PURGING AN AIRLOCK OF AN EXPLOSION CONTAINMENT CHAMBER

• Main Authors: QUIMBY, JAY, M, DONOVAN, JOHN, L, WILLMERT, MCREA, B
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 23.01.2008
• Subjects: AMMUNITION; BLASTING; CASINGS, LININGS, WALLS OR DOORS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FORCOMBUSTION CHAMBERS, e.g. FIREBRIDGES; COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION; CREMATION FURNACES; DETAILS OF COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; DEVICES FOR DEFLECTING AIR, FLAMES OR COMBUSTION PRODUCTS INCOMBUSTION CHAMBERS; EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR COMBUSTIONAPPARATUS; WEAPONS

Apparatus and methods are provided for purging an airlock cavity created between the airlock access door and the primary explosion chamber opening sealing mechanism. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an airlock device is used to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening sealing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. In one embodiment, negative pressure is used to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. To facilitate the sweeping and exhausting of the cavity, an orifice in the access door may be operable to allow the flow of ambient air through the airlock access door.