GB2140897A - Supporting structure for machinery - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure for supporting a longitudinally extensive article of machinery or like equipment requiring to be sited in a factory or plant above ground level and with a walkway on each side, characterised in that the walkways 29 are constructed as independent load-supporting sub-structures including shoulders 28 extending continuously or discontinuously along one or both sides, the said article being supported between the shoulders of a pair of parallel arranged walkways. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Supporting structure for machinery The present invention relates to a structure for supporting a longitudinally extensive article of machinery or like equipment. In the preferred embodiment hereafter described, the article takes the form of a horizontal belt filter and more particularly a Delkor (Trade Mark) horizontal belt filter, but it will be apparent that the invention has utility in supporting other similar articles of machinery or equipment e.g. within a factory or warehouse, such as gantrys, cranes or conveyors.

Horizontal belt filters can be used for a variety of purposes and are extensively used for the filtration of slurries in the coal and mineral mining industries.

They require a supporting network of conduits for carrying liquids, gases and electrical cables. Spillage and spray, which may involve corrosive chemicals, are often associated with the filter operation. Spillage or spray damage to conduits is often a problem and the operational units of the filter which may include e.g. the dewatering and washing sites, the vacuum box and the transmission components require regular access for supervision and service. If, as can often be desirable, the filter is supported at an above-ground level, walkways are required to provide the necessary access to personnel.

The design of suitable structures for supporting equipment of this kind leads to problems both in structural design and in plant logistics, since these structures tend to interfere with free communication within the plant, often necessitating bridge and overhead walkways and leading to inaccessible areas which are not readily cleaned and where corrosive material can accumulate. The proper and safe location of the conduits and safe access of personnel also lead to problems which are difficult to solve.

The present invention offers a simple efficient and economic solution to these problems.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a structure for supporting a longitudinally extensive article of machinery or like equipment requiring to be sited in a factory or plant above ground level and with a walkway on each side, characterised in that the walkways are constructed as independent loadsupporting sub-structures including shoulders extending continuously or discontinuously along one or both sides, the said article being supported between the shoulders of a pair of parallel arranged walkways.

Depending upon the particular circumstances the structure may be constructed partially or wholly of steel or other metal but it is preferred to constitute it predominantly or wholly of reinforced concrete, making free use of precast and if necessary prestressed concrete units since the design minimises the variety of units of different shapes and sizes which are needed.

Preferably each sub-structure has a single row of uprights which are preferably in the form of pillars, minimising ground space.

Preferably the lateral distance (D1) between the rows of uprights and the distance (D2) between the uprights obey the relationship D1/D2 = 0.75 to 1.25.

In other words the uprights or, in the preferred case, pillars are arranged essentially on a square latice.

With the uprights sufficiently spread this allows the maximum freedom of movement e.g. for vehicles such as lift trucks to manoeuvre at ground level.

In the preferred case each upright is of T-shape and preferably the cross-piece of the T supports a longitudinally extensive beam at each end constituting a said shoulder. The cross-pieces of the T's and the longitudinal beams constitute a horizontal framework which may be covered by a floor which may be continuous in certain circumstances or e.g.

of gridwork.

The invention is inclusive of a structure as described above supporting a horizontal belt filter.

Preferably the filter is supported at a level intermediate between the belt passes with the purposive operational units of th filter above the level of the said shoulders.

Conduits serving the filter may be supported at an overhead level beneath the walkways. This is an easy position for access and a protected position as regards spillage or spray damage from the filter.

It will be apparent that the inventive structure offers safety for personnel, easy communication at ground level throughout the plant in every direction and support and protection for vulnerable equipment such as conduits. As will become apparent, it can be constructed efficiently and economically from a minimum number of e.g. precast units.

A preferred form of the invention is hereafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section of a typical horizontal belt filter, viewed from the discharge end, showing a known supporting arrangement, Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the same filter supported upon a form of structure in accordance with the invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of a plant showing a typical distribution of filter belts and supporting structures as shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a plan view of part of the plant as shown in Figure 3 showing the distribution of sub-structures, uprights and building columns, Figure 5 is a side elevational view corresponding to Figure 4, Figure 6 is an end elevational view showing a typical T-shaped upright with interior reinforcement, Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to part of Figure 6 showing the concrete "stitching" to a horizontal beam, Figure 8 is a side sectional view corresponding to Figure 7, and Figures 9A and 9B are respectively an elevational view and a plan view of a typical precast horizontal beam unit.

The plant hereafter described and illustrated in the drawings is utilised for the filtration of copper ores and makes use of a Delkor horizontal belt filter details of which are indicated in Figure 1 to the extent that they assist in understanding the support structure of the invention. Figure 1 shows upper and lower passes 1 Sa, 1 Sb of a rubber transporter belt 15, which in use supports a replaceable filter cloth (not shown). The belt 15 is provided with laterally extensive grooves (not shown) each having a central aperture 17 through the liquid is drawn into a run-off conduit 26 under reduced pressure. The transporter belt 15 is supported on a cushion of air provided by air boxes 19. The transporter belt is driven by drive rollers at each end.At the end of the run the cloth separates from the transporter belt and passes under an arrangement of washing sprays.

The various belts and rollers and other components are supported upon a steel framework F which is founded upon longitudinal I beams 22,23.

Guide plates 24 attached to the uprights guide the lower pass 15b and the framework F includes intermediate lateral frames between the passes and which include a pair of laterally spaced box frames 25 between which is located the run-off conduit 26.

The framework F, as shown in Figure 1 is adapted to be supported slightly above ground level on concrete plinths 27.

It will be apparent from Figure 1 that the known support structures for the belt essentially prevent any useful communication at ground level, the belts and their supporting structures providing lateral barriers extending across the factory floor. Not only does this seriously impede communication generally but can provide areas which are difficult to clean.

Walkways have to be supported cantilever fashion from the existing steel framework and may be unsafe and there is no facility readily available for supporting and protecting the network of conduits.

Figure 2 shows clearly in relation to Figure 1 the improvement provided by the invention. Instead of supporting the frame F upon its long steel uprights 22,23 as shown in Figure 1, the frame is supported at the level of the lower lateral elements 25a of the box frames 25. The whole of the frame below the belt guides 24 together with the concrete plinths are removed and also the cross braces visible in Figure 1, and the cross-pieces 25a are supported on continuous longitudinal beams 28 which constitute supporting shoulders and which themselves form longitudinal edge components of a concrete walkway frame 29 which is formed with integral uprights 30 as an independent self-supporting sub-structure.

The result is that the whole of the vertical space below the lower cloth pass 15b is unobstructed between the vertical pillars 30.

The general arrangement of the plant which results can be seen by way of example in Figure 3, which, together with Figure 2 shows in particular the arrangement of the conduits 40 which are slung in protected positions under the walkway frames.

Figure 4 shows the location plan for part of the plant and indicates that by arranging the pillars 30 in an approximately square latice plan, free intercommunication in all directions underthe filter belts is maximised. Figure 4 also shows the arrangement of the roof supporting uprights 31. These are arranged within the walkways so that they constitute a relatively minor further impedementto communication.

Figure 5 is a side view of a sub-structure constituted by the pillars and the walkway frame and shows details of the mounting of the pillars and their distribution. It can be seen that the rea rmost two pillars are relatively closely spaced whereas the remaining pillars are equally spaced. Furthermore the rearward four of the total of eight pillars which are indicated 30' are relatively narrower whereas the cross-pieces of the T, indicated 32 are of standard cross-section. In order to allow an incline in the conveyor frame F, the latter may be supported on elevated supports 33 which are an integral part of the horizontal beams and which decrease in height from front to rear, and are no longer present over the rearmosttwo uprights.

Atypical T-shaped upright is shown in Figure 6 which also indicates the arrangement of the reinforcing rods 34 with tie elements 35. The T elements are precast and the elements constituting the final horizontal beams 28 are also preferably pre-cast.

Thus only two standard types of T-structu re are necessary as shown in Figure 5. A total of four different beam structures are necessary which vary e.g. according to the position along the beams 28 and therefore the relative position of the supports 33.

A typical cast beam unit 28a is shown in Figures 9A and 9B and identified in Figures 5 and 8. Figure 8 shows in more detail the connection between the beam unit 28a and the next adjacent unit 28b on one of the cross pieces 32. End portions of the lower surfaces of the beam unit rest on the cross piece 32 at both outside edges with the introduction of packing if necessary. A surface section of each unit is cut away at each end as indicated at 37 where tie-rods project. The resulting T-shaped crosssection spaces as shown in Figure 8 and the connecting strip between the two spaces are thereafter filled with concrete and where required bolts 38 inserted in the concrete for bolting to stainless steel laterals of the frame F. All of the projecting ties 35,36 are stitched together.

As shown in Figures 11a, ill the supports 33 for the frame F are flush with the sides of the beam facing the frame F and have projecting bolts 38.

Further bolts 38 are provided for supplementary supports 39 for ancillary structures such as handrails where necessary.

It will be appreciated that where corrosive liquids are employed in the filter unit all steel work requires to be of stainless steel so that the use of reinforced concrete represents a considerable economy. The resulting structure tends to be in harmony with the remainder of the architecture and leads to a pleasing simplified overall design. The use of a single relatively wide walkway with a central row of supporting pillars leads to additional width and ease of commu nication along the walkway which facilitates maintenance and also may support if desired a complete shelter to personnel from spillage and spray between the areas occupied by the belt filter.

This also provides a safe and convenient location for the conduits and electric cables which are slung underneath.

Claims (12)

1. A structure for supporting a longitudinally extensive article of machinery or like equipment requiring to be sited in a factory or plant above ground level and with a walkway on each side, characterised in that the walkways are constructed as independent load-supporting sub-structures including shoulders extending continuously or discontinuously along one or both sides, the said article being supported between the shoulders of a pair of parallel arranged walkways.

2. A structure according to claim 1 constructed predominantly or wholly of reinforced concrete.

3. A structure according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each sub-structure has a single row of uprights.

4. A structure according to claim 3 wherein the lateral distance (D1) between the rows of uprights and the distance (D2) between the uprights obey the relationship D1/D2 = 0.75 to 1.25.

5. A structure according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the uprights are in the form of pillars.

6. 6. A structure according to any of claims 3 to 5 wherein each upright is of T-shape.

7. A structure according to claim 6 wherein each cross-section of the T supports a longitudinally extensive beam at each end, the beam constituting a said shoulder.

8. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein uprights for supporting a roof are laterally distributed so as to extend through the walk-ways.

9. A structure according to any preceding claim supporting a said article in the form of a horizontal belt filter.

10. A structure according to claim 9 wherein the filter is supported at a level intermediate between the belt passes with the purposive operational units of the filter above the level of the said shoulders.

11. A structure according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein conduits serving the filter are supported at an overhead level beneath the walkways.

12. A structure for supporting a longitudinally extensive article of machinery substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.