Design and exploration of fixtures for circular tube sheets
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September 20 07:05:25, 2025
After the expansion of the tube and other related processes, the tube sheet undergoes significant elastic deformation, and in some cases, plastic deformation may also occur. This not only necessitates reworking the flange seat surface but also adds extra man-hours for the tube sheet processing, which can impact the overall heat exchange efficiency. More importantly, this type of deformation is one of the key causes of accidents after the equipment is put into operation. Therefore, minimizing and avoiding the elastoplastic deformation of the tube sheet has become a critical research topic to meet engineering safety standards. In practical production, the use of fixtures is considered one of the most direct and effective methods. This article focuses specifically on fixtures used for circular tube sheets.
From the perspective of domestic enterprises, current fixtures are typically designed for specific models of circular tube sheets. While these clamps have a simple structure and provide good clamping performance, their limitations are quite evident. The fixtures are often made of two separate parts, and due to the small clearance between the fixture and the heat exchanger, it becomes challenging to clamp using the Roots vacuum unit. Additionally, the plastic deformation of the tube sheet makes it extremely difficult to remove the fixture, increasing the risk of damaging the heat exchanger during disassembly. More importantly, these fixtures lack versatility—each model requires its own dedicated fixture, leading to higher production costs and longer manufacturing cycles. This issue has long been a challenge for manufacturers, hindering efficient industrial production.
To address these problems, a new universal manifold fixture has been designed. The author developed a novel type of universal tube clamp that has shown excellent results in both application and production practice. The design features a top clamping plate, a bottom clamping plate, and two side clamping plates, all of which are evenly distributed and mounted on corresponding support plates or slides. The top and bottom clamps can move horizontally and be adjusted as needed, while the side clamps can slide vertically and be precisely positioned. Unlike traditional clamps, which are made of rigid metal and cannot adapt to different sizes, this new design allows for greater flexibility. By eliminating the need for a separate fixture for each tube sheet, this universal clamp significantly improves efficiency, reduces costs, and enhances adaptability in industrial settings.