Heat exchanger having tube support plate
US5505254A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF28F9/0131
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tube supporting device is provided for supporting closely packed tubes in a heat exchanger. The device has a support plate transversely disposed with respect to the tubes. The support plate has a plurality of holes formed therein which are penetrated by the tubes and which support the tubes against lateral movement. The holes can be a variety of shapes to create one or more gaps between the peripheral surfaces of the holes and the outer surfaces of the tubes. The gaps enhance the flow of condensate which has formed on the tubes and causes the condensate to flow to a bottom portion of the heat exchanger without moving to and collecting on the support plate. The holes also inhibit lateral movement of the tubes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.