US3851626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Support for a steam generator
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1972-10-05
•
Granted: 1974-12-03
•
Expires: 1992-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A nuclear steam generator having a skirt and a circular base plate resting on a plurality of balls to allow lateral movement of the steam generator as the connecting piping expands and contracts due to thermal variations.
Inventors
- 👤 J Boyd
- 👤 A Hennel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:28
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A support for a heat exchanger having fluid conduits connected thereto, said support comprising a first generally horizontal planar surface, a second generally planar surface disposed generally parallel to and adjacent said first planar surface, said first planar surface being fastened to said heat exchanger, a base upon which said second planar surface rests, fastening means connecting said first planar surface to said base so as to allow parallel relative movement between said base and said first planar surface, a first ring, a second ring generally smaller than said first ring, said rings being disposed between said planar surfaces and being free to move with respect to at least one of said planar surfaces, and a plurality of spherical shaped members disposed between said rings and said planar surfaces, whereby any point on said heat exchanger is free to move in any direction in a plane parallel to said planar surfaces as said conduit expands and contracts due to thermal variations, thus minimizing the stresses on the heat exchanger associated with such thermal variation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A support for a heat exchanger having fluid conduits connected thereto, said support comprising a first generally horizontal planar surface, a second generally planar surface disposed generally parallel to and adjacent said first planar surface, said first planar surface being fastened to said heat exchanger, a base upon which said second planar surface rests, fastening means connecting said first planar surface to said base so as to allow parallel relative movement between said base and said first planar surface, a first ring, a second ring generally smaller than said first ring, said rings being disposed between said planar surfaces and being free to move with respect to at least one of said planar surfaces, and a plurality of spherical shaped members disposed between said rings and said planar surfaces, whereby any point on said heat exchanger is free to move in any direction in a plane parallel to said planar surfaces as said conduit expands and contracts due to thermal variations, thus minimizing the stresses on the heat exchanger associated with such thermal variation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rings slidably engage only one of said planar surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger has a skirt extending from one end thereof and the first planar surfaces is fastened to said skirt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A support as set forth in claim 1 wherein the planar surfaces are disposed on circular plates having their center portions removed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rings are circular bands.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the difference in diameter of the bands, is greater than twice the diameter of the spherical members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A support as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rings are circular bands having diameters which differ more than twice the diameter of the spherical members and the height of the bands is less than the diameter of the spherical members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |