US2309122A

US2309122A - Closure for pressure vessels

Info

Publication number: US2309122A
Application number: US365086A
Authority: US
Original assignee: Foster Wheeler Inc
Current assignee: Foster Wheeler Inc
Priority date: 1940-11-09
Filing date: 1940-11-09
Publication date: 1943-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 1960-01-26

Description

Jan. 26, 1943. w. F. KEENAN, JR

oLosURE FOR PRESSURE VE'ssELs Filed Nov. 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l am m6 .T051 mk@ Yo 5 vk. ,T NNE l T Ks s M f m Y wa Jn. 26, 1943. w. F KEENAN, JR y 2,309,122

CLOSURE FOR PRESSURE VESSELS Filed Nov. 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 26, 1943 2,309,122 CLosURE FOR PRESSURE vEssELs Walter F. Keenan, Jr., deceased, late of Pelham Manor, N. Y., by Anne B. Henderson, executrx, Charleston, W. Va., assignor to Foster Wheeler Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 9, 1940, Serial No. 365,086

15 Claims.

This invention relates to closures for pressure vessels such as are commonly employed in connection with vapor generators, superheaters, oil

. stills and the like, and to methods of and means for applying and removing such closures.

The invention provides a hand hole closure which is particularly well adapted to withstand Vthe high pressures and temperatures now prevailing in the generation and superheating of vapors, is of relatively simpleconstruction, and is capable of being readily assembled and disassembled when desired. The invention also provides a method of, and means for, readily and easily applying the closure to the hand hole and 'for removing it therefrom.

The nature of the invention will be apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and in which:

Fig. 1 is a partial longitudinal elevational view of a header having closures embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view of the header taken on line 2A2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional Aview of the apparatus taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 isa sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 'is a'. perspective view of one of the elements of the closure;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. '7, showing one means employed in assembling and inserting a closure rin a hand hole Opening;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing means employed in the removal of a, closure from a hand hole opening;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. l is a transverse sectional view taken on line Ill-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing other means employed in removing the closure from an open.

ing, and l Fig. l2 is a sectional view showing the final steps before all the elements of the closure can be entirely removed.

Like characters of reference refer to the same or to similar parts throughout the several views. Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. l to 5, reference character I0 designates genwall of the header to the interior II thereof. Each hand hole opening is formed to provide an outer, generallycylindrical portion, an intermediate recessed portion, and an inner seat portion. The outer portion I2 has oppositely disposed recesses I3 and I4 shaped to receive similarly shaped lugs `on the closure. The intermediate portion has oppositely disposedarcuate grooves I and I6 which extend between the recesses I3- and I4 at their inner ends as more clearly shown in Fig. 4. The seat portion of each hand hole opening has a circular upper portion and an inwardly flaring machined seat portion I'I. The wall of the header is cut away around the inner end of the seat I1 to provide space which is useful in the insertion and removal of the closure. An annular gasket I3 of suitable material lines the inner seat portion of the hand hole openings.

The closure comprises a plug having a frustoconical head I9 and a relatively heavy threaded stem 20, and a yoke member 2 I The head of the plug has an overalldiameter slightly less than the diameter in the smallest part of the inner' seat portion and of the entire hand hole opening, to permit the plug to be inserted in and removed from the hand hole opening, excepting when gasket I8 is in place. The yoke member 2| is arranged tobe received in the outer and intererally a header in which are a plurality of spaced s hand hole openings which extend through the mediate portions of the hand hole opening, and is of cylindrical configuration generally, with oppositely disposed

lugs

22 and 23 projecting from the lower portion of the member which are received in the recesses I3 and I4 respectively and thereafter in the arcuate grooves I5 and I6 respectively, when the yoke member is inserted in the hand hole opening and is rotated a quarter turn to the position shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The upper or outer end portion of the yoke member 2I is provided with diametrically opposed cutaway portions substantially at right angles to the

projections

22 and 23, which provide

flattened sides

24 and 25. The axial length of the yoke member 2| is such that the outer peripheral portion of the inner end is spaced from the upper end of the gasket I8 after it has been positioned finally on the plug seat, and the outer end projects somewhat beyond the outer cylindrical surface of the header and the attened

portions

24 and 25 cooperate with similarly shaped apertures in a locking plate 26 which prevents rotation of the yoke member after the latter has been finally positioned in the hand hole opening.

The locking plate 26 as shown, is shaped to conform with the normal transverse curvature of the outer header wall and is removably secured to the header, and ordinarily serves as locking means for a plurality of closures and may be of any desired length. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the locking plate is provided with apertures 21 shaped to receive the outer end portions of yokes 2I and has an aperture 29 in each end portion throughwhich extends a lug 30 welded tovthe header. Each lug 30 has a slot 3| therein which is shaped to receive a Wedge 32 to removably secure the plate 26 in locking position. When the locking plate is secured in position on the header, the assembled hand hole closure is nally secured and made pressure tight by a nut 28 threaded on the stem of the plug.

Figs. 6 and 7 show one method of, and means for, installing the gasket I8 and the plug in a hand hole opening. An installing tool is utilized which has a generally cylindrical body portion 33 dimensioned to fit freely in the outer portion of a hand hole opening, and a relatively long handle 34. The lower part of the body portion 33 of the tool is 4provided with diametrically opposed

lugs

35 and 36 which are shaped and their upper surfaces are bevelled so that the lugs will pass into and out of the recesses I3 and I4 and the arcuate -slots I and I6 and will engage the upper and lower walls of the slots to provide good frictional contact therewith. In assembling the closure, the annular gasket I 8 which origin-ally is cylindrical with an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the smallest diameter of the inner seat portion of the hand hole opening, is placed over the plug stem with the inner edge of the gasket resting on the plug head I9 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. The installing tool then is placed over the plug stem with the inner end of the tool resting on the outer edge of the gasket. The nut 28 is then threaded on the end of the plug stem and made hand-tight against the adjacent end of the tool. This assembly is placed in the hand hole opening with the plug head I9 and the gasket I8 in the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6, with the lugs and 36 at the bottom of the recesses I3 and I4 respectively, and in alignment with the -arcuate slots I5 and I6 respectively. By means of handle 34, the tool is turned clockwise as viewed in Fig. 7 to force the

lugs

35 and 36 into the slots I5 and I6 in the wall 0f the opening thereby to provide a bearing surface lfor the installing tool in the vessel. Up to this point, it will be understood that the gasket has not been expand'- ed against the plug seat. Nut 28 is now turned up against the outer end of the tool, using adeduate4 force to expand, or to deform, the gasket against the seat portion Il of the hand hole so that the plug will be seated properly. 'Ihe axial length o the body portion 33 of the tool is such that the gasket I8 will be confined to a position wherein the upper end of the gasket preferably will be spaced from the lower outer peripheral portion of the yoke, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. Thereafter, nut 28 is removed and the tool is Withdrawn from the hand hole without movement of the plug. Yoke 2| is placed on the plug stem with the

lugs

22 and 23 in alignment with the recesses I3 and I4-respectively. The yoke is then inserted in the hand hole until the

lugs

22 and 23 are in alignment with the arcuate slots I5 and I 6 respectively, and-is given a quarter turn to secure the yoke in position. Y The locking plate 26 is placed in position With the outer ends of the yokes 2l in the apertures in the plate, the locking plate is secured to the header by insertion of the wedges 32 in the slots 3l and the nut 28 is turned up tightly against the yoke member.

Figs. 8 to 12 of the drawings show one means employed, and a method to be followed, when it is desired to remove a closure from a hand hole. After removing the nut 28, the locking plate 26, and the yoke 2l, a cylindrical crimping tool 31, arranged to be placed on the stem of the plug and to t freely in the outer portion of the hand hole, and having a crimping surface 38 on its inner end which is shaped to crimp about half of the annular upper end portion of the gasket I8, the right hand half as shown in Fig. 10, is placed in the hand hole opening over the gasket as shown in Fig. 9. The nut 28 is threaded on the stem of the plug and is tightened against the outer end of the tool 31 until the outer edge 39 of the gasket is well crimped as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10. The crimping tool is removed from the plug and the plug is driven inwardly into the header. By utilizing a special cutting tool 40, a plurality of spaced slots are cut in the inner periphery of the gasket as indicated in Fig. ll. Ordinarily three such slots will sufce, one to be cut on the center line of the recess I3 or I4 and one about one-half inch on each side of the first slot. The blade of the cutting tool 40 is constructed and is used preferably, so that t-hese slots may be cut deeply in the gasket without cutting entirely through the gasket whereby injury to the plug seat will be avoided. Use is then made of a gasket removing tool 4I having a hooked end 42 and a pointed end 43. With the hooked end 42, the entire inner end portion of the gasket is crimped inwardly about an eighth of an inch starting prefer-ably at a point opposite the slots. Thereafter the hooked end 42 of the removing tool 4I is placed under the center slot and the tool is moved to cause the inner portion of this slotted section of the gasket to fold inwardly. The pointed end 43 of the tool III is then used in the manner indicated in Fig. 12, to pry the outer end portion of the gasket radially inwardly, after which the gasket can be removed from the hand hole opening. With the gasket removed, the plug can readily be removed from the hand hole.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that closures embodying the invention are rugged, and are capable of withstanding'very high pressures. The closure is also safe, because if the gasket is sheared through `by the plug as a result of excessive pressure, the plug and the other parts of the closure will not be ejected from the header or other pressure vessel, due to the manner in which the yoke cooperates with the wall of the header and to the restraining effect of the locking plate.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it is to be understood that changes may -be made in the particular form and arrangement of the parts described Without departing from the principles of the invention, which is not to be limited excepting by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a stem, the head beingadapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with the stem extending outwardly of the opening,I a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperablewith the vessel to secure the member in position in the opening, means acting on the plug stem and the yoke to apply pressure on the plug head to retain it in posiplug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperable with the vessel and constructed and arranged to secure the member in position in the opening, means acting, onl

the plug stem and the yoke to apply pressure on the plug head to retain it in position in the seat portion of the opening, and means to prevent rotary movement of the yoke member to lock the member in position in the opening.

3. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a stem, the headv being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with the stem extending outwardly of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the4 plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperable with the vessel and constructed and arranged to secure the member in position in the opening upon rotary movement of the member in the opening, means cooperable with the plug stem and the yoke to retain the plug head in position in the seat portion of the opening, and a locking plate cooperable with the yoke member and secured to the vessel to prevent rotation of theyoke member.

4. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a. stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with rthe stem extending outwardly of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the'stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperable with the vessel and constructed and arranged to secure the member in position in the opening upon rotary movement of the member in the opening, means cooperable with the plug stem and the yoke to retain the plug head in position in the seat portion of the opening, the yoke member extending beyond the outer wall of the vessel in the region adjacent the opening, and a locking plate cooperable with the outer portion of the yoke member and secured to the vessel to prevent robeing adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having an outwardly extending portion,v the vessel having a recess communicating with the opening to receive the outwardly extending portion of the yoke member when the member is inserted into the opening, and a slot communicating with the recess to receive said outwardly extending portion upon rotary movement of the member in the opening to secure the member in the opening, means acting on the plug stem and the yoke to apply pressure on the plug head to retain it in position in the seat portion of the opening, and means to prevent rotary movement of the yoke member after the outwardly extending portion has been moved into said slot.

6. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head anda stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with the stem extending outwardly of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having an outwardly extending portion, the vessel having a recess communicating with the opening to receive the outwardly extending portion of the yoke member when the member is inserted into the opening, and a slot communicating with the recess to receive said outwardly extending portion upon rotary movement of the member in the opening to secure the member in the opening, means cooperable with the plug stem and the yoke to retain the plug head in position in the seat portion of the opening, the outer end portion of the yoke member extending beyond the outer wall of the Vessel in the region adjacent the opening and having a non-circular configuration in transverse cross-section, a locking plate havy ingr an opening shaped to receive thea-outer end portion of the yoke member and cooperating with the member to prevent rotary movement of the yoke 'member after the outwardly extending portion has been moved into said slot,

, the seat portion of the opening to permit the plug to be inserted in and withdrawn from the opening with the axis of the plug substantially p-arallel to the axis of the opening, a gasket adapted to be disposed between said seat portion and the plug head and of a thickness suicien't to seat the plug head in the seat portion of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperable with the vessel to secure the member in position in the opening, l,means acting on the plug stem and the yoke to apply pressure on the plug head to retain it in position in the seat portion of the opening, and locking means for the yoke member.

8. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion o! the opening with the stem extending outwardly of the opening, the overall dimension of the plug head being less than the smallest dimension of the seat portion of the opening to permit the plug to be inserted in and withdrawn from the opening with the axis of the plug substantially parallel to the axis of the opening, a gasket adapted-to be disposed between said seat portion and the plug head and of a thickness suiiicient to seat the plug head in the seat portion of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperable with the vessel and constructed and arranged to secure the member in position in the opening upon rotary movement of the member in the opening, means acting on the plug stem and the yoke to apply pressure on the plug head to retain it in position in the seat portion of the opening, and means to prevent rotary movement of the yoke member to lock the member in position in the opening.

9. In a vessel having: an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with the stem extending outwardly of the opening, the overall dimension of the plug head being less than the smallest dimension of the seat portion of the opening to permit the plug to be inserted in and withdrawn from the opening with the axis of the plug substantially parallel to the axis of the opening, a gasket adapted to be disposed between said seat portion and the plug head and of a thickness sufficient to seat the plug head in the seat portion of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having an outwardly extending portion, the vessel having a recess communicating with the opening to receive the outwardly extending portion of the yoke member when the member is inserted into the opening, and a slot communicating with the recess to receive said outwardly extending portion upon rotary movement ofthe member the opening to secure the member in the opening, means acting on the plug stem and the yoke to apply pressure on the plug head to retain it imposition in the seat portion of the opening, and means to prevent rotary movement ofA the yoke member after the outwardly extending portion has been moved into said slot.

10. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with the stem extending outwardly of the opening, the overall dimension of the plug head being less than the smallest dimension oi' the seat portion of the opening to permit the plug to be inserted in and withdrawn from the opening with the axis of the plug substantially parallel to the axis of the opening, a gasket adapted to be disposed between said seat portion and the plug head and of a thickness suiiicient to seat the plug head in the seat portion of the opening, a yoke member arranged to received the stem of the plug 'and' being adapted to be disposed in the outer an outwardly extending portion, the vessel having a recess communicating with the opening to receive the outwardly extending portion of the yoke member when the-member is inserted into the opening, and a slot communicating with the recess to receive said outwardly extending portion upon rotary movement of the member in the opening to secure the member in the opening, means cooperable with the plug stem and the yoke to retain the plug head in position in the seat portion of the opening, the outer end portion of Y the yoke member extending beyond the outer wall of the vessel in the region adjacent the opening and having a non-circular configuration in transverse cross-section, a locking plate having an opening shaped to receive the outer end portion of the yoke member and cooperating with the member to prevent rotary movement of the yoke member after the outwardly extending portion has been moved into said slot, and means for securing the locking plate to the vessel.

1l. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with the stem extending outwardly of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperable with the vessel to secure the member in position in the opening, means cooperable with the plug stem and the yoke to retain the plug head in position in the seat portion of the opening, and a locking plate cooperable with the yoke member and secured to the vessel to prevent rotation of the yoke member.

12. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with the stem extending outwardly of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperable with the vessel to secure the member in position in the opening, means cooperable with the plug stem and the yoke to retain the plug head in position in the seat portion of the opening, the outer end portion of the yoke member extending beyond the outer wall of the vessel in the region adjacent the opening and having a non-circular conguration in transverse crosssection, a locking plate having an opening shaped to receive the outer end portion of the yoke member and cooperating with the member to prevent rotary movement of the yoke member after the member has been secured in position in the opening, and means for securing the locking plate to the vessel.

13. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with the stern extending outwardly of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having an outwardly extending portion, the vessel having a recess communicating with the opening to receive the outwardly extending portion of the yoke member whenthe memberis inserted into the opening, and a slot communicating with the recess to receive said outwardly extending portion upon rotary movement of the member` in the opening to secure the member in the opening, means cooperable with the plug stem and the yoke to retain the plug head in position in the seat portion of the opening, and a locking plate cooperable with the yoke member and secured to the vessel to prevent rotation of the yoke member.

14. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprisinga plug having a head and a stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening withthe stem extending outwardly of the opening, the over-all dimension of the plug head being less than the smallest dimension of the seat portion of the opening to permit the plug to be inserted in and withdrawn from the opening with the axis of the plug substantially parallel to the axis of the opening, a gasket adapted to be disposed between said seat portion and the plug head and of a thickness suiiicient to seat the plug head in the seat portion of the opening, a yoke member arranged to receive the stem of the plug and being adapted to be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperable with the vessel to secure the member in position in the opening, means cooperable with the plug stem and the yoke to retain the plug head inA position in the seat portion of the opening, and a locking plate cooperable with the yoke member and secured to the Vessel to prevent rotation of the yoke member.

15. In a vessel having an opening provided with an inner seat portion and an outer yoke member receiving portion, a closure for the opening comprising a plug having a head and a stem, the head being adapted to be disposed in the seat portion of the opening with the stem extending outwardly of the opening, the over-al1 dimension of the plug head being less than the smallest dimension of the seat portion of-the opening to permit the plug to be inserted in and withdrawn from the opening with the axis of the plug substantially parallel toV the axis 0f the opening, a gasket adapted to be disposed between said seat portion and the plug head and of a thickness sufficient to seat the plughead in the seat portion of the opening, a'yoke member arranged to receive the stem 'of the plug and being adapted to'be disposed in the outer portion of the opening, the yoke member having means cooperable with the vessel to secure the member in position in the opening, means cooperable with the plug stem and the yoke to retain the plug head in position in the seat portionlof the opening, the outer end portion of the yoke member extending beyond the outer wall -of the vessel in the region adjacent the opening and having a non-circular conguration in transverse .crosssection, a locking plate having an opening shaped to receive the outer end portion of the yoke member and cooperating with the member to prevent rotary movement of the yoke member after the member has been secured in posi-tion in the opening, and means for securing the locking plate to the vessel.

ANNE B. HENDERSON, Eecutri of the Estate of Walter F. Keenan,

Jr., Deceased.