Patent EA-001857-B1 (EA)
Title: Remotely operable pressure vessel system
Inventor: FETZER KELLY
IPC: F16L37/00
Filed: 1998-01-28
Abstract: 1. A system for operating a vessel comprising: at least one closure transport for removing a vessel closure from an opening in the vessel, the closure transport at least partially remotely operable; at least one joint connector for sealing or unsealing the vessel, the joint connector at least partially remotely operable; and at least one removal system for guiding material being emptied from the vessel, the removal system at least partially remotely operable; wherein the joint connector further comprises: a plurality of clamp segments, the clamp segments movable from a first position to a second position and vice versa, whereby the joint connector is put into an open state when the clamp segments are in the first position, and put into a closed, clamping state when the clamp segments are in the second position; wherein the clamping segments have an energized state when storing energy and a free state when not storing energy, the energized state being associated with either the first position or second position, and the free state being associated with the other; the clamp segments adapted for and conjoined by segment fasteners, the segment fasteners comprised of segment fastener elements, the segment fasteners adapted to be lockable for storing energy within the clamp segments; the clamp segments conjoined such that the failure of any single segment fastener elements will not unconjoin the clamp segments or cause failure of the joint connector; and one or more actuable powered drive members for applying energy to the clamp segments and adapted to energize at least a portion of the segment fasteners; wherein the drive members are operable from a location separated by distance from the joint connector. 2. A method for using the system of Claim 1 comprising the steps of: remotely guiding and engaging an input conduit to the vessel; remotely sealing the input conduit to the vessel by actuating at least one joint connector. 3. A method for using the system of Claim 1 comprising the steps of: remotely unsealing the vessel from an external environment by actuating at least one joint connector; remotely removing the closure from the opening on the vessel by using at least one closure transport. 4. The method of Claim 3 further comprising the step of remotely removing material from the vessel. 5. The method of Claim 4 further comprising the step of remotely engaging the removal system comprising an exit chute to the vessel for the purpose of guiding material out of the vessel. 6. The method of Claim 5 further comprising the step of inserting a vessel penetrating tool into the vessel through the vessel opening. 7. The system of Claim 1 wherein the joint connector is adapted to interface at least one structural unit. 8. The system of Claim 7 wherein the structural unit is a coke drum or joined to a coke drum. 9. A method of using the system of Claim 1 comprising the steps of: positioning the a second structural unit next to a vessel; joining the second structural unit to the vessel by engaging the joint connector on the vessel and the second structural unit. 10. The system of Claim 1 further comprising a vessel closure adapted to fit the joint connector, for sealing the vessel opening when the joint connector is engaged in the first closed position. 11. The system of Claim 10 further comprising: a vessel penetrating tool adapted for placement within the vessel through the vessel opening; whereby the vessel penetrating tool is adapted to be sealed to the vessel when the joint connector is engaged in the closed position. 12. The system of Claim 11 further comprising an apparatus for centering a vessel penetrating tool comprising: a flange having an opening, the flange adapted to fit on the vessel opening, the flange further restricting the movement of a vessel penetrating tool, whereby at least a portion of the vessel penetrating tool passes through the flange opening and through the vessel opening and into the vessel, and whereby the flange is remotely fixed to the vessel. 13. The system of Claim 12 whereby the remote fixing of the flange to the vessel serves to center the vessel penetrating tool. 14. The method of Claim 2 wherein the step of sealing the input conduit further comprises engaging the joint connector on the closure and the vessel. 15. The system of Claim 1 wherein the removal system comprises: a working surface having a surface opening; at least one opening cover at least partially covering the surface opening and movably attached to the working surface; a chute movably stored on a side of the working surface opposite the vessel when in an undeployed position; an actuator, connected to the chute, for moving the chute from the undeployed position to a deployed position, and vice versa, wherein the chute forms a passage from an opening in the vessel through the surface opening, whereby the deploying and undeploying of the chute deploys and decommissions the opening covering. 16. The method of Claim 3 further comprising the steps of: remotely engaging an actuator, connected to a chute, for moving the chute from an undeployed position to a deployed position, and vice versa; the actuator deploying the chute, the chute movably stored on a side of a working surface opposite the vessel when in an undeployed position to a vessel opening and through a surface opening in the working surface, the surface opening at least partially covered by at least one opening cover movably attached to the working surface, and wherein the chute forms a passage from the opening to the vessel when in the deployed position; the chute opening the surface opening as the chute passes through the surface opening. 17. The system of Claim 1 wherein the removal system comprises: a working surface having a surface opening; a chute movably stored on a side of the working surface opposite the vessel when in an undeployed position; at least one opening cover at least partially covering the surface opening and movably attached to the working surface; an actuator, connected to the opening cover, for moving the opening cover to and away from the surface opening, whereby the moving of the opening cover transitions the chute from the undeployed position to a deployed position, and vice versa, wherein the chute forms a passage from an opening in the vessel through the surface opening. 18. The system of Claim 1 wherein the removal system comprises: a chute; one or more cords adapted to be attached to the chute for deploying or undeploying the chute; one or more actuators for applying a force to the chute for either deploying or undeploying the chute. 19. The system of Claim 18, further comprising: a deck containing an aperture, whereby the chute is able to translate through the aperture upon being deployed or undeployed by the actuator; at least one floor plate movingly attached to the deck and positioned to at least partially cover the aperture; whereby the deploying and undeploying of the chute opens and closes, respectively, the floor plate. 20. The system of Claim 1 wherein the removal system comprises: a chute; one or more actuators for applying a force to the chute, whereby the force either deploys or undeploys the chute; a working surface containing an aperture, whereby the chute is able to translate through the aperture upon being deployed and undeployed by the actuator; at least one floor plate movingly attached to the deck and positioned to at least partially cover the aperture; whereby the deploying and undeploying of the chute opens and closes, respectively, the floor plate. 21. The system of Claim 1 wherein the removal system comprises: a chute; a working surface containing an aperture, whereby the chute is able to translate through the aperture; one or more floor supports movingly attached to the working surface and positioned over the aperture; one or more actuators for applying a force to the floor supports, whereby the force moves the floor supports relative to the working surface; the floor supports connected to the chute, whereby the movement of the floor supports deploys or undeploys the exit chute from the aperture. 22. The system of Claim 1 wherein the removal system comprises: a working surface having an opening; a plurality of overlapping remotely operable floor plates at least partially covering the opening and movingly attached to the working surface; an actuator for remotely opening and closing the floor plates, whereby when the floor plates are opened the floor plates create a diversion barrier for a flow of material from the vessel. 23. The system of Claim 22, wherein the opened floor plates form a passageway for material to pass between the vessel and the working surface. 24. The system of Claim 1 wherein the closure transport comprises: a table for supporting the closure; a movement mechanism attached to the table for moving the table; a guiding mechanism for guiding the table to and from the vessel. 25. The system of Claim 24 wherein the table further comprises a restraint for restraining and securing the closure to the table. 26. The method of Claim 3 wherein the step of remotely removing the closure further comprises the steps of: guiding and moving at least a portion of a closure transport to the closure, the closure transport comprising: a table for supporting the closure; a movement mechanism attached to the table for moving the table; a guiding mechanism for guiding the table to and from the closure; disconnecting the closure from the vessel, whereby the closure is supported by the closure transport; moving the portion of the closure transport supporting the closure away from vessel. 27. The system of Claim 1 further comprising: an inlet pipe having first and second flanged members and longitudinal axes; a joint connector for securing the first flanged member and second flanged member; a clamp mover attached to the joint connector and movingly attached to the first flanged member for translating the joint connector s