Sealing System For Pressure Vessels

Abstract

A pressure vessel that includes a housing having separable portions is provided. A seal is provided in a groove formed between the separable portions. A retaining mechanism is provided for retaining the seal in the groove, wherein the seal is prevented from obstructing a passageway formed between the separable portions when the separable portions have not been properly compressed against each other.

1 . A pressure vessel comprising:
 a housing having separable portions, said separable portions moveable from a first position, in which said separable portions are substantially retained against each other, to a second position, in which a passageway is formed between said separable portions, said passageway sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough;   a groove formed between said separable portions;   a seal provided in said groove; and   a retaining means for retaining said seal in said groove, wherein said seal is prevented from obstructing said passageway.   
     
     
         2 . The pressure vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means is a support ring attached to said seal, said support ring sized to limit the outward expansion of said seal. 
     
     
         3 . The pressure vessel of  claim 2 , wherein said support ring is substantially embedded in said seal. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure vessel of  claim 3 , wherein said support ring is formed from a rigid metal. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure vessel of  claim 2 , wherein said seal is an annular gasket seated between said separable portions of said housing. 
     
     
         6 . The pressure vessel of  claim 5 , wherein said annular gasket is sized to form a substantially fluid tight seal between said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said first position. 
     
     
         7 . The pressure vessel of  claim 6 , wherein said annular gasket is sized to allow fluid to flow through said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said second position. 
     
     
         8 . The pressure vessel of  claim 7 , wherein said annular gasket is made of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         9 . The pressure vessel of  claim 7 , further comprising a clamp sized to secure said separable portions of said housing to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The pressure vessel of  claim 9 , wherein said clamp includes a first main segment, a second main segment, and a connecting segment attached to said first main section and said second main segment. 
     
     
         11 . The pressure vessel of  claim 10 , wherein said first main segment includes a bolt pad positioned on one end of said first main segment and a pair of outer tongues extending from an opposite end of said first main segment, and wherein said second main segment includes a bolt pad positioned on one end of said second main segment and a pair of outer tongues extending from an opposite end of said second main segment. 
     
     
         12 . The pressure vessel of  claim 11 , wherein said connecting segment includes an inner tongue extending from one end of said connecting segment and an inner tongue extending from an opposite end of said connecting segment. 
     
     
         13 . The pressure vessel of  claim 10 , wherein said annular gasket is sized to allow fluid to flow through said separable portions of said housing before said clamp disengages from said separable sections. 
     
     
         14 . A pressure vessel comprising:
 a housing having separable portions, said separable portions moveable from a first position, in which said separable portions are substantially retained against each other, to a second position, in which said separable portions are separated from each other;   a seal provided between said separable portions, said seal sized to prevent fluid from leaking out from said separable portions when said separable portions are in their said first position; and   a retaining means for retaining said seal between said separable portions so as to allow fluid to pass around said seal when said separable portions are in their said second position.   
     
     
         15 . The pressure vessel of  claim 14 , further comprising a clamp sized to secure said separable portions of said housing to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The pressure vessel of  claim 15 , wherein a passageway is formed between said separable portions when said separable portions are in their said second position, said passageway sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . The pressure vessel of  claim 16 , wherein said retaining means is a support ring attached to said seal, said support ring sized to limit the outward expansion of said seal. 
     
     
         18 . The pressure vessel of  claim 17 , wherein said seal is an annular gasket seated between said separable portions of said housing. 
     
     
         19 . The pressure vessel of  claim 18 , wherein said annular gasket is sized to form a substantially fluid tight seal between said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said first position. 
     
     
         20 . The pressure vessel of  claim 19 , wherein said annular gasket is sized to allow fluid to flow through said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said second position. 
     
     
         21 . A pressure vessel comprising:
 a housing having separable portions;   a gasket provided between said separable portions, said gasket forming a substantially fluid tight seal between said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are retained against each other; and   a retaining means for retaining said gasket between said separable portions so as to allow fluid to pass around said gasket when said separable portions are separated from each other.   
     
     
         22 . The pressure vessel of  claim 21 , further comprising a clamp sized to secure said separable portions of said housing to each other. 
     
     
         23 . The pressure vessel of  claim 22 , wherein said retaining means is a support ring attached to said gasket, said support ring sized to limit the outward expansion of said gasket.