US4421160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shell and tube heat exchanger with removable tubes and tube sheets
Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
•
Filing: 1980-10-16
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Granted: 1983-12-20
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Expires: 2000-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A heat exchanger having a plurality of spaced apart tubes loosely penetrating aligned oversized holes in two spaced apart tube sheets; a shell around the tube sheets; each tube sheet being secured against inward displacement axial to the tubes by contact with stop means on the shell; each tube sheet being barred against outward displacement axial to the tubes by keys mechanically engaging the tube sheet and shell so that upon release of the keys they no longer bar removal of the tube sheet from the shell; a solid binder joining and sealing the tubes to the tube sheet and joining and sealing the tube sheet to the shell, with said solid binder having substantial compressive, tensile and shear strength, and being convertible by heat at a sufficiently high temperature to a physical state in which it has much lower compressive, tensile and shear strength; a conduit to deliver a heat exchange fluid around the tubes inside of the shell between the tube sheets; and a conduit to deliver a liquid feed stream into a feed box partially defined by one of the tube sheets.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald C. Stafford
- 👤 Vincent F. Allo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:38
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/02; F28F9/0229; F28F9/04; F28F9/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/11; Y10T156/1142; Y10T156/1147; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4935; Y10T29/49373
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of spaced apart tubes loosely penetrating aligned oversized holes in two spaced apart metal tube sheets; a shell around the tube sheets; each tube sheet being secured against inward displacement axial to the tubes by contact with stop means on the shell; each tube sheet being barred against outward displacement axial to the tubes by releasable restraining means mechanically engaging the tube sheet and shell so that upon release of the restraining means it no longer bars removal of the tube sheet from the shell; a polymeric solid binder covering the tube sheet outer surface and the restraining means and joining and sealing the tubes to the tube sheet and joining and sealing the tube sheet to the shell, with said solid binder having substantial compressive, tensile and shear strength, and being convertible by heat at a sufficiently high temperature to a physical state in which it has much lower compressive, tensile and shear strength; means to deliver a heat exchange fluid around the tubes inside of the shell between the tube sheets; and means to deliver a liquid feed stream into a feed box partially defined by one of the tube sheets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of spaced apart tubes loosely penetrating aligned oversized holes in two spaced apart metal tube sheets; a shell around the tube sheets; each tube sheet being secured against inward displacement axial to the tubes by contact with stop means on the shell; each tube sheet being barred against outward displacement axial to the tubes by releasable restraining means mechanically engaging the tube sheet and shell so that upon release of the restraining means it no longer bars removal of the tube sheet from the shell; a polymeric solid binder covering the tube sheet outer surface and the restraining means and joining and sealing the tubes to the tube sheet and joining and sealing the tube sheet to the shell, with said solid binder having substantial compressive, tensile and shear strength, and being convertible by heat at a sufficiently high temperature to a physical state in which it has much lower compressive, tensile and shear strength; means to deliver a heat exchange fluid around the tubes inside of the shell between the tube sheets; and means to deliver a liquid feed stream into a feed box partially defined by one of the tube sheets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 1 including a cover joined to one end of the shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 2 in which a liquid feed box is between the cover and the adjacent tube sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 1 in which the tube sheets are insulated against heat transfer therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 1 in which a tube sheet is secured against inward displacement by having its peripheral edge portion inwardly supported by a ledge on the shell inner wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 1 in which the releasable restraining means is a plurality of keys set in slots in the shell wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 1 in which the binder substantially surrounds each tube sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 1 in which a tube sheet comprises a plurality of spaced apart plates separated by spacers and the space between plates is occupied by the binder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 4 in which a tube sheet is insulated against heat transfer therethrough by sheet of insulation supported by a ledge inside of the shell near the tube sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 9 including a spacer between the sheet of insulation and the tube sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A heat exchanger according to claim 9 in which the tube sheet is spaced from the sheet of insulation and the space is occupied by said binder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1986-12-19 | 1987-06-20 | 1987-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-19 | 1991-06-20 | 1991-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-19 | 1995-06-20 | 1995-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |