Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Patent
1999-04-08
2000-10-03
Kent, Christopher T.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
522369, 527305, 526551, 526569, 403297, 403170, E04C 238
Patent
active
061256064
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
This invention relates to a beam construction for ceilings in clean rooms, comprising first and second beams, which are arranged essentially horizontally and perpendicularly to each other and have longitudinal ducts for receiving a liquid or viscous sealant, said ducts at least partly being formed of longitudinal walls arranged on the beams, one wall defining the duct downwards and two walls defining the duct sideways.
BACKGROUND ART
SE 456,261 discloses such a known beam construction. This beam construction has first and second horizontally arranged beams, which are joined perpendicularly to each other, thereby forming a frame where the first and second beams are joined in T- or X-shaped joints. The frame is suspended from the ceiling in a surrounding room and is used to support filter elements and blank panels which define the clean room below the clean room ceiling. Also other equipment such as sprinkler nozzles, lighting fittings and airflow-guiding sheets can be fixed in the frame or suspended therefrom. The first and the second beams have on their upper sides longitudinal ducts for receiving a liquid or viscous gel acting as sealant. The ducts are formed of a space, which is formed between a web portion, an axially extending projection and, opposing the projection, an edge portion of the first and second beams. The beams are of symmetrical cross-section and have two such longitudinal ducts, one on each side of a vertical symmetry line of the cross-section.
The filter elements and the blank panels are, along their edges, provided with knives, which after mounting on the frame penetrate into the sealant in the ducts. This results in a ceiling construction which is completely tight from the viewpoint of contamination.
TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
The beam construction disclosed in SE 456,261 suffers from a number of drawbacks in respect of the mounting of the clean room ceiling and the flexibility of the ceiling after mounting.
For the ceiling to be completely tight, the ducts containing the sealant must extend continuously without interruption along all the first and second beams in a coherent ceiling portion. The ducts along the first beams extending in one direction must thus be connected with the ducts along the second beams extending perpendicularly to the first ones. This is achieved in the beam construction according to SE 456,261 by openings in the form of milled recesses being arranged in the edge portions of the first beams. These openings are arranged opposite to the end of the second beams, such that the ducts along the first beams, via the opening and the open end of the second beams, are in contact with the ducts along the second beams.
Since the openings in the edge portions of the first beams must be made by milling, it is very difficult to make the openings in situ during mounting of the ceiling. In practice, this implies that all first beams must be made to measure and be finally machined before delivery to the mounting location. This in turn implies that the positions of the second beams relative to the first beams are determined in advance in the positions of the first beams where the openings are formed. Unforeseen obstacles, if any, on the mounting location, such as columns, amended plan drawings or the like, may thus result in the prefabricated first beams not being usable. This causes not only unnecessary refusal of first beams, but the mounting work must be interrupted until new prefabricated first beams have been manufactured and delivered. It goes without saying that this causes considerable extra expenses.
Like in the mounting of new clean room ceilings, the beam construction according to SE-456,261 also causes considerably reduced flexibility when rebuilding the clean room. Since the openings are made in the first beams, it is not possible to remove or move a transverse second beam unless the first beam is exchanged. The removal of a second beam in fact results in the opening being uncovered, thereby making it possible for the liquid or viscous sealant to escape. A
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ABB Flakt AB
Kent Christopher T.
Thissell Jennifer I.
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