Method and device for threaded closure of pipelines or vessels

A closure to sealingly enclose a port in a vessel, comprising:

• a hub having a vessel end fixedly and sealingly secured to the vessel, a through bore, a cap end opposite the vessel end, and a cap engagement thread on the cap end;
• a cap including a hub engagement thread for threaded engagement with the cap engagement thread;
• an anchor fixedly secured to the hub;
• a tightening slot positioned along a periphery of the cap;
• a loosening slot positioned along a periphery of the cap substantially radially opposite the tightening slot;
• a connector body rotatably secured to the anchor, such that the connector body and a threaded rod supported thereon may be selectively pivoted between a tightening position and a loosening position;
• a collar rotatable relative to the connector body about an axis and having internal threads for mating engagement with the threaded rod;
• the threaded rod passing through the collar and the connector body, such that rotation of the collar moves the threaded rod axially with respect to the connector body;
• a crank arm attached to the collar for rotating the collar;
• and
• a close-link chain secured at one end to the threaded rod and having a plurality of links for selective positioning within one of the tightening slot and the loosening slot, such that the collar may be rotated to selectively thread and unthread the cap from the hub.

A method of sealingly enclosing a port in a vessel comprising:

• fixedly securing a vessel end of a hub to a vessel, the hub having a through bore, a cap end opposing the vessel, and a cap engagement thread on the cap end;
• providing a cap for threaded engagement with the cap end of the hub;
• fixedly securing an anchor to the hub;
• fixedly securing each of a one or more pulling stops along a periphery of the cap;
• fixedly securing a connector body to the anchor;
• rotatably securing a collar to the connector body, the collar having internal threads for mating engagement with a threaded rod;
• mating the threaded rod with the threaded collar, such that rotation of the threaded collar advances the threaded rod axially relative to the connector body;
• securing one end of a flexible, elongate member to an end of the threaded rod, the flexible member having one or more stop engagement members along its length;
• engaging one of the one or more stop engagement members with one of the pulling stops on the cap;
• and
• thereafter rotating the collar to selectively thread or unthread the cap from the hub.