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Centrifugal compressor hold down bolt design

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dmertz

Mechanical
Jul 14, 2008
18
What is the best method for mounting centrifugal compressor feet to the baseplate supports?

1. Bolt threaded directly into threaded hole on the baseplate.
2. Through bolt with nut and washer on the bottom.

The compressors I have seen use the bolt threaded directly into the baseplate. However, I would think that using a through bolt would give better flexibility during alignment and would be easier from a manufacturing perspective. API 617 doesn't seem to specifically exclude either method.

I can't think of any particular load issue as I have seen through bolts being used on generator mounts which have much higher load requirements.
 
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A threaded stud through the base plate with spherical washers is what I've generally seen.
 
Is there any validity in the assumption that having a tapped hole with more thread engagement is a better fastener than a through hole with a bolt and a single nut of thread engagement?
 
Tapped and threaded hole is subject to mechanical work hardening, heating/cooling loosening, vibratory disengagement, entry of water and corrosion, dissimilar metallic contact corrosion, all more easily handled by a bolt chair, insulation and backing washers, nuts and a cotter pin.

Independent events are seldomly independent.
 
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