IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0359863
(2003-02-10)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Summers, Angela E.
- Zachary, Bryan A.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Sis-Tech Applications, L.P.
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
9 |
초록
▼
An apparatus and method for simply and economically detecting leaks in a isolation valve disposed in an on-line fluid transport system having at least an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe is provided, the apparatus comprising a isolation valve connected between the upstream pipe and downstream pip
An apparatus and method for simply and economically detecting leaks in a isolation valve disposed in an on-line fluid transport system having at least an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe is provided, the apparatus comprising a isolation valve connected between the upstream pipe and downstream pipe for isolating fluid flow through the transport system; wherein the isolation valve includes at least one upstream seal, one downstream seal, and an inner cavity effectively isolated from the fluid flow by the seals. The apparatus further comprises a pressure sensor and a vent valve, wherein the vent valve is in fluid communication with the isolation valve's inner cavity to permit venting of process pressure accumulated within the inner cavity to an external environment when the vent valve is opened; and wherein when the vent valve is closed, the pressure sensor will measure a resulting difference in fluid pressure within the cavity, the pressure difference being indicative of the integrity of the upstream and downstream seals. The present invention also provides a method of employing the apparatus in association with commercial and industrial fluid transport systems wherein the inner cavity can be vented under full on-line process pressure.
대표청구항
▼
1. An apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves, the apparatus comprising:an isolation valve that controls a substantially uninterrupted fluid flow during said on-line detection of leaky valves, wherein said isolation valve further comprises at least one upstream seal, at least one downstream
1. An apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves, the apparatus comprising:an isolation valve that controls a substantially uninterrupted fluid flow during said on-line detection of leaky valves, wherein said isolation valve further comprises at least one upstream seal, at least one downstream seal, a fluid flow diversion means, and an inner cavity effectively isolated from said fluid flow by said upstream seal and said downstream seal;a vent valve, disposed in fluid communication with said isolation valve, that vents process pressure accumulated within said isolation valve to an external environment; anda means for monitoring a re-pressurization rate of said process pressure within said inner cavity. 2. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 1, wherein said fluid flow diversion means further comprises a means for diverting process pressure from said fluid flow into said isolation valve's inner cavity when said fluid flow diversion means is disposed in a partially closed position, and a means for effectively isolating said inner cavity from said fluid flow when said fluid flow diversion means is returned to a fully opened position,wherein an accumulation of diverted process pressure remains within said inner cavity after said fluid flow diversion means has been returned to said fully opened position. 3. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 2, wherein said fluid flow diversion means comprises a gate disposed within said isolation valve. 4. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 2, wherein said fluid flow diversion means comprises a ball rotatably disposed within said isolation valve. 5. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 4, wherein said ball rotatably disposed within a body portion of said isolation valve has a maximum angle of rotation of less than about 30°. 6. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 1, wherein said at least one upstream seal and said at least one downstream seal are disposed so as to prevent process pressure from entering said inner cavity when said fluid flow diversion means is in a fully opened position. 7. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 1, wherein said at least one upstream seal and said at least one downstream seal are each formed from a rubber material. 8. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 1, wherein said at least one upstream seal and said at least one downstream seal are each formed from a metal material. 9. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 1, wherein said at least one upstream seal and said at least one downstream seal are each formed from a plastic material. 10. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 1, wherein said at least one upstream seal and said at least one downstream seal are each formed from a composite material. 11. The apparatus for on-line detection for leaky valves of claim 1, wherein each of said at least one upstream seal and said at least one downstream seal are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, metal, plastic, and composite materials. 12. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 1, wherein said isolation valve further comprises a vent port. 13. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 12, wherein said vent port is formed structurally integral with said isolation valve. 14. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 12, wherein said vent port is mechanically attached to said isolation valve. 15. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 12, wherein a housing portion of said vent port is formed structurally integral with a body portion of said vent valve. 16. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 12, wherein a housing portion of said vent port is mechanically attached to a body portion of said vent valve. 17. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 12, wherein a joining portion of said vent valve is adapted to snugly fit the geometry of an outermost terminus point of said vent port. 18. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 1, wherein said means for monitoring a re-pressurization rate of said process pressure within said inner cavity further comprises at least one pressure sensor. 19. The apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valves of claim 18, wherein said at least one pressure sensor is disposed in fluid communication with said isolation valve.
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