Patent ID: 7472721
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: F16J,F16L

Abstract:
1. A method of sealingly enclosing a port in a vessel, comprising: providing a hub having a bore that defines a hub central axis, a male hub thread secured to the hub and generally centered about the hub central axis, a proximate end, a distal end axially opposite the proximate end; sealing the proximate end of the hub to the vessel about the port such that the bore is in fluid communication with the port; removably positioning a door within the bore; providing a shoulder within the bore for seating with the door; providing a locking ring having a ring central axis and a female ring thread generally centered about the ring central axis for mating with the male hub thread; engaging the ring thread with the hub thread; engaging at least one rotatable actuator element with the locking ring, with an axis of rotation of the actuator element spaced from the ring central axis; rotating the actuator element to rotate the locking ring about the ring central axis to axially engage the door and move the door to a closed position against the shoulder; and sealing between the door and the hub when the door is seated with the shoulder.