Patent US3746945A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3780901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pin-type vessel closure connector
Assignee: Hahn and Clay
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Filing: 1972-01-14
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A pin-type vessel closure connector for connecting a vessel head or closure to a vessel shell or cylinder, wherein the connector includes an annular yoke welded to one part of the vessel, preferably the shell, and an annular connector finger on another part of the vessel, preferably the head, which yoke and finger are interfitting and are joined together by a plurality of circumferentially disposed releasable connector pins, and wherein a rocking seal is provided for sealing between the innermost ring of the yoke and the finger to maintain the seal during flexing thereof in response to varying pressures in the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 R Pechacek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:40
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/10; A; A47; A47J; A47J27/00; A47J27/08; A47J27/0804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A vessel closure connector, comprising: a first connector member adapted to be welded to a vessel shell; a second connector member adapted to be welded to a vessel closure; at least one of said connector members being an annular yoke having a pair of annular yoke fingers with an annular recess therebetween; the other of said connector members being an annular connector finger adapted to fit closely within said annular recess for establishing metal-to-metal contact between all of said fingers; a plurality of substantially radially aligned holes through all of said annular fingers and spaced circumferentially; a connector pin disposed in each of said aligned radial holes for retaining said fingers connected and interfitting; an annular rocking seal having sealing contact with the inner surface of the innermost yoke finger and with the inner surface of said annular connector finger for maintaining a seal therebetween even though there is relative flexing therebetween; and said annular rocking seal having a first annular portion of a larger diameter than a second annular portion, and an O-ring seal on each of said annular portions, with one seal for sealing engagement with the surface of the finger in proximity thereto and the other seal for engagement with the inside of the vessel shell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A vessel closure connector, comprising: a first connector member adapted to be welded to a vessel shell; a second connector member adapted to be welded to a vessel closure; at least one of said connector members being an annular yoke having a pair of annular yoke fingers with an annular recess therebetween; the other of said connector members being an annular connector finger adapted to fit closely within said annular recess for establishing metal-to-metal contact between all of said fingers; a plurality of substantially radially aligned holes through all of said annular fingers and spaced circumferentially; a connector pin disposed in each of said aligned radial holes for retaining said fingers connected and interfitting; an annular rocking seal having sealing contact with the inner surface of the innermost yoke finger and with the inner surface of said annular connector finger for maintaining a seal therebetween even though there is relative flexing therebetween; and said annular rocking seal having a first annular portion of a larger diameter than a second annular portion, and an O-ring seal on each of said annular portions, with one seal for sealing engagement with the surface of the finger in proximity thereto and the other seal for engagement with the inside of the vessel shell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said annular rocking seal has an annular rocking surface formed between said first and second annular portions; and one of said fingers has an annular curved surface engageable by said rocking surface to facilitate rocking action by said seal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure set forth in Claim 1, including: means for securing said rocking seal to one of said inner fingers to limit longitudinal shifting thereof from its sealing position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, including: an annular weld deposit on the inner surface of one of said inner fingers; and one of said O-rings being in sealing engagement with said weld deposit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure set forth in claim 4, including: means for securing one of said annular portions of said rocking seal to said annular weld deposit to limit longitudinal movement of said seal relative to said fingers.
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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) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |