Remote operable fastener and method of use

• US 6,367,843 B1
• Filed: 04/13/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Automated Connectors Holdings LP
• Original Assignee: Automated Connectors Holdings LP
• Inventors: Fetzer, Kelly
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US09/291,435
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 285/411, 285/81, 285/920, 285/409, 285/420, 292/256.69
• US Class Current: 285/24
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 3/03 Pressure vessels, or vacuum vessels, having closure members or seals specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 25/10 for ovens with vertical chambers
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 33/00 Discharging devices; Coke guides
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/002 which can be controlled at a distance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/92 Remotely controlled

Abstract

At least one fastener and its method of use to securely fasten joints, preferably in pressure vessels, pipes, and other structures, intended to isolate internal volumes from the external environment, or in structural joints. The fastener preferably comprises at least one force reacting or force producing element capable of maintaining a gap between the end of at least one clamp segment of a clamp connector used on flanged structures to isolate a structure'"'"'s internal environment from its external environment to provide controlled contact with the flange members wherein uniform seal integrity is secured and contact surface wear is dispelled. In a preferred method of use, each fastener is used in conjunction with delayed cokers, wherein extremely high temperature and relatively low pressures are generated.

Claims

1. A remote operable fastener, wherein the fastener is capable of being incorporated into a remote operable clamp connector having clamp segments, including a first clamp segment and a second clamp segment, each clamp segment having at least two ends, and each clamp connector having at least one gap formed between one end of the first clamp segment end and one end of the second clamp segment end, the fastener comprising:

a plurality of force reacting or force producing elements capable of maintaining the gap, such that the failure of any one of force reacting or force producing element does not increase the gap.

2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the fastener is remote operable without rotating a threaded element.

3. The fastener of claim 1 wherein each clamp segment is capable of deflecting.

4. The fastener of claim 3 wherein each fastener is capable of producing a substantially uniform clamping force.

5. The fastener of claim 3 wherein each fastener is capable of providing a substantially uniform clamping force capable of seating a stainless steel, solid, flat metal, crush gasket.

6. The fastener of claim 3 wherein the clamp connector is capable of mitigating wear on the clamp segments.

7. The fastener of claim 1 wherein each clamp segment of the clamp connector and each fastener are assembled together on a support plate to facilitate disposition on a structural unit.

8. The fastener of claim 7 wherein each fastener is disposed on the structure without welding.

9. The fastener of claim 3 wherein each clamp segment is manufactured in an oversized condition.

10. The fastener of claim 1 further comprising an incorporated wedge such that the wedge is capable of allowing the force reacting or force producing elements to be adjustable.

11. The fastener of claim 10 wherein the elements are self-adjusting when remote operated.

12. The fastener of claim 1 further comprising at least one interlock disposed about two ends.

13. The fastener of claim 1 further comprising a spring tension disposed about two ends.

14. A method of using a remote operable fastener, wherein the fastener is capable of being incorporated into a remote operable clamp connector having at least two clamp segments, including a first claim segment and a second clamp segment each clamp segment having at least two ends, and each clamp connector having at least one gap formed between one end of the first clamp segment and one end of the second clamp segment, the fastener comprising a plurality of force reacting or force producing elements capable of maintaining the gap, such that the failure of any one force reacting or force producing element does not increase the gap, the method comprising:

activating the fastener to drive the clamp segments to a closed and locked state.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising activating each fastener to unlock and dispose to an open state.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising mounting the clamp connector on a preexisting structural unit.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the preexisting structural unit is part of a coking unit.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising manually interlocking each clamp segments to prevent inadvertent activation of the clamp segments.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising remotely cleaning each clamp segment using a cleaning substance.

20. A method for using a remote operable fastener, wherein the fastener is capable of being incorporated into a remote operable clamp connector having at least two clamp segments, including a first clamp segment and a second clamp segment, each clamp segment having at least two ends, and each clamp connector having at least one gap formed between one end of the first clamp segment and one end of the second clamp segment, the fastener comprising a plurality of force reacting or force producing elements capable of maintaining the gap, such that the failure of any one force reacting or force producing element does not increase the gap, the method comprising:

coupling flange members with the clamp connector by actuating each fastener to diminish the gap.