Support plate for separate and independent tube bundles

Abstract

A support plate apparatus capable of separately supporting two or more independent tube bundles within a heat exchanger is described. The apparatus includes at least one bundle support plate and at least two tube bundles. Bundle support plates are separately disposed and substantially parallel. Each bundle support plate has at least two openings. Each opening along one the bundle support plate is dimensioned, located, and aligned in a complimentary arrangement with one opening along each remaining bundle support plates. Each tube bundle includes at least two grids each comprised of interlocking plates and a plurality of tubes. Each tube bundle is disposed within one complimentary arrangement of the openings. Each grid is disposed within and contacts one opening.

1 . A support plate apparatus comprising:
 at least two bundle support plates separately disposed and substantially parallel, each said bundle support plate has at least two openings, each said opening along one said bundle support plate dimensioned, located, and aligned in a complimentary arrangement with one said opening along each remaining said bundle support plates; and   (b) at least two tube bundles, each said tube bundle including at least two grids each comprised of interlocking plates and a plurality of tubes, each said tube bundle disposed within one said complimentary arrangement of said openings, each said grid disposed within and contacting one said opening.   
   
   
       2 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said bundle support plates further comprising:
 (c) an L-shaped flange disposed about each said opening.   
   
   
       3 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said L-shaped flange completely surrounds each said opening. 
   
   
       4 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said L-shaped flange partially surrounds each said opening. 
   
   
       5 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said bundle support plates further comprising:
 (c) a T-shaped flange arrangement disposed about each said opening opposite of said flange.   
   
   
       6 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said T-shaped flange arrangement completely surrounds each said opening. 
   
   
       7 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said T-shaped flange arrangement partially surrounds each said opening. 
   
   
       8 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one said opening has a perimeter composed of linear sides. 
   
   
       9 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one said opening has a perimeter which is non-linear. 
   
   
       10 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said openings and said tube bundles are sized based on location along said bundle support plates to optimize cooling or heating performance. 
   
   
       11 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said openings and said tube bundles are shaped based on location along said bundle support plates to optimize cooling or heating performance. 
   
   
       12 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each said grid comprises:
 (i) at least two first plates; and   (ii) at least two second plates, said first plates and said second plates interlocked so as to form a grid of depth-wise planar extent with at least one square-shaped opening, each said first plate and each said second plate having a plurality of u-shaped curvilinear nodules, at least one said u-shaped curvilinear nodule along each said first plate and along each said second plate extending into each said square-shaped opening so that each said square-shaped opening has at least four said u-shaped curvilinear nodules therein, each said u-shaped curvilinear nodule having a length that is less than one-half the depth of said grid so that at least two said u-shaped curvilinear nodules are aligned depthwise along said grid, oppositely disposed about said plate, and centered within said square-shaped opening, each said u-shaped curvilinear nodule having an opening there under which is no longer and no wider than said u-shaped curvilinear nodule so as to prevent fluid flow between adjacent said square-shaped openings, at least four said u-shaped curvilinear nodules contacting each said tube so as to be slidable and centrally positioned therein.   
   
   
       13 . A support plate apparatus comprising:
 (a) one bundle support plate having at least two openings; and   (b) at least two tube bundles, each said tube bundle including at least one grid comprised of interlocking plates and a plurality of tubes, each said tube bundle disposed within one said opening so that said grid contacts said opening.   
   
   
       14 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said bundle support plate further comprising:
 (c) an L-shaped flange disposed about each said opening.   
   
   
       15 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said L-shaped flange completely surrounds each said opening. 
   
   
       16 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said L-shaped flange partially surrounds each said opening. 
   
   
       17 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said bundle support plate further comprising:
 (c) a T-shaped flange arrangement disposed about each said opening opposite of said flange.   
   
   
       18 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said T-shaped flange arrangement completely surrounds each said opening. 
   
   
       19 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said T-shaped flange arrangement partially surrounds each said opening. 
   
   
       20 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein one said opening has a perimeter composed of linear sides. 
   
   
       21 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein one said opening has a perimeter which is non-linear. 
   
   
       22 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said openings and said tube bundles are sized based on location along said bundle support plates to optimize cooling or heating performance. 
   
   
       23 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said openings and said tube bundles are shaped based on location along said bundle support plates to optimize cooling or heating performance. 
   
   
       24 . The support plate apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each said grid comprises:
 (i) at least two first plates; and   (ii) at least two second plates, said first plates and said second plates interlocked so as to form a grid of depth-wise planar extent with at least one square-shaped opening, each said first plate and each said second plate having a plurality of u-shaped curvilinear nodules, at least one said u-shaped curvilinear nodule along each said first plate and along each said second plate extending into each said square-shaped opening so that each said square-shaped opening has at least four said u-shaped curvilinear nodules therein, each said u-shaped curvilinear nodule having a length that is less than one-half the depth of said grid so that at least two said u-shaped curvilinear nodules are aligned depthwise along said grid, oppositely disposed about said plate, and centered within said square-shaped opening, each said u-shaped curvilinear nodule having an opening there under which is no longer and no wider than said u-shaped curvilinear nodule so as to prevent fluid flow between adjacent said square-shaped openings, at least four said u-shaped curvilinear nodules contacting each said tube so as to be slidable and centrally positioned therein.