Patent US3831673A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3831673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat exchangers
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1973-09-04
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A heat exchanger of the type comprising a shell containing an array of U-shaped tubes arranged longitudinally in the shell. The tubes are assembled in a number of separate tube bundles with the ends of the tubes connected with individual tube plates in separate inlet and outlet header pipes in an end closure head for the shell. Each tube bundle is contained within an individual tubular shroud with ducting for passing heat transfer fluid from outside the shell into one end of the shroud, so that the heat transfer fluid passes through the shroud over the surface of the tubes in the tube bundle and enters the shell of the heat exchanger from the other end of the shroud. The tubes in the individual tube bundles are spaced at points along their length by grids which are connected in an articulated manner by tie bars. The shrouds for the tube bundles comprise individual tubular sleeves extending between adjacent grids so that the shrouds can flex with flexing of the tubes of the tube bundles.
Inventors
- 👤 O Hayden
- 👤 D Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:34
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/007; F28F9/013; F28F9/0132; F22; F22B; F22B1/00; F22B1/02; F22B1/06; F22B1/063; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/06; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3227; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/355; Y10S165/40; Y10S165/401; Y10S165/405; Y10S165/407; Y10S165/409; Y10S165/41
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A shell and tube heat exchanger in which the shell is an elongate vessel with a detachable closure head and the tubes are single-walled and U-shaped to extend from the head into the vessel and back to the head, the tube ends being disposed within headers upstanding from the head, and in which the tubes are arranged in at least two independent bundles which are suspended from the closure head, a U-shaped shroud for each tube bundle to cause heat transfer fluid to flow longitudinally along the outside of the tubes in the bundle and successively over each leg of the bundle while confined by the shroud, means including ducting defining a flow passage from the outside of the vessel and thence to one end of the shrouds and from the other end of the shrouds to the inside of the vessel, an outlet connection from said vessel, an outer tube plate at each end of each bundle between tubes and header, said plates being located in said header so as to present the tube ends accessible from outside the head, and an inner tube plate at each end of each bundle within the header and between tubes and shroud and spaced from said outer tube plate, enclosing means defining with said plates an interspace, and means for testing the contents of said interspace to test for leakage between tubes and both tube plates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
A shell and tube heat exchanger in which the shell is an elongate vessel with a detachable closure head and the tubes are single-walled and U-shaped to extend from the head into the vessel and back to the head, the tube ends being disposed within headers upstanding from the head, and in which the tubes are arranged in at least two independent bundles which are suspended from the closure head, a U-shaped shroud for each tube bundle to cause heat transfer fluid to flow longitudinally along the outside of the tubes in the bundle and successively over each leg of the bundle while confined by the shroud, means including ducting defining a flow passage from the outside of the vessel and thence to one end of the shrouds and from the other end of the shrouds to the inside of the vessel, an outlet connection from said vessel, an outer tube plate at each end of each bundle between tubes and header, said plates being located in said header so as to present the tube ends accessible from outside the head, and an inner tube plate at each end of each bundle within the header and between tubes and shroud and spaced from said outer tube plate, enclosing means defining with said plates an interspace, and means for testing the contents of said interspace to test for leakage between tubes and both tube plates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enclosing means is openable to present the tubes, emerging from the inner tube plate, accessible from outside the removable head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having a chamber into which the tubes discharge, said chamber having a removable dome to render the tube ends accessible from outside the head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 having a pressure release device for said shroud in the region of its U-bend arranged to vent the shroud to a location outside the shell of the heat exchanger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
198 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ducting for passing heat transfer fluid from outside the shell into one end of each shroud comprises an inlet manifold extending longitudinally through the shell between the tube bundles, the manifold leading from an inlet branch at the lower end of the shell and having a header box at its upper end in the shell, the header box having apertures in its base and top for passage of the legs of the tube bundles leading to the outlet branches in the top closure head of the shell, sleeves being provided connecting the outlet branches in the top closure head of the shell with the corresponding apertures in the top of the header box, the parts of the shrouds surrounding the legs of the tube bundles leading to the outlet branches in the closure head of the shell connecting at their upper ends with the apertures in the base of the header box, the parts of the shrouds surrounding the legs of the tube bundles leading from the inlet branches in the closure head of the shell being open at their upper ends to the interior of the shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 5 wherein a strongback plate is mounted inside the end closure head of the shell, the strongback plate supporting the inlet manifold and the shrouds for the tube bundles whereby the assembly of the closure head, the tube bundles, their shrouds and the inlet manifold is removable as a whole from the shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tubes in the individual tube bundles are spaced and located at intervals along their length by transverse grids which are supported from one another in an articulated manner so that flexing of the tubes due to thermal expansion can be accommodated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7 wherein the shrouds for the tube bundles comprise individual tubular sleeves extending between adjacent grids so that the shrouds can flex with flexing of the tubes of the tube bundles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7 wherein the grids are connected by tie bars extending between adjacent Grids the tie bars being connected in an articulated manner with outer frame members of the grids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7 wherein the upper grid on each leg of the tube bundles is connected by tie bars in an articulated manner with a strongback plate mounted inside the end closure head of the shell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7 wherein individual tubular sleeves forming the shrouds for the tube bundles extend between cylindrical flanges on outer frame members of adjacent grids, each sleeve being welded at one end to the flange on one grid and being a sliding fit at its outer end about the flange on the adjacent grid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11 wherein the lower end of each shroud for the tube bundles is formed by a U-shaped sleeve surrounding the lower U-shaped ends of the tubes, the ends of the U-shaped sleeve connecting with the ends of the lower-most tubular sleeves which are part of the shroud on the straight legs of the tube bundles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
A heat exchanger as claimed in claim 12 wherein a baffle plate is provided extending across the lower end of the shell and outlet branches are provided in the U-shaped sleeves forming the lower ends of the shrouds for the tube bundles, connecting through apertures in the baffle plate with the space in the shell below the baffle plate, an outlet branch with a pressure relief device being provided in the shell connecting with the space below the baffle plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |