The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 16, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 06, 2001
Billy W. White, Spring, TX (US);
Robins & Myers Energy Systems, L.P., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for a vessel or pipeline closure such as the type used on pipeline pig launching and receiving systems, and closures on access portals for pressurized vessels. A threaded closure is disclosed which may eliminate hammering on hammer-lugs to tighten or loosen the closure from the vessel, thereby improving safety, closure life expectancy and functional operation. A closure according to the present invention may include a hub fixedly and sealingly secured to the vessel, and a cap for threaded engagement with the hub . An anchor may be fixedly secured to the hub and a tightening pulling ear and a loosening pulling ear each may be fixedly secured to the cap . An actuatable pulling assembly may be engaged with the anchor and selectively with one of the pulling ears or , and actuated, such as by selectively turning a threaded nut on a threaded bar , or by pressurizing a fluid-cylinder , to thereby selectively tighten the cap to the hub or loosen the cap from the hub.