GB2224820A

GB2224820A - Heat exchanger tube supports

Info

Publication number: GB2224820A
Application number: GB8822008A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Walker
Original assignee: Hick Hargreaves and Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hick Hargreaves and Co Ltd
Priority date: 1988-09-20
Filing date: 1988-09-20
Publication date: 1990-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-20
Also published as: GB2224820B; GB8822008D0

Abstract

Facilitating threading of flexible support tubing through narrow lanes in a tube bundle of a heat exchanger, for example, is achieved by diametrically splitting the leading end 12 of a length of flexible tubing and adhesively securing together the split end portions 13, 14 together in face-to-face relationship with a flat thin flexible bade element 15 therebetween. This provides a means for gripping and guiding the leading end in order to draw the tubing along a narrow inter-tube lane. <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORTING TUBES IN HEAT EXCHANGERS This invention relates to means for supporting tubes in heat exchangers, condensers and like apparatus comprising tube bundles.

In our U.K. Patent Specification No. 1188564 tube-supporting means is disclosed which comprises flexible tubing interposed between the tubes of a tube bundle, the flexible tubing extending generally transverse to and in contact with the tubes and at least partially embracing the external surface of each tube.

There is also disclosed in our aforesaid U.K.

Patent Specification, a method of assembling supporting flexible tubing and a tube bundle, the method comprising sealing and evacuating the flexible tubing to render the latter flat and so facilitate its threading between tubes and after such threading breaking the vacuum. The tubing is impervious to gas and after breaking of the vacuum tends to reshape itself to its original form thus providing the necessary tube support.

There are, however, tube bundle configurations where it has been found that the spacing between adjacent tubes of a bundle of tubes is insufficient to permit passage of evacuated and flattened tubing into a lane between two adjacent rows of tubes of a tube bundle. For example a common lane width is 0.190 inch for example but some tube bundles have a narrow lane width of only 0.083 inch for example, i.e. less than half the common lane width.

Once threading of a length tubing into a narrow lane has been achieved it has been found that the evacuated and flattened tube can then be drawn through the lane especially but not essentially if the tubing has been externally lubricated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of facilitating threading of flexible support tubing through narrow lanes in a tube bundle.

According to the present invention this is achieved by diametrically splitting the leading end of a length of flexible tubing and adhesively securing together the split end portions together in face-to-face relationship with a flat thin flexible blade element therebetween to provide a means for gripping the leading end in order to draw the tubing along a narrow lane.

Also according to the present invention there is provided flexible support tubing for a tube bundle whereof the leading end of the tubing is diametrically split with the split end portions adhered together in face-to-face relationship with a flat thin flexible blade element therebetween.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the leading end of flexible support tubing for a tube bundle; and Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a tube bundle with the flexible support tubing threaded therethrough.

In Fig. 2 there is shown a tube bundle of, say, a heat exchanger with the tubes 10 arranged in regular triangular pitching, the rows of tubes 10 defining parallel lanes A and B.

In adjacent parallel lanes A or B there is provided resilient flexible supporting tubing 11, the external diameter of which is greater than the spacing between adjacent tubes 10, i.e. greater than lane width. The tubing 11 grips the tubes 10 partially embracing the external surfaces of the tubes 10.

The tubing 11 is drawn through a lane A or B, the tubing 11 being evacuated or flattened prior to being drawn through the lane A or B. On completion of the threading through the lane A or B the vacuum is broken to allow the tubing 11 to revert to its original cross-section thereby firmly but resiliently supporting the tubes 10. The ends of the tubing 11 are then secured in any convenient manner.

If, however, the lane A or B is too narrow to permit insertion of the leading end 12 of the evacuated and flattened tubing 11 into the lane A or B then, in accordance with this invention, the leading end 12 is split diametrically and the end portions 13, 14 are glued together in face-to-face contact with a flat thin flexible blade element 15 therebetween. The latter provides a gripping and guiding formation to facilitate drawing the tubing 11 through the lane A or B.

It will be manifest that compression of the thickness of the leading end 12 of the tubing 11 results in a much thinner dimension than simply evacuating the tubing 11 to flatten the tubing wall.

It has been found that once threading of the leading end 12 into a narrow lane A or B has been effected drawing of the following evacuated and flattened tube length through the lane A or B can readily be accomplished.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating threading of flexible support tubing through narrow lanes in a tube bundle of a heat exchanger, condenser or like apparatus, the method comprising the steps of diametrically splitting the leading end of a length of flexible tubing, and adhesively securing together the split end portions together in face-to-face relationship with a flat thin flexible blade element therebetween to provide a means for gripping the leading end in order to draw the tubing along a narrow lane.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the step of evacuating or flattening the length of flexible tubing prior to drawing the latter along a narrow intertube lane.

3. A method of facilitating threading of flexible support tubing through narrow lanes in a tube bundle of heat exchanger, condenser or like apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

4. Flexible support tubing for a tube bundle of a heat exchanger, condenser or like apparatus, in which a leading end of the flexible support tubing is diametrically split with the split end portions adhered together in faceto-face relationship with a flat thin flexible blade element therebetween.

5. Flexible support tubing for a tube bundle of a heat exchanger, condenser or like apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.