CN210041305U - Turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead sealing connection device - Google Patents

Turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead sealing connection device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN210041305U
CN210041305U CN201920896332.0U CN201920896332U CN210041305U CN 210041305 U CN210041305 U CN 210041305U CN 201920896332 U CN201920896332 U CN 201920896332U CN 210041305 U CN210041305 U CN 210041305U
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
explosion
proof
turbine
steel pipe
unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
CN201920896332.0U
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Inventor
王凯
李璐
秦瑞
杨庆丰
马犇
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co Ltd filed Critical Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co Ltd
Priority to CN201920896332.0U priority Critical patent/CN210041305U/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN210041305U publication Critical patent/CN210041305U/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Landscapes

  • Turbine Rotor Nozzle Sealing (AREA)

Abstract

The utility model discloses a lead sealing connecting device of a steam turbine and a turbine compressor unit shafting detecting instrument, which comprises an explosion-proof junction box, an explosion-proof bobbin and a unit shell, wherein a plurality of detecting probes are arranged in the unit shell, the detecting probes are electrically connected with leads, the leads sequentially pass through a through hole, the explosion-proof junction box and the explosion-proof bobbin and then are electrically connected with the detecting instrument, the device also at least comprises an elbow, two ends of the elbow are respectively connected with a steel pipe, one of the steel pipes is connected with the through hole by screw thread, the other steel pipe is connected with the explosion-proof junction box, the whole height of the steel pipe combination exceeds the lubricating oil level height in the unit shell, the utility model has simple structure and convenient disassembly and assembly, can solve the lubricating oil leakage phenomenon of the leads of the unit measuring instrument, reduce the material consumption, not only can avoid the lubricating oil from leaking to the outside of the unit, low cost and can be popularized and used.

Description

Turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead sealing connection device
Technical Field
The utility model relates to a lead wire sealing connecting device, more specifically say a bit, relate to steam turbine and turbo compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead wire sealing connecting device, belong to oil, chemical industry field.
Background
The turbine compressor set is widely applied to the fields of petroleum, chemical engineering and the like, and generally comprises a turbine for driving, a coupling, a centrifugal compressor, a lubricating oil station and the like. In order to ensure the safe operation of each unit and avoid major loss caused by equipment failure, most conventional units are provided with unit operation parameter detecting instruments and various interlock protection systems. It is worth noting that: the failure rate of the temperature of the unit reaches 70% in the operation process of the unit, so that accurate and reliable operation of shaft system monitoring instruments (such as temperature, vibration, displacement, rotating speed, key phase and the like) is guaranteed.
Install inside dynamic monitoring instruments such as shafting displacement of unit, vibration, rotational speed, axle bush temperature all install inside the unit, these detecting instrument with measured signal far reach ITCC system and 3500 unit protection system display and interlock, and the lead wire that connects detecting instrument all contact with lubricating oil of different degree, consequently be difficult to avoid detecting instrument's lead wire because of being soaked by lubricating oil high temperature can appear ageing, brittle failure and lubricating oil along the lead wire seepage to the unit outside from the fracture department, finally can lead to the site environment pernicious change, be the oil stain spot of lubricating oil everywhere around the lead wire, and cause the waste of lubricating oil.
Aiming at the technical problems, the problem of lubricant leakage of the lead is generally solved by adopting glue injection sealing, various sealing joints, winding raw material belts and other combined sealing at present, but the phenomenon of lubricant leakage still exists.
As shown in fig. 1, the adopted glue injection sealing generally adopts 704 sealant, explosion-proof mastic and the like, and is mainly used for injecting the sealant to seal the lead 103 of the detection instrument probe out of the outlet gap 104 of the unit housing 101, and filling the explosion-proof mastic in the explosion-proof junction box 102. The disadvantage is that the curing time is too long; the temperature of the unit shell 101 is high, and the unit shell is easy to crack in a long-term use process; when the detection instrument is maintained next time, the detection instrument is difficult to disassemble and assemble, the sealant needs to be cleaned up, the time is wasted, and the lead wire 103 of the detection instrument is easy to damage. Processing sealing joint and sealing plug, this kind of haplopore contains porous structure, mainly used unit export instrumentation lead wire 103's sealed, this kind of installation clearance is unadjustable, and instrumentation's lead wire 103 protective layer is damaged and can't be sealed, and the raw material area is sealed generally to adopt the injecting glue to seal and raw material area to use together, and the result of use is not good.
The above methods cannot completely solve the problem of lubricant leakage of the lead of the unit detection instrument, and not only causes pollution to the factory environment and increases the consumption of lubricant, but also easily causes fire accidents. Especially unit oil temperature instrument installs inside the inside axle bush of unit, and at the unit normal operating in-process, the axle bush has certain swing clearance, will cause the high frequency shake of temperature measuring instrument and temperature measuring instrument lead wire, and temperature measuring instrument's lead wire is whole to be soaked in lubricating oil simultaneously, and long-term operation causes the protective layer of temperature measuring instrument and lead wire ageing easily and appears the damage to can cause the lubricating oil leakage phenomenon. The leakage of the lubricating oil can be classified into three types:
① lubricating oil leaks from the outside of the lead of the temperature measuring instrument, the lubricating oil seeps from the gap between the lead and the sealing element, the previous maintenance is sealed by glue injection, a raw material belt and other methods, the disassembly and the assembly are inconvenient, the time is wasted, the lead of the temperature measuring instrument is easily damaged, and the maintenance cost is increased.
② lubricating oil leaks between the core of the temperature measuring instrument lead, the temperature measuring instrument adopts a three-wire lead, a single temperature measuring instrument adopts 3 single-core cables and leads out together, a double temperature measuring instrument adopts 6 single-core cables and leads out together, in the long-term use process, because the lead of the temperature measuring instrument is soaked in the high-temperature lubricating oil for a long time, the protective layer of the lead is hardened and damaged, and the lubricating oil seeps out of the shell of the unit from the lead core.
③ the joint between the explosion proof bobbin and the sealing piece of the junction box will often loosen each sealing component during the maintenance process, resulting in the loose and oil leakage at the joint.
SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL
In order to solve the prior art problem, the utility model provides a steam turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead sealing connection device who has simple structure, and it is convenient to dismantle, assemble, can solve technical characterstic such as unit instrumentation lead leaks lubricating oil phenomenon.
In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model is realized by the following technical scheme:
steam turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead wire sealing connection device, including explosion-proof terminal box, explosion-proof bobbin and set up the unit casing of through-hole, install a plurality of test probes in the unit casing, the test probe electricity is connected with the lead wire, the lead wire free end is connected with instrumentation after passing through-hole, explosion-proof terminal box, explosion-proof bobbin in proper order, still includes an elbow at least, the elbow both ends are connected with a steel pipe respectively, and one of them steel pipe and through-hole threaded connection, another steel pipe and explosion-proof terminal box are connected, explosion-proof bobbin connection is in an arbitrary through-hole department of explosion-proof terminal box, and the whole height of steel pipe combination exceeds the lubricating oil liquid level in the unit casing.
As an improvement, at least one steel pipe is arranged vertically upwards.
As an improvement, a conical rubber plug is sleeved on the steel pipe at the joint of the steel pipe and the explosion-proof junction box and extends into the opening of the explosion-proof junction box to be clamped.
As an improvement, the unit shell comprises an upper unit shell and a lower unit shell, and the overall height of the steel pipe combination exceeds the height of the liquid level of lubricating oil in the lower unit shell.
As an improvement, the elbow is a right-angle elbow.
As an improvement, the steel pipe and the explosion-proof junction box, the explosion-proof winding pipe and the explosion-proof junction box are in threaded connection.
As an improvement, the threaded connection parts of the steel pipe and the through hole, the steel pipe and the explosion-proof junction box, and the explosion-proof winding pipe and the explosion-proof junction box are all wound with raw material belts.
As an improvement, the steel pipe, the elbow and the explosion-proof junction box are made of stainless steel 304 or stainless steel 316 or are galvanized.
As an improvement, the number of the elbows is two, and the two elbows are respectively arranged horizontally and vertically.
As a modification, the lead 4 located in the housing of the unit is connected with a fixing assembly to realize the position fixing of the lead.
Has the advantages that: the structure is simple, the disassembly and the assembly are convenient, and the practicability is strong; the lubricating oil leakage phenomenon of the lead of the unit measuring instrument can be solved, and meanwhile, the lubricating oil leakage phenomenon is convenient to disassemble and assemble during maintenance, the monitoring instrument and the lead are not damaged, the material consumption is greatly reduced, and the service life of the monitoring instrument is prolonged; the tapered rubber plug can prevent lubricating oil in the unit shell from being discharged outside the protective equipment; the lubricating oil can be prevented from leaking to the outer side of the unit along the lead wire to cause waste of the lubricating oil, and the field environment deterioration and oil stain and dirt of the lubricating oil around the lead wire can be avoided; the bend angle, the steel pipe and the like are suitable for batch production, the cost is low, and the method can be popularized and used.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lead sealing connection device in the prior art.
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lead sealing connection device of the present invention.
Detailed Description
The present invention will be further described with reference to the drawings attached to the specification, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.
The utility model discloses can solve the hourglass lubricating oil phenomenon of unit instrumentation lead wire, reduce environmental pollution and material consumption that the unit leaks lubricating oil and causes, also effectively avoid because of the fire accident that leaks the lubricating oil and cause to and overhaul the phenomenon that the in-process is difficult for unpicking and examining and damage instrumentation later on.
As shown in fig. 2, the present invention is a specific embodiment of a sealing connection device for a lead wire of a shafting instrumentation of a steam turbine and a turbo compressor, which comprises an explosion-proof junction box 1, an explosion-proof bobbin 2 and a casing with a through hole 5, wherein a plurality of probes are installed in the casing, and can detect data such as temperature, vibration, displacement, rotation speed, key, etc. by the probes, the probes are electrically connected with a lead wire 4, the free end of the lead wire 4 sequentially passes through the through hole 5, the explosion-proof junction box 1, the explosion-proof bobbin 2 and then is electrically connected with the instrumentation, the data detected by the probes are reflected by the instrumentation, the instrumentation can transmit the measurement signal to an ITCC system and 3500 instrumentation protection system for display and interlocking, the present invention creatively sets at least one elbow 6, the two ends of the elbow 6 are respectively connected with a steel pipe 7, wherein one steel pipe 7 is in threaded connection with the through hole 5, the other steel pipe 7 is connected with the explosion-proof junction box 1, the explosion-proof bobbin 2 is connected at any through hole of the explosion-proof junction box 1, the steel pipe 7 is used as a protective sleeve of the lead 4 and supports the lead 4, the whole height of the combination of the steel pipes 7 exceeds the liquid level of lubricating oil in the unit shell, compared with the prior art which adopts glue injection sealing, sealing joints, winding raw material belts and other combination sealing, the application has simple structure, convenient disassembly and assembly, strong practicability and difficult oil leakage phenomenon, can solve the lubricating oil leakage phenomenon of the lead 4 of the unit measuring instrument, is convenient to disassemble and assemble during maintenance, does not damage the monitoring instrument and the lead 4, greatly reduces the material consumption, prolongs the service life of the monitoring instrument, and can avoid the lubricating oil waste caused by the lubricating oil leakage of the steel, the on-site environment deterioration and oil stain and stain of lubricating oil around the lead wire are avoided, and the elbow 6, the steel pipe 7 and the like are suitable for batch production and can be popularized and used;
wherein, the lead wire 4: the single-branch thermal resistor is a single coaxial shielding extension cable which is led out of a unit shell, a single-branch thermal resistor is led out of the unit shell by adopting a single 3-core shielding cable, a double-branch resistor is led out of the unit shell by adopting 2 6-core shielding cables, and the more the number of the cables is, the more the lubricating oil is easy to leak out of the lead-out wire position.
And (3) steel pipe 7: the steel tube 7 serves as a lead wire 4 protective sleeve and supports the lead wire of the detection instrument.
An elbow 6: the lead wire 4 redirecting of mainly used instrumentation changes corresponding angle according to site environment needs, and the redirecting can be the change horizontal direction, also can be the vertical direction, and final direction is the direction of guaranteeing a steel pipe 7 up, when having adopted 2 90 degrees elbows, can increase the level and turn to.
Explosion-proof terminal box 1: and the unit probe and the unit control system share a wiring terminal part.
Explosion-proof bobbin 2: the flame-retardant shielding cable and the unit control system are connected with the explosion-proof sleeve.
The working process of the lead sealing and connecting device of the shafting detection instrument of the steam turbine and the turbine compressor set is as follows:
after the unit detection instrument is installed, the corresponding lead 4 needs to be led out of the unit shell to transmit signals to an ITCC system or a 3500 unit protection system for display and interlocking. Firstly, lead wire 4 of unit instrumentation is firmly fixed in the unit shell through the fixed sub-assembly, prevent friction damage, lead wire 4 passes through-hole 5 to a steel pipe 7 after fixed, pass in elbow 6 to another steel pipe 7 again, then lead wire 4 passes behind taper rubber plug 8 again to explosion-proof terminal box 1 in, when lead wire 4 does not pass taper rubber plug 8, the connector of steel pipe 7 and explosion-proof terminal box 1 department can not be screwed, conveniently screw after lead wire 4 passes, lead wire 4 is connected to instrumentation (user side) through explosion-proof bobbin 2 at last.
The operation in-process of actual application of unit proves, it is sealed effectual, the phenomenon that unit instrumentation lead wire leaks lubricating oil has thoroughly been solved, no matter be the lead wire department leak lubricating oil or lead wire sinle silk department infiltration lubricating oil, owing to adopt vertical steel pipe 7 to be higher than the lubricating oil liquid level height in the unit casing, leak lubricating oil and can not spill, it can effectually prevent leaking outward of oil gas to have conical rubber stopper 8 in 1 opening of explosion-proof terminal box, need not any sealed glue in this application and lead wire 4 contact, therefore it is convenient when overhauing, can not damage lead wire 4, the cost is also practiced thrift.
As an improved embodiment, at least one steel tube 7 is arranged vertically upwards, the lubricating oil in the unit shell is further prevented from leaking to the outer side of the unit along the steel tube 7 or along a lead to cause the waste of the lubricating oil, and the lubricating oil is arranged in the vertical direction without influencing the disassembly and assembly of other parts of the unit.
As an improved embodiment, a conical rubber plug 8 is sleeved on the steel pipe 7 at the joint of the steel pipe 7 and the explosion-proof junction box 1, the conical rubber plug 8 extends into the through hole of the explosion-proof junction box 1 to be clamped, and the conical rubber plug 8 can prevent lubricating oil in the unit shell from being out of the unit shell, so that the protective sealing effect is achieved; tapered rubber plug 8: lubricating oil in the unit shell is prevented from being discharged outwards, and a lead wire of a detection instrument is led out from the center of a conical rubber plug 8 by 4.
As an improved embodiment, the unit shell comprises an upper unit shell and a lower unit shell 3, and the overall height of the steel pipe 7 combination exceeds the height of the lubricating oil liquid level in the lower unit shell 3; the unit lower casing 3: the inner cavity of the lower unit shell 3 is filled with a large amount of flowing unit lubricating oil, the detection instrument lead 4 is led out through the lower unit shell 3, and the steel pipe 7 is connected in the through hole 5 of the unit shell in a threaded mode.
As an improved embodiment, the elbow 6 is a right-angle elbow, which can not only realize the purposes of penetrating the lead 4 and preventing oil leakage, but also realize the regular arrangement of the steel pipes 7 in the horizontal and vertical directions, does not influence the assembly and disassembly of other parts of the unit, and is convenient for the space planning outside the unit.
As an improved embodiment, the steel pipe 7 and the explosion-proof junction box 1, the explosion-proof winding pipe 2 and the explosion-proof junction box 1 are in threaded connection, and the explosion-proof winding box is simple in structure and convenient to disassemble and assemble.
As an improved embodiment, thread connecting positions of the steel tube 7 and the through hole 5, the steel tube 7 and the explosion-proof junction box 1, and the explosion-proof winding tube 2 and the explosion-proof junction box 1 are all wound with raw material belts, so that the sealing performance is good, and lubricating oil is prevented from leaking outside.
As a modified embodiment, the steel pipe 7, the elbow 6 and the explosion-proof junction box 1 are made of stainless steel 304 or stainless steel 316 or hot galvanizing, and are selected according to actual needs.
As an improved embodiment, the two elbows 6 are arranged horizontally and vertically, the arrangement of the two elbows 6 is increased, the arrangement of steel pipes in the horizontal direction is realized, the planning of the external space of the unit is facilitated, and the assembly and disassembly of other parts of the unit are not influenced.
As an improved embodiment, the lead 4 positioned in the unit shell is connected with a fixing assembly to realize the position fixing of the lead 4, the structure is simple, the use is convenient, and the lead 4 is prevented from being damaged by friction.
Finally, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many variations are possible. All modifications which can be derived or suggested by a person skilled in the art from the disclosure of the invention should be considered as within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead wire sealing connection device, include explosion-proof terminal box (1), explosion-proof bobbin (2) and set up the unit casing of through-hole (5), install a plurality of test probes in the unit casing, the test probe electricity is connected with lead wire (4), lead wire (4) free end passes through-hole (5), explosion-proof terminal box (1), explosion-proof bobbin (2) back electricity in proper order and is connected with instrumentation, its characterized in that: still include an elbow (6) at least, elbow (6) both ends are connected with a steel pipe (7) respectively, and one of them steel pipe (7) and through-hole (5) threaded connection, another steel pipe (7) are connected with explosion-proof terminal box (1), explosion-proof bobbin (2) are connected in explosion-proof terminal box (1) arbitrary through-hole department, and the whole height of steel pipe (7) combination surpasss the lubricating oil liquid level height in the unit casing.
2. The steam turbine and turbo compressor set shafting instrumentation lead seal connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: at least one steel pipe (7) is arranged vertically upwards.
3. The steam turbine and turbo compressor set shafting instrumentation lead seal connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the steel pipe (7) of steel pipe (7) and explosion-proof terminal box (1) junction has cup jointed taper rubber stopper (8), taper rubber stopper (8) stretch into the interior chucking setting of explosion-proof terminal box (1) opening.
4. The turbine and turbine compressor train instrumentation lead seal connection assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein: the unit shell comprises an upper unit shell and a lower unit shell (3), and the overall height of the combination of the steel pipes (7) exceeds the height of the liquid level of lubricating oil in the lower unit shell (3).
5. The turbine and turbine compressor train instrumentation lead seal connection assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein: the elbow (6) is a right-angle elbow.
6. The turbine and turbine compressor train instrumentation lead seal connection assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein: the steel pipe (7) and the explosion-proof junction box (1), the explosion-proof winding pipe (2) and the explosion-proof junction box (1) are in threaded connection.
7. The steam turbine and turbo compressor set shafting instrumentation lead seal connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the thread connection parts of the steel pipe (7) and the through hole (5), the steel pipe (7) and the explosion-proof junction box (1), the explosion-proof winding pipe (2) and the explosion-proof junction box (1) are all wound with raw material belts.
8. The turbine and turbine compressor train instrumentation lead seal connection assembly of claim 1, 2, 3 or 7 wherein: the steel pipe (7), the elbow (6) and the explosion-proof junction box (1) are made of stainless steel 304 or stainless steel 316 or hot galvanizing.
9. The turbine and turbine compressor train instrumentation lead seal connection assembly of claim 1, 3 or 7 wherein: the number of the elbows (6) is two, and the two elbows (6) are respectively arranged horizontally and vertically.
10. The steam turbine and turbo compressor set shafting instrumentation lead seal connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the lead (4) positioned in the unit shell is connected with a fixing assembly to realize the position fixing of the lead (4).
CN201920896332.0U 2019-06-14 2019-06-14 Turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead sealing connection device Active CN210041305U (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201920896332.0U CN210041305U (en) 2019-06-14 2019-06-14 Turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead sealing connection device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201920896332.0U CN210041305U (en) 2019-06-14 2019-06-14 Turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead sealing connection device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN210041305U true CN210041305U (en) 2020-02-07

Family

ID=69347946

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN201920896332.0U Active CN210041305U (en) 2019-06-14 2019-06-14 Turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead sealing connection device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CN (1) CN210041305U (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111520199A (en) * 2020-04-15 2020-08-11 中广核工程有限公司 Probe installation structure and probe installation method of steam turbine generator

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111520199A (en) * 2020-04-15 2020-08-11 中广核工程有限公司 Probe installation structure and probe installation method of steam turbine generator

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101098528B1 (en) System and method for watching pipeline
WO2020253890A2 (en) Long-term operation evaluation apparatus for transformer oil pump and evaluation method
CN210041305U (en) Turbine and turbine compressor unit shafting instrumentation lead sealing connection device
CN105675167A (en) Fiber monitoring through device for oil-immersed transformer, and preparation method for fiber monitoring through device
CN108871491A (en) A kind of bushing shell for transformer intelligence oil level gauge
CN205538098U (en) Interior detection device of hourglass of valve who has warm medium pipeline
CN104122029A (en) New-structured air pressure differential sensor assembly
CN109309369B (en) Plug for sealing instrument probe signal line
CN105136319A (en) Fixing device for diesel engine waste heat recovery system temperature measuring thermocouple
CN219413946U (en) Large-caliber heat preservation pipe with detection function
CN210034737U (en) Continuous winding glass steel pipe joint capable of being externally tested
CN206555718U (en) A kind of novel pipeline leakage warning device
CN105627024A (en) Pipe repair device assembly
CN210243072U (en) Volute pressure measuring device of water turbine
CN111022833A (en) Direct-buried heat-insulation steam pipe with pipeline leakage monitoring function
CN208746789U (en) A kind of two-compartment oil tank leak detecting device and system
CN110132601A (en) A kind of turbine spindle vibration monitor system
CN211344464U (en) Direct-buried heat-insulation steam pipe with pipeline leakage monitoring function
CN106848994B (en) Compressor unit shafting instrument detection probe lead wire oil leakage sealing connecting device
CN113091938A (en) Method for measuring bearing temperature by using thermocouple arranged in casing
CN204758148U (en) Hot jacket formula thermocouple
CN108626139B (en) Submersible electric pump outlet parameter measuring device
CN109631149B (en) Monitoring system for long-distance thermal pipeline
CN111998916A (en) Oil conservator oil level measuring device
US10508965B2 (en) Sealant detection apparatus, method and assembly

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
GR01 Patent grant
GR01 Patent grant