Tapered Vibration Suppression Member for Heat Transfer Tube Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for installing vibration suppression members in heat transfer tubes face difficulties due to varying clearance sizes caused by size tolerances and flatness variations, making it challenging to insert members of uniform thickness into heat transfer tubes with non-constant clearances.

Innovation Solution

A clearance increasing jig is used to temporarily expand the clearance between heat transfer tubes, allowing the insertion of vibration suppression members, which are then engaged and the jig is withdrawn, ensuring proper installation and vibration suppression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a vibration suppression member with uniform thickness is used, then the installation process becomes simple, but it cannot be inserted into heat transfer tubes with varying clearances due to size tolerances and flatness variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of vibration suppression memberVSAvoidinsertability into heat transfer tube
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration suppression member is designed with a tapered shape where the thickness gradually changes from one end to the other. This parameter change in thickness allows the member to adapt to varying clearance dimensions caused by manufacturing tolerances and flatness variations in the heat transfer tube, enabling successful insertion while maintaining a simple manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the clearance between heat transfer tubes is increased to accommodate the vibration suppression member, then insertion becomes possible, but the structural integrity and spacing precision are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertability of vibration suppression memberVSAvoidclearance precision of heat transfer tubes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the clearance, the invention changes the thickness parameter of the vibration suppression member itself. The tapered thickness profile allows the member to fit within the existing clearance dimensions while accommodating variations, thus maintaining the original clearance precision requirements for heat transfer tube installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the vibration suppression member is made thinner to fit narrow clearances, then insertion becomes possible, but the vibration suppression effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertability into narrow clearanceVSAvoidvibration suppression performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tapered thickness design allows the vibration suppression member to have greater thickness at certain sections where vibration suppression is most needed, while being thinner at other sections to facilitate insertion. This variable thickness profile optimizes both insertability and vibration suppression effectiveness, ensuring adequate contact area with the heat transfer tube for reliable vibration control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2687807B1Clearance increasing jig of heat transfer tube and additional installation method of vibration suppression member
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2687807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2687807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2687807B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A clearance increasing jig (80, 100, 110) of a heat transfer tube (5), includes: a jig main body (81) inserted into a clearance between adjacent heat transfer tubes (5); an inflow hole (88) provided in the jig main body (81) and configured to allow a fluid to flow into the jig main body (81); and an increasing unit (85) provided in the jig main body (81) and configured to increase the clearance as the fluid flows into the jig main body (81).