Abstract A steam generator includes inverted U-shaped tubes having vertical legs and formed into two nests each having inlet and outlet groups of legs with the return portions of all of the tubes positioned in the lower portion of an enclosure having a steam outlet and in which a water separator for the generated steam is positioned above the tube return portions. Individual casings all connecting with the enclosure''s lower portion, extended downwardly therefrom and individually encase the respective groups of legs individually, the ends of each group of legs being mounted in a tube sheet separate from the others. Each of these tube sheets is provided with a separate manifold for the tubes of the group of legs mounted by that tube sheet. This construction permits the use of tube sheets which are individually small while permitting the heat exchanger to be designed to have a relatively high steam generated capacity, the small tube sheets being easier to manufacture and less costly than is a single large tube sheet.
A steam generator including inverted U-shaped tubes having return portions and vertical legs depending from said portions, casing means enclosing said legs, an enclosure having a lower portion with which said means upwardly connects and having a steam outlet, and means for conducting heating fluid through said tubes; wherein the improvement comprises said tubes being formed into two nests each having inlet and outlet groups of said legs arranged in a doubly bifurcated manner with the return portions of all of the tubes in the lower portion of said enclosure, said casing means being formed by individual casings all connecting with the enclosure''s said lower portion and extending downwardly therefrom and respectively encasing said groups of legs individually, a tube sheet in each of said casings, the ends of each group of legs being mounted in the tube sheet in its encasing casing separate from the others, and a separate manifold for each of said tube sheets and the tubes of its group of the legs, the enclosure''s said lower portion being contoured in a doubly bifurcated manner forming downwardly converging and approximately frusto-conical connections with said individual casings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A steam generator including inverted U-shaped tubes having return portions and vertical legs depending from said portions, casing means enclosing said legs, an enclosure having a lower portion with which said means upwardly connects and having a steam outlet, and means for conducting heating fluid through said tubes; wherein the improvement comprises said tubes being formed into two nests each having inlet and outlet groups of said legs arranged in a doubly bifurcated manner with the return portions of all of the tubes in the lower portion of said enclosure, said casing means being formed by individual casings all connecting with the enclosure''s said lower portion and extending downwardly therefrom and respectively encasing said groups of legs individually, a tube sheet in each of said casings, the ends of each group of legs being mounted in the tube sheet in its encasing casing separate from the others, and a separate manifold for each of said tube sheets and the tubes of its group of the legs, the enclosure''s said lower portion being contoured in a doubly bifurcated manner forming downwardly converging and approximately frusto-conical connections with said individual casings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The steam generator of claim 1 in which said tube sheets are all substantially identical with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The steam generator of claim 1 in which said manifolds are each substantially hemispherical and has an opening for the heating fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The steam generator of claim 1 in which said enclosure contains a water separator above the return portions of said nests of tubes, for separating water from the generated steam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The steam generator of claim 4 in which said enclosure is substantially cylindrical with said lower portion connecting with said casings.