Clamping device for tank assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US8418340B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Clamping device for tank assembly",
  "abstract": "An assembly for mounting components on a vessel having a boss with an adapter and a method of attaching. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an adjustable frame including a support positioned between a first end and a second end, a fixed clamping device attached to the first end of the frame and including a lower plate and pivotally attached upper plate such that at least one of the lower and upper plates has a shaped jaw formed therein to hold a first adapter. The assembly further includes a rotatable clamping device made up of a lower clamping plate along with a lower plate rotatably attached to the lower clamping plate, and an upper plate pivotally attached to the lower plate. At least one of the lower and upper plates have a jaw formed therein to hold a second adapter.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An assembly for mounting components on a vessel, the vessel having a boss with an adapter, the assembly comprising: an adjustable frame including a support positioned between a first end and a second end, the frame adjustable in at least one of an x, y, and z direction; a fixed clamping device attached to the first end of the frame, the fixed clamping device comprising a lower plate and an upper plate pivotally attached to the lower plate, at least one of the lower and upper plates having a jaw formed therein, the jaw being shaped to hold a first adapter; a rotatable clamping device on the second end of the frame, the rotatable clamping device comprising a lower clamping plate, a lower plate rotatably attached to the lower clamping plate so that movement of the lower clamping plate causes rotation of the lower plate, and an upper plate pivotally attached to the lower plate, at least one of the lower and upper plates having a jaw formed therein, the jaw being shaped to hold a second adapter.",
    "2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the support is rotatable.",
    "3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fixed clamping device further comprises a mounting plate, the lower plate attached to the mounting plate, the mounting plate movable in at least one of the x, y and z directions.",
    "4. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one vernier adjustment attached to the fixed clamping device, the vernier adjustment permitting adjustment of the fixed clamping device in at least one of the x, y, and z directions.",
    "5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the at least one vernier adjustment is attached to a mounting plate or the lower plate of the fixed clamping device, or both, the vernier adjustment permitting adjustment of the mounting plate or the lower plate of the fixed clamping device, or both in at least one of the x, y, and z directions.",
    "6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the rotatable clamping device further comprises a turntable plate, the lower clamping plate attached to the turntable plate, the turntable plate being movable in at least one of the x, y, and z directions.",
    "7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one vernier adjustment attached to the rotatable clamping device, the vernier adjustment permitting adjustment of the rotatable clamping device in at least one of the x, y, and z directions.",
    "8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the at least one vernier adjustment is attached to a turntable plate or the lower plate of the rotatable clamping device, or both, the vernier adjustment permitting adjustment of the turntable plate or the lower plate of the rotatable clamping device, or both in at least one of the x, y and z directions.",
    "9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the rotatable clamping device further comprises at least one alignment bar.",
    "10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the at least one alignment bar is rotatably attached to the lower plate of the rotatable clamping device.",
    "11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the respective jaw of either the fixed clamping device and the rotatable clamping device is formed in the lower plate and the upper plate.",
    "12. A method of attaching a component to a vessel having a boss with an adapter comprising: providing an assembly comprising: an adjustable frame including a support positioned between a first end and a second end, the frame adjustable in at least one of an x, y, and z direction; a fixed clamping device attached to the first end of the frame, the fixed clamping device comprising a lower plate and an upper plate pivotally attached to the lower plate, at least one of the lower and upper plates having a jaw formed therein, the jaw being shaped to hold a first adapter; a rotatable clamping device on the second end of the frame, the rotatable clamping device comprising a lower clamping plate, a lower plate rotatably attached to the lower clamping plate so that movement of the lower clamping plate causes rotation of the lower plate, and an upper plate pivotally attached to the lower plate, at least one of the lower and upper plates having a jaw formed therein, the jaw being shaped to hold a second adapter; placing the vessel on the support; rotating the vessel so that the first adapter fits into the jaw of one of the fixed clamping device or the rotatable clamping device; closing the upper plate of the one of the fixed clamping device or the rotatable clamping device to clamp the first adapter in place; rotating the vessel so that the second adapter fits into the jaw of the other of the fixed clamping device or the rotatable clamping device; closing the upper plate of the other of the fixed clamping device or the rotatable clamping device to clamp the second adapter in place; attaching at least one component to the first or second adapter.",
    "13. The method of claim 12 further comprising attaching at least one component to the other of the first or second adapter.",
    "14. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting a position of the at least one component attached to the second adapter based on a position of the at least one component attached to the first adapter.",
    "15. The method of claim 12 further comprising adjusting the frame in the y direction before placing the vessel on the support.",
    "16. The method of claim 12 further comprising adjusting the fixed clamping device in at least one of the x, y, and z directions before closing the upper plate of the fixed clamping device.",
    "17. The method of claim 12 further comprising adjusting the rotatable clamping device in at least one of the x, y, and z directions before closing the upper plate of the rotatable clamping device.",
    "18. The method of claim 12 wherein the fixed clamping device further comprises a vernier adjustment and further comprising adjusting a position of the lower plate of the fixed clamping device in at least one of the x, y, and z directions using the vernier adjustment before closing the upper plate of the fixed clamping device.",
    "19. The method of claim 12 wherein the rotatable clamping device further comprises a vernier adjustment and further comprising adjusting a position of the lower plate of the rotatable clamping device in at least one of the x, y, and z directions using the vernier adjustment before closing the upper plate of the rotatable clamping device.",
    "20. The method of claim 12 wherein the rotatable clamping device further comprises at least one alignment bar, and further comprising rotating the at least one alignment bar so that the at least one alignment bar is next to the at least one component before tightening the at least one component.",
    "21. The method of claim 12 wherein the upper plate of the rotatable clamping device is closed before the upper plate of the fixed clamping device is closed."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates generally to methods of mounting components to vessels, and more particularly to methods of mounting components to vessels without damaging the vessel or the inner liner of the vessel.\n\nHigh pressure vessels can be used to store gases, such as hydrogen or compressed natural gas (CNG), for example, under pressure. These high pressure vessels can be fiber composite vessels (known as “type 4” vessels) because they have a good storage to weight ratio.\n\nType 4 vessels have two layers: an outer layer, made of a carbon fiber matrix for example, designed to bear the mechanical load; and an inner layer, or liner, made of a bubble of plastic, designed to prevent leaking. The fiber composite can be a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) structure.\n\nThe mounting of components, such as valves, to these high pressure vessels can damage the interface between the boss and the inner liner of the vessel when torque is applied to the component.\n\nTherefore, there is a need for apparatus and methods for mounting components to vessels which reduce or prevent damage to the vessel.\n\nThe present invention meets this need. One aspect of the invention is an assembly for mounting components on a vessel. The vessel has a boss with an adapter.",
  "cpc": [
    "B25B 5/003",
    "B25B 5/147",
    "F17C 1/16",
    "F17C 13/084",
    "F17C 2201/0109",
    "F17C 2201/054",
    "F17C 2201/056",
    "F17C 2203/0604",
    "F17C 2203/0619",
    "F17C 2203/066",
    "F17C 2203/0663",
    "F17C 2205/0107",
    "F17C 2205/0126",
    "F17C 2221/012",
    "F17C 2221/033",
    "F17C 2223/0123",
    "F17C 2223/036",
    "Y02E 60/32",
    "Y10T 29/49826",
    "Y10T 29/49895",
    "Y10T 29/53687",
    "Y10T 29/53961"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23P 11/00",
    "B23Q 1/25",
    "B23Q 3/18",
    "B25B 27/14",
    "F16M 11/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "GM Global Technology Operations LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Thomas Koehnen",
    "Michael Haberberger"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2011-01-06",
  "publication_date": "2013-04-16",
  "grant_date": "2013-04-16",
  "priority_date": "2011-01-06",
  "application_number": "US-98561011-A",
  "family_id": "46454064",
  "cited_by_count": 8,
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}