Tube Transition
AssigneeViking Vessel Holdings, LLC
InventorsMarshall R. Hicks, II, John Null
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tube transition fitting is formed having a first end, a second end, a head, a body, a weld area, and a first wall thickness and second wall thickness. A tube seat is formed on a surface connected to the body, the surface being adjacent a transition from the first wall thickness to the second wall thickness. A tube transition assembly includes a header portion, the tube transition fitting, and a heat exchange tube, each being connected using one or more simplified and/or heat-optimized connections.
Claims6
A method for connecting, repairing, or replacing a heat exchange tube of a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a header portion, the header portion having a header wall, the method comprising:
- providing a tube transition fitting, comprising:
- a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a head adjacent the second end;
- a body;
- a beveled weld area adjacent the head, the beveled weld area being configured such that the tube transition fitting may be externally welded to the header portion;
- a first wall thickness;
- and
- a second wall thickness;
- wherein a tube seat is formed on a surface connected to the body, the surface being adjacent a transition of the first wall thickness to the second wall thickness;
- and
- fitting the heat exchange tube with the first end of the tube transition fitting adjacent the tube seat;
- and
- securing the second end of the tube transition fitting to the header portion;
- wherein the head is seated within the header wall after welding, such that the head does not extend into the flow path of the header;
- and
- wherein the tube transition fitting is secured to the header portion via a purge-free process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.