Design and characteristics of device for closing canisters under high vacuum condition

Boyle, J. V., Jr.

Falk, W. C.

Mchatton, A. D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE AD 
REPLY TO 
ATTM OF: Gp 
D.C. 20546 
TO 
FROM : 
SUBJECT : 
USI/Scientific & Technical Information Division 
Attention:: Miss Winnie M. Morgan 
GP/Office of Assistant General 
Counsel for Patent Matters 
Announcement of NASA-Owned 
U,S. Patents in STAR 
In accordance with the procedures contained in the code GP 
to Code US1 memorandum on this subject, dated June 8, 1970, 
the attached NASA-owned U,S. patent is being forwarded for 
abstracting and announcement in NASA STAR, 
The following information is provided: 
U,S, Patent No, : 3,336,725 
Corporate Source 
Supplementary 
Corporate Source 
NASA Patent Case No,: 
GaySe Parker 
Enclosure: 
Copy of Patent 
NASA-HQ 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710012053 2020-03-17T02:49:24+00:00Z
A. D. MCHATTON E T A L  
CANISTER CLOSING DEVICE 
Filed Sept .  30, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 
INVENTORS 
ATTORNEYS 
BY 
A. D. MCHATTON ETAL 
CANISTER CLOSING DEVICE 
Filed Sept. 30, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 
BY 
INVENTORS 
ILBEWT C. FALK 
ATTORNEYS 
3,336,725 
R (CLOSB?4G DEVICE 
Fied $e@. 30, 1964, SeF. NO. 46)@,613 
13 Claims. (@a. 53--902) 
The invention described herein may be manufactured 
and used by or for the Government of the United States 
of America for governmental purposes without the pay- 
ment of any royalties thereon or therefor. 
This invention relates generally to a device for closing 
a container and more particularly to a remotely controlled 
mechanism for closing a container within a vacuum 
chamber. 
There are various devices known in the prior art for 
dosing or sealing containers in a vacuum environment. 
For example, the known machines for packaging and 
sealing foodstuffs either in glass jars or metal cans. Nor- 
mally, such devices require merely a flat plate activated by 
a lever outside the vacuum chamber and so oriented that 
hand pressure or some other means of forcing the plate 
against the top of the jar is sufficient to maintain the top 
of the jar or can in place while being evacuated. such 
prior art devices also have a multiplicity of means for 
preventing movement of the container or canister being 
closed that may also prevent rotation thereof. However, 
the generally known machines or devices are not capable 
of closing Jarge containers to be filled with a frangible 
element in a substantially low vacuum environment. 
Further, the known devices for closing containers within 
a vacuum have no means for effectively governing the 
force to  be applied against the elements being closed. 
When sealing containers to be utilized for conveying 
articles such as inflatable satellites into outer space, it 
becomes necessary to package such elements in an en- 
vironment substantially equivalent to that where the ar- 
ticle will be removed from the container and put into use. 
Such high level vacuum environments are not capable 
of duplication in conventional closing devices nor do 
presently known devices provide remotely controlled 
mechanisms which exert a predetermined and uniform 
force upon one of the container elements to be closed. 
The present invention overcomes the difficulties in- 
herent in the prior art by providing a remotely controlled 
mechanism in a vacuum chamber sufficiently large to 
contain the canister and article to be enclosed. A remotely 
controlled source of power acts on a drive mechanism 
and leverage system to effect closing of the canister within 
the vacuum environment. 
It is an object of this invention to provide a device for 
closing a canister in a vacuum environment. 
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a 
mechanism which may be remotely controlled to close a 
canister that is located in a vacuum chamber. 
Still another object of the instant invention is to provide 
a vacuum chamber in which a canister is supported for 
closing by a remotely controlled mechanism that forces 
the top of the canister against the bottom thereof with a 
selective uniform pressure after the canister has been 
evacuated of substantially all gases. 
A further object of this invention is to provide remotely 
controlled forces which establish uniform closing of a 
canister. 
Another object of this invation is to provide a tech- 
nique of closing a canister within a vacuum environment 
by a remotely controlled mechanism that provides a 
selectively predetermined and uniform closing force. 
plished by mounting a plurality of equally spaced power 
posts, that is support members for both the canister and 
power mechanisms, such as impact wrenches o r  hydraulic 
cylinders, on the base of a vacuum chamber. Alternately 
5 spaced between the power posts are pod support mounts 
also fixed to the base of the vacuum chamber. Both the 
power posts and the pod support mounts are provided 
with a support flange and pad conforming to the shape of 
the flange or projection on the outer equatorial rim of 
10 the canister bottom. A leverage system connected to the 
power mechanism and extending inwardly fits the rim on 
the top of the canister so a force applied by the power 
mechanism causes the leverage system to force the top 
of the canister against the bottom thereof with a selective 
15 pressure. A plurality of heating units are located within 
the vacuum chamber for maintaining a uniform temper- 
ature. 
A more complete appreciation of the invention and 
many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily 
20 apparent as the same becomes better understood by refer- 
ence to the following detailed description when considered 
in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the chamber, the 
power mechanism and canister of the instant invention; 
FIG. 2 is a plan view, with portions omitted for clarity, 
of an embodiment of the instant invention. 
Referring now to &e drawing wherein like reference 
numerals (designate identical or corresponding parts 
30 throughout the several views and more particularly to 
FIG. 1 wherein a varcuum chamber, generally designated 
by numeral 10, is shown as havin,g base 12 reinforced by 
beams 14 and I6 extending mutually perpendicular to 
one another. Base 12 is provided with a plurality of 
35 apertures 18 spaced about the perimeter thereof for use 
as will be described more fully hereinafter. Opening 20 
in base 12 is provided with connection 26 for conduits 
conveying the power for the power mechanisms. Aperture 
22 in base 12 is provided with connection 28 to provide 
40 communication between vacuum pump 38 and the interior 
of chamber 10. 
Sidewall 30 forms the upright portion of chamber 10 
and is shown in FIG. 1 as being integral with roof 40 
45 which has mutually perpendicular beams 42 and 44. Side- 
wall 30 also has integral flanges 32 provided with spaced 
apertures 24 about the perimeter thereof and in a mating 
location with apertures 18 in base 12. Bolts 34 extend 
through apertures 18 and 24 and threadingly engage nuts 
36 to secure the upper portion of chamber PO to base 12. 
In order to provide visual access to the interior of 
chamber IO,  sidewall 30 may be constructed to include a 
plurality of glass viewing ports, not shown. If visual 
access is desired, it may be necessary to mount light 
55 fixtures on base 12 and roof 40 in any well known man- 
ner. 
Still referring to FIG. 1, control operator 46 is con- 
and vacuum pump 38 for initiat- 
signals for power mwhanism or 
6o activator 52 and to establish and maintain the desired 
vacuum in chamber I O .  Power conduits 48 extend from 
connection 26 to establish the necessary power and con- 
vey signals for operation of power mechanism 52 to be 
more fully described hereinbelow. 
Power posts SO are mounted on base 12 of chamber 1 
and include power or drive mechanism 52 and upright 
angle 62 which supports the canister. Power mechanism 
52, such as an impact wrench, electric motor or hydraulic 
cylinder, has shaft connector 54 which extends through 
70 angle 56 and is secured to shaft 58. As shown in FIG. 1, 
shaft 58 is threaded and power mechanism 5% is an elec- 
25 and 
Generally, the foregoing and other objects i r e  accom- trical impact wrench thatrotates shaft 58 within shaft at- 
3,3: 
tachment 60. Power mecha m holder 64 is secured by 
bolt 66 to upright angle 62 of power post 50. Angle 68 
is horizontally disposed and secured to vertical angle 62 
at the top thereof. A vertical lever fulcrum projection 70 
is secured to upright angle 62 and horizontal angle 68 
by bolt 72. 
A leverage closure system is secured in a pivotal rela- 
tionship to shaft attachment 60 and lever fulcrum projec- 
tion 70. That is, lever 74 is pivotally mounted on pivot 
pin 78 extending from shaft attachment 60 for a slid- 
ing type movement in slot 76 of lever 74. Lever 74 is 
pivoted on connection 80 of fulcrum projection 90 and 
extends inwardly toward the center of chamber 10 
where boss 84 on inner lever tip 82 engages the upper 
half of the canister as will be more fully described here- 
inafter. 
As more clearly seen in FIG. 1, the upper horizontal 
flange of angle 68 is provided with support ring 90 upon 
which pad 92 rests. Pad 92 is formed of a soft smoothly 
finished material having a configuration such that it and 
support ring 90 provide a rabbet conforming to the shape 
of the outer flange of the lower portion of the canister. 
Support ring 90, pad 92 and angle 68 are secured in a 
manner to prevent relative rotation thereof by key 84. 
Alternatingly spaced, preferably midway, between 
power posts 50 are pod mounts 100 having extensions 
102 which support ring 90 between the points at which 
it is supported by posts 50 to form a pedestal for the 
canister. Pod mounts 800 are fixedly secured to base 12 
and are spaced at 60 to 120 degrees apart and midway be- 
tween posts 50 which are also spaced 60 to 120 degrees 
apart. Extension 402 is maintained at the required posi- 
tion by some type of conventional locking device 104. 
In order to maintain a uniform temperature within 
vacuum chamber 10, a plurality of heaters I16 and 118 
are located therewithin and so as to fit about the canister. 
Since the contemplated canister configuration is sub- 
stantially circular, heating elements 416 and 418 are 
shown as being circular and having different diameters so 
they may be spaced vertically about the canister. Each 
of heating units 116 and 118 is respectively provided with 
reflectors 120 and ¶22 and heating elements 124 and 126. 
Heating units 816 and 118 are contemplated as being elec- 
trical with heating elements 124 and 126 attached to con- 
nector 26. 
Canister I30 is shown as having a lower half 132 with 
flange 134 extending outwardly therefrom and upper half 
136 having flange 138 extending outwardly therefrom. 
Although shown as being substantially hemispherical 
shape, canister 130 could be of any configuration and, as 
is generally conventional, flanges 134 and 138 are shaped 
for mating engagement of one another with seal 142, such 
as an O-ring seal, positioned therebetween. 
Operation 
Once base 12 has been positioned with power posts 50 
and pod mounts 100 secured in place and supporting ring 
90 and pad 92 mounted thereon, operator controls 46 
are attached to connection 26 and pump 38 and canister 
$30 is placed in such a manner that flange 134 rests 
upon support ring 90 and pad 92. With canister 130 in 
position any instrumentation necessary for determining 
matters such as temperature and pressure is connected 
and closing ring 840 is placed over flange 138. Boss 84 
on tip 82 of lever 74 is then positioned over closing ring 
140 and power mechanisms 52 with their attendant ap- 
pendages are adjusted to leave a small opening between 
upper canister half 136 and lower half 132. Heating units 
146 and 118 are secured in place and attached to con- 
nector 26. 
Chamber I10 is dosed by positioning cover 40 and 
ace with apertures 24 and 18 in flange 
aligned. Bolts 34 are inserted and nuts 
36 applied to effect a vacuum-tight closure between flange 
32 and base 12. Operator control 46 starts pump 38 fo 
36,725 
4 
evacuate chamber 10 and maintain the desired vacuum. 
After insuring that the desired vacuum has been estab- 
lished and that all gases have been removed from the 
article or articles placed within canister 130, impact 
5 wrenches 52 are activated by operator control 46. 
Activation of impact wrenches 52 causes rotation of 
shaft connector 54 and threaded shaft 58 which forces 
shaft attachment 60 upward and pivots lever 74 about 
fulcrum extension 70 thereby causing boss 84 of tip 82 
10 to exert pressure downwardly on closing ring 140 and 
upper canister half 136. Depending upon the condition 
of canister 130 and other circumstances, it may be desir- 
able to activate impact wrenches 52 simultaneously or 
sequentially in a clockwise direction. As used herein, uni- 
15 form pressure refers to the degree of force applied by 
each of the power mechanisms which is capable of indi- 
vidual determination thereby permitting the same amount 
of pressure to be applied to close the halves of the can- 
ister at the points where levers 74 react with ring 140. 
20 Measurement of the current needed to operate each 
wrench determines the closing force exerted by that 
wrench and lever. Variations in farce may be accom- 
plished by the use of a voltage regulator. 
Once the proper amount of force has been applied and 
25 canister 130 closed, control operator 46 may be used to 
shut down vacuum pump 38 and thus permit chamber 10 
to return to atmospheric pressure. The considerably 
greater pressure on the external surfaces acts with seal 
442 to prevent separation of canister halves 132 and 136. 
30 removal of bolts 34 permits separation of flange 32 from 
base 12 and removal of chamber cover 40. 
Thus, it is seen that the present invention exerts a 
uniform force, governed remotely, to close a relatively 
large canister within a vacuum environment with a selec- 
35 tive uniform pressure, thereby permitting fragile articles 
to be packaged in a manner preventing damage during 
enclosure and at the site of use. 
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the 
subject invention are possible in the light of the above 
40 teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within 
the scope of the appended claims the invention may be 
practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by 
Letters Patent of the United States is: 
1. A device for closing a canister in a vacuum environ- 
ment comprising: a chamber having a base and a roof 
with a depending sidewall; leverage means for effecting 
closure of the canister by forcing the top onto the bot- 
tom thereof; a plurality of pod mounts and a plurality 
50 of posts having extensions pivotally attached to said lever- 
age means and secured to said base to form the pedestal 
for the canister to be closed; activator means within said 
chamber for forcing said leverage means to act upon the 
canister; and operator means outside said chamber for 
55 remotely controlling said activator means. 
2. The canister closing device of claim 1 wherein said 
activator means comprises impact wrenches attached to 
a shaft which threadedly engages said leverage means. 
3. The canister closing device of claim 2 wherein the 
60 pod mounts and posts are alternately spaced about the 
perimeter of the chamber for support of the canister; and 
a pad on the upper surface of said pod mounts and posts. 
4. The canister closing device of claim 2 including 
heating units within the chamber. 
65 5. A canister closing device comprising: a vacuum 
chamber having a base and roof member; a plurality of 
alternating pod mounts and posts uniformly spaced about 
said *base; leverage means pivotally mounted on said 
posts for effecting closure of the canister; activator means 
70 supported by said posts and engaging said leverage means 
for causing movement thereof; operator means outside 
said vacuum chamber and connected to said activator 
means for remotely controlling said activator means; and 
evacuating means connected to said chamber for establish- 
75 ing and maintaining a vacuum therein whereby a re- 
45 
3,336,725 
motely controlled selective force may be applied concur- of the impact wrenches causes rotation of the shaft to 
rently or sequentially by said leverage means to effect move the attachment and rotate the lever about the ful- 
closure of the canister. crum projection pivot and thereby force the top of the 
6. The canister closing device of claim 5 wherein the canister against the bottom thereof with a selective uni- 
activator means comprises impact wrenches. 5 form pressure. 
7. The canister closing device of claim 5 wherein the 9. The canister closing device of claim 8 wherein the 
activator means comprises an electric motor. impact wrenches are electrically powered. 
8. A remotely controlled canister closing device com- 10. The canister closing device of claim 8 wherein a 
prising: a base having a plurality of apertures there- fitting is secured about at least one of the base apertures; 
through; a cover having a depending sidewall with an 10 said fitting adapted for connection to a vacuum pump. 
outwardly extending flange at the extremity thereof for 11. The canister closing device of claim 8 wherein a 
attachment to said base to form a chamber; means for pad is secured to the upper surfaces of said supports and 
establishing and maintaining a vacuum connected to at powerposts. 
least one of said base apertures; a plurality of spaced 12. The canister closing device of claim 8 wherein a 
supports fixed to and extending upwardly from said base 15 plurality of heating units are located about the interior 
inwardly of said sidewall; a plurality of spaced power of the chamber so as to extend about the perimeter of the 
posts fixed to and extending upwardly from said base; canister. 
said supports and power posts having upper surfaces 13. The canister closing device of claim 12 wherein the 
adapted to receive the canister to be closed; impact heating units comprise an electrical heating element; and 
wrenches secured to said power posts and connected to a 20 a hemispherical reflector for reflecting heat toward the 
threaded shaft; power conduits connected to said impact canister. 
wrenches and extending to a connection secured in at References Cited 
UNITED STATES PATENTS 
least one of said base apertures; a mating shaft attach- 
ment threadedly mounted on said impact wrench shaft; a 
fulcrum projection extending upwardly from said power 25 1,945,954 2/1934 Podel _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  53-95 
posts; a lever pivotally mounted on said fulcrum projec- 2,684,777 7/1954 Danzin et al. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  53-9 X 
tion and shaft attachment and extending inwardly toward 2,710,713 6/1955 Slater _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  53-22 
the center of the chamber formed by said base and cover; 
and a boss on the inward end of said lever adapted to fit 
the flange of the canister to be closed whereby activation 30 
TRAVIS S.  McGEHEE, Primary Examiner. 


Canister closing device Patent

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