NO346184B1

NO346184B1 - A gate valve and a method for operating a gate valve

Info

Publication number: NO346184B1
Application number: NO20200787A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Runar Tenfjord
Original assignee: Tenko As
Priority date: 2020-07-06
Filing date: 2020-07-06
Publication date: 2022-04-11
Also published as: EP4176190A1; NO20200787A1; WO2022010357A1

Description

A gate valve and a method for operating a gate valve

Technical field

Some examples relate to a gate valve, as well as a method for operating a gate valve, further examples of which are described herein.

Background art

Valves or gates are systems that enable to control a liquid flow in a pipe or channel. In the most basic form, valves may typically consist of a closing device in a body installed in a piping system between pipe flanges. The valve is typically operated either manually, semi manually or automatic by a remote or local actuator. Valves come in different types and can be used for different purposes. Some valves are primarily made to throttle the flow while others may be used to stop and start fluid flow. Gate valves are primarily made to control the flow and normally operate either fully open or fully closed. Gate valves come in different designs which are often referred to as knife gate valves and slide gate valves. Knife gate valves are designed to provide a liquid seal (optionally with objects/particles in the liquid) and are often used in process plants. Slide gate valves are often not designed to seal liquid and are most often used to control dry material flow. In addition to the use of a valve in a piping system, any obstruction or groove in the valve body submerged in the flow passing the valve in open position will cause unwanted effects on the fluid flow. Efficient design of the body and seat will protect against clogging of the valve, which may prevent or reduce fluid flow therethrough due to suspended solids or, where appropriate, damage on fish or objects transported through pipe systems.

Efficient design will permit objects or particles in the fluid flow to flow trough the fully open valve while being minimally affected/disturbed by the valve, and may make it easier to control the process. This can be advantageous in systems where objects or particles in the flow are vulnerable to any affect or damage such as in fish farming, in the mining/hydrocarbons industry or general wastewater handling. Knife gate valves provide all these advantages and are therefore useful for process flows and may be found in many processing plants for handling many types of fluid flow, such as fluid flow with suspended particles, e.g. wastewater. However, it is nevertheless important to note that knife gate valves have lowpressure limitations, which may be a drawback in some cases.

Most knife gate valves available in the market are bulky and therefore may be difficult to install, operate and/or maintain in vessels or process plants. The size of these valves may force the designer to make more complex piping arrangements to make room for the valves and therefore may be less maintainable. Publications which may be useful to understand the field of technology include: CN209146347(U); CN209309369; CN209444833(U); CN209469810(U), CN209213036(U) and CN209430787(U).

There is consequently a need for improved technology for gate valves to address the above and/or other challenges. The present invention has the objective to provide such improvements, or at least to provide alternatives to existing technology.

Summary

It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above mentioned problem.

According to a first aspect there is provided a gate valve comprising: a valve body having a flowpath extending therethrough; a collapsible gate member configurable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the gate member has a collapsed configuration and permits fluid flow through the flowpath, and in the closed position the gate member has an extended position and is at least partially positioned in the flow path and restricts fluid flow through the flowpath.

According to a second example, the gate valve may comprise a compartment for receiving the collapsible gate member in the collapsed configuration.

According to a third example, the compartment may be fixed to the valve housing and oriented above the valve housing.

According to a fourth example, the valve housing may comprise two parallel plates defining a cavity therebetween, the flow path extending through each of the two parallel plates and the cavity.

According to a fifth example, the valve housing may comprise a sealing arrangement located between the two parallel plates configurable to seal against the collapsible gate member to restrict fluid flow in the flow path when the collapsible gate member is in the closed configuration.

According to a sixth example, the collapsible gate member may be configurable to the closed position by positioning the collapsible gate member in the cavity and may intersect the flowpath to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

According to a seventh example, a guide arrangement may be located in the cavity for guiding movement of the collapsible gate member.

According to an eighth example, the collapsible gate member may comprise a plurality of interconnected gate segments, which may be interconnected so as to enable rotation of each gate segment relative to each adjacent gate segment.

According to a ninth example, each of the interconnected gate segments may be connected to each adjacent gate segment via a mating profile and sealing arrangement.

According to a tenth example, the mating profile and sealing arrangement may comprise an elongate rib and an elongate socket, with the sealing arrangement being located therebetween.

According to a eleventh example, the gate valve may comprise an actuator for providing translational movement to the collapsible gate member in the gate valve to configure the collapsible gate member between the open position and the closed position.

According to a twelfth example, the actuator may be in the form of a pinion mounted on the valve body and a rack mounted on, or defined by, the collapsible gate member.

According to a thirteenth example, the actuator may be in the form of, or may comprise, a hydraulic piston.

According to a fourteenth example, in the extended configuration the gate segments of the collapsible gate member may be arranged such that the collapsible gate member has a substantially planar shape, and in the collapsed configuration at least one of the gate modules may be been rotated relative to an adjacent module when in the extended configuration.

According to a fifteenth example, the collapsible gate member may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising a first part and a second part, each of the first and the second part comprising a plurality of segments.

According to a sixteenth example, the first part may comprise a plurality of cones and the second part may comprise a plurality of cups, each of the cones being configurable to fit inside a corresponding cup so as to connect the first part to the second part.

According to a second aspect there is provided a method for operating a gate valve, comprising: providing a gate valve comprising a collapsible gate member configurable between an open position and a closed position; configuring the gate valve to the open position by collapsing the collapsible gate member to a collapsed configuration; and configuring the gate valve to the closed position by extending the collapsible gate member to an extended configuration.

According to a second example of the second aspect, the method may comprise receiving at least part of the collapsible gate member in a compartment when the gate valve is configured to the open position.

According to a third example of the second aspect, the method may comprise providing a gate valve comprising a plurality of interconnected gate segments, and may comprise rotating at least one of the plurality of interconnected gate segments relative to another of the plurality of interconnected gate segments to configure the gate valve from the open position to the closed position.

Effects and features of the second aspect are to a large extent analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect are largely compatible with the second aspect.

The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

Brief descriptions of the drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of gate valve in closed position.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of partly open valve.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a fully open valve.

Figure 4 is a cross section A-A of a gate valve.

Figure 5 is an elevation view of a closed gate valve.

Figure 6 is an elevation view of an open gate valve.

Figure 7 is a cross section F-F of a gate valve

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a closed gate valve.

Figures 9 to 11 illustrate various components of a gate valve.

Figures 12 to 15 illustrate various further examples of valve members.

Detailed description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

The first aspect of this disclosure shows a gate valve comprising: a valve body 9 having a flowpath extending therethrough; a collapsible gate member 1 configurable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the gate member 1 has a collapsed configuration and permits fluid flow through the flowpath, and in the closed position the gate member 1 has an extended position and is at least partially positioned in the flow path and restricts fluid flow through the flowpath.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a gate valve 10 in a closed and in an intermediate, partially open position, while Figure 3 illustrates a gate valve 10 in a fully open position, permitting fluid flow therethrough via a flowpath 5 from a location upstream 5A of the gate valve 10 to a location downstream of the gate valve 10.

The valve illustrated in Figure 1 shows a valve member 1, which is a gate in this example, and is contained within a housing 9 to form the gate valve 10. In this illustration, the gate valve 10 is in the closed position, and in this position a leading edge 14 of the valve member 1 is in contact with a seal 11. The seal 11 may be a single seal, or it may be a sealing arrangement comprising a plurality of seals. Here, the seal 11 is contained within a seal groove 2, the seal groove 2 itself being contained within, and defined by, the valve housing 9. Contact between the leading edge 14 of the valve member 1 and the seal 11 restricts fluid flow in the flowpath 5, and in this example completely prevents fluid flow in the flowpath 5, by closing an opening 17 in the gate valve 10 which intersects the flowpath 5.

As the valve member 1 restricts fluid flow in the flowpath 5, this may cause a back pressure to build up in the upstream location 5A, thereby causing a pressure differential to act across the valve member 1. This pressure differential gives rise to a force acting across a surface of the valve member 1, acting in the direction of the downstream location 5B, and has the effect of pressing the valve member 1 into the seal 11 in the seal groove 2, thereby enhancing the sealing capability of the gate valve. As will later be described in further detail, an actuation mechanism 7 may be used to move the gate valve between an open and a closed position. When in the closed position, the actuation mechanism 7 may be used to exert a force directed along the axial length of the valve member 1 (in this example, a force having vertical direction), which may further enhance the quality of the seal between the valve member 1 and the seal 11. In some examples, the actuation mechanism 7 may be able to lock the valve member 1 in place in the closed position, thereby ensuring a constant application of force of the valve member 1 onto the seal 11.

In Figure 2, the valve member 1 has been partly retracted into a compartment 6 on top of the valve 10 by means of the actuation mechanism 7. In this example, a rack and pinion style actuation mechanism 7 may be used to both raise and lower the valve member 1. In the position shown in Figure 2, the valve member 1 may be used to reduce the flow rate through the gate opening, thereby allowing some flow of fluid through the flow path 5, and creating a region of turbulent flow in the flow path 5. As can be seen clearly in Figure 2, the valve member 1 is formed of a plurality of segments 15. As will be described in further detail later, the segments are secured to each adjacent segment so as to permit one degree of rotational movement between each of the segments at the junction between adjacent segments.

In the example shown in Figure 2, the segments 15 in the gate valve member 1 permits the gate valve member to bend, and thereby be contained within the compartment 6, allowing the compartment to be more compact than if the gate valve member 1 were unable to bend. For example, as the gate valve member 1 is raised into the compartment 6, its bending permits the overall height of the gate valve 10 to be reduced, thereby making the entire arrangement more compact. To ensure the proper folding of the two parts 1a, 1b made by segments 15, a bar 6a with a V formed edge is installed in the compartment in the example shown, which may assist to guide each of the parts 1a, 1b as they bend, ensuring that the parts 1a, 1b bend as is intended. In this example, an upper portion of the valve member 1 is formed of two parts 1a, 1b. The two parts 1a, 1b may or may not be identical in shape, in one example one part is a mirror image of the other. In the closed configuration, each of the parts 1a, 1b has a substantially planar shape (having two larger “major” surfaces and a number of peripheral smaller “minor” surfaces). In the closed configuration, the parts 1a, 1b are parallel, and at least one major surface of each of the parts 1a, 1b may be in direct contact with a major surface of the other of the parts 1a, 1b. In some examples with the valve member 1 in the closed configuration, each of the parts 1a, 1b may not be in direct contact, but may be located in close proximity to one another.

In the illustration of Figure 3, the valve member 1 is fully retracted from the flowpath 5 and provides little or no restriction to fluid flow therein. As is illustrated, the segmented nature of the valve member 5 allows it to be contained within the compartment 6 in the fully withdrawn state. Here, the plurality of segments 15 enable each valve member 1 to bend into an arc shape, thereby reducing the length of the valve member 1. In addition, in the closed configuration, each segment is able to extend away from the opening 17, both in a direction parallel to the flow path 5 and perpendicular to the flowpath 5. In this example, one of the parts 1a extends in an opposite direction to the other of the parts 1b. Using this design, the compartment 6 in which the retracted valve member 1 is stored may take up much less space, and may be more easily positioned, as compared to storage and positioning of a rigid valve member.

While the valve member 1 is illustrated here as having a curved configuration in the closed configuration, the skilled reader will appreciate that other shapes of valve member 1 may be possible, for example, the segments 15 may fold or collapse in a repeating Z-shape, or an S-shape.

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of A-A as shown in Figure 5. Here, the gate 1 is in the closed configuration, and an actuation mechanism 7 is illustrated in a position towards the top of the valve housing 9, as shown in Figure 5. For reasons of clarity, Figure 4 contains additional details B, C and D, each of which are illustrated in Figure 4, and illustrate parts of Figure 4 in greater detail. Detail D illustrates the actuation mechanism 7 for operating the gate. Here, the actuation mechanism 7 is in the style of a rack-and-pinion. Two rotatable pinions 7a are provided, having teeth that fit into a rack 7b. The pinions 7a are rotatable to actuate the gate valve 10 and move the valve member 1 between the open and the closed position. Although not shown in Figure 4, means of rotating the pinions may also be provided, such as an electrical motor and a drive shaft. Here, there are shown two pinions 7a, which are located on either side of the valve member 1 (e.g. one is located on the upstream side of the valve member, while the other is located on the downstream side), and the pinions 7a may be used together to actuate the gate valve 10. The racks 7b, with which the teeth of the pinions are engaged may be located on the surface of the valve member 1 (e.g. they may be bonded, fastened, affixed, or the like), or the racks 7b may be integrally formed with the valve member 1. As clearly illustrated in Detail D, in this example there is a rack 7b on either side of the valve member 1 (e.g. the upstream side and the downstream side). The teeth of each rack 7b may engage with the teeth on each pinion 7a located on the same side as that rack 7b, to enable actuation of the gate valve 10 by turning of the pinions 7a, and facilitating vertical movement (in the configuration shown in Figure 4) of the valve member 1. Having a rack and pinion actuation mechanism 7 located on either side of the valve member 1, as opposed to simply one side, may provide a degree of redundancy to the system or preferably one side can be used for mechanically locking the valve member 1 in a desired position, e.g. the closed position. In addition, this setup may also provide a more even distribution of forces on the valve member, when it is being moved between the open and closed configurations, thereby prolonging the lifespan of the valve member 1 of the gate valve 10.

Detail C shows in more detail the connection between two segments 15. As previously described, the valve member 1 as described is segmented such that, in the closed configuration, the valve member 1 is able to bend to fit in a compartment (not shown in Figure 4). Each segment 15 of the valve member 1 is joined to each adjacent segment, according to this example, by a mating profile arrangement. As is shown clearly in Detail C, one segment comprises a protruding profiled surface that mates with a depressed profile on the adjacent segment 15 at an interface 20. In order to permit some degree of pivotal movement between the adjacent segments 15, a recess is provided at, or proximate, the interface 20 to facilitate rotation of the protruding profile inside the depressed profile. For example, the mating profile may be in the form of an elongate rib, or a pair of elongate ribs, that are formed on one segment that is permitted to rotate in an elongate socket of the adjacent segment. This way, each of the segments 15 may be securely coupled together, while at the same time permitting movement, here rotation, between adjacent segments. As has been previously described in relation to other sections, Detail C illustrates two parts 1a, 1b of an upper portion of a valve member 1, oriented parallel to one another. The parts 1a, 1b are not in contact with one another in this example, and a small gap 24 remains therebetween. Each of the parts 1a, 1b is a mirror image of the other, which may assist with ease of manufacture and assembly of the gate valve 10.

In addition to the profiled surfaces at the interface 20, also provided is an interface sealing arrangement 22. The interface sealing arrangement is here designed to provide a fluid seal between each of the segments 15 when in the closed configuration. Therefore, each of the adjacent segments 15 is in contact with the sealing arrangement. The sealing arrangement 22 may be or comprise a rubber seal. The sealing arrangement 22 may be located on either the protruding or the depressed profile of one of the adjacent segment 15. The sealing arrangement, in this example, is a static seal. When the gate valve 10 is in the open configuration, the sealing arrangement 22 may be ineffective, as there may be no contact between the sealing arrangement 22 and one of the adjacent segments 15.

Detail B shows detail of seal 11 in the seal groove 2 and a housing seal 13 positioned between two parts of the housing, as is shown in further detail in Figure 11. The seal 11 may be any type of seal, and in this example is a static seal. For example, seal 11 may be a rubber seal. Here, the seal groove 2 is shown as having an inverted T-shaped cross-section, which may assist to hold the seal 11 in the seal groove. The housing 9 is also shown here comprised of two parts, although the skilled reader will understand that it may be possible to have a housing 9 formed of a single part, or of more than two parts, e.g.3, 4 or 5 parts. The two parts of the housing 9 may be held together by any appropriate means, such as chemical bonding, screwing, bolting, or the like. The seal 13 illustrated between each of the two parts of the housing may be any appropriate type of seal, such as a rubber seal.

Fig.5 shows an elevation view of the gate valve 10 such that the flow path 5 is in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the page. In this example, the gate is closed. The actuation mechanism 7, as illustrated, is located at an edge (in this case an upper edge) of the gate valve. The pinion 7a is still engaged in the rack 7b in this configuration, which may provide a locking effect on the gate valve, assisting to hold the gate valve in the closed configuration (see further details in Figure 4). In this example, the segments 15 of the valve member 1 may be clearly shown. Here, each part 1a, 1b of the valve member 1 comprise a plurality of equally sized segment 15, which may be identical, and that form the portion (e.g. the half) of the valve member 1 that is located closest to the actuation mechanism 7 when in the closed configuration shown in Figure 5. The portion (e.g. the half) of the valve member that is located furthest from (e.g. distal to) the actuation mechanism 7 comprises a single part 15. As will be described in relation to further figures, when the valve member 1 is in the open configuration, one segment thereof will be contained within the housing 9, and will not extend into the compartment 6. As such, this segment of the gate valve is not required to deform, and therefore may be formed as a single section, as shown. Having this configuration enables the segmented valve member 1 to be open and closed while reducing the likelihood of the valve member 1 becoming stuck or misaligned in the housing.

In Figure 6 is illustrated the same gate valve 10 as in Figure 5, but with the valve member 1 in an open configuration. In this position, the opening 17 is unobstructed, and the fluid in the flow path is able to flow therethrough unimpeded. The actuation mechanism 7, which extends through a notch in the housing 9, is in contact with the valve member 1, and has configured the valve member 1 to the open configuration. A segmented portion of the gate valve member 1 protrudes from the top of the housing 9 of this example, and the upper portion that protrudes from the top of the housing 9 is formed of two parts 1a, 1b.

Although not illustrated, this portion may be contained in a compartment, thereby preventing damage to this part of the valve member 1 when it is in the open configuration. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a series of protruding cones 1c is located along the length of one part 1a, while a series of receiving cups 1d is located along the length of the second part 1b of the valve member 1. In this example, the series of protruding cups 1c and protruding cones 1d are formed on an interior facing surface of each part 1a, 1b of the valve member 1, the interior facing surface being oriented to face towards the centre of the width of the valve member, and each interior facing surface of the parts 1a, 1b being parallel and facing one another when the valve member 1 is in the closed configuration. In this example, two cones 1c are installed at each movable segment of one part 1a, while two cups 1d are formed in the second part 1b, such that the cones 1c and cups 1d each form two lines extending the length of the valve member 1. When the valve member 1 is in the closed configuration, the cones 1c engage and fit into the cups 1d, holding the two parts 1a, 1b together and ensuring the formation of a solid valve member 1 in the closed position as the cones 1c and cups 1d effectively mate together, and thereby providing a degree of locking between the parts 1a, 1b.

Figure 7 illustrates the cross sectional view F-F of Figure 6. As illustrated relative to Figure 3, the segmented portion of the valve member 1 forms an arc when in the open configuration. Also as previously described, the actuation mechanism 7 is in the form of two pinions 7a and two racks 7b. Here, the racks are integrally formed with each side of the valve member 1. As is illustrated, the valve member is formed of a segmented portion which is formed of two parts, and a non-segmented portion, formed of a single part. The non-segmented portion remains, both in the closed and in the open position, inside the housing 9 of the gate valve 10, whereas the segmented portion remains in the housing 9 only in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, the two parts 1a, 1b of the segmented portion extend both horizontally and vertically away from the opening 17, as previously described.

Here, it can be seen that one of the pinions is located slightly higher with respect to the housing 9 than the other pinion. This may facilitate movement of the valve member 1 between the open and closed configurations by distributing the forces applied by each pinion 7a on the valve member 1.

Figures 8 and 8a show the gate valve 10 in the closed configuration, with further detail shown on the construction of the housing 9. Here, the housing is comprised of two parts 9a, 9b, which are substantially mirror images of one another in this example. As described in relation to Figure 4, there is a housing seal 13 located in a groove in one of the housing parts 9b. As can be seen, the housing seal 13 extends around the outer perimeter of the housing, and prevents escape of fluid through the housing. Similarly, there is a seal 11 that is located in a recess between the housing 9 and the valve member 1. The valve member 1 may abut against the seal 11, and thereby the seal may assist to provide sealing by preventing fluid in the flow path (when the gate valve 10) is installed, from flowing around the outer surface of the valve member 1. In addition, the rack 7b can be viewed on one side of the valve member 1, which is integrally formed therein.

Figures 9 to 11 illustrate the component parts of the gate valve 10 in further detail. Figure 9 illustrates one example of the valve member 1, showing both the valve member 1 in a fully constructed state, and two segments 15 of the valve member. As described in a previous example, one first portion 26a of the valve member may be made from a plurality of segments, while a second portion 26b of the valve member may be made from one single segment. Here, an upper portion 26a (which may account for half of the upper length, a two thirds, etc.) is made from a plurality of segments 15 that are substantially identical. A lower portion 26b is made from a single segment 15a, and is substantially semicircular in shape. Also similar to previously described, the segments 15 fit together to form the upper portion 26a of two members that are substantially planar in shape when the valve member 1 is in the closed configuration as is shown in Figure 9.

As is visible in Figure 9, where each of the segments comprise at least one edge 28 having a profiled surface for connection with an adjacent segment. The illustrated rectangular segment 15 comprises two connection edges 28, while the semi-circular segment comprises a single connection edge 28.

Figure 10 illustrates the seal 11 that is positioned between the valve member 1 and the housing 9. The seal has a T-shaped cross-section, which assists to hold the seal in place in a groove in the housing. While providing sealing between the housing 9 and the valve member 1, the seal 11 may additionally assist to prevent snagging or sticking between the housing 9 and the valve member 1 as the valve member 1 slides between the open and the closed configurations, and may optionally function as a guide arrangement to guide the valve member 1 in the gate valve 10.

Figure 11 shows one part of the housing 9. In this example, the housing 9 is made from two parts. The two parts may be identical, which may assist in the ease of manufacturing of the housing 9, and the parts may fit together may any appropriate means such as bonding, bolting, snap-fitting, or the like.

Figures 12 to 15 are various different valve members 1 that may be used in place of that already described. The skilled reader will appreciate that further examples may be made by taking features from one or some examples and incorporating those features into another example.

Here, Figure 12 illustrates a valve member 1 made from a plurality of segments 15, but with the lower portion 26b being constructed form a rectangular shaped segment 15a, rather than a semi-circular segment as previously described. The rectangular shaped segment 15a is approximately the same length as the segments 15 of the upper portion 26a. As in previous examples, the lower portion 26b is formed of a single segment having the width of the valve member 1, rather than multiple segments that are joined together, and spaced apart to provide a central air gap, thereby requiring the segments of the upper portion 26a to be thinner (e.g. less than half the thickness) of the overall width of the valve member 1.

Figure 13 illustrates a valve member 1 of a similar form to that as previously descried in Figures 1 to 11. However, here there is no air gap formed between the segments 15 of the upper portion, and all segments 15, 15a are approximately the same thickness. In addition, protruding in a lateral direction from all but the uppermost segments is a dowel 30. The dowels may be used to assist in the movement of the valve member 1 between the open and closed configurations.

Figure 14 illustrates a valve member 1 of a similar form to that as previously described.

However, the valve member 1 of Figure 14 has no rack integrally formed, or attached to, the segments 15. Instead, an actuation arm 32 is positioned in the air gap between the segments 15 of the upper portion 26a, and attaches to the lower portion. The actuation arm 32 comprises an attachment profile at one end of the actuation arm 32 such that it protrudes from the upper portion, and an actuator may be affixable thereto. In some examples, the actuation arm 32 may be able to be incorporated into a hydraulic cylinder actuation arrangement, thereby permitting hydraulic actuation of the gate valve 10.

Figure 15 illustrates a valve member 1 that is similar to that as previously described.

However, in this example the actuation mechanism 7 is located on a lateral surface of the valve member 1. Here, a rack 7b is positioned on a lateral surface of the segments 15 of the upper portion, while the pinions 7a are positioned laterally, on either side, of the valve member 1 to permit movement of the valve member 1 between open and closed position.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the valve member 1 (or any individual features thereof) of any of the described examples may be used in combination with the gate valve as described in relation to any other example. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gate valve (10) comprising:

a valve housing (9) having a flowpath (5) extending therethrough;

a collapsible gate member (1) configurable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the gate member (1) has a collapsed configuration and permits fluid flow through the flowpath (5), and in the closed position the gate member (1) has an extended position and is at least partially positioned in the flow path (5) and restricts fluid flow through the flowpath (5).

2. The gate valve (10) according to claim 1, comprising a compartment (6) for receiving the collapsible gate member (1) in the collapsed configuration.

3. The gate valve (10) according to claim 2, wherein the compartment (6) is fixed to the valve housing (9) and oriented above the valve housing (9).

4. The gate valve (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve housing (9) comprises two parallel plates defining a cavity therebetween, the flow path (5) extending through each of the two parallel plates and the cavity.

5. The gate valve (10) according to claim 4, wherein the valve housing (9) comprises a sealing arrangement (11) located between the two parallel plates configurable to seal against the collapsible gate member (1) to restrict fluid flow in the flow path (5) when the collapsible gate member (1) is in the closed configuration.

6. The gate valve (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the collapsible gate member (1) is configurable to the closed position by positioning the collapsible gate member (1) in the cavity and intersecting the flowpath (5) to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

7. The gate valve (10) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein a guide arrangement is located in the cavity for guiding movement of the collapsible gate member (1).

8. The gate valve (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the collapsible gate member (1) comprises a plurality of interconnected gate segments (15), interconnected so as to enable rotation of each gate segment (15) relative to each adjacent gate segment (15).

9. The gate valve (10) according to claim 8, wherein each of the interconnected gate segments (15) is connected to each adjacent gate segment (15) via a mating profile and sealing arrangement (22).

10. The gate valve (10) according to claim 9, wherein the mating profile and sealing arrangement (22) comprises an elongate rib and an elongate socket, with the sealing arrangement (22) being located therebetween.

11. The gate valve (10) according to any preceding claim, comprising an actuator (7) for providing translational movement to the collapsible gate member (1) in the gate valve (10) to configure the collapsible gate member (1) between the open position and the closed position.

12. The gate valve (10) according to claim 11, wherein the actuator (7) is in the form of a pinion (7a) mounted on the valve body (9) and a rack (7b) mounted on, or defined by, the collapsible gate member (1).

13. The gate valve (10) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the actuator (7) is in the form of, or comprises, a hydraulic piston.

14. The gate valve (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein in the extended configuration the gate segments (15) of the collapsible gate member (1) are arranged such that the collapsible gate member (1) has a substantially planar shape, and wherein in the collapsed configuration at least one of the gate modules (15) has been rotated relative to an adjacent module when in the extended configuration.

15. The gate valve (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the collapsible gate member (1) comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising a first part (1a) and a second part (1b), each of the first and the second part comprising a plurality of segments (15).

16. The gate valve (10) according to claim 15, wherein the first part (1a) comprises a plurality of cones (1c) and the second part (1b) comprises a plurality of cups (1d), each of the cones (1c) being configurable to fit inside a corresponding cup (1d) so as to connect the first part (1a) to the second part (1b).

17. A method for operating a gate valve (10), comprising:

providing a gate valve (10) comprising a collapsible gate member (1) configurable between an open position and a closed position;

configuring the gate valve (10) to the open position by collapsing the collapsible gate member (1) to a collapsed configuration; and

configuring the gate valve (10) to the closed position by extending the collapsible gate member (1) to an extended configuration.

18. The method according to claim 17, comprising receiving at least part of the collapsible gate member (1) in a compartment when the gate valve (10) is configured to the open position.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, comprising providing a gate valve (10) comprising a plurality of interconnected gate segments (15), and comprising rotating at least one of the plurality of interconnected gate segments (15) relative to another of the plurality of interconnected gate segments (15) to configure the gate valve (10) from the open position to the closed position.