Closure Door Wedge Segments and Adjustable Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for pressure and vacuum vessels lack a simplified mechanism for positioning arcuate wedge segments, adequate adjustment mechanisms for planarity and concentricity, and effective tampering prevention, which complicates quick and secure access.
Innovation Solution
The closure apparatus features a sub body with an annular opening and a closure door that includes arcuate segments with wedge-shaped projections, cross bars that float axially, and adjustable hinges for planarity and concentricity, along with a lock member and manual leveraging features for enhanced security and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional closure mechanism is used to position arcuate wedge segments, then the segments can be securely retained, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional bracket mechanism entirely, replacing it with a simplified system where arcuate segments are directly positioned against the sub body using only wedge-shaped projections and retaining rings. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to securely retain segments during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure door is divided into multiple arcuate wedge segments that can be independently positioned and retained. Each segment has its own wedge-shaped projection that engages with the sub body, allowing for simplified individual positioning without requiring a complex unified mechanism for the entire closure door.
2Manufacturing precision
If the closure door is made rigid for structural strength, then it can withstand pressure differentials, but it becomes difficult to adjust planarity and concentricity
Solution Approach 1:
The closure door incorporates adjustable hinges that allow dynamic adjustment of the door's position and orientation. These hinges enable field adjustment of planarity and concentricity while the door remains structurally sound, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamically adjustable system that maintains both strength and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable hinges allow operators to change the geometric parameters (angle, position) of the closure door relative to the sub body. This enables precise control over planarity and concentricity by adjusting hinge positions, while the overall structural integrity is maintained through the rigid connection geometry.
3Productivity
If the closure mechanism is simplified for quick operation, then access speed increases, but tampering prevention and security decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The closure door includes pre-positioned lock features and sealing surfaces that are prepared in advance. When the door is closed, these features automatically engage to provide secure locking and sealing, allowing quick operation while maintaining security. The preliminary arrangement of these features ensures that security measures are activated automatically during normal operation without requiring additional complex locking steps.
4Reliability
If arcuate segments are tightly fitted to ensure sealing, then sealing effectiveness improves, but positioning complexity and difficulty of assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate segments feature localized wedge-shaped projections at specific contact points with the sub body. This local concentration of sealing features ensures effective sealing at the critical interface without requiring the entire segment to be tightly fitted, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining sealing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure is shown for an equipment sub. A closure door is carried by a sub body and movable thereto between open and closed positions for providing access to a pressure vessel. Various improvements are disclosed including a new mechanism for positioning wedge shaped arcuate segments between the door and the sub body, a retainer mechanism for guiding movement of cross bars, a split hinge adjustment mechanism for adjusting planarity and concentricity between the closure door and the sub body, an increased annular wall body thickness region surrounding the sealing surface for reducing warpage during welding, a pressure lock rod member which also engages a combination of cross bars and a crank for driving the cross bars, and a pry bar that can facilitate better manually operated leveraging of the closure door.