Cuff for boiler tube assembly and method of manufacture

Abstract

A system for retaining boiler tubes in an array includes a bracket having a contoured surface defining at least one channel, the channel being semi-cylindrical and defined by an elongated cross section having a rounded portion and two elongated legs extending therefrom to define a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a planar section located at a terminus of each leg. The system also comprises a plate connectable to at least one planar section of the bracket. A method of manufacturing a cuff for a boiler tube assembly includes bending a bracket having at least one channel therein, the channel being configured to receive a boiler tube of the boiler tube assembly; and machining a plate, the plate being configured and sized to be positioned over the channel.

1 . A system for retaining boiler tubes in an array, the system comprising:
 a bracket comprising,
 a contoured surface defining at least one channel, the channel being semi-cylindrical and defined by an elongated rounded portion and two elongated legs extending therefrom to define a substantially U-shaped cross section, and 
 a planar section located at a terminus of each leg; and 
   a plate connectable to at least one planar section of the bracket;   wherein the connection of the plate to the at least one planar section of the bracket closes the two legs of the U-shaped cross section; and   wherein a boiler tube can be retained in the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plate includes at least one weldment slot located therein, the at least one weldment slot being configured to correspond with at least one planar section of the bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plate is welded to the at least one planar section of the bracket at the at least one weldment slot. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plate is connectable to the at least one planar section of the bracket using a bolt and nut. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket is fabricated from a Ni—Cr—Fe alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the Ni—Cr—Fe alloy is Alloy 601. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plate is fabricated from a stainless steel alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the stainless steel alloy is Alloy 309. 
     
     
         9 . A cuff for boiler tubes, the cuff comprising:
 a bracket having a contoured surface that defines at least one channel having open ends and an open top, the channel being configured to receive a boiler tube therein; and   a plate located on the bracket to close the open top of the at least one channel, thereby allowing the boiler tube to extend from at least one of the open ends of the channel.   
     
     
         10 . The cuff of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one opening on the plate at which the bracket can be attached to the plate. 
     
     
         11 . The cuff of  claim 10 , wherein the opening on the plate is a weldment slot at which a weld can be made to attach the bracket to the plate. 
     
     
         12 . The cuff of  claim 9 , wherein the bracket is a Ni—Cr—Fe alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The cuff of  claim 9 , wherein the plate is a stainless steel alloy. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a cuff for a boiler tube assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
 bending a bracket having at least one channel therein, the at least one channel being defined by open ends and an open top, the channel being configured to receive a boiler tube of the boiler tube assembly therein; and   machining a plate, the plate being configured and sized to be positioned over the open top of the channel;   wherein the plate is attachable to the bracket upon receiving the boiler tube in the channel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising welding the bracket to the plate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the bracket is bent from a Ni—Cr—Fe alloy flat stock. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plate is machined from a stainless steel alloy flat stock.