RETENTION SYSTEM FOR SEPARATOR ELEMENT
A retention nut for securing a separator element is described herein. The retention nut includes a first portion of the retention nut that includes a threaded cavity to enable coupling of the retention nut to a structural member attached to the separator element, wherein the first portion of the retention nut comprises a means for providing a positive seal between the retention nut and the separator element, and a second portion of the retention nut that includes a feature that is couplable to a retention nut tool using a mechanical force such that a torque applied to the retention nut tool is sufficiently transmitted to the retention nut to one of: tighten the retention nut onto the structural element and loosen the retention nut from the structural element.
1 . A retention nut to secure a separator element, comprising:
a boss that includes a threaded cavity configured to be threaded over a threaded member of a support structure of the separator element; and
a cap attached to the boss, wherein the cap includes a cavity for at least a portion of its length, and wherein the cap is grippable by a retention nut tool such that a torque applied to the cap is transmitted to the boss.
2 . The retention nut of claim 1 , wherein the cap has a circular cross-section and is finished with a smooth surface.
3 . The retention nut of claim 1 , wherein the cavity of the cap has a first inner diameter that is larger than a second inner diameter of the threaded cavity.
4 . The retention nut of claim 1 , wherein the boss includes a groove capable of seating an elastomeric sealing element that provides a positive seal between the retention nut and the separator element.
5 . The retention nut of claim 4 , wherein the groove is provided at a face of the boss.
6 . The retention nut of claim 4 , wherein the groove is provided at an outer surface of the boss.
7 . The retention nut of claim 1 , wherein the cap is manufactured from a magnetic material.
8 . The retention nut of claim 7 , wherein the cap is manufactured from carbon steel.
9 . The retention nut of claim 1 , wherein the cap is grippable by the retention nut tool using a mechanical force applied when the retention nut tool is placed over the cap, and wherein the cap includes a feature capable of transmitting a torque provided by a turn of the retention nut tool to the boss.
10 . A retention nut to secure a separator element, comprising:
a first portion of the retention nut that includes a threaded cavity to enable coupling of the retention nut to a structural element attached to the separator element, wherein the first portion of the retention nut comprises a means for providing a positive seal between the retention nut and the separator element; and
a second portion of the retention nut that includes a feature that is couplable to a retention nut tool using a mechanical force such that a torque applied to the retention nut tool is sufficiently transmitted to the retention nut to one of: tighten the retention nut onto the structural element and loosen the retention nut from the structural element.
11 . The retention nut of claim 10 , wherein the first portion is a boss and the second portion is a cap.
12 . The retention nut of claim 10 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are manufactured from different materials.
13 . The retention nut of claim 10 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are manufactured from the same material.
14 . The retention nut of claim 10 , wherein the first portion is manufactured from a first material and the second portion is manufactured from a second material, and wherein the retention nut comprises the first portion and the second portion connected by a welded joint.
15 . The retention nut of claim 10 , wherein the second portion of the retention nut tool is grippable by the retention nut tool based on a compressive force provided by a plurality of O-rings provided within an inner surface of the retention nut tool.
16 . The retention nut of claim 10 , wherein the second portion of the retention nut tool is grippable by the retention nut tool based on a magnetic force exerted when the retention nut tool is secured around the second portion.
17 . The retention nut of claim 10 , wherein the positive seal between the retention nut and the separator element is provided by an elastomeric surface that is placed within a groove provided on a surface of the second portion.
18 . A method for removably securing a retention nut to a separator element, the method comprising:
providing the separator element;
providing the retention nut, wherein the retention nut includes a boss portion and a cap portion;
lowering the retention nut using a retention nut tool that is attached by a mechanical force to the cap portion of the retention nut up to a threaded portion of the separator element; and
applying, a torque to the retention nut tool, wherein applying the torque to the retention nut tool causes rotation of the retention nut around the threaded portion of the separator element.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the mechanical force is a compressive force exerted by a plurality of O-rings provided within the retention nut tool.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein applying the torque to the retention nut tool comprises applying a torque to a feature provided on the retention nut tool.