Patent ID: 7117935

Claim:
A tube bundle device comprising: a plurality of parallel tubes, wherein the plurality of parallel tubes are arranged in a triangular configuration such that the tubes that are located within an interior of the plurality of parallel tubes are adjacent and spaced from six surrounding tubes; a plurality of tube support elements, wherein a select number of tubes in the plurality of parallel tubes having the tube support elements located thereon, wherein each tube support element includes support coils of a helically wound material, wherein at least a portion of the length of each of the tubes having the tube support element located thereon is contained within an interior circumference of the support coil, wherein the surrounding tubes being in contact with an exterior circumference of the support coil, wherein the surrounding tubes with no tube support element located thereon being in contact only with support elements; at least one tie rod extending parallel to the plurality of parallel tubes; and at least one tie rod support element located on each of the at least one tie rod, wherein the at least one tie rod comprising a helically wound material surrounding at least a portion of a length of a tie rod.