US3837397A - Tube bundle assembly - Google Patents

Tube bundle assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3837397A
US3837397A US00226161A US22616172A US3837397A US 3837397 A US3837397 A US 3837397A US 00226161 A US00226161 A US 00226161A US 22616172 A US22616172 A US 22616172A US 3837397 A US3837397 A US 3837397A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tubes
frame
cables
wire cables
bundle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00226161A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
M Pettigrew
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL
Original Assignee
Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL filed Critical Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3837397A publication Critical patent/US3837397A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21CNUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/30Assemblies of a number of fuel elements in the form of a rigid unit
    • G21C3/32Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
    • G21C3/34Spacer grids
    • G21C3/3416Spacer grids formed by metallic wires, e.g. springs
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28FDETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F9/00Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
    • F28F9/007Auxiliary supports for elements
    • F28F9/013Auxiliary supports for elements for tubes or tube-assemblies
    • F28F9/0132Auxiliary supports for elements for tubes or tube-assemblies formed by slats, tie-rods, articulated or expandable rods
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30Nuclear fission reactors
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S165/00Heat exchange
    • Y10S165/355Heat exchange having separate flow passage for two distinct fluids
    • Y10S165/40Shell enclosed conduit assembly
    • Y10S165/401Shell enclosed conduit assembly including tube support or shell-side flow director
    • Y10S165/416Extending transverse of shell, e.g. fin, baffle
    • Y10S165/423Bar
    • Y10S165/424Bar forming grid structure

Definitions

  • a tube bundle assembly for example, a heat exchanger tube bundle or a nuclear fuel element tube bundle, comprises a bundle of laterally spaced tubes, a [30] Foreign Apphcamn Priority Data frame around the outermost tubes, and a lattice of Mar. 19, 1971 Canada 108225 wire cables with their ends held against lateral placement by the frame and the tubes in the lattice in- [52] US. Cl. 165/162 terstices. [51] Int. Cl.
  • This invention relates to tube bundle assemblies.
  • a tube bundle assembly comprising a bundle of laterally spaced tubes, a frame around the outermost tubes holding them in position, a lattice of wire cables with their ends held against lateral displacement by the frame and at least all but the outermost tubes each in a lattice interstice, and each wire cable deflected round a portion of each tube adjacent thereto to space the tubes in triangular arrays in an endwise direction.
  • FIG. 1 is an end view of a tube bundle assembly
  • FIG. 2 is an end view of a different tube bundle assembly
  • FIG. 3 is an end view of yet another tube bundle assembly
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the tube bundle assembly shown in FIG. 2 in a casing
  • FIG. 5 is a partly sectioned side view of a nuclear fuel element tube bundle
  • FIG. 6 is an end view of FIG. 5
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional end view along VII-VII, FIG. 5,
  • FIG. 8 is a part view of a different nuclear fuel element tube bundle to that shown in FIGS. 5 to 7,
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional end view along IX-IX, FIG. 8, and
  • FIG. 10 is a partly sectioned, side view of a portion of yet another different nuclear fuel element tube bundle assembly to that shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a tube bundle assembly, comprising a bundle of laterally spaced tubes 1 and 2, a frame 4 around the outermost tubes 2 holding them in position, a lattice 6 of wire cables 8 and 10 with their ends held against lateral displacement by the frame 4 and all but the outermost tubes 2 (that is all of the tubes 1) each in a lattice interstice 12, and each wire cable deflected round a portion of each tube 1 and 2 adjacent thereto to space the tubes 1 and 2 in triangular arrays in an endwise direction.
  • the wire cables 1 and 3 are stranded steel wire cables, preferably of circular cross-section each of slightly larger diameter D than the distance T between any of the adjacent tubes 1 and 2. As an example, if the tubes 1 and 2 have an outside diameter of 0.50 inches, and the gap T is 0.150 inches, then cables 1 and 2 having an outside diameter of 0.160 inches are suitable.
  • the outermost tubes 2 are preferably held in position by being located in curved recesses 16 and in the frame
  • the ends of the cables 8 and 10 in this embodiment are held against lateral displacement by being slid into close fitting bores 14 and 15 respectively, in the frame 4
  • the cables 1 and 2 may be attached to the frame 4 by being welded in the bores 14.
  • FIG. 2 similar parts to those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the previous description is relied upon to describe them.
  • FIG. 2 further cables 18 similar to cables 8 and 10 extend along paths between the tubes on either side of the positions 20 at which the lattice wire cables 8 and 10 cross one another, the further wire cables 18 have their ends held against lateral displacement by the frame 4 and are deflected round the tubes 1 and 2 to space them.
  • the further cables 18 are slid into close fitting bores 22 in the same manner as the cables 8 and 10 are slid into bores 14 and 15 respectively, and may be secured therein if desired.
  • FIG. 3 similar parts to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the previous descriptions are relied upon to describe them.
  • each cable 28 to 30 has a threaded ferrule 32 welded to one end, and a tensioning nut 34 is screwed on to it.
  • the threads on the ferrules 32 and nuts 34 have a helix which causes the nuts 34 to be rotated in a direction which will tighten the strands of the cables 28 to 30 when tensioning the cables 28 to 30.
  • the other ends of the cables 28 to 30 have a ferrule- 36 welded to their ends and located in countersunk holes 38.
  • FIG. 4 the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is used as an example to assemble a tube bundle within a cylindrical casing 38. It will be appreciated that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 can also be used to assemble a tube bundle in a casing in the same manner.
  • braided, flat cables may be used with the flat sides in contact with the tubes.
  • Braided flat cables have the advantage of providing line contact with the tubes, and increased strength, particularly where the spacings between the tubes is small.
  • outer contour of the frame 4 may be any desired shape to suit the interior of the casing 38 or for compactness may be part of the casing 38.
  • the casing 38 having an interior of circular cross-section may have two or more sectorshaped frames fltted in to it to fill the interior with tubes, for example two half moon shaped frames may be used.
  • the interior may be fitted with two or more frames of other shapes to fill the interior with tubes.
  • the deflections of the cables Whilst it is preferable for the deflections of the cables to visually indicate a curved deflection round a portion of each tube, the deflection may in some instances be sufficiently small for each cable I to appear to be straight.
  • the cables are of stainless steel, but is some instances they may be of another material such as aluminum or nickel alloy, and where working temperatures permit, a plastic material such as a polyamide or polytetrafluoroethylene.
  • the cables may be secured to the frame by means situated beyond the outer perimeter of the frame.
  • FIGS. 5 to 7 there is shown a nuclear fuel element tube bundle comprising fuel elements 40, end plates 42 and 44 having coolant passages 46 to 50 therethrough and each secured to the fuel elements 40 at one end.
  • Three frames in the form of outer retaining rings 52, 54 and 56 are provided disposed at positions spaced longitudinally along the tube bundle.
  • the outer retaining rings 52, 54 and 56 have recesses 58 to receive curved portions of each outermost nuclear fuel element 40 to hold them against lateral displacement relative to the frame.
  • Wire cables 60 have sufficient flexibility to pass over and under one another to form a lattice structure with the fuel elements 40 in the lattice interstices.
  • the wire cables 60 are in contact with sleeves 62 which are brazed or welded to the fuel sheaths of fuel elements 40 to prevent wear of the fuel sheaths by the wire cables 60.
  • the wire cables 60 are arranged in a lattice similar to that shown in FIG. 7, but each extend along one plane and do not pass over and under one another.
  • This embodiment is neater and geometrically more stable than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, but it is then necessary as shown for the cables 60 of each lattice to be arranged in four cable levels instead of the two cable levels shown in FIG. 5.
  • This embodiment may also provide less obstruction to the flow of coolant through t e lattice.
  • one or more outer retaining rings 52, 54 or 56 may be fitted to the fuel bundle.
  • all of the tubes including the outermost are in a lattice interstice, this may be accomplished by, for example, using a rectangular frame.
  • a tube bundle assembly comprising a bundle of laterally spaced tubes, a frame around the outermost tubes, a lattice of wire cables with their ends held against lateral displacement by the frame and at least all but the outermost tubes each in a lattice interstice, and each wire cable deflected round a portion of each tube adjacent thereto to space the tubes in triangular arrays in an endwise direction.
  • the bundle of laterally spaced tubes is a nuclear fuel element tube bundle
  • the frame is disposed at an intermediate osition along the length of the bundle
  • the assem ly further comprises two end plates having coolant passages and attached one at each end of the fuel bundle.
  • frame and lattice of wire cables is one of a plurality of similar frames and lattices of wire cables each spaced from one another along an intermediate portion of the length of the nuclear fuel element bundle.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Monitoring And Testing Of Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
  • Supports For Pipes And Cables (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
US00226161A 1971-03-19 1972-02-14 Tube bundle assembly Expired - Lifetime US3837397A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA108225 1971-03-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3837397A true US3837397A (en) 1974-09-24

Family

ID=4089103

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00226161A Expired - Lifetime US3837397A (en) 1971-03-19 1972-02-14 Tube bundle assembly

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3837397A (nl)
JP (1) JPS513582B1 (nl)
CA (1) CA921020A (nl)
DE (1) DE2213126A1 (nl)
FR (1) FR2130384B1 (nl)
GB (1) GB1364571A (nl)
IT (1) IT953980B (nl)
NL (1) NL146628B (nl)
SE (1) SE379096B (nl)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3964146A (en) * 1973-04-10 1976-06-22 Norsk Hydro A.S. Means for assembly of tube banks in heat exchangers
US4828021A (en) * 1976-04-29 1989-05-09 Phillips Petroleum Company Heat exchanger baffle
US5033542A (en) * 1989-02-28 1991-07-23 Mtu Motoren-Und Turbinen-Union Spacer supports for tubes of a matrix of a heat exchanger
US5388638A (en) * 1993-12-28 1995-02-14 Phillips Petroleum Company Rod baffle heat exchanger
US5640434A (en) * 1995-07-31 1997-06-17 Rottenberg; Sigmunt Miniaturized nuclear reactor utilizing improved pressure tube structural members
US5927388A (en) * 1996-12-20 1999-07-27 Asea Brown Boveri Ag Condenser for binary/polynary condensation
WO2002029349A1 (en) * 2000-10-04 2002-04-11 Joseph Kaellis Heat exchanger
US20040179979A1 (en) * 2001-03-14 2004-09-16 Higbee Leonard Richard Tube supporting device
US6808017B1 (en) 1999-10-05 2004-10-26 Joseph Kaellis Heat exchanger
US20100230081A1 (en) * 2008-01-09 2010-09-16 International Mezzo Technologies, Inc. Corrugated Micro Tube Heat Exchanger
US20110051882A1 (en) * 2009-09-03 2011-03-03 Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Truss-reinforced spacer grid and method of manufacturing the same
US8177932B2 (en) 2009-02-27 2012-05-15 International Mezzo Technologies, Inc. Method for manufacturing a micro tube heat exchanger
US20150083365A1 (en) * 2013-09-25 2015-03-26 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Steam generator and method of securing tubes within a steam generator against vibration

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1067483A (en) * 1976-04-29 1979-12-04 Phillips Petroleum Company Baffle
US4204570A (en) * 1978-02-23 1980-05-27 Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation Helical spacer for heat exchanger tube bundle
EP0105938A1 (de) * 1982-10-07 1984-04-25 STAHL- UND APPARATEBAU HANS LEFFER GmbH Halterung für die Rohre eines Rohrbündels innerhalb eines Behälters
FR2581436B1 (fr) * 1985-05-03 1988-01-08 Technos Cie Perfectionnements aux procedes et dispositifs de bridage des faisceaux de tubes
US4720840A (en) * 1985-06-18 1988-01-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Compliant antivibration bar for a steam generator
FR2583502B1 (fr) * 1985-06-18 1989-11-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp Generateur de vapeur muni de barres antivibrations souples
US4718479A (en) * 1985-09-06 1988-01-12 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Antivibration bar installation apparatus
US4813117A (en) * 1986-04-24 1989-03-21 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Method for making antivibration bar
US4747373A (en) * 1986-04-24 1988-05-31 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Method and apparatus for minimizing antivibration bar gaps of a steam generator
DE3726058A1 (de) * 1987-08-06 1989-02-16 Mtu Muenchen Gmbh Waermetauscher fuer gase stark unterschiedlicher temperaturen, insbesondere in kreuz-gegenstrom-bauweise
DE3827679A1 (de) * 1988-08-16 1990-02-22 Mtu Muenchen Gmbh Verfahren zur herstellung einer abstandshalterung von profilrohren der matrix eines waermetauschers
DE4445137C2 (de) * 1994-12-17 1998-01-15 Balcke Duerr Ag Vorrichtung zur Halterung von Rohren eines Wärmeübertragers

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3292691A (en) * 1964-01-24 1966-12-20 Babcock & Wilcox Ltd Tube spacing means
US3637008A (en) * 1968-09-20 1972-01-25 Siemens Ag Holder for u-tube bundles of steam generators

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1295717B (de) * 1962-09-15 1969-05-22 Kernforschung Gmbh Ges Fuer Kernreaktor-Brennelement aus im Verhaeltnis zu ihrem Durchmesser langen Kernbrennstaeben und Kernreaktor-Brennelementanordnung aus diesen Brennelementen
US3158549A (en) * 1963-04-19 1964-11-24 Wayne D Fowler Fuel assembly for neutronic reactor
GB1204375A (en) * 1967-08-02 1970-09-09 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Nuclear reactors

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3292691A (en) * 1964-01-24 1966-12-20 Babcock & Wilcox Ltd Tube spacing means
US3637008A (en) * 1968-09-20 1972-01-25 Siemens Ag Holder for u-tube bundles of steam generators

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3964146A (en) * 1973-04-10 1976-06-22 Norsk Hydro A.S. Means for assembly of tube banks in heat exchangers
US4828021A (en) * 1976-04-29 1989-05-09 Phillips Petroleum Company Heat exchanger baffle
US5033542A (en) * 1989-02-28 1991-07-23 Mtu Motoren-Und Turbinen-Union Spacer supports for tubes of a matrix of a heat exchanger
US5388638A (en) * 1993-12-28 1995-02-14 Phillips Petroleum Company Rod baffle heat exchanger
US5640434A (en) * 1995-07-31 1997-06-17 Rottenberg; Sigmunt Miniaturized nuclear reactor utilizing improved pressure tube structural members
US5927388A (en) * 1996-12-20 1999-07-27 Asea Brown Boveri Ag Condenser for binary/polynary condensation
US6808017B1 (en) 1999-10-05 2004-10-26 Joseph Kaellis Heat exchanger
US20050082047A1 (en) * 1999-10-05 2005-04-21 Joseph Kaellis Heat exchanger
WO2002029349A1 (en) * 2000-10-04 2002-04-11 Joseph Kaellis Heat exchanger
US20040179979A1 (en) * 2001-03-14 2004-09-16 Higbee Leonard Richard Tube supporting device
US20080217489A1 (en) * 2001-03-14 2008-09-11 Davy Process Technology Limited Tube supporting system
US20100230081A1 (en) * 2008-01-09 2010-09-16 International Mezzo Technologies, Inc. Corrugated Micro Tube Heat Exchanger
US8177932B2 (en) 2009-02-27 2012-05-15 International Mezzo Technologies, Inc. Method for manufacturing a micro tube heat exchanger
US8879684B2 (en) * 2009-09-02 2014-11-04 Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Truss-reinforced spacer grid and method of manufacturing the same
US20110051882A1 (en) * 2009-09-03 2011-03-03 Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Truss-reinforced spacer grid and method of manufacturing the same
US20150083365A1 (en) * 2013-09-25 2015-03-26 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Steam generator and method of securing tubes within a steam generator against vibration
EP3050063A4 (en) * 2013-09-25 2017-06-07 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Steam generator and method of securing tubes within a steam generator against vibration

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2130384B1 (nl) 1974-12-13
CA921020A (en) 1973-02-13
SE379096B (nl) 1975-09-22
GB1364571A (en) 1974-08-21
NL146628B (nl) 1975-07-15
FR2130384A1 (nl) 1972-11-03
DE2213126A1 (de) 1972-09-28
JPS513582B1 (nl) 1976-02-04
IT953980B (it) 1973-08-10
NL7202974A (nl) 1972-09-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3837397A (en) Tube bundle assembly
KR880001489B1 (ko) 증기발생기용 관지지구조체
US5032351A (en) Modified cross point spacer apparatus and construction
US5183629A (en) Additional grid for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly, and assembly comprising an application thereof
US5515911A (en) Heat exchanger including a bundle of tubes which are bent into a U and anti-vibration bars between the bent parts of the tubes
SE420779B (sv) Brenslepatron for en kokarreaktor
EP0268147B1 (en) Heat exchanger u-bend tube support
DE1551518B2 (de) Waermeuebertrager
JPH027435B2 (nl)
US3616848A (en) Support means for heat transfer device
US3070534A (en) Fuel elements
US4986960A (en) Two piece end fitting with hairpin springs
US5514250A (en) Device for antivibrational blocking of tubes of a heat exchanger
KR910001635B1 (ko) 원자로용 연료체
US3687805A (en) Pressure tube reactor fuel bundle
EP0434703A1 (en) SURFACE ENLARGEMENT ELEMENTS FOR HEAT EXCHANGERS.
EP2065897A2 (en) Segmented fuel rod bundle designs using fixed spacer plates
Pettigrew Tube bundle assembly
JPS6283687A (ja) 原子炉燃料集合体
DE3040802C2 (de) Wärmetauscher
US3345267A (en) Fuel rod structure
US3857755A (en) Fuel pin securing apparatus
US4042456A (en) Nuclear fuel string assembly
US3629067A (en) Spacer grid for nuclear reactor fuel assembly
US3331749A (en) Nuclear reactor fuel assemblies