AU2012253209B2

AU2012253209B2 - Valve closing mechanism bracket and gas supply system

Info

Publication number: AU2012253209B2
Application number: AU2012253209A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dragomir STANIC
Original assignee: IXOM OPERATIONS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: IXOM OPERATIONS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-12
Filing date: 2012-05-03
Publication date: 2016-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-03
Also published as: NZ618092A; WO2012151614A1; AU2012253209A1

Abstract

A valve closing mechanism bracket including a coupling for attaching the bracket to a valve body, a mounting arranged to mount an actuator for automatically closing the valve in the case of a predetermined event, and a support structure for supporting the mounting relative to the coupling, wherein the mounting is arranged for fixedly fastening the actuator to the mounting in a position in which, when the coupling is in place on the valve body, an engagement member of the actuator is rotationally engaged with a spindle of the valve such that rotation of the engagement member rotates the spindle to close the valve, and wherein the coupling is adapted to be decoupled from the valve body for removal of the bracket from the valve body with the actuator fixedly fastened to the mounting.

Description

PCT/AU2012/000473 WO 2012/151614 -1 -

VALVE CLOSING MECHANISM BRACKET AND GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM

Field of the Invention 5 The invention relates to a valve closing mechanism bracket for use in closing spindle-controlled valves of the type used with gas storage vessels, and a gas supply system using the valve closing mechanism bracket.

Background of the Invention 10

Toxic or hazardous fluids such as chlorine are often stored in cylinders equipped with a valve which is designed to be turned on and off by means of a rotatable spindle, rotation of which serves to move a valve member relative to a valve seat. If there is a leakage of the toxic fluid downstream of the storage vessel, it is essential that the valve is 15 closed rapidly and reliably without risk to personnel.

It has previously been proposed to provide a valve closing mechanism to close a valve when a detector senses the presence of a toxic or hazardous gas in the surroundings. For example, Australian Patent No. 667504 discloses a valve closing mechanism which 20 uses a compressed air cylinder and a one-way drive to rotate a spindle of the valve on detecting a toxic or hazardous gas. However, the applicant has identified drawbacks associated with previous valve closing mechanisms, and has determined that it would be advantageous to provide an improved valve closing mechanism. 25 Examples of the present invention seek to provide a valve closing mechanism bracket which overcomes or at least alleviates one or more disadvantages associated with existing valve closing mechanisms. H:\txb\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TXB\11859449_l.doc - 31/10/16 2012253209 31 Oct 2016 -2-

Su in in ary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a valve closing mechanism bracket including a coupling for attaching the bracket to a valve body, a mounting arranged to mount an actuator for automatically closing the valve in the case of 5 a predetermined event, a support structure for supporting the mounting relative to the coupling, and an adaptor, wherein the mounting is arranged for fixedly fastening the actuator to the mounting in a position in which, when the coupling is in place on the valve body, an engagement member of the actuator is rotationally engaged with a spindle of the valve such that rotation of the engagement member rotates the spindle to close the valve, 10 and wherein the coupling is adapted to be decoupled from the valve body for removal of the bracket from the valve body with the actuator fixedly fastened to the mounting, wherein the mounting is used to fixedly fasten a first type of actuator directly, and wherein the mounting is used to fixedly fasten a second different type of actuator via the adaptor.

Preferably, the mounting includes a mounting plate which is adapted to receive 15 different types of actuators. More preferably, the mounting plate is adapted to receive a pneumatic actuator or an electric actuator.

In one form, the mounting plate is able to be used to fixedly fasten a first type of actuator directly, and wherein the mounting plate is able to be used to fixedly fasten a second different type of actuator via an adaptor. Preferably, the mounting plate is provided 20 with apertures for fastening to the first type of actuator and the adaptor is arranged to be fastened to the same apertures.

Preferably, the bracket is formed as a unitary piece. More preferably, the bracket is formed by machining of carbon steel.

Preferably, the coupling comprises a pair of opposed legs having abutment surfaces 25 which are clamped to either side of the valve body.

In a preferred form, the bracket extends generally in a direction of an axis of rotation of the spindle of the valve. More preferably, the bracket is arranged to support the PCT/AU2012/000473 WO 2012/151614 -3 - actuator with an axis of rotation of the actuator co-axial with the axis of rotation of the spindle of the valve.

Preferably, the bracket is arranged to support the actuator with a longitudinal axis 5 of a body of the actuator co-axial with the axis of rotation of the spindle of the valve.

It is preferred that the engagement member is in the form of a sleeved key which fits over the spindle, and the coupling is arranged such that the bracket is removed from the valve body by moving the bracket in the direction of the axis of the spindle relative to the 10 valve body.

Preferably, the support structure is stepped inwardly to accommodate a yoke fitted over the coupling of the bracket. 15 Preferably, the valve body controls the flow of gas from a vessel, and said predetermined event is the detection of said gas by a gas sensor.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas supply system including at least one gas storage vessel having a valve controlled outlet and 20 associated valve closing mechanism including a bracket as described above, the system further including a controller for controlling operation of the or each valve closing mechanism, wherein the controller includes a gas sensor and the controller is adapted to initiate operation of each actuator to close each valve bpdy in response to sensing the gas contained in the storage vessel. 25

Preferably, the system includes a plurality of the gas storage vessels, and the controller controls the valve closing mechanism of each of the gas storage vessels. More preferably, the controller is arranged to control one-or more of"the valve closing mechanisms remotely. 30 WO 2012/151614 PCT/AU2012/000473 .4.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 5

Figures la to Id show different views of a valve closing mechanism bracket in accordance with an example of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the valve closing mechanism bracket located on a cylinder valve; 10

Figure 3 shows the valve closing mechanism bracket used with a pneumatic actuator mechanism;

Figure 4 shows the valve closing mechanism bracket used with an electric actuator 15 mechanism;

Figure 5 shows a valve closing mechanism on a cylinder valve with a yoke fitting vacuum regulator; 20 Figure 6 shows a control system for a valve closing mechanism with a pneumatic actuator;

Figure 7 shows detail of the valve closing mechanism bracket used in combination with an adapter; 25

Figure 8 shows a control unit for an electric actuator mechanism;

Figure 9 shows a base of the control unit of Figure 8; 30

Figure 10 shows a control unit for a pneumatic actuator mechanism; PCT/AU2012/000473 WO 2012/151614 -5-

Figure 11 shows a base of the control unit shown in Figure 10; and

Figure 12 shows a control unit and associated chlorine sensor on a stand. 5 Detailed Description

With reference to Figures la to Id, there is shown a valve of closing mechanism bracket 10 which is able to be used with either a pneumatic actuator mechanism or an electric actuator mechanism. Advantageously, the valve closing mechanism bracket 10 10 enables removal of the valve closing mechanism from the storage vessel as a unit, facilitating rapid changeover when it is necessary to replace a depleted storage vessel.

More specifically, the valve closing mechanism bracket 10 includes a coupling 12 for attaching the bracket 10 to a valve body 14, a mounting 16 arranged to mount an 15 actuator for automatically closing the valve in the case of a predetermined event, and a support structure 18 for supporting the mounting 16 relative to the coupling 12. The mounting 16 is arranged for fixedly fastening the actuator to the mounting 16 in a position in which, when the coupling 12 is in place on the valve body 14, an engagement member of the actuator is rotationally engaged with a spindle of the valve such that rotation of the 20 engagement member rotates the spindle to close the valve. The coupling 12 is adapted to be decoupled from the valve body 14 for removal of the bracket 10 from the valve body 14 with the actuator fixedly fastened to the mounting 16. Figure 2 shows the valve closing mechanism bracket 10 coupled to a valve body 14, with the mounting 16 arranged for attachment to an actuator arranged in line with an axis of rotation of the spindle of the 25 valve.

In the examples shown, the mounting 16 includes a mounting plate 20 which is specifically adapted to receive different types of actuators. In particular, the mounting plate 20 is adapted to receive a pneumatic actuator 22 or an electric actuator 24. The valve 30 closing mechanism bracket 10 is generally arranged as having a pair of legs 26 which extend from the coupling 12 at one end to the mounting plate 20 at the opposite end. The PCT/AU2012/000473 WO 2012/151614 -6- legs 26 terminate at opposite sides of the mounting plate 20 to provide adequate support to the mounting plate 20, and use a brace 28 which serves to brace the mounting plate 20 relative to the legs 26. The mounting plate 20 has a central aperture 30 to allow the engagement member of the actuator to extend through the mounting plate 20 for 5 engagement with the spindle of the valve.

Figures 3 and 4 show the valve closing mechanism bracket 10 used with a pneumatic actuator 22 and an electric actuator 24. With reference to Figure 3, the mounting plate 20 is used.to fixedly fasten the pneumatic actuator via an adapter 32. In 10 Figure 4, the mounting plate 20 is used to fixedly fasten the electric actuator 24 directly. This is achieved by providing the mounting plate 20 with apertures 34 which are used for fastening the electric actuator 24 or the adapter 32. The adapter 32 acts as a spacer to accommodate the relatively longer engagement member 36 of the pneumatic actuator 22 when compared to the engagement member 36 of the electric actuator 24. 15

Figure 5 shows the valve closing mechanism bracket 10 with an electric actuator 24 fitted to the mounting plate 20, with a yoke fitting vacuum regulator 38 fitted around the outside of the coupling 12. The support structure 18 is stepped inwardly to accommodate the yoke fitting vacuum regulator 38 over the coupling 12 of the bracket 10. 20

Figure 6 shows a control system 40 for controlling the valve closing mechanism having the pneumatic actuator 22.

With reference to Figure 7, there is shown detail of the valve closing mechanism 25 bracket 10 fitted with the adapter 32. As can be seen, the adapter 32 has four apertures 34 which are used to fasten the adapter 32 to the mounting plate 20. The adapter 32 has a central aperture 42 which is arranged to be positioned in line and coaxial with the central aperture 30 of the mounting plate 20. The central aperture 42 of the adapter 32 is threaded for receiving a threaded body of the pneumatic actuator 22. 30 PCT/AU2012/000473 WO 2012/151614 -7-

The valve closing mechanism bracket 10 may be formed as a unitary piece, for example by machining of carbon steel. The coupling 12 comprises end portions of the pair of opposed legs 26 having abutment surfaces 44 which are clamped to either side of the valve body 14. The end portions of the legs 26 may have apertures to receive a fastener to 5 tighten/loosen the clamping of the coupling 12 on the valve body 14. The bracket 10 extends generally in a direction of an axis of rotation of the spindle of the valve, and is arranged to support the actuator 22/24 with an axis of rotation of the actuator 22/24 coaxial with the axis of rotation of the spindle of the valve. The valve closing mechanism bracket 10 may also be arranged to support the actuator 22/24 with a longitudinal axis of a 10 body of the actuator 22/24 co-axial with the axis of rotation of the spindle of the valve. This is advantageous as electric and pneumatic actuators are commonly in the form of a device having an elongated body with an engagement member 36 which rotates about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the actuator body. 15 The engagement member 36 may be in the form of a sleeved key which fits over the spindle, and the coupling 12 is arranged such that the bracket 10 is removed from the valve body 14 by moving the bracket 10 in the direction of the axis of the spindle relative to the valve body 14. The valve body 14 controls the flow of gas from a vessel, and the predetermined event which results in automatic closure of the valve is the detection of the 20 gas by a gas sensor 46.

With reference to Figures 8 to 12, there are shown features of a gas supply system using the valve closing mechanism bracket 10 as described above. More specifically, there is provided a gas supply system including at least one gas storage vessel having a valve 25 controlled outlet and associated valve closing mechanism including a bracket 10. The system includes a controller 48 for controlling operation of the or each valve closing mechanism. The controller 48 is in communication with the gas sensor 46 and the controller is adapted to initiate operation of each-actuator 22/24 to close each valve body 14 in response to sensing the gas contained in the storage vessel. '30 PCT/AU2012/000473 WO 2012/151614 -8-

The system may include a plurality of gas storage vessels, and the controller 48 may control the valve closing mechanism of each of the gas storage vessels. The controller 48 may be arranged to control one or more of the valve closing mechanisms remotely. This may be achieved by way of the controller 48 incorporating a modem 50 5 which is capable of transmitting information to/from a remote location. The controller 48 also includes a battery 52, UPS power supply 54, interface relay 56 and duct 58. The base of the controller 48 has ports 60 for connection to a plurality of electric actuators 24, as well as a port 62 for connection to the chlorine gas sensor 46. 10 Figures 10 and 11 show a controller 64 for controlling a gas supply system using pneumatic actuators 22, and is generally similar to the controller 48 shown in Figures 8 and 9. The controller 64 includes air outputs 66, an air supply port 68, and exhaust silencers 70. Both controller 48 and controller 64 include an on/off switch 72, a 240 V input port 74, and an external contact port 76. 15

Figure 12 shows a stand 78 which supports the controller 48/64, as well as the chlorine gas sensor 46.

Further examples and variations of the valve closing mechanism bracket and gas 20 supply system are discussed below.

The connection between the spindle and the engagement member (which may be in the form of a transmitting key), support clamping bracket and actuator is of a quick release slip off nature so that in the event of valve closure being effected by the actuator, access to 25 the spindle can be done rapidly to allow the valve to be opened (when safe to do so) for example by manual manipulation of the spindle with the aid of a suitable tool.

Preferably the actuator is in the form of an electric driven motor with set torque (eg. 30 to 40Nm) with internal limit switches to indicate the open and closed positions. 30 PCT/AU2012/000473 WO 2012/151614 -9-

Alternatively, the actuator is in the form of a pneumatic driven actuator comprising of a pawl and ratchet drive, for example of the type commonly employed in ratchet spanners. 5 The storage vessel may be of the common cylinder type used for storage of gases such as chlorine. The cylinder may have an outlet fitted with a conventional valve assembly having an outlet through which the gas is supplied to downstream equipment when the valve assembly is open. Valve closure and opening is effected by rotation of a spindle which at its upper end terminates in a squared section for co-operation with 10 suitable tool. In contrast with conventional practice, instead of closing the valve manually with a tool, the cylinder is equipped with an automatic valve closing mechanism.

The mechanism comprises a support clamping bracket which is non-rotationally fitted to the body of the valve assembly by means of a suitable clamping arrangement. The 15 square section of the spindle and electrical or pneumatic actuator is connected using the transmitting key suitable for both types of actuators.

The transmitting key, support bracket and actuator are so designed that rotational movement of the transmitting key is transmitted to the spindle to turn in the same direction 20 (closed).

The support bracket is so designed to allow fit and suitable clamping of the actuators if the valve has a standard vacuum regulator yoke fitting or not. 25 ' The support bracket is designed to be fitted and fixed to the either type actuator with tightening nuts if the electrical actuator is used or screwed thread fitting in the support bracket if the pneumatic actuator is used.

The support bracket is designed as to permit the quick release from the squared 30 spindle section without the need for any special tools, eg. by loosening the tightening wing nut on the support bracket and lifting off the bracket and actuator in one motion. -10-

Compressed air is supplied to the pneumatic actuator via a regulator and control unit which serves to supply regulated air pressure to the pneumatic actuator thereby closing the valve spindle to the desired torque and turning off the actuator after a pre programmed 5 time. '

In practice there will usually be a number of cylinders each equipped with its own valve closing mechanism with the pneumatic ratchet, support bracket and interconnecting key assembly. Each such assembly is connected via air supply to the control unit which 10 may be common to all the mechanisms.

Electrical power is supplied to the electric actuator via a power supply module, battery backup and control unit that serves to supply electrical power to the electrical actuator thereby closing the valve spindle to the desired torque and turning off the actuator 15 after a pre programmed time.

The valve closing mechanisms are present as a precautionary measure and will not usually affect operation of the gas supply system. 20 Initially during setting up, after the positioning and fixing the actuator and support bracket assembly to the valve body and the connection of the outlet of the cylinder to the downstream equipment the valve is opened by manipulation of the spindle using a suitable tool temporarily engaged with the squared section of the valve spindle. In normal operation the valve is unaffected by the closing mechanism. If however the detector senses 25 the presence of gas in the surroundings, the valve is operated to supply compressed air to the actuator assembly via the air solenoid valve (switching mechanism) thereby effecting closure of the valve of each chlorine cylinder . The system includes an alarm device to draw attention to the fact that the valve closing meehanism(s) have come into operation. 30 WO 2012/151614 PCT/AU2012/000473

In the event of operation of the valve closing mechanisms, once the source of any leak has been traced and remedied, each valve is then manually restored to the open PCT/AU2012/000473 WO 2012/151614 - 11 - position by releasing the drive fittings from the squared spindle section and rotating the spindle in the valve opening direction using a suitable tool. The support bracket/actuator assemblies are then refitted to the spindles to bring the valve closing mechanisms back into operation. 5

As outlined above, it will be seen that valve closure is affected in a particularly simple manner without the need for action on the part of personnel. Moreover the valve closing mechanism is of a simple design, can utilise both electric or pneumatic powered sources, can be fabricated economically and is readily changed over from one cylinder to 10 another when cylinder replacement is necessary.

In the latter event, all that is necessary is to release the support bracket from the cylinder valve as a unit by loosening the tightening wing nut. 15 While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above 20 described exemplary embodiments.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or 25 information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 30

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will .be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group WO 2012/151614 PCT/AU2012/000473 -12- of integers Or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A valve closing mechanism bracket including a coupling for attaching the bracket to a valve body, a mounting arranged to mount an actuator for automatically closing the valve in the case of a predetermined event, a support structure for supporting the mounting relative to the coupling, and an adaptor, wherein the mounting is arranged for fixedly fastening the actuator to the mounting in a position in which, when the coupling is in place on the valve body, an engagement member of the actuator is rotationally engaged with a spindle of the valve such that rotation of the engagement member rotates the spindle to close the valve, and wherein the coupling is adapted to be decoupled from the valve body for removal of the bracket from the valve body with the actuator fixedly fastened to the mounting, wherein the mounting is used to fixedly fasten a first type of actuator directly, and wherein the mounting is used to fixedly fasten a second different type of actuator via the adaptor.
2. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting includes a mounting plate which is adapted to receive the first and second types of actuators.
3. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting plate is adapted to receive a pneumatic actuator or an electric actuator.
4. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting plate is provided with apertures for fastening to the first type of actuator and the adaptor is arranged to be fastened to the same apertures.
5. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bracket is formed as a unitary piece.
6. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bracket is formed by machining of carbon steel.
7. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the coupling comprises a pair of opposed legs having abutment surfaces which are clamped to either side of the valve body.
8. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bracket extends generally in a direction of an axis of rotation of the spindle of the valve.
9. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bracket is arranged to support the actuator with an axis of rotation of the actuator co-axial with the axis of rotation of the spindle of the valve.
10. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the bracket is arranged to support the actuator with a longitudinal axis of a body of the actuator co-axial with the axis of rotation of the spindle of the valve.
11. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the engagement member is in the form of a sleeved key which fits over the spindle, and wherein the coupling is arranged such that the bracket is removed from the valve body by moving the bracket in the direction of the axis of the spindle relative to the valve body.
12. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the support structure is stepped inwardly to accommodate a yoke fitted over the coupling of the bracket.
13. A valve closing mechanism bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the valve body controls the flow of gas from a vessel, and said predetermined event is the detection of said gas by a gas sensor.
14. A gas supply system including at least one gas storage vessel having a valve controlled outlet and associated valve closing mechanism including a bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, the system further including a controller for controlling operation of the or each valve closing mechanism, wherein the controller includes a gas sensor and the controller is adapted to initiate operation of each actuator to close each valve body in response to sensing the gas contained in the storage vessel.
15. A gas supply system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the system includes a plurality of the gas storage vessels, and the controller controls the valve closing mechanism of each of the gas storage vessels.
16. A gas supply system as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the controller is arranged to control one or more of the valve closing mechanisms remotely.