Locking ring actuator for a pressure retaining closure

Abstract

A pressure retaining closure assembly has a door hingedly mounted to a pipe, vessel, or hub extending therefrom with an arcuate locking ring movably retained proximate an outer perimeter surface thereof. The locking ring is suitable to contract out of a groove in an opening in the pipe, vessel, or hub extending therefrom into an unlocking position and is suitable to expand wherein an outer portion of the locking ring extends into the groove in the opening in the pipe, vessel, or hub extending therefrom into a locking orientation. A locking ring actuator is provided having cylinder with a piston therein. The piston has a rod extending axially therefrom with a portion extending beyond the cylinder. Optionally, a bracket is mounted to the portion of the piston rod extending beyond the cylinder and a bracket is mounted proximate the bottom of the cylinder. In this embodiment, a slider rod may be incorporated where the slider rod has a first end portion mounted to one of the brackets and a second end portion slidingly engaging the other bracket providing stability to the actuator assembly. A ring actuating arm may be pivotally connected to each bracket and secured proximate each end of the arcuate locking ring providing rotating engagement between the piston rod and a first point of the locking ring and rotating engagement between the cylinder and a second point of the locking ring.