Machine and method for preventing flange leakage
AssigneeThe Babcock & Wilcox Company
InventorJeffrey Charles Millman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diaphragm weld assembly for preventing fluid leakage from a flange. The diaphragm weld assembly has a flange having a platform, the platform having an opening and an annular weld pocket concentric with the opening, a diaphragm resting on the platform and having a ring extending from the bottom face of the diaphragm, the ring engaging with the opening, a weld bead formed in the annular weld pocket and welding the diaphragm to the flange, and a flange cover fastened to the flange. A method of creating the diaphragm weld assembly is also provided.
Claims16
A diaphragm seal assembly comprising:
- a flange having a platform, the platform having an opening and an annular weld pocket around the opening;
- a diaphragm having a top face and a bottom face, the diaphragm resting on the platform;
- a ring extending from the bottom face of the diaphragm, the ring engaging with the opening;
- a weld bead formed in the annular weld pocket;
- a seal weld welding the diaphragm to the annular weld bead on the platform;
- and
- a flange cover fastened to the flange.
A diaphragm seal assembly used in combination with a flange and a removable flange cover, the flange having an opening, the diaphragm seal assembly comprising:
- a diaphragm positioned between the flange and the flange cover, the diaphragm having a top surface and a bottom surface;
- a ring extending from the bottom surface of the diaphragm, the ring engaging with the opening;
- an annular weld pocket located on the flange;
- a weld bead formed in the annular weld pocket;
- and
- a seal weld welding the diaphragm to the weld bead on the flange.
A method for creating a diaphragm seal on a flange sealed by a gasket, the method comprising the following steps:
- removing a flange cover from the flange;
- removing the gasket;
- machining an annular weld pocket on a top surface of the flange;
- depositing a weld bead in the annular weld pocket;
- resting a diaphragm on the top surface of the flange;
- seal welding the diaphragm to the annular weld pocket;
- and
- fastening the flange cover to the flange.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.