Condenser tube support plate insert

Claim 1

In combination: a condenser support plate having at least one condenser tube support hole formed through the condenser support plate; a flexible, axially extending insert positioned in the condenser tube support hole and in contact with the wall of said support hole; and having an axially extending hole having the same diameter throughout its length formed therethrough; a condenser tube inserted through the insert, and in contact with the wall of said axially extending hole said insert having the same outside diameter along substantially its entire length and also having first and second end portions, relative the axis thereof, for projection thereof from opposite sides of the support plate, and an intermediate portion positioned in the tube support hole, the length of the intermediate portion of the insert being more than the length of the condenser tube support hole, and the outside diameter of the intermediate portion being such that the insert fitted loosely In the tube support hole when the insert was inserted in the hole, and the diameter of the axially extending bore in the insert and the flexibility of the insert being such that the intermediate portion was expanded along its entire length to provide a snug fit in the support plate hole when the condenser tube was inserted in the insert; a flange integral with said first end portion; and at least one convex bump on said second end portion adapted to be compressed to permit the insertion of the flexible insert into the support plate hole and thereafter inhibit the axial movement of said insert relative to the support plate, the convex bump having an external diameter greater than the external diameter of the intermediate portion before and after the insertion of the insert into the support plate hole.