Abstract This invention relates to a spacer and guide assembly or mechanism for maintaining the vertical tubes of a superheater or similar heat exchanger organization in alignment and in properly spaced relation while permitting limited relative vertical and horizontal movement therebetween. The apparatus for accomplishing this includes a spacer and guide assembly associated with a vertical tube, the spacer and guide assembly including a horizontal tube, guide lug means integral with the vertical tube, spacer lug means integral with the horizontal tube and coacting with the guide lug means so as to permit limited relative movement of the vertical and horizontal tubes, said guide lug means including a horizontal portion extending outwardly from the vertical tube, said spacer lug means being an inverted U-shaped lug fastened at the top to the bottom of the horizontal tube, the two legs of the U-shaped lug extending downwardly on opposite sides of the horizontal portion of the guide lug means, a pair of spaced stop means secured to the horizontal portion of the guide lug means, one on either side of the legs of the U-shaped lugs, the stop means being positioned such that they permit limited horizontal movement of the vertical tube relatively towards or away from the horizontal tube, but relative movement beyond this limit causes the U-shaped lugs to contact one or the other of the stop means.
In combination a plurality of sPaced, vertical tubes, a spacer and guide assembly positioned between two of the vertical tubes, the spacer and guide assembly including a horizontal tube, guide lug means integral with one of the vertical tubes, spacer lug means integral with the horizontal tube and coacting with the guide lug means so as to permit limited relative movement of the vertical and horizontal tubes, said guide lug means including a horizontal portion extending outwardly from the vertical tube, said spacer lug means being an inverted U-shaped lug fastened at the top to the bottom of the horizontal tube, the two legs of the U-shaped lug extending downwardly on opposite sides of the horizontal portion of the guide lug means, a pair of spaced stop means secured to the horizontal portion of the guide lug means, one on either side of the legs of the U-shaped lug, the stop means being positioned such that they permit limited horizontal movement of the vertical tube relatively towards or away from the horizontal tube, but relative movement beyond this limit causes the U-shaped lug to contact one or the other of the stop means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In combination a plurality of sPaced, vertical tubes, a spacer and guide assembly positioned between two of the vertical tubes, the spacer and guide assembly including a horizontal tube, guide lug means integral with one of the vertical tubes, spacer lug means integral with the horizontal tube and coacting with the guide lug means so as to permit limited relative movement of the vertical and horizontal tubes, said guide lug means including a horizontal portion extending outwardly from the vertical tube, said spacer lug means being an inverted U-shaped lug fastened at the top to the bottom of the horizontal tube, the two legs of the U-shaped lug extending downwardly on opposite sides of the horizontal portion of the guide lug means, a pair of spaced stop means secured to the horizontal portion of the guide lug means, one on either side of the legs of the U-shaped lug, the stop means being positioned such that they permit limited horizontal movement of the vertical tube relatively towards or away from the horizontal tube, but relative movement beyond this limit causes the U-shaped lug to contact one or the other of the stop means.