Energy absorbing tube support for furnace

Abstract

A deformable and replaceable energy absorbing structure mounted between the furnace floor tubes and floor tube support truss to absorb impact from falling slag and prevent tube damage. A beam, such as an I-beam extends from the supporting structure and is adapted to hold a deformable structure. A tie bar attached to the floor tube panel extends across the panel and rests upon the deformable structure. This arrangement is provided at as many contact points between the floor tube panel and support structure as necessary to support the dead weight of the tubes while still providing suitable energy absorption characteristics.

What is claimed as invention is:  
     
       1. In a furnace for boilers having a row of heat exchange tubes forming the floor of the furnace, a deformable and replaceable energy absorbing structure mounted between the furnace floor tubes and floor tube support truss, comprising: 
       a. an I-beam mounted on the floor tube support truss, said I-beam having support lugs attached thereto across the I-beam width so as to define a channel between the support lugs;  
       b. a deformable stand-off placed in the channel defined by the support lugs;  
       c. a tie bar positioned between said stand-off and the heat exchange tubes;  
       d. tie bar support lugs attached to two adjacent heat exchange tubes and spaced apart along the length of the heat exchange tubes such that the tie bar will fit between said tie bar support lugs; and  
       e. a pin placed through said tie bar support lugs under said tie bar.  
     
     
       2. In a furnace for boilers having a row of heat exchange tubes forming the floor of the furnace, a deformable and replaceable energy absorbing structure mounted between the furnace floor tubes and floor tube support truss, comprising: 
       
         a. a support member mounted on the floor tube support truss;  
       
         b. a deformable stand - off positioned between said furnace floor tubes and said support member;    
         c. a tie bar positioned between said stand - off and the heat exchange tubes;    
       
         d. tie bar support lugs attached to two adjacent heat exchange tubes and spaced apart along the length of the heat exchange tubes such that the tie bar will fit between said tie bar support lugs; and  
       
       
         e. a pin placed through said tie bar support lugs under said tie bar.  
       
     
     
       3. The deformable and replaceable energy absorbing structure in claim  2 , wherein said support member comprises an I- beam.    
     
     
       4. The deformable and replaceable energy absorbing structure in claim  2 , wherein said deformable stand- off is tubular.