Orifice fitting conversion apparatus

Claim 1

An apparatus for mounting with and converting a junior or simplex orifice fitting in a pressurized fluid line to a senior fitting so that an orifice plate in the junior fitting is thereafter removable therefrom for service and repair without loss of pressure in the line, comprising: an adapter housing having: an upper portion; a lower portion having a lower portion surface; a vertical upper chamber formed in said upper portion and having an upper end and a lower end; a lower chamber formed in said lower portion and having an upper end and a lower end; said lower end of said upper chamber adjoining said upper end of said lower chamber by a passage formed therebetween; and said lower chamber formed having a slot extending between said lower portion surface and said lower end of said lower chamber, said slot being substantially vertically aligned with said vertical upper chamber and said passage; an adapter plate having: an upper surface for engaging said lower portion surface of said adapter housing; a central member extending downwardly from said upper surface of said adapter plate; and, said central member formed having an opening therein, said opening in substantial vertical alignment with said slot, said passage and said upper chamber; fastening means for mounting said adapter plate with said adapter housing; an orifice plate carrier mounted for movement in said adapter housing from a lower position wherein said orifice plate carrier extends from said lower chamber through said slot and said opening to an upper position wherein said orifice plate carrier is entirely disposed within said upper chamber; lower moving means for moving said orifice plate carrier vertically between the lower position and an intermediate position between the lower position and the upper position, said lower moving means mounted with said lower chamber; upper moving means for moving said orifice plate carrier to and from the upper position, said upper moving means moving said orifice plate carrier vertically between the intermediate position and the upper position, said upper moving means mounted with said upper chamber; a closure valve movably mounted in said lower chamber for movement to and from a closed position adjacent said passage; means for moving said closure valve in said lower chamber between an open position when said orifice plate carrier is in the intermediate position and the closed position when said orifice plate carrier is in the upper position or the lower position; vent valve means mounted with said upper chamber for relieving fluid pressure from said upper chamber when said closure valve is in the closed position and said orifice carrier plate is in the upper position; and, a service opening adjacent said upper end of said upper chamber of said upper portion to provide access to said orifice plate carrier for service and repair thereof when said orifice plate carrier is in the upper position in said upper chamber.

Claim 2

An apparatus for mounting with and converting a junior or simplex orifice fitting in a pressurized fluid line to a senior fitting so that an orifice plate in the junior fitting is thereafter removable therefrom for service and repair without loss of pressure in the line, comprising: an adapter housing having: an upper portion; a lower portion having a lower portion surface; a vertical upper chamber formed in said upper portion and having an upper end and a lower end; a lower chamber formed in said lower portion and having an upper end and a lower end; said lower end of said upper chamber adjoining said upper end of said lower chamber by a passage formed therebetween; and said lower chamber formed having a slot extending between said lower portion surface and said lower end of said lower chamber, said slot being substantially vertically aligned with said vertical upper chamber and said passage; an adapter plate having: an upper surface for engaging said lower portion surface of said adapter housing; a central member extending downwardly from said upper surface of said adapter plate; and, said central member formed having an opening therein, said opening in substantial vertical alignment with said slot, said passage and said upper chamber; fastening means for mounting said adapter plate with said adapter housing; an orifice plate carrier mounted for movement in said adapter housing from a lower position wherein said orifice plate carrier extends from said lower chamber through said slot and said opening to an upper position wherein said orifice plate carrier is entirely disposed within said upper chamber; lower moving means for moving said orifice plate carrier vertically between the lower position and an intermediate position between the lower position and the upper position, said lower moving means mounted with said lower chamber; upper moving means for moving said orifice plate carrier to and from the upper position, said upper moving means moving said orifice plate carrier vertically between the intermediate position and the upper position, said upper moving means mounted with said upper chamber; a closure valve movably mounted in said lower chamber for movement to and from a closed position adjacent said passage; means for moving said closure valve in said lower chamber between an open position when said orifice plate carrier is in the intermediate position and the closed position when said orifice plate carrier is in the upper position or the lower position; vent valve means mounted with said upper chamber for relieving fluid pressure from said upper chamber when said closure valve is in the closed position and said orifice carrier plate is in the upper position; and, a service opening adjacent said upper end of said upper chamber of said upper portion to provide access to said orifice plate carrier for service and repair thereof when said orifice plate carrier is in the upper position in said upper chamber.