US20200318755A1 - Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine - Google Patents
Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200318755A1 US20200318755A1 US16/904,671 US202016904671A US2020318755A1 US 20200318755 A1 US20200318755 A1 US 20200318755A1 US 202016904671 A US202016904671 A US 202016904671A US 2020318755 A1 US2020318755 A1 US 2020318755A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- arm
- valve
- brake
- operating device
- valve operating
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
- F16K31/44—Mechanical actuating means
- F16K31/46—Mechanical actuating means for remote operation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B21/00—Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose
- B25B21/002—Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose for special purposes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
- B25J19/00—Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewing; Safety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
- B25J19/0004—Braking devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
- B25J5/00—Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages
- B25J5/007—Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages mounted on wheels
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
- F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
- F15B2211/30—Directional control
- F15B2211/31—Directional control characterised by the positions of the valve element
- F15B2211/3122—Special positions other than the pump port being connected to working ports or the working ports being connected to the return line
- F15B2211/3127—Floating position connecting the working ports and the return line
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
- F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
- F15B2211/40—Flow control
- F15B2211/405—Flow control characterised by the type of flow control means or valve
- F15B2211/40515—Flow control characterised by the type of flow control means or valve with variable throttles or orifices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
- F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
- F15B2211/40—Flow control
- F15B2211/42—Flow control characterised by the type of actuation
- F15B2211/426—Flow control characterised by the type of actuation electrically or electronically
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
- F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
- F15B2211/40—Flow control
- F15B2211/455—Control of flow in the feed line, i.e. meter-in control
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
- F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
- F15B2211/70—Output members, e.g. hydraulic motors or cylinders or control therefor
- F15B2211/705—Output members, e.g. hydraulic motors or cylinders or control therefor characterised by the type of output members or actuators
- F15B2211/7058—Rotary output members
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/6851—With casing, support, protector or static constructional installations
- Y10T137/6855—Vehicle
Definitions
- the present invention relates to valve operating machines and in particular to an adjustable arm attachable to a vehicle for supporting a valve operating machine while it is exercising a valve.
- the network of piping includes numerous valves such that portions of the network can be closed off as needed for service while the remainder of the network remains in operation.
- the piping required for such networks can range in size from as small as three or four inches in diameter to as large as three feet in diameter.
- the valves of the system typically remain in an open condition or in a closed condition for very long periods of time.
- the valves of a municipal water system are located below ground with an access shaft extending from the valve stem to the surface through which an elongate key is extended to turn the stem.
- Such valves typically include a screw that is rotatable through one hundred turns or more to fully open or fully close the valve.
- valve turning machines are heavy and awkward and when operated apply a great amount of torque to the key that extends down a shaft to the valve stem for rotating the valve. Accordingly, to aid in the operation of such valve turning machines it is common to mount such valve turning machines on an arm attached to a truck.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,905 to Arnemann is to mount the valve turning machine on a horizontal slide that allows the machine to move horizontally from a first position over the truck bed to a second position spaced from the side of the truck.
- Such slidable mounting provides rigid support to the valve turning machine while it exercises a valve.
- the longitudinally slidable structure has limited mobility with respect to the vehicle. Where valves are positioned between various obstacles such as buildings, curbs, boulders, trees and the like, it may not be possible for the truck to reach a position where the valve operating machine may be positioned directly over the shaft leading to the valve.
- the Hurley device includes a multi-hinged arm configured as a backhoe with the inner end of the arm connected to a vehicle and the outer end to a valve turning machine.
- the arm is pivotable about a horizontal axis generally giving the device a hundred and eighty degree range of rotation with the hinged elbow of the backhoe arm permitting the free end of the arm to move eight to twelve feet radially outward of the vehicle.
- the hinged elbow includes one or more spring loaded compensating structures to apply a vertically upward force to the free end of the arm to compensate for the weight of the valve turning machine.
- the free end of the arm can be manipulated to a position directly over an otherwise difficult to reach shaft to a valve.
- a valve turning machine mounted on the Hurco arm is attached by a key to a valve and with torque applied to the key by the machine, the machine will shake and toss violently as the valve is exercised.
- the shaking and tossing is a result of the uneven torque applied to the key as the turning screw encounters areas of contamination by foreign materials and deterioration of the moving parts.
- the shaking and tossing of the machine includes vertical components of force which cause the key to be pulled free of the valve stem thereby interrupting the valve turning operation and perhaps causing damage to either the machine or the valve.
- To retain the machine and the key in their desired orientation with respect to the valve stem the operator is required to grasp the machine with his arms and use his body weight to hold the machine in the desired orientation as the valve is exercised.
- the present invention is embodied in a valve operating device that has a mounting attachable to a vehicle and an arm having a first end pivotally attached to the mounting and a valve operating machine rigidly attached to the second end of the arm.
- the pivot at the first end of the arm permits rotation of the arm only about a vertical axis such that the free end of the arm is moveable through a plane parallel to the underlying ground below the vehicle to which the mounting is attached.
- the arm is made with sufficient strength and rigidity that the free end will provide support to the valve operating machine at the second end against the vertical forces applied by gravity and resulting from torque applied by the valve operating machine to turn a valve stem.
- the arm includes a lock for selectively locking and unlocking the pivot between the mounting member and the first end of the arm.
- the lock is in the form of a hydraulically operating disc brake.
- the lock includes a control for selectively engaging and disengaging the lock, and the control is operated from a location at the second end of the arm. Accordingly, an operator can use his hand to grasp a handle at the second end of the arm and use the thumb of that hand to operate the control to disengage the lock. The operator can then manually manipulate the second end of the arm until the valve operating machine is over a shaft leading to a valve stem. Once the machine is properly positioned, the operator can release the thumb operated control to engage the lock thereby retaining the arm in a rigid position over the shaft to the valve.
- a second arm is provided between the second end of the first arm and the valve operating machine.
- a second pivot is provided between the second end of the first arm and the first end of the second arm with the second pivot also rotatable only about a vertical axis such that the free end of the second arm is also moveable through a plane parallel to the underlying ground.
- the second arm is also made with sufficient strength and rigidity such that the second end of the second arm will retain the valve turning machine against the forces of gravity and the forces generated from the machine when it applies torque to the valve stem.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a valve turning machine mounted on a vehicle in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the arm and valve operating machine mounted on the truck shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary isomeric view of the arm shown in FIG. 2 depicting the arm mounting and the first pivot thereof;
- FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the arm shown in FIG. 2 showing the inner parts of the two pivots;
- FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the second end of the second arm showing the valve operating machine and its controls.
- FIG. 5A is an elevational view of an electronic controller
- FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of the hydraulics for operating the arm shown in FIG. 2 .
- a vehicle 10 is fitted with an elongate valve operating device 12 .
- the valve operating device 12 has a mounting portion 14 and an arm.
- the arm consists of a first arm portion 16 having a first end 18 pivotally attached to the mounting portion 14 by a first pivot 20 and a second end 22 attached by a second pivot 24 to a first end of the first section 26 of a second arm portion.
- the second arm portion is telescopically extendible and therefore the first section 26 thereof is a generally hollow tubular member with a rectangular cross-section, the first end of which is attached to the second pivot 24 and the second end of which telescopically receives the first end of a second section 30 .
- the second section 30 has a generally rectangular cross-section with outer dimensions a little smaller than the inner dimensions of the first section 26 such that the second section 30 will not rotate axially with respect to the first section 26 .
- Rigidly attached to the distal end of the second section 30 is a valve turning machine 32 .
- An adjustable screw 33 with an enlarged head 35 in the shape of a handle is threaded into a complementarily threaded hole, not numbered, in the wall of the first end section 26 and against the surface of the second section 30 .
- the valve turning machine 32 includes a hydraulic motor 34 and an electronic controller 36 which may be detachable from the body of the machine 32 but communicate with the machine either through a wire, not shown, or by wireless technology.
- the controller 36 includes a microprocessor having a memory for storing information about the valve 37 to be controlled such as the rotational direction for opening the valve 37 , the number of turns to move the valve from fully closed to fully open position, the maximum torque that can be applied to the stem, the current position, open or closed, of the valve, and the date on which it was last exercised.
- the controller operates a sequence of valves 133 , 135 in a manifold 38 to direct hydraulic fluid from a pump 40 (shown only schematically in FIG.
- the motor 34 drives a rectangular sleeve 42 on the machine 32 into which is inserted an elongate key 44 , the lower end of which fits over a polygon shaped stem, not shown, of a valve for rotating the valve.
- the valve turning machine 32 is the type known in the art and such a machine is described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,996, which is incorporated herein by reference.
- the mounting portion 14 includes a mounting plate 46 with a plurality of mounting holes 47 therein for attachment to a stable part of a vehicle 10 , such as the truck bed 48 , which remains generally parallel to the level of the underlying ground 50 .
- the mounting portion 14 also includes a pedestal 52 extending vertically from the mounting plate 46 , the upper end of which defines a vertical axis around which the first pivot 20 rotates.
- the first pivot 20 includes a pair of bearings 54 , 56 , the inner races of which are fitted tightly around the upper end of the pedestal 52 and the outer races of which are rigidly retained in tubular mounting cup 57 at the first end 18 of the first arm.
- the second end of the first arm portion 16 will therefore rotate through a plane that is perpendicular to the pedestal 52 and parallel to the bed 48 of the vehicle 10 and parallel to the underlying ground 50 .
- first brake disc 58 Positioned below the bearings 54 , 56 and surrounding a central portion of the pedestal 52 is a generally planar horizontal first brake disc 58 . Attached to the first end 18 of the first arm portion 16 by a pair of brackets 53 , 55 , each of which has a pair of downwardly extending slide pins 61 - 61 attached thereto, is a first pair of hydraulically operated brake calipers 60 , 62 that float with respect to the brake disc 58 on slide pins 61 - 61 . Each of the brake calipers 60 , 62 includes first and second parallel operated pistons, 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , moveable within piston housings.
- the pistons are connected by rods, not visible, to a pair of upper pads, also not visible, that rest on the upper surface of the brake disc 58 .
- the calipers 60 , 62 also support a pair of lower pads positioned against the lower surface of brake disc 58 .
- the pistons 66 - 69 in the housing 63 , 64 are extended thereby pressing the upper pads against the upper surface of the brake disc 58 and simultaneously drawing the lower pads 70 , 72 against the lower surface thereof to lock the first arm portion 16 in a fixed orientation with respect to the mounting portion 14 and the vehicle 10 .
- a second pedestal 74 Extending vertically upward from the first end of the first and second sections 26 , 30 and perpendicular to the length of the first and second sections 26 , 30 is a second pedestal 74 , the upper end of which serves as the axis of rotation for the second pivot 24 .
- the inner races of a second pair of bearings 76 , 77 is fitted around the second pedestal 74 and the outer race is received within a tubular mounting cup 78 welded to the second end 22 of the first arm portion 16 .
- the mounting cup 78 retains the axis of rotation of the second bearing 76 , 77 around the second pedestal 74 parallel to the axis of rotation of the first set of bearings 54 , 56 around the first pedestal 52 .
- first and second arm sections 26 , 30 will rotate about an axis defined by the second pedestal 74 with the length thereof parallel to the bed 48 such that with the outer end thereof moving in a plane parallel to the bed 48 of the vehicle 10 and parallel to the underlying ground 50 .
- distal end of the second end always moves within the same plane regardless of whether the movement occurs as a result of rotation of the first pivot 20 , the second pivot 24 , or the longitudinal extension or retraction of the first and second sections 26 , 30 by telescopically sliding the second section 30 into or out of the first section 26 .
- Fitted around the circumference of the second pedestal 74 is a second brake disc 80 and attached to the first end of the first section 26 is a second pair of calipers 82 , 83 .
- a pair of slide pins 81 - 81 Extending downwardly from a second pair of brackets welded to the second end 22 of the first arm portion 16 (one bracket 79 is visible in FIG. 2 ) are a pair of slide pins 81 - 81 . Slidably mounted on each pair of slide pins 81 - 81 , so as to float above the brake disc 80 , is a second pair of calipers 82 , 83 .
- the second pair of calipers 82 , 83 are structurally identical to the first pair of calipers 60 , 62 and each encloses a pair of pistons 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 with each piston connected by a rod to an upper pad positioned against the upper surface of the second disc brake 80 .
- the second calipers 82 , 83 also include first and second lower pads positioned to be compressed against the lower surface of the second brake disc 80 , one opposite each of the upper pads. Upon actuation of the second pair of calipers 82 , 83 the pistons 84 - 87 will compress the upper pads against the upper surface of the disc brake 80 and draw the lower pads against the lower surface thereby locking the first section 26 in a fixed orientation with respect to the first arm portion 16 .
- the two sets of bearings 54 , 56 and 76 , 77 ensure that the distal end of the second section 30 is only moveable within a plane parallel to the underlying ground 50 , and allow the arm to be manipulated by an operator using only one hand while the two brake assemblies 58 , 80 are disengaged.
- the pistons 66 - 69 , 84 - 87 of the first and second pairs of calipers 60 , 61 , 82 , 83 are all hydraulically operated by the application of hydraulic fluid from the pump 40 through a hydraulic supply line 96 connected to a control valve 98 .
- a release valve 100 retains or releases hydraulic pressure from the pistons.
- An important feature of the invention is the provision of a handle 102 positioned at the outer end of the valve turning machine 32 where it is easily grasped by an operator.
- a control button 104 for a valve control 105 At the distal end of the handle 102 is a control button 104 for a valve control 105 .
- the valve control 105 operates the valve 98 and the release valve 100 to release hydraulic pressure from the two sets of calipers 60 . 62 , 82 , 83 thereby releasing the brakes.
- the control valve 98 and release valve 100 are configured to apply hydraulic pressure to the calipers 60 . 62 , 82 , 83 to thereby lock the first arm portion 16 in its desired orientation.
- control button 104 is described as being at the end of the handle 102 , it should be appreciated that the intent is to have the actuation device located where it is convenient to the operator as he manipulates the first arm portion 16 and the sections 26 , 30 . It is therefore within the spirit of the invention to provide an actuator 106 for operating the control 105 on the electronic control 36 .
- the actuator 106 may be in addition to the control button 104 on the handle 102 , or in substitution therefore.
- the mounting portion 14 , the first arm portion 16 and the first section 26 , and the first and second pivots 20 , 24 are all made with sufficient strength and rigidity to hold the valve turning machine 32 within a plane of movement defined by the first section 26 .
- the elongate parts are made sufficiently strong and the bearings of the pivots are sufficiently large and rigid enough to hold the valve turning machine 32 at a fixed elevation in opposition to the forces of gravity applied by virtue of the weight of the valve operating machine 32 and in opposition to the vertical forces incurred as the valve operating machine 32 applies torque to a valve stem. Accordingly, an operator will not be required to use his own body to retain the valve operating machine 32 against the forces that shake and throw the valve operating machine 32 when torque is applied to a valve 37 .
- An operator using a vehicle 10 fitted with a valve operating device 12 in accordance with the present invention will drive the vehicle 10 to a position near an underlying valve 37 .
- the operator can grasp the handle 102 with one hand, compress the button 104 with the thumb of that hand, and using the same hand manipulate the distal end of the second section 30 until it is positioned immediately above the valve 37 to be exercised.
- the operator can release his grip on the button 104 thereby causing the control valve 98 and release valve 100 to allow hydraulic pressure to be applied to the calipers 60 , 62 , 82 , 83 and lock the first arm portion 16 and the sections 26 , 30 in their present orientation.
- the operator can position the key 44 in the sleeve 42 of the valve turning machine 32 with distal end thereof fitted over the stem of the valve.
- the operator can then use the hand held electronic controller 36 to operate the valve turning machine 32 to exercise the underlying valve without requiring the operator to touch the machine 32 while it is operating.
- the operator therefore, does not have to use his body weight to retain the machine 32 against the forces generated as torque is applied to the valve as is the case with machines mounted on prior art manipulating arms.
- the operator can remove the key 44 from the valve stem and the sleeve 42 thereby disconnecting the valve operating machine 32 from the valve 37 .
- the operator can then again grasp the handle 102 and depress the button 104 causing the control valve 98 and release valve 100 to release hydraulic pressure to the calipers 60 , 62 , 82 , 83 and allow the operator to easily manipulate the elongate valve operating device 12 and fold it against the side of the vehicle 10 for transporting to another site.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Robotics (AREA)
- Operation Control Of Excavators (AREA)
- Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
Abstract
A valve operating device includes a mounting for attachment to a vehicle and an elongate arm, the free end of which is only moveable across the underlying ground. The joints of the arm pivot around vertical axes and the arm is locked into a desired orientation by a brake at each joint. A valve turning machine is at the free end of the arm. The brakes are engaged and released by a control on the valve turning machine.
Description
- The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/186,881, filed Nov. 12, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/717,231, filed May 20, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,156,298, issued Dec. 18, 2018, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 13/607,423, filed Sep. 7, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,038,667, issued May 26, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/212,499, filed Aug. 18, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,387,664, issued Mar. 5, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/111,423, filed Apr. 29, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,025,078, issued Sep. 27, 2011, the contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The present invention relates to valve operating machines and in particular to an adjustable arm attachable to a vehicle for supporting a valve operating machine while it is exercising a valve.
- Municipalities and the like have extensive networks of piping to control the flow of water from storage and pumping stations to users. The network of piping includes numerous valves such that portions of the network can be closed off as needed for service while the remainder of the network remains in operation. The piping required for such networks can range in size from as small as three or four inches in diameter to as large as three feet in diameter. Also, the valves of the system typically remain in an open condition or in a closed condition for very long periods of time. The valves of a municipal water system are located below ground with an access shaft extending from the valve stem to the surface through which an elongate key is extended to turn the stem. Such valves typically include a screw that is rotatable through one hundred turns or more to fully open or fully close the valve. Also, underground valves undergo a certain degree of deterioration over time and it is common for valves to become frozen or locked into their current position as a result of contamination on the surface of the screw or deterioration of the parts. As a result, the large amount of torque needed to open and close such valves is provided by a motorized valve operating machine. Such machines are heavy and awkward and when operated apply a great amount of torque to the key that extends down a shaft to the valve stem for rotating the valve. Accordingly, to aid in the operation of such valve turning machines it is common to mount such valve turning machines on an arm attached to a truck.
- One such mounting device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,905 to Arnemann is to mount the valve turning machine on a horizontal slide that allows the machine to move horizontally from a first position over the truck bed to a second position spaced from the side of the truck. Such slidable mounting provides rigid support to the valve turning machine while it exercises a valve. The longitudinally slidable structure, however, has limited mobility with respect to the vehicle. Where valves are positioned between various obstacles such as buildings, curbs, boulders, trees and the like, it may not be possible for the truck to reach a position where the valve operating machine may be positioned directly over the shaft leading to the valve.
- Efforts have been made to attach a valve operating machine to a manipulating arm connected to a truck. One such device is sold under the trademark SPIN DOCTOR by Hurco Technologies, Inc. and disclosed in Hurley, U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,606 B1. The Hurley device includes a multi-hinged arm configured as a backhoe with the inner end of the arm connected to a vehicle and the outer end to a valve turning machine. The arm is pivotable about a horizontal axis generally giving the device a hundred and eighty degree range of rotation with the hinged elbow of the backhoe arm permitting the free end of the arm to move eight to twelve feet radially outward of the vehicle. The hinged elbow includes one or more spring loaded compensating structures to apply a vertically upward force to the free end of the arm to compensate for the weight of the valve turning machine. By virtue of the spring-loaded compensating devices, the free end of the arm can be manipulated to a position directly over an otherwise difficult to reach shaft to a valve.
- It has been found that a valve turning machine mounted on the Hurco arm is attached by a key to a valve and with torque applied to the key by the machine, the machine will shake and toss violently as the valve is exercised. The shaking and tossing is a result of the uneven torque applied to the key as the turning screw encounters areas of contamination by foreign materials and deterioration of the moving parts. The shaking and tossing of the machine includes vertical components of force which cause the key to be pulled free of the valve stem thereby interrupting the valve turning operation and perhaps causing damage to either the machine or the valve. To retain the machine and the key in their desired orientation with respect to the valve stem, the operator is required to grasp the machine with his arms and use his body weight to hold the machine in the desired orientation as the valve is exercised. Since the shaking and tossing of the machine is caused by contamination and deterioration below ground and not visible to the operator, the movement of the machine is unpredictable and can also cause injury to the operator. Accordingly, there is a need for providing an extendible arm for supporting a valve operating machine over a valve stem positioned remotely from a vehicle that will retain the machine against all the forces applied to the end of the arm as a consequence of frequent and sudden changes in torque applied to the valve.
- Briefly, the present invention is embodied in a valve operating device that has a mounting attachable to a vehicle and an arm having a first end pivotally attached to the mounting and a valve operating machine rigidly attached to the second end of the arm. The pivot at the first end of the arm permits rotation of the arm only about a vertical axis such that the free end of the arm is moveable through a plane parallel to the underlying ground below the vehicle to which the mounting is attached. The arm is made with sufficient strength and rigidity that the free end will provide support to the valve operating machine at the second end against the vertical forces applied by gravity and resulting from torque applied by the valve operating machine to turn a valve stem.
- The arm includes a lock for selectively locking and unlocking the pivot between the mounting member and the first end of the arm. In the preferred embodiment, the lock is in the form of a hydraulically operating disc brake. The lock includes a control for selectively engaging and disengaging the lock, and the control is operated from a location at the second end of the arm. Accordingly, an operator can use his hand to grasp a handle at the second end of the arm and use the thumb of that hand to operate the control to disengage the lock. The operator can then manually manipulate the second end of the arm until the valve operating machine is over a shaft leading to a valve stem. Once the machine is properly positioned, the operator can release the thumb operated control to engage the lock thereby retaining the arm in a rigid position over the shaft to the valve.
- In another embodiment of the device, a second arm is provided between the second end of the first arm and the valve operating machine. In this embodiment, a second pivot is provided between the second end of the first arm and the first end of the second arm with the second pivot also rotatable only about a vertical axis such that the free end of the second arm is also moveable through a plane parallel to the underlying ground. The second arm is also made with sufficient strength and rigidity such that the second end of the second arm will retain the valve turning machine against the forces of gravity and the forces generated from the machine when it applies torque to the valve stem.
- A better and more complete understanding of the invention will be had after a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a valve turning machine mounted on a vehicle in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the arm and valve operating machine mounted on the truck shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary isomeric view of the arm shown inFIG. 2 depicting the arm mounting and the first pivot thereof; -
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the arm shown inFIG. 2 showing the inner parts of the two pivots; -
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the second end of the second arm showing the valve operating machine and its controls; and -
FIG. 5A is an elevational view of an electronic controller; and -
FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of the hydraulics for operating the arm shown inFIG. 2 . - Referring to
FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6 , avehicle 10 is fitted with an elongatevalve operating device 12. Thevalve operating device 12 has a mountingportion 14 and an arm. The arm consists of afirst arm portion 16 having afirst end 18 pivotally attached to the mountingportion 14 by afirst pivot 20 and a second end 22 attached by asecond pivot 24 to a first end of thefirst section 26 of a second arm portion. The second arm portion is telescopically extendible and therefore thefirst section 26 thereof is a generally hollow tubular member with a rectangular cross-section, the first end of which is attached to thesecond pivot 24 and the second end of which telescopically receives the first end of asecond section 30. Thesecond section 30 has a generally rectangular cross-section with outer dimensions a little smaller than the inner dimensions of thefirst section 26 such that thesecond section 30 will not rotate axially with respect to thefirst section 26. Rigidly attached to the distal end of thesecond section 30 is avalve turning machine 32. Anadjustable screw 33 with anenlarged head 35 in the shape of a handle is threaded into a complementarily threaded hole, not numbered, in the wall of thefirst end section 26 and against the surface of thesecond section 30. When thescrew 33 is tightened against thesecond section 30, the first andsecond sections screw 33 is loosened, thesecond section 30 is longitudinally moveable with respect to thefirst section 26. - The
valve turning machine 32 includes ahydraulic motor 34 and anelectronic controller 36 which may be detachable from the body of themachine 32 but communicate with the machine either through a wire, not shown, or by wireless technology. Thecontroller 36 includes a microprocessor having a memory for storing information about thevalve 37 to be controlled such as the rotational direction for opening thevalve 37, the number of turns to move the valve from fully closed to fully open position, the maximum torque that can be applied to the stem, the current position, open or closed, of the valve, and the date on which it was last exercised. Using information in the memory plus input from an operator, the controller operates a sequence of valves 133, 135 in a manifold 38 to direct hydraulic fluid from a pump 40 (shown only schematically inFIG. 6 ) through a plurality ofhoses 41, 43 (also shown only inFIG. 6 ) to operate themotor 34 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Themotor 34 drives arectangular sleeve 42 on themachine 32 into which is inserted an elongate key 44, the lower end of which fits over a polygon shaped stem, not shown, of a valve for rotating the valve. Thevalve turning machine 32 is the type known in the art and such a machine is described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,996, which is incorporated herein by reference. - Referring to
FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 6 , the mountingportion 14 includes a mountingplate 46 with a plurality of mountingholes 47 therein for attachment to a stable part of avehicle 10, such as thetruck bed 48, which remains generally parallel to the level of theunderlying ground 50. The mountingportion 14 also includes apedestal 52 extending vertically from the mountingplate 46, the upper end of which defines a vertical axis around which thefirst pivot 20 rotates. Thefirst pivot 20 includes a pair ofbearings pedestal 52 and the outer races of which are rigidly retained in tubular mountingcup 57 at thefirst end 18 of the first arm. The second end of thefirst arm portion 16 will therefore rotate through a plane that is perpendicular to thepedestal 52 and parallel to thebed 48 of thevehicle 10 and parallel to theunderlying ground 50. - Positioned below the
bearings pedestal 52 is a generally planar horizontalfirst brake disc 58. Attached to thefirst end 18 of thefirst arm portion 16 by a pair ofbrackets brake calipers brake disc 58 on slide pins 61-61. Each of thebrake calipers brake disc 58. Thecalipers brake disc 58. Upon operation of thecalipers brake disc 58 and simultaneously drawing the lower pads 70, 72 against the lower surface thereof to lock thefirst arm portion 16 in a fixed orientation with respect to the mountingportion 14 and thevehicle 10. - Extending vertically upward from the first end of the first and
second sections second sections second pedestal 74, the upper end of which serves as the axis of rotation for thesecond pivot 24. The inner races of a second pair ofbearings second pedestal 74 and the outer race is received within atubular mounting cup 78 welded to the second end 22 of thefirst arm portion 16. The mountingcup 78 retains the axis of rotation of thesecond bearing second pedestal 74 parallel to the axis of rotation of the first set ofbearings first pedestal 52. Accordingly, the first andsecond arm sections second pedestal 74 with the length thereof parallel to thebed 48 such that with the outer end thereof moving in a plane parallel to thebed 48 of thevehicle 10 and parallel to theunderlying ground 50. It should be appreciated that the distal end of the second end always moves within the same plane regardless of whether the movement occurs as a result of rotation of thefirst pivot 20, thesecond pivot 24, or the longitudinal extension or retraction of the first andsecond sections second section 30 into or out of thefirst section 26. Fitted around the circumference of thesecond pedestal 74 is asecond brake disc 80 and attached to the first end of thefirst section 26 is a second pair ofcalipers - Extending downwardly from a second pair of brackets welded to the second end 22 of the first arm portion 16 (one
bracket 79 is visible inFIG. 2 ) are a pair of slide pins 81-81. Slidably mounted on each pair of slide pins 81-81, so as to float above thebrake disc 80, is a second pair ofcalipers calipers calipers pistons second disc brake 80. Thesecond calipers second brake disc 80, one opposite each of the upper pads. Upon actuation of the second pair ofcalipers disc brake 80 and draw the lower pads against the lower surface thereby locking thefirst section 26 in a fixed orientation with respect to thefirst arm portion 16. - The two sets of
bearings second section 30 is only moveable within a plane parallel to theunderlying ground 50, and allow the arm to be manipulated by an operator using only one hand while the twobrake assemblies - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , the pistons 66-69, 84-87 of the first and second pairs ofcalipers pump 40 through ahydraulic supply line 96 connected to acontrol valve 98. Arelease valve 100 retains or releases hydraulic pressure from the pistons. When thecontrol valve 98 is opened, hydraulic pressure generated by thepump 40 will actuate the pistons 66-69, 84-87 in bothcalipers first arm portion 16 in a fixed orientation with thevehicle 10 and theunderlying ground 50 and locking thefirst section 26 in a fixed orientation with respect to thefirst arm portion 16. When the pressure is released by therelease valve 100, the pads of thecalipers first arm portion 16 will be free to rotate about thefirst pedestal 52 and thefirst arm portion 26 will be free to rotate about thesecond pedestal 74. - An important feature of the invention is the provision of a
handle 102 positioned at the outer end of thevalve turning machine 32 where it is easily grasped by an operator. At the distal end of thehandle 102 is acontrol button 104 for avalve control 105. When thebutton 104 on thehandle 102 is depressed, thevalve control 105 operates thevalve 98 and therelease valve 100 to release hydraulic pressure from the two sets ofcalipers 60. 62, 82, 83 thereby releasing the brakes. Conversely, when thebutton 104 is not depressed, thecontrol valve 98 andrelease valve 100 are configured to apply hydraulic pressure to thecalipers 60. 62, 82, 83 to thereby lock thefirst arm portion 16 in its desired orientation. - Although the
control button 104 is described as being at the end of thehandle 102, it should be appreciated that the intent is to have the actuation device located where it is convenient to the operator as he manipulates thefirst arm portion 16 and thesections actuator 106 for operating thecontrol 105 on theelectronic control 36. Theactuator 106 may be in addition to thecontrol button 104 on thehandle 102, or in substitution therefore. - Another important feature of the invention is that the mounting
portion 14, thefirst arm portion 16 and thefirst section 26, and the first andsecond pivots valve turning machine 32 within a plane of movement defined by thefirst section 26. Specifically, the elongate parts are made sufficiently strong and the bearings of the pivots are sufficiently large and rigid enough to hold thevalve turning machine 32 at a fixed elevation in opposition to the forces of gravity applied by virtue of the weight of thevalve operating machine 32 and in opposition to the vertical forces incurred as thevalve operating machine 32 applies torque to a valve stem. Accordingly, an operator will not be required to use his own body to retain thevalve operating machine 32 against the forces that shake and throw thevalve operating machine 32 when torque is applied to avalve 37. - An operator using a
vehicle 10 fitted with avalve operating device 12 in accordance with the present invention, will drive thevehicle 10 to a position near anunderlying valve 37. Once thevehicle 10 is properly positioned, the operator can grasp thehandle 102 with one hand, compress thebutton 104 with the thumb of that hand, and using the same hand manipulate the distal end of thesecond section 30 until it is positioned immediately above thevalve 37 to be exercised. - When the arm is properly positioned above a valve stem, the operator can release his grip on the
button 104 thereby causing thecontrol valve 98 andrelease valve 100 to allow hydraulic pressure to be applied to thecalipers first arm portion 16 and thesections arm portion 16 and thesections sleeve 42 of thevalve turning machine 32 with distal end thereof fitted over the stem of the valve. Once the key 44 is attached to the valve the operator can then use the hand heldelectronic controller 36 to operate thevalve turning machine 32 to exercise the underlying valve without requiring the operator to touch themachine 32 while it is operating. The operator, therefore, does not have to use his body weight to retain themachine 32 against the forces generated as torque is applied to the valve as is the case with machines mounted on prior art manipulating arms. - After the
valve 37 has been fully exercised, the operator can remove the key 44 from the valve stem and thesleeve 42 thereby disconnecting thevalve operating machine 32 from thevalve 37. The operator can then again grasp thehandle 102 and depress thebutton 104 causing thecontrol valve 98 andrelease valve 100 to release hydraulic pressure to thecalipers valve operating device 12 and fold it against the side of thevehicle 10 for transporting to another site. - While the present invention has been described with respect to a single embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore the intent of the appended claims to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (19)
1. A valve operating device, comprising:
a mounting configured to retain the device to a vehicle;
a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arm is attached to the mounting at a first pivot, wherein the first arm is rotatable about a first axis at the first pivot;
a second arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second arm is attached to the second end of the first arm at a second pivot, wherein the second arm is rotatable about a second axis at the second pivot;
a valve turning machine attached to the second end of the second arm;
a first brake at the first pivot configured to selectively lock and unlock the first arm from rotating about the first axis;
a second brake at the second pivot configured to selectively lock and unlock the second arm from rotating about the second axis; and
a control configured to control application and release of at least one of the first brake and the second brake, wherein the first arm is locked from rotating about the first axis with the first brake applied and the first arm is manually rotatable about the first axis while the first brake is released, wherein the second arm is locked from rotating about the second axis with the second brake applied and the second arm is manually rotatable about the second axis while the second brake is released, and wherein the control is positioned remote from the first brake and the second brake.
2. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the first brake is a first hydraulic brake and the second brake is a second hydraulic brake.
3. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the valve turning machine includes a motor and a handle, and wherein the handle is positioned at an outer end of the valve turning machine.
4. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the valve turning machine includes a motor and a handle, and wherein the motor is disposed between the second end of the second arm and the handle.
5. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm is longitudinally extendable.
6. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the valve turning machine comprises a hydraulic motor.
7. The valve operating device of claim 6 , further comprising a hydraulic pump, a manifold, and at least one valve in the manifold to direct hydraulic fluid from the pump through at least one hose to operate the hydraulic motor.
8. The valve operating device of claim 7 , wherein the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the first brake and the second brake to selectively direct hydraulic fluid to the first brake and the second brake.
9. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the first brake is a first hydraulic brake and the second brake is a second hydraulic brake, the valve operating device further comprising a hydraulic pump, a manifold, and at least one valve in the manifold to direct hydraulic fluid to the first hydraulic brake and the second hydraulic.
10. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the mounting includes a mounting plate configured to engage the vehicle.
11. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the control is positioned on the valve turning machine.
12. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the control is selectively detachable from the valve turning machine.
13. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are hollow and tubular along at least a portion thereof.
14. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first arm is rectangular in cross-section, and wherein at least a portion of the second arm is rectangular in cross-section.
15. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the control is in communication with the valve turning machine through a wire.
16. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the control is in wireless communication with the valve turning machine.
17. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the control includes a microprocessor and memory, wherein the memory is configured to store information pertaining to operation of the valve operating device.
18. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the first axis is a first vertical axis and the second axis is a second vertical axis.
19. The valve operating device of claim 18 , wherein the first vertical axis and the second vertical axis are substantially parallel to each other.
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US16/904,671 US20200318755A1 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2020-06-18 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
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US12/111,423 US8025078B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2008-04-29 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US13/212,499 US8387664B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2011-08-18 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US13/607,423 US9038667B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2012-09-07 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US14/717,231 US10156298B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2015-05-20 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US16/186,881 US10704708B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2018-11-12 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US16/904,671 US20200318755A1 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2020-06-18 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
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US16/186,881 Continuation US10704708B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2018-11-12 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
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US13/212,499 Active US8387664B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2011-08-18 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US13/607,423 Active 2028-09-16 US9038667B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2012-09-07 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US14/717,103 Active US9188240B1 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2015-05-20 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US14/717,231 Active US10156298B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2015-05-20 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US15/077,446 Active US9523443B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2016-03-22 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US16/186,881 Active US10704708B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2018-11-12 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US16/904,671 Abandoned US20200318755A1 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2020-06-18 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
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US13/212,499 Active US8387664B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2011-08-18 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US13/607,423 Active 2028-09-16 US9038667B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2012-09-07 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US14/717,103 Active US9188240B1 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2015-05-20 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US14/717,231 Active US10156298B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2015-05-20 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US15/077,446 Active US9523443B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2016-03-22 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
US16/186,881 Active US10704708B2 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2018-11-12 | Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine |
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-
2008
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2011
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US20150323095A1 (en) | 2015-11-12 |
US9038667B2 (en) | 2015-05-26 |
US20120326068A1 (en) | 2012-12-27 |
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