Fluid handling – With repair – tapping – assembly – or disassembly means – With holding means functioning only during transportation...
Patent
1991-12-16
1993-05-18
Hepperle, Stephen M.
Fluid handling
With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
With holding means functioning only during transportation...
1374546, 251329, F16K 330
Patent
active
052116867
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a valve device for underwater applications, in particular adapted for water injection and/or oil/gas production manifolds and pipeline systems but also suited for land based/platform based applications.
Generally for valve systems and in particular in underwater pipeline systems, it is of importance that the equipment operates with as large regularity as possible and that damage can be repaired and replacements can be performed rapidly and safely during inspection and maintenance.
In order to achieve this the valve system must be designed in such a manner that those parts which according to experience need maintenance, repair or replacement are reasonably easily accessible.
Valves used today in underwater production and injection systems entail several problems. Here might be mentioned ingress of particles from main flow conduits to the space inside valve housings, which can damage sealing surfaces and/or prevent movement of the valve member. Difficult and time consuming repair must be carried out, and often complete valves must be raised for maintenance and the valve housing must be dismantled from the pipeline.
Thus, there is a need of a valve design which is particularly adapted for rapid and safe underwater assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention permits that all elements which relate to the functioning of the valve can be assembled in and dismantled from the valve housing as a unit, and in such a way that the sealing rings adapted to seal against the valve housing are protected during assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will hereinafter be explained more detailed, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention, shown in an axial section through the valve a passage, in an application in a gate valve.
FIG. 2 shows the unit removed from the valve housing, seen in the same section as in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows in a larger scale a section perpendicular to the section of FIGS. 1 and 2, axially through a portion of the passage.
FIG. 4A shows a section transversely of the passage, and illustrates one half of a portion of the retainer.
FIG. 4B shows the same portion of the retainer as FIG. 4B, seen in an axial section.
FIG. 5 shows a section corresponding to that of FIG. 4B, and illustrates how the locking of a gasket is released during assembly of the unit in the valve housing.
FIG. 6 shows, in a section corresponding to that of FIG. 4A, how the gaskets are biased against the valve member and the seats in the valve housing.
FIG. 7 shows in a larger scale a section corresponding to those of FIGS. 3 and 6 and shows the relationship between some diameters.
FIG. 8 shows a devise according to the invention in an application in a ball valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows an actuator 21 mounted at the top of a cover 2.
A retainer 3 is fastened to the valve cover 2 by means of bolts 16 and carries a valve member 4 having gaskets 10 and 11. Locking claws 6 lock the valve cover 2 against the valve housing 1. A ring 7 keeps the locking claws 6 in their locking position. Here, the valve member is a gate sluice.
FIG. 2 shows a unit ready for assembly in a valve housing 1. The insertion unit depends from a not shown tool, by means of rods 68 which keep the ring 7 in its uppermost position. Due to the structural features of the locking claws they are brought to a gripping position as shown in the Fig.
The retainer 3 is equipped with a guide 20 which also acts as an end protection element. A bolster 19 secures adequate entry in the valve housing and at the same time it acts as guidance and protects the metallic gaskets of the valve cover.
FIG. 2 further shows the valve housing 1 and its planar, parallel sealing surfaces (seats) 58.
During assembly, as shown in FIG. 2, the outermost sealing rings 11 at each side of the valve member 4 are locked in an inner position 66. The distance bet
REFERENCES:
patent: 3114386 (1963-12-01), Dumm
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patent: 4390039 (1983-06-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 4431022 (1984-02-01), Ripert
patent: 4641681 (1987-02-01), Ikematsu et al.
patent: 4718444 (1988-01-01), Boelte
patent: 4953587 (1990-09-01), Steele
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