PRESSURE VESSEL SAFETY LOCKING MECHANISM

摘要

The invention discloses a plurality of cylindrical slugs linked together by a cable. The slugs are separated by spacers and the cable is crimped at each end thereof to keep the slugs and spacers from coming off the cable. The cable-slugs-spacers assembly is inserted through a guide tube and into an annulus, locking the cover (2) of the pressure vessel (1) to the housing (1) of the vessel (10). A relief mechanism (6) is provided on the cover (2) to ensure that the cable-slugs-spacers assembly is fully inserted in the annulus thus preventing accidental extrication of the cover (2) when the vessel (10) is pressurized. A proximity sensor (13) is positioned in the housing (1) of the vessel (10) and senses the pressure of the first slug inserted into the annulus thus insuring that the cable-slugs-spacers assembly has been fully inserted in the annulus. A coupling is provided on one end of the cable-slugs-spacers assembly to positively lock the assembly in place ensuring that the cover (2) will not be extricated from the pressure vessel (1) under pressure.