US3982585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat exchange apparatus
Assignee: Topsoe AS
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Filing: 1974-12-02
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Granted: 1976-09-28
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Expires: 1994-12-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for heat exchange between two fluid streams comprising a pressure shell, tube sheets, and a bundle of exchange tubes. At least one of the tube sheets is connected to the pressure shell by a flexible joint capable of absorbing thermal expansions and of carrying the load of the tube bundle, the flexible joint comprising a substantially cylindrical skirt element and an annular sheet connected with simple joints and connected to the tube sheet and the pressure shell, respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Jorgen Gribsvad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:47
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/02; F28F9/0236; F28F9/0241; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/16; F28F19/00; F28F2255/00; F28F2255/02; F28F2265/00; F28F2265/26; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/051; Y10S165/052; Y10S165/053; Y10S165/057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
An improved apparatus for indirect exchange of heat between two fluid streams, said apparatus comprising a cylindrical pressure shell enclosing a bundle of straight and parallel exchange tubes through which one of said fluid stream is circulated, an inlet tube sheet to which a first end of each exchange tube is permanently attached, and an outlet tube sheet to which a remaining end of each exchange tube is permanently attached; said inlet and outlet tube sheets defining inlet and outlet chambers at opposed ends of said pressure shell, wherein the improvement comprises a flexible joint for carrying the load of said bundle of tubes and for securing said inlet tube sheet to said pressure shell, said flexible joint comprising a flexible cylindrical skirt element having opposed first and second peripheral edges, said first edge continuously and gradually merging with said inlet tube sheet to form a continuous and integral flexible joint therebetween, said cylindrical skirt element being in spaced relationship with the inner surface of said pressure shell; and a flexible annular sheet extending between an interior surface of said pressure shell and said second edge of said skirt element furthest from said inlet tube sheet, a radially outermost periphery of said annular sheet continuously attached to said interior surface of said pressure shell, a radially innermost periphery of said annular sheet gradually merging with said skirt element second edge to form another continuous and integral flexible joint; whereby at least one of said skirt element and said annular sheet joints
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
An improved apparatus for indirect exchange of heat between two fluid streams, said apparatus comprising a cylindrical pressure shell enclosing a bundle of straight and parallel exchange tubes through which one of said fluid stream is circulated, an inlet tube sheet to which a first end of each exchange tube is permanently attached, and an outlet tube sheet to which a remaining end of each exchange tube is permanently attached; said inlet and outlet tube sheets defining inlet and outlet chambers at opposed ends of said pressure shell, wherein the improvement comprises a flexible joint for carrying the load of said bundle of tubes and for securing said inlet tube sheet to said pressure shell, said flexible joint comprising a flexible cylindrical skirt element having opposed first and second peripheral edges, said first edge continuously and gradually merging with said inlet tube sheet to form a continuous and integral flexible joint therebetween, said cylindrical skirt element being in spaced relationship with the inner surface of said pressure shell; and a flexible annular sheet extending between an interior surface of said pressure shell and said second edge of said skirt element furthest from said inlet tube sheet, a radially outermost periphery of said annular sheet continuously attached to said interior surface of said pressure shell, a radially innermost periphery of said annular sheet gradually merging with said skirt element second edge to form another continuous and integral flexible joint; whereby at least one of said skirt element and said annular sheet joints
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
181 words
An improved apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises a second flexible joint for carrying the load of said bundle of tubes and for securing said outlet tube sheet to said pressure shell, said second flexible joint comprising another flexible cylindrical skirt element having opposed first and second peripheral edges, a first edge of said another skirt element continuously and gradually merging with said outlet tube sheet to form a third continuous and integral flexible joint therebetween, said another skirt element being in spaced relationship with the inner surface of said pressure shell; and another flexible annular sheet extending between said interior surface of said pressure shell, a radial outermost periphery of said another annular sheet continuously attached to said interior surface of said pressure shell, a radially innermost periphery of said another annular sheet continuously merging with said second end of said another skirt element to form a fourth continuous and integral flexible joint; whereby at least one of said another skirt element and said another annular sheet joints flex upon thermal expansion of said exchange tubes.
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) | 1979-09-28 | 1980-03-29 | 1980-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-28 | 1984-03-29 | 1984-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-28 | 1988-03-29 | 1988-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |