Fluid pressure vessel employing filter bags

Abstract

A flow through fluid pressure vessel of the type containing filter bags formed by a tubular shell, a one-piece cast bottom closure with an integral outlet port fitting welded to one end of the shell, a one-piece cast combination bulkhead and flange ring welded to the opposite end of the shell, a cast inlet fitting inserted through an aperture in the shell and connected to an inlet opening through the bulkhead and welded to the shell aperture. A cast closure/lid forms an inlet plenum with the bulkhead and is releasably sealed over the flange ring.

1 . A pressure vessel of the type having a plurality of removable filter elements therein with a removable cover comprising:
 (a) a tubular shell;   (b) an end closure attached to an end of the shell and having a fitting defining an outlet fitting with a port formed integrally therewith as one piece;   (c) a bulkhead with an annular flange formed as one piece provided on an open end of the shell opposite the end closure, the bulkhead having apertures therein for communicating with the filter elements;   (d) a fluid inlet fitting attached through the wall of the shell and configured to provide an inlet port through the bulkhead;   (e) a removable cover/lid with surfaces adapted for sealing and disposed over and operable for sealing on the flange; and,   (f) clamping means operative to releasably secure and effect sealing of the lid to the flange.   
     
     
         2 . The pressure vessel of  claim 1  with a seal ring disposed for sealing between the sealing surfaces and the flange. 
     
     
         3 . The pressure vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the end closure is formed by casting. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is formed by casting. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the clamping means includes threaded fasteners and the annular flange includes attachment surfaces for the fasteners. 
     
     
         6 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the bulkhead and annular flange are formed by casting as a one piece member. 
     
     
         7 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the end closure and cover are formed of cast corrosion resistant steel. 
     
     
         8 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet fitting is formed of cast corrosion resistant steel. 
     
     
         9 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the annular flange is attached to the shell by weldment. 
     
     
         10 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet fitting is attached to the shell by weldment. 
     
     
         11 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the clamping means includes fasteners pivotally mounted on the flange connected to lugs formed on the cover. 
     
     
         12 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the annular flange cover, end closure and inlet fitting are formed of AISI type 304 stainless steel. 
     
     
         13 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet fitting includes an annular flange adapted for attachment thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The pressure vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a plurality of spaced lugs integrally formed therewith adapted for receiving fasteners therein. 
     
     
         15 . The pressure vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping means includes an annular clamping band. 
     
     
         16 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the bulkhead has an aperture therein communicating with the inlet fitting. 
     
     
         17 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of supports attached to the shell. 
     
     
         18 . The pressure vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the supports are attached to the shell by weldment. 
     
     
         19 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 1 , wherein the bulkhead includes means for retaining the filter elements. 
     
     
         20 . The pressure vessel defined in  claim 19 , wherein the retaining means includes hold down rings and retaining clips on the bulkhead. 
     
     
         21 . A method of making a fluid pressure vessel of the type having flow through filters therein with a removable lid/closure for filter access comprising:
 (a) forming a tubular shell;   (b) casting a one-piece closure with an integrally formed outlet fitting thereon and welding the closure to one end of the tubular shell;   (c) casting a one-piece bulkhead with an inlet port therein and having an annular rim flange and welding the rim flange to an end of the tubular shell opposite the one end;   (d) casting an inlet fitting and inserting one end of the inlet fitting through an aperture in the tubular shell and securing the one end to the bulkhead inlet port and welding the inlet fitting to the aperture; and,   (e) casting a one-piece closure/lid and disposing the closure/lid for removably closing on the rim flange.   
     
     
         22 . The method defined in  claim 21 , wherein the step of casting an inlet fitting includes integrally casting an attachment flange. 
     
     
         23 . The method defined in  claim 21 , wherein the step of securing the one end to the bulkhead inlet fitting includes welding. 
     
     
         24 . The method defined in  claim 21 , wherein the step of disposing the closure/lid includes pivotally mounting on the tubular shell. 
     
     
         25 . The method defined in  claim 21 , wherein the step of casting a closure includes integrally casting a flange on the outlet fitting. 
     
     
         26 . The method defined in  claim 21 , further comprising integrally casting a signal port outlet fitting on the closure outlet fitting. 
     
     
         27 . The method defined in  claim 21 , further comprising integrally casting a signal port fitting on the inlet fitting.