US4227854A — Apparatus for removing heat exchanger tube bundles

Claim 1

Independent Claim 301 words

Apparatus for moving a tube bundle out of or into a heat exchanger shell, comprising an elongated frame structure including a pair of parallel spaced beams; a mobile carriage, for supporting the tube bundle, mounted on said beams for movement therealong; means for connecting and locking said elongated frame structure to the shell of the heat exchanger; a frame movable along the length of said elongated frame structure including a cross-bar extending across said elongated frame structure between said beams, and said frame having means for interconnection to the tube bundle; means for exerting a force on said frame for moving said frame along said elongated frame structure toward and away from the heat exchanger shell, said means comprising: a single main linear force exerting structure; means for mounting said main linear force exerting structure to said frame so that by applying a linear pushing force away from the heat exchanger shell said frame, and the tube bundle connected thereto, will move away from the heat exchanger shell; a plurality of auxiliary force exerting structures; means for mounting each of said auxiliary force exerting structures directly to said means for mounting said main force exerting structure, and to said cross-bar, so that said auxiliary structures are directed opposite to said main structure; and a plurality of lateral thrust surfaces spaced apart along the length of said elongated frame structure to present opposing thrust surfaces to said auxiliary force exerting structures, and having a first mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame away from the heat exchanger shell is allowed, but movement toward the heat exchanger shell is prevented, and a second mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame toward the heat exchanger shell is allowed but movement away from the heat exchanger shell is prevented.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 301 words

Apparatus for moving a tube bundle out of or into a heat exchanger shell, comprising an elongated frame structure including a pair of parallel spaced beams; a mobile carriage, for supporting the tube bundle, mounted on said beams for movement therealong; means for connecting and locking said elongated frame structure to the shell of the heat exchanger; a frame movable along the length of said elongated frame structure including a cross-bar extending across said elongated frame structure between said beams, and said frame having means for interconnection to the tube bundle; means for exerting a force on said frame for moving said frame along said elongated frame structure toward and away from the heat exchanger shell, said means comprising: a single main linear force exerting structure; means for mounting said main linear force exerting structure to said frame so that by applying a linear pushing force away from the heat exchanger shell said frame, and the tube bundle connected thereto, will move away from the heat exchanger shell; a plurality of auxiliary force exerting structures; means for mounting each of said auxiliary force exerting structures directly to said means for mounting said main force exerting structure, and to said cross-bar, so that said auxiliary structures are directed opposite to said main structure; and a plurality of lateral thrust surfaces spaced apart along the length of said elongated frame structure to present opposing thrust surfaces to said auxiliary force exerting structures, and having a first mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame away from the heat exchanger shell is allowed, but movement toward the heat exchanger shell is prevented, and a second mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame toward the heat exchanger shell is allowed but movement away from the heat exchanger shell is prevented.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said force exerting means consist essentially of said main linear force exerting structure and a pair of single acting auxiliary force exerting structures, one disposed on either side of said main structure.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 68 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said force exerting structures comprise fluid piston and cylinder assemblies, and wherein said means for mounting said main linear force exerting structure comprises a sub-frame of said frame, movable along said frame structure and connected to said main structure cylinder, and wherein the piston of the main structure is connected to said means for interconnecting the frame to the tube bundle.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 64 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for mounting each of said auxiliary force exerting structures to said means for mounting said main force exerting structure consists essentially of a direct connection between the end of the piston rod of each auxiliary structure and said sub-frame; and wherein said cylinder of each of said auxiliary structures is rigidly connected to said cross-bar.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said lateral thrust surfaces comprise a series of thrust surfaces disposed along each of said parallel beams, and mounted for cooperation with said cross-bar.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 104 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said cross-bar has a linear cam formed on each end thereof, each linear cam having one rounded end and one flat end, and mounted so that it is movable from a position wherein the rounded end faces away from the heat exchanger shell, to a position wherein the rounded end faces the heat exchanger shell; and wherein each said thrust surface comprises a chamfered stop rigidly attached to a said beam; the two different modes of operation of said thrust surfaces being provided by movement of each of said linear cams to the two different positions thereof.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 92 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein each of said lateral thrust surfaces comprises a stop pivotally mounted to a said beam for rotation about an axis parallel to said cross-bar, and means for receiving a weight formed in said stop on opposite sides of the pivot thereof; the two different modes of operation of said thrust surfaces being provided by inserting a weight in one of said means for receiving a weight in said stop while removing a weight from the other of said weight-receiving means in said stop, and vice-versa.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 124 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for interconnecting said frame to the heat exchanger comprises a pulling plate directly securable to the heat exchanger; a pair of arms; means for mounting an end portion of each of said arms for pivotal movement of that end portion outwardly from an in-line position with the rest of said arm; a linear force exerting means mounted between said arm end portions for supplying a linear force for moving said arm end portions toward and away from each other to selectively grasp or release said pulling plate; and a beam connected between said arms at portions thereof opposite said pivoted end portions, said beam being connected to said frame through said main force exerting structure.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 311 words

Apparatus for moving a tube bundle out of or into a heat exchanger, comprising an elongated frame structure including a pair of parallel spaced beams; a mobile carriage, for supporting the tube bundle, mounted on said beams for movement therealong; means for connecting and locking said elongated frame structure to the shell of the heat exchangers; a frame movable along the length of said elongated frame structure, including a cross-bar extending across said elongated frame structure between said beams, and said frame having means for interconnection to the tube bundle; means for exerting a force on said frame for moving said frame along said elongated frame structure toward and away from the heat exchanger shell, said means comprising at least one linear force exerting structure; and a plurality of lateral thrust surfaces along each of said parallel beams and mounted for cooperation with the ends of said cross-bar, to present opposing thrust surfaces to said at least one linear force exerting structure, and having a first mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame away from the heat exchanger shell is prevented, and a second mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame toward the heat exchanger shell is allowed but movement away from the heat exchanger shell is prevented; said cross-bar having a linear cam formed on each end thereof, each linear cam having one rounded end and one flat end, and mounted so that it is movable from a position wherein the rounded end faces away from the heat exchanger shell, to a position wherein the rounded end faces the heat exchanger shell; and wherein each said thrust surface comprises a chamfered stop rigidly attached to a said beam; the two different modes of operation of said thrust surfaces being provided by movement of each of said linear cams to the two different positions thereof.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 311 words

Apparatus for moving a tube bundle out of or into a heat exchanger, comprising an elongated frame structure including a pair of parallel spaced beams; a mobile carriage, for supporting the tube bundle, mounted on said beams for movement therealong; means for connecting and locking said elongated frame structure to the shell of the heat exchangers; a frame movable along the length of said elongated frame structure, including a cross-bar extending across said elongated frame structure between said beams, and said frame having means for interconnection to the tube bundle; means for exerting a force on said frame for moving said frame along said elongated frame structure toward and away from the heat exchanger shell, said means comprising at least one linear force exerting structure; and a plurality of lateral thrust surfaces along each of said parallel beams and mounted for cooperation with the ends of said cross-bar, to present opposing thrust surfaces to said at least one linear force exerting structure, and having a first mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame away from the heat exchanger shell is prevented, and a second mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame toward the heat exchanger shell is allowed but movement away from the heat exchanger shell is prevented; said cross-bar having a linear cam formed on each end thereof, each linear cam having one rounded end and one flat end, and mounted so that it is movable from a position wherein the rounded end faces away from the heat exchanger shell, to a position wherein the rounded end faces the heat exchanger shell; and wherein each said thrust surface comprises a chamfered stop rigidly attached to a said beam; the two different modes of operation of said thrust surfaces being provided by movement of each of said linear cams to the two different positions thereof.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 308 words

Apparatus for moving a tube bundle out of or into a heat exchanger, comprising an elongated frame structure including a pair of parallel spaced beams; a mobile carriage, for supporting the tube bundle, mounted on said beams for movement therealong; means for connecting and locking said elongated frame structure to the shell of the heat exchangers; a frame movable along the length of said elongated frame structure, including a cross-bar extending across said elongated frame structure between said beams, and said frame having means for interconnection to the tube bundle; means for exerting a force on said frame for moving said frame along said elongated frame structure toward and away from the heat exchanger shell, said means comprising at least one linear force exerting structure; and a plurality of lateral thrust surfaces along each of said parallel beams and mounted for cooperation with the ends of said cross-bar, to present opposing thrust surfaces to said at least one linear force exerting structure, and having a first mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame away from the heat exchanger shell is allowed, but movement toward the heat exchanger shell is prevented, and a second mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame toward the heat exchanger shell is allowed but movement away from the heat exchanger shell is prevented; each of said lateral thrust surfaces comprising a stop pivotally mounted to a said beam for rotation about an axis parallel to said cross-bar, and means for receiving a weight formed in said stop on opposite sides of the pivot thereof; the two different modes of operation of said thrust surfaces being provided by inserting a weight in one of said means for receiving a weight in said stop while removing a weight from the other of said weight-receiving means in said stop, and vice-versa.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 308 words

Apparatus for moving a tube bundle out of or into a heat exchanger, comprising an elongated frame structure including a pair of parallel spaced beams; a mobile carriage, for supporting the tube bundle, mounted on said beams for movement therealong; means for connecting and locking said elongated frame structure to the shell of the heat exchangers; a frame movable along the length of said elongated frame structure, including a cross-bar extending across said elongated frame structure between said beams, and said frame having means for interconnection to the tube bundle; means for exerting a force on said frame for moving said frame along said elongated frame structure toward and away from the heat exchanger shell, said means comprising at least one linear force exerting structure; and a plurality of lateral thrust surfaces along each of said parallel beams and mounted for cooperation with the ends of said cross-bar, to present opposing thrust surfaces to said at least one linear force exerting structure, and having a first mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame away from the heat exchanger shell is allowed, but movement toward the heat exchanger shell is prevented, and a second mode of operation in which linear movement of said frame toward the heat exchanger shell is allowed but movement away from the heat exchanger shell is prevented; each of said lateral thrust surfaces comprising a stop pivotally mounted to a said beam for rotation about an axis parallel to said cross-bar, and means for receiving a weight formed in said stop on opposite sides of the pivot thereof; the two different modes of operation of said thrust surfaces being provided by inserting a weight in one of said means for receiving a weight in said stop while removing a weight from the other of said weight-receiving means in said stop, and vice-versa.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 54 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said tube bundle is elongated and has a central axis, and wherein said means for mounting said mean linear force asserting structure comprises means for mounting said main linear force exerting structure so that the linear pushing force applied thereby is co-linear with the tube bundle axis.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1983-10-14	1984-04-14	1984-10-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1987-10-14	1988-04-14	1988-10-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1991-10-14	1992-04-14	1992-10-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for removing heat exchanger tube bundles

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag