Abstract: A quick-acting pipe connector assembly used to join two pipes. The assembly includes a flange connected to the first pipe. The flange has an end face and a plurality of openings around the periphery of the end face. An end fitting is connected to the second pipe. The end fitting has an end face sized to fit against the flange end face. A force ring is attached to the end fitting and has a plurality of openings around its periphery. A plurality of connector bolts are attached to and extend through force ring openings. Each of the connector bolts extend through one of the flange openings. A lock ring is rotatably attached to the flange. The flange is positioned between the lock ring and the force ring. The lock ring rotates relative to the connector bolts to lock the connector bolts to the flange. A force actuator is disposed in the force ring.

Abstract: A remotely operable vessel cover assembly used with a vessel. The cover assembly has a mounting rim secured to the vessel surrounding a circular opening and a circular cover to fit against the mounting rim. A force ring having a plurality of openings is attached to the cover. Connector pins are attached to and extend from the mounting rim and through a plurality of holes in the cover and the force ring. A lock ring is rotatably attached to the force ring and locks the extending heads of the connector pins to the force ring to restrain the cover in an initial position. A force actuator, disposed between the force ring and the cover, expands under fluid pressure to react against the cover forcing the cover against the mounting rim. Upper and lower ramps are connected to the periphery of the cover and a ramp ring respectively. The ramp ring, rotatably supported between the force ring and the cover, has lower ramps positioned to match upper ramps on the cover.

Abstract: This is an apparatus for attaching a removable cover to a large vessel. It is adaptable to existing vessels, especially those which have a mounting rim or flange. It uses multiple connector pins which are attached permanently to the vessel and which can be fastened to the cover assembly by a remote operation. It also uses fluid pressure to force the cover against the vessel opening, after which the cover is mechanically secured in place by a second remote operation.

Abstract: A method and system for installing a layered vessel wherein the method includes the steps of constructing the bottom vessel head section in an inverted position mounting the bottom head section on the vessel foundation, erecting a generally cylindrical construction frame having a plurality of annular work stations; substantially simultaneously with the erection of the cylindrical construction frame, constructing onto the bottom head a cylindrical inside shell liner and a hemispherical upper head inside liner and adding layers to the inside shell from the bottom upwardly with the addition of such layers occurring substantially simultaneously at various of the annular work stations. A system for accomplishing these steps is provided, including particular method for construction the bottom head, and further, an annularly movable crane assembly is provided for the work stations.

Abstract: A plurality of annular plates are machined to have substantially identical outer diameters equal to the inner diameter of the head to be made. A first annular plate is arranged as an annular base plate. The other annular plates are cut into four congruent arc portions of less than 90.degree. and braces are attached to each congruent arc portion. A plurality of the arc portions are mounted by a first end to the upper surface of the annular base plate in a substantially equally, circumferentially spaced arrangement. The second end of each arc portion is fastened to the outer surface of a central collar to form the hemispherical frame.

Abstract: A method and system for installing a layered vessel wherein the method includes the steps of constructing the bottom vessel head section in an inverted position mounting the bottom head section on the vessel foundation, erecting a generally cylindrical construction frame having a plurality of annular work stations; substantially simultaneously with the erection of the cylindrical construction frame, constructing onto the bottom head a cylindrical inside shell liner and a hemispherical upper head inside liner and adding layers to the inside shell from the bottom upwardly with the addition of such layers occurring substantially simultaneously at various of the annular work stations. A system for accomplishing these steps is provided, including particular method for constructing the bottom head, and further, an annularly movable crane assembly is provided for the work stations.

Abstract: A shell layer wrapping machine and method of positioning vessel sections. The machine has a first and a second band portion which are drawn together by a tensioning means. The second band portion is placed over the vessel section to be added and hydraulic cylinders selectively draw the second band portion away from the vessel section so that radial pressure is applied to the vessel section from the center portion outwardly to the ends of the vessel section.

Abstract: A plurality of annular plates are machined to have substantially identical outer diameters equal to the inner diameter of the head to be made. A first annular plate is arranged as an annular base plate. The other annular plates are cut into four congruent arc portions of less than 90.degree. and braces are attached to each congruent arc portion. A plurality of the arc portions are mounted by a first end to the upper surface of the annular base plate in a substantially equally, circumferentially spaced arrangement. The second end of each arc portion is fastened to the outer surface of a central collar to form the hemispherical frame.

Abstract: A multi-layered vessel which includes a multi-layered generally cylindrical shell and at least one multi-layered generally hemispherical head of less thickness than the shell. The head has a main section and discontinuity neutralizing portion adjacent the shell. Each layer of the head main section and the discontinuity neutralizing portion have gores with substantially equal radius of curvature. The discontinuity neutralizing portion gores have a different center of curvature than the gores of the head main section.

Abstract: A pressure vessel seal for sealing a pressure vessel joint of a pressure vessel to prevent fluid migration between an interior wall and an interior surface of the pressure vessel joint including an annular seal ring, coatings with the annular seal ring for engaging the pressure vessel for effecting a sealable relation therebetween under varying pressure and temperature conditions, and coating reservoirs formed with the annular seal ring for receiving the coatings therein permitting the coatings to sealably engage the pressure vessel joint while storing the coatings for enhanced spring back of the coatings under such varying pressure and temperature conditions.

Abstract: A vessel assembly including an improved connection of head and shell wherein annular seal rings are pre-compressed by insertion of radial pins, which pins are placed and retained in an inserted position by a retention, lock shaft.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for use in constructing layered vessels having at least one layer formed of adjoining vessel sections wherein the wrapping machine has an interlooped band mechanism for positioning adjoining vessel sections adjacent one another and a tightening mechanism in operative engagement with the band mechanism for tightening the band mechanism about adjoining vessel sections with the interlooped band mechanism providing concentric loading of the layered vessel when the tightening mechanism draws the vessel sections together.

Abstract: A new and improved pin-type vessel connector wherein a first vessel section includes double connector rings separated by an annular recess which receives a single connector ring of a second vessel section, the connector rings being releasably joined by a plurality of pin-type connectors which include radially aligned openings in each of the rings for receiving a tapered pin, one portion of the opening in the single ring connector being partially tapered to provide a full bearing engagement against the tapered pin under load conditions. Positioning elements are mounted with the single connector ring for positioning the single connector ring uniformly within the annular recess between the double rings in spite of changes in the circumference or roundness of the single ring.