US3711993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Relatively short air lock for transfer of relatively long objects
Assignee: Arcelor Luxembourg SA
•
Filing: 1971-03-15
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-03-15
Abstract
Abstract An air lock has a pair of shutters with variable apertures defining a chamber between a pair of independent spaces. The shutters are flexible and snugly sealingly engageable around an elongated object, and the chamber can be flushed out. The first shutter is closed around the object which is then axially advanced through the second shutter which closes snugly around it. Then the chamber is flushed and the object is axially advanced fully on through the chamber with the shutters closed behind it. The chamber is also flushed during at least one other stage of the operation when one of the shutters is engaged around the object and the other is fully closed, for a unidirectional seal. Three flushings can make a bidirectional seal. The shutters can be annular membranes which are distorted or inflated to engage around the object.
Inventors
- 👤 J Liesch
- 👤 J Removille
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:12
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F7/00; G21F7/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An air lock for the passage of an elongated object between two independent aNd adjacent spaces, said air lock comprising: means defining a cylindrical chamber between said spaces of a length greater than its diameter, said means including a pair of circular shutters at opposite sides of said chamber and interposed between the latter and a respective one of said spaces, each of said shutters being annular flexible membranes and openable from the center outwardly to produce respective axially aligned variable-size apertures surrounding and hugging the object upon its axial insertion therethrough; means for introducing a fluid into said chamber and for withdrawing a fluid therefrom; and a respective rigid door engageable over each of said shutters and forming a tight seal for said chamber independently of the respective shutter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An air lock for the passage of an elongated object between two independent aNd adjacent spaces, said air lock comprising: means defining a cylindrical chamber between said spaces of a length greater than its diameter, said means including a pair of circular shutters at opposite sides of said chamber and interposed between the latter and a respective one of said spaces, each of said shutters being annular flexible membranes and openable from the center outwardly to produce respective axially aligned variable-size apertures surrounding and hugging the object upon its axial insertion therethrough; means for introducing a fluid into said chamber and for withdrawing a fluid therefrom; and a respective rigid door engageable over each of said shutters and forming a tight seal for said chamber independently of the respective shutter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The air lock defined in claim 1 wherein each of said membranes has in an open position the form of a pair of hyperboloids of revolution joined at their inner peripheries.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The air lock defined in claim 1 wherein said membrane is hollow, said air lock further comprising means for inflating said membrane and thereby changing the dimensions of said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The air lock defined in claim 1, further comprising a removable mounting body carrying said door and its shutter.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of operating an air lock having a pair of shutters defining a chamber between a pair of adjacent independent spaces, said method comprising the steps of: axially advancing an elongated object into said chamber past a first one of said shutters until its leading end lies between said shutters; closing said first shutter snugly around said object while closing the chamber opposite said first shutter; opening the second of said shutters; axially advancing said object through said chamber until its leading end passes beyond said second shutter while maintaining said first shutter in snug sealing contact around said object; closing said second shutter snugly around said object; flushing said chamber with a fluid; axially advancing said object unit its trailing end lies between said shutters while maintaining said second shutter in snug sealing contact around said object; closing the chamber in the region of said first shutter; flushing said chamber with a fluid while one of said ends of said object lies between said shutters with said second shutter sealingly engaged around said object and the first shutter of the chamber fully closed; and axially advancing said object out of said chamber.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of operating an air lock having a pair of shutters defining a chamber between a pair of adjacent independent spaces, said method comprising the steps of: axially advancing an elongated object into said chamber past a first one of said shutters until its leading end lies between said shutters; closing said first shutter snugly around said object while closing the chamber opposite said first shutter; opening the second of said shutters; axially advancing said object through said chamber until its leading end passes beyond said second shutter while maintaining said first shutter in snug sealing contact around said object; closing said second shutter snugly around said object; flushing said chamber with a fluid; axially advancing said object unit its trailing end lies between said shutters while maintaining said second shutter in snug sealing contact around said object; closing the chamber in the region of said first shutter; flushing said chamber with a fluid while one of said ends of said object lies between said shutters with said second shutter sealingly engaged around said object and the first shutter of the chamber fully closed; and axially advancing said object out of said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein, in order to have a bidirectionally effective seal, said chamber is flushed when said leading end lies between said shutters with said first shutter snugly engaging around said object and said second shutter fully closed and when said trailing end lies between said shutters with said second shutter snugly engaging around said object and said first shutter fully closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein said air lock has a rigid door to each side of said chamber adjacent each of said shutters, said method further comprising the steps of: opening the door adjacent said first shutter prior to axially advancing said leading end into said chamber; opening the door adjacent said second shutter prior to opening said second shutter; and closing both of said doors after axially advancing said object completely out of said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 5, further comprising the step of maintaining a pressure differential across at least one of said shutters in a closed condition thereof.
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US2835272A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |