Abstract: A vessel including an emptying means which comprises a valve housing means integral with and fixed to the vessel; a valve body means removably mounted to the valve housing means; a means for sealing the valve body means to the valve housing means; and a valve means which functions to commence and halt the flow of materials from the vessel through the valve housing means and through the valve body means. The valve body means functions to hold, align and contain the valve means. The means for sealing also functions to inhibit and prevent the accumulation and retention of contamination from materials flowing from the vessel through the valve housing means and the valve body means past and in direct contact with the means for sealing. The invention also ensures that the egress point from the vessel is maintained at about the same temperature as that of the interior of the vessel. Suitable valve means include poppet valve means, flush valve means, ram valve means and ball valve means.

Abstract: A quick opening manhole cover assembly is provided which is suitable for use with virtually any shape manhole cover of a pressure vessel. The assembly broadly includes a manhole cover having outer dimensions which are less than the inner dimensions of the manhole so that the cover can pass freely therethrough. The assembly also includes a structure for raising and lowering the cover into and out of the manhole. A sliding lock mechanism is located above the cover and is engageable to prevent axial movement of the cover. A safety mechanism is provided to prevent the lock from disengaging when the vessel is under pressure. Once the lock is engaged, the cover is raised and a seal carried atop the cover provides a fluid tight sealing engagement of the cover. The pressure within the vessel urges the cover further upward to further ensure the integrity of the seal.

Abstract: A vessel including an emptying means which comprises a valve housing means integral with and fixed to the vessel; a valve body means removably mounted to the valve housing means; a means for sealing the valve body means to the valve housing means; and a valve means which functions to commence and halt the flow of materials from the vessel through the valve housing means and through the valve body means. The valve body means functioning to hold, align and contain the valve means.The means for sealing also functions to inhibit and prevent the accumulation and retention of contamination from materials flowing from the vessel through the valve housing means and the valve body means past and in direct contact with the means for sealing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved balancing aid for a pivotally mounted cover for a manhole comprising means for hinging the cover relative to the manhole so the cover may be rotated about the hinge to expose and cover the manhole; and a spring retaining means comprising a rod pivotally secured to the cover, said rod being at least partially encased by a housing, said housing containing a compression spring means which is compressed when the cover is closed; wherein the improvement comprises securing the spring retaining means by attachment means which may be removed only after the spring means is first removed.

Abstract: A weld joint between two structural elements out of different metallic carrier materials is described, in which at least approximately unmixed weld-joint-interface between the two elements made in such a manner, that on the one side of the interface only metal out of the one carrier material and on the other side only metal of the other carrier material is present. For example, the weld-joint-interface is made by an electron-beam welding. The surface of the weld joint can be enamelled and the welding of the two elements can be performed by a normal melt-welding method, in which welding material out of the metal of the respective carrier materials is laid on.

Abstract: The present invention minimizes the problem of thermal stresses in a glass lined vessel by providing a heat transfer sump in the bottom portion of the vessel. A heat transfer compartment is formed by enclosing the annular space between the exterior portion of the skirt and the bottom portion of the vessel by means of an annular ring. The heat transfer compartment is enclosed by the annular ring, the interior portion of the skirt, and the bottom portion of the vessel. The heat transfer compartment is adapted to receive and hold a heat transfer medium and in this manner form a heat transfer sump.