Apparatus for sealing a vacuum tank door
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorsCody L. Sewell, David A. Bural
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for sealing a vacuum tank door. The apparatus comprises a circular flange attached to a door panel of a vacuum tank, a horizontal crossbar connected to the center of the door panel and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly comprises an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm, and a hydraulic cylinder. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes the linkage assembly to move downwards pulling on the horizontal crossbar and pulling the vacuum tank door towards the tank. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder also causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm to the to the tank creating a tight seal between the vacuum tank door and the tank.
Claims20
A door assembly comprising:
- a dome-shaped door having an inner surface, an outer surface, a cylindrical base, an apex and a central axis that extends through the apex in an orthogonal relationship to the base;
- a first brace engaging the inner surface and joining opposed portions of the base;
- a second brace engaging the inner surface and joining opposed portions of the base, in which the second brace is orthogonally disposed relative to the first brace;
- a third brace engaging the inner surface and joining opposed portions of the base, in which the third brace is parallel to the first brace;
- a fourth brace engaging the inner surface and joining opposed portions of the base, in which the fourth brace is parallel to the second brace;
- and
- a plurality of brackets connected to the outer surface of the door at points equidistant from the central axis, the brackets being operatively connectable to a door movement assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.