JP2014074494A - Drain and vent for petroleum/chemical pumping device and method of making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flange mounted drain and/or vent tube associated with an inlet to or an outlet from a fluid pumping device and to provide a method of attaching the flange mounted drain and/or vent tube to a casing of the fluid pumping device.SOLUTION: A fluid pumping device for use in the petroleum and/or chemical industries, comprises: a cast fluid housing having an inlet to or an outlet from the fluid pumping device; a drain/vent tubular connection extending through the cast fluid housing to communicate with the inlet to or the outlet from the fluid pumping device; a flange adapter sealingly secured to the cast fluid housing. There is provided a method of providing a drain/vent tube so as to structurally communicate with the inlet to or the outlet from the fluid pumping device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a drain and / or vent pipe fitted with a flange, and a drain and / or vent pipe fitted with the flange associated with an inlet to or from an outlet from the fluid pump. This method simplifies the manufacturing process while substantially reducing the cost of manufacturing, testing, inspecting, and maintaining the fluid pumping device.

  Fluid pumping devices used in petroleum and chemical applications require the use of a multi-part drain and / or vent tube assembly operatively connected to the inlet to and / or the outlet from the fluid pumping device. The attachment of drains and / or vent pipes to fluid pumps used in petroleum and chemical applications, both now and in the past, uses a series of welds at the inlet or outlet of the casting fluid pump and multi-part drains and / or outlets. Or it has been done by operatively securing and connecting the vent tube assembly. Because such fluid pumping devices are used in petroleum and chemical applications, the American Petroleum Institute (API) publishes and requires rigorous testing, inspection, and maintenance of each weld. These tests include radiographic inspection and fluid penetrant inspection of each weld and are intended to ensure a successful inspection of the weld. However, such tests and inspections are expensive, time consuming and labor intensive because of the difficulty in approaching each weld for such inspections and tests. , Significantly increase the cost of manufacturing and maintaining each oil and chemical pumping device.

  In addition, in the petroleum and chemical pumping industry, it is customary to attach flange members to the end of the drain and / or vent tube extending from the suction base or casing of the pumping device. This flange mounting is achieved by using a weld that must also pass inspection and testing. Also, because such mounting flanges extend outwardly from the casting fluid housing or suction base of the pumping device, any bend or weight applied to the extended flanges, particularly the drain / vent At the joint between the tube and the pump casing, a stress failure of the weld occurs, which necessitates the addition of a further weld and the subsequent testing and inspection of the weld.

  The present invention is disclosed to solve the above-mentioned problems associated with fluid auxiliary or pumping device drain and / or vent assemblies.

  In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for attaching or securing a drain or vent tube member to the inlet or outlet of a fluid pumping device.

  The significant disadvantages of prior art pumping devices are overcome by eliminating the step of using welds in securing the multi-part drain and / or vent tube at the inlet or outlet of the pumping device. The process of the present invention is realized by drilling or fabricating a tubular drain / vent line in the casting fluid housing to communicate between the inlet or outlet of the pumping device and the outer surface of the casting fluid housing. . Since the outer surface of the casting fluid housing surrounds the outer tubular opening of the tubular drain / vent line and is substantially vertical, in a manner coaxial with the tubular drain / vent member line, the flanged drain and It is possible to attach the vent adapter member to the casting fluid housing. In addition, the outer surface sheath of the casting fluid housing surrounds the drain / vent tubular opening and is substantially planar, allowing a flanged adapter member to be attached to the casting fluid housing. . The flange adapter member is secured to the fluid housing by using a plurality of bolt members that engage threaded openings in the cast fluid housing.

  The flanged adapter member is configured to engage in a sealing manner with a hole extending therethrough and a concave shoulder surrounding the opening to the tubular drain / vent member in the casting fluid housing. And machined protrusions. In addition, the protruding cast fluid housing that surrounds the opening to the perforated tubular drain / vent member will cause the machined projection of the flange adapter member to be offset when the flange member is mounted to the fluid housing. It includes a concave shoulder designed to receive the recess and provide a seal between the two.

  The present invention comprises certain novel structures and processes that are fully described below, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims. It should be understood that various changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or without sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

  The foregoing description and other features, objects, functions, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drain and / or vent assembly connection to a casting fluid housing of a prior art oil and chemical pumping device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the casting fluid housing, taken along line 2-2 through the drain and / or vent assembly connection of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the attachment of a machined flange adapter member to a drain and / or vent line in a suction base of a petroleum and chemical pumping device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view drawn along line 4-4 in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a machined flange adapter member according to the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates the engagement and attachment of a machined flange adapter member to the casting fluid housing of the pumping device, and axial engagement and sealing to the drain / vent tube member according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 4.

  Referring now to the drawings showing the same or similar parts, using the same reference numerals throughout the several drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a casting fluid mounted on a housing support 11b according to the prior art. The attachment of the multi-part drain and / or vent tube assembly 12 to the inlet or outlet 13 of the fluid pumping device 10 with the housing 11 is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the prior art drain / vent tube assembly 12 includes an engagement portion 12a, an elbow portion 12b, and an elongated portion 12c that extends through an opening 14 in a casting fluid housing sidewall 15. It is composed of several parts including These several parts of the drain / vent tube assembly 12 are connected and secured together by a weld 16, which engages the inlet or outlet 13 of the casting fluid housing 11 with the engaging part of the multi-part tube assembly 12. A welded portion 16a that integrally fixes 12a, a welded portion 16b that integrally fixes the elbow portion 12b of the assembly to the engaging portion 12a of the tube assembly 12, and an elbow portion 12b of the tube assembly 12 that is the length of the assembly. And a welded portion 16c that integrally fixes the scale portion 12c.

  Also, in the prior art drain / vent tube assembly 12, the elongated portion 12 c of the drain / vent tube member or assembly 12 extends outwardly through the opening 14 in the casting fluid housing 11 of the pump 10. It is customary. In such an assembly, the weld 16d is secured with a support gusset 14a for the drain / vent tube member 12 extending through the opening 14 in the casting fluid housing 11 to provide a drain / drain from the pumping device. There is a need to prevent breakage of the vent tube assembly. Finally, in the petroleum and chemical industries, a flange member 17 having a hole 17a therein is fixed to the outer end 12d of the drain / vent tube member 12 by a flange weld 16e to the valve, and the vent pipe It is customary to complete the connection to (not shown).

  The fluid pumping device 10 is designed for use in petroleum and chemical pumping applications. Therefore, the American Petroleum Institute (API) mandates rigorous testing and inspection of each weld associated with a fluid pumping device by requiring radiographic and fluid penetration inspection of each weld. However, such tests and inspections are expensive and very time consuming. Therefore, the effort involved in such tests and inspections by reducing the number of welds, thereby eliminating various difficulties and improving the accessibility of the various welds associated with the pumping device. The substantial reduction of the operation cost is a substantial cost reduction in the manufacture and maintenance of the fluid pumping device of the present invention.

  Moreover, the fluid pumping device according to the present invention has a longer operating life because the fluid pumping device has resistance to breakage and leakage. By eliminating the need for welds, it has been found that the effort and expense that the invention reduces can result in a cost-effective reduction of 7 to 10 percent for fluid pumping devices made in accordance with the invention. doing.

  The present invention contemplates and discloses a simplified assembly and structure for communicating the drain / vent tube member 12 to the inlet or outlet 13 of the fluid pumping device 10. The fluid pumping device 10 includes a cast fluid housing 11 having a fluid inlet or outlet 13 therein. The casting fluid housing 11 is preferably constructed of 316L stainless steel known in the art. However, it is within the scope of the present invention for the integrated drain / vent tube member 12 to communicate with the fluid inlet or outlet 13 of the pumping device 10. As best shown in FIG. 4, the casting fluid housing 11 of the fluid pumping device allows fabrication by machining or drilling the drain / vent tube member 12 through the casting fluid housing, and allows the pumping device to be fabricated. A structure that communicates with and engages the inlet or outlet 13 is provided. After machining or drilling the drain / vent tube 12 in the casting fluid housing 11, it expands around the outer open end 12d of the machined drain / vent tube 12 in the casting sidewall 15 of the casting fluid housing. The annular hole 18 or recess is machined in the axial direction. As described below, the cast side wall 15 adjacent to the annular hole 18 has a planar surface 19 so that a machined flanged adapter member 20 can be directly attached to the cast side wall of the cast fluid housing. It is preferable to present.

  The flanged adapter member 20 is aligned with and cooperates with the axial hole 22 therein and the outer end 12d of the drain / vent tube member 12 when the adapter member is positioned within the annular hole 18. And an integrated male protrusion 24 configured as described above. The male projection 24 that extends forward of the flange adapter member 20 includes at least one annular groove 25 or recess that extends around it. As shown in FIG. 6, two annular grooves or recesses 25 are provided on the outer surface of the male protrusion 24 of the flange adapter member 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the annular recess 25 is configured to receive an O-ring seal 26.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the flange adapter member 20 uses a plurality of bolt members 28 that engage the corresponding threaded openings 30 in the planar casting sidewall 15 of the casting fluid housing 11. Is designed to be attached to the casing surface 19 of the casting side wall 15 which is planar in the vertical direction. An O-ring seal 26 positioned in the annular groove or recess 25 is secured by securing the adapter member 20 with a bolt member 28 that engages a threaded opening 30 in the planar surface 19 of the cast sidewall 15. The protrusion 24 can be mounted in the annular hole 18 in a sealed manner. The bolt member 28 passes through the flange member 20 and is fitted through the gusseted opening 32 in the flange adapter member to engage the threaded opening 30 and machined flange adapter member 20. Engage and seal with the drain / vent tube member 12.

  To complete the assembly, a second flange member 34 having a hole 35 extending the same length therein is preferably secured to the annular hole 22 of the flange adapter member 20 by a weld 36. The flange member 34 and the annular hole therein provide an outlet for the drain / vent member 12 from the fluid pumping device 10 to the valve to complete the connection to the vent pipe (not shown).

  The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing the drain / vent tube 12 in structural communication with the inlet or outlet of the fluid pumping device 10. The method generally includes casting a fluid housing, drilling a drain / vent tube through the fluid housing to communicate with an inlet or outlet of a pumping device, and mechanically connecting a flange adapter member. Securing, sealing the adapter member to the fluid housing and cooperating with the drain / vent tube to allow release of fluid from the fluid pumping device.

  The flange adapter member 20 is machined to include a male protrusion 24 that has at least one annular groove or recess on the outer annular surface of the protrusion 24. The fluid housing provides a mounting surface 24 that is substantially planar. The fluid housing provides a substantially planar mounting surface around the outer open end 12d of the drain / vent tube 12, preferably around the outer open end of the drain / vent tube in the cast fluid housing. Includes an enlarged annular hole. The machined flange adapter member 20 and the integral male projection 24 are provided with an enlarged annular hole or recess 18 in the casing side wall 15 when the machined flange adapter member 20 is secured to the fluid housing side wall 15. It is comprised so that it may engage in the aspect sealed. This assembly provides a seal between the adapter member 20 and the cast fluid housing, as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, two O-rings 26 are positioned in two annular grooves or recesses in the male projection 24 of the machined flange adapter member 20, respectively. The O-ring seals between the outer annular surface of the male projection 24 and the inner annular surface of the annular hole or recess 18 when the flange adapter member is secured to the planar surface surrounding the annular hole. Bring.

  In addition, it is desirable that the casting side wall 15 of the casting fluid housing is provided with a support protrusion shelf 15a above the mounting region of the adapter member 20 to the fluid housing. This protective shelf minimizes the possibility that the joint between the adapter member and the cast sidewall of the fluid housing will be broken by force. This structure provides a longer operating life for the fluid pumping device.

  While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that changes and modifications may be made in the broader embodiments of the invention without departing from the invention. It is. Accordingly, the scope of the appended claims is intended to embrace all such alterations and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fluid pumping apparatus 11 Casting fluid housing 12 Drain / vent tubular connection part 13 Inlet or outlet 14 Opening part 15 Side wall of casting fluid housing member 16 Welding part 18 Annular hole or recessed part 19 Planar surface 20 Flange adapter member 22 Axial direction Hole 24 Male protrusion, surface portion 25 Annular groove or recess 26 O-ring 28 Bolt member 30 Threaded opening 32 Gusseted opening 34 Second flange member 35 Hole

Claims (9)

A fluid pumping device for use in the petroleum and / or chemical industry,
(A) a casting fluid housing member having an inlet to or exit from the fluid pumping device, and a sidewall;
(B) a drain / vent tubular connection positioned within the casting fluid housing to engage and communicate with the inlet to or from the fluid pumping device, the drain / vent A drain / vent tubular coupling part, wherein the tubular coupling part forms a discharge port at the side wall;
(C) a fluid pumping device comprising a flange adapter member fixed to the casting fluid housing and configured to communicate with the drain / vent tubular connection.   The fluid housing such that the drain / vent tubular connection communicates with the inlet to the pumping device or the outlet from the pumping device by drilling the drain / vent connection in the fluid housing. The fluid pumping device of claim 1, wherein the fluid pumping device is positioned within the fluid pumping device.   The fluid pumping device of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the cast fluid housing is positioned substantially perpendicular to the outlet of the drain / vent tubular connection from the fluid housing.   The fluid pumping device according to claim 3, wherein the side wall of the fluid housing includes an annular recess that extends around the outlet of the drain / vent tubular coupling.   The flange adapter member includes an axial bore extending therein and a male projection configured to engage the casting fluid housing and communicates with the drain / vent tubular connection. 2. The fluid pressure feeding device according to 1.   The fluid pumping of claim 4, wherein the flange adapter member includes an axial bore therethrough and a male projection configured to engage the annular recess in the sidewall of the fluid housing. apparatus.   The fluid pumping device according to claim 5, wherein the male protrusion includes at least one annular groove extending around the male protrusion.   The fluid pumping device according to claim 5, wherein each of the at least one annular groove in the male protrusion includes an O-ring member for sealing the flange adapter member to the fluid housing. A method of providing a drain / vent tube in structural communication with an inlet or outlet of a casting fluid pumping device, comprising:
a. Drilling a drain / vent tubular connection in the casting fluid pumping device to engage and communicate with the inlet or the outlet therein;
b. Mounting a flange adapter member to the casting fluid pumping device and communicating with the drain / vent tubular connection to allow fluid release from the pumping device.

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