Remote controlled vacuum joint closure mechanism
A remotely controlled noncircular vacuum joint closure mechanism is described including first and second flanges for establishing sealed connections with respective first and second members of an evacuated system, wherein each of the first and second members includes a respective mating flange. The closure mechanism consists of: a tubular member having first and second end portions and a noncircular cross-section, wherein the second end portion thereof is coupled to the second flange; an expansion joint coupling the first end portion of the tubular member to the first flange; displacement means mounted on the outside of the tubular member and engaging the first flange for extending the expansion joint and displacing the first flange toward or away from the mating flange of the first member in respectively establishing or removing sealed engagement therebetween; latch means mounted on the outside of the tubular member for securely engaging the mating flange of the first member in maintaining sealed engagement between the mating flange of the first member and the first flange; first remote control means coupled to the displacement means for moving the displacement means in a first direction in displacing the first flange toward the first member or for moving the displacement means in a second direction in displacing the first flange away from the first member; and second remote control means coupled to the latch means for positioning the latch means in a first position for locking the first flange in sealed engagement with the mating flange of the first member or for positioning the latch means in a second position for releasing the first flange from the mating flange of the first member.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4598936
- OSTI ID:
- 5468814
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 22 Feb 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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