Patents Assigned to Trico Non-Ferrous Metal Products, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7028765
    Abstract: A tube support device is presented. The present invention includes at least two first plates and at least two second plates each having a plurality of slots mutually arranged and aligned so as to allow four or more plates to interlock and form a grid of depth-wise planar extent thereby providing at least one square-shaped opening. Each first plate and each second plate have a plurality of u-shaped nodules. At least one u-shaped nodule along each first plate and along each second plate extends into each square-shaped opening. U-shaped nodules are disposed parallel to and contacting a tube passing through each square-shaped opening. The grid is surrounded by a fluid with a flow field parallel to each tube and may include a secondary flow field crosswise disposed with respect to each tube. In yet another embodiments, the present invention is positioned within a shell and tube heat exchanger so as to support a plurality of tubes passing there through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Trico Non-Ferrous Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: George J. Williams, William A. Pritz, Peter J. Pritz, Thomas J. Pritz, Jr., Dorothy C. Pritz