Supports Patents (Class 122/510)
  • Patent number: 11828189
    Abstract: A system includes a retention system configured to support a heat exchanger along a flow path within a duct. The retention system includes a first sleeve configured to extend between opposite first and second walls of the duct, a first cable extending through the first sleeve, and a first bumper coupled to the first sleeve. The first bumper is configured to contact the heat exchanger. The retention system includes a first tensioner coupled to the first cable, wherein the first tensioner is configured to provide a first tension in the first cable. The first tension is adjustable to detune the natural frequency of the heat exchanger away from any excitation load frequencies caused by an exhaust gas flow through the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James D. Pschirer, Dimitrios V. Doupis, Steven Kurdziel
  • Patent number: 11821699
    Abstract: A heat exchanger system includes a rigid framework. A first heat exchanger may be coupled to a first support structure on a top of the rigid framework. A second heat exchanger may be positioned below the first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger may be coupled to a second support structure. The second support structure may hang from the rigid framework via a first set of tethers. The first set of tethers may be configured to vertically and horizontally move the second support structure. The vertically and horizontally movement of the second support structure may be based on a thermal expansion of the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: David Guymon, Ron Herbanek
  • Patent number: 11486572
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for cooling flue gases emitted from an industrial facility, such as a coke oven in a coke manufacturing plant. A representative system includes a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) having a steam generation system that converts liquid feedwater into steam by absorbing heat from the flue gases. The steam generation system includes a plurality of tubes that carry the liquid water feedwater and the steam. Some or all of the tubes include steel and a non-corrosive material cladded to the steel that helps to reduce corrosion caused by the high temperature flue gases and extremely corrosive contaminants within the flue gas that can corrode steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SUNCOKE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: John Francis Quanci, Anthony Hanlin, Jennifer McLaren
  • Patent number: 11150037
    Abstract: An improved heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section consisting of a series of serpentine tubes which are kept uniformly spaced in the return bend section. Providing uniform return bend spacing on the return bend ends allow for ease of circuit assembly (stacking), ease of coil pull-down, ease of manufacturing, reduction in production cost, produces a higher quality hot dip galvanizing process and is a more robust design that tolerates manufacturing variability issues such as variable tube circuit length and variable return bend angles. Uniform return bend spacing also reduces scaling relative to prior art designs which had wet/dry areas resulting from shadowed tubes which were non-uniformly spaced, provides for better inspection and access to the tubes in the return bend area, maintains uniform air passage around tubes, promotes better tube wetting of the return bend area and ultimately promotes higher quality and higher performing heat exchanger coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Egolf, David Andrew Aaron
  • Patent number: 10914528
    Abstract: This flat tube heat exchanger encompasses a closed housing, in which two tube sheets and a tube bundle, which is arranged between the tube sheets and which is supported by the tube sheets is arranged. The tube bundle comprises at least some flat tubes, which extend in longitudinal direction of the tube bundle. At their ends, the flat tubes are round and are flat in a central section. The ends of the flat tubes, which have a round cross section, can be circular or can encompass a different round shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: WS-WARMEPROZESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Joachim A. Wunning
  • Patent number: 10900659
    Abstract: A steam generator comprising water/steam tubes passing through the steam generator from the water inlet to the superheated steam outlet, horizontally arranged in tube banks, preferably flat tube banks, perpendicularly crossed by the fumes, the tubes ascend along the steam generator axis from one tube bank the other, with an oblique path so to expose the tube to the fume flow in different positions at each tube bank, the tubes are divided into two or more separate branches, each branch fed by a header distinct from the others, the steam generator being once-through in pure counter-current, vertical or horizontal, the headers of the outlet superheated steam are grouped at direct contact in a bundle, and they are thermally insulated from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: ITEA S.P.A
    Inventors: Massimo Malavasi, Guido Volpi Ghirardini, Claudio Citti, Alessandro Saponaro
  • Patent number: 10690269
    Abstract: A manifold system with a manifold body having a length greater than a width and a height of the manifold body, a top surface with a first groove extending along the entire length of the manifold body, a bottom surface with a second groove extending along the entire length of the manifold body, at least one mounting hole extending through one of a first side surface or a second side surface of the manifold body and through one of the first groove or the second groove, a plurality of connection fittings including at least one connection fitting on each of the first and second side surfaces of the manifold body, at least one internal passage way within the manifold body fluidly connecting at least two of the plurality of connection fittings, and at least one fastening element removably engaged within the at least one mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products Corporation
    Inventors: Victor J. Raye, Jerry J. Donovan
  • Patent number: 10682898
    Abstract: A system includes a compressor and a mounting apparatus for mounting the compressor. The compressor is held exclusively by way of the mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus includes two pendulum-type bearings and a hinged support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joachim Kappich
  • Patent number: 10539044
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion generation apparatus which generates power using organic materials. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the combustion generation apparatus includes a fuel supply unit which includes a plurality of single fuel suppliers configured to supply different organic raw materials, a fuel mixer configured to mix the organic raw materials supplied by the single fuel suppliers, and a mixed fuel supplier configured to receive the organic raw materials uniformly mixed in the fuel mixer, a reaction unit which includes a combustion chamber configured to burn the organic raw materials supplied by the mixed fuel supplier, and a generation unit which includes an internal generator configured to generate power using heat energy generated by a combustion reaction of the organic materials in the combustion chamber and an external generator configured to generate power using heat energy released outward from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Inventor: Seong Bang Nam
  • Patent number: 10451365
    Abstract: A tube sheet for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a plurality of apertures that traverse therethrough, where the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a plurality of tubes of the thermal transfer device. The tube sheet can also include an outer perimeter defining the body, where the outer perimeter has at least one first recess feature disposed therein. The at least one first recess feature can have a first shape and a first size, where the first shape is any shape aside from a semi-circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Reza Khatami
  • Patent number: 10443836
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed apparatus, comprising a circulating fluidized bed furnace 10 with an outer furnace wall 10r and at least one heat exchange chamber 20, which is friction-locked to a section of the outer furnace wall 10r, as well as a platform PL which extends horizontally and at a distance to an upper ceiling 10c of said heat exchange chamber 20, wherein the heat exchange chamber 20 is further supported by at least one leverage 50, which is arranged onto said platform PL and extends from a first end 50f, pivotally mounted to the outer furnace wall 10r, away from said furnace wall 10r to a second end 50s, and a fastener 60 extending downwardly from said second end 50s of said leverage 50 to a part of the heat exchange chamber 20 offset the outer furnace wall 10r.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: DOOSAN LENTJES GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Baum, Martin Tewiele, Martin Gajsek
  • Patent number: 10378691
    Abstract: A trophy mount and a skull clamp are disclosed. The trophy mount can comprise a skull coupling feature configured to interface with and support a skull, and a positioning device configured to provide rotation of the skull coupling feature in at least two rotational degrees of freedom to facilitate positioning of the skull. The skull clamp can comprise a first jaw configured to extend into a foramen magnum of an occipital bone of a skull toward a nose end of the skull, and a second jaw operable with the first jaw to clamp the occipital bone and secure a bottom of the skull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Typical 4, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Allred, Brian Allred
  • Patent number: 10337479
    Abstract: A holder is used for fastening a component, in particular a fuel distributor, to an internal combustion engine. The holder has at least one connection element, which includes a locating area. In the installed state, in which the connection element rests against an outer side of the component via its locating area, the locating area of the connection element extends across an angle greater than 180 degrees in relation to a longitudinal axis of the component. Furthermore, in the installed state, in which the connection element is resting via its locating area against the outer side of the component, the locating area has the form of a cylinder jacket. In addition, a system having a component and such a holder is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Lang, Thomas Froihofer
  • Patent number: 10317143
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for transferring heat from a hot gas to a fluid includes two or more corrugated fin structures defining a plurality of hot gas flow channels extending in a generally linear first direction. A fluid conduit includes an outer wall at least partially bonded to at least two of the corrugated fin structures. The fluid conduit defines a plurality of sequentially arranged flow passes for the fluid traveling therethrough. Each of the plurality of flow passes directs the fluid in a direction generally perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: MODINE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Klaves, Edward Robinson, Gregory DaPra, Paul Fraser, Gregory Mross, Tony Rousseau, Robert Barfknecht, George Becke
  • Patent number: 10299438
    Abstract: A forming and wrapping unit and method for forming material into a continuous bar and wrapping the material. The unit including a forming chamber for forming material into a continuous bar, a sheet wrapping device for wrapping the continuous bar, and a controller operating on the sheet wrapping device. The sheet wrapping device and the controller are adapted to be operable independently of a rate of feeding bulk material into the forming chamber. The method includes feeding material to a wrapping position while forming the material, wrapping a sheet around the material such that the sheet at least partly overlaps a previously wrapped portion of the sheet, and transferring the wrapped material from the wrapping position to a storage ready position. The feeding of the material to a wrapping position and wrapping a sheet around the material are separately operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TRIOPLAST AB
    Inventors: Lars Öhrn, Mikael Liljegren
  • Patent number: 10251495
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for mounting wall objects. The device has a vertical member and a horizontal member attached to one another along a fold line. The vertical member has a wall-facing side that engages and is secured to a wall or surface by receiving connection members through one or more mounting holes. The horizontal member, in some arrangements, has a pair of flanges that form a gap along an outer end opposite the fold line. A pair of spaced-apart support braces that form a slot extend generally down the middle between the horizontal and vertical member. The slot allows for the reception of a brace or clamp that can be held in place by inserting a locking pin through aligned sets of locking holes and through either a brace hole in the brace or a fixing hole in a transverse hole of the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: Jerry D. Theilen
  • Patent number: 10222139
    Abstract: A retention element for a spacer plane of a pipe bundle is illustrated and described. In order to be able to provide large coherent free faces of the spacer plane with simplified assembly of the spacer plane, it is proposed that two guide elements each for receiving a pipe of the pipe bundle and a spacing element which is arranged between the guide elements be provided and that an opening for the passage of a rod-like support be provided between the guide elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Babcock Borsig Service GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Treptow, Holger Friebel, Michael Arlt
  • Patent number: 10215457
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a heating tube is described, comprising at least two cooling pipes, wherein the at least two cooling pipes are arranged such that each of the at least two cooling pipes are configured to be in thermal contact with the heating tube; and a means for generating an aerosol being configured to provide the aerosol in the at least two cooling pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Hoffmann, Peter Skuk
  • Patent number: 10145626
    Abstract: A heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) includes a first casing having an interior enclosing at least one duct for gas to flow therein along a gas flow axis. Each duct is defined by duct defining members that are spaced apart from each other and extend into the interior of the first casing. A plurality of stiffening members are elongated along the gas flow axis. Each of the stiffening members are positioned between two of the duct defining members. The stiffening members and duct defining members have a substantially similar coefficient of thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Donald Richard Palmer, Richard F. Moore, Ashok Prabhu
  • Patent number: 10086348
    Abstract: Embodiments of an invention disclosed herein relate to apparatuses and processes related thereto including modifications of support members that significantly reduce the magnitude of stress at junctions between the support members and the shell walls of the apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolaas A. De Munck, Geoffrey Evans, Friso Schmalz
  • Patent number: 10036296
    Abstract: An after-treatment device includes a first mat having an elongate shape and a second mat having an elongate shape. The first mat and the second mat are entwined, each being in contact with at least three of the four lateral surfaces of each of at least two substrates. Additionally, the first mat and the second mat at least partially overlap such that the first tongue is disposed at least partially in the second opening and the second tongue is disposed at least partially in the first opening to form a continuous layer around all lateral surfaces of each of the at least two substrates placed in an enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Chenoweth
  • Patent number: 9931988
    Abstract: A freestanding unit for securing loose items within the cargo area of a vehicle by propping items against a side wall of the cargo area includes a vertical wall section and bottom wall forming an overall L shaped cross section reinforced by molded ribs. The freestanding wall unit is secured to the carpeted floor of the vehicle's cargo area using continuous strips of hook and loop material. Two handles, situated one on either end of the vertical wall allow ease of use when removing or repositioning the freestanding wall unit within the cargo area. The handles are positioned at either end to provide a constant and steady peeling effect facilitated by the continuous hook and loop strips when removing the unit from a carpeted surface. The unit may be constructed as a solid one piece molded plastic part utilizing a tough and durable plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Culleton, Ben Millett, Alan Harrison
  • Patent number: 9908091
    Abstract: A furnace for steam reforming a feed stream containing hydrocarbon, preferably methane, having: a combustion chamber, a plurality of reactor tubes arranged in the combustion chamber for accommodating a catalyst and for passing the feed stream through the reactor tubes, and at least one burner which is configured to burn a combustion fuel in the combustion chamber to heat the reactor tubes. In addition at least one voltage source is provided which is connected to the plurality of reactor tubes in such a manner that in each case an electric current which heats the reactor tubes to heat the feedstock is generable in the reactor tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Vogel, Rachid Mabrouk, Christoph Stiller, Stefan Hübner, Harald Ranke, Andreas Seliger
  • Patent number: 9897234
    Abstract: A tube support assembly for a steam generator system is disclosed herein, including a sheet or support bar configured to support a plurality of heat transfer tubes of the steam generator system and a set of projections extending from a surface of the sheet or support bar. A distance that the set of projections extend from the surface of the sheet or support bar may be greater than, or equal to, an external diameter of a heat transfer tube. The adjacent tubes of the plurality of tubes may be separated from each other by one or more projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: NUSCALE POWER, LLC
    Inventors: William Koski, Tamas Liszkai, Alex Kruskamp, Seth Cadell, Weston Pollock
  • Patent number: 9810347
    Abstract: A guide system for securing a torpedo pre-set power cable to move within a torpedo tube is provided. The guide system includes a longitudinal keeper and a guide assembly. The longitudinal keeper secures the power cable and includes a protrusion. A channel of the guide assembly connects to a Torpedo Mount Dispenser such that the channel receives the protrusion with the keeper sliding within and along a length of the channel. An alternate channel connects to a torpedo tube land and is configured to pivot to a stowed position and a deployed position where the channel is configured to receive the protrusion of the keeper such that the keeper slides within and along a length of the channel. When using each of the channels, the power cable can move within the torpedo tube when the protrusion of the keeper with the secured power cable slides within each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John C. Babineau
  • Patent number: 9739475
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat recovery steam generator system comprising a vestibule comprising a base plate, a roof and side walls; where the base plate is opposedly disposed to the roof; a heat exchanger space through which an exhaust gas stream is charged; where the vestibule is disposed atop a heat exchanger space; and where the vestibule comprises at least one header in fluid communication with a tube bundle; where a portion of the tube bundle is disposed in the heat exchanger space; and a support system for the tube bundle; where the support system comprises a strap that is reversibly attached to the base plate as well as to the roof of the vestibule or to a structural member in the vestibule; and where each tube of the tube bundle contacts a collar that rests on the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Fred Magee, Wesley Paul Bauver, II, Van Dang, Robert William Moore
  • Patent number: 9728170
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a mounting system for pivotal coupling to an instrument, the mounting system including a tuner, a ball element outwardly extending from the tuner, and a socket element having a wall defining a socket in communication with a wall opening; whereby the socket is configured to pivotally receive at least a portion of the ball element via the wall opening to pivotally couple the ball element to the socket element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Guitar Center, Inc.
    Inventor: Robin Richard Slaton
  • Patent number: 9696098
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a once-through evaporator comprising an inlet manifold; one or more inlet headers in fluid communication with the inlet manifold; one or more tube stacks, where each tube stack comprises one or more substantially horizontal evaporator tubes; the one or more tube stacks being in fluid communication with the one or more inlet headers; one or more outlet headers in fluid communication with one or more tube stacks; and an outlet manifold in fluid communication with the one or more outlet headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Magee, Wei D. Zhang, Bruce W. Wilhelm, Vinh Q. Truong, Christopher J. Lech, James D. Pschirer
  • Patent number: 9677825
    Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger include heat surface tubes (6) surrounded by a shell (1), the tubes communicating with an inlet end chamber (11) through a tube sheet (5) at one end and with an outlet end chamber (12) through a tube sheet at the other end, and in the shell side of the tube heat exchanger there is at least one baffle plate made of flat strips for supporting the heat surface tubes and guiding the shell-side flow. The flat strips forming the baffle plate are straight and thinner than the distance between the tubes to be supported, and the required support is achieved by placing each flat strip of the baffle plate in an inclined position with respect to the heat surface tubes so that one of the crosswise edges of the flat strip is supporting one and the other is supporting the other of adjacent tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: RINHEAT OY
    Inventors: Arvi Artamo, Pentti Juhola
  • Patent number: 9610798
    Abstract: A trophy mount and a skull clamp are disclosed. The trophy mount can comprise a skull coupling feature configured to interface with and support a skull, and a positioning device configured to provide rotation of the skull coupling feature in at least two rotational degrees of freedom to facilitate positioning of the skull. The skull clamp can comprise a first jaw configured to extend into a foramen magnum of an occipital bone of a skull toward a nose end of the skull, and a second jaw operable with the first jaw to clamp the occipital bone and secure a bottom of the skull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Typical 4, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Allred, Brian Allred
  • Patent number: 9038624
    Abstract: A solar boiler includes a boiler support defining an axis along an inboard-outboard direction. A hanger rod is rotatably mounted to the boiler support. A bracket is rotatably mounted to the hanger rod, and a solar boiler panel is mounted to the bracket. The solar boiler panel defines a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular with the axis of the boiler support. The hanger rod connects between the boiler support and the bracket to support the weight of the solar boiler panel from the boiler support. The hanger rod and bracket are configured and adapted to maintain a substantially constant orientation of the bracket during inboard and outboard movement of the bracket relative to the boiler support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Babcock Power Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Morse, Michael D. Ringer, Jr., Ivo Slezak, Russell Ricci
  • Publication number: 20150083365
    Abstract: A steam generator includes a tube bundle having a plurality of tubes, arranged in rows and columns. The first column of tubes includes a first tube having a curved center line disposed in a first plane. The second column of tubes includes a second tube having a curved center line disposed in a second plane, the second plane being parallel to and spaced a distance from the first plane. The steam generator further includes a first number of solid anti-vibration bars disposed between the first column of tubes and the second column of tubes; wherein each of the tubes has a tube outer diameter; and wherein each of the first number of anti-vibration bars has a thickness generally transverse to the first and second planes, the thickness being greater than the distance between the first and second planes minus the tube outer diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: PADMANABHA J. PRABHU, Robert M. Wepfer
  • Patent number: 8939112
    Abstract: A buckstay connecting system includes a socket part that is fixed to the horizontal buckstay being separated from a lower end of the vertical buckstay between the lower end of the vertical buckstay and the horizontal buckstay, and an insertion part that is fixed to a lower portion of the vertical buckstay, is inserted into the socket part so as to be able to slide in a vertical direction, inhibits the horizontal buckstay from being inclined, and is allowed to be fastened to the socket part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8794302
    Abstract: A self-supporting system for positioning and restraining the U-bend tubes in the U-bend region of a nuclear steam generator includes arrays incorporating unique support bars having nubs projecting in the out-of-plane direction of the tube planes. The system also includes assemblies for spacing the arrays, tie bars to prevent the arrays from splaying and saddle bar assemblies to support the outermost tube layers. The system provides positive restraint to nub engaged tubes in both the in-plane direction of the tube planes and the out-of-plane direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: William G. Schneider, Brian Pearce, Nicholas Idvorian, Stephen W. Ziegler, Peter A. Caple
  • Patent number: 8786856
    Abstract: A method of monitoring combustion properties in an interior of a boiler of the type having walls comprising a plurality of parallel steam tubes separated by a metal membrane. First and second penetrations are provided in the metal membrane between adjacent tubes on opposite sides of the boiler. A beam of light is projected through a pitch optic comprising a pitch collimating lens and a pitch relay lens, both residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch relay lens projects the beam through a penetration into the boiler interior. The beam of light is received with a catch optic substantially identical to the pitch optic residing outside the boiler interior. The strength of the collimated received beam of light is determined. At least one of the pitch collimating lens and the catch collimating lens may then be aligned to maximize the strength of the collimated received beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Zolo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey, Henrik Hofvander, Allen Molitoris, Bernard Patrick Masterson, Pei Huang
  • Publication number: 20140123915
    Abstract: An economizer arrangement particularly suitable for new or retrofit application to existing steam generators provides a water cooled stringer support tube system which can accommodate firing a wide range of fuels with varying characteristics in the steam generator. The economizer arrangement according to the present invention is particularly suited for retrofit applications to large supercritical steam generators. The use of water cooled stringer tube supports allows for higher flue gas temperatures in comparison to conventional non-cooled mechanical economizer supports. These features are provided in a design which fits within the existing economizer envelope of the steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeb W. GAYHEART, Donald E. RYAN, Robert M. McNERTNEY, Peter W. WAANDERS, Geza G. CSATLOS
  • Patent number: 8695688
    Abstract: A self-supporting system for positioning and restraining the U-bend tubes in the U-bend region of a nuclear steam generator includes arrays incorporating unique support bars having nubs projecting in the out-of-plane direction of the tube planes. The system also includes assemblies for spacing the arrays, tie bars to prevent the arrays from splaying and saddle bar assemblies to support the outermost tube layers. The system provides positive restraint to nub engaged tubes in both the in-plane direction of the tube planes and the out-of-plane direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: William G. Schneider, Brian Pearce, Nicholas Idvorian, Stephen W. Ziegler, Peter A. Caple
  • Publication number: 20140060788
    Abstract: An apparatus in a steam generator that employs tube support plates within a shroud that is in turn disposed within a shell. The tube support plates are made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of the shroud. The tube support plates are aligned during fabrication with minimal clearances between components. Using a tube support displacement system, a controlled misalignment is imposed on one or more tube support plates as the steam generator heats up. The tube support plate displacement system has only two parts, a spring bar and a push rod, that are internal to the steam generator shell and threadably engaged, thereby minimizing the potential of loose parts. The tube support plate displacement system can be used to provide controlled misalignments on one or more tube support plates, with one or more apparatus being provided for any individual tube support plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard G. KLARNER, Robert S. HORVATH, Ghasem V. ASADI, Thomas WARING
  • Publication number: 20140060787
    Abstract: Apparatus for a steam generator that employs tube support plates within a shroud that is in turn disposed within a shell. The tube support plates are made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of the shroud. The tube support plates are aligned during fabrication, with minimal clearances between components. Using a tube support displacement system, a controlled misalignment is then imposed on one or more tube support plates, as the steam generator heats up. The tube support plate displacement system has only one part, a push rod, which is internal to the steam generator shroud, thereby minimizing the potential of loose parts. The tube support plate displacement system can be used to provide controlled misalignments on one or more tube support plates, in the same or varying amounts and directions, and with one or more apparatus for each individual tube support plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard G. KLARNER, Robert S. HORVATH, Ghasem V. ASADI, Paul W. SHIPP
  • Publication number: 20140048020
    Abstract: Provided are a tube sheet of a steam generator installed to support a tube of the steam generator, and a manufacturing method thereof, particularly, a tube sheet of a steam generator having an anticorrosive layer and a manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicants: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD., KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
  • Patent number: 8635976
    Abstract: An economizer arrangement particularly suitable for new or retrofit application to existing steam generators provides a water cooled stringer support tube system which can accommodate firing a wide range of fuels with varying characteristics in the steam generator. The economizer arrangement according to the present invention is particularly suited for retrofit applications to large supercritical steam generators. The use of water cooled stringer tube supports allows for higher flue gas temperatures in comparison to conventional non-cooled mechanical economizer supports. These features are provided in a design which fits within the existing economizer envelope of the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeb W. Gayheart, Donald E. Ryan, Robert M. McNertney, Peter W. Waanders, Geza G. Csatlos
  • Publication number: 20140014295
    Abstract: A steam generator includes: an annular member (21) that surrounds a U-bent portion (18) obtained by collectively disposing bent portions of a plurality of heat transfer tubes and is provided between an outer peripheral portion of the U-bent portion (18) and a tube bundle shroud (3) surrounding the outer peripheral portion so as to have a predetermined gap with respect to the U-bent portion (18); a second support member (22) that is provided between the annular member (21) and the tube bundle shroud (3); and a third support member (23) that is attached to a cylinder portion (2) accommodating a plurality of heat transfer tubes and supports the second support member (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Umehara, Masatsugu Monde, Ryoichi Kawakami, Tomoya Nakagawa, Kazuo Hirota, Yoichi Iwamoto, Itaru Muroya
  • Publication number: 20130340971
    Abstract: There is provided a vibration suppression device of a heat transfer tube including: a cord member that has flexibility and is disposed in a heat transfer tube; and a plurality of sleeves that are mounted outside the cord member with a predetermined first gap and are disposed on an inner face of the heat transfer tube with a predetermined second gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
  • Patent number: 8596227
    Abstract: A steam generator with a heating gas duct which in an approximately horizontal heating gas direction is exposed to throughflow of a heating medium is provided to ensure a reliable absorption of the mentioned loads, especially of the additional loads which are produced as a result of the design dependent internal pressure of the heating gas. The heating gas duct is enclosed by a plurality of support frames which are arranged one behind the other in the heating gas direction, wherein at least two of the support frames are interconnected via a plurality of horizontal batten plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Fred Heinrichs
  • Patent number: 8479392
    Abstract: An automated tool and method for spacing a gap between the anti-vibration bars and the flow tubing in the bend region of a tube bundle of a U-tube steam generator, prior to welding, during manufacture. The tool comprises two toggle clamp elements attached to a scissors assembly, which are actuated by a linear drive motor in line with a force gauge, and coupled to a distance measuring device. The tool is operated by first attaching the toggle clamps respectively to two adjacent anti-vibration bars. A linear drive motor on the tool is then cycled and readouts of force and distance are plotted on a curve to determine the point of contact between the anti-vibration bar and the tube. The computer then automatically cycles the drive motor to adjust the gap to a desired range of position coordinates adjacent the point at which the curve markedly changes slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Wepfer
  • Patent number: 8443764
    Abstract: The arrangement is for positioning equipment in association with an opening in a boiler wall and has a rotation mechanism that rotates the equipment around a virtual rotation axis that lies within the outer wall of the boiler. During the use of a liquor spreader for the introduction of combustible material, the opening of the liquor spreader is arranged in the virtual center of rotation so that the point at which the combustible material is introduced is retained independently of the angle of rotation. The liquor spreader is united either with a glide device or the guide in the rotation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Metso Power AB
    Inventors: Ola Herstad, Robert Tillander, Henrick Lindell, Bengt Nilsson, Timo Vulli
  • Patent number: 8342419
    Abstract: A stand assembly for hydronic circulation systems includes a fixed back portion. A selectively movable platform portion is connected to the back portion. The stand assembly is selectively movable between a folded shipping position and an unfolded installation position by selectively moving the platform portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas O. Simensen, Torbjorn O. Simensen
  • Patent number: 8342139
    Abstract: Improvements in a catch and drain pan for a water heater is disclosed. The improvement includes an immersion resistant water heater support having a fixed or an adjustable leveling capability. The water heater Lifesaver support fits on the water heater support stand/area or inside a catch drain basing to elevate the water heater weight supporting base or metal legs above any standing water. The water heater Lifesaver support is also fabricated to level an uneven water heater to bring the water heater to a vertical orientation. The adjustable water heater support uses a sandwich of two supports in a cam configuration that are indexable in a plurality of finite engagement positions to slightly alter the vertical orientation of the water heater to account for variations and or horizontal orientation of the water heater mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher L Rockwell
  • Publication number: 20120312253
    Abstract: A coil support member is attached to a coil inside a water storage vessel and includes multiple openings, insertion portions and a non-insertion portion. The openings are arranged in a lengthwise direction, and together with surrounding sites prevent contact between mutually adjacent loops of the tube of the coil and suppress contact between an inner surface of the water storage vessel and an outer surface of the coil. The insertion portions are formed between the openings and are inserted into an intra-coil space located radially inward of the outer surface of the coil. The non-insertion portion is positioned in an extra-coil space located radially outward of the outer surface of the coil. The insertion portions have insertion body portions preventing contact between mutually adjacent loops of the tube, and engagement portions contacting the tube from the intra-coil space and maintaining an inserted state of the insertion body portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: DAIKIN EUROPE N.V., DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Kita, Teruo Nishida, Mathieu Ghesquiere
  • Publication number: 20120247727
    Abstract: A tube and shell steam generator in which a series of rods having a diameter substantially equal to that of the heat exchange tubing in the tube bundle are placed on either side of the tube lane to buffer the flow in the tube lane from the heat exchange tubes to attenuate turbulent forces on the first several rows of heat exchange tubes adjacent to the tube lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Wepfer