Johnston Pump/general Valve, Inc.

General Valve, Inc.

Other

The Singer Company

Duraseat LLC

Gordon M Smith

Hans M Van Der Wiel

Kevin W Lilie

Theodore Emil Kwast

Logan T Smith

Fred G Chase, Sr

Hashimali Merchant

Gerard E Ducharme

Dave B Keiser

Improved valve seal and integrity systems and methods are disclosed. Pressure in an internal cavity of a valve may be monitored and stored to assist in determining whether one or more seals in the valve are leaking. Internal cavity temperature may also be recorded and monitored to assist in determining whether there are any valve seal leaks. Expected pressure corresponding to a detected internal cavity pressure (that may be determined by correlating temperature and known fluid properties) may be compared to detected internal cavity pressure to assist in determining the existence of valve leaks. Internal cavity pressures and pressure differentials over time may be used to determine remaining valve seal life, leak severity, and/or integrity of a check valve on the valve. Indications of seal life, leak severity, seal integrity, and/or check valve integrity may be displayed to an end user or otherwise provided to a database or computer.

Valve seal integrity verification systems and methods

A valve packing system uniformly distributes the radial packing load in a valve stuffing box. In one embodiment the cylindrical wall of the stuffing box is tapered with a flat bottom. In other embodiments the cylindrical wall of the stuffing box is straight with a tapered outbound bottom, the bottom of the packing ring is tapered at the same outbound angle to match the outbound taper at the bottom of the cylindrical stuffing box, the cylindrical wall of the stuffing box is straight with a tapered inbound bottom, the bottom of the packing ring is tapered at the same inbound angle to match the inbound taper at the bottom of the cylindrical stuffing box, and the cylindrical wall of the stuffing box is straight with a male &ldquo;V&rdquo; x-section at the bottom of the stuffing box to accept a packing ring having a female &ldquo;V&rdquo; groove on the bottom.

Load-profile compensating stuffing-box packing system for valves having stems of uniform cross-section

Live loaded valve stem packing wherein grafoil packing is molded into a metal cap that prevents extrusion of the packing, and has live loading built into the metal cap. This metal cap can be conventional flat spring materials (17-7PH S.S. or 302 S.S.) or a Shape Memory Alloy (commonly known as SMA materials, e.g. Ni&mdash;Ti (Nickel-Titanium alloy) or Fe&mdash;Si&mdash;Mn (Iron-Silicon-Manganese alloy). The cap is designed with a singular hump, entirely along its top surface. On this hump there are two slots through the hump, 180 degrees apart, for ease of removing the packing. Upon assembly of the packing box, the hump is elastically flattened out due to axial loading through the fasteners. As the packing consolidates during service (optionally if the cap is SMA, during temperature increases) the hump deflects to maintain a relatively constant or enhanced axial load on the packing to enhance sealing, even during a fire.

Live loaded valve stem packing with shape memory alloy option

In the stem set configuration for a double block and bleed plug valve, the improvement provides an operator which can be significantly shorter and more compact than conventional operators for such valves. The invention makes use of a novel nesting of the threading section whereby a conventional female thread is replaced by a nested male thread surrounded by the translation section. The translation section, in turn, houses the indication section inboard of the nested male threads thereby compacting three functions into one location. This design lends itself nicely to investment casting technology obviating conventional machine shop practices. The invention also combines by use of a long plug stem pin, the plug connection and L slot functions into one location. The input function still remains separate, however, combining ultimately all functions in only three discrete locations and what appears at this time to be the ultimate compacted or nested arrangement.

Compact stem set with load-balanced rollers for non-lubricated double block and bleed plug valves

An improved bleed system for a double block and bleed plug-type valve which employ a safety check valve which automatically shuts off bleed system flow upon ruptures or upon an inadvertently open manual bleed valve during normal plug valve operation. An integral component combines the safety check valve and other bleed system components in a unitary device which is especially resistant to plumbing damage incidents.

Bleed system

A unified block integral bleed system for use with valves such as plug-type valves wherein pressure release flow occurs through a manifold port mounting arrangement which accesses upstream, downstream and body cavity portions of the valve and provides atmosphere taps as well without external piping. Such a manifold integral body bleed system provides internal flow channels and is preferrably configured as a separate external unit which can be retrofitted to existing valve installations in the field. The manifold bleed system may be attached to the valve, such as by welding, or may be located at a position remote from the valve.

External unified integral bleed system for valves

An improved plug type valve of the type having seat and reseat retractable seals, the plug assembly having a tapered faceted cylindrical plug with a waterway therethrough. A first pair of shut-off slips is positioned on the plug for axial movement, relative to the plug, wherein the plug surfaces adjacent the shut-off slips are tapered for retracting the shut-off slips as the plug is moved vertically in a first direction relative to the inlet and the outlet of the valve. A pair of thru-bore slips are positioned on the plug adjacent the waterway for relative axial movement therebetween. The plug surfaces adjacent the thru-bore slips are tapered for retracting the thru-bore slips as the plug is moved vertically in a second direction, relative to the inlet and outlet of the valve. The thru-bore slips have a thru-bore aperture to permit flow through the waterway without leakage around the plug and thus the interior of the valve body, when the waterway is aligned with the inlet and outlet.

Plug-valve having a plug assembly with retractible seals that can be

A unified block integral bleed system for use with valves such as plug-type valves wherein pressure release flow occurs through a manifold port mounting arrangement which accesses upstream, downstream and body cavity portions of the valve and provides atmosphere taps as well without external piping. Such a manifold integral body bleed system provides internal flow channels and is preferably configured as the bonnet of the valve but could also be configured for example as the lower plate of the valve. In fact, any valve component which provides inherent access to the upstream and downstream throats and the central body cavity could serve as the bleed system manifold component as well.

Integral bleed system for valve

Fluid pressure changes are imposed on selected interior surfaces of a plug passageway of a plug valve to create torque. In one embodiment perturbations are provided in selected flow surfaces of the valve plug to create turbulent boundary layer flow along such surfaces which generates a beneficial stabilizing torque tending to reduce or eliminate holding forces conventionally provided by mechanical parts such as detent mechanisms. In another embodiment, pilot holds between interior and exterior plug surfaces are used to alter the fluid pressure at diagonally opposite locations relative to the plug rotation axis to produce the stabilizing torque.

Flow stabilized, retractable seal, double-block and bleed plug valve

A novel sealing arrangement for fluid carrying devices and particularly for plug type valves, such as retractable double block and bleed plug valves. The sealing arrangement of the present invention adds secondary and tertiary seals to the conventional packing gland primary seal along the outer surface of the trunnion of such plug type valves. A unique isolated chamber is formed between the secondary and tertiary seals and because of the elastomeric nature of the secondary and tertiary seals, this isolated chamber is bubble tight and thus resists the gradual accumulation of minute leakage, which might otherwise cause false alarms in prior art leakage sensing equipment. Furthermore, the bubble tight feature of a chamber between isolated elastomeric seals, enables purging this chamber for making accurate observations and measurements of true leakage that might otherwise be an environmental hazard. Still more significantly, the bubble tight aspect of the chamber formed between the secondary and tertiary seals of the present invention, provides a means for providing an over-pressure in the chamber by using an inert fluid, such as nitrogen gas, which significantly increases the sealing efficacy of the present invention, as well as providing both local and remote sensing of leakage prevention status, by simply monitoring the over-pressure condition within the chamber. The chamber may also be evacuated to provide enhanced leak detection capability.

Apparatus for sealing a fluid carrying device

Self supporting, non-lubricated retractable seal double block and bleed plug valve wherein an improved plug configuration provides direct bearing surface support for the plug along at least a portion of the radial surface of the plug. The remaining radial surface of the plug may be optionally relieved to avoid scuffing the swept seating area of the interior valve body surface. By utilizing the novel plug configuration for direct plug bearing support, the present invention obviates the need for a lower trunnion and does away with the need for high load-bearing bushings. In all other respects, the operation of a plug valve, utilizing the plug of the present invention, remains substantially the same as it would be for a prior art plug valve. In fact, it is possible to substitute a novel plug configuration of the present invention for a prior art plug configuration for retrofitting existing valves of the type herein disclosed.

Self supporting plug for a double block and bleed plug valve

A valve actuator control system, although suitable for many control functions, is especially adapted for remote control of plug-type valves utilizes a unique configuration providing a unitary explosion-proof container to house all electrical components and also providing a manifold assembly that is adapted for either a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator motor with relatively minor modification. The manifold assembly is designed to accept all utilized control valves, relief valves, check valves, flow control devices, and manually operable override controls thereby simplifying installation and maintenance and reducing attendant costs. Three independent solenoid valves, responsive to mechanical feedback provided through the plug-valve's operating stem and integrated into the manifold within the explosion-proof container, provide for actuator motor control including a novel dual speed capability for enhancing plug-valve performance while precluding costly premature wear. A unique manual override safety feature comprising automatic motor power bypass within the manifold, assures personal safety despite unexpected reapplication of previously interrupted electrical and hydraulic or pneumatic power.

Automatic valve actuator and control system

A valve actuator control system, although suitable for many control functions, is especially adapted for remote control of plug-type valves utilizes a unique configuration providing a unitary explosion-proof container to house all electrical components and also providing a manifold assembly that is adapted for either a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator motor with relatively minor modification. The manifold assembly is designed to accept all utilized control valves, relief valves, check valves, flow control devices, and manually operable override controls thereby simplifying installation and maintenance and reducing attendent costs. Three independent solenoid valves, responsive to mechanical feedback provided through the plug-valve's operating stem and integrated into the manifold within the explosion-proof container, provide for actuator motor control including a novel dual speed capability for enhancing plug-valve performance while precluding costly premature wear. A unique manual override safety feature comprising automatic motor power bypass within the manifold, assures personal safety despite unexpected reapplication of previously interrupted electrical and hydraulic or pneumatic power.

A flow control apparatus for use primarily in plug-type valves provides means for continuously varying the flow rate of fluid through the valve while using the same operator that is used to control the open and closed position of the valve. The invention utilizes a globe valve-type throttling plug which requires no special mechanism to coordinate the throttling motion of the valve. Only the plug and lower plate of the valve body are modified relative to existing plug valves to achieve a unique flow control capability. The plug of the invention provides distinct inlet and outlet channels separated by a flow control passage which may be selectively obstructed by a fixed flow control element which is an integral portion of an inverted lower trunnion extending from the bottom plate of the valve body. The vertical position of the plug with the plug rotated for alignment with the inlet and outlet of the valve, determines the degree of flow through the plug.

Tight shut-off valve with flow control

A method and apparatus for removing a flow control device mounted between two opposed flanges of a pipeline wherein the flanges are clamped together by a plurality of studs. The method comprises the steps of clamping a pair of axially expandable flange spreaders to hold the opposed flanges in axial aligned position. Next, all of the studs are removed or loosened to permit access to the flow control device. Stop means are appended to the flange spreaders at the inside basis of the flanges. Lastly, the flange spreaders are expanded to permit removal of the flow control device from the pipeline. Reversal of the procedure will permit reassembly of the pipeline. Each of the flange spreaders comprises a pair of interconnected members that are axially expandable or contractable, and initially are clamped in position to hold the opposing flanges in axial alignment. The stop means will be appended to the members to engage the inner face of the opposing flanges whereby on axially expanding the flange spreaders the opposing flanges will be axially forced apart. The flange spreaders may include a jackscrew threadedly connected to a base having a portion abutting the inner face of one of the flanges, and a jackscrew stop adapted to be connected to the jackscrew to abut the inner face of the other flange.

Growing community of inventors

Brookshire, TX, United States of America

Gordon M Smith