cooperates with a said fastener receiving fitting means of said separate plate mounting structure.

7. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the upper face of the upper wall portion and the lower face of the lower wall portion include exciter housing engagement formation means cooperable with mounting plate structure engagement formation means to relatively locate said fastener positioning locations with said fastener receiving fitting means of said mounting plate structure.

8. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said exciter housing engagement formation means and said mounting plate structure engagement formation means include cooperable aligning surface arrangements to ensure alignment of a fastener positioning location of said exciter housing with a said fastener receiving fitting means of said mounting plate structure.

9. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said fastener positioning locations are arranged in an array whereby the fastener positioning locations located at one end of the exciter housing relative to a central transverse axis form a mirror image of the fastener positioning locations at an opposed end of the exciter housing relative to the central transverse axis.

10. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exciter housing includes an internal zone mounting at least one bearing means, the or each said bearing means supporting a driven shaft carrying eccentric mass means externally of said exciter housing.

11. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the internal zone of said exciter housing includes an individual sump zone liquid lubricant sump zone for the or each said bearing means.

12. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the or each said bearing means includes a first bearing member and a second bearing member positioned axially along a said driven shaft.

13. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said first bearing member is a toroidal roller bearing and said second bearing member is a spherical roller bearing.

14. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a first said bearing means carrying a said driven shaft is located in said internal zone adjacent a first said end wall portion of said exciter housing and a second said bearing means carrying a said driven shaft is located in said internal zone adjacent a second said end wall portion, said first bearing means being located in said internal zone in a first said liquid lubricant sump zone, and said second bearing means being located in said internal zone in a second said liquid lubricant sump zone separate from said first liquid lubricant sump zone, said first liquid lubricant sump zone and said second liquid lubricant sump zone being positioned adjacent a first said side face of the exciter housing.

15. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first driven shaft and the second driven shaft also each carry gear means intermeshing with each other, said intermeshing gear means being located in a third liquid lubricant sump zone separate from said first and said second liquid lubricant sump zones and positioned between said first and said second liquid lubricant sump zones and a second said side face of said exciter housing.

16. A vibration exciter apparatus being mountable to vibration processing or handling equipment to impose, in use a vibration regime to processing or handling equipment, said exciter apparatus comprising an exciter housing with an upper wall, a lower wall, opposed end walls, and opposed side faces defining an internal zone operationally supporting spaced bearing means, said exciter apparatus further having spaced first and second driven shafts each being supported by a respective said bearing means whereby an end portion of each of said first driven shaft and said second driven shaft extends beyond a side face of said exciter housing and carries eccentric mass means, said exciter apparatus still further including a mounting plate structure separate to said exciter housing and securable, in use, to said vibration processing or handling equipment, said exciter housing having multiple spaced fastener receiving bore means extending through said exciter housing from a first end zone at or adjacent said upper wall of said exciter housing part to a second end zone at or adjacent said lower wall of said exciter housing, said mounting plate structure including multiple spaced fastener receiving fitting means positioned whereby a said first end zone, or a said second end zone of respective said fastener receiving bore means are alignable with a said fastener receiving fitting means in said mounting plate structure.

17. A vibration exciter apparatus casing for use in vibration exciter apparatus intended to be mounted to vibration processing or handling equipment to impose, in use a vibration regime to said vibration processing or handling equipment, said vibration exciter apparatus casing having an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion spaced from said upper wall portion being connected by two opposed mutually spaced end wall portions, said vibration exciter apparatus casing further having two opposed side faces, said vibration exciter apparatus casing further having a plurality of spaced fastener positioning locations, each said fastener positioning location having at least a first portion positioned at or adjacent an upper face of the upper wall portion of the vibration exciter apparatus casing and at least a second portion located at or adjacent a lower face of the lower wall portion of the vibration exciter apparatus casing, whereby said vibration exciter apparatus casing, when forming part of vibration exciter apparatus, is mountable to said vibration processing or handling equipment by elongated fastener elements with selectably either said upper face or said lower face or said vibration exciter apparatus casing being relatively closer to or spaced from said vibration processing or handling equipment.

18. The vibration exciter apparatus casing according to claim 17, wherein each said end wall portion has at least two spaced fastener receivable bore means each forming a said fastener positioning location.

19. The vibration exciter apparatus casing according to claim 18, wherein at least one said fastener positioning location is formed in said vibration exciter apparatus casing midway between said end wall portions.

20. The vibration exciter apparatus casing according to claim 17, wherein one or more of said fastener positioning locations includes a continuous bore passage extending from a said first portion to a said second portion.

21. The vibration exciter apparatus casing according to claim 17, wherein one or more of said fastener positioning locations includes a first bore passage extending inwardly from a said first portion and a second bore passage axially aligned with said first bore passage extending inwardly from said second portion, said first bore passage and said second bore passage being axially spaced from one another.

22. The vibration exciter apparatus casing according to claim 17, wherein the vibration exciter apparatus casing has an internal zone within the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the opposed spaced end wall portions, at least one of the side faces being substantially open.

23. The vibration exciter apparatus casing according to claim 22, wherein at least one bearing mounting compartment is formed in said internal zone adjacent a first said side face portion, the or each said bearing mounting compartment including wall formation means engageable, in use, with one or more bearing means.

24. The vibration exciter apparatus casing according to claim 23, wherein the or each said bearing mounting compartment includes at least one liquid lubricant sump zone positioned adjacent said wall formation means.

25. The vibration exciter apparatus casing according to claim 24, wherein two said bearing mounting compartments are provided in said internal zone in side by side configuration positioned adjacent said first side face and separated by a transversely disposed intermediate wall means, said transversely disposed intermediate wall means extending from said first side face providing two separated said liquid lubrication sump zones.

26. The vibration exciter apparatus casing according to claim 25, wherein said two bearing mounting compartments and said intermediate wall means terminate at a position internally spaced from said second side face opposed to said first side face whereby a gearing mounting compartment is positioned in said internal zone between the or each said bearing mounting compartment(s) and the second side face.

27. A vibration exciter assembly being mountable to processing or handling equipment to impose in use a desired vibration regime to said processing or handling equipment, said vibration exciter assembly including exciter apparatus comprising an exciter housing and a mounting plate structure separate from said exciter apparatus, said separate mounting plate structure being securable in a desired mounting position to said processing or handling equipment, said exciter apparatus having a plurality of exciter housing fastener receiving zones disposed in a first array, said mounting plate structure having a plurality of first mounting plate structure fastener receiving zones disposed in a second array whereby at least some of said exciter housing fastener zones are alignable with at least some of said first mounting plate structure receiving zones whereby said exciter apparatus is securable to the mounting plate structure by a plurality of first fastener means each being cooperable with a respective one of said exciter housing fastener receiving zone and a first mounting plate structure fastener receiving zone.

28. The vibration exciter assembly according to claim 27, wherein said mounting plate structure includes a plurality of second mounting plate structure fastener receiving zone disposed in a third array configured differently to said second array.

29. The vibration exciter assembly according to claim 27, wherein the exciter housing includes exciter housing engagement formation means cooperable with mounting plate structure engagement formation means to relatively locate said first array with said second array.

30. The vibration exciter assembly according to claim 29, wherein the exciter housing engagement formation means and the plate structure engagement formation means each including engageable alignment surfaces to align said first array with said second array as the exciter apparatus is moved towards said mounting plate structure.

31. A method of replacing a first vibration exciter apparatus secured by a plurality of removable first fastener elements to a first installation position on processing or handling equipment whereby, in use, said first vibration exciter apparatus imposes a vibration regime to said processing or handling equipment, said first fastener elements being engaged with first fastener receiving zones disposed in a first array in said first installation position, said method comprising the steps of: removing said first vibration exciter apparatus from said first installation position; installing an adapter plate member to said first installation position, said adapter plate member having a plurality of second fastener receiving zones in a second array being alignable with second fastener receiving zones on a second vibration exciter apparatus; and installing a said second vibration exciter apparatus on said processing or handling equipment by utilising second fastener elements engageable with said second vibration exciter apparatus and into a said second fastener receiving zone in said adapter plate member.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein said adapter plate member includes a plurality of third fastener receiving zones disposed to be alignable with said first array of fastener receiving zones in said first installation position, said adapter plate member being securable by said first fastener elements or by third fastener elements engageable with said third fastener receiving zones and said first fastener receiving zones.

33. An adapter plate member for use in the method of claim 31, comprising a plurality of said second fastener receiving zones arranged in said second array.

34. The adapter plate member according to claim 33, wherein said adapter plate member further includes a plurality of said third fastener receiving zones arranged to be alignable with said first array of fastener receiving zones in said first installation position, said second array and said first array being different.

35. A vibration exciter apparatus being mountable to vibration processing or handling equipment to impose in use a vibration regime to said vibration processing or handling equipment, said vibration exciter apparatus comprising an exciter housing with a base wall portion, a first end wall portion and a second end wall portion respectively extending upwardly from opposed end zones of said base wall portion, said base wall portion and said first and said second end wall portions defining an internal zone of the exciter housing having an upper face and two opposed side faces, said exciter housing further having a plurality of spaced first fastener positioning locations configured in a first array, said first fastener positioning locations permitting fastener elements to pass there through to engage with fastener engagement locations in an engagement zone of said vibration processing or handling element, said fastener engagement locations being arranged in a second array, said second array having a first end zone and a second opposed end zone, whereby when mounting said vibration exciter apparatus to said vibration processing or handling equipment, said vibration exciter apparatus is selectably rotatable about an intermediate vertical axis to position either a first end zone of said first array of fastener positioning locations or a second end zone of said first array of fastener positioning locations with a said first end zone of said second array of said fastener engagement locations whereby said fastener elements enable mounting of said vibration exciter apparatus to said vibration handling or processing equipment.

36. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 35, wherein each of said first positioning locations has a first end zone positioned adjacent said upper face and a second end zone positioned adjacent said base wall portion.

37. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said engagement zone is part of said vibration processing or handling equipment.

38. The vibration exciter apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said engagement zone is formed by a mounting plate structure separate from said vibration exciter apparatus, said mounting plate structure being secured to or securable to said vibration processing or handling equipment.

39. A vibration exciter apparatus being mountable to vibration processing or handling equipment to impose in use a vibration regime to said vibration processing or handling equipment, said vibration exciter apparatus comprising an exciter housing with a base wall portion, a first end wall portion and a second end wall portion respectively extending upwardly from opposed end zones of said base wall portion, said base wall portion and said first and said second end wall portions defining an internal zone of the exciter housing having an upper face and two opposed side faces, said exciter housing further having a plurality of spaced first fastener positioning locations configured in a first array, said first fastener positioning locations permitting fastener elements to pass there through to engage with fastener locations when said vibration exciter apparatus is installed on said vibration processing or handling equipment, and a plurality of elongated fastener elements located in at least some of said first fastener positioning locations, each said fastener element having a head portion at one end and engagement formations at an opposed end engageable with a respective one of said fastener engagement locations in an installed position, wherein in said installed position, each said head portion is positioned at or adjacent either a lower face of said base wall portion or said upper face.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a DF6xx series prior art exciter apparatus;

[0062] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exciter apparatus casing utilised in the exciter apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0063] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the exciter apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0064] FIG. 4 is a transverse horizontal section through both driven shafts of FIG. 1;

[0065] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of exciter apparatus constructed in accordance with the developments of this disclosure;

[0066] FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 but with the eccentric masses removed from the driven shafts;

[0067] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exciter apparatus of FIG. 6 taken from the opposite side;

[0068] FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7 but with side closure plate removed;

[0069] FIGS. 9 and 10 are side elevation views similar to FIG. 8 showing potential differing installation positions of the exciter apparatus, from the intermeshing gear side of the exciter apparatus;

[0070] FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 but with the side closure plates removed revealing bearing means supporting the driven shafts;

[0071] FIGS. 12 and 13 are side elevation views similar to FIG. 11 showing potential differing installation positions of the exciter apparatus, from the bearing means side of the exciter apparatus;

[0072] FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 7 and 8 but with the gearing element compartment closure plate and the gearing elements removed with closure plates closing bearing compartments housing bearings supporting the driven shafts;

[0073] FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but from the other side with the bearing compartment closure plates removed showing bearings in the bearing compartments;

[0074] FIG. 16 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 but with the exciter apparatus casing shown in ghosted outline to reveal aspects of the elongated fastener elements;

[0075] FIG. 17 is a horizontally sectioned perspective view through the driven shafts of the exciter apparatus of FIG. 5;

[0076] FIG. 18 is an upper perspective view of the separate adapter mounting plate utilized to mount a standardized exciter apparatus to vibration processing or handling equipment;

[0077] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the adapter mounting plate shown in FIG. 18;

[0078] FIG. 20 is an underneath plan view of the adapter mounting plate shown in FIG. 18;

[0079] FIG. 21 is a vertical section view of the exciter apparatus passing through the short driven shaft;

[0080] FIG. 22 is a section view along line X-X of FIG. 18;

[0081] FIG. 23 is a horizontal section in plan view of the exciter apparatus generally through the driven shafts; and

[0082] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an exciter apparatus casing generally as utilised in earlier FIGS. 5 to 17 and 18 to 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0083] Improvements in exciter apparatus 40 and associated parts such as an exciter apparatus casing 50 and an adapter mounting plate 60 are described in the following. The exciter apparatus casing 50 is shown in many of FIGS. 5 to 17 and 18 to 20 but is represented specifically in FIG. 21 as a single piece, typically constructed as a metallic casting. The exciter apparatus casing 50 has an upper wall 51 with an upwardly facing surface 52, a lower wall 53 with a downwardly facing surface 54, and two opposed end walls 55, 56 continuously formed with the upper wall 51 and the lower wall 53. The exciter apparatus casing 50 further includes a first side face 57 and a second side face 58, facing in opposite directions.

[0084] As can be seen in FIG. 21, the exciter apparatus casing 50 has a first bearing mounting compartment 59 adjacent to and inwardly positioned relative to an end wall 55, and a second bearing mounting compartment 61 adjacent to and inwardly positioned relative to the other end wall 56. An intermediate wall structure 62 connected to the upper wall 51 and the lower wall 52 is positioned between the first and second bearing compartments 59, 61. A seal surface 63 is located in the first side face 57 and forms part of the intermediate wall structure 62 and surrounds the first and the second bearing compartments 59, 61. As can be seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and other drawings, closure plate members 64, 65 are mounted to and sealed to the seal surface 63 by a plurality of fastener members of any suitable type. The closure plate members 64, 65 include central openings 66, 67 which accommodate respectively a short driven shaft 68 and a long driven shaft 69 with suitable seals (not shown) engaging with the shafts 68, 69 to maintain sealed conditions within the exciter apparatus 40.

[0085] As also can be seen in FIG. 21 an enlarged region forming a first bearing lubricating liquid sump zone 70 is positioned between the first bearing mounting compartment 59 and the closure plate member 64. A similar enlarged region forming a second bearing liquid sump zone 71 is positioned between the second bearing mounting compartment 61 and the closure plate 65. In the assembled configuration of the exciter apparatus 40, the first and the second bearing liquid sump zones 70, 71 are maintained completely separate from one another whereby it is possible to prevent contaminants from the gear liquid sump entering the bearing liquid sumps, also to select and use lubricating liquids in the respective sump zones 70 and 71 that have differing characteristics, such as viscosity, that are best selected for operation of the exciter apparatus 40, particularly to improve performance of same and to extend periods between potential maintenance stages.

[0086] FIG. 19 illustrates a drain passage 74 leading from the first bearing liquid lubricant sump zone 70 to a drain point 73 whereby, during a maintenance stage, used liquid lubricant can be removed from the first bearing liquid sump zone 70. Similarly, a drain passage 72 leading from the second bearing liquid lubricant sump zone 71 to a drain point 75 is provided whereby during a maintenance stage, used liquid lubricant can be removed from the second bearing liquid lubricant sump zone 71. Suitable inlet port means are provided through the upper wall 51 to allow original or replacement liquid lubricant to be introduced into either the first or the second bearing liquid lubricant sumps 70, 71. As can be seen in FIG. 21, and other drawings, each of the first and the second bearing liquid lubricant sump zones 70, 71 have a triangular shaped bulge or extension region 76, 77 approaching the entrances to drain passages 72, 74 acting as a collection zone for the liquid lubricant and potentially any particulate debris that might enter or be formed within the exciter apparatus such that it might be removed with any used or spent liquid lubricant.

[0087] FIGS. 20, 21 illustrate that each of the first and the second bearing mounting compartments 59, 61 end part way towards the second side face 58. The second side face 58 has a seal surface 78 generally surrounding a gearing mounting compartment 79 configured to house separate intermeshing gears 80, 81 that are mounted on the driven shafts 68, 69. Closure plates 82, 83 (FIG. 14) are sealed to the first and second bearing mounting compartments 59, 61 internally of the exciter apparatus 40. The closure plates 82, 83 have central openings 84, 85 through which the driven shafts 68, 69 pass, the closure plates 82, 83 having suitable seal means to prevent liquid lubricant and other materials to pass along the shafts.

[0088] As shown, for example, in FIGS. 17, 18 and 20, bearing means 108 may be provided to support the driven shafts 68, 69 in the first and the second bearing mounting compartments 59, 61. The bearing means 108, in each case, may comprise a pair of side by side bearing members 109 and 110. The bearing member 109 is conveniently a toroidal roller bearing and the bearing member 110 is a spherical roller bearing (SRB). While the drawings represent two driven shafts 68, 69 and a consequent supporting bearing arrangement as illustrated, in some embodiments one driven shaft only might be provided and more than two driven shafts might be provided.

[0089] The gearing mounting compartment 79 has a liquid lubricant introduction port in the upper wall 51 whereby liquid lubricant of a desired type or characteristics can be introduced into the compartment 79 either before use or during a later maintenance stage of the exciter apparatus 40. A drain port 86 (FIG. 8) is provided with a communicating drain passage leading to a lower region of the gearing mounting compartment 79. Conveniently, the gearing mounting compartment 79 includes an enlarged triangular bulge portion 87 leading to the drain passage at a low portion of the compartment 79. The compartment 79 provides a gearing lubricating liquid sump zone 101. Conveniently, an outer closure plate 88 closes the gearing mounting compartment 79 by sealing means and multiple fastener members pressing an edge face region of the outer closure plate 88 against the seal surface 78. Again the closure plate 88 includes central openings 89, 90 and seal means cooperating with the driven shafts 68, 69 (FIG. 7).

[0090] Referring again to FIG. 21, the exciter apparatus casing 50 incudes a plurality of elongated fastener receiving bore means 91 positioned vertically extending through the casing 50. Each of the fastener receiving bore means 91 includes a first end zone 92 disposed at or adjacent to the upwardly facing surface 52 of the upper wall 51, and a second end zone 93 disposed at or adjacent to the downwardly facing surface 54 of the lower wall 53. Preferably, the fastener receiving bore means 91 includes a continuous bore passage from the first end zone 92 to the second end zone 93. Alternatively, at least some of the fastener receiving bore means 91 include a first bore passage section adjacent the first end zone 92 with a continuous bore passage section aligned with a second bore passage section adjacent the second end zone 93 with a continuous bore passage section. In this latter option, seal means operating between a cooperating elongated fastener and the fastener receiving bore means 91 at the upper level of the exciter apparatus casing 50 and at the lower level of the exciter apparatus housing would be required.

[0091] In the illustrated preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 21 and other figures, the fastener receiving bore means 91 are disposed in a defined array, consisting of six bore passages 91, each being adapted to receive an elongated bolt, rod or other suitable fastener 99. Two such bore passages are located on a transverse mid point axis of the exciter apparatus casing 50 and two each are located extending through a respective end wall 55 and 56. In some cases, the two centrally located bore passages might be replaced by a single bore passage centrally located. Other possible arrangements of bore passages in the array are possible, however it is desirable to have the bore passages symmetrically disposed about a central transverse axis. Both of the first end zone 92 and the second end zone 93 may include physical formation means 92a/93a such as the illustrated raised annular ring that is complementary shaped with physical formation means 130 on the adapter mounting plate 60 to prevent or minimise lateral movement when engaged. If desired the annular ring formations 92a/93a in both the upper wall 51 and the lower wall 52 of the exciter casing 50 may include inclined surfaces to assist movement of the bores 91 into alignment with fastener element engagement regions positioned on the adapter mounting plate 60.

[0092] FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 show preferred features of the adapter mounting plate 60 shown in other drawings. The adapter mounting plate 60 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed in plan view with a central raised or thicker region 96 and opposed lateral edge flanges 97, each with an array of fastener receiving locations (bores) 136 enabling, in use, a fastener element 97a to be installed there through and into a fastener receiving or mounting formation 136 (eg a threaded bore or similar) positioned in vibration processing or handling equipment to which the vibration exciter apparatus is to be mounted (not illustrated). Of course the fastener receiving or mounting formation 131 could be threaded stud members mounted to the vibration processing or handling equipment over which the fastener receiving or mounting formations 136 are fitted with nuts being threaded onto the threaded studs to secure the adapter mounting plate 60 to the vibration processing or handling equipment. The fastener receiving or mounting formations may be previously existing, for example, used to directly mount a vibration exciter apparatus to the vibration processing or handling equipment, or in some cases, could be intentionally created for mounting an original (or replacement) vibration exciter apparatus to the vibration processing or handling equipment. Given that the adapter mounting plate 60 is a relatively less expensive item to produce compared to a vibration exciter apparatus casing itself, that it would be possible to produce a number of such adapter mounting plates 60, each having a different configuration of fastener receiving locations 136 to fit a variety of known existing arrays of fastener receiving formations in known vibration processing or handling equipment.

[0093] Preferably, both the upper wall 51 and the lower wall 52 includes upstanding flange members 94 with apertures 95 to assist lifting means to be connected to the exciter apparatus 40 when installing or removing such exciter apparatus from an operative position.

[0094] The adapter mounting plate 60 further includes long bolt (or rod) fastening positions (eg threaded bores) 98 in an array comprising a pair 140 and 141 at either end of the adapter mounting plate 60 with a central pair 142 positioned on a central transverse axis 143. The array of fastening positions 98 are complementary to the array of the first end zones 92 and the second end zones 93 of the fastener receiving bore means 91 formed in the exciter housing 50 whereby an elongated fastener member 99 passing through a bore means 91 can be engaged in and retained in a fastening position 98. Preferably, the fastening positions 98 located at one end of the adapter mounting plate 60 are a mirror image of the fastening positions 98 at the other end of the mounting plate 60 about the central transverse axis 143 whereby the casing 50 of the vibration exciter apparatus 40 can be rotated through 180 degrees about an upright central axis and still retain the bore means 91 being aligned with a respective fastening position 98. Moreover, the first end zones 92 and the second end zones 93 provided on the upper wall 51 and the lower wall 52 of the exciter apparatus casing are complementary to the receiving formations 140 surrounding the fastener receiving locations 136 formed in the adapter mounting plate 60. This enables either the upper wall 51 or the lower wall 52 to be positioned adjacent the adapter mounting plate 60 depending on the desired mounting configuration of the vibration exciter apparatus 40 to the vibration processing or handling equipment to which the adapter mounting plate 60 is mounted.

[0095] FIGS. 9/10 and FIGS. 12/13 illustrate the effect of mounting the exciter apparatus 40 and the associated adapter mounting plate 60 at differing angles of inclination and particularly when the exciter apparatus is partially inverted as shown in FIGS. 10 and 13. FIGS. 9/10 show the exciter apparatus from the gearing side of the exciter apparatus 40 with the outer closure plate 88 removed. FIGS. 12/13 show the exciter apparatus 40 from the bearing side of the exciter apparatus 40 with the two outer closure plates 64, 65 removed. As shown in FIG. 9, the lower wall 53 of the exciter apparatus casing 50 faces toward the adapter mounting plate 60 with the second end zones 93 of the fastener receiving bore means 91 in engagement with a respective long bolt or rod fastening position 98. In the partially inclined and inverted position shown in FIG. 10 the first end zones 92 of the upper wall 51 are positioned in engagement with a fastening position 98 on the adapter mounting plate 60. In either positional location represented in FIGS. 9 and 10 an elongated fastener member 99 passes through the fastener receiving bore means 91 to secure the exciter apparatus 40 to the adapter mounting plate 60 and thereby to the processing or handling equipment (not shown). FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the lubricating liquid pool 100 collected in the gearing lubricating liquid sump zone 101 formed by the compartment 79. The lubricating liquid pool 100 is collected in the region of the enlarged bulge portion 87 and a stationary, semi-permanent, level measuring probe 102 is provided to provide automatically a signal indicative of the liquid level, and thereby, the volume of lubricating liquid in the gearing mounting compartment 79. If the mounting inclination angle is reversed, then the illustrated structures permit the exciter apparatus 40 to be rotated about a central vertical axis such that the lubricating liquid pool 100 will always form in the region of enlarged bulge portion 87 and the level measuring probe 102. In this manner, it is possible to achieve consistent measuring of lubricating liquid volumes in the gearing mounting compartment.

[0096] FIGS. 12 and 13 show the effects discussed in the preceding paragraph from the bearing side of the exciter apparatus 40. It is apparent from these drawings that separate lubricating liquid pools 103 and 104 are maintained in the first bearing liquid lubricant sump zone 70 and the second lubricant liquid sump zone 71 with the pools 103, 104 being located in the region of the extension or bulged regions 76, 77. In addition separate liquid level measuring probes 105, 106 are installed in these zones.

[0097] FIGS. 9/10 and 12/13 represent the vibration exciter housing 50 mounted in an upwardly extending inclined position (FIGS. 9/12) and an underslung downwardly extending position (FIGS. 10/13). It will of course be appreciated that the angle of inclination of the mounting position could be reversed such that the end wall portions of the exciter housing 50 forming the lowest one of the end wall portions in FIGS. 9/10 and 12/13 would become the higher of the two end wall portions. This would of course be problematic in that the liquid lubricant pools would change position and the liquid lubricant level sensors 102, 105, 106, may not be correctly immersed in the liquid lubricant pools. To avoid this difficultly, the first array of fastener element positioning locations (bores 91) on the upper or lower walls of the exciter housing 50 are positioned whereby the exciter housing 50 can be rotated about a vertical intermediate axis such that the end wall represented as the lower most one in FIGS. 9/10 and 12/13 will always remain the lower most end wall whereby the liquid lubricant pools in the respective sump zones will remain in the same position (as illustrated in FIGS. 9/10 and 12/13). This can be achieved by arranging the fastener receiving bores 91 to be in an array whereby the bores 91 on one side of a central transverse axis is a mirror image of the bores 91 on the other side of the central transverse axis 143 such that regardless of rotating the position of the exciter housing 50, the bores 91 will continue to align with fastener receiving connection zones in the adapter mounting plate 60 or the vibration processing or handling equipment itself. In the illustrated embodiment, three pairs of fastener receiving bores 91 are illustrated with the central pair of fastener receiving bores 91 being positioned on the aforesaid transverse axis 143. Other configurations, are of course, possible.

[0098] Generally, the exciter apparatus 40 will carry eccentric masses 107 carried on the driven shafts 68, 69 (FIG. 5). In the proposed design, the one eccentric mass 107 is carried at each end zone of the driven shafts 68, 69 which overlap, in use when the driven shafts 68, 69 are rotated. Dynamic guard shields would also be provided (not illustrated) mounted from the exciter apparatus casing 50, however, because of the design arrangements previously described, access to the elongated fastener means 99 is not obstructed. This enables the dynamic guard shields to remain attached to the exciter apparatus 40 if the exciter apparatus 40 is to be removed for any purpose.

[0099] FIGS. 17, 21 and 23 and other drawings illustrate one preferred cooling means 150 for coding the liquid lubricant in the lubricating liquid pools 103, 104 and the bearing means 108. In this proposal, one or multiple cooling element cartridges 151 are installed in a bore or passage 152 axially extending fully through the or each driven shaft 68/69, or at least from a position underlying each bearing means 108 to a position external of the exciter housing 50. Each cooling element cartridge 151 includes a heat receiving mounting part 153 at one end and a heat dissipating part 154 at an external end. Alternatively, in a one piece assembly, a central heat receiving mounting part 153 might be provided with two opposed heat dissipating parts 154 at distal ends of the assembly. Each of the cooling element cartridges 151 further includes at least one and preferably multiple heat pipes 155 as described previously. A heat flow path is thereby established from the bearing means 108 through a respective driven shaft 68 or 69 to a heat receiving mounting part 153 along the heat pipe or pipes 155 to the heat dissipating mounting part 154 positioned externally of the exciter housing 50. Thus generated heat can be moved to an external location and dissipated therefrom. The heat dissipation process may be helped by providing fan means mounted on a driven shaft, on each driven shaft, or elsewhere in the vibration apparatus 40. Other possible options might also be used for cooling parts of the exciter apparatus 40, to lower operating temperatures to effectively extend periods of time between maintenance down times. The disclosure proposes, as indicated previously, separate lubricating liquid sump zones with an expectation that these configurations will result in higher heat transfer out of the bearings that occur with current designs. A second option is to utilise high thermal conductivity materials, in the exciter apparatus casing structures, particularly in bearing compartment closure covers. A third potential option is to provide a cooling fan on one or both driven shafts to increase air flow onto the exciter apparatus casing walls. A fourth option is to provide high thermal conductivity inserts into the exciter apparatus walls or the driven shafts. A fifth option is to position heat flow pipes for passage of cooling air flow or liquid flow in the housing walls and the driven shafts. Of course, multiple such options might be utilised. FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 19 illustrate options for locating heat movement or transfer cartridges 151 in the driven shafts 68, 69.

[0100] The foregoing describes various preferred embodiments of exciter apparatus for imposing a vibration regime to mineral processing or handling equipment and to parts of such exciter apparatus. Improvement features, in some instances, also relate to and may be applied to other known exciter apparatus by skilled persons in this art. Features disclosed specifically in relation to one embodiment might equally apply to other exciter apparatus, and parts of same, within the context of the annexed patent claims, including prior art vibration exciter apparatus such as those exemplified in FIGS. 1 to 4. For example, the exciter housing 11 might include a second laterally extending flange similar to the flange 32 but extending from the side walls 12, 13 at a location at or adjacent the upper face of the exciter housing 11 permitting long bolt fasteners to pass through receiving bores 33 in both such flanges or to selectably use one or other of the bores 33 in respective flange structures with shorter bolt fasteners in ways described earlier for variable positioning of the vibration exciter apparatus.