초록 ▼

A safety interlock device is provided for preventing the opening of a vessel containing a pressurized fluid. In a typical application, the interlock device may be used in industrial applications to prevent the inadvertent unscrewing of a cap from the end of a large pressure vessel containing a hazar

A safety interlock device is provided for preventing the opening of a vessel containing a pressurized fluid. In a typical application, the interlock device may be used in industrial applications to prevent the inadvertent unscrewing of a cap from the end of a large pressure vessel containing a hazardous gas. A pressure port end of the interlock body is adapted for threaded engagement with the vessel and is open to vessel pressure. A pressure-responsive locking piston movable within the body prohibits removal of a stem when vessel pressure exceeds a selected minimum pressure. A chain may be secured at each end to the stem and vessel cap, so that the cap cannot be unscrewed to open the container unless the stem is first removed. In one embodiment, the locking piston is prevented from manual override by the position of a second piston and a plurality of ball members locked in a groove.

대표청구항 ▼

A safety interlock device responsive to fluid pressure within a vessel for preventing unthreading of a vessel cap when said vessel contains a fluid under pressure, said interlock device comprising: an interlock body having an entrance port for fluid communication with said fluid in said vessel, a pi

A safety interlock device responsive to fluid pressure within a vessel for preventing unthreading of a vessel cap when said vessel contains a fluid under pressure, said interlock device comprising: an interlock body having an entrance port for fluid communication with said fluid in said vessel, a piston chamber, and a stem port opposite said entrance port with respect to said piston chamber; an elongate stem at least partially positionable within and axially removable from said interlock body; stop means for limiting movement of said vessel cap relative to said stem to prevent unthreading of said vessel cap unless said stem is removed from said interlock body; a piston movable independent of said stem within said piston chamber and responsive to said fluid pressure for moving from an unlock position to a lock position, said piston having a stem passageway for receiving a portion of said stem; said interlock body having a fluid passageway for establishing fluid communication between said entrance port and said piston chamber, and a portion of said fluid passageway defining a seating surface; a valve member carried by said stem for sealing engagement with said seating surface for controlling fluid flow through said fluid passageway; and said stem including a shoulder for engagement with said piston in said lock position to prevent removal of said stem from said body.