Patent ID: 6629687
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: B01D,B65D

Abstract:
A vapor-liquid contact tray for a mass transfer or heat exchange column comprising:a tray deck comprising a plurality of deck panels extending in a common plane and framing an opening; a cover positionable over said opening and comprising at least two cover panels each having an inner edge portion, an outer edge portion, and opposed end portions; a hinged connection joining said cover panels together along said inner edge portions to permit folding movement of said cover panels between a unfolded position in which the cover panels are generally coplanar and an at least partially folded position in which the cover panels are inclined relative to each other; at least one bracket mounted on top of one of said deck panels adjacent said opening, said bracket having an arm presenting an engagement surface spaced a preselected distance above and facing said one of said deck panels and an open side facing said cover panels; at least one flange extending upwardly from the outer edge portion of said one of said cover panels and positioned for being inserted through the open side of the bracket when the cover panels are moved to said unfolded position, said flange having an upper edge in frictional engagement against said engagement surface of the bracket arm when the cover panels are in said unfolded position to thereby secure the outer edge portion of said one of said cover panels against upward movement, said frictional engagement being released when said cover panels are moved to said at least partially folded position; and at least one clamp releaseably securing one of said end portions of one of said cover panels to an adjacent one of said deck panels.