초록 ▼

A safety structure for detecting fluid leakage from a valve having an exposed end of a rotatable valve stem connected to a valve element within the valve for rotating the valve element between an open and a closed position. The safety structure comprises a jacket, and an elongated handle extension d

A safety structure for detecting fluid leakage from a valve having an exposed end of a rotatable valve stem connected to a valve element within the valve for rotating the valve element between an open and a closed position. The safety structure comprises a jacket, and an elongated handle extension disposed within the jacket for rotation about its axis. The handle extension includes an end which extends outward from the jacket for turning the handle extension. The jacket terminates in an annular flange which is attached to the valve in an isolating configuration having the exposed end of the valve stem covered, and the handle extension connected to valve stem via a slot on the lower end of the handle extension and a pair of opposed flats on the covered end of the rotatable valve stem over which the slot extends for transferring the rotation of the handle extension to the valve stem. A sealed chamber in the jacket surrounds the elongated handle and extends along the handle in the isolating configuration to communicate with the rotatable valve stem and isolate the covered end of the rotatable valve stem. A leakage detector is connected to a sniffer port in the jacket which communicates with the sealed chamber and detects leakage from the valve around the rotatable valve stem. A fluid reservoir is connected with a collection port in the jacket which communicates with the sealed chamber and collects fluid leakage from the valve around the rotatable valve stem.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of detecting leakage from a valve having an exposed rotatable valve stem extending therefrom for opening and closing the valve, comprising the steps of: attaching a jacket to a valve neck portion in a configuration covering the exposed rotatable valve stem, said jacket means having flange m

A method of detecting leakage from a valve having an exposed rotatable valve stem extending therefrom for opening and closing the valve, comprising the steps of: attaching a jacket to a valve neck portion in a configuration covering the exposed rotatable valve stem, said jacket means having flange means extended therefrom so as to be removable as a single unit and adapted to be directly secured to said valve neck portion; concurrently by the step of attaching, providing a primary seal structure, said flange means for compressing said primary seal structure to provide a sealing engagement within said valve neck portion and around said valve stem when said flange means is secured to said valve neck portion; providing a rotatable handle extension in the jacket having a first end extending from the jacket for turning the extension about its axis and a second end connecting the handle extension to the valve stem for transferring the rotation of the handle extension to the valve stem; providing a sealed chamber in the jacket communicating with the exposed rotatable valve stem for isolating the exposed rotatable valve stem by attaching the jacket to the valve; and, sampling the fluid of the sealed chamber for fluid leakage around the valve stem past the primary seal.