A tube bundle device useful in heat exchangers, condensers and other
devices which has a number of tube support cages placed at extended
locations along the length of the tubes. After the initial construction
of the bundle in which the tubes are inserted into the support cages the
tube bundle is stiffened by inserting sets of tube stakes between the
tube support cages, preferably at the midpoint of the tube span between
the cages. The tubes are supported by rods or bars in each tube lane at
the tube support cage locations and the rods in each cage are rotated
axially with respect to the rods in the next adjacent cage; in a similar
manner, the stakes in each set are rotated axially with respect to the
stakes in the next axially adjacent set.