Pressure Vessel Closure With Rotating Lug Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current closure devices for pressure vessels require significant time and effort to tighten and loosen lug bolts, leading to potential leakage issues if not properly secured.
Innovation Solution
A closure system featuring a hub, door, hinge assembly, locking assembly with slide lock, locking lug arms, pressure alert valve, and handle, allowing for easy access and secure sealing by moving locking lug arms between locking and unlocking positions, with a pressure alert mechanism ensuring safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lug bolts are used to provide tight sealing engagement, then sealing reliability is improved, but operation time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system divides the locking function into multiple independent locking lugs distributed around the perimeter, each capable of engaging separately with the hub. This segmentation allows the door to be secured at multiple points simultaneously through a single rotating action, rather than requiring sequential tightening of multiple bolts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical bolt-tightening system with a rotating locking lug system. Instead of requiring tools and multiple tightening actions, the system uses a quarter-turn or limited-rotation mechanism that engages locking lugs with corresponding grooves or receptacles on the hub, dramatically reducing operation time while maintaining sealing integrity.
2Reliability
If multiple lug bolts are used around the perimeter, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple fastening elements into a single integrated locking mechanism. The rotating door assembly incorporates multiple locking lugs that engage with the hub simultaneously through one rotational motion, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate bolt operations into a unified action.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lug design provides multi-functionality: the same structural elements that provide sealing engagement also provide mechanical locking, and the single rotating operation performs both unlocking and locking functions. This eliminates the need for separate fastening and sealing components, reducing overall device complexity.
3Strength
If traditional lug bolts are used, then structural strength is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system transitions from a static bolted connection to a dynamic rotating locking mechanism. The locking lugs are designed to engage and disengage through rotation, allowing the door to move between locked and unlocked positions easily. This dynamic mechanism maintains structural strength during operation while dramatically improving ease of opening and closing.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure for pressure vessels provides ease in access to the inside of a pressure vessel and at the same time provides a tight pressure seal for the closure. The closure for pressure vessels includes a hub adapted to fit on to an opening on the pressure vessel, a door connected to the hub, a hinge assembly to secure the door to the hub, and a locking assembly attached to the door. The locking assembly includes a slide lock operating around a central support, a plurality of locking lug arms radially operating around the central support, a pressure alert valve connected to the door, and a handle connected to the slide plate operating around the central support. The handle moves the locking assembly from a locking position to an unlocking position as the result of the groove pattern machined in the back of the slide plate.