Pipe support mounting assembly

Abstract

A tube support mounting assembly includes a press assembly having a housing and a top block configured to flatten fins on a first surface of a finned tube. A press arm is operable to vertically move the top block relative to the housing. A bottom block is configured to flatten fins on a second surface of the finned tube when the press arm rotates and moves the top block downward. A tube support clamping assembly includes a clamping housing configured to receive a tube support having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall, the tube support configured to receive flattened portions of the finned tube. A clamping arm is connected to a clamping block by a link arm, the clamping block configured to engage and force the front wall of the tube support into snap-fit engagement with the top wall.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Aspects of the present invention generally relate to an assembly for installing a tube stay on a finned heat exchanger tube, and in particular, to an assembly that flattens a portion of the fins on a heat exchanger tube and installs a tube stay on the flattened portion. BACKGROUND

[0002] A heat exchanger core can contain a plurality of finned tubes through which a heated liquid to be cooled passes. When such finned tubes are long, they can sway within the frame of the heat exchanger core and sometimes engage one another. A tube stay can be installed on the finned tube to provide support for the tube along its length and to help prevent the fins on each tube from contacting or engaging the fins on an adjacent tube or contacting the frame.

[0003] It is desirable to provide an assembly and method for easily installing a tube stay on a finned tube of a heat exchanger core. Particular objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this technology, in view of the following disclosure and detailed description of certain embodiments of this invention. SUMMARY

[0004] Aspects of the present invention can be used to advantageously provide an assembly for installing a tube stay on a finned tube of a heat exchanger core, and a method of installing such a stay.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a tube stay installation assembly includes a spacer bar extending along an alignment rod and configured to be received within a finned tube. A press assembly includes a housing having an opening through which the alignment rod extends. A top block is movably mounted to the housing and extends downwardly toward the alignment rod and is configured to flatten a first set of fins on a first surface of a portion of the finned tube; a press arm is rotatably mounted to the top block and is operable to move the top block vertically relative to the housing. A bottom block extends upwardly from the alignment rod and is configured to flatten a second set of fins on an opposite second surface of the portion of the finned tube when the press arm is rotated and moves the top block downwardly. A tube stay clamping assembly includes a clamping housing having a recess configured to receive a stay having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall pivotally connected to the bottom wall, the stay configured to receive the portion of the finned tube. A clamping arm is connected to a clamping block by a pair of link arms, the clamping block pivotally connected to the clamping housing, the clamping block configured to engage and force the front wall into snap-fit engagement with the top wall of the stay when the clamping arm is rotated.

[0006] According to another aspect, a tube support mounting assembly includes a spacer bar extending along an alignment rod and configured to be received within a finned tube. A stop block is releasably secured to the alignment rod. A press assembly includes a housing through which the alignment rod extends. A top block is movably mounted to the housing and extends downwardly toward the alignment rod and is configured to flatten a first set of fins on a first surface of a portion of the finned tube. A press arm is rotatably mounted to the top block and is operable to vertically move the top block relative to the housing. A bottom block extends upwardly from the alignment rod and is configured to flatten a second set of fins on an opposite second surface of the portion of the finned tube when the press arm is rotated and moves the top block downwardly. A tube support clamping assembly includes a clamping housing having a recess configured to receive a strut having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall pivotally connected to the bottom wall, the strut configured to receive a portion of the finned tube. A clamping arm is connected to a clamping block by a pair of link arms, the clamping block pivotally connected to the clamping housing, the clamping block configured to engage and force the front wall into snap-fit engagement with the top wall of the strut when the clamping arm is rotated. A gauge assembly is configured to receive the flattened portion of the finned tube to determine whether the strut can receive the flattened portion.

[0007] According to a further aspect, a tube support mounting assembly includes a spacer bar extending along an alignment rod and configured to be received within a finned tube. A stop block is releasably secured to the alignment rod. A press assembly includes a housing having an opening through which the alignment rod extends. A top block is movably mounted to the housing and extends downwardly toward the alignment rod and is configured to compress a plurality of fins on a first surface of a portion of the finned tube. An arm is rotatably mounted to the top block and is operable to vertically move the top block relative to the housing. A stop limits downward movement of the top block. A bottom block extends upwardly from the alignment rod and is configured to compress a plurality of fins on an opposite second surface of the portion of the finned tube when the arm is rotated and moves the top block downwardly. A tube support clamping assembly includes a clamping housing having a throat configured to receive a strut having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall pivotally connected to the bottom wall, the strut configured to receive a portion of the finned tube. A clamping arm is connected to a rotatable block by a pair of link arms, the rotatable block configured to engage and force the front wall of the tube support into snap-fit engagement with the top wall. A gauge assembly includes a first plate, a second plate vertically spaced above the first plate and defining a first slot having a first height between the first plate and the second plate, and a third plate vertically spaced above the second plate and defining a second slot having a second height less than the first height between the second plate and the third plate.

[0008] According to other aspects, a method of installing a strut on a finned heat exchanger tube includes positioning a spacer strip within a tube portion of a finned tube; inserting the spacer strip into a first open end of the finned tube; passing the finned heat exchanger tube through an opening of a housing of a pressing assembly and along an alignment rod extending through the opening, the pressing assembly including a bottom block extending upwardly from the alignment rod, a top block movably mounted to the housing and extending downwardly toward the alignment rod, and a pressing arm rotatably mounted to the top block; rotating the pressing arm to move the top block downwardly such that the top block compresses a plurality of fins on a first surface of a portion of the finned tube and compresses a plurality of fins on an opposite second surface of the portion of the finned tube to form a flattened portion of the finned tube. Positioning a strut having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall pivotably connected to the bottom wall in a throat of a clamping housing of a tube strut clamping assembly, the tube strut clamping assembly including clamping arms connected to a block by a pair of link arms, the block being pivotably connected to the housing; positioning the flattened portion of the finned tube in the strut; and moving the clamping arms such that the block engages the front wall of the strut and forces the front wall of the strut into snap-fit engagement with the top wall.

[0009] From the foregoing disclosure it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, i.e., one knowledgeable and experienced in this technology, that the preferred embodiments of the assembly for installing a strut on a finned tube of a heat exchanger core can provide a significant technological advance in improving the installation of a strut. These and additional features and advantages will be further appreciated from the following detailed disclosure of certain preferred embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tube strut installation assembly mounted on a workbench.

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a finned tube prior to being passed through a pressing assembly of the tube strut installation assembly of Figure 1 .

[0012] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a finned tube passed through a pressing assembly of the tube strut installation assembly of Figure 1 .

[0013] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a finned tube positioned adjacent to a stop block of the tube strut installation assembly of Figure 1 .

[0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a pressing assembly of the tube strut installation assembly of Figure 1 , showing a finned tube prior to fin compression onto the finned tube.

[0015] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a pressing assembly of the tube strut installation assembly of Figure 1A perspective view of the pressing assembly of the tube support mounting assembly, showing the finned tube during the flattening of the fins on the finned tube.

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the top and bottom blocks of the pressing assembly of the tube support mounting assembly shows the condition of the fins on the finned tube after they have been flattened by these blocks.

[0017] Figure 8 Part of the pipe has already passed Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the finned tube after the pressing assembly of the tube support mounting component flattens its fins.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the gauge assembly of the pipe support installation component.

[0019] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 The front perspective view of the gauge assembly shows the flattened portion of the finned tube inserted into the first gap of the gauge assembly.

[0020] Figure 11 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the tube support clamping assembly of the tube support mounting assembly, showing the support bar inserted into the recess in the housing of the tube support clamping assembly and the finned tube before being inserted into the support bar.

[0021] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A perspective view of the tube support clamping assembly, showing the flattened portion of the finned tube before it is inserted into the support bar.

[0022] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 A perspective view of the tube support clamping assembly shows a clamping block that engages with the front wall of the support bar and forces it to snap into engagement with the top wall of the support bar.

[0023] Figure 14 yes Figure 11 A perspective view of the tube support clamping assembly, showing the support bars that engage around the flattened portion of the finned tube.

[0024] The accompanying drawings mentioned above are not necessarily drawn to scale, and it should be understood that they provide schematic diagrams of the invention and illustrations of the principles involved. For ease of explanation and understanding, some features of the tube support clamping assembly described in the drawings have been enlarged or modified relative to other features. The same reference numerals are used in the drawings for similar or identical parts and features shown in various alternative embodiments. The tube support clamping assembly disclosed herein will have a construction and components partially determined by the intended application and environment in which it is used. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present application can be implemented in various forms. Figure 1 An embodiment of a tube support installation assembly 10 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, components of the tube support installation assembly 10 are mounted on top of a workbench 12. It should be understood that components of the tube support installation assembly 10 need not all be mounted to a single workbench 12, and one or more components of the tube support installation assembly 10 can be positioned away from the remainder of the tube support installation assembly 10.

[0026] For convenience, the terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom" are used herein to distinguish between upper and lower ends of the tube support installation assembly 10, as well as particular components of the assembly. It should be understood that "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom" are used for ease of description and understanding only, and the above terms are not intended to limit the possible spatial orientation of the tube support installation assembly or its components during assembly or use.

[0027] The term "substantially" as used herein means a majority or nearly the same as within reasonable constraints of business engineering goals, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of tube support installation. Similarly, the term "approximately" as used herein means close to or about a particular value, within reasonable constraints of business engineering goals, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of tube support installation.

[0028] The tube support installation assembly 10 can include an alignment bar 14, as Figures 2-4 shown, during installation of a tube support on a finned tube 16, the finned heat exchanger tube or finned tube 16 can be seated on the alignment bar 14. A stop block 18 can be movably secured to the alignment bar 14, and can be used to properly position the finned tube 16 along the alignment bar 14. As Figures 2-4 shown, a spacer bar 20 can extend along the alignment bar 14, and can be received in the finned tube 16 during at least a portion of the installation of a support bar 21 (see below Figures 11-14 ) on the finned tube 16.

[0029] A pressing assembly 22 can be positioned along the alignment bar 14, and can be used to flatten fins on the finned tube 16, as described in greater detail below. A gauge assembly 24 can be secured to the alignment bar 14, and can be used to measure the flattened portion of the fins of the finned tube 16. A tube support clamping assembly 26 can be positioned on the workbench 12, and can be configured to clamp a support bar around the flattened portion of the fins of the finned tube 16, as described in greater detail below.

[0030] Each of the stop block 18, pressing assembly 22, gauge assembly 24, and tube support clamping assembly 26 can be configured as a separate workstation on which different stages of installing the support bar 21 onto the finned tube 16 can be performed. As mentioned above, each of these components or workstations can be positioned on the worktable 12; however, it should be understood that one or more workstations can be positioned away from the worktable 12 and still function as intended in installing the support bar 21 onto the finned tube 16.

[0031] like Figures 2-4 As shown, the finned tube 16 may include a tube portion 28 having a first open end 30 and a second open end (not shown), and a plurality of fins 32 fixed to the outer surface of the tube portion 28. The first open end 30 may be substantially cylindrical, while the tube portion 28 may be more flattened, having an elliptical or racetrack shape. Figures 2-3 As shown, in order to begin installing the support bar 21 onto the finned tube 16, the first end 34 of the spacer bar 20 is inserted into the first open end 30 of the finned tube 16, and then the finned tube is slid along the alignment rod 14. The finned tube 16 then travels along the alignment rod 14 and through the opening 36 of the pressing assembly 32, through which the alignment rod 14 extends.

[0032] The finned tube 16 can travel along the alignment rod 14 until a selected portion of the finned tube 16 is positioned at the center of the pressing assembly 22, where a portion of the fin 32 can be flattened to accommodate the support bar 21. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the stop block 18 can move along the alignment rod 14 until the left edge 38 of the stop block 18 is located at a desired distance D from the center of the pressing assembly 22. Figure 4 As shown, the scale 39 can be positioned along the alignment rod 14, allowing the user to accurately measure the distance between the left edge 38 of the stop block 18 and the center of the pressing assembly 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the scale 39 has measurements in inches; however, it should be understood that any unit of measurement can be used on the scale 39.

[0033] The stop block 18 can then be secured to the alignment rod 14 with one or more fasteners such as bolts 40. It should be understood that any type of fastener can be used to releasably secure the stop block 18 to the alignment rod 14, and other suitable fasteners will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the benefits of this disclosure.

[0034] Once the finned tube 16 is in the proper position relative to the pressing assembly 22, the first set of fins 32 42 on the top or first surface 44 of the finned tube 16 and the second set of fins 32 46 on the bottom or second surface 48 of the finned tube 16 can be compressed or flattened by the pressing assembly 22 to form the flattened portion 49 of the finned tube 16.

[0035] like Figures 5-7 As shown, the pressing assembly 22 may include a housing 50 defining an opening 36. A handle 52 is rotatably supported on the housing 50 via a shaft 54. A pinion (not visible) at one end of the shaft 54 ​​engages a rack 56, such that rotation of the handle 52 about the shaft 54 ​​causes vertical movement of the rack 56. A top block 58 of the pressing assembly 22 is mounted at the bottom of the rack 56, and a bottom block 60 of the pressing assembly is mounted to the housing 50 below the top block 58.

[0036] When the user grasps the top portion 62 of the handle 52 and rotates it forward about the axis 54, the rack 56 moves downward, causing the top block 58 to move downward in the direction of arrow A, compressing or flattening the first group 42 fins 32. Simultaneously, as the top block 58 presses downward onto the first group 42 fins 32, the second group 46 fins 32 are forced downward and compressed or flattened by the bottom block 60 to form the flattened portion 49 of the finned tube 16 with height F. Figure 8 The finned tube 16 is shown, in which the first group 42 and the second group 46 fins 32 are in a flattened state.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, the stop 64 can be mounted to the housing 50 and positioned to engage the top block 58 and prevent it from moving downwards at the desired location. The positioning of the spacer 20 within the tube portion 28 of the finned tube 16 helps prevent the tube portion 28 from being compressed and flattened as the top block 58 moves downwards.

[0038] like Figure 9As shown, the gauge assembly 24 can include a first plate 66 that can be secured to the alignment bar 14 by fasteners such as gauge bolts 68. It should be appreciated that the first plate 66 can be secured to the alignment bar 14 by any type of fastener, and other suitable fasteners will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the gauge assembly 24 need not be secured to the alignment bar 14 and can be located at any desired location away from the alignment bar 14. A second plate 70 can be vertically spaced above the first plate 66, defining a first gap 72 having a first height H1 between the first plate 66 and the second plate 70. A first spacer 74 can be positioned between the first plate 66 and the second plate 70. A third plate 76 can be vertically spaced above the second plate 70, defining a second gap 78 having a second height H2 that is less than the height H1 between the second plate 70 and the third plate 76. A second spacer 80 can be positioned between the second plate 70 and the third plate 76. The first plate 66, the first spacer 74, the second plate 70, the second spacer 80, and the third plate 76 can all be secured to one another by one or more fasteners such as plate bolts 82. It should be appreciated that the first plate 66, the first spacer 74, the second plate 70, the second spacer 80, and the third plate 76 can be secured together by any type of fastener, and other suitable fasteners will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

[0039] The gauge assembly 24 can be used to determine whether the first set 42 and the second set 46 of fins 32 have been flattened by an appropriate amount such that the height F of the flattened portion 49 is sized to accommodate the strut 21. To use the gauge assembly 24, as Figure 10 shown, the flattened portion 49 of the finned tube 26 can be alternately inserted into each of the first gap 72 and the second gap 78. The height H1 of the first gap 72 and the height H2 of the second gap 78 can be sized to ensure that the flattened portion 49 is sized to accommodate the strut 21. When the height F of the flattened portion 49 is small enough that the flattened portion 49 can be slid into the first gap 72, as Figure 10 shown, but too large to be slid into the second gap 78, the user can be confident that the strut 21 will fit around the flattened portion 49.

[0040] Figures 11-14The diagram illustrates mounting a strut 21 onto the flattened portion 49 of a finned tube 16 using a tube strut clamping assembly 26. The strut 21 may include a top wall 84, a bottom wall 86, a rear wall 88, and a front wall 90, the front wall 90 having a bottom edge 92 pivotally connected to the bottom wall 86 and a free top edge 94. Initially, the strut 21 may be positioned in a recess 96 formed in a clamping housing 98 of the tube strut clamping assembly 26. A protrusion 100 may be formed on the rear wall 88 and may be received in a groove 102 formed in the rear surface 104 of the recess 96 to help retain the strut 21 within the recess 96.

[0041] The tube support clamping assembly 26 may include a clamping arm 106, which is pivotally connected to the clamping housing 98 via an arm shaft 108. A pair of link arms 110 may be pivotally connected at their first end 112 to a first arm shaft 114 supported by the clamping arm 106, and at their second end 116 to a second arm shaft 118 supported by a clamping block 120. The clamping block 120 may be pivotally connected to the clamping housing 98 via a block shaft 122.

[0042] In order to install the support bar 21 on the finned tube 16, as Figure 12 As shown, the flattened portion 49 of the finned tube 16 is inserted into the support slat 21 between the top wall 84 and the bottom wall 86, wherein the front wall is tilted forward away from the bottom wall 86. When the flattened portion 49 is properly positioned within the support slat 21, the clamping arm 106 can rotate rearward about the arm axis 108, causing the connecting arm 110 to pull the clamping block 120 and pivot it rearward about the block axis 122. As the clamping block 120 pivots rearward, it engages the front wall 90 of the support slat 21 and forces the front wall rearward, so that the lip 124 located at the free top edge 94 of the front wall is forced to engage with the groove 126 formed in the top wall 84 (see...). Figure 11 ), thereby enclosing the support bar 21 around the flattened portion 49 of the finned tube 16.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the strut clamping assembly is mounted on and attached to the worktable 12. It should be understood that the strut clamping assembly 24 does not need to be mounted on or attached to the worktable 12 and can be located at any desired location away from the worktable 12.

[0044] This document describes various embodiments of the tube support mounting assembly, which includes various components and features. In other embodiments, the tube support mounting assembly may be provided with any combination of such components and features. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the various means, components, and features of the tube support mounting assembly described herein may be constituted by similar structural and functional elements with different constructions, including different decorative appearances.

[0045] Those skilled in the art having the benefit of knowledge based on this disclosure will realize that various alterations to the disclosed devices and processes can be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that features described herein are susceptible to variations. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and / or steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the embodiments described herein. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. The specific embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in nature and are not to be considered as limiting. Other embodiments will readily occur to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the application is not limited in scope by the foregoing description, but encompasses all changes, modifications and alterations of the embodiments described herein, in conjunction with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pipe support mounting assembly, comprising: A spacer bar that extends along an alignment bar and is configured to be received within a finned tube; The pressing component includes: A housing having an opening through which the alignment rod extends; A top block, which is movably mounted to the housing and extends downward toward the alignment rod, and is configured to flatten out a first set of fins on a first surface of a portion of the finned tube; A pressing arm, rotatably mounted to the top block and operable to move the top block vertically relative to the housing; and A bottom block extending upward from the alignment rod and configured to flatten a second set of fins on an opposing second surface of a portion of the finned tube when the pressing arm rotates and moves the top block downward; and The tube support clamping assembly includes: A clamping housing having a recess configured to receive a support bar having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall pivotally connected to the bottom wall, the support bar being configured to receive the portion of the finned tube; and A clamping arm is connected to a clamping block via a pair of linking arms. The clamping block is pivotally connected to the clamping housing. The clamping block is configured to engage when the clamping arm rotates, forcing the front wall to snap into engagement with the top wall of the support bar.

2. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a gauge assembly comprising a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate, wherein the second plate is vertically spaced above the first plate and defines a first gap having a first height between the first plate and the second plate, and the third plate is vertically spaced above the second plate and defines a second gap having a second height less than the first height between the second plate and the third plate.

3. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a first spacer positioned between the first plate and the second plate, and a second spacer positioned between the second plate and the third plate.

4. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a stop block that can be releasably fixed to the alignment rod.

5. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a scale extending along the alignment rod.

6. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The scale measures the distance along the alignment rod from the center of the pressing assembly.

7. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing assembly includes a stop to limit downward movement of the top block.

8. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The link arm is pivotally connected at its first end to the clamping arm via a first arm shaft, and at its second end to the clamping block via a second arm shaft.

9. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping block is pivotally connected via a block shaft supported by the clamping housing.

10. A pipe support mounting assembly, comprising: A spacer bar that extends along an alignment bar and is configured to be received within a finned tube; A stop block, which is releasably fixed to the alignment rod; as well as The pressing component includes: Housing, through which the alignment rod extends; A top block, which is movably mounted to the housing and extends downward toward the alignment rod, and is configured to flatten out a first set of fins on a first surface of a portion of the finned tube; A pressing arm, rotatably mounted to the top block and operable to move the top block vertically relative to the housing; and A bottom block that extends upward from the alignment rod and is configured to flatten out a second set of fins on an opposing second surface of a portion of the finned tube when the pressing arm rotates and moves the top block downward; The tube support clamping assembly includes: A clamping housing having a recess configured to receive a support bar having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall pivotally connected to the bottom wall, the support bar being configured to receive the portion of the finned tube; and A clamping arm, connected to a clamping block via a pair of linking arms, the clamping block being pivotally connected to the clamping housing, the clamping block being configured to engage and force the front wall to snap into engagement with the top wall of the support bar when the clamping arm is rotated; and A gauge assembly configured to receive a flattened portion of the finned tube to determine whether the support bar can receive the flattened portion.

11. The tube support mounting assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, The gauge assembly includes a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate, wherein the second plate is vertically spaced above the first plate and defines a first gap having a first height between the first plate and the second plate, and the third plate is vertically spaced above the second plate and defines a second gap having a second height less than the first height between the second plate and the third plate.

12. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, It also includes a first spacer positioned between the first plate and the second plate, and a second spacer positioned between the second plate and the third plate.

13. The tube support mounting assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, It also includes a scale extending along the alignment rod.

14. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that, The scale measures the distance along the alignment rod from the center of the pressing assembly.

15. The tube support mounting assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, The link arm is pivotally connected at its first end to the clamping arm via a first arm shaft, and at its second end to the clamping block via a second arm shaft.

16. The pipe support mounting assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, The clamping block is pivotally connected via a block shaft supported by the clamping housing.

17. A pipe support mounting assembly, comprising: A spacer bar that extends along an alignment bar and is configured to be received within a finned tube; A stop block, which is releasably fixed to the alignment rod; The pressing component includes: A housing having an opening through which the alignment rod extends; A top block, which is movably mounted to the housing and extends downward toward the alignment rod, and is configured to compress a plurality of fins on a first surface of a portion of the finned tube; An arm, which is rotatably mounted to the top block and operable to move the top block vertically relative to the housing; A stop to limit downward movement of the top block; and A bottom block extending upward from the alignment rod and configured to flatten a plurality of fins on opposing second surfaces of a portion of the finned tube when the arm rotates and the top block moves downward; and The tube support clamping assembly includes: A clamping housing having a throat configured to receive a strut having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall pivotally connected to the bottom wall, the strut being configured to receive the portion of the finned tube; and A clamping arm, connected via a pair of linking arms to a rotatable block configured to engage and force the front wall of the tube support into snap-fit ​​engagement with the top wall; and A gauge assembly, the gauge assembly including a first plate, a second plate and a third plate, the second plate being vertically spaced above the first plate and defining a first groove having a first height between the first plate and the second plate, the third plate being vertically spaced above the second plate and defining a second groove having a second height less than the first height between the second plate and the third plate.

18. A method for mounting support bars on finned heat exchanger tubes, comprising: Position the spacer strip inside the tube portion of the finned tube; Insert the spacer strip into the first open end of the finned tube; The finned heat exchanger tube is passed through an opening in the housing of the pressing assembly and along an alignment rod that extends through the opening. The pressing assembly includes a bottom block extending upward from the alignment rod, a top block movably mounted to the housing and extending downward toward the alignment rod, and a pressing arm rotatably mounted to the top block. Rotate the pressing arm to move the top block downward, causing the top block to flatten a plurality of fins on a first surface of a portion of the finned tube and a plurality of fins on an opposing second surface of the portion of the finned tube to form a flattened portion of the finned tube. A strut having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall pivotally connected to the bottom wall is positioned in the throat of the clamping housing of a tube strut clamping assembly, the tube strut clamping assembly including clamping arms connected to a block via a pair of link arms, the block being pivotally connected to the housing; Position the flattened portion of the finned tube within the support bar; and Move the clamping arm so that the block engages and forces the front wall to snap into engagement with the top wall of the support bar.

19. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: Before positioning the spacer strip within the tube section, position the stop block along the alignment rod at the desired location.

20. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: Prior to the step of positioning the flattened portion of the finned tube in the support bar, the flattened portion of the finned tube is inserted into a gauge assembly to determine whether the height of the flattened portion will accommodate the support bar.

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