Abstract:
A cap for sealing pressure vessels is disclosed. The present invention permits a nominal closure to be formed by hand tightening and a substantially higher force to be applied to a cap by a separate clamp mechanism, thereby forming a pressure seal. In certain preferred embodiments, means for providing a process flow through a hole in the seal and filtering means are also provided as part of the cap assembly. A preferred application of the cap of the present invention is for the sealing of sample vessels used for supercritical fluid extraction of compounds from a solid matrix for subsequent chemical analysis. Methods of supercritical fluid extraction are also disclosed. The present invention thus provides methods and apparatus whereby the placement of a sample into a pressurized system may be automated and monitored to ensure adequate seals have been created and maintained within such pressurized systems.
Abstract:
A housing for the containment of instrumentation in a high pressure fluid environment that consists of a metallic endcap and ceramic cylinder bonded together. The improvement comprises a structure which results in the improved sealing of said housing as the fluid pressure increases. The cylindrical ceramic tube and endcap are dimensioned such that mechanical failure does not occur when exposed to the desired external operating pressures which includes up to 36,000 feet of water. The housing is designed to withstand the external operating pressures without being subject to mechanical failure or excessive deformation which results in the loss of pressure housing integrity via cracking or deformation of the ceramic tube, deformation of the endcap, or from failure of the bonding agent.
Abstract:
Hinge and latching structures associated with a door for a pressure vessel provides a tight and competent seal when the door is in sealed relationship with the opening of the vessel. The latching structure includes coupling structures which provide increased clamping engagement of the door in response to any increased pressure differential developed across the door.
Abstract:
A sterilizer is disclosed which includes control circuitry for automatically controlling a plurality of sterilization cycles. The control circuitry operates to control actuation of a door opening mechanism whereby a door of the sterilizer may be automatically opened a small amount at the conclusion of a sterilization cycle whereby the sterilizer may initiate a drying portion of the cycle without the assistance of an operator. In addition, a baffled water reservoir is provided such that a water filling area of the reservoir is separated from a steam recovery area of the reservoir to thereby provide efficient recovery of steam at the conclusion of a sterilization cycle.
Abstract:
A high speed door assembly, comprising an actuator cylinder and piston rods, a pressure supply cylinder and fittings, an electrically detonated explosive bolt, a honeycomb structured door, a honeycomb structured decelerator, and a structural steel frame encasing the assembly to close over a 3 foot diameter opening within 50 milliseconds of actuation, to contain hazardous materials and vapors within a test fixture.
Abstract:
An ultra-high vacuum chemical vapor deposition reactor which utilizes only a single large diameter, quartz to metal ultra-high vacuum seal or a water cooled viton seal, which is present at a first end of the reactor tube. The other end of the reactor tube has a substantially reduced diameter, and an ultra-high vacuum seal of correspondingly reduced diameter is used at this end. The pumping apparatus and the load station are both located at the first end of the apparatus to provide a single-ended operation.
Abstract:
A quick-acting closure with a retaining-ring, which enables fixture and detachment of a shell and a cover of a pressure vessel by the retaining-ring comprising, a circular groove formed on the inner face of the shell of the pressure vessel, and holes formed through the shell at a plurality of places in the circumferential direction of the circular groove, and a rod inserted through the holes and connected with the retaining-ring, wherein retaining-ring is positioned to be freely moved to the radial direction of the shell, the shell and the cover are fixedly installed by the retaining-ring engaging with the circular groove of the shell and the cover when the retaining-ring is moved forward to the inside direction of the diameter of the shell, and the retaining-ring is retracted into the circular groove to make the shell and the cover detachable when the retaining-ring is moved backward to the outside direction of the diameter. The closure may further comprises a protrusion formed on opposite sides of the cover to form space for retracting the retaining-ring therein.
Abstract:
An automated top head cover and stem guide assembly adapted for covering a top opening in vertical vessels such as coking drums, and a method for remotely operating the assembly. The top head assembly includes a flanged connector unit attached pressure-tightly to a top flange opening of a coking drum, and a top cover device including a cover unit pivotally attached to the flanged connector unit, so that the top cover unit can be pivotally lifted and moved aside. A stem guide device is also pivotally attached to the flanged connector unit, so that a stem guide unit can be pivotally moved downwardly into place over the top flange unit opening, after a stem member is inserted into the vessel. Following coke removal from the drum, the stem member is withdrawn, the stem guide unit is pivotally moved upwardly, and the head cover unit is moved downwardly to cover the coking drum flanged connector unit. The invention also discloses method steps for operating the head cover and stem guide devices of the assembly.
Abstract:
A continuous vacuum processing apparatus including a slit-type sealing portion and a guide roller for guiding an object to be processed. The guide roller is provided at each of the two sides of the sealing portion or at one side thereof. Tension is applied to the object to be processed by another device provided between the guide rollers while the object is being conveyed, so as to enable it to be processed without being damaged.
Abstract:
The disclosed pressurized vessel has a door seal which is pressurized by a steam supply. A diaphragm actuated solenoid valve is connected between the steam supply and the door seal. The diaphragm solenoid valve precludes the door seal from depressurizing unless the pressure within the vessel is within a preselected pressure tolerance. Also, a check valve is provided to preclude the door seal from completely depressurizing if the pressure at the steam supply is interrupted.