US3894559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manifold valve
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-28
•
Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1994-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A manifold body block has a longitudinal blind main bore receiving through its open end an assembly of two ball valve members spaced on a sealed stem projecting through a gland in a plug threaded in the open end to accept an operating handle; two transverse parallel flow passages through the block perpendicular to and counterbored past the main bore accepting alternatingly, relative to the ball assembly insertion, dropped-in seal and seat and seal sets providing diametric, Teflon-ring seats for each ball; four through-holes parallel to the flow passages and clear of the main bore for bolting the block directly on a flange of an instrumentation or process line device with the valve passage inlet or outlet ends aligned and sealed to respective flange pressure ports of the device; pressure tubing connecting plugs threaded into the counterbore open ends retaining the secondinserted seats; both balls having aligned respective first slots angularly spaced about the rotational axis from a diametric main flow passage therein; and one ball having a second slot 180* from the first slot thereof; so that one setting connects pressure inlets of a differential pressure instrument to respective pressure taps, a second setting blocks the taps from the instrument inlets, and a third setting intermediate the first two connects one process line pressure tap to both instrument inlets for zero checking or calibration, or as a source of purging fluid. In many industrial or research environments where differential pressure sensing or reading instruments are used, for example, connected to two pressure tap points on opposite sides of an orifice plate or of a Venturi section installation in a process line for flow measurement, it is desirable that the connections be made through pressure piping and valving arrangements whereby the instrument selectively may receive pressure from both taps for normal instrument function; may be cut off from both taps for instrument maintenance or during non-operating periods for the process equipment; and for differential pressure zero check or calibration may have both pressure inputs to the instrument connected to each other so that actual zero pressure differential is sensed, usually with one process line pressure tap connected to both instrument inputs. The differential pressure instrument to which the process line pressure or pressures is applied may be a direct reading instrument such as a manometer, or a differential pressure cell producing an output signal corresponding to difference in pressures observed, the output signal being applied as the input to either local or remote indicator or recorder instrumentation registering either the pressure differential or a variable (such as a flow rate) which is a function of the pressure differential; or the output being at times applies to a process variable controlling device.
Inventors
- 👤 Leland Q Depuy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/08; F16K11/087; F16K11/0873; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86863; Y10T137/86871; Y10T137/87153; Y10T137/87161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
353 words
An instrumentation manifold valve for connecting two pressure tap points to two respective pressure input inlets of a differential pressure instrument device, comprising a manifold body block having a central main bore, a first pressure inlet port and associated first pressure outlet port opening into said bore at locations angularly spaced about the bore, a second pressure inlet port and associated second pressure outlet port opening into said bore at locations angularly spaced about the bore and axially spaced from the first said locations, the said pressure inlet ports and pressure outlet ports being in communication with respective external connection formations on the block whereby the valve inlet ports are connectable to said pressure tap points and the outlet ports connectable to said differential pressure instrument device; two spherical valving members rotationally sealing respectively to the associated first ports and associated second ports for controlling flow through the ports, said members being smaller in diameter than said main bore; a valve stem structure in coaxially spaced relation to the main bore wall and rigidly secured to said valve members and fixedly securing them to each other in axial alignment and in axially spaced relation, said stem structure having at least one stem end projecting from and rotationally sealed to one end of the bore, the other end of the bore being closed; the axial spacing of the members and coaxial spacing of the stem strUcture leaving free bore space about the stem and between said members; said valving members having therethrough respective first passages for putting the first ports in communication with each other and the second ports in communication with each other at a first rotational stem setting; said valving members having therein respective second passages angularly offset, about the axis of rotation, from said first passages, and in constant communication with said free space and thereby with each other for putting the valve outlet ports and thereby the differential pressure device input inlets in communication with each other at one rotational setting of the stem for device balancing or zero checking; and a valve operating element on the projecting stem end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
353 words
An instrumentation manifold valve for connecting two pressure tap points to two respective pressure input inlets of a differential pressure instrument device, comprising a manifold body block having a central main bore, a first pressure inlet port and associated first pressure outlet port opening into said bore at locations angularly spaced about the bore, a second pressure inlet port and associated second pressure outlet port opening into said bore at locations angularly spaced about the bore and axially spaced from the first said locations, the said pressure inlet ports and pressure outlet ports being in communication with respective external connection formations on the block whereby the valve inlet ports are connectable to said pressure tap points and the outlet ports connectable to said differential pressure instrument device; two spherical valving members rotationally sealing respectively to the associated first ports and associated second ports for controlling flow through the ports, said members being smaller in diameter than said main bore; a valve stem structure in coaxially spaced relation to the main bore wall and rigidly secured to said valve members and fixedly securing them to each other in axial alignment and in axially spaced relation, said stem structure having at least one stem end projecting from and rotationally sealed to one end of the bore, the other end of the bore being closed; the axial spacing of the members and coaxial spacing of the stem strUcture leaving free bore space about the stem and between said members; said valving members having therethrough respective first passages for putting the first ports in communication with each other and the second ports in communication with each other at a first rotational stem setting; said valving members having therein respective second passages angularly offset, about the axis of rotation, from said first passages, and in constant communication with said free space and thereby with each other for putting the valve outlet ports and thereby the differential pressure device input inlets in communication with each other at one rotational setting of the stem for device balancing or zero checking; and a valve operating element on the projecting stem end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A valve as described in claim 1, wherein the angular offset between said first and second passages in the valving members affords a further rotational setting where the said inlet and outlet ports are closed to each other and to the free bore space whereby all connection formations and thereby the pressure taps and input inlets are severally isolated from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A valve as described in claim 1, wherein one of said valving members has therein a third passage in constant communication with said free bore space for setting a respective one of the said inlet ports into communication with the bore space and hence also said outlet ports at said other stem setting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
149 words
A valve as described in claim 3, wherein the angular offset between said first and second passages in the valving members affords a further rotational setting where the said inlet and outlet ports are closed to each other and to the free bores space whereby all connection formations and thereby the pressure taps and input inlets are severally isolated from each other; said operating element comprising a handle for manual operation; and there is provided rotational stop means for said handle establishing said first setting and further setting at extreme rotational positions, as first and third settings in a setting sequence with said other setting a second setting therebetween; whereby any residual pressure differentials in an instrument are reduced or eliminated as the valve is changed from said third setting to said first setting, thereby to eliminate danger to the instrument by bumping as it is restored to service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
178 words
A valve as described in claim 1, wherein said manifold block has the ports in each associated pair diametrically aligned with each other across the bore; said valving members comprise respective balls incorporated in the structure of said stem and having a diameter slightly smaller than said bore, each ball having diametric rotationally sealed engagement with the bore mouths of the respective pair of associated ports, each ball having a diametric flow passage perpendicular to the stem axis as a respective said first passage; each ball having a respective slot extending parallel with the stem axis as the respective said second passage; and said main bore having its said one end closed by a threaded-in sealed plug having an axial bore with said stem projecting therethrough and rotationally sealed thereto, whereby the stem and ball structure is insertable from said one end before closure by the plug; said ports being provided with respective tough elastomeric seat seal rings projecting slightly into said bore to form port mouths with the balls sealingly seated therebetween to afford said diametric engagement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A valve as described in claim 5, wherein the angular offset between said diametric flow passage and said slot in each ball affords a further rotational setting where the said inlet and outlet ports are closed to each other and to the free bore space whereby all connection formation sand thereby pressure taps and input inlets are severally isolated from each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
A valve as described in claIm 6, wherein one of said balls has therein as a third passage a second slot diametrically opposed to the first slot therein and in constant communication with said free bore space for setting one of said inlet ports into communication with the bore space and hence also with said outlet ports at said other stem setting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
A valve as described in claim 7, wherein said block is elongated with an oblong transverse section with a pair of opposed faces bounding a narrow transverse dimension; the associated aligned pairs of ports are provided by a respective transverse passage extending through the block perpendicular to said opposed faces and to the main bore axis; said transverse passages each including a respective counterbore running in, from a common one said opposed face, diametrically across the main bore and forming a shoulder between the main bore and the other said opposed face supporting a respective one of said seat seal rings on one side of a respective ball; each said counterbore supporting a second one of said seat seal rings on the other side of the respective ball retained by means threaded into the outer end of the counterbore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A valve as described in claim 8, wherein the said means threaded into each said counterbore is a tubing connector fitting and constitutes a said external connection formation at said one opposed face.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
A valve as described in claim 8, wherein said block has a plurality of through bolt apertures perpendicular to the said opposed faces; and the external connection formations at the other opposed face each comprises the opening of a respective transverse passage through that face, and a sealing ring received in a face groove concentric with that opening; whereby said valve may be flange-mounted and sealed to a device having a flange with a pair of pressure inlet or outlet openings spaced to fall within the respective sealing ring circumferences.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
115 words
A valve as described in claim 8, wherein each said counterbore constitutes a said external connection formation at said one opposed face and the said means threaded therein being a tubing connector fitting; said block has a plurality of through bolt apertures perpendicular to the said opposed faces; and the external connection formations at the other opposed face each comprises the opening of a respective transverse passage through that face, and a sealing ring received in a face groove concentric with that opening; whereby said valve may be flanged-mounted and sealed to a device having a flange with a pair of pressure inlet or outlet openings spaced to fall within the respective sealing ring circumferences.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A valve as described in claim 11, wherein said operating element comprises a handle for manual operations; there is provided rotational stop means for said handle establishing said first setting and further setting at extreme rotational positions, as first and third settings in a setting sequence with said other setting a second setting therebetween; said stem being securable in said knob at each of two positions 180* from each other whereby the valve optionally may be used with the said connector fittings as on the valve inlet or outlet sides, merely by change of the stem and knob relative positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
261 words
A valve as described in claim 1, wherein said manifold block has the ports in each associated pair diametrically aligned with each other across the bore; said valving members comprise respective balls incorporated in the structure of said stem and having a diameter slightly smaller than said bore, each ball having diametric engagement in the bore mouths of the respective pair of associated ports, each ball having a diametric flow passage perpendicular to the stem axis as a respective said first passage; each ball having a respective slot extending parallel with the stem axis as the respective said second passagE; and said main bore having its said one end closed by a threaded-in plug, sealed rotationally with said stem projecting through an axial bore therethrough, and sealed to said main bore, whereby the stem and ball structure is insertable from said one end before closure by the plug; said ports being provided with respective tough elastomeric seat seal rings projecting slightly into said bore to form said port mouths with the balls rotatably sealingly seated therebetween to afford said diametric engagements; each said seal ring being supported in a coaxially recessed headed end of a tubular carrier element and sealing to surfaces of the head recess, said head received in the respective said port and sealed within the port by a second elastomeric seal ring on a carrier tubular body portion extending further into the port beyond a shoulder within the port and with endwise and circumferential clearance; said second seal ring effecting a seal between the carrier and said shoulder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
172 words
A valve as described in claim 13, wherein said block is elongated with a pair of opposed faces bounding a narrow transverse dimension; the associated aligned pairs of ports are provided by a respective transverse passage extending through the block perpendicular to said opposed faces and to the main bore axis; said transverse passages each including a respective counterbore running in, from a common one said opposed face, diametrically across the main bore and forming a said shoulder between the main bore and the other said opposed face supporting on one side of a respective ball a respective said second seal ring and therewith the associated carrier and seat seal ring as a seat assembly; each said counterbore, and connector means threaded into the outer end of the counterbore to provide a shoulder, supporting on the other side of the respective ball a second said seat assembly; whereby said seat assemblies may be inserted in the body through said counterbore as successive pairs alternately with emplacement of the stem and ball structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3450157A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |