Method of forming a jacketed steam distribution tube

• US 20060005387A1
• Filed: 07/09/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armstrong International Incorporated
• Inventors: Cheskaty, Rex, Grandlinard, Paul, Tase, Warren A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,150,100 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/890.52
• CPC Class Codes: B21C 23/085 Making tubes B21C23/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/76 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49256 with assembly or composite article making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49263 by coating or cladding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49361 Tube inside tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49389 Header or manifold making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49879 Spaced wall tube or receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49945 by driven force fit

Abstract

A method of forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly includes simultaneously extruding an inner tube, an outer tube, and a plurality of connecting members for connecting the inner tube to the outer tube, thereby forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly.

Claims

1. A method of forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly, the method comprising simultaneously extruding:

an inner tube;

an outer tube; and

a plurality of connecting members for connecting the inner tube to the outer tube, thereby forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are concentric.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner tube, the outer tube, and the plurality of connecting members are formed from aluminum.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connecting members comprise a pair of connecting members radially disposed about 180 degrees apart.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the pair of connecting members defines a first passageway and a second passageway between the inner tube and the outer tube.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method further includes attaching a first cap to a first end of the jacketed steam distribution tube assembly, the first cap sealing a first end of the inner tube, and the first cap fluidly connecting the first passageway to the second passageway.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method further includes attaching a second cap to a second end of the jacketed steam distribution tube assembly, the second cap defining a first steam inlet fluidly connected to the first passageway, a steam outlet fluidly connected to the second passageway, and a second steam inlet fluidly connected to the inner tube.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first steam inlet is further connected to a source of steam, the second steam inlet is connected to source of dry steam.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further includes forming a plurality of orifices radially outwardly through one of the connecting members between an inner surface of the inner tube and an outer surface of the outer tube.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the method further includes disposing condensate flow barrier tubes in the orifices, the condensate flow barrier tubes extending from the outer tube to a point inward of an inner surface of the inner tube.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the condensate flow barrier tubes are attached within the orifices with an interference fit.

12. A method of forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly, the method comprising:

forming an outer tube;

forming an inner tube;

forming a first connecting member extending radially outward of the inner tube and connecting the inner tube to the outer tube;

forming a second connecting member extending radially outward of the inner tube and connecting the inner tube to the outer tube; and

forming a plurality of steam orifices in the first connecting member, the steam orifices extending between an inner surface of the inner tube and an outer surface of the outer tube, thereby forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first and the second connecting members are disposed about 180 degrees apart.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are concentric.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the inner tube, the outer tube, and the plurality of connecting members are formed from metal.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the inner tube, the outer tube, and the plurality of connecting members are formed from aluminum.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further includes disposing condensate flow barrier tubes in the orifices, the condensate flow barrier tubes extending from the outer tube to a point inward of an inner surface of the inner tube.

18. A method of forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly, the method comprising:

simultaneously extruding;

an inner tube;

an outer tube; and

a plurality of connecting members for connecting the inner tube to the outer tube, thereby forming a jacketed steam distribution tube assembly having a first predetermined length; and

dividing the first predetermined length of the jacketed steam distribution tube assembly into a plurality of jacketed steam distribution tube portions.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further includes attaching a first cap to a first end of at least one of jacketed steam distribution tube assembly and the jacketed steam distribution tube portions, and attaching a second cap to a second end of the at least one of the jacketed steam distribution tube assembly and the jacketed steam distribution tube portions.

20. The method according to claim 19;

wherein the plurality of connecting members defines a first passageway and a second passage way between the inner tube and the outer tube;

wherein the first cap seals a first end of the inner tube and fluidly connects the first passageway to the second passageway; and

wherein the second cap defines a first steam inlet fluidly connected to the first passageway, a steam outlet fluidly connected to the second passageway, and a second steam inlet fluidly connected to the inner tube.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the inner tube, the outer tube, and the plurality of connecting members are formed from metal.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the inner tube, the outer tube, and the plurality of connecting members are formed from aluminum.