| 摘要 |
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.
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