The companies of Altra Industrial Motion offer many critical drivetrain products utilized in fan and HVAC applications including clutches, couplings, belted drives, and turning, locking & braking systems.
2. We’re committed to the
Fan & HVAC Market
The companies of Altra Industrial Motion offer many critical
drivetrain products utilized in fan and HVAC applications including
clutches, couplings, belted drives, and turning, locking & braking
systems.
Altra Brands Deliver Value Throughout the Drivetrain
Altra Industrial Motion is positioned to provide OEMs with
exceptional drivetrain value by ensuring component compatibility
and optimized performance combined with time-saving,
single-source convenience.
Extensive Technical Experience in Fan and HVAC
Applications
Major OEMs routinely rely on the vast fan and HVAC application
knowledge of Altra’s engineering teams that collaborate to
thoroughly analyze specific customer applications and then apply
the latest technologies in design, materials and manufacturing.
3. Oil Refinery Cooling
Fan Drive
Problem:
A major industrial fan OEM needed a clutch solution for a large
dual drive fan at an oil refinery in Brazil. The refinery never
shuts down and requires a continuous, uninterruptible supply of
cooling air. The fan is powered by an electric motor on one
side and a steam turbine on the other side. Clutches are used
to provide a smooth transfer of power from one power supply to
the other without stopping the fan.
Solution:
Marland CECON 18M clutches were selected to meet the
challenging “no-downtime” requirement.
• Completely enclosed and designed for high-speed,
continuous-duty applications
• 18,000 lb.ft. torque rating; 2,300 RPM max speed
• Disconnect feature provides physical separation of the input
and output shafts
Application Profile
CECON Clutches
4. Power Plant
Induced Draft Fans
Problem:
A major global industrial fan OEM needed a replacement
coupling solution for an induced draft fan drive at a large power
plant. The fan maintains system pressure on a coal-fired boiler
at the facility. The existing fan drive used an old gear coupling
design which had reached the end of its useful life.
Solution:
The OEM contacted TB Wood’s and requested a disc coupling
solution since they wanted to increase expected service
life and eliminate the need for lubrication. TB Wood’s engineers
recommended switching to a Form-Flex floating shaft coupling
to mount between the drive motor and the fan.
• 21.5 ft. long coupling with an oversized tube diameter (24 in.)
to meet torsional requirements
• Modified for limited end float
• Special adapter connects directly to fan drive flange
Application Profile
Form-Flex®
Floating Shaft
5. Variable Pitch Axial Fans
Problem:
A leading global manufacturer was looking for ways to improve
the safety on its axial fans used at coal-fired power plants. The
large forced draft, induced draft, and primary air type fans are
critical to boiler air and flue gas flows in the steam generating
process. Workers hands could easily get trapped within the tight
space between the fan blade tips and duct during any
uncontrolled rotation while performing maintenance.
Solution:
Upon hearing about Twiflex’s new TLB (turning, locking, and
braking) system, the OEM, a longtime Twiflex customer,
recognized it could be a solution to their current maintenance
challenge. The built-in flexibility of the TLB system allowed
Twiflex engineers to design a complete custom delivered
system included turning control (at a very low speed of 0.05
rpm), a manual locking device and hydraulically applied brakes.
Application Profile
TLB Turning, Locking & Braking System
6. Application Profile
Copper Mine Process
Air Fan
Problem:
A leading fan and blower OEM required a clutch solution for
installation on a process air fan system at a copper mine. The
fan is used to exhaust the hot air generated from the
equipment in the ore processing facility. The motor driven fan
can reach temperatures in excess of 900° F (482° C). When
the fan’s main drive is shut down, the overrunning clutch
engages a smaller, secondary drivetrain that rotates the fan
very slowly during a cool down period. This prevents fan and
shaft damage caused by sagging and warping from the
excessive heat.
Solution:
A Formsprag Model FRB-700 clutch with a 5,700 lb.ft.
(3660 Nm) torque capacity met the customer’s overrunning
application requirements.
• FRB clutches feature a high-torque density and need no
adjustments or controls providing reduced operating costs
Model FRB Overrunning Clutch
7. Application Profile
Mine Process Blower
Problem:
A leading industrial fan OEM needed a backstopping clutch for
a process blower at a copper mine. The large squirrel cage fan
is used to exhaust heat generated inside the processing
plant at the mine. The backstopping clutch prevents
windmilling or reverse rotation when the fan is turned off. A fan
of this size rotating at just 3 RPM in the wrong direction could
cause
significant damage when the fan drive motor is started.
Solution:
A Formsprag Model HSB 700 clutch, with a torque capacity of
5,000 lb.ft. (6800 Nm), was installed. HSB Series high speed
clutches are intended for use as backstops on a wide range of
applications, including fans and conveyors.
• Comprised of an FSO clutch combined with an oil reservoir
• PCE®
sprags with Formchrome®
and Formsprag
“Free-action” retainers.
• The oil reservoir is an aluminum casting with cooling fins
Model HSB Backstopping Clutch
8. Mine Ventilation Fan
Problem:
A leading industrial fan OEM needed a reliable belted drive
solution for a large mine ventilation fan. The belted drive
transfers power from the electric motor to the fan shaft. The
massive fan, driven by a 30 HP electric motor operating at
1750 RPM, is positioned on the surface above the mine’s
ventilation shaft. The fan, operating at 350 RPM, moves fresh
air deep into the mine to reduce extremely high temperatures
and improve worker comfort.
Solution:
TB Wood’s supplied a complete belted drive system, including
a pair of 3-groove, cast iron V-belt sheaves. A 7.4 in. dia.
sheave was installed on the electric drive motor shaft. A larger
38 in. dia. sheave, weighing more than 130 lbs., was mounted
to the fan shaft.
• Sure-Grip QD type bushings were included for easy
installation and removal
Application Profile
V-Belt Sheaves
9. Application Profile
Mine HVAC System
Problem:
A global mine ventilation equipment manufacturer needed an
overload clutch solution for a large fan drive application. Fans
are used to drive fresh air into a downcast shaft while the large
diameter main fans draw out old air from the mine through an
upcast shaft. During a power failure, when the electric motor
shuts down, the clutch automatically engages the diesel engine
driveshaft connected to the fan to ensure that continuous air
flow into the mine is maintained.
Solution:
Boston Gear supplied 19 in. and 24 in. diameter Centric
Centrifugal Clutches (CCC) to meet the challenging OEM fan
drive application requirements.
• Dual-drive clutch application
• Automatic engagement and disengagement
• Protection against shock loads
Centric®
Centrifugal Clutch
10. Application Profile
Mine Ventilation Fan
Problem:
A major industrial fan manufacturer required a cost-effective
backstop for a vertical ventilation fan used at an underground
mine. The backstop is installed to prevent windmilling (rotation
in the wrong direction) due to air flow from the environment
while the fan is turned off. Significant damage to the motor and
drive belts can occur if the fan is windmilling during startup.
Solution:
A Formsprag Model LCB-200 fan backstop, with a torque
rating of 150 lb.ft. (200 Nm) and a speed range of 0-3600
RPM, was supplied for this 5 ft. blade dia. fan application.
• Stops fan windmilling, extends fan drive life
• Economical backstop design
• Self-actuated, no power or utility required
• Easy-to-install design requiring only 1.125” of shaft
engagement
LCB-200 Backstop
11. Application Profile
Dragline Ventilation Fans
Problem:
A leading global fan OEM needed an economical backstop
for cooling fans used to prevent overheating of personnel and
equipment on a mine dragline. Problems occur when the
ventilation fans are turned off and air flow from the
environment or other fans in the system can back-drive the
fans, causing them to rotate in the opposite direction
(windmilling). Starting a fan while it is windmilling can damage
the motor and reduce the life of the drive system belts.
Solution:
Formsprag engineers specifically designed the economical,
low-torque LCB Series backstop to prevent problems
associated with windmilling in fan applications. The Model
LCB-200, with a torque rating of 150 lb.ft. (200 Nm) and a
speed range of 0-3600 RPM, was the ideal solution for this
application.
LCB-200 Backstops
12. Application Profile
Poultry Farm Ventilation Fans
Problem:
A leading fan and blower OEM was looking for an
economical backstop for cooling fans used in poultry farm
ventilation systems. Problems occur when the fans are
turned off
and air flow from the environment or other fans in the
system, can back drive the fans causing them to rotate
(windmill) in the opposite direction. Starting a fan in this state
can damage the motor and reduce the life of the drive
system belts.
Solution:
Formsprag engineers, with over 60 years of backstopping
experience, developed new LCB Series backstops to
economically meet the “windmilling” challenge in this and
other fan applications.
• Torque rating of 150 lb.ft. (200 Nm) and a speed range of
0-3600 RPM
• Lubricated for life and self-actuated with no power or utility
LCB-200 Backstop
13. HVAC Exhaust Fan
Problem:
A private college needed to replace an inefficient adjustable
speed drive, which incorporated three classical V-belts, on an
HVAC exhaust fan in their natural sciences building.
Solution:
A single TB Wood’s variable speed QT Power Chain® II
synchronous belt drive system was installed on the 20 HP
fan motor. The system consists of a heavy-duty synchronous
belt, Taper-Lock sprockets and bushings and idlers that are
designed to work together for maximum value in high torque
drive applications.
• No need for tension adjustments – saves wear on belts
• No belt creep or slippage improves overall efficiency while
reducing maintenance and downtime
• The new drive system achieved a 3-4% increase in
efficiency which provided positive energy saving.
Application Profile
QT Power Chain®
II Belt Drive System
14. HVAC Cooling Blowers
Problem:
A large hospital in Phoenix, Arizona needed a replacement
couplings for their HVAC cooling blowers. The relatively long
couplings, positioned between the electric motor and the
squirrel cage blower assembly, were prematurely failing due to
excessive vibration. These repeated failures caused periods of
unacceptable discomfort for patients, staff and visitors.
Solution:
To meet the non-standard coupling length requirements,
Guardian engineers developed a modified 12.5" (317 mm) long
Gear Grip coupling.
• Reinforced Neoprene rubber sleeve compound provides
excellent torsional vibration dampening, absorbs load
pulsations and minimizes drivetrain shock
• 4,700 in.lbs. (531 Nm) maximum torque capacity
• 1- 3/16" (30 mm) diameter bores (both ends)
Application Profile
Modified Gear Grip Couplings
Application Profile
15. Hurricane Simulator
Problem:
A heavy-duty clutch was needed for a massive storm simulator
at the University of Florida. The apparatus creates dynamic
simulated Saffir-Simpson Scale Category 5 pressure events
that produce rapidly fluctuating, positive and negative pressures
on a test specimen to determine at what level failure, if any,
occurs. Material specimens include both sectional and roll-up
garage doors, entry doors, windows, curtain walls,
siding, shingles and soffits
Solution:
Wichita Clutch designed and manufactured a Standard
Ventilated clutch with 3 plates to meet the performance criteria.
• Modified, 21" diameter dynamically balanced clutch
• 350,000 lb.in. torque rating
• 1,086 in2 of lining area with special high-energy linings
• High-speed air tube and hoses
Application Profile
Modified Standard Ventilated Clutch
16. Service Profile
Factory Rebuild and
Installation Assistance
Problem:
After decades of continuous operation, the Pentagon’s heating
and refrigeration plant identified the need to overhaul aging
chiller system equipment in 2013. Nuttall Gear was contracted
to overhaul and modernize the speed increasers they had
originally provided as part of new, large chilled water systems.
Solution:
Nuttall Gear Field Service initially provided a conditional
assessment of all 3000 HP speed increaser units on site in
order to prioritize which units should be overhauled first.
• Units were restored to as-new condition at the Nuttall Gear
factory and returned to the plant.
• Startup assistance was also provided, including laser
alignment and vibration analysis of the powertrain, to ensure
optimal performance.
Pentagon Chiller Plant Speed Increasers