US3935951A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for pulling and replacing heat exchange tubing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-07-26
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Granted: 1976-02-03
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Expires: 1994-07-26
Abstract
Abstract Tube bundles of heat exchangers are pulled and replaced by an apparatus that butts against the shell of the heat exchanger and draws out the tube bundles lengthwise. The device may be moved by a crane, and for this purpose has a single suspension point which can be moved lengthwise according to the altered position of the center of gravity depending on whether a tube bundle is supported thereon. A fixed support with a vertically movable cradle is provided adjacent the heat exchange casing and a horizontally movable support with a vertically movable cradle is provided remote from the casing, for supporting the tube bundle.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Claus
- 👤 Dieter Dischmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:02
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/02; B23P19/022; B23P19/024; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53113; Y10T29/53117
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for the placement and removal of a tube bundle of a heat exchanger, comprising a first frame, means carried by said first frame for pulling or inserting a tube bundle from or into the shell of said heat exchanger in a horizontal direction, means carried by the first frame for supporting opposite ends of a said tube bundle, a second frame pivotally secured to said first frame, means for releasably securing said pivotable frame to one end of the shell of a said heat exchanger, means to suspend said first frame from a lifting device, and means mounting said suspending means for movement relative to the first frame over most of the length of said first frame in said horizontal direction for continuously adjusting said means to suspend said first frame according to the change of center of gravity of the overall apparatus and the part of said tube bundle supported thereby when said tube bundle is being removed from, or inserted into, said shell of a heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for the placement and removal of a tube bundle of a heat exchanger, comprising a first frame, means carried by said first frame for pulling or inserting a tube bundle from or into the shell of said heat exchanger in a horizontal direction, means carried by the first frame for supporting opposite ends of a said tube bundle, a second frame pivotally secured to said first frame, means for releasably securing said pivotable frame to one end of the shell of a said heat exchanger, means to suspend said first frame from a lifting device, and means mounting said suspending means for movement relative to the first frame over most of the length of said first frame in said horizontal direction for continuously adjusting said means to suspend said first frame according to the change of center of gravity of the overall apparatus and the part of said tube bundle supported thereby when said tube bundle is being removed from, or inserted into, said shell of a heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said suspending means comprising a trolley running on rails mounted on said first frame in said horizontal direction, and power means for moving said trolley along said rails.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said power means comprising an endless drive member secured to said trolley, said power means comprising a motor mounted on said first frame for circulating said endless drive member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3126103A
Cited
US3567044A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-02 | 1979-08-04 | 1980-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-02 | 1983-08-04 | 1984-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-02 | 1987-08-04 | 1988-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |