Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
10~i379
PRIOR ART
U. S. 3,315,444 and 3,315,445 issued to A.P. DeSeversky,
are believed to be representative of pertinent prior art.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been a problem to attain fluid preconditioning
and flow straightening functions in circular in cross section
electrostatic precipitators with tangential inlets while
maintaining relatively low pressure drop and uniform flow
conditions through the entire cross sectional area of the fluid
A ^-
.. . . .
~ ~ . . . .
3 79
i flow pr~con~ition~r an~ strai~htcning el~ments, as well as
2i the ~lectro~es of an electrostatic precipitator. Further, it
31 has been a pro~lem to attain the foregoing advantages while
4 providing for efficient removal of particulate material from
pne~lm~tic fluids as well as to control the removal of liquid
6~ mists ther~from to a desired degree. Additionally, it has been
7~ a pro~lem to provide for fluid preconditioning and flow straight-
8 ening functions in circular in cross section elect-osta~ic
9~ precipitators, wherein vortex effects may occur relative to
such circular in cross section housings having tangential inlets.i
11 Purthermore, it has heretofore been desirable to provide a
12, fluid preconditioning and flow straightening means for circular
131 in cross section electrostatic precipitators which is relatively !
14¦ compact in proportion to the diameter and flow capacity of the
151~ electrostatic precipitator housing and relative to the overall
16'il cross sectional flow area tkerein.
17 ~I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
18 ll The present invention comprises a circular in cross
19 ll section housing having a tangential inlet with liquid spray
201l nozzles therein and wherein an inwardly- projecting annular I -
21, ledge in the inner wall of the housing functions as a choke ring ¦
22jl so as to provide for a complete revolution of flow in the
23, housing before the tangential flow therein has dispursed into
24~1 an area axially inward relative to said ledge such that the
25, ledge functions as a choke ring to control vortex effects pre-
261 liminary to the entrance of the flow into an annular assembly
271, of radially directed vanes which serve as fluid flow straighten-
281~ ing structure tending to straightening the fluid flow in the
29 housing from a swirling motion into a substantially axial flow
relationship to the axis of the circular in cross section housing
31 so as to provide a substantially laminar flow relationship of
32 the fluid relative to concentric radially spaced apart collector
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:~046379
and discharge electrode structures in the housing.
Furthermore, the inwardly projecting annular ledge
collects particulate matter from pneumatic flow in the
housing; the annular ledge having a surface disposed at
substantially right angles to the axis of the housing
and such that particulate matter is centrifugally dis-
persed against the wall of the housing and spray nozzles
therein wash the particulate matter down the wall of the
housing and thus separate it from the air flow which
passes upwardly and inwardly around the inner edge of said
ledge. Additionally, the invention comprises a generally
frusto conical spoiler ring cooperative with said choke
ring; the choke ring having an upward surface which is
generally frusto conical and the spoiler ring being hollow
frusto conical structure adjustable relative to the upper
frusto conical surface of the choke ring. The spoiler
ring is flexible and has a plurality of means adjustably
connecting it in spaced relation to the frusto conical
surface of the choke ring so as to provide for adjustment --
to vary the spacing of the spoiler ring relative to the
choke ring at different locations around the annular
area of the choke ring, and to thereby provide for compen-
sation for a lack of uniformity of flow at any point
around the annular area of the choke ring.
The annular assembly of radially directed vanes is
~uch that each vane is provided with a leading or flow re-
ceiving edge directed tow~rd the inlet of the housing so
that the edges of these vanes receive flow at an angle to
the central or axial flow axis of the housing or at an
acute angle relative to a plane at right angles to said
axis. Thus the leading or recéiving edges of the vanes
are adapted to receive flow of fluid and the flow re-
ceiving edges are disposed at a relatively acute angle
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1046379
at said plane, which is disposed at right an~les to -
the axial flow axis through the housing; said acute
angle of said
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1046379
receiving edges being at outermost ends of the vanes
near the circular wall of the housing and the angle of
said receiving edges increases relative to said plane to-
ward the central axis of the housing. Thus, the receiv-
ing edges of the vanes have a gradient of angle which
is actue relative to said plane or to the horizontal near
the outer ends of the vanes and relatively greater toward
the axis of the h~using such that the vanes at their
leading edges are more nearly parallel to the axis of the
housing at or near its central portion, and such that
the receiving edges of the vanes near their outer ends
adjacent said housing are more nearly horizontal or may
be at a more acute angle to said plane. In accordance
with the foregoing, tangential fluid flow adjacent the
outer wall ~`f said housing is received by the receiving
or leading edges of said vanes at a generally acute angle
to said plane or to the horizontal and the vanes are
curved into portions thereof which extend to straightening
portions which are directed substantially axially parallel
to the central of flow axis of the circular in cross sec-
tion housing so as to straighten the flow of fluid into
a more nearly axial direction. The gradient of angle of
the receiving edges of the vanes extending from the
outer wall toward the axis is aerodynamically compatible
with velocity and flow volume throughout the cross section
of the circular in cross section housing.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to
provide a highly efficient fluid preconditioner and flow
straightening means for circular in cross section elec-
trostatic precipitators which effectively collects
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particulate matter and which straightens the flow from a
tangential direction into an axial direction with a
minimum of pressure drop of the fluids passing through
the preconditioner and flow straightening means of the
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~O~ 79 . I
1 invention.
2 Another ob,ect of tne invention is to provide a novel
3~ means for convertins pneumatic fluid flow from a tangential or
4 centrifugal flow condition to an axial flow condition.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel
61 annular assembly of flow straightening vanes having flow receiving
~ edges provided with a gradient of angle from the outer wall of
8 a circular in cross section housing toward the central axis
9 thereof, thereby corresponding to flow velocity and pressure
throughout the cross section of the circular in cross section
11' housing.
12j Another object of the invention is to ~rovide a fluid
13 ll preconditioner and flow straightening means wherein a circular
14l' ln cross section housing is provided with a tangential inlet and ¦
15ll wherein an inwardly projecting ledge or choke ring is disposed
1611 above said inlet so as to provide for a complete revolution of
~ tluld flow in the housing to remove particulate matter and to
18 ll remove mist which is induced in the housing by spray nozzles
19l and such that a complete revolution is accomplished so as to
also provide for modulation of vortex effects in order that the
21 !I flow,leaving the choke ring,disperses into a cross section in
22 the housing wherein a circular assembly of radially disposed
23 ~, vanes receive the fluid flow dispersed in such a manner that a
24l~ gradient of angle of the flow receiving edges extending from ¦
25`, the outer wall of the housing toward the axis thereof efficiently,
26, handles the flow so as to straighten the flow into a generally
27 axial direction and in uniformity so that there is a uniform I -
28l flow of fluid throughout the cross section of the housing
29~! and so that substantially uniform velocity exists throughout
the circular in cross section housing so that the rlow is
31~ sub~tantially axial and laminar relative to an assembly of
32i electrostatic collector and discharge electrodes which are
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10~b;379
arranged in concentric relationship with each other and radially
spaced apart.
Another object of the invention is to provide a very
efficient fluid flow preconditioning and flow straightening means
particularly adapted to large diameter electrostatic precipita-
tors for the purpose of ~btaining high performance with rela-
tively low pressure drop, fluid flow straightening and the
efficient removal of mist from the fluids flowing into an area
wherein the flow is received between concentric spaced apart
circular in cross section collector and discharge electrode
structures.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel
adjustable spoiler ring, which is a hollow frusto conical ring
cooperable with a frusto conical surface of an inwardly directed
ledge inside the housing of the invention; the housing being
circular in cross section and the spoiler ring being adjustable
relative to the frusto conical surface of the ledge or choke
ring so as to provide means for adjusting the preconditioner of
the invention to acco~modate varying flow volume through the
preconditioner.
Thus, in accordance with the present teachings,
a fluid preconditioner and flow straightening means is provided
` which is suitable for electrostatic precipitators and comprises
; a fluid receiver and preconditioner, a housing having an inlet
which is adapted to receive contaminated pneumatic fluid therein
with the housing having a generally circular cross section and
a normally vertical concentric axis. The housing also has
a generally tangential fluid inlet and an annular inner wall.
An annular assembly of flow straightening vanes is provided
which has inner and outer ends with the vanes being disposed
radially with respect to the axis with the inner ends being
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1046379
nearest to the axis. Each of the vanes has lower portions
provided with flow receiving edges which are directed at an
angle toward the inlet and angularly disposed relative to the
vertical axis. Each of the vanes has flow straightening portions
extending upwardly from the flow receiving edges with such
portions being substantially parallel to the axis.
Further objects and advantages of the invention
may be apparent from the following specification, appended
claims and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an upper
portion of the fluid preconditioner and flow straightening
means of the invention showing portions in section and broken
away to amplify the illustration;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 showing
the lower end of the structure disclosed in Fig. 1 such that
Fig. 2 shows a lower continuity of Fig. l; Fig. 2 showing
portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration;
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1041~;379
1 Fig. 3 is a reduced cross sectional view taken from the
2, line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
3 Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken from the
~ line 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the cross section of one of the flow
5~ straightening vanes of the invention;
6I Fig. S is a view similar to Fig. 4 and taken from the
7'; line 5-5 of Fig. 1 showing the cross section of the vane disclose~
8l in Fig~ 4 but disposed at a different radius thereby illustrating
9I gradient of the flow receiving angle of the vanes;
10ll Fig. 6 is another view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 taken
~ from the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the cross section of the
12 ll vane at a disposition closer to the axis than that of Figs. 4
13l and 5 and further illustrating the gradient of the flow receiving
14 angle of the vanes at a position closer to the central axis of
15¦ the housing;
16l Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the
17 ¦¦ line 7-7 of Fig. l;
18 1I Fig. 8 is a side elevational view taken from the line
19ll 8-8 of Fig. 7 showing an outer side of the housing of the
20 ll invention and further showing portions broken away and in
21,` section to amplify the illustration;
22 ll Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification
23 ¦l of the invention showing a lower portion of the preconditioner
24 ll housing with a choke ring and spoiler ring mechanism therein;
25 l' Fig. 10 is a sectional view on reduced scale taken from
26,ll the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;
27l Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken
281i from the line 11-11 of Fig. 10;
29 l, Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 11 but
30, showing a further modification of the invention; and
31 ll Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing a further
32 manually operable spoiler ring adjusting mechanism of the
, I I
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10~37g
,, invention.
2 D~SCRIPTION OF Tl~ PREF~RRED ~MBODI~5ENTS
3 ~s shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the
4 invention coMprises a circular in cross section housing 10
5~l having a central or axial flow axis 11. The housing is provided
6 with a tangential inlet 12 adapted to receive flow in the
7I direction, as indicated by the arrow A in' ~g. 3 of the drawings.
8 Disposed in said inlet are spray nozzles 14 adapted to spray
9~ uid into the fluid f~owing into the inlet, and these spray
10" nozzles 14 are supplied water through inlet manifolds 16. The
11l water is supplied under pressure so as to provide for the for-
12l mation of mist in the fluid entering the inlet 12. The fluid
13ll entering the inlet 12 is pneumatic fluid which has been contam-
14 1 inated and may carry various contaminants such as solid partic-
15l ulate matter as well as very fine pollutants.
16 ll Disposed internally of the housing are a plurality of
17 ll inwardly directed spray nozzles 18 which are adapted to spray
18¦~ fluid flowing tangentially around the inner side of the outer
19!! wall of the housing.
20 1I The housing is provided with an inner wall surface 20
21 ¦l adjacent to which tangential fluid flow occurs and this inner
22 ~I wall 20 is provided with an inwardly projecting ledge 22 which
23,1 serves as an aerodynamic choke. It extends from the wall 20
24 jl radially inward toward the axis 11 which is the central axis
25l~ of the housing and this inwardly projecting ledge 22 is a circu-
26, lar structure serving as an aerodynamic choke and also a struc-
27 ` ture under which large particulate matter may be removed from
28l the flow as it makes a complete centrifugal revolution around
29 ll the inner wall 20.
3o 1! The housing 10 is provided with a downwardly converging
31,l bottom portion 24 which is substantially enclosed except for
32l drain opening 26 which passes to a drain tube 28 adapted to
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10~79
1 drain liquid and ma~ter removed from the pneumatic fluid in the
2! hOusing.
The circular in cross section housing 10 is supported
4 by legs 30 such that the central axis 11 is substantially
vertically disposed and so that pneumatic fluid flow introduced
6l~ tangentially in the housing 12 makes a full revolution below
7l the choke ledge 22 and such that particulate matter trapped
8'l therebelow is wetted by spray from the nozzles 14 and 18 and
9l, thus, drains downwardly along the inner wall 22, the downwardly
10l converging bottom 24 and out through the drain opening 26. This j
11l occurs during the first complete revolution of pneumatic fluid
12¦, against the inner wall 20 below a substantially horizontal
13l portion 32 of the choke ledge 22.
14, It will be understood that the choke ledge 22 is gener-
1~,l ally ring shaped and that the lower surface 32 is substantialiy
16I horizontal or at right angles to the axis 11, while the upper
17 ll surface 34 thereof is generally frusto conical and is thus
18 1l inclined from an inner annular edge 36 to the inner wall 20 of
19¦l tlle housing 10. Thus, flow which changes direction from tangen-
20 1l tial flow against the wall 20 passes upward over the inwardly
21 ¦I directed edge 36 and passes upward along the inclinèd or frusto
22 1l conical portion 34 and throughout the cross section of the
23 housing whereby the annular ledge or choke ring 22 tends to
241l minimize vortex effects and to cause dispersion of the flow
25 1 from tangential to the cross section of the interior of the
26 !! housing 10.
27l Additionally, the lower horizontal surface 32 tends to
28~l collect liquid mist as well as the particulate matter which has
29 , been wetted and centrifugally forced outward so that the fluid
30 I flow in making a complete revolution in the housing below the
31l choke ledge 22 is relieved of a substantial amount of mist as
32, well as the relatively large particulate matter before the flow
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104~i379
1 disperses inwardly around the inwardly directed edge 36 of the
2l ledge 22.
3 Disposed above the riny shaped choke ledge 22 is an
~ annular assembly of flow straightening vanes designated 38.
5~ These are shown in Fig. 1 and in cross section in Figs. 4, 5
6 and 6.
7,l The individual vanes 40 of the assembly 38 are each
8~ provided with an outer end 42 which is disposed adjacent the
9ll inner wall 20 of the housing and these vanes are provided with
lO'' inner ends 44 which are disposed nearer to the central axis 11,
11 the inner ends 44 being abuted to a circular in cross section
12 I' or tubular member 47 concentric with the axis 11.
13, Each vane 40, near its outer end 42, is provided with
14l' a cross sectional shape such as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings,
15l' this cross sectional shape including a leading or flow receiving
1~ edge 46 directed toward the tangential inlet 12; the edge 46
17 ll actually including a portion disposed at an angle designated 48
18 l in Fig. 4 of the drawings; this angle being acute relative to
19ll the horizontal or to a plane at right angles to the central axis ¦
20 1, 12; this plane being represented by line 50 in Fig. 4 of the
21 ' drawings. The edges 46 are thus disposed horizontally or in a
22 1~ plane at right angles to the flow axis 11. Integral with the
23 1l leading edge or receiving edge 46 is an upwardly curved portion
24 11 52 which is integral with a straight portion 54 which is gener- ¦
25 ll, ally parallel to the axis 11 of the housing 10.
26 ¦l As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, which is a cross
27 ll section of one of the vanes 40 nearer to the axis 11 than the
1 28 cross section shown in Fig. 4. The leading or flow receiving
29 ¦l edge 46 is disposed at an angle 56 relative to the horizontal
30,l represented by the line 50 and this angle 56 is rnuch greater
31 ll than the angle 48 shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. And as
32 I shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the angle of the flow receiving
,
ll l
_ 11 ..... __ ~ _
1 1046379
1 edge portion 46 is designated 58 and this angle 58 is greater
2' relative to the horizontal or plane 50 as compared to the angle
!i I
3ll 56 shown in Figs. 5 or 4. Accordingly, the angle 48, shown in
4 Fig. 4, is acute relative to the horizontal 50 while the angle
5l 56 and 58 represent a gradient of the angle of the receiving
6l edge portions extending from an acute angle at the outer ends
7 ll 42 to a relatively greater angle to the plane 50 at the inner
8l ends 44 of the vanes. The normally upper portions of the vanes
9l being provided with straight portions 54, as shown in all of the !
10l! views Figs. 4, 5 and 6. These straight portions 54 are all
ll !I substantially parallel to the axis ll so that flow leaving the
12 ll entire cross section of the circular assembly of radlal vanes
13'l designated 38 is substantially axial and this axial flow is
14l' adapted to provide for porper laminar flow between electrostatic
15lj collector electrodes 63 and respective discharge electrodes
16l concentrically disposed in spaced relationship to each other
17l around the central axis ll in the housing lO.
18 ll A concentric assembly of circular in cross section elec-
19ll trostatic collector electrodes 63 are disposed above the flow
20ll straightening vanes 40 and these collector electrodes are con-
2, 1! centric with the central axis ll. The collector electrodes,
22 ¦¦ being spaced apart and of successively increasing diameters in
23 a direction radially away from the axis ll. The collector
24 ~¦ electrodes 63 are provided with annular lower edges 65 and
1 25 ll generally annular assemblies of venturi members 67 and are
26 ll disposed below respective lower edges 65 of the collector elec-
27 ll trodes 63. Each venturi member is provided with opposed gener- ¦
28ll ally convex surface portions 69 whereby adjacent venturi members
29 ll below adjacent collector electrodes have adjacent convex portions
30 l' which cooperate to provide generally converging diverging venturi
31 ¦I inlets between adjacent ones of said collector electrodes.
32 ll~ It will be seen that in general the cross sectional
I I - 1 1 - I
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_ li ,
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~04~379
1~ shape of the vanes 40, as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is
2. generally S-shaped.
3ll The gradient of angle of the flow receiving edge portions
4 46, as hereinbefore disclosed, provides for a generally radially
inward dispersion of fluid flow and pressure inasmuch as flow
6 tends to spiral in the housing below the vane assembly 38 and
7 ll to concentrate adjacent the inner wall 20. With the gradient
8~ of flow receiving angle of the leading or receiving edges 46,
9~ the flow tends to be partially dispersed inwardly toward the
10l axis ll to thereby provide for even distribution of flow and
11l pressure throughout the cross section of the housing at outlet
12l edges of the vanes which outlet edges are designated 62.
13 It will be understood that the flow s'raightening
14l characteristics of the radially disposed vanes 40 are combined with
15l flow and pressure equalizing functions so as to provide for
16 1 optimum flow characteristics of the fluid leaving the flow
17 ¦I straightening portions 54 and entering between the radially
18 ll spaced apart concentric electrode structures 63 and 64 and such
19ll that the flow throughout the cross section of the housing is
20 ~I nearly optimum with relation to the desired flow characteristics
21 ll between the collector and discharge electrodes 63 and 64
22 1I respectivelY
23l, The vanes 40, at their intermediate portions, are pro-
24 1I vided with a structural supporting ring 66, as shown in Fig. l
25!l of the drawings, which tends to maintain the assembly 38 rigid
26, and to provide for the utilization of a lesser number of the
27 l vanes 40 near the central tubular member 46 than in a position
28ll near the wall 20 of the housing lO. Thus, the spacing of the
29 ll vanes 40 may be maintained at optimum by means of the intermedi- ¦
ate structural ring 66. This arrangement provides for the
31l construction of large diameter vane assemblies 38 with the
32 1I desirable spacing of the vanes near the inner surface of the
-12-
1 outer wall 20 and also fo1 t~e ;~eslrable spaclng of the vanes
2 40 adjacent the much smaller diameter of the tubular member 46
3 near the central axis 11, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the
4l drawlngs.
As shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, the annular ledge
6 ll or choke ring is provided with an upper generally frusto conical
71~ surface 34 and a lower surface 32 which is disposed substantially
81 at right angles to the central axis 11 of the housing 10. The
g~I surface 32 projects from the inner wall surface 20 of the
10ll housing 10 to its inner edge 36 which is annular; and the
111 hereinbefore described frusto conical surface 34 of the annular
12 ll ledge or choke ring is diverging in the direction of an arrow A
13 1 as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, which is toward the outlet
: 14l,l 13 of the housing, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This
15~l diverging frusto conical surface 34 extends to the inner wall 20
16jl of the housing and toward the hereinbefore described assembly of
7 17 I straightener vanes 40 constructed as hereinbefore described.
18 1l A hollow annular frusto conical spoiler ring 74 is
19l provided with a frusto conical wall 76, which diverges in the
201~ direction of the arrow A toward the outlet 13 of the housing 10.
21!1 This frusto conical ring portion 76 is substantially parallel
22 ¦¦ with the frusto conical portion 34 and generally conforming
23 1! thereto. This wall 76 is spaced from the frusto conical portion
24 34 to provide for an annular generally frusto conical slot 78
25 I which is directed generally outward toward the inner wall portion
26 1 20 of the housing 10. The frusto conical spoiler ring 74 is
27 ~ provided with a peripheral portion 80 which is smaller in diamete
~1 28 I! than the diameter of the inner wall 20 of the housing 10 and
; 29 ¦I the frusto conical ring 74 is provided with an inner or lower
,: 301' edge portion 82 defining a circular opening through which fluid
31¦l may flow, as indicated by arrows B. The lower edge of the
~2 I frusto conical spoiler ring 74 is of a small diameter than the
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~046379
1 inner edge 36 of the frusto conical ledge or choke ring. The
2l inner edge 82 of the spoiler ring 74 projects axially beyond the
3 surface 32 of the choke ring, as shown best in Fig. 9 of the
4 1I drawings, whereby centrifugal flow inside the housing below the
5l surface 32 of the choke ring or ledge is guided into the frusto
6~ conical slot 78 and the cross section of this slot may be varied ¦
7l~ in accordance with the operation of a plurality of adjustment
8ll mechanisms 84 which, as shown in Fig. 10, are spaced around the
9' annular structure of the spoiler ring 74 and the choke ring
10'l hereinbefore described.
11 I As shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, each mechanism 84 is
12 I provided with an adjustment screw 86 carrying a miter gear 88
13 ! which meshes with a miter gear 90. The miter gear 90 is mounted ~
14¦j on a shaft 92 generally in a bearing 94 and mounted on the shaft ¦
5~¦ externally of the housing 10 is a manually operable crank handle ¦
16l 96.
17jl The shaft 86 is provided with external screw threads 98
,81~ which operate in internal screw threads 100 in nuts 102 fixed to
19~¦ the spoiler ring 74. Normally lower end portions 104 of each
shaft 86 is provided with a snap ring retainer 106 and another
21 snap ring retainer 108. These retainers hold the shaft 86 such
22 that they are not moveable in a direction longitudinally of their
231 axies so that the gears 88 and 90 maintain a constant meshed
24 I relationship, and so that the shafts 86 do not move and therefore
25 ¦ when rotated cause backward or forward or upward or downward
26 ¦ movement of the nuts 102 and the spoiler ring 74 so that each
frusto conical portion 76 is moved toward or away from the frusto
29 ¦ conical portion 34 of the ledge or choke ring hereinbefore
ibed
301l Thus, each adjusting mechanism 84 is individually
31 ll operable to adjust a peripheral portion of the spoiler ring 74
32 ¦ and this spoiler ring 74 is preferably made of sheet metal and
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"' ~0~379
1li is of a deflectable or re~ilient nature such that various
2il adjustments may be made by the various mechanisms 84 so that
3ll uneven flow conditions may be compensated for in several areas
4 where the adjusting mechan~sms 84 are disposed.
5, Due to the fact that th~ tangential inlet 12 is on one
6~! side of the housing lO, some of the mechanisms 84 may be adjusted¦
7, differently than others of the mechanisms 84 and the flexibility ¦
8 or resilient character of the spoiler ring 76 will accomodate a
9~ slight warping or bending thereof so that the slot 78 may vary
10, slightly in accordance with adjustments required to obtain an
~ even flow distribution which may be sensed-by pitot tubes 110
12¦l shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. These pitot tubes are only an
13,, exa~ple of a means by which the flow may be sensed above or at
14,l the outlet of the vanes 40, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.
15,l These sensor tubes llO are open to receive flow moving in direc-
16 ll tions of arrows C in Fig. l of the drawings, and these tubes 110
17jl communicate with conduits 1l2 disposed at the outer side of the
18 1l housing lO and a dial guage 114 may be coupled in connection with
19ll each tu~e 112 to indicate the amount of adjustment to be cranked
20 j~ into each mechanism 84 in accordance with flow sensed by a
21 ll respective one of the flow sensor tubes llO; it being noted that
22 ll the flow sensor tubes llO are disposed in generally a circular
23l. array and generally corresponding in position to the adjustment
24,i mechanisms 84 shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings.
25~!, In accordance with the modification of the invention,
l as~shown in Fig. 12, the flow sensor tubes 112 may be coupled to I
27jl a transducer mechanism 116 and motor 118 which will rotate the
~" ~28,~ respective shaft 92 and miter gear 90 in mesh with the respective
29, miter gear 88 and shaft 86 to attain the respective adjustments
30; of a respective portion of the spoiler ring 74. ¦ -
31 In operation, enlargement or reduction of the slot 78
32~ by means of the adjusting mechanisms 84 provides for the control
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~ 1~)4~379
1 of a respective amount of centrifugal flow which progresses ll
2 outward in the housing toward the outer ends 42 of the vanes 40. !
3l The geometry of the leading edges of the vanes and the gradient
~l of flow receiving angle, as hereinbefore described, causes uni-
5 ll form distribution and flow straightening with a minimum pressure
6l~ drop throughout the entire cross section of the housing in which
7 ll the vanes 40 are disposed and in which the collector electrodes
8, 63 are disposed and between which the discharge electrodes 64
9ll operate. Thus, an even and uniform flow and velocity of fluids
10l, is attained throughout the entire area of the electrostatic
precipitator in the area of the aforementioned electrodes from ¦
12 I the smallest diameter electrode adjacent the tube 47 to the
13 I largest diameter electrode nearest the wall of the housing 10.
14 I In the manually operable adjusting mechanism shown in
1511 Fig. 13, the spoiler ring is designated 130 and is manually
16¦! adjustable by a person who may gain access to the interior of the
17 housing 10 via a door 132, shown in Fig. 9. Each adjustable
18l mechanism comprises a screwthreaded bolt 134 which is screw-
19 1I threaded in a nut 136 which is fixed to the ledge structure.
20~ The bolt 134 is freely rotatable in a bearing member 138 fixed
211 to the spoiler ring 130; a snap ring 140 disposed in an external
22~¦ groove in the bolt 134 prevents the bolt ~rom moving axially
23¦¦ in the bearing member 138 and thus the spoiler ring 130 may
24 1¦ be adjusted relative to the frusto conical surface 34 of the
251 ledge structure by applying a wrench to a head portion 142 of
26~l the bolt 134.
27!l It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that
28 ¦I various modifications may be resorted to without departing from
23~l the spirit of the invention-
31 1i
1:~ ` 321~ ! -
~ 16- 1
, 11'
