Patent Publication Number: US-2021178310-A1

Title: Confined space sealing system and method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/949,208 filed Dec. 17, 2019. The foregoing application, and all documents cited therein or during its prosecution (“appln cited documents”) and all documents cited or referenced in the appln cited documents, and all documents cited or referenced herein (“herein cited documents”), and all documents cited or referenced in herein cited documents, together with any manufacturer&#39;s instructions, descriptions, product specifications, and product sheets for any products mentioned herein or in any document incorporated by reference herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and may be employed in the practice of the invention. More specifically, all referenced documents are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to installation and removal of industrial filter elements in confined spaces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are a number of applications in which it is necessary to remove solids or liquids from a gas stream, liquid stream, or multi-phase stream. As a non-limiting example, solid or liquid contaminants may be present in various gas or liquid streams of a refrigeration system. As another non-limiting example, gas pipelines many times contain solid or liquid contaminants. 
     Various apparatus and methods for removing solids and/or liquids from gas streams are well known. Quite commonly, gas filter elements are utilized for filtering dry gas streams as well as for separating solids and liquids from contaminated gas streams, or for coalescing entrained liquids from a gas stream. Often, these types of gas filter elements are installed in multi-stage vessels, which are in turn installed in a gas pipeline, to perform these filtering functions. 
     These filter elements are generally disposable and only have a finite lifespan. Thus, standard maintenance includes regular installation and removal of these filter elements. The installation/removal process can be cumbersome due to the location of these filter elements in “confined spaces” as defined and governed by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. For example, OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.146 (and other similar regulations) requires certain safeguards whenever a person crosses or breaks the plane of a confined space, such as a pressure vessel. Even if just a hand breaks the plane, defined by an opening of a confined space or vessel, the OSHA regulation applies. These regulations require three employees using self-contained breathing apparatuses to be present when entering a confined space. This of course increases the cost of maintenance and decreases efficiency. 
     Thus, there exists a need for apparatus and systems that can easily and effectively install and remove filter elements without breaching the plane of a confined space. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a filter locking nut is provided. The filter locking nut may include an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a first receptacle, wherein the first receptacle is configured to removably engage an elongated tool. The second end comprises a second receptacle, wherein the second receptacle comprises an internal thread configured to removably engage a threaded rod. In one embodiment, the filter locking nut may include a flange that extends laterally from the elongated body. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of securing a filter element within a pressure vessel without a user breaching a plane of the pressure vessel is provided. The method comprises attaching a filter locking nut to a removal/installation tool, wherein the removal/installation tool comprises an elongated body, inserting the filter locking nut and a distal end of the removal/installation tool into the pressure vessel, and securing the filter locking nut to a threaded rod to secure a filter element in place. The method further comprises detaching the removal/installation tool from the filter locking nut and removing the removal/installation tool from the pressure vessel. At least a portion of the elongated body of the removal/installation tool extends outside of the pressure vessel for the duration of the attaching, inserting, securing, detaching, and removing steps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be more readily understood in view of the following description when accompanied by the below figures and wherein like reference numerals represent the elements, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a depiction of one embodiment of a filter locking nut. 
         FIG. 1B  is a depiction of another embodiment of the filter locking nut. 
         FIG. 2  is an image of a filter element placed within a pressure vessel. 
         FIG. 3  is an image of a filter installation/removal tool in use with a filter element within a pressure vessel. 
         FIG. 4  is another image of a filter installation/removal tool in use with a filter element within a pressure vessel 
         FIG. 5  is an image of a locking nut installation/removal tool in use with a filter locking nut. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following disclosure as a whole may be best understood by reference to the provided detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, drawing description, abstract, background, field of the disclosure, and associated headings. Identical reference numerals when found on different figures identify the same elements or a functionally equivalent element. The elements listed in the abstract are not referenced but nevertheless refer by association to the elements of the detailed description and associated disclosure. 
       FIG. 1A  shows one embodiment of a filter locking nut  10   a . The filter locking nut  10  may have a generally elongated body  12  having a first end  14  and a second end  16 . In this embodiment the generally elongated body  12  is cylindrical in shape, although the disclosure is not so limited. The first end  14  may include a first receptacle  18  with a square shape and having a groove or an indentation  20  on each of the four inside walls  22 . The indentations  20  may be configured to engage the spring ball of a standard square drive commonly found on a socket wrench or an extension therefor when the wrench is inserted into the first receptable  18 . While this embodiment utilizes a first receptable  18  with indentations  20 , the disclosure is not so limited. The first receptacle  18  may vary in design so long as the receptacle  18  is configured to removably engage an elongated removal/installation tool, such as a wrench. The second end  16  may include a second receptable  24 . The second receptable  24  may be internally threaded such that it matches the thread of a threaded rod that holds a filter element in place. In this non-limiting example, internal threading of the second receptacle  24  may be achieved by machining the thread directly into the filter locking nut  10  or alternatively by gluing or otherwise attaching a threaded coupling nut within the second receptacle  24 . 
       FIG. 1B  shows another embodiment of a filter locking nut  10   b . One of skill in the art will recognize that the filter locking nut  10   b  of this embodiment is substantially similar to the filter locking nut  10   a . As a result, a description of the similar structure and functionality will not be repeated here, but will be incorporated herein by this reference. A flange  11  extends laterally from the longitudinal axis of elongated body  12 . This is advantageous for use in connection with filter elements that do not include an integral or attached sealing cap. A wall  13  extends from the flange  11  along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body  12  to define a shoulder  15  therebetween. One of skill in the art will recognize that the shoulder  15  is advantageous to receive and position the filter element relative to the filter locking nut  10   b  and a base within the pressure vessel in order to achieve a quality seal. As mentioned above, otherwise the filter locking nut  10   b  includes all of the same structure and functionality as described with respect to the filter locking nut  10   a.    
     Use of the filter locking nut  10   a  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 .  FIG. 2  shows an elongated filter element  26  disposed within a pressure vessel  28 . The elongated filter element  26  includes a channel running through the middle of the elongated filter element  26  that is enclosed on one end by an integral or attached sealing cap that is configured to receive a threaded rod  30 . As can be seen, the filter element  26  is contained entirely within the pressure vessel  28  such that no portion of the filter element  26  extends outside of the pressure vessel  28 . Thus, in order to previously remove/install the filter element  26  into the pressure vessel  28 , one must reach at least one hand into the pressure vessel  28 . When reaching a hand into the pressure vessel  28 , OSHA regulations for “confined spaces” as described above must be followed. To avoid reaching a hand into the pressure vessel (and also avoid OSHA regulations), an elongated filter removal/installation tool  32  may be used. 
     One example of such a tool  32  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this embodiment, the elongated filter removal/installation tool  32  may include an elongated portion  34  and a flat plate  36  at one end of the elongated portion  34 . The flat plate  36  is configured to removably engage with a recess  38  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the elongated filter element  26 . To engage the tool  32  with the filter element  26 , the flat plate  36  of the tool  32  may first be lowered into the recess  38  of the filter element  26  to the position shown in  FIG. 3 . Then, a user may rotate the elongated portion  34  of the tool  32 , which also results in the flat plate  36  rotating to the position shown in  FIG. 4 . In the position shown in  FIG. 4 , the flat plate  36  engages a lip within the recess  38 , thereby temporarily securing the tool  32  to the filter element  26 . A user may then raise and lower the filter element  26  in and out of the pressure vessel  28  without any body part breaching the plane of the pressure vessel  28  and thereby avoiding OSHA regulations. 
     Once the filter element  26  has been placed within the pressure vessel  28  (such as shown in  FIG. 2 ), the filter element  26  still ideally should be secured to the threaded rod  30 . Conventionally, depending on the type of filter element either a nut and washer assembly or an additional retention plate or dimple washers would be used to secure the filter element to the threaded rod. However, these prior art solutions require a user to once again cross or break the plane of the pressure vessel  28 , thereby subjecting the installation/removal process to OSHA regulations. Thus, to avoid reaching a hand into the pressure vessel (and once again avoid OSHA regulations), an elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  may be used. 
     One example of such a tool  40  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  may be used to attach and remove the filter locking nut  10   a  to the threaded rod  30 , thereby securing the filter element  26  in place within the pressure vessel  28 . The elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  may include an elongated portion  42  with a square end  44  and spring ball (not shown, but understood as commonly available) that is configured to engage the first receptacle  18  of the filter locking nut  10   a . While this embodiment utilizes an elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  with a square end  44  and spring ball, the disclosure is not so limited. The elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  may vary in design so long as it is configured to removably engage the first receptacle  18  of the filter locking nut  10   a  in order to temporarily secure or affix the filter locking nut  10   a  to the removal/installation tool  40 . The temporary securing or affixing is advantageous in that the filter locking nut  10   a  will not easily disconnect from the removal/installation tool  40  when inserting into or removing from the pressure vessel  28 , but will disconnect within the pressure vessel  28  after engaged with the threaded rod  30 . Accordingly, there will be no need to break the plane of the pressure vessel  28 . 
     Once the filter element  26  has been inserted into the pressure vessel  28  such as shown in  FIG. 2 , the filter locking nut  10  may then be installed on the threaded rod  30  to complete installation of the filter element  26 . Ideally, the filter locking nut  10   a  is first temporarily attached to the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  by snapping the square end  44  of the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  into the first receptacle  18  of the filter locking nut  10   a . Once secured, the filter locking nut  10   a  may be inserted into the pressure vessel  28  until the second receptacle  24  is aligned with the threaded rod  30 . The filter locking nut  10   a  may then be secured onto the threaded rod  30  by rotating the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  until the internal threads of the second receptacle  24  of the filter locking nut  10   a  are fully engaged with the threaded rod  30  and the distal end of the filter locking nut  10   a  engages the sealing cap of the filter element in order to secure the filter element  26  in place. The elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  may then be removed simply by pulling the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  away from the filter locking nut  10   a  until the square end  44  of the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  disengages from the first receptacle  18  of the filter locking nut  10   a.    
     To subsequently remove the filter element  26  for maintenance or replacement, the opposite method is used. First, the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  may be lowered into the pressure vessel  28  and then engaged with the filter locking nut  10   a  by applying a compressive force to the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  until the square end  44  of the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  snaps into the first receptacle  18  of the filter locking nut  10   a . Then, the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  is rotated until the internal threads of the second receptacle  24  of the filter locking nut  10   a  are fully disengaged with the threaded rod  30 . Since the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  and filter locking nut  10   a  are still engaged, the filter locking nut  10   a  may then be removed from the pressure vessel  28  by pulling the elongated locking nut removal/installation tool  40  out of the pressure vessel  28 . The filter element  26  may then be removed from the pressure vessel  28  by using the elongated filter removal/installation tool  32  as described previously. This entire process may be completed without a user ever having to reach a hand past or breaking the plane of the pressure vessel  28 , thereby eliminating potential safety hazards and the burdensome OSHA regulations governing entry into confined spaces. 
     One of skill in the art will recognize that the method or process of installation and removal described above with respect to filter elements that have an integral or attached is likewise applicable to filter elements that have two or both open ends in combination with another embodiment of the filter locking nut  10   b . When the filter locking nut  10   b  is disposed over the threaded rod  30  it may then be threadingly engaged with the internal threads of the second receptacle  24  by actuation of the removal/installation tool  40 , as appropriate for the desired action. After the desired process the removal/installation tool  40  may be disconnected as described above. A separate conventional apparatus or device may be used to install or remove the filter element from the pressure vessel  28  without breaking the plane of the pressure vessel  28 . In another embodiment, the shoulder  15  may be configured to snugly fit the end of the filter element  26  so that when the removal/installation tool  40  is temporarily attached to the filter locking nut  10   b  the combination may be maneuvered into or out of the pressure vessel  28 , as described above. When the filter element  26  is disposed over the threaded stud  30 , the filter locking nut  10   b  may be temporarily connected to the removal/installation tool  40  and maneuvered into position in order to be secured to the threaded rod  30  as described herein. Accordingly, this entire process may be completed without a user ever having to reach a hand past or breaking the plane of the pressure vessel  28 , thereby eliminating potential safety hazards and the burdensome OSHA regulations governing entry into confined spaces. 
     The above examples depict a filter element that is disposed only a few inches below or inside from the plane of the pressure vessel. However, the present invention may be used with pressure vessels and filter elements of varying shapes and sizes, including when a filter element is disposed below or inside several feet past the plane of the pressure vessel. Thus, the length of the installation/removal tools described above may be varied as desired such that a user need not break the plane of the pressure vessel regardless of its design. 
     The above detailed description and the examples described therein have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description only and not by limitation. It is therefore contemplated that the present disclosure cover any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed above and claimed herein.