Boiler Tube Clamp and Method of Using Same

Abstract

A boiler tube clamp including a first portion having a first substantially U-shaped midsection with a first inner surface configured for receiving and pressing against one side of a boiler tube, a first hinge member arranged on one end of the first midsection, and a threaded bolt hingedly attached to the other end of the first midsection, and a second portion having a second substantially U-shaped midsection with a second inner surface configured for receiving and pressing against the other side of the boiler tube. The clamp further includes a second hinge member arranged on one end of the second midsection and hingedly connected to the first hinge member so that the first inner surface and the second inner surface close toward one another. An open slot is arranged at the other end of the second midsection configured for detachably receiving the threaded bolt. A lip extends radially out from an outer surface of the second midsection and arranged adjacent to an edge thereof. A jackscrew extends through the lip for adjusting the distance a boiler tube contained by the clamp extends into a boiler through a boiler header.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of installing a boiler tube in a boiler header comprising,
 providing a clamp having a first portion, a second portion pivotably coupled to the first portion, and a lip extending outwardly from the first portion, the first portion and the second portion each including a substantially U-shaped surface,   pivoting the first portion and the second portion into a closed position about a predetermined location about a boiler tube,   inserting the boiler tube into an opening through the boiler header, and   supporting the boiler clamp and boiler tube on the boiler header, and   adjusting a distance the boiler tube is inserted into the boiler header by raising or lowering the lip.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the lip is raised or lowered by turning a screw that extends to and between the lip and the boiler header. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein, when the clamp is in the closed position, the boiler tube is fixed between first and second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising adjusting a distance the boiler tube extends beyond a bottom side of the boiler header by manipulating a jackscrew extending parallel to the boiler tube. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the boiler clamp is supported on the boiler header by resting a lower edge of the first portion on the boiler header. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the boiler clamp is supported on the boiler header by resting the lip on the boiler header. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising fixing the boiler tube to the boiler header, followed by removing the clamp from the boiler tube. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising adjusting a distance the boiler tube extends beyond a bottom side of the boiler header without moving any portion of the clamp relative to the boiler tube. 
     
     
         9 . A method of installing a boiler tube in a boiler header comprising,
 providing a boiler clamp apparatus having a first portion and a second portion pivotably coupled to the first portion,   pivoting the first portion and the second portion into a closed position about a predetermined location about a boiler tube,   inserting the boiler tube into an opening through the boiler header,   supporting the boiler clamp apparatus and boiler tube on the boiler header, and   adjusting a distance the boiler tube is inserted into the boiler header by raising or lowering the entire boiler clamp apparatus.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the first portion and the second portion include substantially U-shaped surfaces in contact with the boiler tube. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the first portion includes a lip having an opening there through 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising turning a screw within the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein turning the screw changes the distance between the clamp and the boiler header. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  further comprising fixing the boiler tube within the boiler header, followed by removing the boiler clamp apparatus from the boiler tube. 
     
     
         15 . A method of installing a boiler tube in a boiler header comprising,
 pivoting a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion into a closed position about a predetermined location about a boiler tube,   inserting the boiler tube into an opening through the boiler header,   supporting the boiler clamp apparatus and boiler tube on the boiler header, and   adjusting a distance the boiler tube is inserted into the boiler header by adjusting a jackscrew coupled to the first clamp portion.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  further comprising contacting a substantially U-shaped portion of the first clamp portion and a substantially U-shaped portion of the second clamp portion to the boiler tube. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the jackscrew extends through a radial lip of the first clamp portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising welding the boiler tube to the boiler header and thereafter removing the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion from the boiler tube. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising lowering the boiler tube into the boiler header by adjusting the jackscrew. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19  further comprising raising the boiler tube relative to the boiler header by adjusting the jackscrew.