US3273638A

US3273638A - Finned tube protector

Info

Publication number: US3273638A
Application number: US379673A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond A Darling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-07-01
Filing date: 1964-07-01
Publication date: 1966-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 1983-09-20

Description

Sept. 20, 1966 R, A. DARLING FINNED TUBE PROTECTOR Filed July 1, 1964 INVENTOR.

Raymond A. Darling MMK M FIG. 6

AGE/VT United States Patent 3,273,638 FINNED TUBE PROTECTOR Raymond A. Darling, 5306 E. 26th St., Tulsa, Okla. Filed July 1, 1964, Ser. No. 379,673 5 Claims. (Cl. 165-134) This invention relates to improvements in finned tubes and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a support for finned tubes so designed and constructed for supporting the tube and protecting the radially extending fins on the outer periphery thereof.

Fiuned tubes are frequently utilized in heat exchangers, and the like, wherein heat is transferred between fluids or other sub-substances. These finned tubes normally comprise a centrally disposed tube having a plurality of radially outwardly extending fins provided on the outer periphery thereof and extending substantially throughout the length thereof for facilitating or accelerating the rate of heat trans-fer. The fins may be either a plurality of spaced individual annular discs secured to the outer periphery of the tube, or may be a continuous spiral or helical member extending around the tube. These finned tubes are often horizontally disposed in the heat exchanger with the opposite ends thereof connected to headers, or other ducts or parts of the apparatus. The tubes may be of a substantially great overall length and as a result tend to sag unless a support is provided intermediate the ends thereof. Normally, the fins are constructed of a relatively thin gauge material and do not have sufficient strength or rigidity to withstand the forces of a support member secured directly thereto. In addition, the outer periphery of the fins may be damaged by contact with the fins of an adjacent finned tube if there is sufficient sagging wherein one tube is resting against a portion of a second tube.

Many solutions have been advanced for the problem of supporting the finned tubes. In some instances, a portion of the fins may be removed whereby the bare portion of the tube may be directly supported by the supporting member. This is a particular disadvantage in the finned tubes having a continuous helical coil extending therearound since removal of a portion thereof may result in the unwinding of the remaining portion of the fin. Additional solutions to the problem have been set forth wherein a band, or the like, is provided surrounding and contacting the peripheries of adjacent fins, such as disclosed in the Anthony J. Ryder Patent No. 2,402,209, issued June 18, 1946, and entitled Support for Finned Tubes; the Karl Muhleisen Patent No. 1,748,140, issued February 25, 1930, and entitled Means for Supporting and Holding Pipes in Spaced Relation to Each Other; and the William F. Matheny Patent No. 2,775,433, issued December 25, 1956, and entitled Finned Tube Spacing Supports. This type of support apparatus has disadvantages, however, in that the outer periphery of the fins may be damaged by the contact of the support member thereagainst, and the installation thereof is often tedious and time consuming.

The present invention contemplates a novel support for finned tubes particularly designed and constructed for protecting the fins while effectively supporting the tubes in radially spaced relationship. The novel finned tube protector comprises a pair of complementary arcuate or semi-circular housings adapted to be disposed around the outer periphery of the finned tube for encasing a plurality of adjacent radially extending fins. The inner diameter of each housing portion is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the central tube portion and rests on the outer periphery thereof for providing a rigid support therefor. The outer diameter of each housing portion is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fins, thus eliminating pressure on the fins during support of the I tubes. Each semi-circular housing section is provided with a circular inner periphery extending around slightly more than one half the circumference of the central tube for facilitating retaining of each half section in position around the tube while permitting easy removal of the sections from engagement with the central tube when desired. The protectors may be easily and quickly disposed around the outer periphery of a plurality of adjacent fins as well as readily removed therefrom. It is preferable to space the complementary housing sections throughout the length of the finned tubes in such a manner as to engage or contact the protectors disposed around the adjacent finned tubes. In this manner, the protectors engage each other to support the central tubes and maintain the finned tubes in radially spaced relationship to preclude contact between the outer peripheries of the radially extending fins of the adjacent tubes.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel finned tube support particularly designed for efficiently supporting a plurality of the tubes in radially spaced relationship while simultaneously protecting the outer peripheries of the radially extending fins.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel tinned tube protector particularly designed and constructed for engaging the outer periphery of the central tube to provide a rigid support therefor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel finned tube protector adapted for precluding engagement or contact between the radially extending fins of adjacent finned tubes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel finned tube protector which may be quickly and easily installed around the outer peripheries of the radially extending fins and readily removed from disposition therearound.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel finned tube protector adapted to securely engage the outer periphery of the central tube portion for retaining the protector in position around the finned tube during utilization thereof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel finned tube support and protector which is simple and efiicieut in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a finned tube support section embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevational view taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a finned tube having a plurality of finned tube protector members embodying the invention disposed thereon, with a portion depicted in section for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of a modified form of a finned tube support embodying the invention.

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational view of the modified tube support depicted in FIGURE 5 as viewed from the open end thereof.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 generally indicates a finned tube structure comprising a central tube member 12 having a spiral or helical radially outwardly extending coil 14 secured to the outer periphery thereof and extending substantially throughout the length thereof to provide a plurality of heat dispersing or heat dispensing fins, as is well known. A plurality of finned tube protectors 16 are disposed around the outer periphery of the finned tube 10 and may be longitudinally spaced therealong in a manner and for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

Each finned tube protector or support 16 comprises a pair of substantially identical semi-circular half sections 18, and since the two half sections 18 are of an identical configuration and construction, only one will be set forth in detailed description. The semi-circular housing or half-section 18 may be constructed from any suitable plastic material, such as nylon, Teflon, or the like. Plastic materials of this type are considered to be desirable since they are not effected by the usual temperature ranges within which finned tubes of this type are normally utilized, and the characteristics of the materials renders the protectors 16 easy to handle during installation or removal thereof.

The housing 18 comprises a pair of spaced

side plates

20 and 22 having the inner bore or

inner periphery

24 and 26, respectively, of substantially the same diameter as the outer diameter of the central tube 12. The

sidewalls

20 and 22 are spaced apart by an outer cylindrical portion 28 having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fins 14. An inwardly directed semi-circular flange 30 is carried by the cylindrical outer member 28 and is preferably substantially centrally disposed between the

sidewalls

20 and 22. The inner bore or inner periphery 32 of the rib 30 is of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the central tube 12 and is in alignment with the

bores

24 and 26 of the

sidewalls

20 and 22 whereby the

sidewalls

20 and 22 as well as the inner rib or flange 30 engage the outer periphery of the tube 12 when the protector 16 is disposed thereon. In addition, the spacing between the rib 30 and each of the

sidewalls

20 and 22 is preferably sufficient for receiving two adjacent fins 14 therebetween, but it is to be understood that the spacing therebetween may be varied, as desired.

The outer ends 34 and 36' of the sidewall 20 are provided with an

angular flange portion

38 and 40, respectively, whereby the bore 24 extends through an arc greater than one half the circumference of the outer periphery of the central tube 12. In addition, the angular flange 38 is provided with a tapered inner surface 42 and the angular flange 40 is provided with a tapered outer surface 44 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The sidewall 22 is provided with similar angular and tapered flange portions (not numbered) whereby the bore 26 is extended through an arc greater than one half the circumference of the outer periphery of the central tube 12. The material from which the half sections 18 are constructed permits sufficient resilience or flexibility to provide a spring-like action for the half sections during disposition around or removal from the outer periphery of the tube 12. Thus, the half sections may be easily disposed around the outer periphery of the tube 12, and the engagement of the

bores

24 and 26 around an arc greater than half the circumference of the tube 12 securely retains the half sections in position therearound without interference with the ease of manual rem-oval therefrom when desired. Thus, the half sections 18 are supported by the outer periphery of the tube 12, and since the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 28 is of a diameter of the fins 14, there is no engagement between the fins and the cylindrical portion when the half sections 18 are disposed around the tube 12.

When the protectors 16 are to be disposed around the finned tube 10, a pair of the half sections 18 may be normally disposed around the central tube 12 for completely encasing a plurality of adjacent fins 14 at each desired spaced interval along the length of the finned tube 10, as clearly shown in FIGURE 4. One half section 18 may be disposed over the desired portion of the fins 14 whereby two of the fins are disposed between the central rib 30 and the

sidewalls

20 and 22, respectively, as shown in section in FIGURE 4. The half section 18 is inserted between the fins in this manner sufliciently for the

bores

24, 26

4 and 32 to engage the outer periphery of the central tube 12. As hereinbefore set forth, the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 28 will not be in contact with the outer periphery of the fins 14, thus protecting the fins from damage. A second half section 18 may then be disposed around the remaining circumferential portion of the tube 12 and fins 14 in a similar manner. However, the sec 0nd half section 18 must be reversed with respect to the first half section 18 whereby the sidewall 20 of one half section will be in substantial alignment with the sidewall 22 of the second half section 18. Thus, the inwardly tapered angular flange of one sidewall will be in engagement with the outwardly tapered angular flange of the second sidewall, and vice versa, for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. Since the

angular flanges

34 and 36 extend around the tube 12 through a distance greater than half the circumference thereof, there would be interference between the abutting angular flanges of the two half sections. However, the tapered inner and outer sur-- faces of the angular flanges provide a clearance therebetween whereby the abutting portions of the half sections will overlap around the outer periphery of the tube 12.

When the protectors 16 are disposed around the finned tube 10 having the helical or spiral fins 14 as depicted therein, it will be readily apparent that whereas the two half sections 18 will be in substantial alignment at one of the abutting edge portions thereof (not shown), the second abutting edge portions thereof will be offset, as shown at 46 in FIGURE 4, due to the helical disposition of the fins. However, if the finned tube is provided with radially extending fins of the independent annular disc type, it will be apparent that both the abutting edge portions of the two half sections encircling or encasing the tube 10 will be in substantial alignment.

The two half sections 18 may be quickly and easily inserted between the fins 14 and disposed around the finned tube 10 for supporting the tube and protecting the fins. Each half section is securely retained in position by the gripping engagement thereof with the outer periphery of the central tube 12, and in addition, a rigid support is provided due to the contact of the inner periphery of the half sections with the outer periphery of the tube 12. It is preferable to provide a plurality of the support structures 16 for each finned tube 10, and the supports may be longitudinally spaced therealong as desired to provide suflicient support for the entire length of the finned tube. In addition, it is preferable to space the supports 16 at substantially the same relative position on each of the finned tubes utilized in the heat exchanger (not shown), or the like. In this manner, any sagging of the finned tubes will result in engagement between the support member 16 of the adjacent finned tubes, thus precluding contact between the outer peripheries of the fins themselves. Since the support members 16 are supported from the central tube 12, and there is no engagement between the outer periphery of the fins and the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 28,'the fins are not only protected from engagement with the fins of an adjacent finned tube, but also are protected from damage due to engagement with the support structure itself.

Modified support structure Referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6, a modified support structure is depicted which is particularly designed and constructed for utilization in heat exchanger, and the like, wherein the temperature ranges are greater than those normally encountered in such devices. In the event the temperature range exceeds the temperatures applicable for the plastic materials hereinbefore set forth, it is desirable to provide a support structure constructed from a suitable metal, such as zinc, or the like. In this instance, the finned tube support is generally similar to that hereinbefore set forth, and comprises a pair of identical half sections 50 which may be disposed around the finned tube 10 for encasing a plurality of adjacent fins 14. The half section 50 comprises a semi-cylindrical outer housing 52 having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fins 14. An inwardly directed semicircular rib or flange 54 is provided in the housing 52 and the inner bore or inner periphery 56 thereof is of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the central tube 12.

The outer ends 58 and 60 of the rib 54 are provided with angular flanges 62 and 64, respectively, which extend the inner periphery 56 through an arc greater than half the circumference of the tube 12. In this manner, the rib 54 engages a portion of the outer periphery of the tube 12 which is greater than half the circumference thereof for securely retaining each half section 50 in position around the central tube 12. In addition, the rib 54 is so spaced within the housing 52 as to be in closer relation to one end thereof than the other, as clearly shown in FIG- URE 6. The rib 54 is so spaced within the housing 52 where-by the rib 54 of one-half section 50 will be off-set from the rib 54 of the complementary half section 50 as will be hereinafter set forth when the two half sections are disposed around the finned tube for encompassing the outer periphery of the fins 14.

The half sections 50 may be easily disposed around the finned tube 10 in much the same manner as set forth in the first embodiment. The material from which the half sections are constructed is sufficiently flexible or resilient to provide a substantially spring-like action in order that the inner bore 56 may be readily positioned around or removed from the outer periphery of the central tube 12. One half section may be disposed around the finned tube 10 by inserting the rib 54 between a pair of adjacent fins 14 and moving the inner bore 56 into engagement with the outer periphery of the central tube 12. The engagement between the 'bore 56 and the greater portion of the outer circumference of the central tube 12 securely retains the half section 50 in position therearound. A second half section 50 may then be similarly disposed around the remaining circumference of the finned tube 10. However, the second half section 50 must be reversed with respect to the first half section. Thus, the rib 54 of one half section will be disposed in the space between one pair of adjacent fins 14 whereas the rib 54 of the second half section will be disposed in the next succeeding space between the next succeeding pair of fins. In this manner there will be no interference between the ribs 54 of the complementary half sections which encompass the outer periphery of the finned tube 10.

Of course, it is preferable to space a plurality of the complementary half sections 50 throughout the length of the finned tubes 10, as hereinbefore set forth, for providing an efficient support therefor. Furthermore, the half sections 50 may be utilized with finned tubes having the independent disc type fins as well as the helical or spiral fins depicted herein.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel support and protector for finned tubes which may be quickly and easily installed on or removed from the finned tubes. The novel protector device is particularly designed and constructed for efliciently supporting the finned tubes in radially spaced relationship while simultaneously protecting the outer peripheries of the fins from damage due to engagement with the support structure or from engagement with the fins of an adjacent finned tube. The novel protector structure may be utilized with substantially any type of finned tube, and is simple and eflicient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a finned tube including a central tube having a plurality of radially extending fins on the outer periphery thereof, a protector device comprising a pair of semi-circular housing sections removably securable to the central tube in end to end relationship for encasing a plurality of adjacent fins, each of said semi-circular housing sections comprising a plurality of spaced radial rib members, a semi-cylindrical outer surface provided on the outer extremity of the radial rib members and having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fins, each of said rib members provided with an inner periphery of 'a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the central tube, angular flange means provided on portions of said rib members for extending the inner periphery thereof through an arc greater than one half the circumference of the central tube for facilitating securing of each housing section therearound, and tapered means provided on the angular flange means for precluding interference between the rib members of the complementary pair of semi-circular housings encasing the fins.

2. In combination with a finned tube including a central tube having a plurality of radially extending fins on the outer periphery thereof, a fin protector comprising a pair of complementary semi-circular housings cooperating for encasing a plurality of adjacent fins, each of said housings comprising a pair of spaced semi-circular sidewalls having an inner periphery of a diameter substantially equal to the outer periphery of the central tube, a substantially cylindrical outer housing provided around the outer extremity of the sidewalls and having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fins, an angular flange provided on the outer ends of each sidewall for extending the inner peripheries thereof through an are greater than one half the circumference of the central tube, tapered means provided on each angular flange for precluding interference between the flanges of the complementary pair of semi-circular housings encasing the fins, a radially inwardly directed rib carried by the outer housing and substantially centrally disposed between the spaced sidewalls, and said rib having an inner periphery of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the central tube for cooperating with the sidewalls for supporting of the tube.

3. In combination with a finned tube including a central tube having a plurality of radially extending ribs on the outer periphery thereof, a removable fin protector comprising a pair of complementary semi-circular housings cooperating for encasing a plurality of adjacent fins, each of said semi-circular housings comprising an arcuate outer housing having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fins, a radially inwardly directed rib member carried by the outer housing and having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the central tube for engagement therewith, and an angular flange provided on the outer ends of the rib for extending the inner periphery thereof through an are greater than one half the circumference of the central tube for facilitating securing of the complementary semicircular housings around the central tube.

4. In combination with a finned tube including a central tube having a plurality of radially extending ribs on the outer periphery thereof, a removable fin protector as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rib member is disposed in closer relation with one end of the outer housing than the other end thereof whereby interference between the ribs of the complementary semi-circular housings is precluded.

5. In combination with a finned tube including a central tube having a plurality of radially extending fins on the outer periphery thereof, a removable protector device comprising a pair of semi-circular housing sections removab-ly securable to the central tube in end to end relationship for encasing a plurality of adjacent fins, each of said semi-circular housing sections comprising radial rib means, a semi-cylindrical outer surface provided on the outer extremity of the rib means and having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fins, said rib means provided with an inner periphery of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the central tube, angular flange means provided on said rib means for extending the inner periphery thereof through an are greater than one half the circumference of the central tube for facilitating securing of each housing section therearound, and means for precluding interference between the rib means of the complementary paid of semi-circular housings encasing the fins.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,166,808 7/1939 Flindt 16567 X 3,012,761 12/1961 Gardner et al 165-69 FOREIGN PATENTS 697,477 9/1953 Great Britain.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES SUKALO, Examiner.

M. A. ANTONAKAS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

3. IN COMBINATION WITH A FINNED TUBE INCLUDING A CENTRAL TUBE HAVING A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY EXTENDING RIBS ON THE OUTER PERIPHERY THEREOF, A REMOVABLE FIN PROTECTOR COMPRISING A PAIR OF COMPLEMENTARY SEMI-CIRCULAR HOUSING COOPERATING FOR ENCASING A PLURALITY OF ADJACENT FINS, EACH OF SAID SEMI-CIRCULAR HOUSINGS COMPRISING AN ARCUATE OUTER HOUSING HAVING AN INNER DIAMETER SLIGHTLY GRATER THAN THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE FINS, A RADIALLY INWARDLY DIRECTED RIB MEMBER CARRIED BY THE OUTER HOUSING AND HAVING AN INNER DIAMETER SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE DENTRAL TUBE FOR ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, AND AN ANGULAR FLANGE PROVIDED ON THE OUTER ENDS OF THE RIB FOR EXTENDING THE INNER PERIPHERY THEREOF THROUGH AN ARC GREATER THAN ONE HALF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE CENTRAL TUBE FOR FACILITATING SECURING OF THE COMPLEMENTARY SEMICIRCULAR HOUSINGS AROUND THE CENTRAL TUBE.