Dynamics of Suspenders

[Munroast]

Hopefully that was an eye catching title

Now since I I have your attention; I am going to be suspending a large filtration (4' x 3' x 3') unit from a ceiling with 4 chains.

If the chains were splayed outwards instead of being vertical would it reduce the amount the unit swing about?

 

[SFK]

Yes - but also increases the load on the fixings, as they will now also be pulled sideways.

 

[bernardgreen]

would it reduce the amount the unit swing about?

Yes it would but the tension in the chains would be higher requiring stronger anchors to the ceiling.

edit. must remember to press POST REPLY after typing it

 

[Munroast]

The extra tension apart. Anyone know if there are any guidelines (pun intended) to what is a reasonable compromise between aesthetics tension and movement. I was just thinking something like 10° off the vertical., but would that make any difference at all?

 

[SFK]

Top of head - I think 45deg would be optimum point. But also a lot of side load.
10deg feels too small.
I would have gone for 20deg. (but this is gut feel).

But what is the drop (height from ceiling to top of filtration)?
As this is relevant, because if drop is too large then ceiling fixings get too close to each other and it starts to have spin instability.

And how secure are your ceiling fixings?

 

[Munroast]

I'm thinking about 4 foot

2 foot above ceiling tiles to foot below. So it will be likely I can get some stabilising ties to the chains above the tiles.

I don't imaging it is going to be a major problem but just curious into how these problems are dealt with

 

[bernardgreen]

The chains can also be sloped inwards. Advantage is the fixings to the ceiling are closer together and a rigid plate can be used to absorb the horizontal forces

 

[foxhole]

Why would it swing?

 

[Tigercubrider]

Fix either timber or unistrut to the filter /ceiling and use threaded rod

 

[Munroast]

Why would it swing?

it sucks air in from one end and blows it out the other, that may or may not set up some sort of mad oscillation

 

[foxhole]

it sucks air in from one end and blows it out the other, that may or may not set up some sort of mad oscillation

Should not , maybe transmit small vibration.

 

[Notch7]

Use 4 vertical chains.

Then 4 diagonal chains, even 8 for both directions

 

[Brigadier]

I was going to suggest threaded rod, but was late to the party.