초록 ▼

A handling system supports a closure member, e.g. a manway cover or tensioner ring, for maintaining it in position when opening or closing operations are performed thereon and for moving it conveniently into or out of engagement with a mating member without damage to supporting studs. Gimbaling mean

A handling system supports a closure member, e.g. a manway cover or tensioner ring, for maintaining it in position when opening or closing operations are performed thereon and for moving it conveniently into or out of engagement with a mating member without damage to supporting studs. Gimbaling means include first and second attachable connections each vertically supported to a pneumatic cylinder assembly whose internal pressure is set to generate an upward force equal to the weight supported. An operator may provide a force to overcome damping forces at each support point to move the closure member in all degrees of freedom, and the member appears essentially weightless to the operator. The vertically movable connections are supported for translational movement on a cart which is also movable. Reliable movement of a closure member with respect to a pressure vessel is provided without the need for alignment or calibration of a path defined by the closure member support means.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for handling closure members comprising gimbaling means for receiving a selected closure member, pressurized support means supporting said gimbaling means, means for supplying to said pressurized support means pressure from a source to balance the weight of the closure member at a vertical

A system for handling closure members comprising gimbaling means for receiving a selected closure member, pressurized support means supporting said gimbaling means, means for supplying to said pressurized support means pressure from a source to balance the weight of the closure member at a vertical position and being adapted to receive manual input energy from an operator for changing the position of the closure member, said pressurized support means being movably supported to movable platform means movable to a selected position, said gimbaling means being further supported to means for providing horizontal translation of the closure member with respect to said platform means to position the closure member between first and second positions in and out of registration with a vessel to be closed respectively, said gimbaling means including detachable engaging means being formed for engaging selectively a closure member in each of said first or second positions.