Integral telescoping vessel joint and method for using the same

摘要

Access to the interior of a vessel during fabrication and assembly of the vessel is provided by a channel structure formed around the circumference of the vessel. The channel structure comprises an outer surface that is radially inwardly offset from the exterior surface of the vessel around the circumference of the vessel. The outer surface of the channel structure is bounded by upper and lower circumferential transition areas which join the outer surface of the channel structure to the surface of the vessel. The channel structure is arranged such that when an upper portion of the vessel is separated from a base portion of the vessel by removing the material comprising the upper transition area, the upper portion of the vessel will receive within its inner diameter the outer surface of the channel structure.