The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 16, 2008
Filed:
Jul. 17, 2006
George H. Harth, Iii, Wadsworth, OH (US);
George H. Harth, III, Wadsworth, OH (US);
Abstract
A structural framework for supporting the heat exchanger of a steam generator, the former being comprised of serpentine tubes having sloped segments to facilitate the drainage of water from the heat exchanger when the steam generator is shutdown. The structural framework includes paired groups of vertically and diagonally extending first support members contiguously straddling the sloped-tube segments. The paired first support members are rigidly connected by second support members which extend between adjacent sloped-tube segments. The structural framework preserves the spacing between the sloped-tube segments and prevents direct contact between adjoining tube surfaces, but is not attached to the straddled tube segments and, thus, provides a tube supporting fit that is loose enough to permit the tubes to move freely due to expansion and contraction at different rates from that of the structural framework.