Patent GB-1445662-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for asembling and storing composite plate structures
IPC: B03C3/47
Filed: 1973-11-30
Abstract: 1445662 Making collecting electrodes and precipitator plates ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS CORP 30 Nov 1973 55748/73 Heading B3A [Also in Division B8] A method of assembling and storing composite plate structures comprises taking a plurality of panel-modules 13 each of which has a pair of opposed longitudinal edges adapted to overlap, and interlock, with edges of contiguous panelmodules; arranging the modules in a side-byside array; applying pressure to the overlapping edges to cause them to interlock; fastening a hem-piece across each respective end of the interlocked panel-modules to form a composite plate structure; moving the composite plate structure to an assembly position; repeating the above procedure to form a stack of composite plate structures situated one upon another, and removing the stack for storage. As shown, strip steel, from a conventional rollforming machine 12, is cut into panel-like modules 14 having pressure interlockable edges 13, 15 and which are aligned in parallel, in a row, on a run-out table 20, 20<SP>1</SP>, fitted, e.g., with a conveyer belt. After the panels are grouped at 22 and loosely assembled in overlapping arrays at 24, they pass on to a press table 26 at a clamping station 28 where a reciprocating press 30, with blades (106), Fig. 6 (not shown), applies pressure to all of the joints 32 between the panels in the array. The panel arrays pass successively over a horizontally-retractable, cantilevered, extension 34 of the run-out table 20, 20<SP>1</SP>. The extension 34, which may have stabilizing support members 36, 38, is adapted to push, e.g. by pins 35, the trailing edge of the panel array and support the latter at a welding- stacking-bundling and transfer, station 40 where flanged, tubular hem-pieces 42, 44 are fastened across the respective ends 46, 48 of the array. In the uppermost fastening level of the station 40, swivel arms 50, 50, Figs. 2 and 4, engage and position the ends of the hem-pieces 42, 44 adjacent the ends of the panel array 24 while the hem-pieces are fastened, by resistance welding, to the ends of the array by gangwelders 52, 59 which are mounted on tracks 56, 58 for to-and-fro movement. After the hempieces are fastened, the extension 34 and gangwelders 52, 59 retract, leaving the completed array such as a precipitator plate 60, Fig. 1, hanging from the swivel arms 50 which are then lowered in unison and swivelled outwardly to release the plate 60 in stacking position below the welding level. The plate arrays are guided into alignment as they descend and are united, as a bundle, by threaded rods 84 and nuts 86, Fig. 2, the rods 84 passing through holes 92 in the plates. When the bundle is complete it is loaded on to a carriage 68, Fig. 3, by lifting crossmembers 80, actuated by jacks 70, the carriage then being moved laterally for off-loading. To prevent a bundle from sliding when it is picked up by a crane (70) and rotated for storage on edge, a bundle turn-over fixture (100), having an upright flange (102) and a stack receiving surface (104) is provided, Fig. 5 (not shown).