Beam forming an expansion seal between two side-by-side grate layers with alternately fixed and mobile bars
AssigneeTraitement Industriel des Residus Urbains (T.I.R.U.)
InventorDidier Lecointre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sealing beam comprises a longitudinal succession of elements disposed between two grate layers made up of a longitudinal succession of alternately fixed and mobile (in longitudinal reciprocation) bars. Each element comprises an I-shaped armature with a web between a lower flange forming a baseplate and an upper flange forming a roof and two U-shaped profile rubbing members with a base bearing on the edge of the corresponding grate layer. Springs passing through holes in the web of the armature urge the rubbing members against the layer edges to compensate for their thermal expansion. The armature and the rubbing members are manufactured by welding to achieve adequate sealing between the rubbing members and the armature.
Claims37
Sealing beam adapted to compensate thermal expansion of and to seal a gap between two side-by-side grate layers each comprising a longitudinal succession of alternately fixed and mobile (reciprocating) bars, said beam being made up of a longitudinal succession of elongate elements with an armature fixed to a grate support frame and with two lateral rubbing members carried by said armature and urged by springs to bear against respective grate layer edges, wherein said armature has an I-shaped profile with a vertical web between a lower flange forming a fixing baseplate and an upper flange forming a roof, the two rubbing members having a U-shaped profile with a vertical base between two branches substantially parallel to said armature flanges and nested within the latter with a small clearance, extending towards said web, said base having a plane exterior surface bearing against the respective grate layer edge and an internal surface between said branches, coil springs passing perpendicularly through holes in said web being compressed between the interior surfaces of said bases of said rubbing members.
A sealing beam for compensating for thermal expansion of opposed hearth grate layers, and defining a seal between facing edges of the opposed hearth grate layers, each of the hearth grate layers comprising a longitudinal succession of alternately fixed and mobile grate bars, said sealing beam comprising a longitudinal succession of elongate elements, each of said elongate beam elements comprising an I-shaped structural member having a vertical web extending between a lower flange defining a baseplate for fixing the I-shaped member to a support and an upper flange having an outer surface forming a top side of the sealing beam, and a pair of sealing members, each of the sealing members being of U-shaped configuration and including a vertical web with a substantially planar outer surface and opposed parallel legs extending parallel to the flanges of the I-shaped structural member, the legs of the sealing member being disposed immediately inwardly of the flanges of the I-shaped structural member, slight clearance being formed between free edges of the legs of the U-shaped members and the web of the I-shaped member, coil springs extending through openings in I-shaped member web and bearing respectively on inner surfaces of the webs of the U-shaped members to urge said sealing members into contact with the respective facing edges of the hearth grate layers.
A hearth grate comprising at least two side-by-side grate layers, each of the grate layers comprising a longitudinal succession of alternately fixed and reciprocating grate bars, and a sealing beam for compensating for thermal expansion of opposed hearth grate layers, and defining a seal between facing edges of the opposed hearth grate layers, said sealing beam comprising a longitudinal succession of elongated elements, each of said elongated beam elements comprising an I-shaped structural member having a vertical web extending between a lower flange defining a baseplate for fixing the I-shaped member and an upper flange forming a top side of the sealing beam, and a pair of sealing members, each of the sealing members being of U-shaped configuration and including a vertical web having a generally planar outer surface and opposed parallel legs extending parallel to the flanges of the I-shaped structural member, the legs of the sealing member being disposed immediately inwardly of the flanges of the I-shaped structural member, said U-shaped members being mounted for limited movement relative to the I-shaped member, coil springs extending through openings in I-shaped member web and bearing respectively on inner surfaces of the webs of the U-shaped members to urge said sealing members into contact with the respective facing edges of the hearth grate layers.
A hearth grate for combustion of solids comprising at least tow side-by-side grate layers, each of the grate layers comprising a longitudinal succession of fixed and mobile grate bars, said grate bars incorporating passages for pressurized combustion supporting air, and a sealing beam for compensating for thermal expansion of opposed hearth grate layers, and defining a seal between facing edges of the opposed hearth grate layers, said sealing beam comprising a longitudinal succession of elongated elements, each of said elongated beam elements comprising an I-shaped structural member having a vertical web extending between a lower flange defining a baseplate for fixing the I-shaped member and an upper flange forming a top side of the sealing beam, and a pair of sealing members, each of the sealing members being of U-shaped configuration and including a vertical web and opposed parallel legs extending parallel to the flanges of the I-shaped structural member, the legs of the sealing member being disposed immediately inwardly of the flanges of the I-shaped structural member, said U-shaped members being mounted for limited movement relative to the I-shaped member, coil springs extending through openings in I-shaped web and bearing respectively on inner surfaces of the webs of the U-shaped members to urge said sealing members into contact with the respective facing edges of the hearth grate layers thereby limiting the flow of pressurized combustion supporting air escaping between the opposed grate layers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.