GB2151766A

GB2151766A - Tube supports

Info

Publication number: GB2151766A
Application number: GB08432665A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Walker
Original assignee: Hick Hargreaves and Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hick Hargreaves and Co Ltd
Priority date: 1983-12-23
Filing date: 1984-12-27
Publication date: 1985-07-24
Also published as: GB8432665D0; GB2151766B

Abstract

A heat exchanger, condenser or other apparatus comprises a tube bundle wherein the tubes 4 are supported at least partly by the resilience of interposed runs of flexible resilient tubing 1 extending generally transverse to and in contact with the tubes. The tubing at least partly embraces the external surface of each tube, and each run of tubing is connected to a wall of the apparatus by plug means 2 secured in the wall and extending into one end of the run of tubing. A hole is associated with said one end of the run of tubing to permit the latter to be evacuated to permit its threading between the tubes after which the tubing reverts into its original shape to embrace adjacent tubes. The hole is provided by axially boring the plug. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tube supports The present invention relates to an improved arrangement for the supporting of tubes in heat exchangers, condensers and like apparatus, comprising tube bundles.

It is known to support tubes in such apparatus by spaced perforated plates placed at intervals along a shell of the apparatus. The tubes are threaded through the perforations and the intervals depend on experimentally and theoretically determined vibration frequencies being chosen to reduce tube vibration. These plates are commonly used as baffles, cut-outs being provided in them so that fluid flowing outside the tubes is directed across the tubes to improve heat transfer. These arrangements are expensive, often unnecessarily so.

In order to overcome the problems of expense and difficulty of installation associated with the above described arrangement it is also know to interweave flexible tubing transversely to, and in contact with, the tubes. Prior to insertion between the tubes this tubing is evacuated and sealed at both ends and in this condition is inserted between the tubes. Once in position one of the seals is broken and the vacuum is released, so that the tubing reverts to its original cross-sectional shape, with the result that the tubes are gripped and supported thereby.

In conventional arrangements of this type the ends of the tubes are sealed with a clip which has to be released to release the vacuum therein. However, in certain cases it is desirable to be able to secure at least one end of the tubing to the wall of the heat exchanger or the like, and this makes the use of the clips awkward.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tube supporting arrangement in which the supporting tubing can be simply vented to atmosphere.

According to the present invention, there is provided a heat exchanger, condenser or other apparatus comprising a tube bundle wherein the tubes are supported at least partly by the resilience of interposed runs of flexible resilient tubing extending generally transverse to and in contact with the tubes, the tubing at least partly embracing the external surface of each tube, the apparatus being characterised in that each run of tubing is connected to a wall of the apparatus by plug means secured in the wall and extending into one end of the run of tubing, a hole being associated with said one end of the run of tubing to permit the latter to be evacuated to permit its threading between the tubes after which the tubing reverts into its original shape to embrace adjacent tubes.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of supporting tuning connected to a wall of a heat exchanger by a plug according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a view of the plug used in the first embodiment of the present invention in which a portion has been partially cut-away to show the venting tube therein; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate two supporting tube layouts according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a partially cut-away view of modified supporting tubing connected to a wall of a heat exchanger by a plug; and Figure 6 shows a tool for inserting supporting tubing between the tubes of a heat exchanger.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings one end of a flexible resilient tubing 1 is connected to the end of a plug 2, which in turn is mounted in a hole in the wall 3 of a heat exchanger. This plug 2 is shaped to press-fit into the wall 3 and is hollow throughout its length so that the inside of the tubing 1 is connected through the plug 2 to the outside of the wall 3. As a result the tubing 1 can be evacuated by applying a vacuum to the hole in the end of the plug 2 which can then be stopped with a bung (not shown) to maintain the vacuum therein. Being flexible, when a vacuum is applied to the tubing 1 it collapses, with the result that it has a relatively small cross-sectional area. In this condition, the tubing 1 can easily be threaded between the tubes of a heat exchanger or similar apparatus.Once in position the vacuum within the tubing 1 is released by unstopping the hole in the plug 2, whereupon the tubing 1, being resilient, reverts to its original cross-sectional area, as shown in Figure 3 and 4. The inflated cross-sectional area of the tubing 1 is predetermined to be greater than the spacing between the tubes 4 (see Figures 3 and 4) of the heat exchanger, with the result that the tubing 1 presses against the tubes 1 to support them and damp vibrations in them.

As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4 the tubing 1 may be run between the tubes 4 either horizontally or diagonally. It may also be interweaved between the tubes 4. To facilitate its insertion the tubing 1 may be coated with a lubricant.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is shown a modification of the present invention. This is identical to the first in all respects, except that a vent hole 5 is provided in the wall of the tubing 1 adjacent the end of the plug 2. This vent hole 5 assists in releasing a tool 6 used to insert the tubing 1 between the tubes of the heat exchanger if this tool becomes stuck.

Finally, referring to Figure 6 there is shown the tool 6 for inserting the tubing 1 in straight runs between the tubes of the heat exchanger. The tool 6 comprises a pole 7 which is of sufficient length to extend the full width of the heat exchanger and at one end is provided a hook 8. It will be appreciated that the tubing 2 is evacuated and inflated through a single hole provided at an end thereof which is easily accessible. Accordingly the other end of the tubing 1 may be permanently sealed. To facilitate the use of the tool 6 the tubing 1 is sealed at the opposite end from the plug 2 with a plate 9 having a hole 10 therein which engages with the hook 8 on the tool 6.

A suitable material for the tubing, at least for use in condensers, has been found to be butyl rubber, but a wide range of flexible and preferably resilient materials including natural and synthetic rubbers and synthetic resins can be used, depending on the anticipated temperature and other conditions in the apparatus.

In an alternative, some or all of the plugs 2 are not bored axially and the vent holes 5 serve for evacuation purposes. The vent holes 5 after evacuation are plugged or stopped up and when threading of the tubing 1 is completed they are unstopped to allow the tubing to revert to its original shape.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, condenser or other apparatus comprising a tube bundle wherein the tubes are supported at least partly by the resilience of interposed runs of flexible resilient tubing extending generally transverse to and in contact with the tubes, the tubing at least partly embracing the external surface of each tube, the apparatus being characterised in that each run of tubing is connected to a wall of the apparatus by plug means secured in the wall and extending into one end of the run of tubing, a hole being associated with said one end of the run of tubing to permit the latter to be evacuated to permit its threading between the tubes after which the tubing reverts into its original shape to embrace adjacent tubes.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the plug is axially bored to provide the evacuation hole which is adapted to be stopped up until threading is completed whereupon it is unstopped to allow the tubing to revert to its original shape.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the tubing is provided with a vent hole inboard of the wall and plug.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the plug is a press fit into the wall.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the run of tubing is sealed at its other end to a plate engageable by a tool to pull the evacuated tubing between straight runs of tubes.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the plate is apertured and is engageable by the tool which comprises a hook on the end of a pole.

7. A heat exchanger, condenser or other apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.