Fluid handling – With casing – support – protector or static constructional...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-24
2001-01-09
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With casing, support, protector or static constructional...
36, 36
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170517
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to fluid flow lines and, more particularly, to a flow-control assembly having fluid flow control components that can be easily removed from and inserted into a fluid flow line.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
Fluid flow systems, such as natural gas distribution systems, include a network of fluid flow lines that distribute fluid from a fluid source, such as a gas provider, to a number of individual users at, for example, houses, apartment buildings, etc. Typically, the fluid flow lines associated with a gas distribution system are disposed underground and have regulators, valves and/or other fluid flow control components disposed at advantageous control points within the lines. The control components regulate the flow of gas from a high-pressure side associated with the fluid provider to a low-pressure side associated with a fluid user.
To aid in the maintenance of, for example, gas lines, the regulators, valves and other components at a control point are disposed in above-ground stations or pit assemblies that allow access to these components. Pit assemblies are usually located underground and are large enough so that a service person can enter the pit assembly to access, test, repair and/or replace the regulators or other flow control components within the pit assembly.
In a standard configuration, each pit assembly includes two sets of redundant regulators connected in parallel between a gas inlet (coupled to a gas provider) and a gas outlet (coupled to a gas user). One of these sets of regulators comprises a main flow line that is used to control fluid flow during normal operation of the gas system while the other set of regulators comprises a backup line that remains unused while the main line is operational. In another standard configuration, two pit assemblies are placed in series separated by a length of pipe, per local requirements, with one set of regulators in each pit assembly. During operation, one of these sets of regulators may be used to actively control fluid flow during normal operation of the gas system while the other set of regulators may comprise a backup line that monitors flow when the active set is operational (a worker/monitor set-up). Alternatively, both of these sets of regulators may be used to control fluid flow during normal operation so as to maintain an intermediate pressure between the pit assemblies (a series regulator set-up). In either of these cases, by-pass lines would be included to allow isolation of the regulator sets from the main line.
When one or more of the regulators or other components associated with the main line needs to be tested, repaired or replaced, the backup or by-pass line is switched into use to provide a constant flow of gas to the gas users. Thereafter the main line is disassembled and the components thereof are tested, repaired or replaced as necessary. This disassembly procedure can take a significant amount of time due to the number of nuts, bolts, and other fasteners which must be removed to disassemble the components of the main line. During this time, surface traffic flow around the installation may be disrupted. Furthermore, removal of components of either the main line or the backup line is impaired by the limited amount of space within the pit assembly and by the hard-to-reach nature of some of the components within the pit assembly. Sometimes, special precautions must also be taken before entering a pit assembly to perform test, repair, or maintenance work. Such precautions may include venting the pit assembly, which requires an external air supply and adds to the time and cost associated with performing maintenance. It is desirable to reduce the size of a pit assembly and to make fluid flow lines less expensive to build and faster, safer and easier to maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a flow-control assembly disposed within a pit assembly in a manner which allows the flow-control assembly to be easily and quickly removed and replaced without requiring a service person to actually enter or crawl down into a pit assembly. This flow-control assembly also enables a pit assembly to be reduced in size because the pit assembly does not need to provide space for a service person to enter the pit assembly. Smaller pit assembly size means less space is required for installation and may help to reduce installed station cost. Reduced pit assembly size also eliminates the possibility of a service person entering a pit assembly which removes the dangers associated with entering confined spaces.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a flow-control assembly includes one or more rigidly connected fluid control components, such as regulators, valves etc., and coupling mechanisms disposed on each end thereof. The coupling mechanisms are configured to engage a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe within a pit assembly in a sealed manner. Preferably, the coupling mechanisms comprise female or male coupling ends that mate with male or female coupling ends disposed on the fluid inlet and outlet pipes. If desired, the seal may be provided by an O-ring seal disposed in, for example, the female coupling ends.
In one embodiment, the flow-control assembly includes a fluid passageway with a 180 degree bend therein so that the coupling ends on each end of the flow-control assembly simultaneously couple to or decouple from the coupling ends disposed on the fluid inlet and outlet pipes by movement of the flow-control assembly in one direction.
The flow-control assembly may also include a mounting assembly adapted to rigidly mount to at least one of the fluid inlet pipe or the fluid outlet pipe within the enclosure. The mounting assembly holds the first coupling mechanism and the fluid inlet pipe in sealed engagement and the second coupling mechanism and the fluid outlet pipe in sealed engagement. The flow-control assembly may also include a handle disposed along the center of gravity thereof at an upper portion of the flow-control assembly to allow easy removal of the flow-control assembly from the pit assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the flow-control assembly is a rigid, single-piece assembly, having all of the components thereof welded or otherwise rigidly connected together.
REFERENCES:
patent: 712759 (1902-11-01), Breen
patent: 2177620 (1939-10-01), White
patent: 2217583 (1940-10-01), White
patent: 3741236 (1973-06-01), Pass et al.
patent: 4311167 (1982-01-01), Stoves et al.
patent: 4431022 (1984-02-01), Ripert
patent: 4986301 (1991-01-01), Ziliani et al.
patent: 5975122 (1999-11-01), Hazen et al.
Hazen Larry H.
Stahl Steve
Chambers A. Michael
Fisher Controls International Inc.
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
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