# US 11,998,868 B2 · Confined space sealing system and method

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- Number: US 11,998,868 B2
- Document ID: US11998868B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/125,136
- Filed: 2020-12-17
- Published: 2021-06-17
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2019-12-17
- Assignees: Jonell filtration Products, Inc.
- Applicants: Jonell Filtration Products, Inc.
- Inventors: Alan Lee Clarke; Schuyler Steven Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998868B2

## CPC

- B01D 46/0005: {Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames (B01D46/2422 takes precedence)}
- B01D 46/4227: {Manipulating filters or filter elements, e.g. handles or extracting tools}
- B01D 29/96: in which the filtering elements are moved between filtering operations; Particular measures for removing or replacing the filtering elements; Transport systems for filters (B01D29/09, B01D29/70 take precedence)
- B01D 35/02: Filters adapted for location in special places, e.g. pipe-lines, pumps, stop-cocks, (B01D35/05 takes precedence; {water pipe system filters E03B3/18, E03B7/07; dirt catchers in sewers E03F; filters or strainers for pipe-lines in general B08B, E03F; object or dirt catching devices in sinks or the like E03C1/26; suction strainers or filters for pumps F04B53/005, F04D29/70})
- B01D 46/0004: {Details of removable closures, lids, caps or filter heads}
- B25B 27/00: Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for (machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects B23P19/00)
- B01D 2201/24: Tools used for the removal of filters
- B01D 2265/029: Special screwing connections, threaded sections
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING

## Abstract

A method of securing a filter element within a pressure vessel without a user breaching a plane of the pressure vessel is provided. The method includes attaching a filter locking nut to a removal/installation tool, wherein the removal/installation tool comprises an elongated body, inserting the filter locking nut into the pressure vessel, securing the filter locking nut to a threaded rod to secure a filter element in place, detaching the removal/installation tool from the filter locking nut, and removing the removal/installation tool from the pressure vessel. At least a portion of the elongated body of the removal/installation tool extends outside of the pressure vessel for the duration of the attaching, inserting, securing, detaching, and removing steps.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An filter locking nut comprising:
an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a first receptacle and wherein the second end comprises a second receptacle including an internal thread configured to removably engage a threaded rod in order to be moved into engagement with a filter element:
wherein the elongated body comprises an outer wall of the first receptable;
wherein the first receptable comprises;
a rectangular opening,
a circumferential groove formed in an interior wall of the rectangular opening, and
a circular back end of the square opening,
wherein the groove is coupled and remains coupled with an elongated tool when the elongated tool is inserted into the first receptable and a movable component of the elongated tool disposed in the groove;
wherein the groove is uncoupled from the elongated tool when the threaded rod engages the second receptacle and the movable component is undisposed from the groove.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The filter locking nut of claim 1, wherein the rectangular opening comprises four inner walls and the circumferential groove is formed within each of the four inner walls to removably engage with the elongated tool.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The filter locking nut of claim 1, wherein the elongated body has a generally cylindrical shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The filter locking nut of claim 1, wherein the elongated body further comprises a flange extending laterally from a longitudinal axis of the elongated body.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The filter locking nut of claim 4, wherein a wall extends from the flange along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body to define a shoulder between the flange and the wall.