Non-welding apparatus for providing access to the interior of an encloseure and methods for use thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016223115-A1
Application number	US-201514613096-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 3, 2015
Priority date	Feb 3, 2015
Publication date	Aug 4, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed is a mechanical clamp useful for providing access to the interior of an enclosure such as a pressure vessel. The mechanical clamp is an apparatus having a cap having a convex side and a concave side wherein the concave side is adapted for positioning adjacent the wall of the enclosure. The apparatus further includes at least one rod attached securely in the cap for passing through at least one hole in the wall of the enclosure wherein each rod has a first end attached securely in the cap and a second end and each rod is threaded along a portion of the rod including the second end. The apparatus further includes a nut for attaching to the second end of each rod for securing the cap in place adjacent to the wall of the enclosure. An opening is provided in the cap so that a probe can be passed there through. Methods for applying the mechanical clamp are also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for providing access to the interior of an enclosure, comprising:
a. a cap having a cap wall having an opening there through, wherein the cap has a convex side and a concave side adapted for positioning adjacent the wall of the enclosure; b. a rod attached securely in the cap for passing through a hole in the wall of the enclosure wherein the rod has a first end attached securely in the cap and a second end and the rod is threaded along a portion of the rod including the second end and wherein the rod comprises a bore there through in alignment with the opening through the cap wall; and c. a nut for attaching to the second end of the rod for securing the cap in place adjacent the wall of the enclosure.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a. at least one additional rod attached securely in the cap for passing through a hole in the wall of the enclosure wherein the at least one additional rod has a first end attached securely in the cap and a second end and the at least one additional rod is threaded along a portion of the rod including the second end; and b. at least one additional nut for attaching to the second end of the at least one additional rod for securing the cap in place adjacent the wall of the enclosure.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one port in the cap for introducing sealant therein.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a channel for positioning between the wall of the enclosure and the nut.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising at least one port in the channel for introducing sealant therein.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a washer for positioning between the wall of the enclosure and the nut.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising gasket material for positioning between the cap and the wall of the enclosure.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising packing material for positioning between the rod and the wall of the enclosure.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a vessel, a pipe, a duct, a tank, a silo, a heat exchanger, an electrostatic precipitator, and a furnace.

10 . A method for providing access to the interior of an enclosure, comprising:
a. preparing a hole in the wall of the enclosure at a desired location; b. positioning the apparatus of claim 1 relative to the wall of the enclosure such that the rod of the apparatus passes through the hole in the wall of the enclosure and the concave side of the cap of the apparatus is adjacent the wall of the enclosure; c. securing the apparatus of claim 1 in the desired position by attaching the nut to second end of the rod; and d. passing a probe through the bore of the rod thereby providing access to the interior of the enclosure.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the cap of the apparatus of claim 1 is positioned adjacent the wall of the enclosure on the interior of the enclosure.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the cap of the apparatus of claim 1 is positioned adjacent the wall of the enclosure on the exterior of the enclosure.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a vessel, a pipe, a duct, a tank, a silo, a heat exchanger, an electrostatic precipitator, and a furnace.

14 . A method for providing access to the interior of an enclosure, comprising:
a. preparing a plurality of holes in the wall of the enclosure at a desired location; b. positioning the apparatus of claim 2 in a desired position relative to the wall of the enclosure such that the rods of the apparatus passes through the holes in the wall of the enclosure and the concave side of the cap of the apparatus is adjacent the wall of the enclosure; and c. securing the apparatus of claim 2 in the desired position by attaching the nuts to second end of the rods.

15 . An apparatus for providing access to the interior of an enclosure, comprising:
a. a cap having a cap wall having an opening there through through which a probe may be passed and further passed through a first hole in the wall of the enclosure, wherein the cap has a convex side and a concave side adapted for positioning adjacent the wall of the enclosure; b. a rod attached securely in the cap for passing through a second hole in the wall of the enclosure wherein the rod has a first end attached securely in the cap and a second end and the rod is threaded along a portion of the rod including the second end; and c. a nut for attaching to the second end of the rod for securing the cap in place adjacent the wall of the enclosure.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising at least one port in the cap for introducing sealant therein.

17 . The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a channel for positioning between the wall of the enclosure and the nut.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising at least one port in the channel for introducing sealant therein.

19 . The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a washer for positioning between the wall of the enclosure and the nut.

20 . The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising gasket material for positioning between the cap and the wall of the enclosure.

21 . The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising packing material for positioning between the rod and the wall of the enclosure.

22 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a vessel, a pipe, a duct, a tank, a silo, a heat exchanger, an electrostatic precipitator, and a furnace.

23 . A method for providing access to the interior of an enclosure, comprising:
a. preparing a first hole in the wall of the enclosure at a desired location for the passage of a probe there through; b. preparing a second hole in the wall of the enclosure spaced from the first hole; c. positioning the apparatus of claim 15 relative to the wall of the enclosure such that the rod of the apparatus passes through the second hole in the wall of the enclosure and the concave side of the cap of the apparatus is adjacent the wall of the enclosure; d. securing the apparatus of claim 15 in the desired position by attaching the nut to second end of the rod; and e. passing a probe through the opening in the cap wall and further through the first hole in the wall of the enclosure thereby providing access to the interior of the enclosure.

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the cap of the apparatus of claim 15 is positioned adjacent the wall of the enclosure on the interior of the enclosure.

25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the cap of the apparatus of claim 15 is positioned adjacent the wall of the enclosure on the exterior of the enclosure.

26 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a vessel, a pipe, a duct, a tank, a silo, a heat exchanger, an electrostatic precipitator, and a furnace.

Assignees

• Taagepera Jaan
• Chevron Usa Inc

Inventors

• Taagepera Jaan

Classifications

• F16L41/008 Primary

  for connecting a measuring instrument · CPC title

• G09F7/18

  Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure · CPC title

• F16L41/14

  by screwing an intermediate part against the inside or outside of the wall {(F16L41/086 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16L41/12 Primary

  using attaching means embracing the pipe · CPC title

• F16L41/005

  adjustable and comprising a hollow threaded part in an opening · CPC title