Abstract:
A boiler apparatus comprises a supply manifold which includes a first flange having a first aperture defined therein. A boiler tube, including a second flange having an aperture defined therein, is secured to the manifold. A releasable fastener maintains sealed engagement of the first flange with the second flange.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0004]    This invention pertains to boiler tubes. 
         [0005]    More particularly, this invention pertains to boiler tubes which are periodically replaced and provide an improved structure for attachment and detachment from a boiler using standard tools. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    In the field of boilers, it is common to provide a supply manifold with a plurality of boiler tubes. Water is provided through the manifold to the boiler tubes to provide hot water or steam. Over time, the boiler tubes must be replaced because they receive the direct heat of the boiler and therefore deteriorate faster than the manifold. Accordingly, the boiler tubes have been releasably secured to the manifold for ease of replacement. 
         [0008]    The standard connection method for releasably securing a boiler tube to a manifold is to define an aperture in the manifold, secure a tapered ferrule to the end of the boiler tube and then forcibly insert the ferrule into the aperture, as with a sledge hammer, for example. Unfortunately, there are several detrimental aspects of this attachment system. 
         [0009]    One negative aspect of the system is that special tools are required to hold the boiler tube in position while it is struck to prevent damage to the tube and transfer the energy from the hammer to the tube. In addition, during transportation and installation of the boiler, it is common for a boiler tube to become dislodged from the manifold and thus require re-installation in the field. Again, special tools are required. Also, during field re-installation/replacement of boiler tubes, the Tube Keeper Bolts are prone to breakage. To replace the Tube Keeper Bolts requires certified welding, ASME Inspection, Hydro-Static Testing, and the required “R” Stamp denoting repair of the vessel. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system for connecting a boiler tube to a manifold which requires only standard tools and which is not subject to disengagement during transport and installation. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a boiler apparatus comprises a supply manifold which includes a first flange having a first aperture defined therein. A boiler tube, including a second flange having an aperture defined therein, is secured to the manifold. A releasable fastener maintains sealed engagement of the first flange with the second flange. The releasable fastener is removable for replacement using standard tools in contrast to the special tools required heretofore. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded cross-sectional elevation view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1   
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    An apparatus for removably securing a boiler tube to a manifold is disclosed. Referring to the drawings in which numbered parts represent similar parts, a tubular boiler manifold  10  defines a plurality of first apertures  12 . A first extension tube  14  extends radially outwardly from the first aperture  12  and defines a distal aperture  16 . The first extension tube  14  is sealingly secured to the manifold  10 , as by welding, for example. 
         [0017]    A first flange  18  extends around the distal aperture  16 . The first flange  18  is sealingly secured to the first extension tube  14  as by welding, for example. A plurality of first fastening apertures  20  are defined in the first flange  18 . Each of the fastening apertures  20  is adapted to slidingly receive an elongated threaded bolt  22  having an expanded head  24  at one end and an opposing threaded distal end  26 . 
         [0018]    An elongated boiler tube  28  includes an attachment end section  30  which terminates in a shoulder  32  which extends circumferentially outwardly from the attachment end section  30  and defines a second aperture  34 . A second flange  36  is slidingly mounted upon the boiler tube  28  and defines a plurality of second fastening apertures  38 . Each of the second fastening apertures  38  is adapted to slidingly receive an elongated, threaded bolt  22  having an expanded head  24  at one end and an opposing threaded distal end  26 . The pattern of first fastening apertures and the pattern of second fastening apertures are substantially identical so that when the bolts  22  are inserted through the first fastening apertures  20  and the second fastening apertures  38 , the bolts  22  are aligned parallel to one another and generally perpendicular to the planes defined by the first flange  18  and the second flange  36 . 
         [0019]    A gasket  40  is located between the first flange  18  and the second flange  36 . The gasket  40  defines a central aperture  42  substantially similar in size and shape to the first aperture  16  and the second aperture  34 . The gasket  40  also defines a plurality of apertures  44  which are sized similarly to the fastening apertures  20  and  38  and arranged in a pattern similar to the apertures  20  and  38 , whereby the bolts  22  extend through the apertures  44  when they extend through the apertures  20  and  38 . 
         [0020]    Each of the threaded bolts  22  is provided with a lock washer  46  and a threaded nut  48  adapted to threadably engage the bolt  22 . 
         [0021]    In operation, the gasket  40  is located between said first flange  18  and said second flange  36 . The apertures  20  defined in the first flange  18  are aligned with the apertures  44  defined in the gasket  40  and with the apertures  38  defined in the second gasket. Simultaneously, the aperture  16  defined in the first flange  18  is aligned with the aperture  42  defined in the gasket and the aperture  34  defined in the boiler tube  28 . A bolt  22  is inserted through each of the sets of aligned apertures  20 ,  44  and  38 , a lock washer  46  is mounted upon the bolt  22  and a nut  48  is threadably mounted upon the bolt  22 . Thereafter, the nuts  48  are tightened to sealingly engage the gasket  40  between the first flange  18  and the second flange  36 . Simple wrenches may be used for the tightening of the nuts  48 . 
         [0022]    When a boiler tube  28  requires replacement, simple wrenches may be used to loosen the nuts  48  and the installation process is reversed to leave the manifold prepared for installation of a replacement boiler tube  28 . 
         [0023]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that various fasteners other than threaded bolts can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Also, the elimination of 1 or 2 or the fastening bolts, washers, and/or nuts should not be recognized as departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0024]    While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.