DESC:“SELF-ALIGNMENT SUPPORTING FIXTURE FOR HEAT EXCHANGER’S EGG CRATE ASSEMBLY MACHINING IN A VERTICAL BORING MACHINE”

FIELD OF INVENTION:

[001] This invention relates to the faultless method of Heat Exchanger’s Egg Crate Tube support assembly machining using self-alignment supporting fixture in a vertical boring machine.

BACKGROUND ART/ PRIOR ART:

[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[003] In existing practices, the machining of Egg Crate is carried out by directly mounting on the machine rotary bed. In this method, the Egg Crate setting in the vertical boring machine with respect to table centre is less accurate in the run-out and more time consuming.

[004] In order to overcome the aforesaid shortcomings, the present invention has been introduced.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION:

[005] It is therefore an object of the present invention manufacturing of Self-alignment supporting fixture for Heat Exchanger’s Egg Crate assembly machining in a vertical boring machine.

[006] Another object of the present invention is manufacturing of Self-alignment supporting fixture for Heat Exchanger’s Egg Crate assembly machining in a vertical boring machine, which overcomes drawbacks of the prior technologies.

[007] Still another object of the present invention is manufacturing of Self-alignment supporting fixture for Heat Exchanger’s Egg Crate assembly machining in a vertical boring machine, which is simple comparatively.

[008] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[009] One or more drawbacks of conventional systems and process are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the apparatus/composition and a method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be part of the claimed disclosure.

[0010] According to the invention, there is provided Self-alignment supporting fixture for heat exchanger’s egg crate assembly machining in a vertical boring machine, wherein the Self-alignment supporting fixture (B) is disposed between Vertical Boring Machine bed (A) and Egg crate assembly fixture (C), in which the Self-alignment supporting fixture (B) comprises of

[0011] Top plate (01) having multiple slots for clamping the Egg Crate assembly fixture (C) and having a provision at middle for self-alignment with the Egg Crate assembly fixture (C), a bottom plate (02) with multiple slots for clamping with the Vertical Boring Machine bed (A) and having a provision at middle thereof for self-alignment with the Vertical machine bed (A), in which multiple support pipes (3) and a centre pipe (04) are provided to ensure the structural integrity of the Self-alignment supporting fixture (B).

[0012] The top plate (01) and bottom plate (02) are circular plate.

[0013] A circular groove (X) is provided in the top plate (01) to facilitate the run-out setting with respect to the Vertical Machine bed (A).

[0014] A circular groove (Y) is provided in the Egg Crate assembly fixture (C) to facilitate the run-out setting with respect to said vertical Machine bed (A).

[0015] The Self-alignment supporting fixture for Heat Exchanger’s Egg Crate assembly machining in a vertical boring machine comprises the following steps of:

- Self-alignment in the supporting fixture at bottom side to suit machine rotary bed,
- Self-alignment in the supporting fixture at top side to suit Egg Crate assembly fixture,
- Egg Crate Assembly run-out setting with respect to machine rotary bed center using circular grooves in the supporting fixture and Egg Crate assembly fixture.

[0016] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

[0017] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0019] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:-

[0020] Figure 1 shows: Egg crate assembly machining setup according to the present invention.
[0021] Figure 2 shows: Isometric view of self-alignment supporting fixture of the invention.
[0022] Figure 3 shows: Sectional views of Self-alignment supporting fixture in accordance with the invention.

[0023] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

[0024] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] The present invention makes a disclosure regarding a technology pertaining to invention on self-alignment supporting fixture for heat exchanger’s egg crate assembly machining in a vertical boring machine.

[0026] Any type of Steam Generators and Heat Exchangers contain a large shell and many tubes. A fluid stream passes through the tubes, and another stream passes through the shell to trade heat energy. The Egg Crate assembly serves two important functions in any Steam Generator and Heat Exchanger. Firstly, they support the tubes during assembly and operation and help prevent vibration from flow-induced eddies. Secondly, they direct the shell-side fluid back and forth across the tube bundle to provide effective velocity and heat transfer rates.

[0027] In this present innovation, a Self-alignment supporting fixture (B) is manufactured to suit the Egg Crate assembly (C) machining in one side and to suit the machine bed (A) in other side with self-seating provisions on the supporting fixture.

[0028] Now, reference may be made to Fig.01, in which the total assembly of Egg crate machining setup is shown including: Vertical Boring Machine bed (A), Self-alignment supporting fixture (B) and Egg crate assembly fixture (C).

[0029] Referring to Fig .02 & 03, the Self-alignment supporting fixture (B) is shown in Isometric view. It will be mounted on Vertical boring machine.The various features of the Self-alignment supporting fixture (B) can be discussed hereinunder.

[0030] The Top plate (01) is a circular plate and it has multiple slots for clamping Egg Crate assembly fixture (C). The top plate (01) has a provision at middle of the plate for self-alignment with Egg Crate assembly fixture (C). Further, there is provision of a bottom plate (02), which is also a circular plate with multiple slots for clamping with Vertical Boring Machine bed (A) and it has a provision at middle of the plate for self-alignment with the Vertical machine bed (A). The support pipes (3) of multiple numbers and a centre pipe (04) are provided to ensure the structural integrity of Self-alignment supporting fixture.

[0031] In Fig.01, a circular groove (X) is provided in the top plate (01) to facilitate the run-out setting with respect to the Vertical Machine bed (A). Also, a circular groove (Y) is provided in the Egg Crate assembly fixture (C) to facilitate the run-out setting with respect to said vertical Machine bed (A).

[0032] Self-alignment supporting fixture for Heat Exchanger’s Egg Crate assembly machining in a vertical boring machine involves the following steps of:

- Self-alignment in the supporting fixture at bottom side to suit machine rotary bed.
- Self-alignment in the supporting fixture at top side to suit Egg Crate assembly fixture.
- Egg Crate Assembly run-out setting with respect to machine rotary bed center using circular grooves in the supporting fixture as well as Egg Crate assembly fixture.
ADVANTAGEOUS OF INVENTION

[0033] It helps to set the Egg Crate assembly in the vertical boring machine rotary bed within 0.1mm run-out at short duration;
- It gives very good structural integrity during Egg Crate assembly machining.

TEST RESULT

Sl. No Parameters Existing practices Present method
01 Run-out between machine bed and Egg crate fixture during setting on machine Within 0.5mm Within 0.1mm
02 Egg crate fixture setting duration on machine bed More than 2 hours Within 1 hour

WORKING OF INVENTION

The Egg crate accuracy in Run-out is maintained within 0.1mm which helps to assemble frame ring perfectly. It also gave very good structural integrity during Egg Crate assembly machining.

[0034] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0035] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[0036] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particulars claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogues to “at least one of A, B and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B”.

[0037] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.

[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.

[0039] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.

[0040] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
,CLAIMS:We Claim
1. Self-alignment supporting fixture for heat exchanger’s egg crate assembly machining in a vertical boring machine, wherein the Self-alignment supporting fixture (B) is disposed between Vertical Boring Machine bed (A) and Egg crate assembly fixture (C), in which the Self-alignment supporting fixture (B) comprises of Top plate (01) having multiple slots for clamping the Egg Crate assembly fixture (C) and having a provision at middle for self-alignment with the Egg Crate assembly fixture (C), a bottom plate (02) with multiple slots for clamping with the Vertical Boring Machine bed (A) and having a provision at middle thereof for self-alignment with the Vertical machine bed (A), in which multiple support pipes (03) and a centre pipe (04) are provided to ensure the structural integrity of the Self-alignment supporting fixture (B).

2. The Self-alignment supporting fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top plate (01) and bottom plate (02) are circular plate.

3. The Self-alignment supporting fixture as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a circular groove (X) is provided in the top plate (01) to facilitate the run-out setting with respect to the Vertical Machine bed (A).

4. The Self-alignment supporting fixture as claimed in claims 1-3, wherein a circular groove (Y) is provided in the Egg Crate assembly fixture (C) to facilitate the run-out setting with respect to said vertical Machine bed (A).

5. Self-alignment supporting fixture for Heat Exchanger’s Egg Crate assembly machining in a vertical boring machine comprises the following steps of:

- Self-alignment in the supporting fixture at bottom side to suit machine rotary bed,
- Self-alignment in the supporting fixture at top side to suit Egg Crate assembly fixture,
- Egg Crate Assembly run-out setting with respect to machine rotary bed center using circular grooves in the supporting fixture and Egg Crate assembly fixture