U.S. patent number RE33,799 [Application Number 07/502,808] was granted by the patent office on 1992-01-21 for cylinder rupture vessel.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey W. Gold, Dan A. Nickens.
United States Patent |
RE33,799 |
Gold , et al. |
January 21, 1992 |
Cylinder rupture vessel
Abstract
A waste cylinder rupture vessel for release and
recontainerization of toxic contents of compressed gas cylinders
comprises an enclosed chamber which accommodates a plurality of
bearing surfaces for supporting and positioning a target cylinder
thereon. A puncture spike disposed within the chamber is adapted to
puncture the target cylinder at its mid-section, thereby releasing
its contents. Connections are provided communicating with the
enclosed chamber for evacuating and recontainerizing the contents
released by a punctured cylinder without release of the contents
into the environment. All of the cylinder processing operations may
be provided remotely.
Inventors: |
Gold; Jeffrey W. (Atlanta,
GA), Nickens; Dan A. (Orlando, FL) |
Family
ID: |
27054287 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/502,808 |
Filed: |
April 2, 1990 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
669537 |
Nov 8, 1984 |
04690180 |
Sep 1, 1987 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
141/51; 141/231;
141/329; 141/65; 141/83; 141/97; 222/397; 222/83.5; 222/86;
30/448 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B09B
3/0058 (20130101); B65B 69/0041 (20130101); F17C
13/123 (20130101); B67B 7/24 (20130101); F17C
2260/044 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B09B
3/00 (20060101); B65B 69/00 (20060101); F17C
13/00 (20060101); F17C 13/12 (20060101); B67B
007/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;141/4-8,65,66,51,52,83,97,329,330,311R,319,368,231
;222/81-83,83.5,85,86,397 ;414/412 ;30/401-403,444,448,400
;252/633 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Cusick; Ernest G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow,
Garrett & Dunner
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A waste cylinder rupture vessel, comprising:
an enclosed chamber with a longitudinal axis;
means for gaining access to the interior of said chamber;
bearing means located within said chamber adapted to support
thereon a target container to be ruptured;
means for sealing said chamber;
means for communicating with the interior of said chamber to purge
the air from said chamber;
means for communicating with the interior of said chamber to
introduce an inert gas into said chamber; and
puncture means including moveable parts which are disposed entirely
within said chamber for puncturing at least one wall of said target
container, said puncture means being positioned along said
longitudinal axis of the chamber at the mid section of the chamber,
said puncture means being adapted to puncture the mid-section of
said target container whereby the contents of said target container
are released, said contents being contained within said enclosed
chamber.
2. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 1 wherein
said bearing means comprises a plurality of V-shaped bearing
surfaces.
3. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 1 wherein
said puncture means comprises at least one puncture spike secured
to a movable piston of a hydraulic cylinder.
4. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 1 further
comprising means for tilting said vessel along its longitudinal
axis.
5. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 1 further
comprising means for levelling said vessel.
6. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 1 wherein
said puncture means includes a drill head.
7. A waste cylinder rupture vessel comprising:
an enclosed chamber with a longitudinal axis;
means for gaining access to the interior of said chamber;
a plurality of V-shaped bearing surfaces disposed along the
elongate length of said chamber adapted to support thereon a target
container to be ruptured;
means for sealing said chamber;
means for communicating with the interior of said chamber to purge
the air from said chamber;
means for communicating with the interior of said chamber to
introduce an inert gas into said chamber;
puncture means including moveable parts which are disposed entirely
within said chamber for puncturing at least one wall of said target
container, said puncture means being positioned along said
longitudinal axis of the chamber at the mide section of the
chamber, said puncture means being adapted to puncture the
mid-section of said target container whereyby the contents of said
target container are released, said contents being contained within
said enclosed chamber; and
means for evacuating from said enclosed chamber said contents
released by a target container that has had its wall punctured by
said puncture means, said means for evacuating being adapted to
prevent release of said contents into the atmosphere.
8. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 7 wherein
each of said bearing surface comprises a vertical plate member
disposed in a direction transverse to the elongate length of said
chamber; said vertical plates being provided with an upper edge in
the form of a shallow "V".
9. The waste cylinder rupture vessel recited in claim 7 wherein
said puncture means comprises at least one puncture spike, each of
which is secured to and movable with the piston of a hydraulic
cylinder; each puncture spike being secured to said piston by a
first block member movable with said piston and said puncture spike
along a pair of cylindrical guide rods, each of which receives a
compression spring; said guide rods being secured at their lower
ends to a second rectangular block having formed therein a cavity
through which said puncture spike passes.
10. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 7 wherein
each of said bearing surfaces comprises a pair of cylindrical
roller bodies disposed at opposite vertical angles toward each
other in a direction transverse to the elongate length of said
chamber.
11. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited on claim 7 wherein
said puncture means comprises a first puncture spike disposed above
said V-shaped bearing surfaces and a second puncture spike disposed
below said V-shaped bearing surfaces.
12. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 7 wherein
said puncture means comprises a puncture spike disposed above said
V-shaped bearing surfaces.
13. A waste cylinder rupture vessel comprising:
an enclosed chamber with a longitudinal axis;
means for gaining access to the interior of said chamber;
a plurality of V-shaped bearing surfaces disposed along the
elongate length of said chamber adapted to support thereon a target
container to be ruptured;
means for sealing said chamber;
at least one purge connection communicating with the interior of
said chamber adapted to purge the air from said chamber;
puncture means including movable parts which are disposed entirely
within said chamber for puncturing at least one wall of said target
container, said puncture means being positioned along said
longitudinal axis of the chamber at the mid section of the chamber,
said puncture means being adapted to puncture the mid-section of
said target container whereby the contents of said target container
are released, said contents being contained within said enclosed
chamber;
means for evacuating from said enclosed chamber said contents
released by a target container that has had its wall punctured by
said puncture means, said means for evacuating being adapted to
prevent release of said contents into the atmosphere;
at least one drainage port communicating with the interior of said
chamber adapted to drain from said chamber the liquids released by
atarget container that has had its wall punctured by said puncture
means; and
means for recontainerizing said contents of said target container,
said means for recontainerizing being adapted to prevent release of
said contents into the atmosphere, said means for recontainerizing
being adapted to prevent backflow of said contents into said
enclosed chamber.
14. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 3 further
comprising means for remote operation.
15. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 13
wherein said means for recontainerizing included connections for
withdrawing said contents by pressurization of said enclosed
chamber through purge gas to force evacuation of said contents.
16. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 13
wherein said means for recontainerizing includes connections for
withdrawing said contents by creating a vacuum within said enclosed
chamber.
17. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 13
wherein said enclosed chamber is defined by an upper housing
portion intgral with and disposed vertically above a horizontal
lower housing portion.
18. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 17
wherein said puncture means comprises a first puncture spike
disposed within said upper housing portion and a second puncture
spike disposed within said lower housing portion.
19. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 17
further comprising a hydraulic support assembly for moving said
lower housing portion upwardly or downwardly in relation to its
horizontal plane so as to tilt said chamber along its longitudinal
axis.
20. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 17
wherein said V-shaped bearing surfaces are disposed within said
lower housing portion.
21. The waste cylinder rupture vessel as recited in claim 17
wherein said puncture means comprises a puncture spike disposed
within said upper housing portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of hazardous waste disposal, and
in particular, to the disposal of the contents of deteriorated
compressed gas cylinders. Compressed gas cylinders in deteriorated
condition and containing unknown and potentially dangerous gases
have been discovered in unprecedented numbers at industrial plants,
research facilities and hazardous waste sites. The compressed gas
cylinders presently located represent only a fraction of those
still to be discovered. The inability to identify the contents of
deteriorated compressed gas cylinders makes it impossible to
dispose of such cylinders in a manner safe to both the involved
personnel and to the environment. The present invention was
developed in response to the demand for technology to ascertain the
nature of the contents of deteriorated gas cylinders and to provide
a means whereby these cylinders could be safely sampled and
disposed. Thus, the present invention provides a vessel for the
safe release of the entire contents of any gas cylinder under
carefully controlled conditions, allowing for the safe withdrawal
and recontainerization of both gaseous and liquid phases of any
material released from the cylinder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Until now, the principal technique for disposing of known, and
sometimes even unknown, compressed gas cylinders has been through
detonation. This method provides a quick, relatively inexpensive
manner of destroying small numbers of cylinders, particularly those
containing pyrophoric gases. Severe disadvantages become evident,
however, when detonating gas cylinders with unknown contents. Among
the principal disadvantages of detonation for this type of cylinder
are inadequate destruction of cylinder contents when the contained
gas is of a non-pyrophoric nature, incomplete combustion of
cylinder contents, and the creation of undesirable combustion
by-products. Even more importantly, detonation of cylinders whose
contents are unknown may result in the release of bacteriological
and virological agents, as well as radioactive gases, into the
environment. Finally, control over the entire process is hampered
by the inadequate real-time air monitoring instrumentation
currently available.
In the agricultural field, various devices have been utilized for
the transfer of toxic liquids such as pesticides and herbicides.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,221 to Boynton et al shows a closed system
chemical transfer apparatus for transferring concentrated chemical
insecticide from a container to a main water tank for mixing with
the water to provide a spray solution. The apparatus consists of a
chamber for receiving and enclosing an insecticide container. The
container is penetrated by a punch and its contents allowed to flow
out of the bottom of the enclosing chamber to a water tank. Rinsing
water flows out through the punch and a plunger is activated to
crush the container.
A closed liquid transfer system for agricultural chemicals is also
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,481. A closed, toxicant-filled
container is placed within a sealed chamber. The container is
punctured by a probe located in the chamber but operable from
outside the chamber by a lever. The released toxicant thereafter
flows from the sealed chamber to a transfer tank.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,341 to Feldt et al. is directed to an apparatus
for removing the contents of damaged aerosol containers of the type
having a valve insert. An aerosol can to be emptied is placed with
its valve side down in a casing and centered over a clamp means.
The clamp is drawn downward to detach the valve seat insert. The
gas released from the open can flows into the casing and thereafter
to a discharge pipe.
The concept of removing the contents of a container by puncturing
the container and subsequently withdrawing the contents is further
shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,274,453 and 2,051,981.
None of the prior art references is directed to a cylinder rupture
vessel, for sampling, recontainerization and disposal of hazardous
waste gas cylinders of unknown contents. Furthermore, the prior art
does not teach or suggest a cylinder rupture vessel capable of
accommodating gas cylinders of diverse sizes and configurations.
The prior art also does not teach or suggest apparatus for safely
having a very high pressure, while maintaining high factors of
safety. It is also not known in the art to provide a cylinder
rupture vessel wherein all processing operations may be performed
remotely.
The present invention overcomes these and other deficiencies in the
prior art by providing a waste cylinder rupture vessel that houses
a target compressed gas cylinder for sampling, recontainerization,
and disposal of the cylinder contents by virtue of cylinder
processing operations performed at a control panel outside of the
sealed structure. The design and operating protocols of the
cylinder rupture vessel assure the highest possible degree of
safety for handling compressed gas cylinders in any condition and
ensure adequate isolation of toxic gases from the environment
during the entire processing operation. The present invention may
also be utilized for the safe and efficient withdrawal, sampling
and recontainerization of the contents of pressurized and
non-pressurized drums and other similar containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a mobile, air tight cylinder
rupture vessel is provided having an access member at its forward
end for communicating with the vessel interior so as to place
therewithin a target compressed gas cylinder whose contents are to
be disposed. V-shaped bearing surfaces located in the bottom
interior of the vessel along the elongate length thereof support
and center a compressed gas cylinder of any size. A hydraulically
actuated puncture member is located in the upper portion of the
vessel so as to be disposed above a target compressed gas cylinder
resting on said bearing surfaces. A second, similar puncture member
may be disposed below the upper puncture member and beneath the
V-shaped bearing surfaces.
Subsequent to loading a target compressed gas cylinder into the
cylinder rupture vessel, the access member is sealed and air is
purged from the vessel interior by means of a vacuum pump
communicating with a vacuum connection provided in the wall of the
vessel. An inert gas is introduced into the vessel through purge
connections until the atmosphere inside the cylinder rupture vessel
is completely inert. Alternatively, a supercooled liquid may be
used as the media for the puncture operation.
The puncture operation is performed by actuating a hydraulic
cylinder and piston located in the vessel interior. Downward
movement of the piston effects downward movement of the puncture
member, to which it is attached. A centering block, which moves
with the piston and the puncture member along cylindrical guide
rods against the force of compression springs, holds the cylinder
in place and guides the puncture member into the cylinder. The
centering block rests on the upper wall of the target cylinder to
secure the target cylinder prior to penetration and to prevent the
ruptured target cylinder from traveling upward with the puncture
member when the piston is retracted. Downward movement of the
piston results in penetration of the top and bottom walls of the
target cylinder, thereby releasing the gas and/or liquid contained
therein. A closed-circuit video monitoring system may be installed
in the vessel to verify and monitor the puncture sequence.
The cylinder rupture vessel is capable of being tilted along its
longitudinal axis in both an upward and downward direction off its
normally horizontal plane by means of a hydraulic support assembly
located beneath the forward end of the vessel. Tilting the vessel
facilitates the removal of liquid released from the punctured
cylinder and from the vessel through a drainage port located in the
vessel wall. Liquid drained out of the cylinder rupture vessel is
recontainerized along with any gas that had volatilized from the
liquid.
An analytical gas chromatograph unit is connected to a sampling
port by means of a valve for direct sample extraction and analysis
of the vessel contents.
Gases present in the cylinder rupture vessel following the rupture
sequence are evacuated through the vacuum connection, utilizing a
vacuum pump in series with a compressor. Once a vacuum is created
inside the vessel, inert gas is reintroduced through the purge
connections and the cylinder rupture vessel will be safe to open
after complete pressure equalization has occurred.
Gas withdrawn from the vessel is pumped into new gas cylinders,
sampled and properly staged for disposal. If liquids have been
released, the interior of the cylinder rupture vessel is triple
rinsed with alkali solution. The rinse water is then containerized
and staged for disposal. The ruptured cylinders are removed from
the vessel and properly disposed.
All cylinder processing operations, including air purge,
introduction of inert gas, activation of the puncture spike,
evacuation and tilting of the vessel and closed-circuit video
monitoring for verifying the puncture sequence are performed at a
control panel outside of the vessel.
Thus, a principal object of the invention is to provide a safe
methodology for the sampling and recontainerization of compressed
gases and liquids.
An additional object of the invention is to provide an
environmentally acceptable manner of disposing of deteriorated
compressed gas cylinders having unknown contents.
It is an object of the invention to provide a means for the safe
release of the entire contents of gas cylinders of various sizes,
configurations and pressure.
It is a further object of the invention to allow safe withdrawal
and recontainerization of both gaseous and liquid phases of any
material released from ruptured gas cylinders.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a cylinder
rupture vessel having a high factor of safety.
It is an object of the invention to dispose of gas cylinders by
means wherein toxic gases are isolated from the environment and
from personnel.
Another object of the invention is to provide a cylinder rupture
unit that is mobile.
A further object of the invention is to provide a cylinder rupture
unit wherein all of the target cylinder processing operations are
performed by remote control from outside of the vessel.
An additional object of the invention is to dispose of compressed
gas cylinders having a very high pressure.
Another object of the invention is to withdraw, sample and
recontainerize the contents of non-pressurized drums and other
similar containers.
The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this
invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent and
the invention itself will be best understood by the following
description of several embodiments of the invention taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a preferred
embodiment of a waste cylinder rupture vessel constructed in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view, taken through a portion
of the waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1, such view being
taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, and further being taken on an
enlarged scale;
FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of a portion of the waste
cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1, such view being taken along line
3--3 of FIG. 1 and further being taken on an enlarged scale;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the puncture spike utilized
within the waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG 1, such view being
taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1 and further being taken on an
enlarged scale;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the puncture spike shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a first
alternative embodiment of a waste cylinder rupture vessel
constructed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of a fragment of the rupture
vessel of FIG. 6, such view being taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 6
and in the direction indicated, and further being taken on an
enlarged scale;
FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a fragment of the
rupture vessel of FIG. 6, such view being taken along line 8--8 in
FIG. 6 and in the direction indicated;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the cylindrical
closure of the waste cylinder rupture vessel being pivoted to its
opened position;
FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the punch assembly employed
with the waste cylinder rupture unit of FIG. 6, such view being
taken within the insert "10" in FIG. 6, and further being taken on
an enlarged scale;
FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a second
alternative and preferred embodiment of a waste cylinder rupture
vessel constructed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through a portion
of the waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 11, such view being
taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 11 and further being taken on a
reduced scale;
FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the lower punch member
utilized within the waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 11, such
view being taken along line 13--13 of FIG. 11, and further being
taken on a reduced scale;
FIG. 14 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken through a portion
of the waste cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 11, such view being
taken along line 14--14 of FIG. 11 and further being taken on a
reduced scale.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder rupture vessel of the present
invention, indicated generally at 10, comprises a mobile,
high-strength steel welded pressure vessel housing having a
cylindrically shaped upper housing portion 12 integral with and
disposed vertically above a horizontal cylindrically shaped lower
housing portion 14. Together, upper and lower housing portions 12
and 14 define a chamber for processing a target compressed gas
cylinder 26 received therein.
Located within the bottom interior of the lower housing portion 14,
and extending in rows along the elongate length thereof, are a
plurality of cylindrical roller bodies 16, 18, a pair of which is
shown in FIG. 2. Each cylindrical roller body 16, 18 is rotatably
received at each end in a pillow block bearing 20 secured to a
triangularly shaped steel plate 22 built into opposite interior
walls of the bottom of the lower housing portion. The location of
the triangularly shaped steel plates 22, and the pillow block
bearings secured thereto, is such that the cylindrical roller
bodies 18, 18 are disposed at a vertical angle between the pillow
block bearings and in a direction transverse to the elongate length
of the lower housing portion 14 of the cylindrical rupture vessel.
Adjacent cylindrical roller bodies 16, 18 are angled in equal but
opposite directions, with each cylindrical roller body pair 16, 18
forming a V-shaped bearing surface 24 to cradle a target compressed
gas cylinder 26. Pairs of oppositely angled cylindrical roller
bodies 16, 18 extend the elongate length of the lower housing
portion providing V-shaped bearing surfaces 24 capable of
accommodating and accurately positioning any sized target
compressed gas cylinder 26 in the center interior of the cylinder
rupture vessel. The bearing surfaces so formed are also capable of
withstanding the forces applied during the cylinder puncture
sequence. Single unit rollers having integrated bearing surfaces
may be utilized instead of the pillow block arrangement. In such a
case, the self-centering capability is achieved by means of a
V-shaped notch in the body of the roller, thus precluding the need
for pillow block bearings and their associated supports.
The lower housing portion 14 of the cylinder rupture vessel is
sealed at its normally open forward end 28 with an access member in
the form of a circular hatch 30 retained in airtight sealing
engagement by hinge means (not shown) with a slip-on flange 32
provided on the open end of the lower housing portion. A plurality
of fixed toggle clamps 34, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1,
are located around the periphery of the circular hatch 30 to effect
a pressurized seal. Circular hatch member 30 provides communication
with the interior of the cylinder rupture vessel in the form of
purge connections 35 for introducing an inert gas into the
vessel.
The normally open rearward end 38 of the lower housing portion 14
of the cylinder rupture vessel is sealed with a circular blind
flange 40 secured to a slip-on flange 32 mounted on the lower
housing portion. Bolts 42 distributed around the peripheral edge of
the flanges 40, 32 retain them together, and a ring joint gasket 36
perfects the seal. The blind flange 40 is provided at its lower end
with a drainage port 44 communicating with the interior of the
vessel. The upper wall of the rearward end of the lower housing
portion is provided with a vacuum connection 46, which is connected
to a vacuum (not shown), for withdrawing air from the vessel and
for evacuating the gaseous contents of a ruptured cylinder.
The upper housing portion 12 of the cylinder rupture vessel has
located therein a hydraulic cylinder 48 which receives hydraulic
fluid from hydraulic fluid connections 50, 52, and which
accommodates a cylinder piston 54 for vertical movement therein.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a puncture spike 56 having a fluted
point is connected to the cylinder piston 54 by means of a
rectangular block 58 which moves upwardly and downwardly with the
cylinder piston and the puncture spike along a pair of cylindrical
guide rods 60 that are received within the rectangular block.
Spring pins 62 are provided in the upper ends of the cylindrical
guide rods above the rectangular block to maintain the cylindrical
guide rods in position within the rectangular block. The lower ends
of the cylindrical guide rods are secured to a rectangular
centering block 64 having formed in its lower elongate edge a
V-shaped notch 66 and being provided with a cavity 68 through which
the puncture spike 56 passes upon downward movement of the cylinder
piston. A compression spring 70 surrounds each of the guide rods
along their length between rectangular block 58 and V-notched
centering block 64. A punch and guide block arrangement comprising
four guide bars and associated compression springs may be utilized
instead of the two-bar system.
The normally open upper housing portion 12 of the cylinder rupture
vessel is sealed with a blind flange 72 which is provided with
purge connection 74 and hydraulic fluid connections 50, 52.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the forward end 28 of the lower
housing portion of the cylinder rupture vessel has provided beneath
it a hydraulic support assembly comprising a pair of supporting
plate members 76 pivotally connected by pin member 78 to an eye
member 809 located therebetween. The eye member 80 is provided at
its lower end with a hollow tubular passageway which receives
therein piston 82 of hydraulic cylinder 84. The lower end of
hydraulic cylinder 84 is provided with a pair of eye members 86
which are pivotally connected by pin member 88 to a supporting
plate member 90 located therebetween.
As is best indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rearward end 38 of the
lower housing portion of the cylinder rupture vessel is provided
therebeneath with a structural support assembly comprising a pair
of supporting plate members 92 pivotally connected by means of
shaft 94 to gusset plate members 96 located adjacent to the outside
face of the supporting plate members 92. The gusset plate members
are centered over beams 98.
Thus, it can be seen that vertical movement of piston 82 results in
upward or downward movement of the forward end of the lower housing
portion in relation to its normally horizontal plane. The result of
this vertical displacement is tilting of the cylinder rupture
vessel along its longitudinal axis around the pivoted connections
78, 88 and 94 provided on the hydraulic and structural support
assemblies. Tilting of the cylinder rupture vessel in this manner
facilitates drainage of liquid from the vessel through drainage
port 44.
The entire cylinder rupture vessel 10, including the hydraulic and
structural support assemblies 88 and 108, is supported on a
suitable base 109. Further, the cylinder rupture vessel and base
are preferably enclosed in a sealed, mobile containment structure
(not shown). A closed-circuit video monitor (not shown) is
preferably installed in the interior of the cylinder rupture vessel
to verify puncture spike penetration of the target compressed gas
cylinder.
All of the cylinder processing operations, including the purge
operation, the cylinder hydraulics, the gas/liquid evacuation and
the closed-circuit video monitoring are accomplished through remote
operation by means of controls located outside of the vessel.
In operation, the cylinder rupture vessel 10 is loaded by opening
the access member 30 located on the forward end of the vessel.
Smaller target compressed gas cylinders are placed by hand or
machine into the body of the vessel and positioned directly beneath
the puncture spike 56. Larger target cylinders 26 are placed on the
V-shaped bearing surfaces 24 formed by the cylindrical roller
bodies 16, 18 located along the bottom interior of the vessel and
are slid into appropriate position beneath the puncture spike. The
V-shaped bearing surfaces 24 cradle the target compressed gas
cylinder 26 and accurately position it in the center of the
cylinder rupture vessel.
Once the target gas cylinder has been properly located inside the
cylinder rupture vessel, the vessel is sealed by closing the access
member 30. A pressurized seal is obtained through the application
of the fixed toggle clamps 34 around the periphery of the hatch
member.
The processing cycle is initiated by purging the air from the
interior of the vessel by means of a vacuum pump (not shown)
communicating with vacuum connection 46. An inert gas, generally
helium or nitrogen, is introduced into the vessel through purge
connections 35 and 74, until the atmosphere inside the cylinder
rupture vessel is completely inert.
The hydraulic cylinder 48 is actuated through hydraulic fluid
connections 50, 52 to effect downward movement of cylinder piston
54 and rectangular block 58 so that the V-notched centering block
64 is resting against the upper wall of the target cylinder 26
located beneath it. Further downward travel of the cylinder piston
54 results in the downward movement of the rectangular block 58
along the cylindrical guide rods 60 against the force of
compression springs 70 so that the puncture spike is guided through
the cavity in the V-notched centering block to puncture both the
upper and lower walls of the target compressed gas cylinder.
Any liquids in the cylinder rupture vessel following the rupture
sequence are allowed to drain through drainage port 44. Drainage is
facilitated by activating hydraulic cylinder 84 which forms part of
the hydraulic support assembly beneath the forward portion of the
vessel. Activation of the cylinder 84 and piston 82 results in the
forward portion of the vessel moving upwardly or downwardly in
relation to its horizontal plane, causing the vessel to tilt along
its longitudinal axis around the pivoted connections 78, 88 and 94
provided on the support assemblies.
Gases released into the cylinder rupture vessel following the
puncture operation are evacuated through the vacuum connection 46
by means of a vacuum in series with a compressor (not shown). The
extracted gas can be recontainerized, sampled and staged for proper
disposal. Subsequently, inert gas is reintroduced into the vessel
until the atmosphere therein is again completely inert.
Referring to FIGS. 6-10 of the drawings, there is shown a first
alternative embodiment of the cylinder rupture vessel of the
present invention. The cylinder rupture vessel shown in FIG. 6
comprises a pressure vessel housing having a cylindrically shaped
upper housing portion 100 integral with and disposed vertically
above a horizontal cylindrically shaped lower housing portion 102.
The lower housing portion 102 differs from lower housing portion 14
of the cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1 in that lower housing
portion 102 is of greater elongate length for receiving therein a
target compressed gas cylinder 104 of substantial length. Lower
housing portion 102 differs further from lower housing portion 14
in that it is sealed at its normally open forward end 106 with a
cylindrical closure 108. Cylindrical closure 108 is secured to the
lower housing portion by means of slip-on flanges 110 provided,
respectively, on the cylindrical closure and on the forward open
end of the lower housing portion. The slip-on flanges 110 are
secured to each other by means of bolts 112 located around the
peripheral edge of the flanges. As is best illustrated in FIGS. 7
and 8, slip-on flanges 110 are hingedly connected to each other by
hinge means 114, which provides access to the interior of the lower
housing portion by movement of cylindrical closure 108 to the
position shown in FIG. 9. The configuration of cylindrical closure
108 is such that it can be closed over, and receive therewithin the
forward end of a target compressed gas cylinder 104. A ring joint
gasket 116 at the cylindrical closure-vessel interface perfects the
seal. Purge connections 118 for introducing an inert gas are
provided in the outside wall of the cylindrical closure.
Lower housing portion 102 is closed at its rearward end 120 and has
formed therein an observation port 122. The upper wall of the lower
housing portion is provided at the rearward end with a vacuum
connection 124 for purging air from the cylinder rupture vessel and
for evacuating any gases released during the puncture sequence. A
drainage port 126 is provided in the bottom wall of the rearward
end of the lower housing portion for removing any liquids from the
vessel.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, located within the bottom interior of
the lower housing portion, and extending in uniform rows along the
elongate length thereof, are a plurality of vertical plates 128,
the upper edges of which are in the shape of a shallow "V". The
shallow V-shaped edges form bearing surfaces upon which rests a
target compressed gas cylinder.
Upper housing portion 100 of the cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 6
is similar to upper housing portion 12 of the cylinder rupture
vessel of FIG. 1. As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 10, upper housing
portion 100 has located therein a hydraulic cylinder 130 and piston
132 to which is secured a punch assembly, indicated generally at
insert 10, which is shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 10. The
punch assembly is similar to the puncture spike 56 discussed in
conjunction with the cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1 and
comprises a punch member 134 secured to piston 132 by means of
rectangular block 136 which moves vertically with the piston along
cylindrical guide rods 138 against the force of compression springs
140. The lower ends of the guide rods are received within a
rectangular centering block 142 shown in FIG. 10 as guiding the
punch member as it punctures the upper wall of target compressed
gas cylinder 104.
The normally open upper housing portion 100 of the cylinder rupture
vessel is sealed with a blind flange 144 secured by bolts 112 to a
slip-on flange 110 mounted on the upper housing portion. Ring joint
gasket 116 retains the flanges in airtight sealing engagement.
Blind flange 144 is provided with hydraulic fluid connection 146
for supplying hydraulic fluid to hydraulic cylinder 130.
The forward end 106 of the lower housing portion 102 is provided
therebeneath a hydraulic support assembly 148. The rearward end 120
of the lower housing portion has provided therebeneath a structural
support assembly 150. Hydraulic and structural support assemblies
148. 150 have already been described in detail in conjunction with
the hydraulic and structural support assemblies of the cylinder
rupture vessel of FIG. 1. Thus, the forward end of the cylinder
rupture vessel of FIG. 6 may be raised or lowered in relation to
its horizontal plane, resulting in tilting of the unit around the
pivoted connections provided on the hydraulic and structural
support assemblies.
A second alternative embodiment, and the preferred embodiment of
the instant invention, is illustrated in FIGS. 11-14. The cylinder
rupture vessel of FIG. 11 comprises a pressure vessel housing
having a cylindrically shaped upper housing portion 152 integral
with and disposed vertically above a horizontal cylindrically
shaped lower housing portion 154.
Lower housing portion 154 is sealed at its normally open forward
end 156 by means of hatch member 158 having hinge means (not
shown). The upper wall of the forward end of the lower housing
portion is provided with purge connection 160 for the introduction
of inert gas into the cylinder rupture vessel interior.
The rearward end 162 of the lower housing portion is sealed by
means of an integral hemispherical end cap 164. The upper wall of
the lower housing portion is provided at the rearward end with
vacuum connection 166 for accomplishing the air purge and gas
evacuation operations. The top surface of the lower housing portion
wall is provided at both the forward and rearward ends with a
lifting lug 168.
As seen in FIGS. 11 and 13, the bottom interior of the lower
housing portion 154 has located therein along its elongate length a
plurality of angled cylindrical roller bodies 170, a pair of which
is shown in FIG. 13. Each pair of adjacent cylindrical roller
bodies forms a V-shaped bearing surface for acceptance of a target
compressed gas cylinder 172 (not shown), as previously discussed in
detail in connection with the cylinder rupture vessel of FIG.
1.
The bottom wall of the lower housing portion of the cylinder
rupture vessel of FIG. 11 is interrupted by an integral cylindrical
housing portion 174 depending vertically therefrom and being closed
at its lower end by means of a flange plate 173. The flange plate
is connected to and supported with respect to the integral
cylindrical housing portion by means of a plurality of gusset
plates 175 which are shaped so as to provide a passage for the free
movement of liquids around them on the interior of the integral
cylindrical housing portion.
Located within the integral cylindrical housing portion 174 beneath
the V-shaped bearing surfaces is a hydraulic cylinder and piston
arrangement 176 which communicates with lower punch member 178 to
transmit upward vertical movement thereto for puncturing the bottom
wall of a target compressed gas cylinder which rests upon the
V-shaped bearing surfaces and which is held down against the upward
force of the lower punch by the concurrent downward force of the
upper punch and guide block arrangement. Hydraulic fluid is
supplied to the hydraulic cylinder and piston through hydraulic
fluid connections 180, 182 located in the bottom wall of the lower
housing portion. A drainage port 184 is located in the side wall of
the integral cylindrical housing portion.
Disposed below the V-shaped bearing surfaces on each side of the
lower punch member are safety stops 186, only one of which is shown
in FIG. 13, secured to the interior wall of the lower housing
portion by means of brackets (not shown) welded thereto. The safety
stops serve to prevent significant downward deflection of the
roller bearing due to the application of force by the upper punch
member 188. They are so positioned as to allow only negligible
deflection in the rollers before the body of the cylinder contacts
the safety stops, thereby preventing significant downward
deflection and subsequent permanent damage to the roller
bearings.
Upper housing portion 152 of the cylinder rupture vessel is of
reduced vertical height compared with upper housing portion 12 of
the cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1 and is provided in its
interior with an upper punch member 188 actuated by hydraulic
cylinder and piston 190, as has already been described in relation
to the puncture spike of the cylinder rupture vessel of FIG. 1. The
normally open upper housing portion 152 is sealed by means of a
blind flange 200 secured by bolts 202 to a slip-on flange 204
provided on the upper housing portion. An airtight seal is
perfected by ring joint gasket 206. Blind flange 200 is provided
with hydraulic fluid connections 208, 210 for supplying hydraulic
fluid to the upper punch member and purge connection 212 for
introducing inert gas into the vessel.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, extending from each of the side walls
of the forward end of the lower housing portion 154 are a pair of
hydraulic support assemblies each comprising a hydraulic cylinder
214 and piston 216 with the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder
being pivotally secured by means of a clevis pin 218 to a
supporting plate 220. The upper end of the piston is received
within a clevis member 222, each clevis member being pivotally
received on a shaft member 224 secured to the outer side wall of
the lower housing portion. Each shaft member accepts the opposite
end of a steel saddle 226 upon which rests the forward end of the
lower housing portion.
Rearward end of lower housing portion 154 has provided therebeneath
a pair of structural support assemblies that are best shown in
FIGS. 11 and 14 as extending from the outer side walls of the
rearward end. Each structural support assembly comprises a shaft
member 228 located on each side of the outer side walls of the
rearward end of lower housing portion 154. Shaft members 228
receive opposite ends of a steel saddle 226 upon which rests the
rearward end of the lower housing portion. Rectangular block
members 230 are situated above supporting cylindrical pipe members
232 and pivotally receive the shaft members, which are secured
therein.
Activation of the hydraulic cylinder 214 results in vertical
movement of the piston 216, causing the forward end of the cylinder
rupture vessel to be vertically displaced in relation to its
horizontal plane. This vertical displacement results in the
cylinder rupture vessel being tilted about the pivoted connections
218, 224 and 228 provided the hydraulic and structural support
assemblies, thus facilitating the exit of the liquids from the
vessel through drainage port.
The entire cylinder rupture vessel, including the hydraulic and
structural support assemblies, is positioned on a frame 234 which
is capable of being levelled by means of the hydraulic cylinder and
piston causes the end of the frame to which they are connected to
be displaced in a vertical direction about the pivot point 238
provided in the frame at its opposite end.
It is apparent from the foregoing that the embodiments of the
invention and the specific components described herein for
illustrative purposes are but a few of those which fall within the
scope and range of the invention. The foregoing description is made
only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the
invention.
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