Patent ID: 6467968
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B01D,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for a clarifier including a central pier terminating in a base plate having a circumferential edge and a ring gear having a bottom and an outer circumferential surface, the apparatus comprising:a. a plurality of support bearings, each support bearing having an upper surface, a spaced-apart, opposite, lower surface, and a pair of spaced-apart ends, the lower surface of each support bearing seated on and supported by a portion of the base plate and a portion of the upper surface of each support bearing for support of a portion of the bottom of the ring gear, the support bearings placed substantially end-to-end to form a circular bearing extending towards the circumferential edge of the base plate; and b. a retaining ring structure in rotative contact with a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the ring gear, the ring structure including a plurality of semi-circular retaining members, each retaining member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of one retaining member adapted to be removably coupled to the distal end of an adjoining retaining member such that the retaining members may be removably coupled to each other to form a circular hoop extending normal to the circumferential edge of the base plate, a portion of the circular hoop coupled to the circumferential edge of the base plate, wherein the retaining ring structure aligns the ring gear to rotation about a fixed axis.