US4344388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vapor generating system utilizing integral separators and angularly arranged furnace boundary wall fluid flow tubes having rifled bores
Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corp
•
Filing: 1979-12-28
•
Granted: 1982-08-17
•
Expires: 1999-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A vapor generating system in which a vapor generating section and a superheating section are connected in a series flow relationship. The vapor generating section includes an upright furnace section formed by a plurality of tubes, a portion of which extend at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane for passing fluid through the length of the furnace section to convert a portion of the fluid to vapor or to heat the fluid. The angularly extending portion of each tube has a rifled bore.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Stevens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:29
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22B; F22B29/00; F22B29/06; F22B29/061; F22B29/065; F22B37/00; F22B37/02; F22B37/10; F22B37/101; F22B37/103; F28; F28F; F28F1/00; F28F1/10; F28F1/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A vapor generating system comprising an upright furnace section the boundary walls of which are formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, means for simultaneously passing water through the tubes of all said boundary walls to add heat from said burner means to said water to convert said water to steam, and a rifled bore formed in said acute-angularly extending tubes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A vapor generating system comprising an upright furnace section the boundary walls of which are formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, means for simultaneously passing water through the tubes of all said boundary walls to add heat from said burner means to said water to convert said water to steam, and a rifled bore formed in said acute-angularly extending tubes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the configuration of said rifled bores is such that nucleate boiling is maintained and separation of steam and water is avoided during the flow of water through said acute-angularly extending tubes at relatively high and relatively low flow rates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a fluid separating section, a superheating section and fluid flow circuitry connecting said sections in a series flow relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said fluid separating section receives fluid from said vapor generating section during start-up and full load operation of said system and separates said fluid into water and steam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said tubes extend vertically in the lower and upper portions of said furnace section and extend at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in an intermediate portion of said furnace section extending between said upper and lower portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 wherein there are more vertically extending tubes in the walls in said upper portion of said furnace section than acute-angularly extending tubes in said portion of said walls extending below said upper portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 6 wherein each of said acute-angularly extending tubes bifurcates into at least two of said vertically extending tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said furnace section has a rectangular horizontal cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said acute-angularly extending tubes wrap around the furnace for at least one revolution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said tubes are directly exposed to the heat from said burner means for the entire height of the furnace boundary walls.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said rifled bores are formed by a plurality of ribs and grooves formed in the inner wall of each of said acute-angularly extending tubes, with the height of each rib being 0.05 to 0.06 inches and the width of each rib being 0.25 to 0.3 inches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1 or 11 wherein said rifled bores are formed by a plurality of ribs and grooves formed in the inner wall of said acute-angularly extending tubes, with the pitch of said ribs being 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches and the minor tube diameter being 0.85 to 1.25 inches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
136 words
A vapor generating system comprising an upright furnace section the boundary walls of which are formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, and a plurality of ribs and grooves formed in the inner walls of said acute-angularly extending tubes, with the height of each rib being 0.05 to 0.06 inches and the width of each rib being 0.25 to 0.3 inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
136 words
A vapor generating system comprising an upright furnace section the boundary walls of which are formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, and a plurality of ribs and grooves formed in the inner walls of said acute-angularly extending tubes, with the height of each rib being 0.05 to 0.06 inches and the width of each rib being 0.25 to 0.3 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the pitch of said ribs is 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches and the minor tube diameter is 0.85 to 1.25 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the configuration of said rifled bores is such that nucleate boiling is maintained and separation of steam and water is avoided during the flow of water through said acute-angularly extending tubes at relatively high and relatively low flow rates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising a fluid separating section, a superheating section and fluid flow circuitry connecting said sections in a series flow relationship.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said fluid separating section receives fluid from said vapor generating section during start-up and full load operation of said system and separates said fluid into water and steam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said tubes extend vertically in the lower and upper portions of said furnace section and extend at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in an intermediate portion of said furnace section extending between said upper and lower portions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 13 wherein there are more vertically extending tubes in the walls in said upper portion of said furnace section than acute-angularly extending tubes in said portion of said walls extending below said upper portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 19 wherein each of said acute-angularly extending tubes bifurcates into at least two of said vertically extending tubes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
125 words
A vapor generating system comprising an upright furnace section the boundary walls of which are formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, and a plurality of ribs and grooves formed in the inner walls of said acute-angularly extending tubes, with the pitch of said ribs being 0.75 to 1.25 inches.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
125 words
A vapor generating system comprising an upright furnace section the boundary walls of which are formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, and a plurality of ribs and grooves formed in the inner walls of said acute-angularly extending tubes, with the pitch of said ribs being 0.75 to 1.25 inches.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 21 wherein the configuration of said rifled bores is such that nucleate boiling is maintained and separation of steam and water is avoided during the flow of water through said acute-angularly extending tubes at relatively high and relatively low flow rates.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising a fluid separating section, a superheating section and fluid flow circuitry connecting said sections in a series flow relationship.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said fluid separating section receives fluid from said vapor generating section during start-up and full load operation of said system and separates said fluid into water and steam.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said tubes extend vertically in the lower and upper portions of said furnace section and extend at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in an intermediate portion of said furnace section extending between said upper and lower portions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 21 wherein there are more vertically extending tubes in the walls in said upper portion of said furnace section than said acute-angularly extending tubes in said portion of said walls extending below said upper portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 26 wherein each of said acute-angularly extending tubes bifurcates into at least two of said vertically extending tubes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
119 words
A vapor generating system comprising an upright furnace section the boundary walls of which are formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, each of said acute-angularly extending tubes bifurcating into two vertically extending tubes, and a rifled bore formed in said acute-angularly extending tubes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
119 words
A vapor generating system comprising an upright furnace section the boundary walls of which are formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, each of said acute-angularly extending tubes bifurcating into two vertically extending tubes, and a rifled bore formed in said acute-angularly extending tubes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the configuration of said rifled bores is such that nucleate boiling is maintained and separation of steam and water is avoided during the flow of water through said acute-angularly extending tubes at relatively high and relatively low flow rates.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 28 further comprising a fluid separating section, a superheating section and fluid flow circuitry connecting said sections in a series flow relationship.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 30 wherein said fluid separating section receives fluid from said vapor generating section during start-up and full load operation of said system and separates said fluid into water and steam.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said tubes extend vertically in the lower and upper portions of said furnace section and extend at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in an intermediate portion of said furnace section extending between said upper and lower portions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
127 words
A vapor generating system comprising a fluid separating system, a superheating section, an upright furnace section, fluid flow circuitry connecting said sections in a series flow relationship, the boundary walls of said furnace section being formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, and a rifled bore formed in said acute-angularly extending tubes.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
127 words
A vapor generating system comprising a fluid separating system, a superheating section, an upright furnace section, fluid flow circuitry connecting said sections in a series flow relationship, the boundary walls of said furnace section being formed by a plurality of tubes having fins extending outwardly from diametrically opposed portions thereof, with the fins of adjacent tubes being welded together to form a gas-tight structure, burner means associated with said furnace section, said tubes extending vertically in the plane of each boundary wall in the upper portion of said furnace section walls and extending at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in at least a portion of said boundary walls extending below said upper portion, and a rifled bore formed in said acute-angularly extending tubes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said fluid separating section receives fluid from said vapor generating section during start-up and full load operation of said system and separates said fluid into water and steam.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the configuration of said rifled bores is such that nucleate boiling is maintained and separation of steam and water is avoided during the flow of water through said acute-angularly extending tubes at relatively high and relatively low flow rates.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said tubes extend vertically in the lower and upper portions of said furnace section and extend at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane in an intermediate portion of said furnace section extending between said upper and lower portions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 33 wherein each of said acute-angularly extending tubes bifurcates into at least two of said vertically extending tubes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2279548A
Cited
US3217799A
Cited
US3400689A
Cited
US3789806A
Cited
US3832979A
Cited
US3868927A
Cited
US4191133A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-16 | 1986-02-15 | 1986-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-16 | 1990-02-15 | 1990-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-16 | 1994-02-15 | 1994-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |