Systems and methods for venting gas in the event of an explosion in a space covered by a manhole cover
AssigneeAmeren Corporation
InventorDaniel D. Bax
Life of this patent
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AssigneeAmeren Corporation
InventorDaniel D. Bax
Estimating the term…
A closure is adapted to limit damage from a gas explosion in an underground space. The closure includes a telescoping sleeve having a plurality of vents extending radially through the sleeve. The sleeve defines a manhole extending axially through the sleeve so a person can enter the underground space through the manhole. A manhole cover is moveable to a closed position in which the cover is supported on an upper end of the sleeve and covers the manhole. The sleeve can be received in an opening of a frame of a manhole installation so the sleeve is moveable by gas pressure to an extended position in which gas from the underground space can be vented through the sleeve to an aboveground space. If desired, the sleeve can be installed in an existing manhole installation to upgrade the installation to have an explosion mitigation capability without replacing the conventional manhole cover.
A system for providing access to an underground space and limiting damage caused by combustion of an explosive gas that might accumulate in the underground space, the system comprising:
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19-22. (canceled)
A closure for an underground space, the closure being adapted to limit damage caused by combustion of one or more explosive gases that might accumulate in the underground space, the closure comprising:
A method of modifying an existing manhole installation to provide an explosion mitigation feature, the manhole installation being positioned above an underground space and comprising a frame defining a manhole opening for accessing the underground space from above and a manhole cover movable between a closed position in which the manhole cover covers the manhole opening and an open position in which the manhole cover does not cover the manhole opening, the method comprising:
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37-39. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.