Methods and apparatus for constructing glass furnace structures
AssigneeFosbel, Inc.
InventorsLou Carolla, Michael Smith, Alan E. Bowser, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for constructing refractory structures, e.g., glass furnace regenerator structures and/or glass furnace structures formed of refractory components, the refractory structure being housed within a building having a roof support elements. Cross-support beams are provided to latitudinally span the refractory structure and are suspended from roof support elements associated with the building housing the refractory structure by a suspension support system attached to the cross-support beams. An overhead crane assembly may thus be supported by the cross-support beams.
Claims9
A method of constructing a crane assembly relative to a refractory structure formed of refractory components, the refractory structure being housed within a building having roof support elements, wherein the method comprises:
- (i) spanning the refractory structure in a cross-wise direction thereof with cross-support beams;
- (ii) supporting the cross-support beams by a suspension support system which comprises pairs of tensioned support cables attached between opposed ends of the cross-support beams and the roof support elements of the building housing the refractory structure;
- and
- (iii) supporting an overhead crane assembly by the cross-support beams.
A method of constructing a crane assembly relative to a refractory structure formed of refractory components, the refractory structure being housed within a building having roof support elements, wherein the method comprises:
- (i) spanning the refractory structure in a cross-wise direction thereof with cross-support beams;
- (ii) supporting the cross-support beams by a suspension support system attached to the roof support elements of the building housing the refractory structure;
- and
- (iii) supporting an overhead crane assembly by the cross-support beams, wherein
- step (i) comprises rigidly connecting the cross-support beams to a longitudinally oriented lower roof support beam of the building housing the refractory structure.
A method of constructing a crane assembly relative to a refractory structure formed of refractory components, the refractory structure being housed within a building having roof support elements, wherein the method comprises:
- (i) spanning the refractory structure in a cross-wise direction thereof with cross-support beams;
- (ii) supporting the cross-support beams by a suspension support system attached to the roof support elements of the building housing the refractory structure;
- and
- (iii) supporting an overhead crane assembly by the cross-support beams, and wherein
- the method further comprises:
- (a) installing a pair of raceway beams which longitudinally extend relative to the refractory structure and are dependently supported by the cross-support beams;
- (b) moveably mounting a bridge beam to the pair of raceway beams for reciprocal movements therealong in a longitudinal direction of the refractory structure;
- and
- (c) moveably mounting a hoist to the bridge beam for reciprocal movements therealong in a latitudinal direction of the refractory structure, wherein
- step (a) includes installing the raceway beams so that one end portion of the raceway beams is supported in a cantilever manner by a cross-support beam to thereby cause the one end of the raceway beams to extend beyond a respective end of the refractory structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.