Apparatus for moving a vessel heater cover

Apparatus for moving a vessel heater cover comprising

• a vessel heating cover,
• upper linkage means secured to said cover,
• lower linkage means secured to said cover,
• bell crank means pivotally secured to said upper linkage means and said lower linkage means,
• said lower linkage means including first pivot means connecting said lower linkage means with said cover and second pivot means connecting said lower linkage means with said bell crank means,
• counterweight means fixedly secured to said bell crank means for establishing a moment which through said upper linkage means resists undesired acceleration of said cover as it moves downwardly,
• said first pivot means of said lower linkage means including gimbal means,
• said cover being in a generally horizontal position when said heater is operating and in a generally vertical position when said heater is not operating, and
• power means for effecting rotation of said bell crank means about said second pivot means, whereby said cover may be moved into and out of vessel heating position.

Apparatus for moving a vessel heater cover comprising

• a vessel heater cover,
• upper linkage means secured to said cover,
• lower linkage means secured to said cover,
• bell crank means pivotally secured to said upper linkage means and said lower linkage means,
• said lower linkage means including first pivot means connecting said lower linkage means with said cover and second pivot means connecting said lower linkage means with said bell crank means,
• stop means associated with said bell crank means for limiting movement of said lower linkage means, and
• power means for effecting rotation of said bell crank means about said second pivot means, whereby said cover may be moved into and out of vessel heating position.

Apparatus for moving a vessel heater cover comprising

• a vessel heater cover,
• upper linkage means secured to said cover,
• lower linkage means secured to said cover,
• bell crank means pivotally secured to said upper linkage means and said lower linkage means,
• said lower linkage means including first pivot means connecting said lower linkage means with said cover and second pivot means connecting said lower linkage means with said bell crank means,
• counterweight means fixedly secured to said bell crank means for establishing a moment which through said upper linkage means resists undesired acceleration of said cover as it moves downwardly,
• said counterweight means having a pair of spaced weight members connected by beam means, and
• power means for effecting rotation of said bell crank means about said second pivot means, whereby said cover may be moved into and out of vessel heating position.

Apparatus for moving a vessel heater cover comprising

• a vessel heating cover,
• upper linkage means secured to said cover,
• lower linkage means secured to said cover,
• bell crank means pivotally secured to said upper linkage means and said lower linkage means,
• said lower linkage means including first pivot means connecting said lower linkage means with said cover and second pivot means connecting said lower linkage means with said bell crank means,
• said cover having an upper wall and a generally cylindrical circumferential wall,
• at least one opening in said upper wall for flue means,
• at least one opening in said upper wall for cooperating with burner means,
• said upper wall being spaced from the lower extremity of said circumferential wall to provide a combustion chamber between said burner opening and an adjacent vessel,
• compressible, thermal insulating material disposed within said lower, and projecting downwardly below the lower end of said circumferential wall, whereby said thermal insulating material will contact said vessel and be compressively deformed as said cover is lowered into contact with said vessel,
• said thermal insulating material being annularly substantially continuous to create a substantially continuous contact with said vessel,
• said first pivot means of said lower linkage means permitting effective sealing of said thermal insulating material against said vessel, and
• power means for effecting rotation of said bell crank means about said second pivot means, whereby said cover may be moved into and out of vessel heating position.

Apparatus for moving a vessel heater cover comprising

• a vessel heater cover,
• linkage means for rotating a vessel cover between an operating position and a nonoperating position,
• power means for moving said linkage means,
• said cover means having an outer metal shell and an inwardly disposed compressible thermal insulation material,
• said metal shell having a roof and a depending annular sidewall, and
• said insulation projecting downwardly farther than said sidewall, whereby said insulation will be compressed upon contact with a vessel wall and establish a seal therebetween.