Apparatus for sealing a vacuum tank door

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9821953-B2
Application number	US-201514737240-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 11, 2015
Priority date	May 2, 2011
Publication date	Nov 21, 2017
Grant date	Nov 21, 2017

Abstract

An apparatus for sealing a vacuum tank door. The apparatus comprises a circular flange attached to a door panel of a vacuum tank, a horizontal crossbar connected to the center of the door panel and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly comprises an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm, and a hydraulic cylinder. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes the linkage assembly to move downwards pulling on the horizontal crossbar and pulling the vacuum tank door towards the tank. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder also causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm to the to the tank creating a tight seal between the vacuum tank door and the tank.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sealing mechanism for sealing a vacuum tank comprising:
a circular door having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a first brace connected to the inner surface and spaced apart from a diameter of the door;
a second brace connected to the inner surface and orthogonally disposed relative to the first brace;
a first bracket connected to the outer surface of the door;
a second bracket connected to the outer surface of the door;
a first linkage assembly comprising an upper linkage arm connected to the first bracket and a lower linkage arm connected to the vacuum tank;
a second linkage assembly comprising a second upper linkage arm connected to the second bracket and a second lower linkage arm connected to the vacuum tank;
a first actuator comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the lower linkage arm; and
a second actuator comprising a second hydraulic cylinder connected to the second lower linkage arm;
wherein the first and second actuator are connected to operate jointly to cause the first linkage assembly and the second linkage assembly to open or close the door in relation to the vacuum tank;
wherein activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm to the vacuum tank; and
wherein activation of the second hydraulic cylinder causes a second connection point of the second lower linkage arm and the second upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the second linkage arm to the vacuum tank.

2. The sealing mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a third brace connected to the inner surface and disposed parallel to the first brace and a fourth brace connected to the inner surface and disposed parallel to the second brace.

3. The sealing mechanism of claim 2 wherein each of the first brace, second brace, third brace, and fourth brace are all spaced apart from a center of the door.

4. The sealing mechanism of claim 2 wherein the circular door comprises a dome, wherein the center comprises an apex of the dome; and wherein the first brace and the third brace are parallel to the diameter of the door and spaced apart from the apex.

5. The sealing mechanism of claim 4 wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are separated on opposite sides of the apex and disposed on the diameter of the door.

6. The sealing mechanism of claim 1 wherein each lower linkage arm comprises a slot, wherein each upper linkage arm is partially disposed within the slot when the door is in a closed position.

7. The sealing mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are connected to the door an equal distance from a center of the door.

8. The sealing mechanism of claim 7 wherein the first bracket is connected directly to the outer surface of the door and comprises a first horizontal bar comprising a pivotal connection with the first linkage and wherein the second bracket connected directly to the outer surface of the door and comprises a second horizontal bar comprising a pivotal connection with the second linkage.

9. The sealing mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first brace comprises a plurality of pieces connected to the inner surface of the door.

10. A sealing mechanism for sealing a vacuum tank comprising:
a circular dome shaped door having a diameter and an apex;
a first brace connected to an inner surface of the door and spaced apart from the apex;
a second brace connected to the inner surface of the door and disposed to cross the first brace at a right angle to the first brace;
a plurality of brackets connected to an outer surface of the door and spaced apart from the apex; and
a lifting assembly attached to one of the plurality of brackets, the lifting assembly comprising:
an upper linkage arm connected to one of the plurality of brackets;
a lower linkage arm connected to the vacuum tank; and
a hydraulic cylinder connected to the lower linkage arm;

wherein activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm and the vacuum tank.

11. The sealing mechanism of claim 10 further comprising a third brace connected to the inner surface and disposed parallel to the first brace and a fourth brace connected to the inner surface and disposed parallel to the second brace, wherein each of the first brace, second brace, third brace, and fourth brace are all spaced apart from the apex of the door.

12. The sealing mechanism of claim 10 wherein the first brace comprises a first curved side and a second flat side.

13. The sealing mechanism of claim 12 wherein the first brace comprises a plurality of pieces connected to the inner surface of the door.

14. The sealing mechanism of claim 11 wherein the first brace is disposed on a first side of the apex of the door and the third brace is disposed on a second side of the apex.

15. The sealing mechanism of claim 11 wherein each of the first brace, second brace, third brace, and the fourth brace all comprise a curved first side and a flat second side.

16. The sealing mechanism of claim 10 wherein the at least two brackets are separated on opposite sides and connected at a periphery of the door and disposed on the diameter.

17. The sealing mechanism of claim 10 wherein the plurality of brackets are connected directly to the outer surface of the door and each comprise a horizontal bar that do not cross the apex and each comprises a pivotal connection with the lifting assembly.

18. The sealing mechanism of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of brackets are attached to the door panel so they are positioned beyond a circle defined by a midpoint of a radius of the door and equidistant from the apex of the door.

19. A vacuum system comprising: a tank having an open end and a closed end;
a door used to close the open end of the tank, the door having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a diameter;
a first brace and a third brace connected to the inner surface of the door, the first brace and the third brace being parallel to each other and spaced apart on opposing sides of the diameter;
a second brace and a fourth brace connected to the inner surface of the door, the second brace and the fourth brace are parallel to each other and spaced apart on opposing sides of the center of the door, wherein the second brace and the fourth brace are disposed at a right angle to the first brace and the third brace, a plurality of brackets connected to the outer surface of the door; and
a door lifting assembly comprising:
an upper linkage arm connected to one of the plurality, of brackets;
a lower linkage arm, having a first end and a second end, the lower linkage comprising a connection point disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the lower linkage arm is connected to a side of the tank at the connection point;
and a hydraulic cylinder connected to the second end of the lower linkage arm;
wherein activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes a connection of the lower linkage area and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection point.

Assignees

• Charles Machine Works

Inventors

• Sewell Cody L
• Bural David A

Classifications

• B65D90/623

  having a rotational motion · CPC title

• B65D90/626

  having a linear motion · CPC title

• E02F3/8816

  Mobile land installations · CPC title

• F16J13/18 Primary

  pivoted directly on the frame · CPC title

• B65D90/008 Primary

  Doors for containers, e.g. ISO-containers (locking E05B83/12) · CPC title