Abstract:
A closure assembly comprises a closure body adapted to be disposed in an opening in a structure. A closure body has a spirally disposed groove provided therein. A retaining member is made to be flexible for movement within the groove. Apparatus is operably connected to the closure body for moving the retaining member through the groove to a position wherein a portion of the retaining member engages the structure. The retaining member is further made of a size and material having sufficient shear strength to prevent movement of the closure body when the pressure applied thereto generates a force against said retaining member.
Abstract:
A closure for a chamber having an interior which can contain a fluid under pressure provides apparatus for latching the door of the chamber in its closed position and locking it in that position when the positive pressure within the chamber reaches a predetermined level. The closure includes a door that is moved by positive pressure within the chamber and, through appropriate mechanisms, activates locking apparatus that prevents the door from leaving its closed position as long as such pressure is present within the chamber.
Abstract:
In a plant for hydrogenating coal to form hydrocarbons, wherein coal in powder or piece form is fed from a hopper into a preparation chamber, is compressed, conveyed and heated by a rotor comprising a rotating friction element and passed, through a feed aperture, into a hydrogenation chamber wherein hydrogen is injected into it by nozzles, monitoring and controlling means are provided whereby upon the pressure in the hydrogenation chamber rising above that in the end of the preparation chamber adjacent the hydrogenation chamber, as measured by sensors and gauges, the feed aperture is closed and the rotor is stopped. Preferably the feed aperture is closed by providing a conical portion on the rotor and a conical seat on the cylinder forming the chamber, the rotor normally being held in a position to keep the feed aperture open by an hydraulic cylinder but upon the pressure sensors sensing over pressure in the chamber, the cylinder is vented by control means to close the feed aperture. The rotor is also stopped by the control means.
Abstract:
A pressure device is provided with a cover member which is removably attached thereto by a pair of clamping rings which are hydraulically actuated laterally outwardly and inwardly relative to flanges on the pressure device and cover member to respectively release the cover and interengage the cover with the device. The clamping rings are pivotally interconnected with the device such that lateral outward displacement of the clamping rings is accompanied by radial outward displacement of the pivot axis to provide clearance for removal of the cover member. The clamping ring members are guided during a portion of the lateral inward and outward displacement thereof, and the guide arrangement supports the clamping rings in the laterally outermost positions thereof. A safety interlock is provided between the displaceable ends of the clamping rings and the cover member to prevent lateral outward displacement of the clamping rings to release the cover member until the interior of the pressure device has been vented to atmosphere. For this purpose, the ends of the rings are provided with pins circumferentially interengaged by a latch plate, and the cover member is provided with a removable bleed valve which blocks displacement of the latch plate from the pins until the vessel has been vented and the valve removed from the cover member.
Abstract:
An improved joint for removably attaching first and second members together. The first member has a circular opening and a circular wall surrounding the opening and projecting axially outwardly from the opening. A double curved second member with a circular periphery has an annular flange with an inner surface surrounding the first member wall. Transmittal of radial forces from the second member annular flange to the first member wall is effected by contact of the walls with each other or by a spacer between and in contact with the walls. Removably securing the first and second members together is effected by shear studs or other securing devices.
Abstract:
Sealing means for controlling leakage of material between closely spaced apart, relatively moving coaxial annular surfaces. Essentially, leakage is controlled by providing a pumping channel on one of the surfaces and a leakage liquid retaining channel on the other surface. The pumping and leakage liquid retaining channels are cooperatively arranged to resist flow of leakage liquid between the surfaces. The sealing means are particularly adaptable for controlling leakage from processing passages of rotary processing apparatus.
Abstract:
The hold-down bolts on the cover of a pressure vessel cannot be loosened until a pressure relief valve has been opened to relieve the pressure in the vessel and to release a safety member positioned over the bolts.
Abstract:
A locking mechanism for a door of an autoclave made up of a vent plate, a diaphragm, and a seat and a pressure plate that engages a locking mechanism on the side of the diaphragm remote from the pressure side.The seat has a counterbore adjacent to its inner edge defining a shoulder. The diaphragm is clamped to the seat outwardly of the counterbore and the pressure plate can move into engagement with the flat surface defined by the counterbore when gas is under pressure in the chamber forcing the pressure plate against the door locking mechanism. The surface of the seat between the outer flat surface and the shoulder is contoured providing a smooth surface for the diaphragm to engage.
Abstract:
A portable spherically shaped pressure vessel utilizes a noninterfering sle pivot internally operable door slidably supported against an interior wall surface for safely storing and transporting an improvised explosive device therein. The door in its open position provides rapid unobstructed access through a conveniently positioned reinforced port hole and rapid closure of the port with complete sealing of the explosive contents contained within the vessel.
Abstract:
A door for an ultra-high vacuum chamber is disclosed which includes a sealing joint that maintains a hermetic seal when it is baked or otherwise subjected to high temperatures, while yet allowing an operator to have quick access into the interior of the chamber. The quick access door includes a vacuum flange adapted to be conventionally secured to a corresponding flange circumscribing an access port of a vacuum chamber. The door vacuum flange has a conical sealing surface about its inner periphery, and the door includes a sealing disc designed to hermetically mate therewith. That is, the sealing disc has a circumferential conical skirt providing a sealing edge and is mounted on a support arm which is selectively securable across the opening to position the sealing disc in front of the access opening. A drive arrangement is provided for moving the sealing disc from a retracted position adjacent the arm to a registering position in which such sealing disc closes the opening and engages the flange sealing surface. The drive further axially compresses the seal disc into the opening to generate stored energy in the disc which causes it to expand peripherally as necessary to accommodate any differential thermal expansion between the seal disc and the flange which otherwise might result in a vacuum leak.