Apparatus allowing access to a pressurized fluid chamber

Claim 2

Apparatus comprising, in combination: a. a conduit, b. an elongated member inserted into said conduit through one end thereof and extending essentially longitudinally therein, said member being movable back and forth within the conduit with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, c. sealing means between the internal wall surface of said conduit and the external surface of said elongated member, d. valve means for opening and closing said conduit to the flow of material, said valve means being located between said sealing means and the end of the conduit which is opposite to the end into which said member is inserted, said valve means being adapted for through passage of the elongated member when the valve means is in the open position, and, e. a clamp ring threaded onto the outer end of said conduit and adapted to secure said elongated member from back and forth or rotative movement upon tightening of said ring and which releases said member when loosened.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 in which the valve means is a ball valve.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 in which the elongated member, the sealing means and the valve means are coaxially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conduit.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 in which the elongated member is a conduit.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 in which the elongated member is a probe.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 in which the sealing means is affixed to the conduit and the elongated member is slidable back and forth through an opening in said sealing means.

Claim 8

Apparatus comprising: a. a chamber for containing a fluid material at a pressure different from the pressure outside of the chamber, b. a conduit affixed to the wall of the chamber and communicating with the chamber through an opening in said wall, c. an elongated member inserted essentially longitudinally into said conduit, said member being movable back and forth with respect to the axis of the conduit, d. sealing means between the internal wall surface of said conduit and the external surface of said elongated member, e. valve means for opening and closing said conduit to the flow of material, said valve means being located between said opening in the wall of the chamber and said seal means, said valve means being adapted for through passage of the member when the valve means is in the open position, and, f. a clamp ring threaded onto the outer end of said conduit and adapted to secure said elongated member from back and forth or rotative movement upon tightening of said ring and which releases said member when loosened, whereby a seal is first established between the conduit and the inserted member while the valve is closed and the valve is then opened to permit further insertion of the member into the conduit, and upon retraction from the conduit the member is first withdrawn beyond the valve, but without breaking the seal, and the valve is then closed prior to breaking the seal, thereby preventing the flow of substantial amounts of the material through the opening in the chamber wall during insertion and removal of the elongated member from the conduit.

Claim 9

Apparatus comprising: a. a chamber for containing a fluid material at a pressure different from the pressure outside of the chamber, b. a conduit affixed to the wall of the chamber and communicating with the chamber through an opening in said wall, c. an elongated member inserted essentially longitudinally into said conduit, said member being movable back and forth with respect to the axis of the conduit, d. sealing means between the internal wall surface of said conduit and the external surface of said elongated member, e. valve means for opening and closing said conduit to the flow of material, said valve means being located between said opening in the wall of the chamber and said seal means, said valve means being adapted for through passage of the member when the valve means is in the open position, and, f. a clamp ring threaded onto the outer end of said conduit and adapted to secure said elongated member from back and forth or rotative movement upon tightening of said ring and which releases said member when loosened, whereby a seal is first established between the conduit and the inserted member while the valve is closed and the valve is then opened to permit further insertion of the member into the conduit, and upon retraction from the conduit the member is first withdrawn beyond the valve, but without breaking the seal, and the valve is then closed prior to breaking the seal, thereby preventing the flow of substantial amounts of the material through the opening in the chamber wall during insertion and removal of the elongated member from the conduit.