Abstract: A support assembly in a heat exchanger for securing tubes of a tube bundle in parallel, spaced-apart relation includes a plurality of concentrically arranged tube support rings for respectively securing circumferential groups of tubes in the tube bundle, each tube support ring being formed with inner and outer cylindrical support elements rigidly interconnected by a number of circumferentially spaced apart radial bars.

Abstract: Steam generator for pressurized-water nuclear reactors having a steam jacket wherein a multiplicity of rectilinear tubes traversed by primary water is secured between two horizontally disposed tube support plates, and at least one connecting tube for supplying the primary water is secured to the steam jacket through a compensator for length equalization, includes a water chamber respectively disposed within the steam jacket and adjoining each of the tube support plates, and a guide jacket for circulating feed-water supplied into the steam jacket, the guide jacket being mounted within the steam jacket and having a lower portion extending into a space located between the steam jacket and the lower tube support plate.

Abstract: The expansion pipe loops which connect the tubes of the heat exchanger to the discharge lines are suspended via double-armed levers which are movably secured at the ends to the mounting system and anchoring system. The points on the pipe loops which are connected to the fulcrum of the respective levers as well as the fulcrums are chosen so as to render the stresses in the pipe loops as low as possible and approximately equal on both sides of the pivots. Pairs of levers with an interconnecting support beam are used to suspend a plurality of the pipe loops in common.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel tubes in the form of at least a first plurality of parallel tube rows and a second plurality of parallel tube rows are supported by a baffle comprising an outer ring capable of surrounding the tubes and a plurality of parallel rods which form a plurality of parallel chords with the outer ring wherein the rods are capable of passing in the spaces between the tubes forming adjacent parallel tube rows of one plurality of parallel tube rows and wherein the number of rods in the baffle is substantially less than the total number of rods which could be positioned in the spaces between the tube rows in the plurality of parallel tube rows.

Abstract: A supporting grid for pipes comprising a frame and a reticular structure made of different materials having different thermal expansions, wherein a manhole and associated cover are provided, wherein said cover is made with the same material as the reticular structure and is secured to it, and wherein one or more connections are provided between said cover and said frame for preventing only tangential movements relative to the frame, while one or more connections are provided for preventing only movements perpendicular to the grid surface, enabling all these connections free thermal expansion of said reticular structure and said cover relative to said frame.

Abstract: A baffle comprises an outer ring suitable for surrounding a plurality of parallel tubes formed into a tube bundle, said tube bundle having at least a first plurality of parallel tube rows, a second plurality of parallel tube rows, and spaces between the adjacent tube rows, said outer ring positioned in a plane which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube bundle, said plane forming a baffle angle with a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube bundle, and a plurality of parallel rods cooperating with and attached to the outer ring to form a plurality of parallel chords with the outer ring wherein the rods are capable of passing in the spaces between the tubes forming adjacent parallel tube rows of one plurality of parallel tube rows.

Abstract: An evacuated, double-walled, tubular housing contains a sheet metal fin which is biased against the inner tube. A metal tube carrying the fluid to be heated is placed in heat transfer relationship with the fin. A plurality of collectors can be placed in an array with the fluid carrying tubes the only connection.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved system of providing power having a unique generating means of the nuclear reactor variety adapted with a plurality of steam generators in the form of replaceable modular units of the expendable type for the attainment of the optimum in effective and efficient vaporization of fluid during the process of generating power.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an array of apertured flat plates support the tubes in a heat exchanger. Each aperture has at least three bights that provide individual fluid passageways when the associated tube is lodged in place. At least three inwardly protruding members that separate the bights restrain tube movement. Each of these members define arcs of a circle that has a diameter which is only slightly larger than the outside diameter of the respective tube. During heat exchanger assembly, this slightly larger diameter of the circle defined by the inwardly protruding members accommodates departures in the tubing from a perfectly straight condition. In operation, the individual tubes will tend to lay against one or two of the members in each aperture in almost line contact to prevent "crevice corrosion.

Abstract: A tubular coiled heat exchanger adapted for cooling or heating of various fluids in various fields of industry. The heat exchanger comprises a shell and a core around which tubes having essentially the same length are wound at least in two layers. The tubes may have grooves projecting into the tubes to intensify heat abstraction within the tubes. A member of a streamlined cross-section, such as, a wire, adapted for forming fins is wound around the tubes with a pitch of at least twice the diameter of the wire. The tubes are wound around the core so that the tops of the fins of each tube coil come alternately in contact with those of the fins and with tube surfaces of adjacent coils. The above embodiment of the heat exchanger makes it possible to vary the number of turns of the tubes when winding the tubes being set once without any distance pieces between the layers. This ensures the manufacture of a highly compact heat exchanger featuring high thermal and hydrodynamic properties.

Abstract: A support system is provided for a bundle of U-shaped tubes in a heat exchanger of the shell and tube type. The system includes a fixed frame including a plurality of support plates for the majority of the length of the bundle and a floating frame including a plurality of support plates for the U-bend end of the bundle. The floating frame is mounted on the tubes and is free to move relative to the fixed frame, thus allowing freedom of expansion of the tubes through the fixed frame support plates even on the occurrence of tube binding in the floating frame support plates adjacent the U-bend end.

Abstract: There is provided a heat-exchanger system for heat-exchange between a gas such as air and a liquid such as water, comprising at least one heat exchanger unit which unit comprises at least one tube which is wound to form a hollow coil and which is arranged to conduct said liquid, characterized thereby, that said coil is closed or covered at one end; in that the other end of said coil which is open, is placed against a base plate having an opening which is aligned with the coil opening and has a size and shape corresponding to those of the coil opening; and in that the turns of the coil are slightly separated in order to permit the gas to flow perpendicularly across the tube during the passage through the wall of the coil.

Abstract: A layer of tubes is located in an enclosure using a device comprising a pair of parallel strips arranged one on each side of the layer of tubes in a plane transverse to the axes of the tubes, the strips being connected together by tongues which extend from a respective strip towards the other strip, the tongues being inclined to the strips and adjacent tongues of each strip being inclined in opposite directions.

Abstract: A tube support for horizontal tubes supported by vertical tubes, including lugs welded to opposite sides of the vertical tubes, and a band encircling two horizontal tubes positioned on opposite sides of the vertical support tube. The band rests on and is supported by the lugs.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tube bundle wherein adjacent finned tubes of adjacent rows of tubes are arranged in triangular patterns and supported in fixed spaced relation to one another by rigid strips extending beneath each row and having arcuate surfaces on their upper and lower sides which are received in annular recesses formed in each tube of the rows above and beneath them, respectively.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for supporting and protecting the coaxially disposed helical coils of a heat exchanger arranged with its axis in the vertical direction. The system includes saddle-shaped vertical spacers secured on selected adjacent convolutions of each coil at selected angular positions about the axis of the coils. The vertical spacers are selectively axially aligned to axially support the convolutions of the respective coils, and are cooperable with axially disposed spacer bars between the radially spaced coaxial coils to transfer horizontal and tangential loads between the coils. The tube support system provides vibration damping and facilitates subassembly of different diameter helical coils prior to coaxial assembly thereof into a coil bundle.

Abstract: A tube-type reactor includes a reactor shell surrounding a bundle of vertically-arranged jacketed tube assemblies. An equilateral triangle is formed by lines interconnecting the central axes of the three jacketed tube assemblies in mutual contact. Each jacketed tube assembly includes a reactor tube forming an annular space within a sheathing tube which includes six longitudinally-arranged slots uniformly distributed about its top end and into which connecting elements are received and welded to join together the sheathing tubes. In one form, the connector element includes spacer heads extending along a web to lie within the annular gap between the reactor tube and the sheathing tube and abut against the reactor tube. In a second embodiment, the connector element includes a web having three spider arms with longitudinal recesses, the width of which corresponds to the wall thickness of a sheathing tube.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising an outer heavy structure in the form of an outer cylindrical shell fixed at its upper end to an annular intake head and an annular outlet head for one of the fluids, of which the outer bases are perforated, and an inner lightweight structure subsequently mounted in the heavy structure and formed by an annular nest of tubes inserted and welded at their ends into the perforations in said bases and arranged in the form of concentric layers forming a large central passage which is accessible for installation of the tubes, beginning with the peripheral layer adjacent the outer shell, the concentric layers of tubes being held in several transverse planes by discs formed by concentric rows of rings arranged between these layers and joined together by connecting elements, a wide central shaft subsequently being fixed for internally defining the annular exchange chamber, wherein the discs by which the tubes are held in position and which are formed by the concentric rings are in some cases,

Abstract: The tubes of a heat exchanger tube bank have a portion thereof formed in the shape of a helix, of effective radius equal to the tube radius and the space between two adjacent tubes, to tangentially contact the straight sections of the tubes immediately adjacent thereto and thereby provide support, maintain the spacing and account for differential thermal expansion thereof.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is described wherein a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes having convolutions of different radii on a common axis is provided with at least one spacer structure for supporting the tubes in spaced relation. The spacer structure comprises a plurality of parallel bars arranged in pairs and in which semi-circular recesses are formed in abutting surfaces to accommodate the convolutions of the tubes. The bars in adjacent pairs have facing surfaces in an interfitting configuration with clearances therein sufficient to accommodate thermal expansion differences in the adjacent tubes.

Abstract: The invention refers to a supporting grid for pipes particularly in steam generators, heat exchanger and other thermic apparatus.This supporting grid is formed of a plurality of intersecting strips forming a reticular structure joined to a peripheral frame, characterized by the fact that the connection between the strips and the peripheral frame is made by means of precision mechanical fixing joints, which prevents reciprocation of the parts but permits free thermic expansion of the same.

Abstract: A modular element for heat exchangers with thermoplastic tubes consisting of a plurality of tubes connected to one another by spacers located at intervals allowing the mutual tape-like positioning of the tubes, a tube nest consisting of a plurality of such modular elements, and a process for making the modular elements and the tube nests.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a grill-type support suitable to act as a support and tube spacing member for steam generators (particularly natural circulation steam generators for pressure water reactors), heat exchangers and the like, wherein the actual lattice of the grid comprises strips having a certain thermal expansion, whereas the frame is made of another material having different thermal expansion, and during assembling the outer frame is connected to the strips, so as to be fast therewith and remains so for all the time required for manufacture, transport and erection, whereas as soon as said generator is set to work said strips of different material can slide relative to said frame, so that, said frame while surrounding and supporting such strips, allows a different thermal expansion for said central strips and frame.

Abstract: A furnace has its interior walls covered with tubes which carry fluids being heated has supports for the tubes extended from the furnace shell. The supports are attached to the inside of the shell and extend beyond the refractory lining the shell. A strap member on each support extends from, and is movable in, tracks of each support to clamp a tube to the support.

Abstract: A collector panel for thermal energy emanating from the sun comprises a coiled length of tubing arranged in a planar toroid and held in that position by a plurality of radial clamps. The tubing is continuous and carries the fluid to be heated, typically water from a swimming pool or similar container, in a spiral path in the plane of the collector. The collector is inclined at an angle to the vertical, orthogonal to the mean incidence of sunshine at the location of installation.

Abstract: A steam generator has an upstanding tube bundle radially enclosed by a vertical cylindrical wall, the tube bundle being centered within the wall by a tube spacer grid connected to the inside of the wall by keys and keyways which can slide vertically relative to each other, relieving the tube bundle and wall from mechanical stressing due to vertical thermal expansion and contraction causing relative vertical movement between the tube bundle and wall.

Abstract: A band type spacing means that is used to maintain a predetermined spacing of elongate tubes as contained in a boiler furnace, superheater, or any of various types of reactor. The spacing means is adapted to combine simplicity of design and installation with the ability to remain continuously effective throughout a wide range of temperature and severe conditions of corrosion.

Abstract: Lattice for the giving of sideways support to fissile rods as used in a nuclear reactor, or other rods or pipes, likewise subjected to heat exchanging conditions, as for example in a heat exchanger. The lattice is composed of elongated metal strips, connected at intervals by transversely poised brackets, consisting of narrow strips, of which the connecting edges are bended into lips, set at an angle, to be fixed at the elongated strips.

Abstract: Lattice, especially for supporting sideways a bunch of nuclear fuel rods, constructed according to the egg-crate principle, in which fixing lips of alternating different lengths are stamped and bend out of the bands and cross-bands from which the lattice is composed, and are spotwelded to these bands.

Abstract: A vapor generator is described wherein a lever system is utilized to move helical connecting tubes communicating between two tube bundles subject to thermal expansion of different amounts. The lever system is actuated by thermal expansion of different amounts of two different structural elements within the vapor generator.

Abstract: A locking bar having feet which engage staggered finned-tubes of a heat exchanger to fix their positions in a support assembly formed from a plurality of support bars having interlocking arms.

Abstract: A grid or lattice structure for a nuclear reactor fuel element support in accordance with the invention includes two components that are successively joined by electron beam welding. Extruded cruciform bars which provide the lattice nodes and flat plates which interconnect these nodes, are for example, typical components. Electron beam welding these components together avoids the need for a filler metal, and the welding sequence avoids distortion, thereby obviating the need for post machining operations. Consequently, the plates and bars can be provided with machined positioning or fastening fittings before the lattice is assembled. Illustratively, studs on the cruciform bars are used to join these bars to the elementary plates that form the individual components of a reactor coolant flow distribution plate.

Abstract: A heat exchanger wherein the heat-exchanging structure comprises a light-weight assembly of undulated tubes in the form of an annular bundle located between a heavy cylindrical outer shell and a frangible central shaft, the ends of the tubes being fitted in drilled inlet and outlet heads fixed at the ends of the outer shell and the tubes being supported within the outer shell by co-axial hoops and radial braces.

Abstract: A square pitch shell and tube heat exchanger is provided with support rods in a set pattern between and perpendicular to the exchanger tubes to provide improved shell side fluid movement across the tubes and regular support for the tubes.

Abstract: A device for fixation of tubes in tube banks in heat exchangers with longitudinal flow externally of the tubes comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced tube support grates having bars extending transversely between the spacings between the tubes. The grate bars are provided in such manner that the bars in any two arbitrarily selected neighboring grates impart their supporting function by alternating oppositely directed pressure transversely of each of the tubes.

Abstract: A fluid receptacle is disclosed having at least one heat exchanging unit detachably mounted therein to permit an exchange of heat between a first fluid fed through said unit and a second fluid received in said receptacle. Said heat exchanging unit is sealingly mounted in an opening in the wall of the receptacle by means of an end flange provided at the outer end of said unit and having inlet and outlet conduits for said first fluid extending from its outer side. According to the invention the transverse dimensions of the heat exchanging unit are such as to permit said unit to be inserted into the receptacle and removed therefrom through a manhole provided in the wall of the receptacle. The receptacle is provided with a stationary annular supporting surface for the end flange of the heat exchanging unit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a number of interchangeable, possibly standardized sections. Each section is made in the form of a bundle of at least partly longitudinally finned tubes, and has strips which serve as spacer elements for fixing the tubes at a certain distance from one another, and bands embracing the tube bundles. The strips have alternating one-sided projections, each projection having the shape of half the perimeter of a rectilineal polygon. Each pair of strips forms cells. The tubes have non-finned portions along the widths of the strips these portions being located at the same level for all the tubes in a section. The cells embrace the non-finned portions of the tubes so that the latter are arranged in parallel rows.

Abstract: A mass which projects from a displaceable member is supported by a lever system on a stationary frame such that the bending stresses caused by the mass on the displaceable member are reduced. The lever system uses a pair of levers which are hinged to the frame, to each other and to the displacable member and mass respectively. The lever arms are arranged such that the amount of vertical movement of the displaceable member is essentially equal at the projecting end of the mass.

Abstract: A tube spacer grid for a heat-exchanger tube bundle is formed by an annular grid frame having a groove formed in its inner surface in which the interspaced grid bars have their ends positioned and held in interspaced relationship by short sections of tubes passed through holes axially formed in the grid frame so that the tubes are positioned between the ends of the grid bars in the grooves. The tube sections may be cut from the same tubes used to form the tube bundle.

Abstract: A tubular apparatus, particularly a steam generator, in which U-shaped or straight tubes are inserted in the casing. A series of gratings are provided in the casing and comprise parallel grating elements made up of grating bars and cross-bars formed to firmly hold the tubes in place and separate them from one another. Facilitation of inserting the tubes in the casing is accomplished by emplacing grating elements corresponding to grating elements in other gratings first and continuing in a like manner.

Abstract: A support device for finned tubes having a pair of half sections adapted to be quickly and securely snapped into position around the outer periphery of the fins for supporting the finned tubes in a manner precluding damage to the fins, and particularly designed and constructed for remaining in the preselected position with relation to the finned tube, each half section comprising mutually parallel spaced sidewall means having a substantially semi-circular recess provided on one edge thereof for engaging the outer periphery of the tube, outer band means spanning the distance between the sidewall means and disposed at the edge thereof opposite the recess means, flap means interposed between the sidewall means and conterminous with the band means, locking means provided on said flap means and interengagable for securely snap locking the half sections around the outer periphery of the finned tube, and the outer configuration of the assembled half sections being substantially rectangular.