Steam generator tube support
US4709756A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 1984 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S165/416
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tube support plate is disclosed for supporting a plurality of tubes with reduced vibration in a nuclear steam generator. The support plate has a plurality of holes disposed therethrough in a regular array. Each hole has an axis, an interior surface and a plurality of lands supported on the interior surface and extending towards the axis. The support plate has a given thickness as taken along the hole axis, and each of the lands has a tapered surface for facilitating tube insertion. The method of forming the tube support plate comprises a first step of forming each of the holes through the support plate with a first cylindrical portion of a first diameter and a second cylindrical portion of a second diameter less than the first diameter. Next, portions of the second cylindrical portion are removed in a second step to form a plurality of lands having exposed ends supporting a tube within the hole.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.