A method of providing a pipe bundle reinforced particularly against vibration, and a reinforced pipe bundle of this type

Abstract

 To dampen vibration in pipes in, for example, gas radiators, thin plastic tubes (10,11,12) are threaded between the pipes (1-9). These plastic tubes are pumped full of a self-hardening material, for example 2-component epoxy, and pressurized during hardening.
The tubes (10,11,12) in their distended state will have a diameter larger than the gap or space between the pipes (1-9), thus placing the pipes under tension when the tubes (10,11,12) are filled and pressurized.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method of providing a pipe bundle reinforced particularly against vibrations, wherein flexible, continuous spacing elements are inserted between the pipes in the bundle.

[0002] The invention also relates to a pipe bundle having a network of continuous spacing elements running in the transverse direction of said bundle.

[0003] In a shell and tube heat exchanger, for example, it is necessary for the pipes to be spaced apart in order to permit fluid flow around the pipes for heat exchange with a fluid flowing in said pipes. This is made possible by the use of spacing elements, which should preferably be thick enough in their dimensions to securely hold the pipes, should be capable of dampening vibrations caused by the fluid flowing in or around the pipes, should have low production costs, should be easy and convenient to assemble with the pipes, and should constitute the least possible hindrance to the flow of fluid between the pipes.

[0004] From EP 0 105 938 it is known to use corrugated, mutually intersecting supporting rods between the pipes in a pipe bundle.

[0005] From SE 379096 B it is known to use wire cables that form a supporting network for pipes in a pipe bundle. The wire cables are clasped in a frame around the pipe bundle.

[0006] From US 4 204 570 it is known to use helical, elongate spacing elements between the pipes in a pipe bundle.

[0007] Using this prior art as a point of departure, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a simple and easily implemented method for reinforcing pipe bundles with the aid of flexible, continuous spacing elements, and it is also an objective of the invention to provide a pipe bundle having continuous spacing elements running in the transverse direction of the bundle, and wherein the individual pipes are securely clamped together as a result of the interaction between the pipes and spacing elements.

[0008] According to the invention, we therefore propose a method for provision of a pipe bundle reinforced particularly against vibrations, wherein flexible, continuous spacing elements are inserted between the pipes in the bundle. The method is characterized according to the invention in that the individual spacing elements consist of a tubular member, e.g., a plastic tube, which is threaded in between the pipes in the bundle, which tubular member is filled with a hardening material and pressurized during hardening.

[0009] The flexible, continuous spacing elements in the form of tubular members may easily be threaded between the pipes in the bundle, because their original dimensions are smaller than the space between the individual pipes. After a tubular member of this type has been threaded in place between the pipes in the bundle, it is filled with a hardening material, whereafter the tubular member is pressurized. The tubular member in its distended state resulting from filling and pressurization will have a diameter slightly larger than the space or gap between the pipes in the pipe bundle, thus placing the pipes under tension when the tubes are filled and pressurized.

[0010] Advantageously, the tubular member according to the invention may be filled with a self-hardening material such as, for example, 2-component epoxy.

[0011] The spacing element or tubular member may be continuous in a dual sense, i.e., both in the expanse between the pipes in a pipe bundle cross section and also, if desired, in the same or a different cross section.

[0012] The invention also relates to a pipe bundle having a network of continuous spacing elements running in the transverse direction of the bundle, said pipe bundle according to the invention being characterized in that the individual spacing element is in the form of a flexible tubular member filled with a hardened material and pressurized.

[0013] Advantageously the filler material is a self-hardening material such as, for example, 2-component epoxy.

[0014] The tubular member may be looped in one and the same cross section of the pipe bundle and/or in cross sections. spaced apart from one another.

[0015] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, showing a section of a pipe bundle reinforced in accordance with the invention.

[0016] The drawing in the figure shows a cross sectional segment of a pipe bundle, with a number of pipes 1-9. The individual pipes are held apart by means of flexible tubular members 10, 11 and 12. These are basically flexible plastic tubes which are threaded between pipes 1-9, whereafter they are filled with a self-hardening material, for example 2-component epoxy, and then pressurized. On pressurization, the ends of the tubular members are closed, as shown at 13 and 14 for tubular members 10 and 12, respectively.

[0017] In the figure, three tubular members are shown. The pipe bundle in the illustrated segment may, of course, have more tubular members as spacing elements, and the tubular members may also be continuous, not only in cross section, but also further on, such that tubular members 10 and 12, for example, may be one and the same tubular members.

[0018] It has been shown that the use of such thin plastic tubes which are threaded between the pipes and are pumped full of a self-hardening material, whereafter the unhardened compound is pressurized, provides for very effective dampening of the vibration. Vibration, in particular, is undesirable in pipe bundles in, for example, gas radiators, because the vibration causes holes to be worn in the pipes, especially when reinforcing plates are used.

[0019] The spacing elements according to the invention may be placed wherever they are considered useful. For pipe bundle arches, experience has shown that the curved portion of the pipe assembly is most vulnerable to vibration, and the spacing elements can therefore advantageously be. placed primarily in this area.

[0020] In practice, it is preferable to use, for example, a tubular member which is not elastic and has a wall thickness of only about 0.3 mm. In actuality the tubular member will function as a formwork for the filling compound, which in turn will function as a stable, cast-moulded support point between the pipes with a large reinforcing/bracing volume, as is indicated on the drawing.

[0021] The area between the pipes and partition plates that is most subjected to wear will be sealed with thinly liquid casting material after the tensioning or clamping of the pipe bundle.

Claims

1. A method of providing a pipe bundle reinforced particularly against vibrations, wherein flexible, continuous spacing elements (10,11,12) are inserted between the pipes (1-9) in the transverse direction of the bundle,
characterized in that individual spacing elements consist of a tubular member (10,11,12), e.g., a plastic tube, which is threaded in between the pipes (1-9) in the bundle, which tubular member (10,11,12) is filled with a hardening material and pressurized during hardening.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular member (10,11,12) is filled with a self-hardening material, for example 2-component epoxy.

3. A pipe bundle having a network of continuous spacing elements running in the transverse direction of the bundle,
characterized in that the individual spacing element is in the form of a flexible tubular member (10,11, 12) which is filled with a material hardened under pressure.

4. A pipe bundle according to claim 3, characterized in that the filler material is a self-hardening material, for example 2-component epoxy.

5. A pipe bundle according to one of the claims 3 and 4,
characterized in that the tubular member (10, 11,12) is looped in one and the same cross section of the pipe bundle and/or in cross sections spaced apart from one another.

Drawing