US3896874A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Support system for serpentine tubes of a heat exchanger
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1972-03-31
•
Granted: 1975-07-29
•
Expires: 1992-03-31
Abstract
Abstract Tightly packed serpentine tubes forming a tube bundle are repeatedly supported by a plurality of flat bars having regularly spaced notches along the longitudinal margins; the notches register to form an opening for receiving the tubes, and the bars are fastened together to form strips which depend from a tube sheet. A plurality of the strips are fastened together in such a manner that they are free to move lengthwise with respect to each other to allow for differential thermal expansion and to reduce vibration of the strips.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J Bongaards
- 👤 A Robert Giardina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:35
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/02; F22B37/24; F28; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/08; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/007; F28F9/013; F28F9/0132; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/051; Y10S165/052; Y10S165/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A heat exchanger having a tube bundle of closely packed serpentine tubes and a support system for the tubes, said support system comprising a plurality of support strips, which are disposed to repeatedly support each serpentine tube, means for fastening each support strip to an adjacent support strip in such a manner that the strips can only move lengthwise with respect to each other, and a plurality of lateral support sheets disposed normal to the strips, said support sheets having a plurality of openings spaced lengthwise along the sheet, the openings in adjacent support sheets registering and being adapted to receIve a spacer which fits between adjacent rows of tubes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A heat exchanger having a tube bundle of closely packed serpentine tubes and a support system for the tubes, said support system comprising a plurality of support strips, which are disposed to repeatedly support each serpentine tube, means for fastening each support strip to an adjacent support strip in such a manner that the strips can only move lengthwise with respect to each other, and a plurality of lateral support sheets disposed normal to the strips, said support sheets having a plurality of openings spaced lengthwise along the sheet, the openings in adjacent support sheets registering and being adapted to receIve a spacer which fits between adjacent rows of tubes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strips are vertical and are fastened to the heat exchanger at the upper end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 2, wherein the strips are also fastened to the heat exchanger at intermediate locations, said intermediate fastening being such that the strips are free to move lengthwise with respect to each other and with respect to the heat exchanger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
A heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein each support strip comprises a bar having a plurality of U-shaped notches spaced along a longitudinal margin thereof and a bar having a chordal shaped notch spaced along a longitudinal margin thereof, and a plurality of bars having a series of U-shaped notches along one margin and a series of chordal notches along the opposite margin, the bars being so disposed that the U-shaped notches register with the chordal shaped notches providing an opening which will accept a tube.
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) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |