Patent US3860033A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3860033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flow diverting apparatus and method
Assignee: M&J Valve Co
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Filing: 1973-04-13
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-04-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for selectively diverting flow in either one of at least two flow paths without making use of customary conventional valves. Such diverters may be incorporated in various systems, such as metering systems incorporating meter provers and tank farm systems as used in the petroleum industry. The diverter includes a cylindrical shaped body having a plurality of flow openings distributed along the length of the same. A plurality of sealing assemblies is carried by one or more operating rods extending axially of the body. These assemblies are caused to be moved in and out of sealing engagement with cylindrical sleeves that are located between the flow openings. The construction is such that when an assembly is moved into sealing position within a sleeve, there is a self induced pressure drop which is used to determine whether or not any leakage is occurring past the assembly. For metering systems the diverter has an inflow opening and two outflow openings through which the flow can be selectively directed. For use in tank farm systems the diverter is constructed in such a manner that three operating positions permit shutdown of flow into or from the tank, filling of the tank, and gravity flow of liquid from the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin H Grove
- 👤 Ronald G Dunegan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:00
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/06; F16K11/065; G; G01; G01F; G01F25/00; G01F25/10; G01F25/11; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8326; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86879; Y10T137/86895
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
In a flow diverter, a generally cylindrical shaped body formed from a plurality of sections, means for closing the ends of the body, certain sections of the body having side flow openings to provide at least first, second and third flow openings spaced along the length of the body, a first cylindrical sleeve carried by the body and positioned between the first and second flow openings, a second cylindrical sleeve carried by the body and spaced axially from the first sleeve and positioned between the second and third flow openings, each sleeve having an internal cylindrical surface of like internal diameter that is less than the internal diameter of adjacent sections of the body and of substantial axial length, first and second sealing assemblies adapted to have sealing engagement with the inner peripheral surfaces of the sleeves, operating rod means extending axially of the body, the sealing assemblies being carried by said operating rod means, means external of the body for actuating the rod means to position the sealing assemblies in predetermined operating positions, each sealing assembly comprising two axially spaced and oppositely faced sealing cups of resilient material constructed to have sealing engagement with the inner cylindrical surface of a sleeve on axially spaced annular sealing areas, the sealing cups of each sealing assembly being dimensioned to have an external diameter greater than the inner diameter of a cooperating sleeve when in a position displaced from the sleeve whereby each resilient member is contracted radially when moved axially to a position within a sleeve, the space between the sealing cups of each sealing assembly being closed when the assembly is within a sleeve, the positioning of the sealing assemblies on the rod means and the positioning of said assemblies within or out of the sleeves serving to divert flow through the body by way of either a flow path between the first and second flow openings or a flow path between the second and third flow openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
In a flow diverter, a generally cylindrical shaped body formed from a plurality of sections, means for closing the ends of the body, certain sections of the body having side flow openings to provide at least first, second and third flow openings spaced along the length of the body, a first cylindrical sleeve carried by the body and positioned between the first and second flow openings, a second cylindrical sleeve carried by the body and spaced axially from the first sleeve and positioned between the second and third flow openings, each sleeve having an internal cylindrical surface of like internal diameter that is less than the internal diameter of adjacent sections of the body and of substantial axial length, first and second sealing assemblies adapted to have sealing engagement with the inner peripheral surfaces of the sleeves, operating rod means extending axially of the body, the sealing assemblies being carried by said operating rod means, means external of the body for actuating the rod means to position the sealing assemblies in predetermined operating positions, each sealing assembly comprising two axially spaced and oppositely faced sealing cups of resilient material constructed to have sealing engagement with the inner cylindrical surface of a sleeve on axially spaced annular sealing areas, the sealing cups of each sealing assembly being dimensioned to have an external diameter greater than the inner diameter of a cooperating sleeve when in a position displaced from the sleeve whereby each resilient member is contracted radially when moved axially to a position within a sleeve, the space between the sealing cups of each sealing assembly being closed when the assembly is within a sleeve, the positioning of the sealing assemblies on the rod means and the positioning of said assemblies within or out of the sleeves serving to divert flow through the body by way of either a flow path between the first and second flow openings or a flow path between the second and third flow openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which a portion of each sleeve is interposed between adjacent sections of the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A plurality of diverters as defined in claim 1 together with two outflow headers, one of the headers being connected to first flow openings of the diverters, and the other header being connected to the third flow openings of the diverters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A flow diverter as in claim 1 in which means is provided to balance differential pressure applied to at least one of the sealing assemblies, said means including a third sealing assembly carried by the rod means, a third sleeve carried by the body and spaced axially from the first and second named sleeves, the last named assembly being positioned within the third sleeve when the rod means is in one operating position, the body being formed to provide a closed body space on that side of the third assembly remote from the first and second sleeves when the third assembly is within the third sleeve, and means forming a flow connection between said closed body space and the second flow opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which the rod means consists of a tube to which the sealing assemblies are secured, and in which a guide rod extends into the tube and is secured at its one end to the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which means is provided for sensing the pressure in the space between the sealing members of each sealing assembly when one such assembly is within one of said sleeves and when both of said assemblies are each within a sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
A metering system comprising a plurality of meter runs, each run including a flow meter, an inlet header adapted to be connected to the upstream portion of the main flow line, valves serving to connect the header with each of the meter runs, whereby by operation of said valves flow can be established through any one or more of the meter runs, a diverter valve as defined in claim 1 having its second flow opening connected to the discharge end of the associated meter run, two outflow headers, the first flow opening of the diverter being connected to one of said headers, the third flow opening of the diverter being connected to the second header, and a meter prover having flow connections to the headers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |