Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A shell and tube heat exchanger comprising a shell having tube sheets extending thereacross, a plurality of tubes supported within said shell by said tube sheets, said tube sheets defining inlet, secondary and outlet chambers within said shell, inlet means for admitting a first fluid into said inlet chamber and from said inlet chamber through said tubes to said outlet chamber, and conduit means for admitting a secondary fluid through said secondary chamber in heat exchange relation with said first fluid; characterized in that said tubes (28) have spherical flange portions (30) at one end thereof received in spherically formed openings (32) in the respective tube sheet (22) so as to be pivotally supported thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A shell and tube heat exchanger comprising a shell having tube sheets extending thereacross, a plurality of tubes supported within said shell by said tube sheets, said tube sheets defining inlet, secondary and outlet chambers within said shell, inlet means for admitting a first fluid into said inlet chamber and from said inlet chamber through said tubes to said outlet chamber, and conduit means for admitting a secondary fluid through said secondary chamber in heat exchange relation with said first fluid; characterized in that said tubes (28) have spherical flange portions (30) at one end thereof received in spherically formed openings (32) in the respective tube sheet (22) so as to be pivotally supported thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a seal chamber is formed between said inlet and secondary chambers and means are provided for admitting a sealing fluid to said seal chamber 48 under a pressure higher than in any of said inlet or secondary chambers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said seal chamber is formed by spaced tube sheets (24, 26) having aligned openings (56) receiving said tubes (28) and that porous inserts (54) are disposed within said openings (56) around said tubes 28.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said porous inserts (54) comprise dense mats fabricated from a high temperature alloy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said tubes (28) consist of dense silicon carbide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
6, A heat exchanger as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the primary fluid is a fuel gas containing particulate matter, characterized in that the secondary and sealing fluids are fuel gas substantially free of particulates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a hold down plate (34) is fastened to the tube sheet (22) so as to hold said spherical flanges (30) in engagement with said tube sheet (22), said hold-down plate (34) having openings formed therein in alignment with said tubes (28) to permit fluid flow through said tubes (28) and to provide for secure seating of said hold-down plate (34) on said spherical flanges (30).