Apparatus For Sealing A Vacuum Tank Door

Abstract

An apparatus for sealing a vacuum tank door. The apparatus comprises a circular flange attached to a door panel of a vacuum tank, a horizontal crossbar connected to the center of the door panel and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly comprises an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm, and a hydraulic cylinder. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes the linkage assembly to move downwards pulling on the horizontal crossbar and pulling the vacuum tank door towards the tank. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder also causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm to the to the tank creating a tight seal between the vacuum tank door and the tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seating mechanism for seating a vacuum tank comprising:
 a circular door having an inner surface and an outer surface;   a first brace connected to the inner surface and spaced apart from a diameter of the door;   a second brace connected to the inner surface and orthogonally disposed relative to the first brace;   a first bracket connected to the outer surface of the door;   a second bracket connected to the outer surface of the door;   a first linkage assembly connected to the first bracket;   a second linkage assembly connected to the second bracket;   a first actuator connected to the first linkage assembly; and   a second actuator connected to the second linkage assembly;   wherein the first and second actuator are connected to operate jointly to cause the first linkage assembly and the second linkage assembly to open or close the door in relation to the vacuum tank.   
     
     
         2 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 1  further comprising a third brace connected to the inner surface and disposed parallel to the first brace. 
     
     
         3 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 2  wherein the first brace is disposed on a first side of a center point of the door and the third brace is disposed on a second side of the center point. 
     
     
         4 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 2  further comprising a fourth brace connected to the inner surface and disposed parallel to the second brace. 
     
     
         5 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 4  wherein each of the first brace, second brace, third brace, and fourth brace are all spaced apart from a center of the door. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third brace connected to the inner surface and parallel to the first brace; 
 a fourth brace connected to the inner surface and parallel to the second brace; 
 wherein each of the first brace, second brace, third brace, and fourth brace are all spaced apart from a center of the door. 
 
     
     
         7 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 6  wherein the circular door comprises a dome, wherein the center comprises an apex of the dome; and wherein the first brace and the third brace are parallel to the diameter of the door and spaced apart from the apex. 
     
     
         8 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 7  wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are separated on opposite sides of the apex and disposed on the diameter of the door. 
     
     
         9 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the first linkage assembly further comprises an upper linkage arm connected to the first bracket and a lower linkage arm connected to the vacuum tank; and wherein the first actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder connected to the lower linkage arm; wherein activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm to the vacuum tank. 
     
     
         10 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 9  wherein the second linkage assembly further comprises an second upper linkage arm connected to the second bracket and a second lower linkage arm connected to the vacuum tank; and wherein the second actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder connected to the second lower linkage arm; wherein activation of the second hydraulic cylinder causes a connection point of the first lower linkage arm and the second upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the second lower linkage arm to the vacuum tank. 
     
     
         11 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are connected to the door an equal distance from a center of the door. 
     
     
         12 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 9  wherein the lower linkage arm comprises a slot, wherein the upper linkage arm is partially disposed within the slot when the door is in a closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the first bracket is connected directly to the outer surface of the door and comprises a first horizontal bar comprising a pivotal connection with the first linkage. 
     
     
         14 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the second bracket connected directly to the outer surface of the door and comprises a second horizontal bar comprising a pivotal connection with the second linkage. 
     
     
         15 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the first brace comprises a plurality of pieces connected to the inner surface of the door. 
     
     
         16 . A sealing mechanism for scaling a vacuum tank comprising:
 a circular dome shaped door having a diameter and an apex;   a first brace connected to an inner surface of the door and spaced apart from the apex;   a second brace connected to the inner surface of the door and disposed to cross the first brace at a right angle to the first brace;   a plurality of brackets connected to an outer surface of the door and spaced apart from the apex; and   a lifting assembly attached to one of the plurality of brackets, the lifting assembly comprising:
 an upper linkage arm connected to one of the plurality of brackets; 
 a lower linkage arm connected to the tank; and 
 a hydraulic cylinder connected to the lower linkage arm. 
   
     
     
         17 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 16  wherein activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm to the tank. 
     
     
         18 . The seating mechanism of  claim 16  further comprising a third brace connected to the inner surface and disposed parallel to the first brace. 
     
     
         19 . The scaling mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the first brace comprises a first curved side and a second flat side. 
     
     
         20 . The scaling mechanism of  claim 19  wherein the first brace comprises a plurality of pieces connected to the inner surface of the door. 
     
     
         21 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 18  wherein the first brace is disposed on a first side of the apex of the door and the third brace is disposed on a second side of the apex. 
     
     
         22 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 18  further comprising a fourth brace connected to the inner surface and disposed parallel to the second brace. 
     
     
         23 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 22  wherein each of the first brace, second brace, third brace, and fourth brace are all spaced apart from the apex of the door. 
     
     
         24 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 23  wherein each of the first brace, second brace, third brace, and the fourth brace all comprise a curved first side and a flat second side. 
     
     
         25 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a third brace connected to the inner surface and parallel to the first brace; 
 a fourth brace connected to the inner surface and parallel to the second brace; 
 wherein each of the first brace, second brace, third brace, and fourth brace are all spaced apart from the apex. 
 
     
     
         26 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 18  wherein the first brace and the third brace are parallel to the diameter of the door. 
     
     
         27 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the at least two brackets are separated on opposite sides and connected at a periphery of the door and disposed on the diameter. 
     
     
         28 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 16  wherein each of the plurality of brackets are connected to the door an equal distance from the apex of the door. 
     
     
         29 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the lower linkage arm comprises a slot, wherein the upper linkage arm is partially disposed within the slot when the door is in a closed position. 
     
     
         30 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of brackets are connected directly to the outer surface of the door and each comprise a horizontal bar comprising a pivotal connection with the lifting assembly. 
     
     
         31 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 16  wherein each of the plurality of brackets are attached to the door panel so they are positioned beyond a circle defined by a midpoint of a radius of the door and equidistant from the apex of the door. 
     
     
         32 . The sealing mechanism of  claim 16  the lower linkage arm comprises a first end, a second end, and a connection point disposed between the first end and the second end; the second end being connected to the hydraulic cylinder and wherein the lower linkage arm is connected to the vacuum tank at the connection point. 
     
     
         33 . The seating mechanism of  claim 16  wherein a first end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the vacuum tank and a second end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the second end of the lower linkage arm, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation. 
     
     
         34 . A vacuum system comprising:
 a tank having an open end and a closed end;   a door used to close the open end of the tank, the door having on outer surface, an inner surface, and a diameter;   a first brace and a third brace connected to the inner surface of the door, the first brace and the third brace being parallel to each other and spaced apart on opposing sides of the diameter;   a second brace and a fourth brace connected to the inner surface of the door, the second brace and the fourth brace are parallel to each other and spaced apart on opposing sides of the center of the door, wherein the second brace and the fourth brace are disposed at a right angle to the first brace and the third brace;   a plurality of brackets connected to the outer surface of the door; and   a door lifting assembly comprising:
 an upper linkage arm connected to one of the plurality of brackets; 
 a lower linkage arm, having a first end and a second end, the lower linkage comprising a connection point disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the lower linkage arm is connected to a side of the tank at the connection point; and 
 a hydraulic cylinder connected to the second end of the lower linkage arm; 
 wherein activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes a connection of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection point. 
   
     
     
         35 . The vacuum system of  claim 34  wherein the first brace and be third brace are disposed parallel and spaced apart from the diameter of the door. 
     
     
         36 . The vacuum system of  claim 34  wherein a first end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the tank and a second end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the second end of the lower linkage arm, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation. 
     
     
         37 . The vacuum system of  claim 34  wherein the plurality of brackets are attached to the outer surface of the door so they are positioned beyond a circle defined by a midpoint of a radius of the door and equidistant from a center of the door. 
     
     
         38 . The vacuum system of  claim 34  further comprising a material level indicator formed at a center of the door. 
     
     
         39 . A door assembly used to seal a vacuum tank, the assembly comprising:
 a door having a diameter and a center;   a first brace connected to an inner surface of the door and spaced apart from the diameter of the door;   a second brace connected to the inner surface of the door and disposed to cross the first brace at a right angle to the first brace, wherein the second brace is spaced apart from the diameter of the door;   a third brace connected to the inner surface of the door parallel to the first brace and disposed on an opposite side of the diameter from the first brace;   a fourth brace connected to the inner surface of the door and disposed to cross both the first brace and the third brace at a right angle to the first brace and the third brace, wherein the fourth brace is spaced apart from the diameter of the door;   a plurality of brackets connected to an outer surface of the door along the diameter at a periphery of the door, the brackets being operatively connectable to a door movement assembly; and   a hinge supported at a top of the door to allow pivotal movement of the door relative to the vacuum tank.   
     
     
         40 . The assembly of  claim 39  further comprising a material level indicator disposed at a center of the door. 
     
     
         41 . The assembly of  claim 39  wherein the door comprises a dome. 
     
     
         42 . The assembly of  claim 39  wherein the plurality of brackets comprises a first bracket connected to the outer surface at a periphery of the door and a second bracket connected to the outer surface at a periphery of the door. 
     
     
         43 . The assembly of  claim 42  wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are separated on opposites sides of the center and disposed on the diameter. 
     
     
         44 . The assembly of  claim 42  wherein both the first bracket and the second bracket do not extend toward the center beyond a midpoint of a radius of the door. 
     
     
         45 . The assembly of  claim 39  wherein each of the plurality of brackets comprises a bar that extends from a periphery of the door toward the center to a point less than a midpoint of a radius of the door and wherein each bar comprises a connection member to pivotally connect the door to the door movement assembly at the diameter of the door.