CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Canadian Patent Application No. 3,159,525, filed on May 20, 2022, entitled PULVERIZER WITH VIBRATION REDUCER AND BASE FOR PULVERIZER, and Canadian Patent Application No. 3,178,012, filed on September 30, 2022, entitled PULVERIZER WITH VIBRATION REDUCER, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present relates to pulverizer with vibration reducing devices and means for reducing vibrations in a pulverizer. The present also relates to bases for pulverizers.

BACKGROUND

Pulverizing apparatuses, or "pulverizers”, have been used for pulverizing, separating, aerating and/or homogenizing solid materials such as waste material. Pulverizers are sometimes used in certain industrial transformation operations to reduce the particle size of an input material such as ore, waste, debris, etc.

At least some pulverizers include one or more reciprocating or rotating elements such as a rotatable shaft with arms extending away from the rotatable shaft such that rotation of the rotatable shaft at relatively high speeds causes the input material to be pulverized.

In some circumstances, the rotation of the rotating element(s) can create vibrations in the pulverizer. These vibrations can damage or at least increase wear on the pulverizer or on other equipment located near the pulverizer. In some cases, these vibrations can be important enough to prevent the pulverizer from functioning properly or optimally, or to cause undue wear to the pulverizer. The vibrations may also create noise or cause other types of discomforts to nearby workers.

The pulverizer is further often actuated using an actuator. In some cases, the actuator may be located next to the pulverizer and may also create additional vibrations.

There is therefore a need for a device or devices that would help in reducing vibrations in a pulverizer.

Some pulverizers are installed on a base which sits on a floor surface (of a facility, for instance). The base may be configured to facilitate installation of the pulverizer on the floor or may be configured to position the pulverizer in an elevated position above the floor. Some bases may also be configured to reduce vibrations from the pulverizer or to isolate the floor from the pulverizer to reduce or eliminate transmission of the vibrations. In some cases, the base may be relatively difficult to transport or assemble.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, there is provided a pulverizer comprising: a housing having a housing sidewall; a rotor assembly received in the housing, the rotor assembly including a rotatable shaft and at least one rotor arm extending outwardly from the rotatable shaft towards the housing sidewall; a motor coupled to the rotatable shaft for rotating the rotatable shaft to pulverize input materials fed into the housing; and a vibration reducer coupled to at least one of the housing and the motor for reducing the vibrations of the at least one of the housing and the motor.

In at least one embodiment, the motor is located next to the housing.

In at least one embodiment, the pulverizer includes a base, the housing and the motor being mounted on the base. In at least one embodiment, the base includes a platform and a support structure secured to the platform and located below the platform for supporting the platform above a ground surface.

In at least one embodiment, the vibration reducer includes a motor support assembly distinct from the platform and connected to the platform, the motor being mounted on the motor support assembly.

In at least one embodiment, the motor support assembly includes a support plate.

In at least one embodiment, the support plate has a thickness of between about 0.5 inch and 2 inches.

In at least one embodiment, the support plate has a thickness of about 1 inch.

In at least one embodiment, the support plate is made from AR400 steel.

In at least one embodiment, the motor support assembly further includes at least one stiffener secured to the support plate to further stiffen the support plate.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one stiffener includes two stiffeners.

In at least one embodiment, the support plate includes a top face facing upwardly to receive the motor thereon and a bottom face opposite the top face, and further wherein each stiffener is secured on the top face of the support plate.

In at least one embodiment, each stiffener is substantially elongated and wherein the stiffeners extend substantially parallel to each other.

In at least one embodiment, the motor support plate is substantially rectangular and includes first and second lateral edges extending substantially parallel to each other and first and second end edges substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the first and second lateral edges.

In at least one embodiment, each stiffener is substantially elongated and extends along a corresponding one of the first and second lateral edges. In at least one embodiment, each lateral edge has a lateral side length and wherein each stiffener has a stiffener length substantially equal to the lateral side length.

In at least one embodiment, each stiffener includes an outer stiffener edge located away from the motor and an inner stiffener edge opposite the outer edge, the outer stiffener edge being substantially straight and the inner stiffener edge being substantially curved.

In at least one embodiment, the inner stiffener edge is substantially curved concavely towards the outer edge.

In at least one embodiment, each stiffener extends between first and second stiffener ends, the stiffener including first and second stiffener connectors located at the first and second stiffener ends to secure the stiffener to the motor support plate.

In at least one embodiment, each stiffener has a thickness of between about 0.5 inches and 2 inches.

In at least one embodiment, each stiffener has a thickness of about 1 inch.

In at least one embodiment, each stiffener is made from AR400 steel.

In at least one embodiment, the vibration reducer comprises the base.

In at least one embodiment, the base includes a base plate and an outer frame received on the outer frame, the outer frame comprising a plurality of outer frame members, each frame member including a frame member connector engageable with another one of the frame members to connect the frame member to the other one of the frame members.

In at least one embodiment, the frame connector is configured to allow connection of the frame member to the other one of the frame members only in a unique configuration of the frame member relative to the other one of the frame members to facilitate assembly of the frame. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of frame members includes first and second lateral frame members extending substantially parallel to each other and first and second end frame members extending substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the lateral frame members to form a substantially rectangular frame sized and shaped to receive the base plate thereon.

In at least one embodiment, each one of the lateral frame members has a U- shaped cross-section.

In at least one embodiment, each lateral frame member includes a bottom wall and inner and outer walls, the inner and outer walls extending between the bottom wall and inner and outer upper edges spaced apart from each other to define an open top of the lateral frame member.

In at least one embodiment, the base plate is configured for closing off the open top of the lateral frame members when the base plate is received on the outer frame.

In at least one embodiment, the frame member connector includes at least one receiving notch, each receiving notch being defined in one of the inner and outer upper edges of the corresponding lateral frame member.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one receiving notch includes a plurality of first end notches defined on the inner upper edge proximal a first end of the lateral frame member and a plurality of second end notches defined in the inner upper edge proximal a second end of the lateral frame member.

In at least one embodiment, each one of the end frame members has a U-shaped cross-section.

In at least one embodiment, each end frame member includes a pair of frame connectors extending from opposite ends of the end frame member for engaging corresponding ones of the first and second end notches of the corresponding lateral frame members. In at least one embodiment, the lateral frame members further include a plurality of base plate engaging members adapted to engage a corresponding opening defined in the base plate so as to facilitate positioning of the base plate at a desired position relative to the outer frame.

In at least one embodiment, the pulverizer further includes a plurality of transversal members extending transversely to the bottom wall between the inner and outer walls of the lateral frame members.

In at least one embodiment, the lateral frame members are substantially longer than the end frame members.

In at least one embodiment, the first end frame member is configured to receive a motor displacement system for allowing the motor and the housing to be selectively moved towards and away from each other to adjust a spacing between the motor and the housing.

In at least one embodiment, the vibration reducer includes a vibration reducing bracket extending between the motor and the housing and rigidly connecting the motor to the housing.

In at least one embodiment, the vibration reducing bracket includes a motor-side bracket member secured to the motor and a housing-side bracket member secured to the housing, the motor-side and housing-side bracket members being substantially planar and overlapping each other, the motor-side and housing-side bracket members being connected to each other by at least one connection fastener extending through the motor-side bracket member and the housing-side bracket member.

In at least one embodiment, each one of the motor-side and housing-side bracket members includes at least one opening sized and shaped to receive the connection fastener, the openings of at least one of the motor-side and housingside bracket members including linear grooves, each linear groove being at least partially alignable with a corresponding opening of the other bracket member to allow the motor and the housing to be selectively moved towards and away from each other while the corresponding openings remain aligned with a portion of the linear grooves to receive the connection fastener therethrough.

According to another aspect, there is also provided a base for a pulverizer, the base comprising: a base plate; and an outer frame received on the outer frame, the outer frame comprising a plurality of outer frame members, each frame member including a frame member connector engageable with another one of the frame members to connect the frame member to the other one of the frame members.

In at least one embodiment, the frame connector is configured to allow connection of the frame member to a corresponding connector of the other one of the frame members to facilitate assembly of the frame.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of frame members includes first and second lateral frame members extending substantially parallel to each other and first and second end frame members extending substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the lateral frame members to form a substantially rectangular frame sized and shaped to receive the base plate thereon.

In at least one embodiment, each one of the lateral frame members has a U- shaped cross-section.

In at least one embodiment, each lateral frame member includes a bottom wall and inner and outer walls, the inner and outer walls extending between the bottom wall and inner and outer upper edges spaced apart from each other to define an open top of the lateral frame member.

In at least one embodiment, the base plate is configured for closing off the open top of the lateral frame members when the base plate is received on the outer frame. In at least one embodiment, the frame member connector includes at least one receiving notch, each receiving notch being defined in one of the inner and outer upper edges of the corresponding lateral frame member.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one receiving notch includes a plurality of first end notches defined on the inner upper edge proximal a first end of the lateral frame member and a plurality of second end notches defined in the inner upper edge proximal a second end of the lateral frame member.

In at least one embodiment, each one of the end frame members has a U-shaped cross-section.

According to another aspect, there is also provided a kit for a pulverizer base, the kit comprising: a base plate; and an outer frame receivable on the outer frame, the outer frame comprising a plurality of outer frame members, each frame member including a frame member connector engageable with another one of the frame members to connect the frame member to the other one of the frame members.

In at least one embodiment, the frame connector is configured to allow connection of the frame member to a corresponding connector of the other one of the frame members to facilitate assembly of the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pulverizer including a base, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the pulverizer with the base illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the base illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the base illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an outer frame for the base illustrated in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lateral frame member of the outer frame illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the lateral frame member illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a housing-side end frame member of the outer frame illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the housing-side end frame member illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a motor-side end frame member of the outer frame illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the motor-side end frame member illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the motor-side end frame member illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the motor-side end frame member illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of a transversal plate for the outer frame illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a base plate for the base illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the base plate illustrated in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the pulverizer illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the portion of the pulverizer illustrated in FIG. 17, with the motor removed;

FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the portion of the pulverizer illustrated in FIG. 17, with the motor and the motor support assembly removed; FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of a pulverizer, in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the portion of the pulverizer illustrated in FIG. 20, with the motor and one stiffening member removed;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a portion of a pulverizer, according to one embodiment, showing a vibration reducing bracket extending between the housing and the motor;

FIG. 23 is a top elevation view of the vibration reducing bracket illustrated in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a top elevation view of the motor-side bracket member of the vibration reducing bracket illustrated in FIG. 22; and

FIG. 25 is a top elevation view of the housing-side bracket member of the vibration reducing bracket illustrated in FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements or steps. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments described herein. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several reference numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposes only.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as “above”, “below”, “top”, “bottom”, “forward”, “rearward” “left”, “right” and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and correspond to the position and orientation in the pulverizer and corresponding parts when being used. Positional descriptions should not be considered limiting.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a pulverizer 10, in accordance with one embodiment. The pulverizer 10 is adapted to receive an input material and to pulverize or comminute the input material.

It will be understood that the terms “pulverize”, “pulverization”, “comminute” and “comminution” are used herein to refer to a reduction in size of the particles in the input material.

The input material could be completely solid or at least partially solid. Specifically, the input material could include waste, glass, compost, wood, asphalt, singles, plastic, rocks, ore, minerals, cement, ceramics, metal pieces or any other material which may be pulverizable.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pulverizer 10 includes a base 12 and a housing 20 mounted over the base 12. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 20 extends between top and bottom ends 22, 24, and the housing 20 is disposed on the base 12 such that the bottom end 24 is connected to the base 12 and the top end 22 is located away from the base 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 20 is substantially cylindrical and extends around a central housing axis A. The base 12 and housing 20 are configured such that when the housing 20 is received in the base 12, the central housing axis A extends substantially vertically.

The pulverizer 10 further comprises a rotatable assembly 102, shown in FIG. 2, disposed within the interior chamber 28 and a rotary actuator 104 operatively coupled to the rotatable assembly 102 for rotating the rotatable assembly 102 in order to generate an airflow within the housing 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable assembly 102 includes a rotatable shaft 106, shown in FIG. 2, extending vertically between the top and bottom ends 22, 24 of the housing 20, substantially along the central housing axis A. The rotatable assembly 102 further includes a plurality of pulverizing rotor assemblies, not shown, disposed in the housing 20 and secured to the rotatable shaft 106 so as to rotate about the central housing axis A when the rotatable shaft 106 is rotated. During operation of the pulverizer 10, input material is introduced into the housing 10 via an inlet 23 located proximal the top end 22 of the housing 20 and is pulverized by the effect of the rotation of the pulverizing rotor assemblies. The pulverized material is then discharged through an outlet located at the bottom end 24 of the housing 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary actuator 104 includes a motor 110 having a motor housing 112. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the motor housing 112 extends between top and bottom motor housing ends 114, 116. The motor housing 112 is further substantially elongated and cylindrical, and extends along a central motor housing axis M. The base 12 and housing 20 are configured such that when the motor 110 is received in the base 12, the central motor axis M extends substantially vertically and substantially parallel to the central housing axis A.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 110 is operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft 106 by a transmission assembly 120 configured to cause rotation of the rotatable shaft 106 upon rotation of the motor 110. Specifically, the motor 110 includes a motor axle 118 extending downwardly beyond the bottom motor housing end 116. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotatable shaft 106 includes a lower shaft end 108 which extends downwardly beyond the bottom end 24 of the housing 20. The transmission assembly 120 includes a drive pulley 122 mounted on the motor axle 118, a driven pulley 124 mounted on the lower shaft end 108 of the rotatable shaft 106 and a transmission belt 126 looped around the drive pulley 122 and the driven pulley 124 to transmit rotation of the motor axle 118 to the rotatable shaft 106. Specifically, the drive pulley 122 and the driven pulley 124 are positioned such that the transmission belt 126 extends and moves in a plane which is substantially horizontal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base 12 is configured to be received on a ground surface. Specifically, the base 12 includes a platform 200 for receiving the housing 20 and the motor 110 thereon and a support structure 300 secured to the underside of the platform 200 and positionable on the ground surface for supporting the platform 200 above the ground surface.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 300 includes four post members 302, each post member 302 being secured to a corner of the platform 200. Each post member 302 extends substantially vertically between a bottom post end 304 configured to abut the ground surface and a top post end 306 connected to the platform 200. In the illustrated embodiment, each post member 302 includes a lower flange 310 located at the bottom post end 304 and an upper flange 312 located at the top post end 306 for connecting the support structure 300 to the platform 200 via a securing assembly 314. More specifically, the securing assembly 314 includes, for each post member 302, a connection plate 316 positionable such that a portion of the platform 200 is sandwiched between the connection plate 316 and the upper flange 312 and one or more connection fasteners 318 extending through the connection plate 316, through the portion of the platform 200 located between the connection plate 316 and the upper flange 312 and through the upper flange 312. Alternatively, the securing assembly 314 could have a different configuration, and/or the support structure 300 may not include lower flanges 310.

In the illustrated embodiment, the post members 302 have a substantially square cross-section and are hollow, but alternatively, the post members 302 could instead have any other suitable cross-sectional shape and/or could be solid or only partially hollow.

Still in the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 300 further includes a plurality of brace members 320 extending between the post members 302. Specifically, the brace members 320 include, between each pair of adjacent post members 302, a bottom brace member 322 extending substantially horizontally near the bottom post ends 304 and a pair of cross-braces 324 located above the bottom brace member 322. Each cross-brace 324 includes a top cross-brace end 326 connected to one of the adjacent post members 302 proximal to the top post end 306 and a bottom cross-brace end 328 connected to the other one of the adjacent post members 302 near the bottom post end 304. Alternatively, the brace members 320 could be configured according to any other suitable configuration or could include different numbers of brace members 320. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, the brace members 320 are substantially straight but in another embodiment, the brace members 320 could instead be at least partially curved, include multiple portions that are angled relative to each other or have any other suitable shape and configuration. In yet another embodiment, the support structure 300 may not include any brace members 320.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 16, the platform 200 is substantially elongated and extends between first and second platform ends 202, 204. The platform 200 is further delimited by first ands second platform sides 206, 208 extending between the first and second platform ends 202, 204.

In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 200 includes an outer frame 210 and a base plate 212 disposed on the outer frame 210. More specifically, the outer frame 210 includes a plurality of frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 that are disposed on a periphery of the platform 200 such that an inner platform space 221 is defined between the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228, and the base plate 212 is disposed over the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 and extends across the inner platform space 221 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 20 and the motor 110 are received on the base plate 212 with the bottom end 24 of the housing 20 and the bottom motor housing end 116 positioned against the base plate 212. The motor axle 118 extends downwardly through a motor axle opening 214 (best shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) defined in the base plate 212 towards the first platform end 202, and the lower shaft end 108 extends downwardly through a rotatable shaft opening 216 defined in the base plate 212 towards the second platform end 204. In this configuration, the motor axle 118 and the lower shaft end 108 both extend into the inner platform space 221. The drive pulley 122, the driven pulley 124 and the transmission belt 126 are sized, shaped and positioned so as to be received and laterally enclosed within the inner platform space 221. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 200 further includes a bottom cage frame 223 comprising a rectangular peripheral frame 225 and a plurality of transversal members 227 extending across the peripheral frame 225. The bottom cage frame 223 may contribute to prevent objects from entering the inner platform space 221 while allowing relatively easy access to the transmission belt 126 and pulleys 122, 124 if required and/or contribute to prevent the transmission belt 126 from exiting the inner platform space 221 if the transmission belt 126 were to break. The bottom cage frame 223 may further be configured to stiffen the outer frame 210 and maintaining the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 perpendicular to each other to maintain the outer frame 210 in a substantially rectangular configuration. In another embodiment, the platform 200 could instead include a bottom plate secured to the underside of the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 and extending across the inner platform space 221 to close off the bottom of the inner platform space 221 or alternatively, the bottom of the inner platform space 221 may be fully open.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer frame 210 and the base plate 212 are substantially similarly shaped. Specifically, both the outer frame 210 and the base plate 212 are substantially rectangular. Alternatively, both the outer frame 210 and the base plate 212 could be trapezoidal or have any suitable shape. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, the base plate 212 and the outer frame 210 have a substantially similar footprint. Specifically, the base plate 212 has a plate width which is substantially equal to a width of the outer frame 210 and has a plate length which is substantially equal to a length of the outer frame 210. According to this configuration, when the base plate 212 is secured on the outer frame 202, the base plate 212 does not extend outwardly beyond the outer frame 202. Alternatively, the base plate 212 could be sized and shaped to extend laterally beyond the outer frame 202 when secured on the outer frame 202. In other embodiments, the base plate 212 could have a different shape than the outer frame 210. For example, the base plate 212 could be substantially rectangular and the outer frame 210 could be substantially trapezoidal, but the base plate 212 could still be sized to extend across the entire inner platform space 221.

In the illustrated embodiment, the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 include a first or motor-side frame member 222 and a second or housing-side end frame member 224 located respectively at the first and second platform ends 202, 204 and first and second lateral frame members 226, 228 extending along the first ands second platform sides 206, 208 between the first and second platform ends 202, 204.

In the illustrated embodiment, the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 are not configured as box beams. Instead, each frame member 222, 224, 226, 228 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section along its entire length. Specifically, each lateral frame member 226, 228 extends between first and second lateral member ends 230, 232 and includes a bottom wall 234 and inner and outer walls 236, 238 that extend substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel portion 234. When the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 are properly assembled to form the platform 200, the bottom wall 234 extends substantially horizontally and the inner and outer walls 236, 238 extend substantially vertically. In this embodiment, each one of the inner and outer walls 236, 238 has an upper edge 237 which extends substantially horizontally between the first and second lateral member ends 230, 232 and the upper edges 237 are spaced transversely from each other to define an open top 239 between the two upper edges 237.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second lateral frame members 226, 228 are substantially elongated and straight such that the bottom panel portion 234 and the inner and outer panel portions 236, 238 are substantially rectangular. Alternatively, the first and second lateral frame members 226, 228 could be at least partially curved and/or includes multiple portions which are angled relative to each other.

When the outer frame 210 is assembled, the first and second lateral frame members 226, 228 are positioned such that their inner panel portions 236 are disposed towards each other. In this configuration, the inner panel portions 236 therefore borders the inner platform space 221 laterally. Moreover, when the base plate 212 is placed on the outer frame 210, the base plate 212 closes off the open top 239 of the lateral frame members 226, 228. In some prior pulverizer bases, the lateral frame members include box beams which have a top wall closing off the frame members, and the base plate is received on the top wall. The present configuration eliminates the need for a top wall and therefore reduces the amount of material required.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 8 and 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the housingside end frame member 224 is substantially linear and extends between a first end 240 located adjacent the first lateral frame member 226 and a second end 242 located adjacent the second lateral frame member 228. Specifically, the housingside end frame member 224 is positioned relative to the first and second lateral frame members 226, 228 such that the first end 240 is located towards the second lateral member end 232 of the first frame member 226 and the second end 242 is located towards the second lateral member end 232 of the second lateral frame member 228.

Still in the illustrated embodiment, the housing-side end frame member 224 also has a substantially U-shaped cross-section along its entire length, i.e. between the first and second ends 240, 242. Specifically, the housing-side end frame member 224 includes a bottom wall 244 and inner and outer walls 246, 248 that extend substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 244. When the frame members 220 are properly assembled to form the platform 200, the bottom wall 244 extend substantially horizontally and the inner and outer walls 246, 248 extend substantially vertically.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing-side end frame member 224 is substantially shorter and wider than the lateral frame members 226, 228. Alternatively, the housing-side end frame member 224 could have the same length and/or width as the lateral frame members 226, 228, or could even be longer and/or narrower than the lateral frame members 226, 228.

Similarly to the lateral frame members 226, 228, each one of the inner and outer walls 246, 248 of the housing-side end frame member 224 has a top edge 249. The top edges 249 of the inner and outer walls 246, 248 are spaced from each other to define an open top 251 of the housing-side end frame member 224, which is closed off by the base plate 212 when the base plate 212 is received on the outer frame 210.

In one embodiment, each one of the lateral frame members 226, 228 and the housing-side end frame member 224 could be made of a single, continuous sheet of metal which has been bent to achieve this U-shaped profile. In another embodiment, each one of the lateral frame members 226, 228 and the housingside end frame member 224 is made from three substantially flat and rectangular metal panels that are secured together by welding, using fasteners or by any other suitable securing technique to achieve this U-shaped profile.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motor-side end frame member 222 extends between a first end 250 located adjacent the first lateral frame member 226 and a second end 252 located adjacent the second lateral frame member 228. Specifically, the motor-side end frame member 222 is positioned relative to the first and second lateral frame members 226, 228 such that the first end 250 is located towards the first lateral member end 230 of the first frame member 226 and the second end 252 is located towards the first lateral member end 230 of the second lateral frame member 228.

The motor-side end frame member 222 includes an outer wall 254 located towards the first platform end 202 and a bottom wall 256 which extends substantially orthogonally to the outer wall 244. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 246 includes an outer edge 258 which is substantially linear and along which the outer panel 254 extends, and an inner edge 260 located opposite the outer edge 258. The inner edge 260 is not fully linear and instead includes a central edge portion 262 which is linear and extends substantially parallel to the outer edge 258 and first and second lateral edge portions 264, 266 extending on either side of the central edge portion 262 towards the first and second ends 250, 252 of the motorside end frame member 222. As best shown in FIG. 13, the first and second lateral edge portions 254, 256 are angled relative to the central edge portion 262 and diverge away from the outer edge 258 as the lateral edge portions 264, 266 extend away from the central edge portion 262. Specifically, the first and second lateral edge portions 264, 266 could be angled at an angle of between about 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the central edge portion 262, and more specifically at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the central edge portion 262. Alternatively, the lateral edge portions 264, 266 could instead be angled relative to the central edge portion 262 at any other suitable angle.

As best shown in FIG. 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the motor-side end frame member 222 further includes first and second inner panel segments 268, 270 that are located opposite the outer wall 254. More specifically, each inner panel segment 268, 270 includes a distal portion 272 extending along a corresponding lateral edge portion 264, 266 of the bottom panel 246 and a proximal portion 274 extending partially along the central edge portion 262, from the distal portion 272 and towards the opposite inner panel segment 268, 270. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner panel segments 268, 270 are spaced from each other to form a gap 276 therebetween. In this embodiment, the gap 276 is sized and shaped to receive part of a motor displacement mechanism 400, as will be explained further below. In the illustrated embodiment, each frame member 222, 224, 226, 228 includes a frame connector 280 configured to be connected with a corresponding frame connector 280 of the other frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 to assemble the outer frame 210. More specifically, the connectors 280 may be configured to allow connection of the frame member to the other one of the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 only in a unique configuration. This configuration would eliminate the need for the user assembling the outer frame 200 to precisely measure the position of the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 relative to each other to assemble the outer frame 210, as well as substantially prevent movement of the frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 as they are assembled, thereby overall facilitating assembly of the outer frame 210.

In the illustrated embodiment, each frame connector 280 includes one of a receiving notch and a connecting tab sized and shaped to be received in the receiving notch. Specifically, each lateral frame member 226, 228 includes a front receiving notch 282 defined in the inner wall 238 near the first end 230 of the lateral frame member 226, 228. The front receiving notch 282 is sized and shaped to receive a corresponding connection tab 290 of the motor-side end frame member 222 extending from the corresponding end 250, 252 of the motor-side end frame member 222 (as best shown in FIG. 10). Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the front receiving notch 282 has a width corresponding to a thickness of the outer wall 254 of the motor-side end frame member 222 to snuggly receive the connection tab 290. Alternatively, the front receiving notch 282 and the connection tab 290 could be shaped and/or sized according to any other suitable shape and size.

In the illustrated embodiment, each lateral frame member 226, 228 further includes first and second rear receiving notches 284a, 284b, each rear receiving notch 284a, 284b being configured to receive a corresponding one of first and second corresponding connection tabs 292a, 292b (best shown in FIG. 8) extending laterally from the corresponding end 240, 242 of the housing-side end frame member 224. Specifically, on each of the first and second end 240, 242, the connection tabs 292a, 292b include a first connection tab 292a extending from the inner wall 246 of the housing-side end frame member 224 and a second connection tab 292b extending from the outer wall 248 of the housing-side end frame member 224.

Still in this embodiment, the rear receiving notches 284a, 284b are sized and/or shaped differently from each other and the connection tabs 292a, 292b are also shaped differently from each other, such that the housing-side end frame member 224 can only be engaged with the lateral frame members 226, 228 when oriented in a predetermined orientation. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the second connection tab 292b has a height which is slightly greater than a height of the first connection tab 292a. Similarly, the second receiving notch 284b has a height which corresponds to the height of the second connection tab 292b and which is slightly greater than the height of the first receiving notch 284a, while the first receiving notch 284a has a height corresponding substantially to the height of the first connection tab 292a. In this embodiment, the first and second connection tabs 292a, 292b can only be received respectively in the first and second receiving notches 284a, 284b. Therefore, the housing-side end frame member 224 can only be engaged with the lateral frame members 226, 228 such that the inner wall 246 of the housing-side end frame member 224 faces towards the inner platform space 221 and the outer wall 248 faces away from the inner platform space 221 .

It will be appreciated that this configuration further facilitates assembly of the platform 200 by preventing the housing-side end frame member 224 from being improperly connected to the lateral frame members 226, 228.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral frame member 226, 228 further include one or more transversal members, such as first and second transversal plates 233 (best shown in FIG. 14) that extend transversely to the bottom wall 234 between the inner and outer walls 236, 238. Specifically, each transversal plate 233 has a shape substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of the lateral frame members 226, 228 so as to fully extends across the corresponding lateral frame member 226, 228. The transversal plates 233 may serve to prevent debris and/or other material from entering the lateral frame members 226, 228 through its ends when the base plate 212 is received on the outer frame 210. The transversal plates 233 may further serve to stiffen the lateral frame members 226, 228.

In the illustrated embodiment, each transversal plate 233 includes an upper edge

235 which is substantially linear and first and second connection tabs 241a, 241 b extending from either end of the upper edge 235 in opposite directions from each other. The connection tabs 241 a, 241 b are sized and shaped to engage corresponding plate receiving notches 243a, 243b, 245a, 245b defined on the upper edges 237 of the lateral frame members 226, 228. Specifically, the plate receiving notches 243a, 243b, 245a, 245b include a first pair of plate receiving notches 243a, 243b located proximal to the first end 230 of the lateral frame member 226, 228 and a second pair of plate receiving notches 245a, 245b located proximal to the second end 232. Each pair of receiving notches 243a, 243b, 245a, 245b includes an inner plate receiving notch 243a, 245a defined in the inner wall

236 and an outer plate receiving notch 243b, 245b defined in the outer wall 238 and substantially aligned with the inner plate receiving notch 243a, 245a across the open top 239 of the lateral frame member 226, 228.

In the illustrated embodiment, all plate receiving notches 243a, 243b, 245a, 245b and the connection tabs 241 a, 241 b are similarly sized and shaped. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the transversal plate 233 is further substantially symmetrical about an axis extending through a center of the transversal plate 233, perpendicularly to the upper edge 235. This configuration allows each connection tab 241 a, 241 b to be received in either one of the inner and outer plate receiving notches 243a, 243b, 245a, 245b to further facilitate assembly of the platform 200. Alternatively, the connection tab 241 a, 241 b could be differently shaped from each other and each connection tab 241 a, 241 b could be sized and shaped to be received only in a corresponding one of the plate receiving notches 243a, 243b, 245a, 245b. In another embodiment, the platform 200 may not include any transversal plates. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer frame 210 further includes a plurality of base plate engaging members 294 that extend substantially upwardly when the base 12 is properly assembled. The base plate engaging member 294 are sized, shaped and positioned to engage corresponding openings 296 (best shown in FIG. 15 and 16) defined in the base plate 212 to thereby connect the base plate 212 to the outer frame 210. This configuration allows the base plate 212 to be positioned on the outer frame 210 only in one predetermined position relative to the outer frame 210, which eliminates the need for the user to measure or take any additional action to ensure that the base plate 212 is properly positioned on the outer frame 210. The base plate engaging member 294 may further substantially prevent lateral movement of the base plate 212 relative to the outer frame 210 when engaged with the corresponding openings 296. In one embodiment, once the base plate engaging members 294 are received in the corresponding openings 296, the base plate 212 may be further secured to the outer frame 210 using one or more fasteners or any other suitable securing technique such as welding or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base plate engaging members 294 extend upwardly from the upper edges 237 of each lateral frame member’s inner and outer walls 236, 238 such that each lateral frame member 226, 228 includes four base plate engaging members 294. Similarly to the connection tabs 292a, 292b, the base plate engaging members 294 may be shaped differently from each other and the corresponding openings 296 of the base plate 212 may also be correspondingly shaped differently from each other to allow the base plate 212 to be received on the outer frame 210 only in one specific orientation to further facilitate assembly of the base 12. Alternatively, some or all of the base plate engaging members 294 could extend from the motor-side and/or housing side end frame members 222, 224, and/or the base plate engaging members 294 could include more or less base plate engaging members 294. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the corresponding openings 296 include recesses defined in an outer edge 298 of the base plate 212. Alternatively, the corresponding openings 296 could instead be located away from the outer edge 298 and further inwardly into the base plate 212. It will be understood that the base 12 described above is configured to facilitate its assembly by a user. The frame members 222, 224, 226, 228 include features that allow them to be easily positioned and engaged with each other, which facilitate the assembly of the outer frame 210. The outer frame 210 further includes one or more features - i.e., the base plate engaging members 294 in the illustrated embodiment - that allow the base plate 212 to be easily positioned and connected relative to the outer frame 210, thereby further facilitating the assembly of the base 12. In one embodiment, each frame member 222, 224, 226, 228 is further manufactured from a single metal sheet which is suitably bent and cut, thereby reducing the complexity and costs of manufacturing the base 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 to 19, it will be understood that in operation, the rotation of the rotatable shaft 106 and/or of the motor axle 118 may cause vibrations in the housing 20 and/or the motor housing 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the pulverizer 10 includes a vibration reducer 500 for reducing the vibrations from the housing 20 and/or from the motor housing 112. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the motor 110 is received on a motor support assembly 502 which is distinct from the base plate 212 and which is connected to the base plate 212. This configuration allows one or more vibration reducing features to be used to substantially contribute to isolate the motor 110 from the base plate 212 to therefore reduce the vibrations in the motor 110 and/or the base plate 212.

FIGS. 17 to 19 show the motor support assembly 502, in accordance with one embodiment. In this embodiment, the motor support assembly 502 includes a motor support plate 504 which is disposed over the base plate 212. The motor support plate 504 is substantially rectangular and includes a central opening 506 which is substantially concentrically aligned with the motor axle opening 214 and a plurality of securing openings 508 located proximal to an outer edge 510 of the motor support plate 504. The securing openings 508 are sized and shaped to receive plate securing fasteners 512 to secure the motor support plate 504 to the base plate 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the central opening 506 is substantially larger than the motor axle opening 214 and the motor axle opening 214 and the securing openings 508 are elongated in a in a longitudinal direction of the platform 200 to allow the motor 110 to be displaced at least slightly relative to the platform 200 in the longitudinal direction using the motor displacement mechanism 400. This may allow the tension in the transmission belt 126 to be adjusted and/or the transmission belt 126 to be selectively removed from the pulleys 122, 124 and engaged on the pulleys 122, 124.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 19, the motor displacement mechanism 400 is located below the base plate 212 and includes a motor displacement bracket 402 secured to the underside of the motor support plate 504 and a displacement screw 410 extending through a screw hole 255 defined in the outer wall 254 of the motor-side end frame member 222 and threadably engaging a threaded bore 404 of the motor displacement bracket 402. The displacement screw 410 further includes a screw head 412 which abuts the outer wall 254 of the motor-side end frame member 222 such that rotation of the displacement screw 410 selectively moves the motor support plate 504, and therefore the motor 110 mounted thereon, towards and away from the housing 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motor support plate 504 is made of a metal, specifically steel, and more specifically AR400 steel. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the motor support plate 504 may have a thickness between about 0.5 inch and 2 inches, and more specifically about 1 inch.

Still in the illustrated embodiment, the motor support assembly 502 further includes an intermediate sheet member 520 disposed between the motor support plate 504 and the base plate 212. The intermediate sheet member 520 could be made of a material selected so as to further reduce vibration transmission from the motor 110 to the base plate 212. For example, the intermediate sheet member 520 could be made of an elastomeric material, from a relatively soft metal or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the motor support assembly 502 could include additional intermediate sheet members disposed between the motor support plate 504 and the base plate 212, or may not include any intermediate sheet member. FIGS. 20 and 21 show a motor support assembly 502’, in accordance with another embodiment. In this embodiment, the motor support assembly 502’ includes a motor support plate 504’ disposed on the base plate 212 and movable relative to the base plate 212 using a motor displacement mechanism 400’. The motor support plate 504’ includes a top face 506’ which faces upwardly to receive the motor 110 and a bottom face 508’ opposite the top face 506’ and which extends against the base plate 212. The motor support plate 504’ is further substantially rectangular and includes first and second lateral edges 510a’, 510b’ and first and second end edges 512a’, 512b’ extending between the first and second lateral edges 510’. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end edge 512’ is substantially curved to avoid interfering with the housing 20 located on the base plate 212 proximal to the motor support assembly 502’, but could alternatively instead be substantially linear.

In this embodiment, the motor displacement mechanism 400’ is different from the motor displacement mechanism 400. Instead of being located below the base plate 212, the motor displacement mechanism 400’ is located above the base plate 212. Specifically, the motor displacement mechanism 400’ includes a base plate bracket 402’ extending upwardly from the base plate 212, a motor plate bracket 404’ extending upwardly from the motor support plate 504’ and a displacement screw 406’ extending through the base plate bracket 402’ and threadably engaging the motor plate bracket 404’. The displacement screw 406’ includes a screw head 408’ which abuts the base plate bracket 402’ such that rotation of the displacement screw 406’ selectively moves the motor support plate 504’, and therefore the motor 110 mounted thereon, towards and away from the housing 20. Alternatively, the motor displacement mechanism 400’ could be configured similarly to the motor displacement mechanism 400 described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motor support plate 504’ is made of a metal, specifically steel, and more specifically AR400 steel. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the motor support plate 504’ may have a thickness between about 0.5 inch and 2 inches, such as about 1 inch or any other suitable thickness. Still in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 , the motor support assembly 502’ further includes a plurality of stiffeners 520’ which are secured to the motor support plate 504’ to further stiffen the motor support plate 504’. More specifically, the stiffeners 520’ include a pair of stiffening members 522’ that are disposed on either side of the motor housing 112 and are secured on the top face 506’ of the motor support plate 504’. Each stiffening member 522’ is substantially flat and elongated, and the two stiffening member 522’ extend substantially parallel to each other on opposite sides of the motor housing 112. More specifically, each stiffening member 522’ extends along a corresponding one of the first and second lateral edges 510a’, 510b’ of the motor support plate 504’ and along a longitudinal direction of the platform 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the stiffening members 522’ have substantially the same length as the lateral edges 510’ and therefore extend along the entire length of the lateral edges 510a’, 510b’.

Still in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 , each stiffening member 522’ includes an outer stiffener edge 524’ located away from the motor 110 and an inner stiffener edge 526’ opposite the outer stiffener edge 524’. Specifically, the outer stiffener edge 524’ is substantially straight and the inner stiffener edge 526’ is substantially concavely curved towards the outer stiffener edge 524’ so as to avoid interfering with the motor housing 112 while still covering a substantial area of the top face 506’ of the motor support plate 504’. Alternatively, the stiffening members 522’ could have any other suitable shape.

In the illustrated embodiment, each stiffening members 522’ is further secured to the motor support plate 504’ via a plurality of stiffener connectors 530’, 532’, 534’. More specifically, the stiffener connectors 530’, 532’, 534’ include fasteners extending through the stiffening members 522’ and the motor support plate 504’, although alternatively, the stiffener connectors 530’, 532’, 534’ could include any other suitable type of connectors. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the stiffener connectors 530’, 532’, 534’ include first and second stiffener connectors 530’, 532’ located at opposite ends of the stiffening members 522’ and a third stiffener connector 534’ located generally towards a center of the stiffening member 522’. Alternatively, the stiffener connectors 530’, 532’, 534’ could include more or less than three connectors, and/or the stiffener connectors 530’, 532’, 534’ could be disposed at other locations along the stiffening members 522’.

In some embodiments, each stiffening member 522’ is made of a metal, specifically steel, and more specifically AR400 steel. Still in the illustrated embodiment, each stiffening member 522’ may have a thickness between about 0.5 inch and 2 inches, and more specifically about 1 inch. It will be understood that the thickness of the stiffening members 522’ and the material of the stiffening members 522’ may be selected so as to provide the motor support assembly 502’ with a certain total stiffness that would contribute to reduce vibrations caused by the motor 110 to a desired level or below an acceptable threshold.

Alternatively, the stiffeners 520’ could include more or less than two stiffening member 522’, and/or each stiffening member 522’ may have any other suitable configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 22 to 25, in some embodiments, the vibration reducer 500 may include a vibration reducing bracket 600 which extends between the motor 110 and the housing 20. Specifically, the vibration reducing bracket 600 is located away from the base plate 212, substantially towards to the top end 22 of the housing 20 and the top motor housing end 114. The vibration reducing bracket 600 is configured to form a substantially rigid connection between the housing 20 and the motor housing 112, which may lead to a reduction of the vibrations in at least one of the housing 20 and the motor 110 or in both the housing 20 and the motor 110. For example, the vibrations of the motor 110 and of the housing 20 may be out of phase with each other, such that connecting the two rigidly with the bracket 600 may lead to a reduction in the amplitude of the vibrations for both the motor 110 and the housing 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration reducing bracket 600 includes two interconnected pieces: a motor-side bracket member 602 secured to the motor 110 and a housing-side bracket member 604 secured to the housing 20. The motorside bracket member 602 and the housing-side bracket member 604 are configured to be movable relative to each other prior to being secured to each other, in order to adjust the length of the vibration reducing bracket 600. In this configuration, the vibration reducing bracket 600 can maintain a rigid connection between the housing 20 and the motor 110 when the motor 110 and the housing 20 are moved towards and away from each other using the motor displacement mechanism 400 or 400’ described above.

Specifically, the two bracket members 602, 604 are substantially flat and planar and are positioned so as to overlap each other. In the illustrated embodiment, when the bracket members 602, 604 are respectively secured to the motor 110 and the housing 20, the bracket members 602, 604 extend substantially horizontally. Alternatively, the bracket members 602, 604 could be configured to extend at an angle or according to any other suitable orientation and configuration.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motor-side bracket member 602 extends over the housing-side bracket member 604 but alternatively, the housing-side bracket member 604 could extend over the motor-side bracket member 602. In yet another embodiment, the vibration reducing bracket 600 may not include two overlapping parts and could instead include a telescoping assembly or any other type of mechanism which would allow a length of the bracket 600 to be adjusted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motor-side bracket member 602 includes a proximal edge 606, a distal edge 608 and first and second side edges 610, 612 extending substantially parallel to each other between the proximal and distal edges 606, 608. The motor-side bracket member 602 is configured to be connected to the motor housing 112 such that the proximal edge 606 is located towards the motor housing 112 and the distal edge 608 is located away from the motor housing 112. As shown in FIGS. 22, the proximal edge 606 is sized and shaped to substantially follow a contour of the motor housing 112. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the motor housing 112 is substantially cylindrical and the proximal edge 606 is curved along a radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to a radius of the motor housing 112. The motor-side bracket member 602 further includes a plurality of connection portions 614, 616 which extend away from the proximal edge 606. The connection portions 614, 616 are sized and shaped to be connected to corresponding planar connection portions 630 on an outer surface 640 of the motor housing 112 via angle brackets 650 (as shown in FIG. 22). More specifically, the plurality of connection portions 614, 616 include a first connection portion 614 located at an intersection of the proximal edge 606 and of the first side edge 610 and a second connection portion 616 located proximal to a center of the proximal edge 606 but substantially offset towards the second side edge 612. It will be understood that the connection portions 614, 616 are positioned and configured in accordance with the available corresponding planar connection portions 630 on the outer surface 640 of the motor housing 112. In another embodiment, the motor housing 112 may be configured differently such that the motor housing’s outer surface 640 includes more or fewer connection portions 630 to connect the motor-side bracket member 602 to the motor housing 112. In this case, the motor-side bracket member 602 may include more or fewer connection portions 614, 616 and/or the connection portions 614, 616 could be located at different locations on the motor-side bracket member 602 and/or be shaped or configured differently.

Still in the illustrated embodiment, the distal edge 608 is also curved. Specifically, the distal edge 608 is curved along a different radius of curvature than the proximal edge 606. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 20 is substantially cylindrical and has a radius that is larger than the radius of the motor housing 112. The distal edge 608 is therefore curved along a radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to the radius of the housing 20 such that if the motor 110 and the housing 20 are ever moved towards each other such that the distal edge 608 becomes adjacent to the housing 20, the distal edge 608 can extend along an outer surface 642 of the housing 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing-side bracket member 604 includes a proximal edge 620, a distal edge 622 and first and second side edges 624, 626 extending substantially parallel to each other between the proximal and distal edges 620, 622. The housing-side bracket member 604 is configured to be connected to the housing 20 such that the proximal edge 620 is located towards the housing 20 and the distal edge 622 is located away from the housing 20. The proximal edge 620 is curved along a radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to a radius of the housing 20 and the distal edge 622 is curved along a radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to a radius of the motor housing 112. The housing-side bracket member 604 is configured to be connected to the housing 20 via lugs 652 extending away from the outer surface 642 of the housing 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motor-side and housing-side bracket members 602, 604 are connected together with one or more fasteners 660a, 660b that extend through motor-side bracket openings 662 and housing-side bracket openings 664 that are aligned with each other when the motor-side and housingside bracket members 602, 604 are overlapped. More specifically, the motor-side bracket openings 662 includes first and second linear grooves 670a, 670b defined proximal to the first and second side edges 610, 612 of the motor-side bracket member 602 and the housing-side bracket openings 664 includes first and second apertures 680a, 680b defined proximal to the first and second side edges 624, 626 of the housing-side bracket member 604. When the motor-side and housing-side bracket members 602, 604 are secured respectively to the motor 110 and the housing 20, the first and second apertures 680a, 680b are respectively aligned with the first and second linear grooves 670a, 670b to allow a first fastener 660a to extend through the first aperture 680a and the first linear groove 670a and a second fastener 660b to extend through the second aperture 680b and the second linear groove 670b.

Still in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second linear grooves 670a, 670b extend substantially along a longitudinal direction of the platform 200 such that when the motor 110 and the housing 20 are moved relative to each other in the longitudinal direction using a motor displacement mechanism 400 or 400’, the first and second apertures 680a, 680b remain respectively aligned with a portion of the first and second linear grooves 670a, 670b. In another embodiment, the motor-side bracket openings 662 could instead include apertures and the housing-side bracket openings 664 could instead include linear grooves. In another embodiment, both the motor-side bracket openings 662 and the housing-side bracket openings 664 could include linear grooves that are positioned such that at least a portion of the grooves on each one of the bracket members 602, 604 is aligned with at least a portion of the corresponding grooves on the other one of the bracket members 602, 604. In yet another embodiment, both the motor-side bracket openings 662 and the housing-side bracket openings 664 could include apertures that are alignable with each other. In still another embodiment, the vibration reducing bracket 600 could instead include a single, unitary piece instead of including two bracket members 602, 604.

In one embodiment, each one of the bracket members 602, 604 may have a thickness of between about 0.25 inch and about 1 inch, and more specifically of about 0.5 inch, and may be made of a metal such as steel, and more specifically AR500 steel. Alternatively, the bracket members 602, 604 may have any other suitable thickness and may be made of any other suitable material.

It will be understood that the configuration described above is merely provided as an example and that various alternative configurations may be considered. In one embodiment, the vibration reducer 500 includes both the vibration reducing bracket 600 and the stiffeners 520’ described above. Alternatively, the vibration reducer 500 could include only one of the vibration reducing bracket 600 and the stiffeners 520’, or could include any other vibration reducing devices provide on or around the pulverizer 10. In some embodiments, the pulverizer 10 could include the base 12 as described above in addition to the vibration reducer 500. Alternatively, the pulverizer 10 could include the vibration reducer 500 and a base configured according to any other suitable configuration, or could include the base 12 as described above and not include a vibration reducer 500.

While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to be illustrative and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.