Patent US4573526A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4573526A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Steam generator flow control device
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
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Filing: 1983-03-15
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Granted: 1986-03-04
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Expires: 2003-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A flow control device for providing a substantially uniform and vortex-free inflow and distribution of feedwater to a steam generator having a tube bundle for a primary fluid disposed in a shell provided in the feedwater inlet nozzle including a diffuser structure, with a number of diffuser channels adapted to restrict outflow of water from the generator shell during a break in a feedwater pipe connected to the inlet nozzle and baffle means associated with said diffuser structure to deflect the feedwater flow in a radial direction about the inlet nozzle, the baffle means being arranged closely adjacent the inlet nozzle between the downstream ends of the diffuser channels and the tube bundle enclosed by the shell.
Inventors
- 👤 Ingvar K. E. Jung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:52
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22D; F22D5/00; F22D5/04; F28; F28F; F28F9/00; F28F9/02; F28F9/026; F28F9/0265; F28F9/0268; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/02; F22B37/22; F22B37/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A flow distributor for a shell and tube heat exchanger having a shell side inlet nozzle so disposed in said shell that a central axis of said inlet nozzle is generally perpendicularly oriented with respect to said tubes; said flow distributor being disposed within said shell on the shell side end of said inlet nozzle and having a plurality of vanes which generally direct the flow of fluid from said inlet nozzle into said shell in a generally radial direction with respect to said central axis of said inlet nozzle and said vanes being symmetrically disposed about perpendicular planes passing through said central axis, a first plane generally parallel to the tubes and a second plane generally perpendicular to the tubes, said vanes being formed to distribute a substantially greater portion of the inlet flow from said inlet nozzle in a general direction away from said first plane than from said second plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A flow distributor for a shell and tube heat exchanger having a shell side inlet nozzle so disposed in said shell that a central axis of said inlet nozzle is generally perpendicularly oriented with respect to said tubes; said flow distributor being disposed within said shell on the shell side end of said inlet nozzle and having a plurality of vanes which generally direct the flow of fluid from said inlet nozzle into said shell in a generally radial direction with respect to said central axis of said inlet nozzle and said vanes being symmetrically disposed about perpendicular planes passing through said central axis, a first plane generally parallel to the tubes and a second plane generally perpendicular to the tubes, said vanes being formed to distribute a substantially greater portion of the inlet flow from said inlet nozzle in a general direction away from said first plane than from said second plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the nozzle has a plurality of converging and diverging constrictions disposed within the inlet nozzle upstream of said flow distributor vanes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 2, wherein there are at least seven constrictions within the inlet nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 2, wherein there are at least 14 converging and diverging constrictions within the inlet nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 2, wherein there are at least 19 converging and diverging constrictions within the inlet nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 2, wherein there are at least 20 converging and diverging constrictions within the inlet nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 2, wherein the diffuser further comprises concentrically spaced annular walls; radial walls extending between the spaced annular walls; and said annular walls and radial walls extend from the end of the diverging portion of said constrictions to said vanes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 7, wherein the shell side ends of said annular walls flare radially outwardly and form some of said vanes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 2, wherein a portion of the vanes are elliptically shaped and flare out radially from the axis of the nozzle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 2, wherein the walls of the diverging portion of the constrictions form an angle with respect to a line parallel to the axis of the inlet nozzle which does not exceed seven degrees.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A flow distributor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the velocity of the fluid leaving the diffuser has a velocity not more than 1.43 times the average velocity in the full area of the inlet nozzle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-03 | 1989-09-02 | 1990-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-03 | 1993-09-02 | 1994-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-03 | 1997-09-02 | 1998-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |