Valves and valve actuation – With correlated flow path – With mounting or support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-13
2001-03-20
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Valves and valve actuation
With correlated flow path
With mounting or support
C251S148000, C251S151000, C285S093000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202981
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to joined pipe flanges and, more particularly, a fluid control device secured between pipe flanges. Even more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fluid control assembly adapted to be secured between two pipe flanges and including flange spacers.
Pipes and fluid control devices, such as valves and pumps, are common in the utility, refinery, manufacturing, chemical and petrochemical industries for transporting fluids. Pipes often include attachment flanges at their ends, and fluid control devices are secured between the pipe flanges, usually using bolts. In such cases it is desirable that stresses be applied to the pipe flanges evenly, that the fluid control device is properly aligned with the pipes, and that the bolts are correctly torqued or loaded.
For example, fiberglass reinforced pipe (“FRP”) as well as other plastic piping systems and components provide many industries with a corrosion-resistant, less costly replacement for metal piping. However, since plastic piping is, by its nature, not as strong as metal piping, flanges of plastic piping may be more susceptible to cracking upon uneven loading or rotation of the flanges.
Improper alignment of the fluid control device with the pipes could interfere with operation of the fluid control device. Butterfly valves, for example, typically include a generally cylindrical body which is connected into a pipe line by being clamped between two pipe flanges. The valve body has a flowway therethrough and a valve element is mounted in the flowway for movement from a closed valve position to an open valve position. In the open valve position, the valve element can extend out of, and beyond the valve body. Thus, correctly aligning the valve with the pipes is necessary to prevent interference between the valve element and the pipe flanges during movement of the valve element between the closed and open positions.
In addition, bolt creep and improper loading or torquing of bolts joining the pipe flanges to the fluid control device can result in a loosening or weakening of the joint. Bolt creep is a condition wherein bolts naturally loosen over time due to machine vibration and thermal expansions and contractions, for example. Improper loading can occur due to inaccurate torquing of bolts holding flanges together.
Thus, what is desired is a fluid control assembly for clamping between pipe flanges that provides reduced flange stresses and easy alignment with the pipes. What is also desired is a fluid control assembly wherein bolt creep is reduced or eliminated, and wherein bolt loading is made easy and convenient, both in the assembly of the joint and in the maintenance of the joint.
SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a fluid control assembly including a fluid control device and a relatively non-compressible flange spacer. The fluid control device has a main body, an annular shoulder extending from the main body, and a tubular, relatively compressible liner extending out of the body through and axially beyond the shoulder. The relatively non-compressible flange spacer is positioned on the shoulder and extends from the main body to between an end of the shoulder and an end of the liner, when the liner is in a non-compressed state. Whereby, the flange spacer prevents a pipe flange secured to the fluid control device from bending, or “rotating”, when clamped to the device, thereby substantially eliminating uneven stresses on the pipe flange. The flange spacer also allows the liner to be compressed, but not over-compressed and damaged, such that the compressed liner provides a fluid-tight seal between the fluid control device and the pipe flange, yet does not interfere with movement of a valve member within the liner.
According to one aspect, the flange spacer comprises a perimeter spacer ring having an inner diameter equal to an outer diameter of the annular shoulder. According to another aspect, the fluid control assembly is for connection to a pipe flange and the perimeter spacer ring has an outer diameter equal to an outer diameter of the pipe flange, such that the ring allows the fluid control device to be easily and properly aligned with the pipe flange.
According to an additional aspect, the main body of the fluid control device includes bolt holes passing therethrough and the perimeter spacer ring has bolt openings corresponding to the bolt holes of the fluid control device. According to a further aspect, the fluid control assembly further includes bolts for securing the fluid control assembly to a pipe flange, and a liveload assembly positioned on each bolt for preventing bolt creep and maintaining clamping pressure on the flanges. Each liveload assembly includes an upper washer, a lower washer, and at least one spring positioned to resist compression between the upper and the lower washers.
According to still another aspect, the liveload assemblies also include a ribbon secured at a first end to one of the upper and the lower washers, with a second end of the ribbon extending towards the other of the upper and the lower washers. The ribbon has a total length, including a comparison portion substantially equal to a proper compressed height of the at least one spring, with only the comparison portion of the total length positioned between the upper and the lower washers for comparison with the height of the spring.
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International Search Report, Dec. 12, 1999.
Davis Richard L.
Lim Michael
Bastianelli John
Coltec Industrial Products Inc.
Cummings & Lockwood
Kaufman Joseph A.
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