Multi-segmented tube sheet
AssigneeNeptune-Benson, LLC
InventorPaul F. Nehlen, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat exchanger that is constructed with a heat exchanger shell having inlet and outlet plenums and fluid inlet and outlet ports, and a tube sheet construction disposed in the heat exchanger shell. The tube sheet construction includes at least two separate tube sheets and a plurality of tubes that extend between the separate tube sheets. Each tube sheet includes at least two planar tube sheet segments and an interstitial layer disposed between the at least two tube sheet segments, and at least one sensor element supported by each of the interstitial layers. A control monitor controls flow through the shell by a feedback control from the sensor to an inlet control valve and/or a stimulus device excites the media layer.
Claims35
In combination, a tube sheet and a plurality of elongated tubular elements supported with the tube sheet, said tube sheet comprised of a plurality of separate planar tube sheet segments, multiple holes being provided in each planar tube sheet segment in a predetermined pattern, each hole for accommodating one of the plurality of elongated tubular elements, all of the tube sheet segments being aligning so that the hole pattern of each segment aligns with the hole pattern in all other segments, each said elongated tubular element having a flanged top end and a contiguous tubular shaft with the flanged top end having a diameter greater than a diameter of the tubular shaft, said flanged top end supported over a first one of said plurality of separate planar tube sheet segments, and a securing piece constructed and arranged about the tubular shaft of at least one of the plurality of elongated tubular elements and supported under a second one of said plurality of separate planar tube sheet segments, said securing piece for engagement with the tubular shaft to provide a compressive force against the tube sheet segments that are disposed between the flanged top end and the securing piece.
21-28. (canceled)
In combination, a tube sheet and a plurality of elongated tubular elements supported with the tube sheet, said tube sheet comprised of a plurality of separate planar tube sheet segments, multiple holes being provided in each planar tube sheet segment in a predetermined pattern, each hole for accommodating one of the plurality of elongated tubular elements, all of the tube sheet segments being aligning so that the hole pattern of each segment aligns with the hole pattern in all other segments, each said elongated tubular element having a flanged top end and a contiguous tubular shaft, said flanged top end supported over a first one of said plurality of separate planar tube sheet segments, and a securing piece constructed and arranged about the tubular shaft of at least one of the plurality of elongated tubular elements and supported under a second one of said plurality of separate planar tube sheet segments, said securing piece for engagement with the tubular shaft to provide a compressive force against the tube sheet segments that are disposed between the flanged top end and the securing piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.