US 12,235,057 B2
Deflector and grid support assemblies for use in heat exchangers and heat exchangers having such assemblies therein
Vytautas V. Maciunas, Cherry Hill, NJ (US)
Assigned to Lindain Engineering, Inc., Pennsauken, NJ (US)
Filed by Lindain Engineering, Inc., Pennsauken, NJ (US)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/813,028.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/223,000, filed on Jul. 17, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0013237 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. F28F 9/22 (2006.01); F28F 9/013 (2006.01)
CPC F28F 9/22 (2013.01) [F28F 9/0131 (2013.01); F28F 2009/226 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A deflector and grid support assembly for use in a heat exchanger, comprising:
a grid support structure formed of a series of interconnected strips and having a peripheral exterior configured to be positioned, once installed in a heat exchanger, within an interior space defined by an interior surface of the heat exchanger such that the grid support structure substantially extends across a transverse cross-section of the interior of a shell of the heat exchanger, wherein the grid support has a first grid surface and an opposite second grid surface longitudinally spaced from the first grid surface, the grid support structure defines a plurality of passageways extending therethrough from the first grid support surface to the second grid support surface, the passageways being configured to support longitudinally extending tubes passing substantially perpendicularly to the first grid support surface through the passageways from the first grid surface to the second grid surface without substantially obstructing flow exterior to longitudinally extending tubes positioned in the passageways; and
at least one deflector plate, each deflector plate having a first deflector plate surface and an opposite second deflector plate surface, wherein the at least one deflector plate defines a plurality of tube receiving openings therethrough for supporting, once installed in the heat exchanger, longitudinally extending heat exchanger tubes, the deflector plate configured to cover at least one or more surface areas of the first grid surface to substantially obstruct flow through the deflector plate;
wherein the first grid surface is configured to receive the at least one deflector plate to form a deflector and grid support assembly; and wherein either (i) the grid support structure has a first area having a first thickness measured longitudinally from the first grid surface to the second grid surface and a second area having a second thickness measured longitudinally from the first grid surface to the second grid surface, wherein the first area is on at least one exterior area of the grid support structure and the first thickness is less than the second thickness and the at least one exterior area having the first thickness is configured to receive and seat the at least one deflector plate or (ii) the grid support structure has a first area having a first thickness measured longitudinally from the first grid surface to the second grid surface and a second area having a second thickness measured longitudinally from the first grid surface to the second grid surface, wherein the first area is on at least one central area of the grid support structure and the first thickness is less than the second thickness, and the at least one central area is configured to receive and seat the at least one deflector plate.