Apparatus to protect sealing surfaces of thief hatches are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a base attachable to a tank around an aperture in the tank. The example apparatus further includes a spacer supported by a support surface of the base. The example apparatus also includes a cover selectively moveable between a closed position covering the aperture and an open position providing access to the aperture, the spacer separating the cover from the base.

Thief hatches with diaphragm assisted sealing are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a base attachable to a tank, and a cover attachable to the base via a hinge. The example apparatus further includes a vacuum seal assembly couplable to the cover, and a diaphragm coupled to a stem of the vacuum seal assembly. The diaphragm is moveable in response to a pressure differential between a first pressure within the tank and a second pressure exterior to the tank.

A gasket for sealing between the open end of a manway nozzle body of a containment vessel and an associated cover comprising a resilient annular ring member having a bail including a plurality of rigid arcuate inserts spaced about the bail that extends between radially inner and radially outer depending legs. The bail includes at least one annular upstanding chevron extending about an upper surface and at least one annular depending chevron extending about a lower surface. The inserts and bail have about the same thickness. A method includes compressing the gasket between the manway nozzle and cover, and the rigid inserts limit the compression of the gasket.

A door assembly for a pressure vessel includes a door, a hub for receiving the door, and an annular seal to seal therebetween. A hinge arm is coupled to the hub and to the door and is pivotable relative to the hub about a hinge axis. A door actuator having an elongate member extending along an actuator axis is spaced-apart from the hinge axis and coupled to the hub and to the hinge arm. The elongate member travels with the hinge arm when the arm pivots relative to the hub, and rotates about the actuator axis.

A collection tank for a mobile vacuum excavator includes a front with a closed end, a rear with an open end, a door configured to be closed over the open end, and a linkage assembly having a first end attached to the door and a second end attached to the body. A first pivotal movement drives the first end and second end away from each other, and a second pivotal movement moves the first end and the second end toward each other. An actuator is attached to the first arm and to the second arm so that actuation of the actuator in a first direction drives the first pivotal movement and actuation of the actuator in a second direction drives the second arm the second pivotal movement.

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.

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.

A closure for a pressure vessel that includes a neck with a groove defined in the inner diameter, and a door assembly that pivots between opened and closed positions. The door assembly includes a door portion sized to be received in an opening of the neck, a guide plate connected to the door portion and rotatable between locked and unlocked positions, a first lock ring segment positioned radially outwardly of the guide plate and a handle. The guide plate includes a first cam path defined therein that receives a cam member of a first lug assembly that extends inwardly from the first lock ring segment. Rotation of the handle (and guide plate) from the unlocked to the locked position moves the first lock ring segment from a locked to an unlocked position. In the locked position, the first lock ring segment is received in the groove of the neck.

A closure for a pressure vessel that includes a neck with a groove defined in the inner diameter, and a door assembly that pivots between opened and closed positions. The door assembly includes a door portion sized to be received in an opening of the neck, a guide plate connected to the door portion and rotatable between locked and unlocked positions, a first lock ring segment positioned radially outwardly of the guide plate and a handle. The guide plate includes a first cam path defined therein that receives a cam member of a first lug assembly that extends inwardly from the first lock ring segment. Rotation of the handle (and guide plate) from the unlocked to the locked position moves the first lock ring segment from a locked to an unlocked position. In the locked position, the first lock ring segment is received in the groove of the neck.

A control mechanism for a device for the sealed transfer between a chamber and a container, affording a very high level of safety, comprising bolts able to open the doors in complete safety, and a protective bolt (92) able to prevent an opening movement if an attempt is made to remove the container.