US4220199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plate tube spacer structure
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1979-01-02
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Granted: 1980-09-02
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Expires: 1999-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A plate tube spacer structure operable for concomitantly effecting both the spacing and the supporting of the individual tubes of a tube bundle, the latter commonly constituting one of the components of a conventionally constructed heat exchanger. The subject plate tube spacer structure includes a plurality of elongated plates that are suitably disposed in stacked, spaced relation so as to allow for a layer of tubes to be interposed between each pair of adjacent plates. The plates each have a multiplicity of tube engaging means formed along each longitudinally extending side edge thereof. The multiplicity of tube engaging means are suitably disposed so as to effectively provide each plate with two parallel rows thereof. The arrangement of the rows of tube engaging means of each plate is such that the multiplicity of tube engaging means of one row thereof are aligned with, but face in a direction opposite to that of the multiplicity of tube engaging means of the other row thereof. All of the multiplicity of tube engaging means of a given plate project outwardly in a common direction away from the plane of the plate, and are each suitably configured so that a tube may be tangentially engaged therewith in supported relation thereto. Also, the multiplicity of tube engaging means are each further provided with means operable for discouraging the buildup at the interface between a tube and the tube engaging means of deposits that could have a detrimental effect on the tube. To provide the subject plate tube spacer structure with added strength, preferably at least some of the multiplicity of tube engaging means of each plate are suitably secured to a corresponding number of tube engaging means of an adjacent plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas D. Romanos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:17
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/007; F28F9/013; F28F9/0135; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S122/00; Y10S122/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
An elongated plate operable for concomitantly effecting the spacing and the support of one layer of individual tubes of a tube bundle of a heat exchanger comprising a relatively thin, metallic member of relatively narrow width having a multiplicity of tube engaging means formed along each longitudinally extending side edge thereof; said multiplicity of tube engaging means being disposed so as to provide the elongated plate with two parallel rows thereof; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of one of said two parallel rows thereof being disposed so as to all face in the same direction; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of the other of said two parallel rows thereof being disposed so as to all face in the same direction, but in a direction opposite to that in which said multiplicity of tube engaging means of said one of said two parallel rows thereof face; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of both of said two parallel rows thereof all being disposed so as to project outwardly in a common direction away from the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the elongated plate; said multiplicity of tube engaging means each having a configuration that is complementary to the configuration of the individual tubes to be received in spaced and supported relation thereto; and said multiplicity of tube engaging means each having formed therein means operative to discourage deposit buildup thereon and on the individual tubes received in tangential engagement therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
An elongated plate operable for concomitantly effecting the spacing and the support of one layer of individual tubes of a tube bundle of a heat exchanger comprising a relatively thin, metallic member of relatively narrow width having a multiplicity of tube engaging means formed along each longitudinally extending side edge thereof; said multiplicity of tube engaging means being disposed so as to provide the elongated plate with two parallel rows thereof; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of one of said two parallel rows thereof being disposed so as to all face in the same direction; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of the other of said two parallel rows thereof being disposed so as to all face in the same direction, but in a direction opposite to that in which said multiplicity of tube engaging means of said one of said two parallel rows thereof face; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of both of said two parallel rows thereof all being disposed so as to project outwardly in a common direction away from the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the elongated plate; said multiplicity of tube engaging means each having a configuration that is complementary to the configuration of the individual tubes to be received in spaced and supported relation thereto; and said multiplicity of tube engaging means each having formed therein means operative to discourage deposit buildup thereon and on the individual tubes received in tangential engagement therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An elongated plate as defined in claim 1, wherein said multiplicity of tube engaging means comprises a multiplicity of fingers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An elongated plate as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said multiplicity of fingers embodies a curved configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
An elongated plate as defined in claim 1, wherein said means operative to discourage deposit buildup comprises an elongated slot extending substantially the entire length of each of said multiplicity of tube engaging means, said slot being located substantially equidistant from the longitudinally extending side edges of each of said multiplicity of tube engaging means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
357 words
A plate tube spacer structure operable for concomitantly effecting both the spacing and the support of individual tubes of a tube bundle of a heat exchanger comprising at least one pair of elongated plates arranged in a stacked, spaced relation relative to each other so as to enable a layer of individual tubes to be interposed therebetween; each of said pair of elongated plates comprising a relatively thin, metallic member of relatively narrow width having a multiplicity of tube engaging means formed along each longitudinally extending side edge thereof; said multiplicity of tube engaging means being disposed so as to provide each of said pair of elongated plates with two parallel rows thereof; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of one of said two parallel rows thereof being disposed so as to all face in the same direction; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of the other of said two parallel rows thereof being disposed so as to all face in the same direction, but in a direction opposite to that in which said multiplicity of tube engaging means of said one of said two parallel rows thereof face; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of both of said two parallel rows thereof all being disposed so as to project outwardly in a common direction away from the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the corresponding one of said pair of elongated plates in which said multiplicity of tube engaging means are formed; said multiplicity of tube engaging means each having a configuration that is complementary to the configuration of the individual tubes to be received in spaced and supported relation thereto; said multiplicity of tube engaging means each having formed therein means operative to discourage deposit buildup thereon and on the individual tubes received in tangential engagement therewith; and securing means operative to secure at least a number of said multiplicity of tube engaging means of one of said pair of elongated plates to a corresponding number of said multiplicity of tube engaging means to the other of said pair of elongated plates so as to provide increased strength to the plate tube spacer structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
357 words
A plate tube spacer structure operable for concomitantly effecting both the spacing and the support of individual tubes of a tube bundle of a heat exchanger comprising at least one pair of elongated plates arranged in a stacked, spaced relation relative to each other so as to enable a layer of individual tubes to be interposed therebetween; each of said pair of elongated plates comprising a relatively thin, metallic member of relatively narrow width having a multiplicity of tube engaging means formed along each longitudinally extending side edge thereof; said multiplicity of tube engaging means being disposed so as to provide each of said pair of elongated plates with two parallel rows thereof; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of one of said two parallel rows thereof being disposed so as to all face in the same direction; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of the other of said two parallel rows thereof being disposed so as to all face in the same direction, but in a direction opposite to that in which said multiplicity of tube engaging means of said one of said two parallel rows thereof face; said multiplicity of tube engaging means of both of said two parallel rows thereof all being disposed so as to project outwardly in a common direction away from the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the corresponding one of said pair of elongated plates in which said multiplicity of tube engaging means are formed; said multiplicity of tube engaging means each having a configuration that is complementary to the configuration of the individual tubes to be received in spaced and supported relation thereto; said multiplicity of tube engaging means each having formed therein means operative to discourage deposit buildup thereon and on the individual tubes received in tangential engagement therewith; and securing means operative to secure at least a number of said multiplicity of tube engaging means of one of said pair of elongated plates to a corresponding number of said multiplicity of tube engaging means to the other of said pair of elongated plates so as to provide increased strength to the plate tube spacer structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A plate tube spacer structure as defined in claim 5, wherein said multiplicity of tube engaging means comprises a multiplicity of fingers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A plate tube spacer structure as defined in claim 6, wherein each of said multiplicity of fingers embodies a curved configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A plate tube spacer structure as defined in claim 5, wherein said means operative to discourage deposit buildup comprises an elongated slot extending substantially the entire length of each of said multiplicity of tube engaging means, said slot being located substantially equidistant from the longitudinally extending side edges of each of said multiplicity of tube engaging means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A plate tube spacer structure as defined in claim 5, wherein each of said pair of elongated plates includes a continuous strip of material extending the length thereof and defining the longitudinal axis thereof, said multiplicity of tube engaging means each being parallel to and having a portion thereof spaced from said continuous strip of material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A plate tube spacer structure as defined in claim 5, wherein said securing means comprises welding means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-02 | 1984-03-03 | 1984-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-02 | 1988-03-03 | 1988-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-02 | 1992-03-03 | 1992-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |