Boss with internal bearing
A boss configured for attachment to a pressure vessel includes a first bore therein and a bearing disposed at least partially within the first bore. A system for supporting a pressure vessel on a vessel mount includes a boss, a bearing, and an attachment element. The boss is attached to the pressure vessel and has a first bore therein. The bearing is disposed at least partially within the first bore and has a second bore therethrough. The attachment element is configured to be affixed to the vessel mount, wherein a portion of the attachment element extends through the second bore and is slidable within the first and second bores substantially along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel. A method is described for supporting a pressure vessel on a vessel mount.
1. A mounting assembly configured for attachment to a pressure vessel having a longitudinal axis, the mounting assembly including a boss and a pin:
the boss including:
a first bore therein, wherein the first bore has a closed end such that the first bore does not communicate with an interior of the pressure vessel; and
a bearing disposed at least partially within the first bore and including a second bore therethrough; and
the pin extending through the second bore and into the first bore, the pin configured for axial motion within the first bore and along the longitudinal axis with a change in length of the pressure vessel along the longitudinal axis.
2. The boss of claim 1 wherein the bearing is spherical.
3. The boss of claim 2 wherein the first bore includes a surface that is at least partially spherical and corresponds to a portion of an outer spherical surface of the bearing.
4. The boss of claim 2 further including a retainer disposed between a portion of an outer spherical surface of the bearing and a portion of the first bore.
5. The boss of claim 4 wherein the retainer includes an inner surface that is at least partially spherical and corresponds to the portion of the outer spherical surface of the bearing.
6. The boss of claim 4 wherein:
the first bore includes a shoulder; and
the retainer includes an interior end surface configured to abut the shoulder.
7. The boss of claim 4 wherein the retainer is annular.
8. The boss of claim 4 wherein:
the first bore includes a groove; and
the retainer is configured to at least partially fit into the groove.
9. The boss of claim 1 wherein the first bore and the second bore have co-axial longitudinal axes.
10. A system for supporting a pressure vessel on a vessel mount, the system including:
a boss configured for attachment to the pressure vessel and having a first bore therein, wherein the first bore has a closed end such that the first bore does not communicate with an interior of the pressure vessel;
a bearing disposed at least partially within the first bore and having a second bore therethrough; and
an attachment element configured to be affixed to the vessel mount, wherein a portion of the attachment element extends through the second bore and is slidable within the first and second bores substantially along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel as the pressure vessel changes in length along the longitudinal axis.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein:
the bearing is spherical; and
the first bore includes a surface that is at least partially spherical and corresponds to an outer spherical surface of the bearing.
12. The system of claim 11 further including a retainer disposed between a portion of an outer spherical surface of the bearing and a portion of the first bore.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the retainer includes an inner surface that is at least partially spherical and corresponds to the portion of the outer spherical surface of the bearing.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein:
the first bore includes a shoulder; and
the retainer includes an inner end surface configured to abut the shoulder.
15. The system of claim 12 wherein the retainer is annular.
16. The system of claim 12 wherein:
the first bore includes a groove; and
the retainer is configured to at least partially fit into the groove.
17. The system of claim 10 wherein the attachment element is configured as a pin.
18. A method for supporting a pressure vessel having a boss on a vessel mount, the boss having a first bore therein, a bearing disposed at least partially within the first bore and having a second bore therethrough, the method including:
inserting a first portion of an attachment element through the second bore and a portion of the first bore; and
mounting a second portion of the attachment element to the vessel mount;
wherein the attachment element is configured for axial motion within the first bore and along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel as the pressure vessel changes in length along the longitudinal axis; and
wherein the first bore has a closed end such that the first bore does not communicate with an interior of the pressure vessel.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the bearing is spherical, the method further including passing the first portion of the attachment element through a retainer that keeps the bearing at least partially within the first bore.