Modular pressure vessel unheading and containment system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pressure vessel unheading and containment system for removing a cover from a pressure vessel in an unheading operation, said system comprising:
- an unheading apparatus including a cover removably secured to the pressure vessel and a lock plate cooperating with said cover, and a cover moving mechanism capable of moving said cover vertically and laterally; and
a modular enclosure mechanism including a chassis and substantially enclosing said cover during the unheading operation, said chassis being adapted to support said cover during the unheading operation, said chassis being adapted to support said cover during the unheading operation.
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Abstract
An unheading and containment system for unheading and heading a pressure vessel includes an unheading apparatus for removing a cover from a pressure vessel in an unheading operation and a modular enclosure, mechanism to substantially enclose the cover during the unheading operation. The unheading apparatus includes a cover removably secured to the pressure vessel, a lock plate cooperating with the cover, and a cover moving mechanism capable of moving the cover vertically and laterally.
46 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A pressure vessel unheading and containment system for removing a cover from a pressure vessel in an unheading operation, said system comprising:
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an unheading apparatus including a cover removably secured to the pressure vessel and a lock plate cooperating with said cover, and a cover moving mechanism capable of moving said cover vertically and laterally; and
a modular enclosure mechanism including a chassis and substantially enclosing said cover during the unheading operation, said chassis being adapted to support said cover during the unheading operation, said chassis being adapted to support said cover during the unheading operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A pressure vessel unheading and containment system, comprising:
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a removable cover closing a pressure vessel bottom outlet; and
a chassis substantially enclosing an area between the bottom outlet and through an unheading deck, with said cover contained within the enclosed area in an open position and a closed position, wherein said chassis includes a hood that is movable relative to a portion of said chassis from a closed position to an open position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
a flange mounted to the pressure vessel at the bottom outlet; and
a lock plate cooperatively connected to said cover, with said flange and said lock plate cooperating to secure said cover to the bottom outlet.
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19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a plurality of fasteners mounted on said flange and cooperating with said lock plate to secure said cover to the pressure vessel when the cover is brought into aligned contact with said flange.
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20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said fasteners include a plurality of actuators for extending and retracting bolts therefrom.
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21. The system according to claim 20, wherein said bolts include a head at one end and each being slidably attached to an actuator at another other end, and wherein said lock plate has a plurality of holes, the holes having (i) a wider portion through which said bolt head can pass and (ii) a narrower portion through which said bolt head cannot pass, said lock plate being movable between a first position, in which the narrower portions of the holes are aligned with said bolts, and a second position, in which the wider portions of the holes are aligned with said bolts.
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22. The system according to claim 21, wherein said cover has througholes dimensioned and located to allow said bolts to extend therethrough when said cover is brought into aligned contact with said flange.
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23. The system according to claim 21, further comprising a lock plate moving mechanism capable of moving said lock plate laterally between the first and second positions.
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24. The system according to claim 23, wherein said lock plate moving mechanism comprises at least one horizontally-oriented actuator to move said lock plate laterally.
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25. The system according to claim 24, wherein said actuator includes a rod, and said lock plate includes slots adapted to removably engage said rod when said cover is lifted into contact with the pressure vessel.
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26. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a cover moving mechanism capable of moving said cover vertically and laterally.
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27. The system according to claim 26, wherein said cover moving mechanism includes at least one vertically-oriented actuator to move said cover vertically.
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28. The system according to claim 26, wherein said cover moving mechanism includes at least one horizontally-oriented actuator to move said cover laterally and guide rails disposed within said chassis to slidably support said cover.
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29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said cover includes at least one projection adapted to engage said horizontally-oriented actuator.
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30. A pressure vessel unheading and containment system, comprising:
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unheading means for unheading a cover from a bottom outlet of the pressure vessel; and
enclosure means for substantially enclosing an unheading operation performed by said unheading means, wherein said enclosure means comprises a chassis that is adapted to support the cover during the unheading operation. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification