US3633598A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for inserting a valve member between flanges of a flanged pipe connection
Assignee: AMBUCO Ltd
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Filing: 1970-03-19
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for inserting a spade valve member between the flanges of a joint in a fluid-containing conduit to vary the flow of fluid, in which a divided casing is placed around the conduit and contains the spade valve and the flanges, the casing having means for securing its parts together, means for separating and refastening the flanges of the joint and means for moving the spade valve between the flanges.
Inventors
- 👤 Aubrey J Morris
- 👤 James S W Fox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:21
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K3/00; F16K3/02; F16K3/16; F16K3/20; F16K27/00; F16K27/04; F16K27/044; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0402; Y10T137/0441; Y10T137/0486; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49405; Y10T29/49412; Y10T29/49716; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53552
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for inserting between the flanges of a flanged joint in a conduit containing a fluid, a spade valve member adapted to close the conduit or reduce a flow of fluid therethrough, comprising a divided casing adapted to contain said spade valve and be placed around the conduit so as to contain said flanges, means for securing the parts of the divided casing together, means extending through said casing for unfastening and refastening the means for securing the flanges of said joint together and means provided on said casing for moving the spade valve between the flanges of said joint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for inserting between the flanges of a flanged joint in a conduit containing a fluid, a spade valve member adapted to close the conduit or reduce a flow of fluid therethrough, comprising a divided casing adapted to contain said spade valve and be placed around the conduit so as to contain said flanges, means for securing the parts of the divided casing together, means extending through said casing for unfastening and refastening the means for securing the flanges of said joint together and means provided on said casing for moving the spade valve between the flanges of said joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said casing is divided into two parts with the line of division, when the two parts are placed around the conduit, being contained in a plane containing the axis of the flanged joint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or in which said casing comprises a first cylindrical casing part having at one end a par circular portion which is disposed at right angles to the first cylindrical casing part, said part circular portions disposed at right angles to the first cylindrical casing part and a second cylindrical casing part having at one end a part circular portion disposed at right angles to said second cylindrical casing part, said part circular portions each being provided with outwardly directed flanges adapted to be clamped together when said part circular portions are placed around said conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which each part circular portion is provided with part circular end walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which each part circular end wall is provided with a recess adapted to contain sealing means for sealing the end walls with respect to the conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said sealing means comprises a divided sealing ring or rings held in said recess by a divided gland bush, said ring or rings and said bush being located with their plane of division transverse to the plane of division of said casing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the two halves of each gland bush are fixed to the associated part circular end wall by bolts, a strap or bar extending between the two halves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said means for unfastening and refastening the means for securing the flanges of said joint together comprises a plurality of spanner devices each carried on one end of a rod extending through said casing, each rod being adapted to be engaged at its outer end by any suitable means for applying torque thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which each spanner device is connected to its associated rod by a torque transmitting universal joint.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which each rod extends through a sealing packing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which said rod is provided with means for effecting tightening of a bush compressing said sealing packing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said spade valve iS adapted to be supported in guides provided on the interior of one casing part.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for moving said spade valve between the flanges of said flanged joint comprises a rod or rods which extend through an end wall of the casing, said rod or rods being adapted to be connected to said spade valve and moved axially by a force producing means located externally of said casing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the or each rod extends through a sealing packing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said force producing means comprises a hand wheel operated mechanical system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said force producing means is pneumatically or hydraulically operated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said casing is provided with a connection enabling the assembled casing to be pressure tested for leaks.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including jacking means adapted to be connected externally to said casing and to said conduit and operative to jack the flanges of the conduits apart.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means for retaining the nuts of the bolts securing the flanges of the joint together on said flanges.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a spade valve provided on its leading edge with means for separating the flanges of the flanged joint when said spade valve is moved towards said flanges.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of inserting a spade valve between the flanges of a flanged joint in a conduit containing a fluid comprising the steps of securing to one flange the nuts of bolts securing the two flanges together, assembling around the conduit a divided casing containing a spade valve, securing the parts of the divided casing together, operating spanner means extending through said casing in order to unfasten all and remove some or all of the bolts, operating means provided on said casing for moving said spade valve between said flanges and then reinstating said bolts and refastening said bolts to clamp said flanges together with said spade valve interposed therebetween.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of inserting a spade valve between the flanges of a flanged joint in a conduit containing a fluid comprising the steps of securing to one flange the nuts of bolts securing the two flanges together, assembling around the conduit a divided casing containing a spade valve, securing the parts of the divided casing together, operating spanner means extending through said casing in order to unfasten all and remove some or all of the bolts, operating means provided on said casing for moving said spade valve between said flanges and then reinstating said bolts and refastening said bolts to clamp said flanges together with said spade valve interposed therebetween.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method claimed in claim 21 including the step of pressure testing the assembled and secured casing before unfastening said bolts.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method claimed in claim 21 including the step of moving the flanges apart by operating jacking means provided between the casing and said conduit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method claimed in claim 21 in which the casing is drained and removed after the spade valve has been inserted and the bolts retightened.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |