Heat exchanger support system providing for thermal isolation and growth

Claim 2

A thermally isolating member for joining a high temperature component to a support structure with minimal heat transfer comprising: a circumferential member having a thin metal wall to restrict the heat flow; and means for connecting the thin-walled member at opposite ends respectively to the high temperature component and the support structure, said means further including means for accommodating relative movement from thermal growth of the high temperature component; the circumferential member comprising a continuous thin-walled metal collar in combination with a circumferential bellows portion which is attached to the support structure, the metal collar being joined at one end to the high temperature component and at the other end to the circumferential bellows portion at a point remote from the support structure.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein the circumferential member is attached between the high temperature component and the frame structure in sealing relationship to seal the space between the high temperature component and the frame structure.

Claim 4

The device of claim 1 wherein the bellows portion is aligned generally parallel to the axis of the high temperature component, extends circumferentially about said component, and is spaced therefrom.

Claim 5

The device of claim 3 wherein the thin-walled metal collar is mounted about the high temperature component, radially inward from the bellows portion, and bridges the space between the bellows portion and the high temperature component.

Claim 6

The device of claim 1 wherein the circumferential member comprises means for accommodating thermal growth and relative displacement between the high temperature component and the support structure in both axial and radial directions.

Claim 7

The device of claim 5 wherein the circumferential member further comprises means for accommodating relative displacement of the high temperature component transversely with respect to the support structure while providing an airtight seal therebetween.

Claim 8

The device of claim 1 further comprising additional support means mounted between the support structure and the high temperature component for supporting and maintaining alignment of the high temperature component while accommodating relative displacement thereof due to thermal growth.

Claim 9

A thermally isolating support member for joining a high temperature component to a support structure with minimal heat transfer comprising: a circumferential member having a thin metal wall to restrict the heat flow; means for connecting the thin-walled member at opposite ends respectively to the high temperature component and the support structure, said means further including means for accommodating relative movement from thermal growth of the high temperature component; and further comprising additional support means mounted between the support structure and the high temperature component for supporting and maintaining alignment of the high temperature component while accommodating relative displacement thereof due to thermal growth, the additional support means comprising an axially directed pin mounted on a frame member of the support structure and extending through an opening in a flange coupled to the high temperature component.

Claim 10

A thermally isolating support member for joining a high temperature component to a support structure with minimal heat transfer comprising: a circumferential member having a thin metal wall to restrict the heat flow; means for connecting the thin-walled member at opposite ends respectively to the high temperature component and the support structure, said means further including means for accommodating relative movement from thermal growth of the high temperature component; and further comprising additional support means mounted between the support structure and the high temperature component for supporting and maintaining alignment of the high temperature component while accommodating relative displacement thereof due to thermal growth, the additional support means comprising an axially directed pin mounted on a frame member of the support structure and extending through an opening in a flange coupled to the high temperature component.

Claim 11

A thermally isolating member for joining a high temperature component to a support structure with minimal heat transfer comprising: a circumferential member having a thin metal wall to restrict the heat flow; means for connecting the thin-walled member at opposite ends respectively to the high temperature component and the support structure, said means further including means for accommodating relative movement from thermal growth of the high temperature component; the circumferential member comprising a thin-walled metal collar in combination with a circumferential bellows portion which is attached to the support structure, the metal collar being joined at one end to the high temperature component and at the other end to the circumferential bellows portion at a point remote from the support structure; and further comprising additional support means mounted between the support structure and the high temperature component for supporting and maintaining alignment of the high temperature component while accommodating relative displacement thereof due to thermal growth.

Claim 12

A thermally isolating member for joining a high temperature component to a support structure with minimal heat transfer comprising: a circumferential member having a thin metal wall to restrict the heat flow; means for connecting the thin-walled member at opposite ends respectively to the high temperature component and the support structure, said means further including means for accommodating relative movement from thermal growth of the high temperature component; the circumferential member comprising a thin-walled metal collar in combination with a circumferential bellows portion which is attached to the support structure, the metal collar being joined at one end to the high temperature component and at the other end to the circumferential bellows portion at a point remote from the support structure; and further comprising additional support means mounted between the support structure and the high temperature component for supporting and maintaining alignment of the high temperature component while accommodating relative displacement thereof due to thermal growth.

Claim 13

The device of claim 7 or claim 9 wherein the additional support means comprises an axially directed pin mounted on a frame member of the support structure and extending through an opening in a flange coupled to the high temperature component.

Claim 14

The device of claim 10 or claim 8 wherein said pin includes means for limiting movement of the flange toward the frame member while permitting movement of the flange along the pin in a direction away from the frame member.

Claim 15

The device of claim 10 or claim 8 wherein the support means comprise a plurality of said pins and flange openings spaced substantially equidistantly about the flange periphery.

Claim 16

The device of claim 10 or claim 8 wherein the support means comprise four pins and flange openings spaced approximately 90° about the flange periphery near the extreme end of the high temperature component.

Claim 17

The device of claim 1 wherein the metal collar is located radially inward from the circumferential bellows portion and extends along the axial extent of the bellows portion.

Claim 18

The device of claim 1 wherein the metal collar extends along a portion of the high temperature component and is generally coaxial therewith.

Claim 21

The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of locating the collar members radially inward from the bellows members and overlapping the axial extent of the bellows members.

Claim 22

The method of claim 16 further comprising mounting a plurality of support members in coupling relationship to portions of the heat exchanger which are subject to significant longitudinal displacement due to thermal growth of the heat exchanger relative to the frame.

Claim 23

The device of claim 1 wherein the metal collar comprises two thin-walled metal collar portions joined together along a common edge to form a wishbone-shaped member, the opposite edges thereof being connected respectively to a substantially round housing surface of the high temperature component and to the circumferential bellows portion.

Claim 24

The device of claim 19 wherein the wishbone-shaped member extends about the exterior of the substantially round housing surface.