Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a retainer that provides locking and compliance between components. In a first implementation, the retainer includes a non-compliant member and a compliant member. The non- compliant member is configured to expand in a first direction. The compliant member attaches to the non-compliant member and is configured to deflect forces applied to the non-compliant member in the first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction. In a second implementation, the retainer includes a rail and a group of wedge segments configured to attach to the rail and expand in a first direction. At least one of the wedge segments includes an integrated spring element.

<CIT> discloses apparatus for guiding insertion and locking of a printed board assembly (PBA) in an electronic unit including a housing, a first wedge segment having a sloped planar contact surface and a second wedge segment adjacent the first wedge segment and having a sloped planar contact surface. The first and second wedge segments may be devoid of holes in their respective sloped planar contact surfaces. The wedge segments may be supported in the housing so that the sloped contact surface of the first wedge segment is adjacent the sloped contact surface of the second wedge segment.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a wedge lock assembly, comprising: a plurality of wedge members arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis, the plurality of wedge members including end wedge members at opposite ends of the plurality of wedge members, and one or more intermediate wedge members between the end wedge members; a displacement device comprising a screw extending along and rotatable about the longitudinal axis and connecting the end wedge members, the displacement device actuatable in one direction to move the end wedge members toward one another to displace adjacent wedge members relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis to engage and apply a clamping force to two components external to the wedge lock assembly; and a variable gap compensation mechanism comprising: a spring associated with the screw and operable to exert a biasing force on the plurality of wedge members to accommodate the relative transverse movement of the adjacent wedge members and maintain the clamping force on the two components by the plurality of wedge members within a predetermined range as a distance between the two components varies; and a spring retainer associated with the screw and the spring, such that rotation of the screw moves the spring retainer relative to the screw to preload the spring and apply the clamping force to the two components, the retainer being prevented from rotating with the screw by a pin coupled to the retainer and extending at least partially into a slot, and further comprising a spring preload position indicator proximate the slot, the pin being visible through the slot relative to the spring preload position indicator to indicate whether the spring is preloaded sufficient to apply the clamping force on the two components.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a deep-water submersible system, comprising: a pressure vessel; and an internal assembly comprising a housing, and a wedge lock assembly coupleable to the housing, the wedge lock assembly including a plurality of wedge members arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis, the plurality of wedge members including end wedge members at opposite ends of the plurality of wedge members, and one or more intermediate wedge members between the end wedge members, a displacement device comprising a screw extending along and rotatable about the longitudinal axis and connecting the end wedge members, the displacement device actuatable in one direction to move the end wedge members toward one another to displace adjacent wedge members relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis to engage and apply a clamping force to the housing and the pressure vessel, and a variable gap compensation mechanism comprising: a spring associated with the screw and operable to exert a biasing force on the plurality of wedge members to accommodate the relative transverse movement of the adjacent wedge members and maintain the clamping force on the housing and the pressure vessel within a predetermined range as a distance between the housing and the pressure vessel varies; and a spring retainer associated with the screw and the spring, such that rotation of the screw moves the spring retainer relative to the screw to preload the spring and apply the clamping force to the housing and the pressure vessel, the retainer being prevented from rotating with the screw by a pin coupled to the retainer and extending at least partially into a slot, and further comprising a spring preload position indicator proximate the slot, the pin being visible through the slot relative to the spring preload position indicator to indicate whether the spring is preloaded sufficient to apply the clamping force on the housing and the pressure vessel.

An initial overview of the inventive concepts is provided below and then specific examples are described in further detail later. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the examples more quickly, but is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the examples, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Although deep-water submersible systems housing electronic components have been successfully deployed for long-term use in underwater environments, these systems do have certain shortcomings. For instance, outer structural enclosures that house the electronic components deform under the water pressures that exist at typical service depths. Such deformation can subject internal structures, such as the electronic components and internal support structures for the electronic components, to potentially damaging loading conditions. In addition, deformation of the outer structural enclosures can negatively impact cooling of the electronic components by disrupting thermal cooling paths designed to transfer heat via the outer structural enclosures.

Accordingly, a deep-water submersible system is disclosed that accommodates deformation of an outer structural enclosure, such as a pressure vessel, to maintain acceptable loading on internal components. In one aspect, the integrity of thermal cooling paths can be maintained. The deep-water submersible system can include a pressure vessel and an internal assembly. The internal assembly can include a housing and a wedge lock assembly coupleable to the housing. The wedge lock assembly can include a plurality of wedge members arranged along a longitudinal axis and including end wedge members at each end and one or more intermediate wedge members between the end wedge members. The wedge lock assembly can also include a displacement device along the longitudinal axis and connecting the end wedge members. The displacement device can be actuatable in one direction to move the end wedge members toward one another to displace adjacent wedge members relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis to engage and apply a clamping force to the housing and the pressure vessel. In addition, the wedge lock assembly can include a variable gap compensation mechanism operable to exert a biasing force on the plurality of wedge members to accommodate the relative transverse movement of the adjacent wedge members and maintain the clamping force on the housing and the pressure vessel within a predetermined range as a distance between the housing and the pressure vessel varies.

To further describe the present technology, examples are now provided with reference to the figures. With reference to <FIG>, one embodiment of a deep-water submersible system <NUM> is illustrated. The system <NUM> can comprise a pressure vessel <NUM> and an internal assembly <NUM>. A portion of the pressure vessel <NUM> has been omitted to reveal the internal assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel <NUM> can have a cylindrical configuration that forms a structural enclosure for the internal assembly <NUM>. As described in more detail below, the internal assembly <NUM> can be secured to the pressure vessel <NUM> by application of a clamping or locking force, which can be provided by a suitable clamp or locking mechanism, such as a wedge lock assembly <NUM>. Although the present technology is presented in the context of a deep-water submersible system, it should be recognized that aspects of the present technology may be applicable to any system where two components are secured to one another by application of a clamping or locking force.

With continued reference to <FIG> is referenced and shows the internal assembly <NUM> isolated from the pressure vessel <NUM>. The internal assembly <NUM> can include a housing <NUM>, which can be configured to support an internal component <NUM>, such as an electronic component. The internal assembly <NUM> can also include the wedge lock assembly <NUM>, which can be coupleable to the housing <NUM> to secure the housing <NUM> to the pressure vessel <NUM>. Alternatively, a wedge lock assembly can be coupled to or otherwise associated with a pressure vessel, or independent of the internal assembly and pressure vessel.

With continued reference to <FIG> is referenced and shows the wedge lock assembly <NUM> isolated from the housing <NUM>. The wedge lock assembly <NUM> can include a plurality of wedge members arranged along a longitudinal axis <NUM>. For example, the wedge lock assembly <NUM> can include end wedge members 110a, 110b at each end 108a, 108b, and one or more intermediate wedge members 111a-e, 112a-d between the end wedge members 110a, 110b. The wedge lock assembly <NUM> can also include a displacement device <NUM> supported and extending along, parallel to or coaxial with, the longitudinal axis <NUM> and connecting the end wedge members 110a, 110b. The displacement device <NUM> can be actuatable in one direction to move the end wedge members 110a, 110b toward one another to displace adjacent wedge members relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis <NUM> to engage and apply a clamping force to the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM>. The displacement device <NUM> can be coupled to the end wedge members 110a, 110b in any suitable manner, such as a connection that facilitates relative movement (e.g., a threaded engagement) or a fixed connection (e.g., welded, pinned, clamped, glued, etc.). Any suitable displacement device can be utilized, such as a screw, a lever-actuated cam operable with a shaft or rod extending between and connecting the end wedge members 110a, 110b, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the displacement device comprises a screw, but this is not meant to be limiting in any way. In one aspect, the screw <NUM> can be engaged or coupled to the end wedge member 110b via a threaded interface feature (hidden from view) of the end wedge member 110b. Thus, the screw <NUM> can extend from the end wedge member 110a through or past the intermediate wedge members 111a-e, 112a-d to the end wedge member 110b, where the screw <NUM> can threadingly engage the end wedge member 110b. The wedge members can be configured such that upon tightening the screw <NUM>, the intermediate wedge members 111a-e move laterally outward or away from the housing <NUM> to engage and interface with the pressure vessel <NUM>. In one embodiment, a shaft or rod can be movably or fixedly coupled to the end wedge member 110b, and a lever-actuated cam can be associated with an opposite end of the shaft or rod proximate the end wedge member 110a to move the end wedge members 110a, 110b toward one another.

The housing <NUM> can have one or more contact pads <NUM>. The wedge lock assembly <NUM> and the contact pads <NUM> can be configured to interface with the pressure vessel <NUM>. For example, the wedge lock assembly <NUM> and the contact pads <NUM> can be configured to interface one or more internal surfaces of the pressure vessel <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the wedge lock assembly <NUM> can have curved interface surfaces configured to match the curved internal surface of the pressure vessel <NUM>. In one aspect, the wedge lock assembly <NUM> and two contact pads <NUM> can be located about a circumference of the housing <NUM> to provide "three point" contact of the internal assembly <NUM> with the pressure vessel <NUM>. For example, the wedge lock assembly <NUM> and two contact pads <NUM> can be equally spaced from one another (i.e., <NUM> degrees apart) about the circumference of the housing <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, <FIG> is referenced and illustrates a detail view of the end wedge member 110b and intermediate wedge members 111e, 112d. The aspects of the end wedge member 110b and intermediate wedge members 111e, 112d discussed with respect to <FIG> may serve as an example that may be applicable to the other end and intermediate wedge members. Each wedge member can have at least one wedge surface configured to engage a wedge surface of an adjacent wedge member. For example, each end wedge member 110a, 110b can have a wedge surface, and each intermediate wedge member 111a-e, 112a-d can have wedge surfaces at opposite ends. As shown in the figure, the end wedge member 110b can have a wedge surface <NUM>. The intermediate wedge member 111e can have wedge surfaces 114a, 114b at opposite ends. The intermediate wedge member 112d can also have wedge surfaces at opposite ends, but only wedge surface <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The wedge surfaces of adjacent wedge members can engage one another. Thus, for example, in <FIG> the wedge surfaces <NUM>, 114b of respective adjacent wedge members 110b, 111e engage one another, and the wedge surfaces 114a, <NUM> of respective adjacent wedge members 111e, 112d engage one another.

Causing the end wedge members 110a, 110b to move toward one another by actuating the displacement device (e.g., by rotating the screw <NUM> in one direction) can displace adjacent wedge members relative to one another to engage and apply a clamping force to the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM>. On the other hand, facilitating movement of the end wedge members 110a, 110b away from one another (e.g., by rotating the screw <NUM> in an opposite direction) can enable displacement of adjacent wedge members relative to one another sufficient to disengage the pressure vessel <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM>. For example, causing the end wedge members 110a, 110b to move toward one another can result in relative movement of each adjacent pair of wedge members toward one another in directions 121a. 121b parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. Due to the interfacing wedge surfaces of the adjacent wedge members, such longitudinal relative movement in directions 121a, 121b can cause each pair of adjacent wedge members to move in opposite directions 122a, 122b relative to one another, which may be lateral or transverse to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. As shown in the <FIG> example, the intermediate wedge member 111e is diverted or transversely displaced relative to the wedge members 110b, 112d in direction 122a (e.g., away from the housing <NUM> and toward the pressure vessel <NUM>), and the wedge members 110b, 112d are transversely displaced relative to the intermediate wedge member 111e in direction 122b (e.g., toward the housing <NUM> and away from the pressure vessel <NUM>). This can force interface surfaces of the wedge lock assembly <NUM> against the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM>. For example, inner interface surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective end and intermediate wedge members 110b, 112d can be forced against an interface surface of the housing <NUM>, and an outer interface surface <NUM> of the intermediate wedge member 111e can be forced against an interface surface of the pressure vessel <NUM>. The result is engagement and application of a clamping force by the wedge lock assembly <NUM> to the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM>. Moving adjacent wedge members longitudinally away from one another in directions 123a, 123b can facilitate relative displacement of the adjacent wedge members in directions 124a, 124b (opposite directions 122a, 122b) to disengage the wedge lock assembly <NUM> from the pressure vessel <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM>.

In one aspect, the wedge members can be secured to the housing <NUM>, which can prevent rotation of the wedge members about the screw <NUM> as the screw <NUM> is rotated. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the end wedge member 110b can be fixed to the housing <NUM>, such as by a fastener <NUM> (e.g., a bolt). Other wedge members can be movable relative to the housing <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the end wedge member 110a can be coupled to the housing <NUM> such that it is movable relative to the housing <NUM>. This can be accomplished by utilizing a fastener <NUM> (e.g., a shoulder bolt) extending through a slotted opening <NUM> in the end wedge member 110a. The slotted opening <NUM> can be configured to provide clearance sufficient to accommodate tightening of the wedge lock assembly <NUM> by the screw <NUM> to exert a clamping force on the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM>. In one aspect, the end wedge member 110a can be constrained to move only in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM>, and can therefore remain out of contact with the pressure vessel <NUM> when in a clamped configuration. The intermediate wedge members 112a-d can be movable relative to the housing <NUM> similar to that of the end wedge member 110a, and can therefore remain out of contact with the pressure vessel <NUM> when in a clamped configuration.

The intermediate wedge members 111a-e can also be coupled to the housing <NUM> such that they are movable relative to the housing <NUM> in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. However, the intermediate wedge members 111a-e can also be movable laterally outward or away from the housing <NUM>. For example, the intermediate wedge member 111e in <FIG> (shown in cross-section in <FIG>) can be coupled to the housing <NUM> such that it is movable laterally outward or away from the housing <NUM>. This can be accomplished by utilizing a fastener <NUM> (e.g., a shoulder bolt) extending through a slotted opening <NUM> in the intermediate wedge member 111e. An opening <NUM> in the intermediate wedge member 111e for the screw <NUM> can be configured to facilitate the lateral outward movement of the intermediate wedge member 111e away from the housing <NUM>. In one aspect, the intermediate wedge members 111a-e can be biased inward toward the housing <NUM> and away from the pressure vessel <NUM>. For example, the intermediate wedge member 111e can be biased inward toward the housing <NUM> by a biasing spring <NUM> that acts on a head of the fastener <NUM> and the intermediate wedge member 111e. Such biasing of the intermediate wedge members 111a-e toward the housing can cause these wedge members to be or remain disengaged from the pressure vessel when the screw <NUM> is loosened to allow the end wedge members 110a, 110b to be moved away from one another.

The internal component <NUM> can be any suitable component that may be disposed within the pressure vessel <NUM>. For example, the internal component <NUM> can comprise one or more electronic components. It is common for electronic components to generate heat during operation. The internal component <NUM> can therefore comprise one or more heat generating components. In some embodiments, the internal component <NUM> can comprise a power branch unit (PBU) or power distribution unit (PDU) for an underwater line (e.g., a power or communication line), which can generate a significant amount of heat. Accordingly, the internal assembly <NUM> can be configured to provide a thermal cooling path to conduct heat away from the internal electronic component <NUM>, which is in an enclosed chamber formed by the pressure vessel <NUM>. In one aspect, the contact pads <NUM> and/or the wedge lock assembly <NUM> can form part of the thermal cooling path. In some embodiments, the contact pads <NUM> and/or the wedge lock assembly <NUM> can include a thermally conductive material. Any suitable thermally conductive material can be utilized. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive material can be configured as an elastomeric "gap pad" that can compress against the pressure vessel <NUM> and facilitate heat transfer by eliminating air gaps at the interface.

In some embodiments, the system <NUM> can be utilized in a deep-water environment. In such cases, the pressure vessel <NUM> may be deformed by large pressure differences across the inside and outside of the pressure vessel <NUM>. Dimensional changes and deformation of the pressure vessel <NUM> can negatively impact the thermal interfaces between the internal assembly <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM> and therefore be detrimental to heat transfer, which can be problematic for the internal electronic component <NUM>. In addition, deformation of the pressure vessel <NUM> can potentially impose large loads on the internal assembly <NUM>. Thus, in one aspect, the system <NUM> can be configured to maintain a suitable thermal contact area and prevent large, potentially destructive loads on the internal assembly <NUM> by accommodating the dimensional changes of the outer pressure vessel <NUM> structure as external pressure increases.

Accordingly, the wedge lock assembly <NUM> can include a variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM>. A detailed cross-sectional view of the variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. <FIG> are further referenced to describe various aspects of the variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM>. The variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> can be configured to accommodate relative lateral or transverse movement of the wedge members relative to the axis <NUM>, which may be caused by deformation of the pressure vessel <NUM> due to increased external pressure, and maintain the clamping force on the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM>. For example, the variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> can be configured to accommodate and allow relative inward transverse movement or displacement of the wedge members in directions 124a, 124b (<FIG>). Such relative inward transverse movement of the wedge members in directions 124a, 124b will cause the wedge members to move outward or away from one another longitudinally in directions 123a, 123b. This relative inward transverse movement of the wedge members in directions 124a, 124b and outward longitudinal movement of the wedge members in directions 123a, 123b is provided for and accommodated by the variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM>, which therefore allows for a shrinking gap <NUM> (<FIG>) in the space between the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM> occupied by the wedge lock assembly <NUM>. On the other hand, the variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> can provide relative inward longitudinal movement of the wedge members in directions 121a, 121b to cause relative outward transverse movement or displacement of the wedge members in directions 122a, 122b to accommodate an expanding gap <NUM> in the space between the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM> occupied by the wedge lock assembly <NUM>. Such a condition may exist when the external pressure on the pressure vessel <NUM> decreases. The variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> can therefore accommodate a variable shrinking or expanding gap <NUM> between the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM> and maintain a suitable clamping or locking force by the wedge lock assembly <NUM> on the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM>.

In one aspect, the variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> can be configured to exert biasing force on the wedge members and maintain clamping force exerted on the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM> by the wedge lock assembly <NUM> within a predetermined range as the distance or gap <NUM> between the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM> varies. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> can include a spring <NUM> associated with the screw <NUM>, which can be configured to exert biasing force on the wedge members. In this case, the spring <NUM> is configured to exert a biasing force on the end wedge member 110a, which in turn exerts force on the other wedge members. As the pressure vessel <NUM> experiences increased external pressure, adjacent wedge members can be caused to move transversely inward relative to one another in directions 124a, 124b, which causes the wedge members to move outward or away from one another longitudinally in directions 123a, 123b, thereby compressing the spring <NUM> and increasing a biasing force provided by the spring against the wedge members. Thus, the spring <NUM> can provide a suitable clamping force range on the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM> over a given external pressure range and temperature range. In other words, the spring <NUM> can be configured to provide compliance of the wedge lock assembly <NUM> to input loading from the pressure vessel <NUM> and therefore accommodate the dimensional changes of the pressure vessel <NUM> caused by external pressure. The compliance of the wedge lock assembly <NUM> can also maintain acceptable loading on the housing <NUM> with no risk of overloading the housing <NUM> or other internal components during normal operating conditions (e.g., external pressure and temperature within typical ranges).

In some embodiments, the pressure vessel <NUM> may not deform or deflect uniformly with respect to the housing <NUM>. In other words, the gap <NUM> (<FIG>) may not be uniform along the longitudinal axis <NUM>. This may be due to the design or configuration of the pressure vessel <NUM>. For example, a cylindrical pressure vessel may deflect more in the middle and less toward the ends, resulting in an "hourglass" shape under pressure. The wedge lock assembly <NUM> with multiple wedge members 111a-e in contact with the pressure vessel <NUM> and movable independently of one another can accommodate different radial displacements or gap distances <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

In one aspect, the spring <NUM> and the wedge members can be configured such that a biasing force provided by the spring <NUM> fluctuates within a desired spring compression load range while maintaining a clamping force provided by the wedge lock assembly <NUM> on the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM> within a suitable range. In another aspect, the biasing force provided by the spring <NUM> can fluctuate within a desired spring compression load range while maintaining a suitable contact pressure to the contact pads <NUM>, which can ensure adequate heat transfer to the pressure vessel <NUM>. Variables such as spring rate, maximum spring compression distance, and wedge angle (see <NUM> in <FIG>) can be considered when designing the spring <NUM> and the wedge members to provide sufficient clamping force and spring travel for a gap variation in a given application. In addition, the wedge angle <NUM> is a function of the friction between adjacent interfacing wedge surfaces and the total number of wedges. The wedge angle <NUM> can be selected to achieve a desired spring force to clamping force ratio. For example, a larger wedge angle <NUM> will provide a higher clamping force for a given spring force. The spring <NUM> can be configured to have an adequate deflection or compression range to ensure that the spring <NUM> does not fully compress and become "solid" during normal operation.

The spring <NUM> can be disposed at least partially within an opening <NUM> in the end wedge member 110a, which can house and shield the spring <NUM>. The spring <NUM> can be any suitable type of spring, such as a compression spring (e.g. a coil spring, a die spring, etc.), a Belleville washer, etc..

The variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> can also include a spring retainer <NUM> associated with the screw <NUM> and the spring <NUM>. The spring retainer <NUM> can be of any suitable configuration, such as a traveling nut. In one aspect, the spring retainer <NUM> can be associated with the screw <NUM> and the spring <NUM> such that rotation of the screw <NUM> moves the spring retainer <NUM> to preload the spring <NUM> and apply clamping or locking force to the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM>. For example, the spring <NUM> can be between the spring retainer <NUM> and the end wedge member 110a. The spring retainer <NUM> can be disposed at least partially in the opening <NUM> and can be prevented from rotating with the screw <NUM> by pins 154a, 154b coupled to the spring retainer <NUM> and extending at least partially into respective openings or slots 155a, 155b in the end wedge member 110a. The screw <NUM> is rotated to move the spring retainer <NUM> in direction <NUM> toward the wedge member 110a. The spring retainer <NUM> can compress the spring <NUM> upon generation of a clamping or locking force between the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM>, which can preload the spring <NUM>.

The variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> can include a spring preload position indicator <NUM> that can be used for inspection to verify that the spring <NUM> has been adequately preloaded. For example, the spring retainer <NUM> can be driven in direction <NUM> by rotating the screw <NUM> until the pin 154a, which can be visible through the slot 155a, is adjacent the spring preload position indicator <NUM>. This can indicate that the spring retainer <NUM> has compressed the spring <NUM> sufficient to adequately preload the spring <NUM> and maintain adequate clamping force on the housing <NUM> and the pressure vessel <NUM> throughout a range of deflection or deformation of the pressure vessel <NUM> due to external pressure variations.

In some embodiments, the variable gap compensation mechanism <NUM> can include a resilient bumper <NUM> disposed between the spring <NUM> and the end wedge member 110a to accommodate a rapid transient reduction in the distance <NUM> between the pressure vessel <NUM> and the housing <NUM> that causes full compression of the spring <NUM>, which may occur during a shock event such as an underwater explosion. The resilient bumper <NUM> can soften the impact load on the screw <NUM> and therefore prevent or minimize damage to the wedge lock assembly <NUM> during such events. The resilient bumper <NUM> can be disposed at least partially within the opening <NUM> in the end wedge member 110a, which can house and shield the resilient bumper <NUM>. In one aspect, the resilient bumper <NUM> can be arranged in series with the spring <NUM>, such as about the screw <NUM>. The resilient bumper <NUM> can be any suitable type of material or configuration, such as an elastomer, a coil spring with a suitably stiff spring rate, etc..

In one aspect, the wedge lock assembly <NUM> can include one or more rollers or wheels <NUM> (i.e., configured to provide rolling surface contact) and/or one or more sliders (i.e., configured to provide sliding surface contact) coupled to one or more of the wedge members to facilitate positioning the wedge lock assembly <NUM> (and housing <NUM> in some embodiments) relative to the pressure vessel <NUM>. For example, the end wedge members 110a, 110b, and the intermediate wedge members 112a-d that are constrained and prevented from moving outward or away from the housing <NUM> can include rollers <NUM> and/or sliders that are configured to extend above or beyond outer surfaces of the wedge members 110a-b, 111a-e, 112a-d when all the wedge members are positioned proximate or against the housing <NUM>. Thus, when the screw <NUM> is loosened and the wedge members 111a-e are moved toward the housing <NUM> (e.g., by the biasing springs <NUM>), the rollers <NUM> and/or sliders can be exposed to engage and interface with an interior surface of the pressure vessel <NUM> to facilitate rolling or sliding the inner assembly <NUM> into or out of the pressure vessel <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A wedge lock assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a plurality of wedge members (110a, 110b, 111a-e, 112a-d) arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis (<NUM>), the plurality of wedge members including end wedge members (110a, 110b) at opposite ends of the plurality of wedge members, and one or more intermediate wedge members (111a-e, 112a-d) between the end wedge members;
a displacement device comprising a screw (<NUM>) extending along and rotatable about the longitudinal axis and connecting the end wedge members, the displacement device actuatable in one direction to move the end wedge members toward one another to displace adjacent wedge members relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis to engage and apply a clamping force to two components (<NUM>, <NUM>) external to the wedge lock assembly; and
a variable gap compensation mechanism (<NUM>) comprising:
a spring (<NUM>) associated with the screw and operable to exert a biasing force on the plurality of wedge members to accommodate the relative transverse movement of the adjacent wedge members and maintain the clamping force on the two components by the plurality of wedge members within a predetermined range as a distance between the two components varies; and
a spring retainer (<NUM>) associated with the screw and the spring, such that rotation of the screw moves the spring retainer relative to the screw to preload the spring and apply the clamping force to the two components, the retainer being prevented from rotating with the screw by a pin (154a) coupled to the retainer and extending at least partially into a slot, and further comprising a spring preload position indicator (<NUM>) proximate the slot, the pin being visible through the slot relative to the spring preload position indicator to indicate whether the spring is preloaded sufficient to apply the clamping force on the two components.