Patent ID: 8695688
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: F22B,F28D,F28F

Abstract:
1. A nubbed support bar for supporting the U-bend region of U-tubes in a nuclear steam generator, the U-tubes having a predetermined cross-sectional radius, each U-tube having an intrados and an extrados, the U-tubes being arranged in parallel tube layers, each tube layer extending from an innermost tube to an outermost tube and defining an in-plane direction and an out-of-plane direction, the nubbed support bar comprising: an elongated body having an inner end and an outer end, first and second sides, and a plurality of nubs projecting in the out-of-plane direction from the first side; wherein the nubs have a convex shaped tube contact face relatively parallel to the tube intrados of an adjacent U-tube and a flat shaped tube contact face relatively parallel to the tube extrados of an adjacent U-tube; and wherein there is spacing between the nubs to provide assembly clearance between the nubs and U-tubes.