Steam generator tube supports

Claim 1

A tube support structure for an equilateral triangular array of generally parallel tubes comprising: a plurality of mutually parallel first strips each extending in a first direction generally perpendicular to the tubes and between a corresponding pair of rows of tubes of the array; a plurality of mutually parallel second strips each extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the tubes and between a corresponding pair of rows of tubes of the array; a plurality of mutually parallel third strips each extending in a third direction generally perpendicular to the tubes and between a corresponding pair of rows of tubes of the array; said first direction, said second direction, and said third direction, each being oriented generally sixty degrees from the other two; each of said plurality of second strips and said plurality of third strips having a plurality of slots formed on one edge thereof; each of said plurality of first strips having a plurality of slots formed on both edges thereof; said plurality of first strips being slottingly engaged with and affixed to said plurality of second strips at one edge of said plurality of first strips and being slottingly engaged with and affixed to said plurality of third strips at the other edge of said plurality of first strips thereby forming a multiplicity of hexagonal cells within the tube support each encompassing a single tube and a plurality of dimples in the plurality of strips to contact the tube within the cell.