US 2022/0034241 A1 · HEAT EXCHANGER WITH INNER SENSOR GRID AND RESTRAINTS FOR SENSOR WIRES AND HEAT EXCHANGE TUBES

Abstract

A heat exchanger includes a sensor grid with sensor leads extending through tube restraints for heat exchange tubes in the heat exchanger. The tube restraint includes a body having a plurality of tube openings defined therein with each tube opening receiving one heat exchange tube of the set of heat exchange tubes therethrough. The body also includes a sensor lead opening defined therein to receive a sensor lead therethrough. Each tube opening has a larger dimension than the sensor lead opening. The sensor grid is installed during manufacture rather than in the field, allowing the sensor grid to be on outermost and inner sets of hea exchange tubes in the heat exchanger.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A heat exchanger, comprising:

a plurality of sets of heat exchange tubes positioned adjacent each other, each set of heat exchange tubes fluidly coupled to at least one end of a header;
a sensor grid positioned amongst the plurality of sets of heat exchange tubes, the sensor grid including a plurality of sensors, each sensor including a sensor lead extending therefrom;
and
a tube restraint for positioning at least one of the plurality of sets of heat exchange tubes relative to an enclosure, the tube restraint including a tube opening for each of the heat exchange tubes of a respective set of heat exchange tubes and a sensor lead opening,
wherein at least one sensor lead of the sensor grid extends through the sensor lead opening.

2 more elements

A combined cycle power plant (CCPP), comprising:

a gas turbine system;
a steam turbine system;
and
a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) coupled to the gas turbine system to create steam for the steam turbine system using an exhaust of the gas turbine system, wherein the HRSG includes:
an enclosure configured to direct the exhaust therethrough;
a plurality of sets of heat exchange tubes positioned adjacent each other in the enclosure, each set of heat exchange tubes fluidly coupled to at least one end of a header;
a sensor grid positioned amongst the plurality of set of heat exchange tubes, the sensor grid including a plurality of sensors, each sensor including a sensor lead extending therefrom;
and
a tube restraint for positioning at least one of the plurality of sets of heat exchange tubes relative to the enclosure, the tube restraint including a tube opening for each of the heat exchange tubes of a respective set of heat exchange tubes and a sensor lead opening;
wherein at least one sensor lead of the sensor grid extends through the sensor lead opening.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/942,986Filed 30 Jul 2020

Published

3 Feb 2022

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

F01K 23/10
Combustion heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle: with exhaust fluid of one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
F28D 7/163
The conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation: with conduit assemblies having a particular shape, e.g. square or annular; with…
F01K 13/02
General layout or general methods of operation of complete plants: controlling, e.g. stopping or starting
F01K 23/101
With exhaust fluid of one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle: regulating means specially adapted therefor

Heat exchanger with inner sensor grid and restraints for sensor wires and heat exchange tubes

Life of this patent

Heat exchanger with inner sensor grid and restraints for sensor wires and heat exchange tubes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17