초록 ▼

A pressure lock assembly for use between first and second independently pressurized areas and a pressure vessel incorporating such a lock assembly. The pressure lock assembly is automatically actuated when the first area has a substantially higher pressure than the second area and is automatically d

A pressure lock assembly for use between first and second independently pressurized areas and a pressure vessel incorporating such a lock assembly. The pressure lock assembly is automatically actuated when the first area has a substantially higher pressure than the second area and is automatically deactuated when the areas have substantially uniform pressures. The pressure lock assembly has first and second body members. The first body member has an inner surface bounding the first area, an outer surface bounding the second area, and a through-opening extending between the surfaces. The body members are displaceable between an open position in which the body members are at least partially disengaged and a closed position in which the body members are closely engaged. A flexure member is disposed adjacent the inner end of the through-opening. When the two independently pressurized areas have substantially uniform pressures, the flexure member is disposed in a relaxed configuration in which the flexure member is unsealed from the first body member. When the first area has a substantially higher pressure than the second area, the flexure member is disposed in a pressurized configuration, in which the flexure member is sealed against the first body member. A latch is disposed on the first body member. The latch has a stem, a catch, and a foot. The stem extends through the through-opening in the first body member. The catch and foot are disposed at opposite ends of the stem. The latch is movable by the flexure member, relative to the first body member; from a uniform pressure position, in which the first body member is displaceable from the second body member and the flexure member is in communication with the through-opening; to a differential pressure position, in which the catch retains the first body member against the second body member in pressure-tight relation and the foot seals the through-opening from the flexure member.

대표청구항 ▼

A pressure lock assembly for use between first and second independently pressurized areas, said pressure lock assembly being actuated when said first area has a substantially higher pressure than said second area, said pressure lock assembly being deactuated when said areas have substantially unifor

A pressure lock assembly for use between first and second independently pressurized areas, said pressure lock assembly being actuated when said first area has a substantially higher pressure than said second area, said pressure lock assembly being deactuated when said areas have substantially uniform pressures, said pressure lock assembly comprising: first and second body members, said first body member having an inner surface bounding said first area and an outer surface bounding said second area, said first body member having a through-opening, having an inner end, extending between said surfaces, said body members being displaceable between an open position wherein said body members are at least partially disengaged and a closed position wherein said body members are closely engaged; a flexure member disposed adjacent said inner end of said through-opening, said flexure member being disposed in a relaxed configuration wherein said flexure member is unsealed from first body member, when said areas have said substantially uniform pressures, said flexure member being disposed in a pressurized configuration wherein said flexure member is sealed against said first body member, when said first area has said substantially higher pressure than said second area; a latch disposed on said first body member, said latch having a stem, a catch, and a foot, said stem extending through said through-opening, said catch and said foot being disposed at opposite ends of said stem, said latch being movable by said flexure member, relative to said first body member, from a uniform pressure position wherein said first body member is displaceable from said second body member and said said flexure member is in communication with said through-opening, to a differential pressure position wherein said catch retains said first body member against said second body member in pressure-tight relation and said foot seals said through-opening from said flexure member.