Positioning arrangement for components of a pressure vessel and method

Abstract

The positioning arrangement comprises at least one pair of complimentary rounded recesses, each recess being provided on the mating face of the corresponding component. One ball is positioned between each pair of complementary recesses.

1 . A positioning arrangement for a pressure vessel having at least two adjacent components to be secured together at mating faces, the arrangement comprising: 
 at least one pair of complementary recesses forming a rounded space, each recess being provided on the mating face of one corresponding component, and    one ball positioned in the rounded space of one corresponding pair of complementary recesses.    
   
   
       2 . The positioning arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the rounded space and the corresponding ball are spherical.  
   
   
       3 . The positioning arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure vessel comprises a fuel nozzle.  
   
   
       4 . The positioning arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the recesses of a same pair are identical.  
   
   
       5 . The positioning arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the recesses of a same pair are nonidentical.  
   
   
       6 . A method of assembling two adjacent components of a pressure vessel, the method comprising: 
 machining a first recess in one of the components;    machining a second recess in the other component, the two recesses being complementary and forming a rounded space when the two adjacent components are being assembled; and    providing a ball between the two complementary recesses, the ball having an external shape and size which are substantially identical to an internal shape and size of the rounded space.    
   
   
       7 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the rounded space and the corresponding ball are spherical.  
   
   
       8 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the pressure vessel comprises a fuel nozzle.  
   
   
       9 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the recesses of a same pair are identical.  
   
   
       10 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the recesses of a same pair are nonidentical.  
   
   
       11 . A pressure vessel arrangement having at least two adjacent components to be secured together at mating faces, one of the two components being a fuel nozzle, the arrangement comprising: 
 at least one pair of complementary rounded recesses forming a space, each recess being provided on the mating face of one corresponding component, and    one rounded element snugly fitted in the space of one corresponding pair of complementary recesses.    
   
   
       12 . The positioning arrangement as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the rounded element is a spherical ball.  
   
   
       13 . The positioning arrangement as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the recesses of a same pair are identical.  
   
   
       14 . The positioning arrangement as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the recesses of a same pair are nonidentical.