Closure for doors used with small and medium sized pressure vessels
AssigneeMDT Corporation
InventorsBhabesh K. Thakur, Maurice Gilbert, Charles O. Hancock, Charles H. Feathers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Hinge and latching structures associated with a door for a pressure vessel provides a tight and competent seal when the door is in sealed relationship with the opening of the vessel. The latching structure includes coupling structures which provide increased clamping engagement of the door in response to any increased pressure differential developed across the door.
Claims19
Structure for securing a door in sealing relationship with the opening to a chamber of a pressurized vessel comprising:
- hinge structure connecting a first edge of said door to a corresponding first side of said opening through linkage structure providing a surface parallel to and opposing said opening which contacts said first edge to restrain movement of said door in a direction transverse the plane of said opening;
- and
- latch structure releasably connecting a second edge of said door to a corresponding second side of said opening through a mechanism which has an engagement condition in which first and second structural components are coupled to effect a latching force to hold said door in position, said first and second components being mutually adapted so that said latching force increases in response to increasing differentials in pressure between the inside and outside of said pressurized vessel.
A closure for the door of a pressurized vessel of the type having an outer housing, a chamber formed within the housing, and an opening to said chamber comprising:
- hinge structure interconnected between said door and said outer housing providing movement of said door to effect obstruction of said opening to said chamber by said door, said hinge structure further providing a surface parallel to and opposite said opening which is contactable by said door to restrain movement of said door in a direction transverse the plane of said opening;
- first latch structure secured to said outer housing;
- second latch structure secured to said door, said second latch structure being adapted to engage with said first latch structure to effect securement of said door against said opening, said first and second latch structure being configured to provide a latching force therebetween which increases in response to increasing differentials in pressure between the inside and outside of said pressurized vessel.
A closure for a pressurized vessel of the type having a housing with a chamber formed therein for receipt of items for sterilization, an opening into said chamber, a gasket positioned within a gasket groove formed around said opening, said groove having holes therein which allow sterilant vapor to enter behind said gasket comprising:
- a door;
- a hinge plate secured to said door by bolts and spring washers, said spring washers being disposed between said hinge plate and said door;
- a hinge lug secured to a pressurized vessel housing, said hinge lug having a projecting edge;
- a hinge pin connected to said hinge lug and rotatably engaged with said hinge plate so that said hinge plate and said door may rotate in relation to said hinge lug;
- first adjustment means associated with said hinge lug for adjusting the distance between said projecting edge and said pressurized vessel housing;
- latching structure for securing said door to said pressurized vessel housing comprising:
- a door lug secured to said door,
- a handle rotatably secured to said door lug,
- a latch lug secured to said pressurized vessel housing,
- second adjustment means associated with said latch lug for adjusting the distance between said latch lug and said pressurized vessel housing,
- a latch pin rotatably mounted to said latch lug, and
- a clasp bracket secured to said handle, said clasp bracket having a hook with structures to restrict over-rotation of said hook about said latch pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.