Sealing System For Pressure Vessels

Abstract

A pressure vessel that includes a housing having separable portions is provided. A seal is provided in a groove formed between the separable portions. A retaining mechanism is provided for retaining the seal in the groove, wherein the seal is prevented from obstructing a passageway formed between the separable portions when the separable portions have not been properly compressed against each other.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pressure vessels, and more particularly, to a sealing arrangement utilized in a pressure vessel, such as a filter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One type of conventional pressure vessels, such as swimming pool filters, include two separable units in order to allow for repeated access to the interior of the pressure vessel for cleaning or replacement, etc. A clamp is utilized to secure the separable units to each other. These pressure vessels are generally equipped with a seal between the separable units in order to prevent leakage when the pressure vessel is properly assembled. The seal is typically designed to maintain its integrity up to the structural limits of the clamp. In this manner, when the clamp is not properly assembled, the seal will maintain its integrity and prevent leakage, while the clamp will be stressed beyond its structural mechanical limits. This could create an unsafe condition if the clamp is not properly assembled or if the pressure vessel is overpressurized, the pressure vessel could separate forcefully, without any visual indication.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a pressure vessel that has a visual indication when the clamp is not properly secured or if the pressure vessel is overpressurized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pressure vessel that includes a housing having separable portions, which are moveable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the separable portions are substantially retained against each other. In the second position, a passageway is formed between the separable portions. The passageway is sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough. A seal is provided in a groove formed between the separable portions. A retaining mechanism is provided for retaining the seal in the groove, wherein the seal is prevented from obstructing the passageway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following Detailed Description of the Invention, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 2-2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of a portion of the filter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to the view shown in FIG. 2, showing the filter in a deformed condition when the clamp is not properly secured to the filter or when the filter becomes over-pressurized;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the gasket and the metal ring utilized in the filter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 4B-4B and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the gasket and metal ring shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the clamp utilized with the filter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main segment utilized in the clamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another main segment utilized in the clamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connecting segment utilized in the clamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bolt utilized in the clamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hinge pin that can be utilized in the clamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another hinge pin that can be utilized in the clamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an insert utilized in the clamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a nut utilized in the clamp shown in FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 14A-E are cross-sectional views showing alternative embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in connection with a filter adapted for removing particulate matter from a fluid stream. It should be understood, however, that the present invention can be used with other pressure vessels that employ a gasket, an o-ring, or other sealing materials.

FIG. 1 illustrates a filter 10 having an upper housing portion 12 and a lower housing portion 14 removably and sealably attached to the upper housing portion 12. The upper and lower housing portions 12, 14 facilitate assembly and maintenance of the filter 10.

A clamp 16 is used to secure the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 to the lower portion 14 of the filter 10. While the present invention will be described in connection with the clamp 16, it should be understood that the present invention can be used with other types of clamps, or in some other conventional manner for retaining and compressing the upper and lower portions 12, 14 to each other.

The filter 10 includes an inlet 18 for receiving fluid to be filtered and an outlet 20 for discharging filtered fluid from the filter 10. An air relief valve 22 is provided for removing the air from the filter 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 includes a flange 24 having a tapered surface 26, while the lower portion 14 of the filter 10 includes a flange 28 having a tapered surface 30. The flange 24 includes a substantially cylindrical outer wall 32 with an end 34, and the flange 28 includes a substantially cylindrical outer wall 36 with an end 38. The flanges 24, 28 are retained and compressed against each other via the clamp 16 such that the end 34 of the flange 24 is adjacent to the end 38 of the flange 28.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4B, a seal material, such as an annular gasket 40, is seated in an opening, such as the groove 42, between the flange 24 of the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 and the flange 28 of the lower portion 14 of the filter 10 so as to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the upper portion 12 and the lower 5 portion 14, when the upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 are properly compressed toward each other. The gasket 40 can be made from any suitable elastomeric material, such as rubber, or rubber compound.

A retaining means, such as a seal support ring 44, is attached to the gasket 40 along the perimeter of the gasket 40. More particularly, the support ring 44 is substantially embedded in the gasket 40. A portion 46 of the support ring 44 extends from the outer periphery of the gasket 40. The support ring 44 is sized to limit the outward expansion of the gasket 40 for reasons to be discussed hereinafter. The support ring 44 can be formed from a rigid metal and/or alloy, such as AISI 304 stainless steel.

With reference to FIG. 5, the clamp 16 includes a set of main segments 48, 50 and a connecting segment 52. The main segments 48, 50 and the connecting segment 52 are secured to each other to form a cylindrical band clamp. Each of the three segments 48, 50, 52 has a C-shape cross-section. The main segment 48 is identical to the main segment 50. The clamp 16 can be fabricated from cast aluminum, cast stainless steel or other suitable material.

Referring to FIG. 6, the main segment 48 includes a curved section 54 with a bolt pad 56 extending radially outwardly from one end 58 and a pair of outer tongues 60 extending from an opposite end 62. The bolt pad 56 includes an opening 64 therethrough for receiving a fastener, such as a tangential bolt 66 (see FIG. 9). The bolt pad 56 is positioned relative to the curved section 54 such that the opening 64 extends in a horizontal direction. Each of the outer tongues 60 includes an aperture 68 for receiving a fastener, such as a hinge pin 70a (see FIG. 10). The apertures 68 are aligned in a vertical direction and are positioned perpendicular to the opening 64 of the bolt pad 56.

Likewise, as shown in FIG. 7, the main segment 50 includes a curved section 72 with a bolt pad 74 extending radially outwardly from one end 76 and a pair of outer tongues 78 extending from an opposite end 80. The bolt pad 74 includes an opening 82 therethrough for receiving a fastener, such as the tangential bolt 66 (see FIG. 9). The bolt pad 74 is positioned relative to the curved section 72 such that the opening 82 extends in a horizontal direction. Each of the outer tongues 78 includes an aperture 84 for receiving a fastener, such as the hinge pin 70a (see FIG. 10). The apertures 84 are aligned in a vertical direction and are positioned perpendicular to the opening 82 of the bolt pad 74. The use of a pair of outer tongues 60, 78, rather than a single tongue, on the first and second main segments 48, 50 serves to increase the strength and durability of the clamp 16.

With reference to FIG. 8, the connecting section 52 includes a curved section 86 with an inner tongue 88 extending from one end 90 and an inner tongue 92 extending from an opposite end 94. Each of the inner tongues 88, 92 includes an aperture 96, 98, respectively, for receiving a fastener, such as the hinge pin 70b (see FIG. 11). The inner tongue 88 is sized to be received within the outer tongues 60 of the main segment 48, and the inner tongue 92 is sized to be received within the outer tongues 78 of the other main segment 50, as will be described in further detail hereinafter.

To assembly the clamp 16, the main segments 48, 50 are positioned relative to each other such that the bolt pads 56, 74 are adjacent to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The connecting segment 52 is positioned between the two main segments 48, 50. In this manner, the inner tongue 88 of the connecting segment 52 is situated between the outer tongues 60 of the main segment 48, and inner tongue 92 of the connecting segment 52 is situated between the outer tongues 78 of the other main segment 50.

Fastening devices are used to secure adjacent segments. More particularly, the tangential bolt 66 is extended through an insert 100a (FIGS. 5 and 12) and through the openings 64, 82 (FIG. 6) in the bolt pads 56, 74 so as to secure the main segments 48, 50 to each other. In this position, the bolt 66 is tangent to the clamp 16. Another insert 100b (FIG. 5) is placed on a shaft 102 (FIG. 9) of the inserted bolt 66 and an associated self-centering nut 104 (FIG. 13) is fastened to the bolt 66, thereby tightening the bolt 66 onto the clamp 16. The bolt 66 and the nut 104 are preferably made of dissimilar materials to prevent galling. The inserts 100a, 100b are designed to provide a wear surface. The bolt 66 and the nut 104 each have a spherical surface to aid in alignment and prevent bolt bending, and are designed to be installed with wrenches.

The hinge pin 70b (FIG. 11) is used to attach the connecting segment 52 to the main segment 48, and another hinge pin 70b is used to attach the connecting segment 52 to the main segment 50. The hinge pin 70b is inserted through the outer tongues 60 of the main segment 48 and the inner tongue 88 of the connecting segment 52, and the hinge pin 70b is inserted through the outer tongues 78 of the main segment 50 and the inner tongue 92 of the connecting segment 52 such that the pins 70b are perpendicular relative to the clamp 16. The hinge pin 70b has a hollow end 106b to allow for swedging. Alternatively, the hinge pin 70a (FIG. 10) could be used in connection with a snap ring. The hinge pin 70a has a groove 106a to receive a snap ring.

In operation, the clamp 16 is secured to the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 and the lower portion 14 of the filter 10. Fluid to be filtered is delivered into the filter 10 through the inlet 18 (see FIG. 1). When the clamp 16 is properly secured to the filter 10 as shown in FIG. 2, the flange 24 of the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 and the flange 28 of the lower portion 14 of the filter 10 are retained and compressed against each other. In this position, the gasket 40 will form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 of the filter 10. Thus, the filter 10 will operate without any leakage of fluid.

When the clamp 16 is not properly secured to the filter 10 (such as when the clamp 16 is manually secured to the filter 10) or when the filter 10 becomes over-pressurized, the flange 24 of the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 and the flange 28 of the lower portion 14 of the filter 10 will not be properly retained and compressed against each other, as shown in FIG. 3. In such circumstances, the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 and the lower portion 14 of the filter 10 could separate such that a gap G or passageway is form between the end 34 of the flange 24 of the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 and the end 38 of the flange 28 of the lower portion 14 of the filter 10. A gap G1 or passageway could also form between the gasket 40 and the flange 24.

Conventionally, a gasket would move and expand into the gap formed between the flanges, thereby preventing any fluid from leaking. This may cause the buildup of the pressure in the filter, which may cause the upper portion and the lower portion to become unstable and volatile.

Because the support ring 44 serves to limit the outward expansion of the gasket 40, the gasket 40 is prevented from expanding into the gap G formed between the flange 24 of the upper portion 12 and the flange 28 of the lower portion 14 of the filter 10, thereby permitting fluid to flow around the gasket 40 and through the gap G formed between the flanges 24, 28 (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3), and leak out of the filter 10. Thus, the filter 10 will operate while leaking, thereby preventing the buildup of pressure by providing a slow and safe release of pressure without the clamp 16 disengaging. Such leaking also provides a visual indication that the clamp 16 is not properly secured. Accordingly, the support ring 44 prevents the development of an unsafe condition.

It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the present invention can be used with other retaining means that serve to limit the outward expansion of the gasket 40. FIG. 14A shows a retainer 144 that is connected to certain portions of the gasket 1407 while FIG. 14B illustrates a retainer 244 that is connected to the gasket 240. FIG. 14C illustrates a retainer 344 connected to the gasket 340, while FIG. 14D shows a retainer 444 connected to two sections of the gasket 440. FIG. 14E shows a retainer 544 connected to the gasket 540.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pressure vessel comprising:

a housing having separable portions, said separable portions moveable from a first position, in which said separable portions are substantially retained against each other, to a second position, in which a passageway is formed between said separable portions, said passageway sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough;

a groove formed between said separable portions;

a seal provided in said groove; and

a retaining means for retaining said seal in said groove, wherein said seal is prevented from obstructing said passageway.

2. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein said retaining means is a support ring attached to said seal, said support ring sized to limit the outward expansion of said seal.

3. The pressure vessel of claim 2, wherein said support ring is substantially embedded in said seal.

4. The pressure vessel of claim 3, wherein said support ring is formed from a rigid metal.

5. The pressure vessel of claim 2, wherein said seal is an annular gasket seated between said separable portions of said housing.

6. The pressure vessel of claim 5, wherein said annular gasket is sized to form a substantially fluid tight seal between said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said first position.

7. The pressure vessel of claim 6, wherein said annular gasket is sized to allow fluid to flow through said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said second position.

8. The pressure vessel of claim 7, wherein said annular gasket is made of an elastomeric material.

9. The pressure vessel of claim 7, further comprising a clamp sized to secure said separable portions of said housing to each other.

10. The pressure vessel of claim 9, wherein said clamp includes a first main segment, a second main segment, and a connecting segment attached to said first main section and said second main segment.

11. The pressure vessel of claim 10, wherein said first main segment includes a bolt pad positioned on one end of said first main segment and a pair of outer tongues extending from an opposite end of said first main segment, and wherein said second main segment includes a bolt pad positioned on one end of said second main segment and a pair of outer tongues extending from an opposite end of said second main segment.

12. The pressure vessel of claim 11, wherein said connecting segment includes an inner tongue extending from one end of said connecting segment and an inner tongue extending from an opposite end of said connecting segment.

13. The pressure vessel of claim 10, wherein said annular gasket is sized to allow fluid to flow through said separable portions of said housing before said clamp disengages from said separable sections.

14. A pressure vessel comprising:

a housing having separable portions, said separable portions moveable from a first position, in which said separable portions are substantially retained against each other, to a second position, in which said separable portions are separated from each other;

a seal provided between said separable portions, said seal sized to prevent fluid from leaking out from said separable portions when said separable portions are in their said first position; and

a retaining means for retaining said seal between said separable portions so as to allow fluid to pass around said seal when said separable portions are in their said second position.

15. The pressure vessel of claim 14, further comprising a clamp sized to secure said separable portions of said housing to each other.

16. The pressure vessel of claim 15, wherein a passageway is formed between said separable portions when said separable portions are in their said second position, said passageway sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough.

17. The pressure vessel of claim 16, wherein said retaining means is a support ring attached to said seal, said support ring sized to limit the outward expansion of said seal.

18. The pressure vessel of claim 17, wherein said seal is an annular gasket seated between said separable portions of said housing.

19. The pressure vessel of claim 18, wherein said annular gasket is sized to form a substantially fluid tight seal between said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said first position.

20. The pressure vessel of claim 19, wherein said annular gasket is sized to allow fluid to flow through said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said second position.

21. A pressure vessel comprising:

a housing having separable portions;

a gasket provided between said separable portions, said gasket forming a substantially fluid tight seal between said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are retained against each other; and

a retaining means for retaining said gasket between said separable portions so as to allow fluid to pass around said gasket when said separable portions are separated from each other.

22. The pressure vessel of claim 21, further comprising a clamp sized to secure said separable portions of said housing to each other.

23. The pressure vessel of claim 22, wherein said retaining means is a support ring attached to said gasket, said support ring sized to limit the outward expansion of said gasket.