US3465726A

US3465726A - Prefabricated steam generating package

Info

Publication number: US3465726A
Application number: US728655A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul R Gerst
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-05-13
Filing date: 1968-05-13
Publication date: 1969-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 1986-09-09

Description

Sept. 9, 1969 P. R. GERST 3. 5.

PRBFABRICATED STEAM GENERATING PACKAGE Filed lay 13. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 & 1

Arm/alas 9, 1969 P. R. GERST 3,465,726

PREFABRIOATED STEAM GENERATING PACKAGE Filed lay 1a, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet s l I" y l /A/\/EA/7'0 PAUL l2 Gazer 775240, filmame m, Fa ll/um M4 @441 p 1969 P. R. GERST 3,465,726

PRBFABRICATED STEAM GENERATING momma Filed lay 13, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JP mew/w I Z6 94 e x Y "HP RETURA/J J Av v my MAKEUP ware/2 9 PUMP 66 /A/\/E/\/7UE I 98 I04 67 RAUL R. @5125? 1 I 777% ,f allmmwb, W v WJMLMWM I ArmwEYs United States Patent 3,465,726 PREFABRICATED STEAM GENERATING PACKAGE Paul R. Gerst, 1819 N. Lockwood Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60639 Filed May 13, 1968, Ser. No. 728,655 Int. Cl. F22b 33/00 US. Cl. 122-1 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A prefabricated, steam generating unit or package adapted for easy transit to a jobsite and rapid installation for operation thereat, comprising an elongated, rectangular, permanent support base structure, one or more separate steam generators permanently mounted on said base structure in a row parallel and eccentric of a longitudinal center axis of base structure, each of said steam generators having controls facing one side and an opposite back side and a width between said sides less than the width of said base structure. Said generators are positioned on the base with the back sides thereof adjacent one longitudinal edge of the base structure and the control sides are spaced inwardly of the opposite longitudinal side of the base structure providing an elongated aisle space for permitting direct access to the controls on the generators. A plurality of vertically stacked, horizontally extending headers, including at least a steam and feed water header, are permanently mounted along said one longitudinal side of the base structure outwardly of the back sides of the generators and permanently connected up therewith ready for operation, the headers affording protection for the unit or package from damage during transit and installation at the jobsite.

The present invention relates to a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit or package which is especially adapted for easy shipment and transit, without crating, to a remote jobsite and upon arrival at the installation site is easily and rapidly installed with a minimum of time, skill, and'labor being required.

In the past it has been the practice when supplying relatively large capacity and complex steam generating systems for various types of service, such as heating systems and the like, for the mechanical contractor on the job to order the individual components making up the system and having the components shipped separately and individually to the jobsite or place of installation. Scheduling the arrival times for the components requires time and planning and often after the components arrive problems arise in the storage and protection thereof as well as in uncrating, mounting, and connecting up of the various units to form the integrated system. Oftentimes the labor force available at the jobsite is not familiar with the design of the integral system, and accordingly, connecting pipes and headers are sometimes cut to the wrong length and other problems arise, resulting in a much greater length of time and labor expended than need be before the complete system is ready for operation. Moreover, individual crating of the components, including the larger ones such as steam boilers, tanks, feed water pumps, water conditioning systems, and the like, is expensive, and adds considerably to freight costs. Moreover, the problem of coordinating the shipments of the various components for arrival at the jobsite at the right time so that installation can begin on schedule is sometimes an extremely complex operation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit or package which is especially adapted for easy transit Patented Sept. 9, 1969 to a jobsite and which can be rapidly installed and put into operation after arrival at the site with a minimum of time and labor.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit having one or more individual separate steam generators mounted on a common, elongated base which serves as a skid for supporting the package during shipment and which serves as a permanent base for the unit after installation in place for operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is the prosion of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit or package in which steam, feed water, and other headers are mounted in vertically stacked arrangement along one side of the unit, thereby affording protection for the package during shipment and installation.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit of the character described, wherein a minimum number of connections are required to place the unit in operation, once it arrives at the jobsite.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit wherein a plurality of separate steam generators are mounted on a common, elongated, permanent support base structure in a row parallel and eccentric of a longitudinal center axis of the base structure, thereby providing a longitudinal working space or aisle for operators to afford direct access to the control units of the individual generators.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit wherein the space above the working space or aisle is occupied by the exhaust stacks of the individual generators during shipment of the unit, and the exhaust stacks are arranged to extend horizontally along one side of the unit in a vertically stacked arrangement, thereby affording protection for the integral package on the opposite longitudinal side.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit of the character described in the preceding paragraphs wherein a flexible cover is draped over the unit to protect it from the elements, and the cover is supported by the stacked headers on one side of the unit and the horizontally arranged exhaust stacks on the opposite side of the unit without further means being required.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricating steam generating unit including a water treat-ment and storage system permanently mounted adjacent one end of the support base structure and integrally connected up with the individual steam generators.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit of the character described wherein the base structure is used as a structural member or body of a trailer which can be pulled by a conventional over-theroad tractor from the initial fabrication point to the jobsite. In this connection, a detachable road wheel assembly is provided for supporting one end of the unit or package and a detachable kingpin assembly is provided adjacent the other end for connection with the kingpin receiving assembly of an over-the-road tractor used for transporting the prefabricated unit to the jobsite.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit of the character described in the preceding paragraph wherein the road wheel and kingpin assemblies are detachably mounted on the base structure of the unit and orientated whereby the steam generators or row of generators is aligned on the left-hand side of the central axis of the base structure, as viewed forwardly toward the tractor, so that the center of gravity of the unit is eccentric toward the high side of the road, resulting in a greater stability for the tractor and unit being pulled thereby.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit employing a plurality of separate steam generators connected to common header systems, whereby wide variations in steam output capacity can be easily provided by shutting down or firing up selected steam generators of the integral unit to better accommodate the output required.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam gencrating unit of the type described which occupies a minimum of floor space and volume and thereby provides a high boiler horsepower output for its weight and size.

Along this line, another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit of the type described wherein the unit is small enough in size so that it may be easily loaded into the van of a conventional commercial overthe-road trailer without incurring oversize penalties or requiring special handling because of excessive loads or width and height dimensions.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved prefabricated steam generating unit which is flexible in operation and which can be easily and rapidly installed ready for operation at the site of installation with a minimum amount of labor, time, and skill being required.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved steam generating unit or package of the character described including a housing structure enclosing said unit permanently installed thereon.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved steam generating unit of the character described in the preceding paragraph including longitudinal and transverse headers supporting and connected with wall and roof portions of said housing structure.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished in one embodiment thereof by a new and improved, prefabricated steam generating unit or package especially adapted for easy transit and shipment to the jobsite and upon arrival at the installation site is easily and rapidly installed, ready for operation. The unit includes an elongated, rectangular, permanent, support base structure and one or more separate, individual steam generators or boilers which are permanently mounted on the base structure in a row parallel and eccentric of the longitudinal center axis thereof. Each of the steam generators includes control and monitoring equipment facing one side and an opposite or back side with a lateral width between the sides somewhat less than the width of the base structure, thereby providing an elongated, narrow aisle or work space extending along the opposite longitudinal side of the base structure to provide direct access for workmen and operators for installing and controlling the system in operation. A plurality of horizontally extending headers, including at least a steam and feed-water header are permanently mounted along said longitudinal side of the base structure outwardly of the back side of the generators in vertical, stacked relation and the headers are permanently connected to the steam generators, ready for operation. The headers afford protection for the steam generators from damage during transit along one side of the unit and relatively large diameter exhaust stacks required by each steam generator are arranged in a horizontally extended vertically stacked configuration above the aisle space on the opposite side of the unit during transit. The exhaust stacks afford protection for the opposite side of the package and, after the unit arrives at the installation the exhaust stacks are removed from their vertically stacked horizontal configuration in the aisle space and are erected in place on top of the boilers to carry the exhaust gases into the atmosphere.

In one embodiment of the invention, a building structure is permanently affixed to enclose the unit, and a wall and/or roof of the building enclosure is supported and connected by the headers of the unit.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a new and improved prefabricated, steam generating unit or package constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the package of FIG. 1 shown as it is installed in place at the jobsite with the exhaust pipe for the steam boilers in place;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the package of FIG. 1 as it is installed in place and showing especially the header system for interconnecting the generator units;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross section taken substantially along lines 44 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the unit as installed in place with a housing structure shown in phantom;

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 55 of FIG. 2 and similar to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the new and improved prefabricating steam generating unit of FIG. 1 shown as it is being transported to the jobsite with the exhaust stacks of the generators knocked down and vertically stacked along one side of the unit in the aisle space;

FIG. 7 is a transverse cross section of the unit of FIG. 6 during transit taken substantially along lines 7-7 thereof; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a schematic piping and wiring diagram for the prefabricated steam generating unit of the present invention.

Referring now, more particularly, to the drawings, therein is illustrated a new and improved, prefabricated steam generating unit or package referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 and illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 as the unit is installed in place at a jobsite ready for connection into the system of the load for operation.

The prefabricated steam generating unit 10 of the invention includes an elongated, rectangular, permanent, support base structure 12 having a pair of longitudinally extending opposite members 14 joined together at opposite ends by cross members 16. In addition, the base structure 12 includes a plurality of intermediate cross members, not shown, extending between the longitudinal side members 14 and the entire frame structure is preferably covered with steel grating or pouring material 18. The longitudinal side members 14 and cross members 16, making up the base structure frame are of suitable shape and strength to support the loading design for the unit, and the base structure 12 is adapted to remain as a permanent base for the unit 10 when it is installed in place at the jobsite and connected up for operation.

In accordance with the present invention, the prefabricated steam generating unit 10 includes one or more separate, individual, steam generators or boilers 20 permanently mounted on the base structure 12 in a single row as represented by the dotted line A (FIG. 1) which is parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the support base represented by the line B in FIG. 1. Because of the off-center or eccentric arrangement of the boilers 20 along one longitudinal side or edge of the support base structure, an open area or aisle, space C (FIG. I) extending longitudinally along the opposite side of the base structure, is provided for access to the individual steam boilers 20 and the controls thereon.

In accordance with the invention, each of the steam boilers 20 includes a front side or control side on which gauges and electrical burner and temperature controls 22 are mounted for viewing by an operator walking along the aisle space C, and the opposite or back sides of the boilers are positioned to face outwardly toward the longitudinal side of the support frame or base structure 12 opposite the aisle C. In an embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention, the base structure 12 was fabricated to be 7.75 feet in width and 33 feet long, a size which is readily handled in commercially available vehicles for transit, and the boilers 20 were rated at 175 boiler horsepower each and manufactured by the Clayton Manufacturing Company, The boilers 20 were approximately 4 feet in width between the front or control base and the back side and, because of the offcenter location thereof the aisle space C was approximately 2 /2 feet in width, which is ample space for a workman or operator in controlling the unit and watching the operation thereof. Accordingly, when three boilers 20 of the 200 boiler horsepower capacity were mounted on the frame, the total output capacity of the unit was 600 boiler horsepower, and by the addition of a fourth boiler, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, this output could be increased to 800 boiler horsepower, if desired. Moreover, relatively small size boilers having high boiler horsepower outputs are presently available by use of superheating equipment therein to further increase the output capacity of the unit if desired. In any event, the boilers 20 are permanently mounted on the base structure 12 as the prefabricated steam generating unit is initially built, and provisions may be made for leaving additional space at one end of the base structure for adding one or more additional units, if and when the need arises.

In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of headers extending longitudinally along the back sides of the boilers 20 are permanently afiixed to the support base 12 and arranged in a vertically stacked relation to one another, as best shown in FIG. 3. The plurality of headers includes a steam header 24, a vent header 26, a feed-water header 28, and a gas header 30 if gas is to be used for firing the boilers 20. On the other hand, if oil is to be used for firing the boilers, as an alternate fuel, an oil supply header and return

header

32a and 32b, respectively, may be additionally provided, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The specific sizing and capacity of the various headers is designedto accommodate the specific needs of the steam generating unit 10 and, preferably, the headers extend the complete length of the support base structure 12, as best shown in FIG. 3. The headers are arranged in vertically stacked relation and are supported by suitable upright members 36, and thus form a structurally strong protective wall, or the like, for one longitudinal side of the prefabricated generating unit for protecting the boilers 20 and other components of the unit from damage during transit and installation. Each boiler 20 is connected into the steam header 24 by a piping segment and valve 40 so that individual boilers in the unit can be connected on or taken off the line as desired when the capacity required by the load varies, and preferably the connecting pipes 30 are extended upwardly of the header in inverted U-shaped configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, to provide additional support for a removable covering curtain of flexible material which may be thrown over the unit during shipment, as will be described hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, one leg of each steam connector pipe 38 upstream of the valve 40 is provided with a release valve 42, and a vent pipe 44 is connected between the release valve and the vent header 26 which is spaced below the steam header 24. The release valves 42 may be adjusted so that excessive boiler pressure will be relieved by venting the steam directly into the vent header 26. Feed water for the boilers 20 is supplied from the feed-water header 28, and each boiler is connected to the header by a short pipe 46 and valve 28, as best shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, each boiler 20 includes an independent feed-water pump which is controlled by the control panel instruments 22 thereon, so that the output of each boiler can be regulated in accordance with the desired operating conditions. The lower gas header 30 is adapted to supply natural gas as a fuel to the boilers 20 and for this purpose a plurality of individual supply pipes 50 (FIG. 1) are connected to the header and extend into the burner sections 20a of the boilers (FIG. 2) which are regulated by the controls on the panels 22.

Referring now to the schematic diagram of FIGS. 8 and 9, the burner units 20a may also be supplied with oil for a fuel from the oil supply lines 32a and oil return lines 32b, and the installation of the oil supply lines will depend upon the fuel available at the jobsite. Consequently, if natural gas is not available, the lower gas supply header 30 can be eliminated from the stack of headers along the side of the steam generating unit.

In accordance with the present invention, the prefabricated steam generating unit or package 10 also includes a feed-water supply and storage system 60 mounted at one end of the support base 12. Components making up the feed-water supply and storage system 60 may vary considerably, depending upon the specific installation and type of operation for which the steam generating is used. In the embodiment illustrated and in the embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention, the feed-water supply and storage system included an upright high-pressure storage vessel 62, a horizontal low pressure storage tank 64, interconnected therewith, and a water softening system 66, best shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 8, and 9. Because of the wide variations of feed-water storage and supply systems and conditioning systems that can be used, a typical installation will be described for use with boilers of the type commonly used in the construction of the prefabricated steam generating unit of the present invention, but it is not intended that the system shall be so limited to include only those components described herein. The main feed-water header is supplied with high temperature feed water from the high pressure storage vessel 62 through line 68 (FIGS. 8 and 9) and control valve 70, and Water is supplied to the inlet side of the high pressure vessel 62 through a high pressure return line 72. Low pressure return fluid is supplied to the low pressure tank 64 through a low pressure return line 74, and these lines are preferably fabricated and connected in place so that at the jobsite it is a relatively simple matter to connect the prefabricated steam generating unit to the load. In order to supply water from the low pressure vessel 64 to the high pressure storage vessel 62, a pair of pressure pumps 76 are provided (FIGS. 8 and 9) and these pumps are connected on the inlet side to the low pressure vessel 64 through a supply line and valve arrangement 78. Output of the pumps is connected directly to the inlet side of the high pressure vessel 62 or to the high pressure return line through a pair of lines 80 having suitable check valves 82 therein.

Preferably, the low pressure water tank 64 is at atmospheric pressure and is vented at the top through an elbow 84 having an upstanding portion 84a in a laterally outwardly and downwardly leg 84b. As best shown in FIG. 4, the slope of the leg 84b is approximately the same as a building roof line or enclosure in which the prefabricated steam generating unit may be placed before or after shipment to the jobsite, and this roof line is indicated by the dotted lines 86.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the enclosure or building includes an upright sidewall 88 indicated in dotted lines extending parallel to and structurally connected with the pipe header system, including the

headers

24, 26, 28, and 30 and the upright support members 36. The lower edge of the sidewall is connected to the base, and the sidewall is outside of the headers. The roof section 86 is supported by and connected with the sloping leg portion 84b of the vent elbow 84 and, if desired, one or more sloping cross headers 85 (FIG. 4), transverse and connected into the

header system

24, 26, 28, and 30 along the outside of the unit, may be provided and arranged for additional supporting connection with the roof structure 86. The outer end of the vent elbow 84b is connected to a vertically extending vent stack 90 having a flange at one end and mounted adjacent the feed-water storage system 60 on the mounting base structure 12. The vent stack 90 is interconnected to the longitudinal vent header 26, as best shown in FIG. 3, to carry the vented vapors upwardly and outwardly through the roof of a building or other enclosure in which the prefabricated generating unit is installed. If desired, an additional stack may be connected to the flange at the upper end of the vent stack '90 to carry the vapors to a higher level. In order to protect the high pressure storage vessel 62 from overpressure, a relief line 92 and relief valve 94 are interconnected between the vessel and the vent stack, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 9.

As previously stated, the water treatment system can be of various types and is interconnected with the feedwater storage systems in a suitable manner. Briefly, a typical treatment or softening system includes make-up or fresh feed water supplied to the water treatment system through a make-up header 96 which is connected through suitable valving to a brine tank 98 and a pair of chemical treatment tanks 100 in parallel. Feed water passing through the tanks 100 is then supplied to the low pressure storage vessel 64 via a pair of pumps 101 and a line 102 also provided with suitable valving therein. In addition, a drain line 104 is connected into the circuit to drain the brine as it is used when flushing either of the chemical treatment tanks 100. It is to be understood, of course, that other suitable water treatment systems employing the ion exchange principle may be used if required, instead of the system described briefly herein.

From the foregoing it will be seen that once the prefabricated steam generating unit of the present invention is moved to the jobsite and set in place, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, with the support base structure 12 resting on the floor structure or skids or other structure 105, it is a relatively simple matter to get the system into operation by making suitable connections with the headers 24 through 30, the low pressure and high

pressure return lines

74 and 72, respectively, a make-up or fresh water line 96 and a suitable drain for the line 104. If oil is to be used for firing the boilers 20, connection will be made to storage facilities for fuel oil into the lines 32a and 3211. Also, in accordance with the present invention and referring specifically to FIGS. 2, 8, and 9, the control systems and electrical power for the control boxes 22 on the boilers and the feed-water treatment storage and pumping systems are prewired at the factory before shipment and so that the unit 10 merely needs to be connected up to the suitable electrical power source through a circuit breaker or the like for these controls to function.

According to another important aspect of the present invention, each boiler is provided with a relatively large diameter exhaust flue or stack 106. During transit or shipment of the prefabricated steam generating unit, the exhaust stacks 106 for each boiler 20 are arranged to extend horizontally and are vertically stacked in the aisle area C, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this configuration, the exhaust stacks are supported by suitable removable frameworks 108, and when in place, provide a crating type of protecting for the control side or inside faces of the unit from damage during transit. Moreover, the exhaust stacks 106, when arranged as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, help to balance the loading of the entire unit for transit to somewhat offset the eccentric loading of the heavier boiler or steam generators 20. The exhaust stacks 106 also serve to support one side of a covering enclosure 110 of canvas or other protective material which is easily draped over the prefabricated unit and secured along the outer edges of the support base frame members 14 and 16.

If the unit is shipped with the building enclosure permanently in place (FIGS. 4 and 5), the protective covering 110 can be used to cover the open side of the unit adjacent the exhaust stacks 106. On the other hand, the build ing structure may include an upright wall 89 (FIG. 4) 0p posite the wall 86 enclosing the opposite side of the unit and in such case no covering 110 would be required. In installation wherein two or more generating units 10 and 10A are to be used, the units can be placed in side-by-side relation (FIG. 5) with the roof structures 88 intersecting at the center of the double unit and the aisle spaces C adjacent one another. In this application the transverse headers from the two units may be interconnected together adjacent the center of the building and one or more common longitudinal headers 87 may be provided running the length of the building along the ridge of the roof structure.

It will be seen that the unit, in accordance with the present invention, is easily transported in conventional tractor-trailer van or on a flat bed-type vehicle. Because of the limited width and height of the unit, transportation can be readily obtained for a relatively high boiler horsepower unit. When the unit arrives at the jobsite, the support base 12 is moved into permanent place and the bracing 108 which supports the stacks 106 is removed and the stacks 106 are then assembled in place, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, on the exhaust openings of the respective boilers 20. The aisle space C provides a needed open space for the knocked down horizontally extended exhaust stacks 106 during transit and after the stacks have been erected in place on the jobsite, the aisle space C is available to the operators of the equipment and provides ready access to the controls of the respective boilers 20.

In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, the prefabricated, steam generating unit 10 is adapted to serve as a self-contained trailer body for pulling by an over-the-road tractor unit 112 (FIG. 6), and for this purpose a detachably removably bogey wheel assembly 114 can be afiixed to the rearward end portion of the support base 12 while a removable kingpin receiving assembly 116 is provided adjacent the forward end of the unit for connection with the tractor. It will thus be seen that the unit 10 is easily shipped and, once it arrives at the jobsite, the removable road wheel assembly 114 is dismantled as well as the kingpin assembly 114 before setting the base 12 in place. The tractor 112 then can take the kingpin assembly 116 and road wheel assembly or bogey 114 back to the point of origin and thus transportation expenses are reduced considerably.

Referring specifically to FIG. 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that the preferred loading arrangement for a truck or a trailer, as shown, is obtained by orienting the support base 12 so that the center of gravity of the row of boilers 20 is offset from the longitudinal center of the support base toward the high side of the road. Because most road surfaces are sloped towards the outer edge, as exaggerated in FIG. 7, by placing the boilers 20 towards the high side of the road, better road stability is achieved with the load.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the prefabricated steam generating unit 10 of the present invention provides many advantages over the heretofore practiced art wherein the individual components making up the system are simply shipped to a jobsite without proper scheduling, and may sit around in crates for periods of time before assembly. Moreover, the skilled artisans available may not know exactly how the configuration of the components is to be made, and this results in further time delay.

The present invention provides a means for relatively large horsepower steam generating units to be prefabricated at a plant and then easily transported over the road by truck or freight car to the jobsite and readily installed at the jobsite with a minimum of time and labor expended. Moreover, fabrication of the units as shown becomes more automated and results in economic benefits on the part of both the user and the fabricator. The load is adequately protected during transit by the pipe headers and the exhaust stack arrangements as well as a removable flexible cover which can be thrown over the entire package or unit. In addition, the unit can be shipped in a building enclosure, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, which enclosure further provides protection during transit, installation, and operation. Moreover, the assembled unit provides good roadability and reduces handling problems of trucks and the like used to haul the units to the site. It is to be understood that various difierent feed or other supply and storage systems can be utilized with the arrangement of the present invention and different water treatment systems may also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

While there has been illustrated and described a single embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A packaged, prefabricated, steam generating unit for easy transit to a jobsite and rapid installation thereat comprising, an elongated, rectangular, permanent support base structure, one or more separate steam generators permanently mounted on said base structure in a row parallel and eccentric of a longitudinal center axis of said base structure, each of said steam generators having controls facing one side and an opposite back side and a width between said sides less than the width of the said base structure, said generators positioned on said base structure with the back sides thereof adjacent one longitudinal edge of said base structure and said one side spaced inwardly of the opposite longitudinal side of said base structure providing an elongated aisle space for access to said general controls when said unit is in place, and a plurality of vertically stacked, horizontally extending headers, including at least a steam and feed-water header permanently mounted along said one longitudinal edge of said base structure outwardly of the back sides of said generators and permanently connected thereto for operation, said headers afiording protection for said generators from damage during transit.

2. The packaged, prefabricated, steam generating unit of claim 1 including an exhaust stack for each generator, sections of exhaust stacks arranged horizontally and longitudinally of said base structure along said aisle space and removably mounted in vertical stacked configuration during transit, affording protection to said generator controls along the opposite longitudinal side of said base structure.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a flexible covering material draped over said unit and supported on opposite sides of said base structure by said vertically stacked headers and said vertically stacked generator exhaust stack sections.

4. The combination of claim 3 including a feed water treatment and storage system for said generators, permanently mounted on said base structure adjacent one end and permanently connected with at least said feed water header of said plurality of vertically stacked headers.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said plurality of headers includes a vent header, a vertical vent stack connected to said vent header and mounted adjacent said Water treatment and storage system, and vent pipe means fro'in said system connected to said vent stack extended transversely of said base structure and sloping downwardly from the center thereof toward said one edge for supporting said flexible covering material during transit.

6. The combination of claim 2 including a detachable road wheel assembly supporting one end of said base structure and a detachable kingpin receiving assembly adjacent the other end of said base structure for connection with an over-the-road tractor and for transporting said unit to the jobsite with said base structure acting as a trailer body.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said road wheel assembly and kingpin receiving assembly are attached to said base structure in orientation whereby said row of generators is aligned on the left-hand side of the central longitudinal axis of the base structure when viewed forwardly toward said over-the-road tractor connected thereto for transit.

8. The combination of claim 2 including a building structure for housing said unit, said building structure including an upright sidewall structurally interconnected to said stacked headers.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said building structure includes a roof structure, and including one or more cross headers extended transversely of said stacked headers and interconnected therewith, said cross header being structurally interconnected with said roof structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,780,206 2/1957 Rocque et a1. 122-1 XR 2,053,131 9/1936 Colby 122-1 1,860,364 5/1932 LaMont 122-1 KENNETH W. SPRAGUE, Primary Examiner