Tube alignment strap
AssigneeThe Babcock & Wilcox Company
InventorsGregory A. Burns, Charles E. Cameron, Richard S. Conrad
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tube alignment strap for maintaining alignment and spacing between adjacent tubes in a superheater. A U-shaped strap receives a first tube in the U-shape of the strap. The open end of the strap is rigidly attached to pads provided on a second adjacent tube. A semi-circular collar has a bore at each end sized to receive the straight portions of the U-shaped strap such that the semi-circular collar is slidable over the U-shaped strap so as to be adjacent the first tube. The semi-circular collar is rigidly attached to the U-shaped strap.
Claims2
In a heat exchanger having a plurality of heat exchange tubes, a tube alignment strap for maintaining alignment and spacing between adjacent tubes, comprising:
- a. a U-shaped strap, with one open end and straight side portions, that receives a first tube in the U-shape of the strap, the open end of the strap being rigidly attached to pads provided on a second adjacent tube;
- and
- b. a semi-circular collar having a bore at each end sized to receive the straight portions of said U-shaped strap such that said semi-circular collar is slidable over said U-shaped strap so as to be adjacent the first tube, said semi-circular collar being rigidly attached to said U-shaped strap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.