Fluid handling – Destructible or deformable element controlled – Destructible element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-27
2001-02-13
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Destructible or deformable element controlled
Destructible element
C137S070000, C137S467000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186159
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to pressure responsive valve assemblies which may be of the pressure relief or shutdown type. More particularly, the present invention concerns pressure responsive valves that are equipped with a rupture disk and a pressure-actuated unit which serves to both actuate the valve and to rupture the disk when the preselected valve set point pressure is exceeded. The valve assembly is particularly suitable for use in a bypass arrangement. The present invention also concerns a rupture disk apparatus for use in the valve assembly.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that conventional pressure responsive valve assemblies present numerous problems. Particularly, pressure responsive valves tend to be expensive and, in some instances (e.g., inline rupture disks), large and unwieldy. Several conventional pressure responsive valves utilize structure for controlling valve actuation that essentially makes it impractical to use a single valve design for various set pressures. That is to say, a number of conventional valve designs require considerable modification to reconfigure the valve for actuation at different set pressure points. Some conventional valve designs present the risk of spillage and consequent plant contamination, particularly when replacement or reclosure of the valve requires disassembly of the piping to which the valve is connected. There are also concerns that some traditional valve actuating units provide only partial, incomplete valve actuation and that such actuation is probably insufficient to allow rapid and complete venting of the protected conduit or the like. These and other problems are identified in our copending application for U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 09/276,426, filed Mar. 25, 1999, entitled RUPTURE DISK CONTROLLED MECHANICALLY ACTUATED PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE ASSEMBLY, assigned of record to the assignee of the present invention.
Our prior application is directed to a valve assembly design that utilizes a rupture disk to control valve actuation. This arrangement permits the use of a small, easily replaceable rupture disk that can be manufactured to achieve relatively precise, reliable pressure set points for the valves over a wide range of set points and valve sizes. However, our prior application focused on the use of a mechanical actuating unit that contacted and caused the disk to rupture when the valve member experienced an elevation in pressure beyond the predetermined set pressure. In this respect, although the mechanically actuated valve design disclosed in our prior application addresses virtually every one of the problems associated with conventional pressure responsive valves, it has been determined that this design presents a few practical limitations.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Responsive to these and other problems, an important object of the present invention is to provide a rupture disk controlled pressure responsive valve assembly that addresses the problems normally associated with conventional pressure responsive valves. Another important object of the present invention is to provide a rupture disk controlled pressure responsive valve assembly that is operable at extremely high set pressures. It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a rupture disk controlled pressure relief valve assembly that can be quickly and relatively effortlessly reclosed after disk rupture, even when there is a substantial restrictive force against such reclosure. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pressure responsive valve design that utilizes a single rupture disk configuration to control a wide range of set pressures, such that the same rupture disk configuration may be used on a wide range of valve sizes and configurations.
In accordance with these and other objects evident from the following description of the preferred embodiment, the present invention concerns a rupture disktype pressure responsive valve assembly (either of the relief or shutdown variety) which can be used in a variety of contexts and may be easily repaired or retrofitted in the field without the need for extensive dismantling of associated piping or the like. Generally speaking, the inventive rupture disk controlled pressure responsive valve assembly includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat therein. An actuating unit includes a mechanism for defining a collapsible fluid chamber. The unit also includes a moveable pressure responsive valve member that is engageable with the valve seat, positioned to experience the pressure conditions at the inlet, and operably coupled to the mechanism to cause collapsing of the fluid chamber when the valve member moves relative to the valve seat to establish or close communication between the inlet and outlet. The rupture disk is associated with the mechanism to prevent collapsing of the chamber and corresponding movement of the valve member until the valve member experiences a predetermined maximum pressure at the inlet, whereupon the valve member moves relative to the valve seat and causes the disk to rupture and the fluid chamber to collapse.
The rupture disk is preferably connected to the fluid chamber opening so that fluid exiting the chamber impinges against the disk and eventually causes bursting of the disk once the maximum pressure is experienced by the valve member. It is believed that the use of fluid pressure (preferably hydraulic pressure) to burst the disk provides reliability and set pressure capabilities that have heretofore been unavailable. Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that rupture disks are traditionally designed for use in fluid conditions. It is believed that the natural environment provided by the present invention consequently yields relatively greater predictability and higher set pressures. This is likely attributable to, among other things, the fact that the fluid pressure is distributed evenly across the exposed face of the disk, as opposed to being a concentrated axial force.
The mechanism for defining the fluid chamber preferably comprises a cylinder and an internal, slidable piston. The size of the cylinder and piston may be adjusted relative to the valve member so as to vary the hydraulic pressure experienced by the rupture disk. In this respect, a single standard rupture disk configuration may be used for virtually any valve design and valve size.
The actuating unit is preferably provided with a fluid line providing selective access to the fluid chamber. Once the valve is actuated to rupture the disk, the disk may be replaced and pressurized fluid may then be supplied to the fluid chamber via the line. This will cause expansion of the chamber and eventually complete return of the valve member to its initial position. In the case of a pressure relief valve, this arrangement permits virtually effortless valve reclosure even when there is a restrictive force inhibiting such reclosure (e.g., when fluid continues to flow through the valve during reclosure).
The present invention also concerns the use of the valve assembly in a bypass arrangement and a rupture disk apparatus for use in the valve assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1311774 (1919-07-01), Ritter
patent: 2707479 (1955-05-01), Thomann et al.
patent: 2710014 (1955-06-01), Hayes
patent: 2912992 (1959-11-01), Gasche et al.
patent: 2954041 (1960-09-01), Gasche et al.
patent: 3484817 (1969-12-01), Wood
patent: 3603333 (1971-09-01), Anderson
patent: 3810484 (1974-05-01), Martini
patent: 4240458 (1980-12-01), Huff
patent: 4953579 (1990-09-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 5012834 (1991-05-01), Taylor
patent: 5154202 (1992-10-01), Hibler, Jr. et al.
patent: 5165439 (1992-11-01), Krynicki
patent: 96202433 (1997-03-01), None
patent: 2224692 (1974-10-01), None
DeGood Robert L.
Hinrichs James O.
Fike Corporation
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
Rivell John
LandOfFree
Rupture disk controlled hydraulically actuated valve assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Rupture disk controlled hydraulically actuated valve assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rupture disk controlled hydraulically actuated valve assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2608012