Patent US3708142A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3708142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube supports
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1971-01-11
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1991-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for supporting tubes of a tube bundle. First and second rod sets are inserted through the tube bundles with only one rod of the first rod set positioned between each row of tubes and only one rod of the second rod set positioned between each column of tubes. Each successive rod of each rod set is laterally spaced a common distance along the length of the tube relative to the succeeding rod of that rod set with a rod of each set being positioned on opposed sides of each tube of the bundle. A securing means is attached to the ends of each rod for urging each set of rods and the tubes together to form a unitary bundle.
Inventors
- 👤 W Small
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:21
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/007; F28F9/013; F28F9/0132; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
Supporting apparatus for a plurality of tubes arranged in substantially parallel columns and substantially parallel rows, comprising: at least one first set of supporting rods extending between the rows of tubes with only one rod of each first set of rods being positioned between each tube row, a separate rod positioned on opposed sides of each row, and each successive rod being laterally spaced a common distance along the length of the tube relative to the succeeding rod of said first rod set; at least one second set of supporting rods extending between the columns of tubes with only one rod of each second set of rods being positioned between each column of tubes, a separate rod positioned on opposed sides of each column, and with each successive rod of said second rod set being laterally spaced a common distance along the length of the tubes relative to the succeeding rod of said second rod set; securing means attached to the ends of each rod set for maintaining and urging said set of rods and tubes together to form a unitary bundle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
Supporting apparatus for a plurality of tubes arranged in substantially parallel columns and substantially parallel rows, comprising: at least one first set of supporting rods extending between the rows of tubes with only one rod of each first set of rods being positioned between each tube row, a separate rod positioned on opposed sides of each row, and each successive rod being laterally spaced a common distance along the length of the tube relative to the succeeding rod of said first rod set; at least one second set of supporting rods extending between the columns of tubes with only one rod of each second set of rods being positioned between each column of tubes, a separate rod positioned on opposed sides of each column, and with each successive rod of said second rod set being laterally spaced a common distance along the length of the tubes relative to the succeeding rod of said second rod set; securing means attached to the ends of each rod set for maintaining and urging said set of rods and tubes together to form a unitary bundle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of first and second supporting rod sets with each first and second rod set spaced a distance along the length of the tubes from adjacent first and second rod sets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the securing means of each rod set is a metal band contacting each of the ends of the rods of that set and being welded to the rod ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lateral distance along the length of the tubes between each successive rod of each set is a length sufficient for positioning not more than two rods within a plane passed perpendicularly through the longitudinal axis of the tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lateral distance along the length of the tubes between each successive rod of each set is a length substantially equal to the diameter of the rods.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tubes and rods are formed of the same material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
281 words
A method for securing together in a unitary form a bundle of tubes, comprising: arranging the tubes in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns with each tube of each row spaced a distance from an adjacent row and each tube of each column spaced a distance from an adjacent column with the tubes of each row being positioned in a common plane and the tubes of each column being positioned in a common plane that is substantially perpendicular to the planes of the rows of tubes; inserting at least one first set of securing rods through the bundle with only one rod of the first rod set being positioned between each tubing row, a separate rod positioned on opposed sides of each row and with each successive rod being laterally spaced one from the other a common distance along the length of the tubes relative to the succeeding rod of said first rod set; inserting at least one second set of securing rods between the columns of tubes with said second rod sEt being positioned substantially perpendicularly relative to said first rod set with only one rod of the second rod set being positioned between each column, a separate rod positioned on opposed sides of each column and with each successive rod of said second rod set being laterally spaced one from the other a common distance along the length of the tubes relative to the succeeding rod of said second rod set; urging the tubes and first and second rod sets into forcible contact one with the other; and securing the ends of each rod set one to the other for forming a unitary bundle of tubes.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
281 words
A method for securing together in a unitary form a bundle of tubes, comprising: arranging the tubes in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns with each tube of each row spaced a distance from an adjacent row and each tube of each column spaced a distance from an adjacent column with the tubes of each row being positioned in a common plane and the tubes of each column being positioned in a common plane that is substantially perpendicular to the planes of the rows of tubes; inserting at least one first set of securing rods through the bundle with only one rod of the first rod set being positioned between each tubing row, a separate rod positioned on opposed sides of each row and with each successive rod being laterally spaced one from the other a common distance along the length of the tubes relative to the succeeding rod of said first rod set; inserting at least one second set of securing rods between the columns of tubes with said second rod sEt being positioned substantially perpendicularly relative to said first rod set with only one rod of the second rod set being positioned between each column, a separate rod positioned on opposed sides of each column and with each successive rod of said second rod set being laterally spaced one from the other a common distance along the length of the tubes relative to the succeeding rod of said second rod set; urging the tubes and first and second rod sets into forcible contact one with the other; and securing the ends of each rod set one to the other for forming a unitary bundle of tubes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, as set forth in claim 7, including inserting a plurality of first and second sets of securing rods.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |