Tube support grid and spacer therefor

Patent · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:865768

Ringsmuth, Richard J.; Kaufman, Jay S.

A tube support grid and spacers therefor provide radially inward preloading of heat exchange tubes to minimize stress upon base welds due to differential thermal expansion. The grid comprises a concentric series of rings and spacers with opposing concave sides for conforming to the tubes and V-shaped ends to provide resilient flexibility. The flexibility aids in assembly and in transmitting seismic vibrations from the tubes to a shroud. The tube support grid may be assembled in place to achieve the desired inwardly radial preloading of the heat exchange tubes. Tab and slot assembly further minimizes stresses in the system. The radii of the grid rings may be preselected to effect the desired radially inward preloading.

• Research Organization: GA Technologies Inc., San Diego, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AT03-76ET35301
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by U.S. Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): 4,570,703
• Application Number: 06/346,612
• OSTI ID: 865768
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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/165/248/376/
achieve
aids
assembled
assembly
base
comprises
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concentric
conforming
desired
differential
differential thermal
due
effect
exchange
exchange tube
exchange tubes
expansion
flexibility
grid
heat
heat exchange
inward
inwardly
minimize
minimizes
opposing
preloading
preselected
provide
provide radial
radial
radially
radially inward
radii
resilient
rings
seismic
series
shroud
slot
spacer
spacers
stress
stresses
support
support grid
tab
thermal
thermal expansion
transmitting
tube
tube support
tubes
v-shaped
vibrations
welds