Instrumented Steam Generator Anti-Vibration Bar

Abstract

A steam generator anti-vibration bar (AVB) that extends across multiple rows of tubes and contains a string of sensors is disclosed and claimed. The instrumented anti-vibration bar includes a housing and cover that cooperate to enclose the sensors. The sensors capture data resulting from the fluid flow passing through the steam generator during plant operation. Exemplary sensors that may include: strain gauges to measure loads imposed on the AVBs by the tubes; temperature sensors to sample thermal-hydraulic conditions within the tube bundle; pressure and flow detectors to sample hydraulic conditions within the tube bundle; inductive coils to measure in-plane and out-of-plane motion; and accelerometers to measure AVB motions imposed by surrounding tubes. The captured data is transmitted out of the steam generator in known fashion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for stabilizing tubes within a heat transfer device from vibration generated by fluid flow around the tubes, the tubes including straight portions joined together by U-bend portions and being arranged in rows with tube lanes therebetween, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate arm extending from above the tube U-bend portions into a tube lane between two adjacent tubes so as to resist flow-induced vibration of the two adjacent tubes, said elongate arm including a sensor for measuring operational condition data of the heat transfer device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is configured to measure and provide operational condition data regarding the tubes. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is configured to measure and provide operational condition data regarding the fluid flow. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the heat transfer device contains a plurality of anti-vibration bars extending from above the tube U-bend portions into a the tube lanes; and   said sensor is a strain gauge to measure loads imposed on the anti-vibration bars by the tubes.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a temperature sensor to sample thermal-hydraulic conditions within the tube bundle. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a pressure detector to sample hydraulic conditions within the tube bundle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a flow detector to sample hydraulic conditions within the tube bundle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is an inductive coil to measure in-plane and out-of-plane motion of one or more tubes within the tube bundle. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is an accelerometers to measure anti-vibration bar motion imposed by adjacent ones of the tubes. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sensors for measuring operational condition data of the heat transfer device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter for transmitting said measured operational condition data. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate arm comprises:
 a housing defining an attachment surface; and   a cover configured to couple to said housing in such a manner as to define an enclosed area, said attachment surface being within said enclosed area.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said sensor is coupled to said mounting surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of sensors coupled to said mounting surface. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said sensors include one or more of a strain gauge, a temperature sensor, a pressure detector, a flow detector, an inductive coil, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for stabilizing tubes within a tube bundle of a heat transfer device, the tubes including straight portions joined together by U-bend portions and being arranged in rows with tube lanes therebetween, the device comprising:
 a plurality of anti-vibration bars extending from outside the tube U-bend portions into tube lanes between adjacent tubes so as to resist flow-induced vibration of the tubes;   a plurality of retaining bars connecting respective ends of said anti-vibrations bars;   a bridge connecting said plurality of retaining bars; and   an elongate arm extending from said bridge into a tube lane between two adjacent tubes, said elongate arm including one or more sensors for measuring operational condition data of the heat transfer device.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said one or more sensors includes one or more of a strain gauge, a temperature sensor, a pressure detector, a flow detector, an inductive coil, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said elongate arm comprises:
 a housing defining an attachment surface to which said one or more sensors are coupled; and   a cover configured to couple to said housing in such a manner as to define an enclosed  area, said attachment surface being within said enclosed area.