GB904110A - Improvements relating to the interconnecting of flanged conduits or the like and to the securing of covers or lids on vessels or conduits - Google Patents

Abstract

904,110. Reactor pressure vessels. ELLIOTT BROS. (LONDON) Ltd. Jan. 1, 1959 [Jan. 1, 1958], No. 51/58. Class 39 (4). [Also in Groups XXV and XXVIII] A clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of toggle-operated clamps carried by one of two members to be disposed and clamped against each other, all of the clamps being connected to a common manipulator in such manner as to prevent relative rotation between the member and the manipulator, the arrangement being such that on moving the manipulator, towards the member with a linear non-rotational movement, the toggle clamps are caused simultaneously to engage abutment surfaces or a common abutment surface on the other of the two members to be clamped together. In the arrangement according to Fig. 1, as applied to a control-rod standpipe X and standpipe cover Y of a nuclear reactor, levers C are suspended by pin P in recesses of the cover rim B and each is pivotally connected by a pin M to a rocker D which in turn is pivotally connected through a pin S to a link E suspended from a cap G through a pin-and-slot connection H, K. The link E is associated with a tongue T carried by the cap G and includes a leaf-spring G, the pressure of which on the link is adjustable by a screw N. The mechanism is released from the clamping position shown, by raising the cap G by any suitable means, the initial lifting movement, determined by the pin-and-slot connection H, K, only freeing the link E from restraint by the spring F. Thereafter, continued lifting of the cap G, swings a tail D 2 of the rocker D off an abutment face V of a flange-lip U until a rocker head is arrested by a wing J of the lever C and a stop face L of the lever C abuts the cover Y so that in the final stages of raising of the cap G, the cover Y is lifted clear of the standpipe X. In another arrangement, Fig. 4, in which a cover 7 seats upon an internal shelf 2, the cover is provided with lugs 8 each of which is connected to a disc 14, constituting a manipulator, through a link 9 and a rocker 10 having a lip 19 which in the clamped position shown, is engageable beneath a flange 6 of the standpipe. A pin-and-slot connection 15, 16 between the rocker 10 and the disc 14 allows the disc and a clamping spring 13 thereon, to be withdrawn, before the rocker is disengaged from the flange 6. Thereafter continued withdrawal of the disc swings the link 9 and the rocker 10 away from the flange and raises the cover 7 from the shelf 2. When applied to the interconnection of flanged conduits the manipulator may be replaced by a ring operated by a pivoted fork.