Valves and valve actuation – Mechanical movement actuator – Screw
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-01-09
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Valves and valve actuation
Mechanical movement actuator
Screw
C251S059000, C251S077000, C248S674000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170801
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a valve closure system comprising a motor for turning a rotary actuator of a valve to operate the valve from open to closed. Such valve closure systems allow valves of vessels, such as cylinders and containers, that hold fluids, such as industrial gases for example, to be quickly operated from a remote location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of transportable vessels are used for packaging various commercial and industrial gases at superatmospheric pressure. One type of vessel is a gas cylinder, an example of which is an elongate metal tank adapted to contain gas at relatively high pressure. An upper axial end of the cylinder has a neck containing an opening to the interior. A shut-off valve is mounted in closure of the neck opening. Another type is a container, a vessel that may have substantially larger volume than a cylinder. A container may have several such shut-off valves each mounted in closure of a respective opening in the container wall.
A representative shut-off valve comprises a first port fitted in sealed relation to an opening in a vessel wall, a second port, and a valve mechanism that is operable via an external actuator, or tool, to allow and disallow fluid communication between the two ports. The second port is externally available for connection to a gas supply source when the cylinder is to be filled and for connection to a gas utilization system at a facility that uses gas stored in the cylinder. The valve mechanism comprises a stem that is rotated by an external actuator or tool to open and close the valve. An external actuator may be either manual or powered. A knob or handle that is turned by hand is an example of a manual actuator. An electric- or pneumatic-powered prime mover is an example of a power actuator. A wrench is an example of a hand tool for turning the valve stem. The term “actuator” includes the stem.
The representative valve may be a globe style valve whose stem is rotatable more than one full turn between closed and full open positions. Opening the valve allows contained gas to pass from the vessel by entering the first port, flowing through the valve, and exiting via the second port. In such case, the first port forms a gas inlet connected to the vessel, and the second port a gas outlet. The gas outlet may be connected via a conduit to a point of use of the gas.
Such vessels can hold gases that may be considered hazardous, examples of such gases including chlorine and sulfur dioxide. A facility that utilizes one or more of such gases in a process, or processes, conducted at the facility may, for example, have any number of such vessels containing the same or different gases on the premises. When connected to a gas handling system at the facility, such vessels are able to deliver gas, or gases, into the system once their shut-off valves have been opened. Because of inherent characteristics of certain gases, vessels that contain them may be housed in locations that are remote from attending personnel, and/or the vessels may be in use at times when personnel are absent.
When a vessel, or vessels, is, or are, in use at a facility, and gas leakage is detected, it may be appropriate to shut off all vessels in an attempt to minimize further gas leakage. Accordingly, an automatic gas leak detection and valve shut-off system may be employed at a facility to address such a situation. Such a system may include a power actuator associated with the shut-off valve of each vessel. Examples of known valve closure systems include electromechanical actuators and pneumatic actuators.
The following U.S. Pat. Nos. show various shut-off valve operating systems: 4,633,897; 4,872,482; 5,257,771; 5,340,078; and 5,588,637.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and improved valve closure system for a fluid-containing vessel that provides several important advantages and benefits. The term “fluid” includes both liquids and gases. Briefly, the invention comprises, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, an organization and arrangement of a relatively small number of individual parts that can be quickly and conveniently assembled to a shut-off valve of a vessel, such as a gas cylinder. A number of the parts are commercially available, and include an air motor as the prime mover for operating the shut-off valve. It is believed that an air motor offers certain advantages over an electric actuator, although certain principles of the invention are generic to various types of actuators, including both electric and pneumatic ones. The preferred embodiment of the inventive system is well suited for use with known, and commonly used, gas shut-off valves, although here too certain principles are generic to use of the inventive system with different forms of shut-off valves. Certain principles of the invention may also extend to valve closure systems in which the storage medium is a form of storage vessel other than the particular container and cylinder vessels mentioned above.
One generic aspect of the claimed invention relates to a valve closure system for rotating a rotatable actuator of a valve relative to a body of the valve to operate the valve from open to closed. The system comprises a motor having a rotatable shaft, a mounting that comprises plural parts including a bracket, for associating the motor with the valve, and a coupling for coupling the motor shaft to the valve actuator to impart rotation of the motor shaft to the valve actuator to operate the valve closed. The bracket comprises a plate having a surface defining a notch that has a) an entrance at a perimeter of the plate and b) a shape enabling the plate to associate with the valve body by i) disposing the plate alongside the valve body with the notch entrance aligned with the valve body and ii) then moving the plate laterally of the valve actuator axis to cause of the valve body to pass through the notch entrance and enter the notch. One of the parts is disposed on the plate and protrudes from the plate to present a dimensional interference with the valve body axially, as measured along the actuator axis, beyond the portion of the valve body disposed within the notch, for keeping the valve body disposed in the notch and preventing the plate from rotating on the valve body as the motor operates to close the valve.
Another generic aspect of the claimed invention relates to a valve and associated system for operating the valve. The valve comprises a valve body and a rotatable actuator that is rotatable about an axis relative to the valve body to operate the valve between open and closed positions. The valve body comprises a circular external groove that is coaxial with the actuator axis. The system for turning the valve actuator about its axis comprises a motor having a rotatable shaft, a mounting, comprising plural parts including a bracket, for associating the motor with the valve, and a coupling for coupling the motor shaft to the valve actuator to impart rotation of the motor shaft to turn the valve actuator. The bracket comprises a plate having a surface defining a notch that has a) an entrance at a perimeter of the plate and b) a shape enabling the plate to associate with the valve body by i) disposing the plate alongside the valve body with the notch entrance aligned with the circular external groove in the valve body and ii) then moving the plate laterally of the valve actuator axis to cause the external groove of the valve body to pass through the notch entrance, enter the notch and capture the plate on the valve body between confronting sides of the groove that are spaced apart along the direction of the axis of the actuator. A portion of the system presents dimensional interference with the valve body for preventing the valve body from escaping from the notch via the notch entrance and the bracket from rotating on the valve body as the motor shaft turns the valve actuator.
REFERENCES:
patent: 676118 (1901-06-01), Billings
patent: 1928071 (1933-09-01), Mueller
patent: 4024886 (1977-05-01), Eberhardt et al.
patent
Bebow Robert B.
Powell Duane
Boller George L.
Bonderer D A
Powell Fabrication & Manufacturing, Inc.
Shaver Kevin
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