Closures for pressure vessels, and associated systems and methods
Pressure vessels and closures for pressure vessels, such as for use in nuclear reactor systems, are described herein. A representative pressure vessel includes (i) a first enclosure including a first flange having a lower surface and a first inner surface, and (ii) a second enclosure including a second flange having an upper surface and a second inner surface. The pressure vessel can further include a sealing member having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to contact both the lower surface of the first flange and the upper surface of the second flange to provide a first seal between the first and second enclosures. The second portion is configured to contact, via an interference fit, both the first inner surface of the first flange and the second inner surface of the second flange to provide a second seal between the first and second enclosures.
1 . A pressure vessel, comprising:
a first flange having a lower surface and a first inner surface;
a second flange having an upper surface and a second inner surface;
a sealing member including:
a first portion extending in a first direction and configured to contact the lower surface and the upper surface, the first portion including:
a width, and
a first thickness,
a second portion extending from the first portion in the first direction, the second portion including a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, and
a third portion extending from the second portion in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction and configured to contact the first inner surface and the second inner surface, the third portion including a third thickness that is greater than the first thickness; and
a fluid port extending through the second portion in the second direction,
wherein the first portion provides a first seal between the first flange and the second flange, and
the third portion provides a second seal between the first flange and the second flange.
2 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , further comprising a longitudinal axis, wherein the first inner surface is angled relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the second inner surface is angled relative to the longitudinal axis.
3 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , further comprising a longitudinal axis, wherein the second portion of the sealing member includes a first surface angled relative to the longitudinal axis and a second surface angled relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first surface of the second portion contacts the first inner surface of the first flange, and wherein the second surface of the second portion contacts the second inner surface of the second flange.
4 . The pressure vessel of claim 3 wherein the first inner surface is angled relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the second inner surface is angled relative to the longitudinal axis.
5 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 wherein the second portion of the sealing member is secured in contact with the first inner surface of the first flange and the second inner surface of the second flange via an interference fit.
6 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member has a T-shape.
7 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member has an H-shape.
8 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member has a ring-like shape that extends adjacent to the first inner surface and the second inner surface.
9 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , further comprising a nuclear reactor core positioned adjacent to the first flange and/or the second flange.
10 . The pressure vessel of claim 1 , further comprising a clamp device positioned to clamp the first flange to the second flange.