WO1988007112A1

WO1988007112A1 - Wall for service corridors in clean rooms

Info

Publication number: WO1988007112A1
Application number: PCT/SE1988/000126
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bertil Larsson; Göran RUDOLFSSON
Original assignee: Fläkt Ab
Priority date: 1987-03-12
Filing date: 1988-03-11
Publication date: 1988-09-22
Also published as: SE8701032D0; SE8701032L; SE456592B; AU1492088A

Abstract

A wall for service corridors in clean rooms comprises vertical studs to which wall panels (12) are mounted. Each stud includes a beam (10) on which the wall panel bears, and a fastening strip (14) extending parallel to the beam and fixed thereto with fastening means against the side of the wall panel facing away from the beam for fastening the panel to the beam. Alternatively, at least one side of the wall panel is covered by a metal sheet (50, 52) fastened to it which sheet extends beyond the edge of the panel. The edge of the panel is positioned adjacent a side of the beam (10) and the extension of the sheet is fastened to the beam with fastening means (54).

Description

Wall for Service Corridors in Clean Rooms

The present invention relates to a wall for service corridors in clean rooms comprising vertical studs to which wall panels are mounted.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of an usual configuration of a clean room 2, with so-called service fingers 4 in communication with a service corridor 6 extending round the clean room 2. Such a configuration with the use of service fingers enables advantageous distribution of different media such as pure water, gas, electricity, etc to equipment situated in different places in the clean room 2. How a wall between a service finger 4 and the clean room 2 is passed through by a machine or other equipment is illustrated schematically at 8.

For the work in clean rooms, processes must often be modified and new processing equipment installed. In such cases it is necessary that the installation time for the new equipment is very short and that the installation can take place simultaneously as other work continues in other parts of the clean room. The wall between the clean room and the service finger must therefore be rapidly adapted to different installation leadthroughs requiring cutting holes in wall panels, without large and costly reconstruc¬ tions.

In structures known up to now, in which the walls have been built up from a framework of studs and transverse noggings on which wall panels are screwed, this problem has not been solved in a satisfactory manner. Since in these earlier structures it is necessary to screw the wall panels in a large number of different points on the framework, changing of wall panels results in considerable work.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate this disadvantage with walls according to the above-mentioned, previously known structure, and to provide a wall structure which gives large flexibility in use, by being simple to erect, remove and modify.

This object is achieved with a wall of the kind given in the introduction and with the characterizing features disclosed in claim 1 or 2.

Thus by forming the wall so that wall panels can be quickly and easily erected and removed from a framework consisting of beams, the panels can be rapidly shifted, which is also advantageous for maintaining cleanness in the room. According to an advantageous development of the wall in accordance with the invention, the beams are formed as profiles having a central opening in which a locking means of the kind described in our Swedish patent application No 8700746-4 is intended to be mounted. In this way the beams can be readily connected at right angles to each other in an essentially optional manner. This enables rapid and simple modification of the framework built up by the profiles for coping with alterations in processing equipment, as mentioned above.

With the aid of this locking means, vertical studs can also be readily fixed at optional points in the ceiling beam, and noggings can be inserted at desired places between the vertical studs. When a machine is to be installed, noggings can thus be readily mounted so that they precisely surround the installation. In addition, the profiles with their locking means can be implemented so that they form brackets on the vertical profiles, for e.g. cable racks, gas conduits, cooling water pipes etc.

In accordance with an advantageous further development of the wall in accordance with the invention, the profile is made unsymmetrically so that its exterior configuration in cross section forms a rectangle, the difference between the long and short sides of the rectangle being substantially equal to the thickness of the wall panel and a fastening strip. Since it has been found advantageous in practice to make the connecting side of the ceiling profile equal to the long side of the rectangular cross section, the side of the wall facing the clean room will thus form a smooth transfer to the ceiling profile, the formation of turbulence at this junction thus being eliminated.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the profile is formed with four longitudinal T-slots, one in each side of the profile, thus achieving maximum flexibility in the use of the profile.

When sheet metal covered wall panels are used, tfi-e wall panel is cut at the edges so that the sheet, in accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, extends beyond the panel on its inside, the extension of the sheet being folded at right angles to the plan of the wall panel such as to bear against the side adjacent to which the wall panel edge is positioned. An L- shaped fastening means can be applied at this bent corner to fasten the wall panel to the beam. This fastening means can be formed of a plurality of L-shaped fastening profiles spaced along the length of the beam, or of one L-shaped fastening strip extending along substantially the entire length of the beam.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the wall in accordance with the invention, a metal sheet is arranged on the side of the wall panel facing towards the clean room, which sheet by cutting the wall panel itself extends beyond the edge of the panel and over a side of the beam lying substantially in the same plane as the sheet, the extension of the sheet being preferably bent to enclose more than one side of the profile so that the continous sheet will enclose at least one corner of the profile. Errection of the profiles as interior brackets in the clean room in accordance with the invention, is also enabled by these embodiments. Problems caused by static electricity are also eliminated by the use of sheet metal covered wall panels. These problems can also be avoided by the use of panels coated with metal foil.

In accordance with yet another advantageous embodiment of the wall in accordance with the invention the profile is formed with fastening means, suitably screw pockets, for fastening plates at the ends of the profiles, e.g. foot plates, for closing the interior part of the profile. This is primarily of importance when the profile is used as a interior bracket facing into the clean room.

In accordance with further advantageous embodiment of the wall in accordance with the invention, the profile is made of anodized aluminum, which gives good resistance to oxidization and minimum particle emission, and thus no further surface finishing of the profile is needed.

Embodiments selected as examples will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, where

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a clean room with service spaces in a so-called finger configuration, as described above, Figure 2 illustrates the assembly of a wall according to a first embodiment of the wall in accordance with the invention,

Figures 3 and 4 are cross sections of the wall profile and fastening strip respectively used in the embodiment according to Figure 2, Figure 5 shows a detail of the fastening strip according to Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the wall assembly at the ceiling profile,

Figure 7 illustrates a practical example of an installation using the wall in accordance with the invention,

Figure 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the wall in accordance with the invention and

Figure 9 is a cross section of a cover strip adapted for internally gripping a T-slot of the profile used in the wall according to the invention for closing this slot.

In Figure 2 there is illustraded a first embodiment of the wall in accordance with the invention, comprising a vertical stud 10, to which a wall panel 12 is intended to be fastened by the fastening strip 14 by securing the latter by screws to the stud 10. As is more clearly illustrated in Figure 3, the stud 10 is formed of a profile with an external cross-sectional configuration forming a rectangle, a longitudinal T-slot 16,18,20,22 being formed in each of the sides. As is more clearly illustrated in Figure 4, the fastening strip 14 is provided with longitudinal guide flanges 24 extending along the T-slot 18 in the profile 10 in the assembled wall, c.f. Figure 2.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the surface 26 of the fastening strip 14 facing towards the wall panel 12, except for the part of the surface farthest out, is formed with some unevenness or roughness for providing a secure grip on the wall panel 12 when the strip 14 is secured by screws to the profile 10.

The profile 10 has a central cavity 28, in which a locking means 30 is intended to be mounted at the end portion of the profile, see figures 2 and 3.

The dimensions of the locking means 30 are adjusted to the size of the central cavity 28 and include two pivotably connected parts, which are urged apart with the aid of a locking screw 32 for causing the ends 34 of the locking means to engage in a T-slot for assembling two profiles at right angles.

The locking means can also be of the kind described in our Swedish patent application No 8700746-4 mentioned above.

Using this locking means, the vertical profiles 10 can be readily fixed to the ceiling section 36 and since the profiles are provided with T-slots in all four sides, noggings 38 can be inserted optionally between the vertical profiles, c.f. Figure 2.

In this way, a machine installation can be easily surrounded by noggings. With this implementation, the frame structure of the wall can be very simply modified, e.g. by displacing profiles with the locking means sliding in a T-slot, as illustrated in Figure 2, or by removing and inserting new profiles. In Figure 2 the ceiling profile 36 illustrated is of the type described in our Swedish patent application No 8700746-4 for carrying filter elements, in so-called Liquid-Seal installation. However, it is possible to use the profile 10 as a ceiling profile for so-called Dry-Seal installation of filter elements, whereby one single type of profile is required for erecting both walls and ceiling.

The noggings 38 are similarly profiles of the kind illustrated in Figure 3. The profile 10 with its locking means 30 can also be designed to form brackets for cable racks, gas conduits, cooling water pipes etc on the vertical studs. Figures 7 thus illustrates a part of a wall between a clean room 2 and a service space 4, where the wall is passed through by an apparatus 8 and surrounded on two sides by the vertical profile 10 and the nogging 38. A vertical profile 40 depends from the ceiling section 36, and at its lower end it carries profiles 42,44 serving as brackets. A central bracket way placed in a service finger is built up in such a manner, with the possibility to great flexibility and system adaptability in use. All the profiles illustrated in the figur, except for the ceiling profile 36 are of the kind illustrated in Figure 3, the locking means 30 being used for assembling the profiles.

As mentioned, the outer configuration of the profile 10 forms a rectangle in cross section. In a practical example the rectangular cross section is 38 x 50 mm. The difference between the long and short sides of the rectangle is then substantially equal to the thickness of the wall panel 12 and fastening strip 14. Since the width of the ceiling beam 36 is equal to the long side of said rectangle, a smooth transition will thus be obtained between wall and ce ling beams on the side facing towards the clean room, see Figure 6, where this is illustrated schematically. Generation of turbulence at the wall transition is thus entirely eliminated.

The profile 10 is further provided with fastening means in the form of screw pockets 46, see Figure 3, enabling fastening of a foot or end plate to the profile. The interior of the profile can thus be closed by screwing on an end plate, which is of importance, particularly when the profile is used inside the clean room, e.g. as a bracket. The profile, and where appropriate the fastening strip, are suitably made from anodized aluminum, which gives good resistance to oxidization and a minimum of particle emission, thus no further surface finishing being needed.

Any type of wall panel can be used in principle, including wall panels in sheet metal.

A part of a wall in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figure 8 in an alternative embodiment, the wall panel including a core 48 of compact laminate, on the outsides of which sheet metal 50,52 is fastened. The core 48 and possibly the sheet 50 are cut at the panel edge so that the sheet 52 extends past the end edge of the core 48, and this portion of the sheet 52 is bent at right angle to the wall panel. A fastening means in the form of a L-shaped strip 54 is placed in the corner thus formed. The strip 54 is screwed on the wall panel and in the T-slot 20 in the profile 10 for fastening the wall panel to the profile. The strip can extend along the entire length of the profile, from floor to ceiling. Alternatively, the wall panel can be fixed with several L-shaped fastening members dispased at intervals along the lenth of the profile. Erection of internal brackets 56 inside the clean room is enabled with this embodiment. The bracket 56 is formed of a profile 10 of the kind used in the wall and is fastened by a locking means 30 engaging in the T-slot 18 in the profile 10.

It is also possible to cut out the core 48 of the wall panel, while keeping the sheet 50 such that the projection portion of the sheet 50 can be bent around at least two sides of the profile, so that a continous sheet around the corner is obtained covering the slots 18 and 16 in the profile 10. By using electrically conducting wall panels, e.g. in the form of sheet metal or a laminate structure, as described above, with at least one side formed of sheet metal or coated with metal foil (making the laminate core conducting is an expensive solution) the problems with static electricity are eliminated.

Figure 9 is a cross section of a covering strip 58, with which not used T-slots in the profile 10 can be closed by snap- locking the strip with the aid of claw means 60 in the T-slot.

Claims

1. Wall for service corridors in clean rooms comprising vertical studs to which wall panels are mounted, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d in that each stud comprises a beam on which the wall panel bears, and in that a fastening strip is arranged against the side of the panel facing away from the beam, said fastening strip extending parallel to the beam and being fastened thereto with fastening means for fastening the panel to the beam.

2. Wall for service corridors in clean rooms comprising vertical studs to which wall panels are mounted, c h a r a c t e - r i z e d in that at least one side of the wall panel is covered by a metal sheet fastened to it, which sheet extends beyond the edge of the panel, the edge of the panel being positioned adjacent a side of a beam and the extension of the sheet being fastened to the beam with fastening means.

3. Wall as claimed in claim 2, a sheet metal being fastened to the side of the wall panel facing away from the clean room, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the extension of the sheet is bent to bear on that side of the beam against which the wall panel is positioned.

4. Wall as claimed in claim 2 or 3, a metal sheet being arranged on the side of the wall panel facing towards the clean room, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said metal sheet is extended beyond at least one beam side which is in the same plane as the sheet on the wall panel, the extension of the sheet being preferably bent for surrounding more than one side of the beam.

5. Wall as claimed in any one of claims 2-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said fastening means include L- shaped fastening profiles arranged at intervals along the length of the beam, the legs of said fastening profiles being fastened to the wall panel and the beam respectively, or an L-shaped fastening strip extending parallell to the beam and having its legs fastened to the wall panel and the beam, respectively.

6. Wall as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, c h a ra c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the beam includes a profile, the outer configuration of which forms a rectangle in cross section, the difference between the long and short sides of the rectangle being substantially equal to the thickness of a wall panel and a faste¬ ning strip.

7. Wall as claimed in claim 6, c h a r a c te r i z e d in that the profile is formed with four longitudinal T-slots, one in each side of the rectangular outer configuration.

8. Wall as claimed in claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said profile presents a central cavity in which a locking means is intended to be mounted at the end portion of the profile, said locking means being implemented for locking said profile provided with said locking means to a second perpendicular profile at an optional point on said second profile by engagement in one of the T-slots of the second profile.

9. Wall as claimed in any one of claims 6-8, c h a r a c ¬ te r i z e d in that the profile is formed with fastening means for fastening plates at the ends of the profile for closing the interior of the profile.

10. Wall as claimed in claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said fastening means include screw pockets for screwing on the plates.

11. Wall as claimed in an one of claims 1-10, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the profile is formed of anodized aluminum.

12. Wall as claimed in any ^"one of claims 1-11, c a r a c ¬ te i z e d in that a covering strip is formed for being snap locked in a T-slot for closing it.

13. Wall as claimed in any one of claims 1-12, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the wall panel is formed of sheet metal.