Beam for a containment structure

摘要

An annular beam 46 which is hollow and which extends circumferentially about an annular flow path 22, 24 for working medium gases is disclosed. The annular beam supports and positions both a shroud 42 and a fabric 44 for containing particles having axial and radial velocity. The annular beam has a first wall 48 and a second wall 50. The second wall is spaced radially from the first wall. A plurality of annular plates 52 extending circumferentially about the interior of the beam. The plates are attached to the first wall and to the second wall. In one detailed embodiment the annular plates have a C-shaped cross section formed of a circumferentially extending rib 58 and two axially oriented legs 60, 62. The radial height of the rib is many times greater than the radial height of the legs. A method of fabricating the annular beam is disclosed. One detailed method includes the steps of inserting the annular plates into a gap between the inner wall and the outer wall, securing each annular plate in turn by spot welding the plate to the walls to place the legs of the plate in abutting relationship with the walls, and rotating the assembly of the walls and the plates beneath a device for directing a stream of energy, such as an electron beam welder, to join the walls to the legs.