System and method for welding a plurality of small diameter palladium alloy tubes to a common base plate in a space efficient manner

摘要

The tube assemblies are joined together into a matrix by a plate. The plate has a first surface, an opposite second surface and a plurality of holes. Each hole has a countersunk region that descends into the plate from the first surface. Tube assemblies are provided. Each tube assembly has a first end, an opposite second end, and a flare structure. The flare structure is sized to be fully received within the countersunk region. The tube assemblies extend through the holes in the plate. The flare structure of each tube assembly is welded to the plate within the countersunk region of each hole through which each tube assembly passes.

主权项

1. A tube matrix, comprising:
a metal plate having a first surface, and an opposite second surface and a plurality of holes that extend from said first surface to said second surface, wherein each hole from said plurality of holes has a first beveled surface with a first angle and a first depth that funnels into said hole from said first surface; a plurality of hydrogen permeable metal tube elements, wherein each tube element from said plurality of hydrogen permeable tube elements has a first end, an opposite second end and a flare structure proximate said first end, wherein said flare structure has a second beveled surface with a second angle and a second depth that matches the first angle and the first depth of the first beveled surface, whereby the flare structure seats flush against the first beveled surface with none of the flare structure extending above the hole; wherein said plurality of hydrogen permeable metal tube elements extend through said plurality of holes in said plate, and wherein said second beveled surface of each said tube element is welded to said first beveled surface of each said hole through which each said tube element passes; wherein each said tube element in said plurality of hydrogen permeable tube elements is an assembly comprising a palladium alloy tube and a welding termination attached to said palladium alloy tube, wherein said flare structure is part of said welding termination; and wherein said plate and said welding termination are made from the same metal alloy.