Abstract:
A multi-storied electrostatic precipitator having a plurality of electrostatic precipitators centrally anchored in a vertical alignment stacked upon each other with sliding joints disposed therebetween, the sliding joints permitting horizontal movement between adjacent electrostatic precipitators.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to multi-storied electrostatic precipitators. In one aspect it relates to stacking of electrostatic precipitators in a vertical alignment, one upon the other. In another aspect the invention relates to a means for providing independent horizontal movement between adjacent vertically stacked electrostatic precipitators. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In large air filtration systems utilizing electrostatic precipitators, it has become common place to use a plurality of electrostatic precipitators in series. In many installations the electrostatic precipitators are placed adjacent to each other in a horizontal alignment but in other installations it has become necessary because of space to place the precipitators one on top of the other. In these installations where electrostatic precipitators are placed vertically, separate support systems have been devised for each individual precipitator, the supports extending downwardly and straddling the electrostatic precipitators which are disposed vertically beneath. This type of support mechanism has proved to be extremely expensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the present invention, it is recognized that it is desirable to provide a plurality of electrostatic precipitators which are stacked one on top of the other. Furthermore, it is recognized that it is desirable to provide a support means for a plurality of electrostatic precipitators stacked one on top of the other utilizing the lower electrostatic precipitators to support the precipitators disposed thereabove. Even further, it is recognized that it is desirable to provide support means for vertically stacked electrostatic precipitators which allows for movement in a horizontal direction between adjacent precipitators. 
     The present invention advantageously provides a straightforward arrangement for the stacking of electrostatic precipitators in a vertical alignment wherein the lower precipitators support the precipitators which are disposed thereabove and also provides means allowing for horizontal movement between adjacent electrostatic precipitators with the supports therebetween being stationary. 
     Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter. 
     More particularly, the present invention provides a multi-storied electrostatic precipitator comprising: a base support; a first electrostatic precipitator mounted onto the base support with first horizontal sliding means disposed therebetween; an intermediate support mounted onto the first electrostatic precipitator with second horizontal sliding means disposed therebetween; and, a second electrostatic precipitator mounted onto the intermediate support with third horizontal sliding means disposed therebetween whereby said first and second electrostatic precipitators are movable in a horizontal direction independent of each other. 
     It is to be understood that the description of the examples of the present invention given hereinafter are not by way of limitation and various modifications within the scope of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Referring to the drawing: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken in a plane passing through line 2--2 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in a plane passing through line 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of one connection assembly of the stationary center column shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of one corner sliding connection assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken in a plane passing through line 7--7 of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric view of one intermediate sliding connection assembly shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3; and, 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken in a plane passing through line 9--9 of FIG. 8. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawing illustrates a structure of a plurality of electrostatic precipitators 1, 2, 3 and 4 stacked upon each other with a base support system 6 supporting the entire structure and an intermediate support system 8 mounted to support precipitators 3 and 4. The electrostatic precipitators are mounted with means permitting expansion and contraction (hereinafter described) with the support systems 6 and 8 (hereinafter described) remaining stationary. 
     The support system 6 includes a plurality of vertically extending support members, only five being shown and identified by numerals 10, 11, 12, 14 and 17. It is realized that four more vertical members (not shown) spaced in alignment with the five mentioned previously are also provided for in the support system 6. For a better appreciation of the support system 6, reference is made to the support system shown in FIG. 2 and described hereinafter, which includes the horizontal support system 8 which is identical, for illustrative purposes, to the horizontal support members in support system 6. 
     The vertically extending members are fastened to a concrete slab 20 by welding of flat plates 22 to the bottom of the members and passing appropriate bolting means (not shown) therethrough. A plurality of cross-members 24 are spaced at preselected positions to reinforce the vertical members. Furthermore, twelve horizontally extending I-beam brace members, only four being shown, identifiable by numerals 30, 31, 37, and 40, the other eight being aligned in the same manner as the support system shown in FIG. 2 and described hereinafter are connected to the upper ends of the nine vertically extending members, only members 10, 11, 12, 14 and 17 being shown, to further support the vertical members. 
     Each of the vertically extending members of support system 6 are attached at their upper ends to the lower ends of vertically aligned vertically extending members, only five being shown and identified by numerals 110, 111, 112, 114 and 117. It is again realized that four more vertical members (not shown) spaced in alignment with the five mentioned previously are also provided. With the exception of the connection assembly 54 between members 14 and 114 wherein the members are fixedly attached (FIG. 4), the remainder of the connection assemblies between the vertical members includes means for sliding attachment (FIGS. 5-9) between the members. At the connection between vertical members at the corners, such as connection assembly 50 for members 10-110 and connection assembly 52 for members 12-112; FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show one preferred sliding attaching means whereas at the connection between intermediate vertical members, such as connection assembly 51 for members 11-111 and connection assembly 57 for members 17-117, FIGS. 8 and 9 show one preferred sliding attachment means. 
     In FIG. 4, connection assembly 254 includes a pair of flat plate memers 254a and 254b which are welded on one face to members 214 and 314, respectively, and on their opposed faces to each other. It is realized that plates 254a and 254b may be fixedly attached by other well known means, such as bolt members which extend through aligned apertures in the plates. Furthermore, connection assemblies 54 and 154 (FIG. 3) are identical in structure to connection assembly 254 and will therefore not be discussed in detail. Thus, this center column formed by vertical support members 14, 114, 214 and 314 is rigidly attached and does not move upon expansion and contraction of the electrostatic precipitators 1, 2, 3, and 4. It is also shown that horizontally extending beam support members 232, 233, 237 and 240 are welded at one end to member 214 and attached at their opposed ends to vertically extending intermediate support members 211 and 217 (FIG. 3) and vertically extending intermediate beam members disposed in the column directly beneath support members 315 and 313 (FIG. 2). FIG. 2 shows a typical arrangement of the horizontal support structure for the horizontal beam members shown by numerals 230-241, it being realized that the same horizontal structure is applicable to the horizontal structure including horizontal beam members 30, 31, 37 and 40. Thus, vertically extending members 10, 11, 12, 14 and 17 (FIGS. 1 and 3) as well as appropriately aligned members in support system i.e., which are in vertical alignment with members 313, 315, 316 and 318 are stationary in a horizontal plane and vertically extending members 210, 211, 212, 214 and 217 (FIGS. 1 and 3) as well as appropriately aligned members support system 8 which are in vertical alignment with members 313, 315, 316 and 318 are also stationary in a horizontal plane. 
     In FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, connection assembly 50 includes a pair of plate members 50a and 50b with a sliding connection assembly 60 disposed therebetween. Plate member 50a is a cap plate welded on one face thereof to the vertical member 10 and the opposite face of cap plate 50a is bolted to a slide pad 60a by a plurality of bolts 60c (FIG. 7). Slide pad 60a is generally a stainless steel flat plate with a lubricated surface on the face thereof in contact with a slide pad 60b, slide pad 60b also being generally a stainless steel plate bolted to plate member 50b by a plurality of bolts 60d. 
     Slide pad 60b and plate member 50b are provided with aligned elongated slotted apertures, only apertures 70b in plate 50b being shown. Slide pad 60a and plate member 50a are provided with aligned apertures (not shown) therein of sufficient diameter to receive bolts 70c therethrough, bolts 70c having nuts 70d thereon with a washer 70e disposed between nut 70d and plate 50b. Washer 70e has a flat face thereon with edges extending beyond the edges of slot 70b to permit movement of plate 50b and pad 60b relative to the plate 50a and pad 60a. It is specifically noted that slots 70b are in parallel with each other and line 70f which is a plane running through opposed corners of plate 50b. Slot 70b disposed in this manner permits for angular movement of the vertical member 110 upon expansion and contraction of precipitators 1 and 2. 
     In describing the connection assembly 50, it is realized that all corner connection assemblies, including connection assemblies 52, 150, 152, 250, 252 which are shown as well as those that are not shown, are identical in structure thereby permitting angular expansion and contraction of the precipitators 1, 2, 3 and 4. Therefore, further discussion of the aforementioned connection assemblies in detail will not be made. 
     It is also shown that horizontally extending support member 30 is welded at one end to member 10 and attached at its opposite end to vertically extending intermediate beam members 11 (FIG. 1) and another horizontally extending support member is welded at one end to member 10 and attached at its other end to the vertically extending intermediate beam member disposed in the vertical column directly beneath beam member 313 (FIG. 2). As discussed previously, the horizontal support structure of base support system 6 and intermediate support system 8 maintain the vertical extending members in the support systems stationary. 
     In FIGS. 8 and 9, connection assembly 51 includes a pair of plate members 51, 51a and 51b with a sliding connection assembly 61 disposed therebetween. Plate member 51a is a cap plate welded on one face thereof to the vertical member 11 and the opposite face of cap plate 51a is bolted to a slide pad 61a by a plurality of bolts 61c (FIG. 9). Slide pad 61a is generally a stainless steel flat plate with a lubricated surface on the face in contact with a slide pad 61b, slide pad 61b also being generally a stainless steel plate bolted to plate member 51b by a plurality of bolts 61d. 
     Slide plate member 51b is provided with elongated slotted apertures 71b therein in alignment with apertures (not shown) in slide pad 61a and plate member 51a which are of sufficient diameter to receive bolts 71c therethrough, bolts 71c having nuts 71d thereon with a washer 71e disposed between nut 71d and plate 51b. Washer 71e has a flat face thereon with edges extending beyond the edges of slot 71b to permit movement of plate 51b and pad 61b relative to the plate 51a and pad 61a. It is specifically noted that slots 71b are in parallel with each other and line 71f which is a plane running in parallel with opposed edges of plate 51b, line 71f defining the direction of movement of the plates upon expansion and contraction of precipitators 1 and 2. 
     In the description of the connection assembly 51, it is realized that all intermediate connection assemblies including connection assemblies 151, 251, 57, 157 and 257, which are shown, as well as those that are not shown, are identical in structure thereby permitting longitudinal and transversal expansion and contraction of the precipitators 1, 2, 3 and 4. Therefore, further discussion of the aforementioned connection assemblies in detail will not be made. 
     It is also shown that horizontally extending support members 30, 31 and 37 are welded at one end to member 11 and attached at their opposed end to vertically extending members 10 and 12 (FIG. 2) and a vertically extending intermediate member disposed in the vertical column directly beneath support member 314 (FIG. 2) and in the same plane as members 10, 11 and 12. As discussed previously, the horizontal support structure of base support system 6 and intermediate support system 8 maintain the vertical extending members in the system stationary. 
     In the support system 8, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, cross-members 224 are also provided to brace the vertical extending members 210-218. 
     Generally, the housings of the electrostatic precipitators 1, 2, 3 and 4 are made from thin plates of sheet metal so the vertical extending columns pass through the housings to add support thereto. In FIG. 1 a cut-away of one corner of precipitator 4 is shown with the vertical extending member 312 passing therethrough and welded thereto to add support as discussed previously, it being realized that the other vertically extending members also pass through and are welded thereto. 
     In the operation of the electrostatic precipitators 1, 2, 3 and 4, for hot gases, as the hot gases pass through the precipitators, the structural components therein heat up and expand. As the precipitators expand, the connection assemblies in the intermediate and corner vertical columns allow the vertical members to move in a horizontal direction as defined by the slots of the connection assemblies. As best seen in FIG. 2, the expanding connection assemblies allow movement along the lines noted by the arrows which is the directions the electrostatic precipitators move upon expansion and contraction. Also, it can be appreciated that because of the horizontal support systems 6 and 8 discussed previously, the vertical columns in these systems do not move upon expansion and contraction movement of the precipitators, and only the vertical members in the same plane as the precipitators move horizontally in the directions discussed above. 
     It will be realized that various changes may be made to the specific embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope and principles of the present invention.