GB2510316A - Extendable Bio-Textile Support System - Google Patents

Abstract

The system is made up of one or more units for the protection of bio-textile media (11) each comprising a number of rectangular frames (8, 8a,8b) which can be locked together in close proximity to form a compact unit for ease of transport. The unit may be extended by separating the frames vertically and locking the frames in their separated positions. The bio-textile media is attached to rods (10) located between the frames and support members (19) such that when the unit is in the compact form the bio-textile media falls into natural folds and when in the extended position the bio-textile media is stretched between the rods. The base (8c) of the unit may comprise an air diffuser in the form of an array of pipes fed from a manifold (15) which is fed with air via a pipe (13).

Description

Extendable Bio-Textile Support System

Description

The invention will now be described, by wa.y of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 -shows a typical lifting frame layout; comprising a rectangular frame 1, with four lifting points 2, to which chains 3, or cables, are connected. The other ends meet at a central shackle to which a crane hook 4, or similar suitable lifting device can be attached. At each corner there is a lifting jaw mechanism 6. Manual release cables 5, from each of these converge at a single point beneath the crane hook where a single manual release rope or cord 5a, leads away to a safe place from where the jaws can be opened. With suitable electronics this latter operation can be caned out remotely. The frame is fitted with short legs 7, so that when not in use the frame can be located on the ground without any damage being caused to the lifting jaws.

Figure 2 -shows one example of the unit in its compacted form. Tn this example there are three frames 8,Sa,8b, which hold the bio textile media.

The bottom frame 8b, is joined to a base frame 8c, which contains within part of it an air manifold 15. At each corner of the top frame an integrated lifting point 9, is attached. These are designed to allow the lifting jaws (6 in Fig. 1) to automatically lock on for liftlig. A fixed air feed pipe 13, is mounted on the manifold to which further sections can be added as the frames are extended to make the complete unit. In this example two rod-locator channels 19, are fixed transversely within each of the three frames 8,8a,8b. Each channel is pierced with a. number of holes 12, which support the bio media suspension rods 10, in their specific positions between the channels and the surrounding frame. The bio textile media 11, in this example is suspended from the rods lO. (Just one example is shown for clarity). A locking shaft passes through the length of each channel 19, end plates for these are shown at 14. A section through A-A is shown at Figure 3.

Figure 3 -shows a cutaway section of the example unit shown in Figure 2, where 13 is the air-feed-in pipe to the manifold 15, which is part of the base frame 8c. From the manifold a series of diffusers 24, runs transverse the frame to support points on the opposite side of the frame. Tn this example three rods 10 are passed through three pockets in the bio-textile curtain ii, one at each frame level. One example of the looping of the bio-textile curtain II, is shown for clarity to the side of the figure. The integral lifting points 9, are shown on the top of the compacted unit.

Figure 4 -shows a. section of this example in extended form. When on site and ready for installation, the compacted unit is unbolted leaving each frame resting on the one beneath. Using a suitable crane or similar, the lifting frame (fig. 1) is lowered over the unit until the lifting jaws (6) automatically locate and lock into position on the integral lifting points 9. The top frame is then raised and the bio-textile media is straightened between the rods until it is able to lift the next frame 8a, and then the rest of the unit until the whole bio-textile curtain is under tension of the weight of the unit a.s in Figure 4.

The base frame 8c, remains in contact with the ground.

Figure 5 -shows an example of the bio-textile support rod 10, fitting between the frame side 8, and the transverse channel 19, with the locking shaft 20, inserted -this shaft need not be circular but is in this example. The distance "y" is four times tile distance "z".

Figure Sa -shows the channel 19, in plan form where 10, shows an example of the bio-textile curtain rods and 8, is one of the frames. The locking shaft 20, passes through the channel and each side of the frame. One end of the shaft has a fixed stop plate 14, and the other is pierced with an R-clip or similar to lock the shaft 20, in position.

Figure 6, 6a, 6b -shows the lifting jaws and integral lifting point in more detail. The jaw's are opened around a pivot point when a load is put on the cable 5, The cable passes through eyes on the frame 6 to cantilever points on the jaw blades.

Figure 6 -shows the jaws in neutral position, the weight of the jaw blades ensures they hang in the closed position but are free to open to accept the pin in 9, when lowered on to it. The weight closes the jaw automatically around the pin.

Figure 6a -shows the jaws in locked position on the integral lifting point.

Figure ób shows that when a load is placed on the cable 5 via the cord 5a (Fig 1) the jaws are opened. The hook design of the jaws ensures the manual release cable cannot be accidentally operated mid-lift. The jaw mechanism can be operated electronically and remotely where the operator does not have line of sight viewing of the lift (eg in a deep hole or chamber).

Figure 7 -shows a part corner of the compacted unit where 23, is the place where the frames are in this case bolted together. The jacking points are shown at "H" Figure 7a -shows the same part corner now extended by the hydraulic jack and the locking angle plates 22, bolted (in this example) in position.

Figure 8 -shows three different embodiments of the manifold base frame where in "a" the air feed 13, connected to the manifold 15, is external to the frame; in "b" the air feed is internal to the frame. In "c" a different example is shown where the frame is a more elongated rectangle and the air feed is connected to a separate manifold which runs transverse the frame. In each example the layout of the air difthsers 24, is shown. The example "c" also shows the fitting of riser rod location brackets 25 to the unit 28. These brackets are normally fitted to the top and bottom frames.

Figure 8a -shows an example of the fitment to the riser rod location bracket 25, where a nylon (or other suitable material) roller 26, is located in a manner to allow the roller to free-wheel against the riser rod 27, Other cross-section shapes of riser rod can be used with a corresponding roller shape to match.

Extendable Bio-Textile Support System The following briefly describes the accompanying drawings.

fig 1. shows an example of a lifting frame fig 2. shows a three frame unit with manifold in compact form fig 3. shows a section (A -A on fig 2) through a three frame unit with manifold and external air supply pipe fig 4. shows a general section through a three frame extended unit to show the bio-media. in operating position fig 5. shows abio media support rod locked in place fig 5a.shows one of the channels holding the support rods and the inserted locking bar fig 6. shows an example of the lifting jaw in neutral suspended position fig 6a shows the lifting jaw in locked position over the integral lifting point fig 6b shows the lifting jaw in its open position fig 7. shows a corner of one three frame unit locked and without manifold in compact form.

fig 7a.shows a. corner of the same three frame unit locked in extended form fig 8. shows three different layouts (a, b, c) within two different sized base frames (a, b and c); a having an external pipe to feed the manifold, b having an internal pipe to feed the manifold, c having an internal pipe feeding a different form of manifold running transverse to the frame. This example also has iser rod guides, fig 8a shows a riser rod guide in more detail.

Claims (10)

1. Extendable Bio-Textile Support System Claims.1. A system in which a unit comprises a number of rectangular frames which can be locked together in a compact form for ease of transport and to afford protection to the bio-textile media arrayed within.
2. 2. A system a.s in Claim 1 where after the unit is transported to site the frames can be easily separated and the unit extended to full height by means of a suitable lifting device, tensioned by means of a jacking device and relocked in the extended position.
3. 3. A system as in Claim 2 where suitable air supply pipes can be attached to the unit on site at the surface.
4. 4. A system as in Claims 1 to 3 which one, or more than one, unit can be made operational on the surface before being lowered in position thus negating the need for Confined Space Operatives to enter the chamber or tank.
5. 5. A system as in claims 1 to 4 where a unit can be lowered freely into position by a suitable lifting device or located in position within a chamber or tank by means of guide rails.
6. 6. A unit as in Claim 1 where each frame houses an array of rods to support bio-textile media.
7. 7. A unit as in Claim 6 where each rod is locked in position but can be easily removed to replace the bio-textile media or an individual rod.
8. 8. A unit as in Claims 1 & 2 where the bio-textile media falls into natural folds when the unit is compacted, hangs vertically when the frames are separated and is put under the required tension when the unit is locked into its extended position.
9. 9. A unit as in Claims 1 to 5 where the topmost frame has a means of attaching a lifting frame which can be attached and detached within sight or remotely. This lifting frame is constructed to be of the same rectangular size as the unit it lifts with symmetrically placed support chains or wires and automatic lock and release jaws at each corner.
10. 10.A unit as in Claims I & 2 where a base frame is fitted with an air diffuser system in the form of an array of pipes fed from a manifold which can form part of the frame's structure.

    1 l.A unit as in Claim 10 where the manifold is fed with air from the surface via a fixed pipe which can be external or internal to the unit.

    12,A system a.s in Claim 4 where more than one unit can be installed in the chamber or tank and where each unit may be linked to a surface air manifold.

    1 3.A system as in Claim 4 where each unit can be retro-installed without a base frame manifold where an existing aeration system is in operation within the chamber or tank.

    I4.A system as in Claims Ito 5 where a unit can be removed by using its lifting device, brought to the surface, locking plates removed and the frames lowered to the original compact form, relocked, enabling easy transportation for service, repair or storage.