US2171942A

US2171942A - Apparatus for fluid control

Info

Publication number: US2171942A
Application number: US156795A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank H Mueller
Original assignee: Mueller Co
Current assignee: Mueller Co
Priority date: 1937-07-31
Filing date: 1937-07-31
Publication date: 1939-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1956-09-05

Description

Sept. 5, 1939. F. HA MUELLER 2,171,942

APPARATUS FOR FLUID -CONTROL Filed .July s1, 19s? s sheets-sheet 1 ,0 5 7 Z J B 0 M w a ok @am #Magma Sept- 5, 1939. F. H.' MUELLER 2,171,942

APPARATUS FOR FLUID CONTROL Filed July 51, 193':` s sheets-sheet 2 Sept. 5, 1939.

F. H. MUELLER Filed July 3l, 1937 APPARATUS FOR FLUID CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 glwuowtm Fran/(5 Muelle/1 Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE Frank H. Mueller, Decatur,

Ill., assigner to Mueller Co., Decatur, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 31, 1937, Serial No. 156,795

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for the control of fluid in a conduit which is to be repaired or in part replaced without substantial loss of iluid or fluid pressure therefrom, and in the case of a flowing conduit, without interruption of now. The invention relates more particularly to method and means for evacuating the section to be operated on of the uid contained therein, for subsequently purging of air the repaired or replaced section and reestablishing line pressure therein, and for carrying out the various maneuvers without substantial dilution of the conduit liuid with air.

Suitable apparatus for accomplishing these various ends is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a typical set-up with some parts in section and others in elevation,

Figure 2 is an enlargement of the showing at 20 the lower right of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a plan View, enlarged, of a valve plug appearing in the preceding gures,

Figure y5 shows on an enlarged scale, the valve stern coupling appearing in Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 6 is anY elevation of the plug of Figure 4f,l

Figure 7 is an elevation of the same plug, but taken from the opposite side,

Figure 8 is an axial section of another form of plug, and

Figure 9 is a section` substantially on line 9,-9 of Figure 8.

In the set-up shown in Figure 1, it is contemplated that a gas main I0, with flow therein in the direction of the arrow, is to be repaired or replaced in the section indicated by the bracket I I, and that in any event the nature of the operation is such that flow through the section I I must be ,j interrupted, although flow must be maintained from one side of the section to the other. Under these circumstances, two units I2 and I3 are installed, one at each side of section II and connected-by a by-pass conduit I4. The general system is fully described in my copending application Serial No. 190,780, led September 14, 1936, and, accordingly, it will 'be unnecessary, in the present case, to go into great detail as to matters fully explained in the said application.

The units i2 and I 3 may be, and, as here shown, are, of identical construction so that description of one will suffice. Particular reference will be had to unit i3, which, in part, appears in Figure 2 as well as in Figure 1.

As here contemplated, the conduit I0 has fixed thereto a tting comprising upper and lower portions I5 and I6, which are secured to the main in coaxial relation, preferably by welding. A valve housing Il, carrying a gate valve I8 which may be projected across the chamber il', is fixed to the top of tting portion I5. In the manner described in my above-mentioned application, an enclosed drilling apparatus has been temporarily securedto the top of the housing il and holes i9 and I9 have been cut in the pipe. Upon removal of the drilling apparatus, a barrel 2S with chamber 20 is secured to the top of the housing Il, the barrel 20 being topped by a cap 2I having an upwardly projecting externally threaded tubular extension 22, through which extends a tubular valve stem portion ,23, suitable packing being provided to prevent leakage around the said stem portion so'tha'tthe housing unit constituted by the tting I5, I6, the valve casing I 'I and the barrel 23 is fluid-tight.

Adjacent its upper end the stern portion 23 has secured thereon, at least against relative downward movement, an abutment collar 2e. The collar 24 :supportsa ball bearing assembly 25 which is in turnsurmounted by a double flanged collar 26 Vwhichvisv rotatable relative Ato the stem portion. Above the collar 26 is a spacer collar 2l against the top of which bears the hub of a hand Vwheel 28 which is secured by a pin 29 against rotation relative to the stem. A valve housing 30`is threaded on the upper endv of the stem portion and carries a rotary plug SI which is adapted to open or close the valve passage. The upper end ofthe housing 3l) is, threaded to receive a hose coupling 32 to" which is connected a hose length 33 havingl at its other end a coupling 34;

The stem portion 23 may be raised and lowered and turned by appropriate manipulation of the hand wheel 28, but since for some operations considerable force is required to raise or lower it, suitable devices are provided for imparting powerful thrustv to it through the anged sleeve 26. For this purpose a nutr35- is threaded on the extension 22 and has pivoted thereto through the diametrically opposedhandles 3&3k andv 3l a yoke 38 whose cross portion 4is recessed and is swingable to the'upwardlyextending position shown inFigure 1 so that the recess receives the intermediateportion of the sleeve 26, the relation being such that upon upward or downward movement of the yoke induced by rotation of nut 35 the' margins of 'the cross portion recess will engage the upperor lower flange of the sleeve 2t to raise or lower the stem portion. At the sides orthe recess the' cross portion of the yoke is proi vided with projecting lugs 39 and 40 which are pierced to receive a pin so that accidental swinging of the yoke away from sleeve 26 is prevented. Downward movement of the yoke is efliciently transmitted through the ball bearing assembly 25.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5 as well as to Figure l, the lower end of the stem portion 23 is united by a coupling generally indicated at 4I with a valve plug generally indicated at 42. The lower reduced end of the stem portion is snugly received in the bore of a substantially cylindrical coupling member 43 and is securely welded to the latter. Member 43 has a socket portion 44 threaded with left hand threads and an enlarged coaxial socket portion threaded with right hand threads for the purposes described in my abovementioned priorapplication. A cylindrical shell 46 freely receives member 43 and has a top inner annular flange 4l bearing against the top marginal portion of the said member. The skirt of shell 46 extends below the lower edge of member 43 when flange 4T abuts the top of the latter and its lower portion is provided with internal threads which are adapted to engage threads formed on the terminal iiange 48 of the neck portion 49 of a cap 50 constituting a part of the plug 42. The plug 42 and its details are particularly shown in Figures 2 to '7 to which reference will now be made.

Extending downwardly through the neck 49 is a tubular stem portion 5I which has a head 52 normally resting on top of ilange 48. The head 52 is of smaller diameter than the flange and in its lower portion has formed therein

recesses

53 and 54 which receive the inner portions of upwardly projecting lugs 55 and `56 formed on top of flange 48, the lugs being positioned on the iiange as particularly shown in Figure 4. Relative rotation of cap 50 and stem portion 5I is thus prevented, although relative sliding is permitted.

Coupling member 43 'has notches 5-1 and 58 (Figure 5) in its lower edge .adapted to receive the outer portions of lugs 55 and .56 and when the lugs are engaged in the notches, Aas shown most clearly in Figure 2, rotative movement .ofstem portion 23 may be positively imparted to cap 50 and stem Aportion 5I to adjust the plug 42.

Below cap 5,9 a generally cylindrical valve body 59 of compressible material such as rubber is strung on the stem portion 5I and retained by a lower cap 60 which is held on the lower end 4of stem portion 5I by va cap screw 6I threaded in the bottom of the latter.. ,Y

Medially the body 59 is ,provided with a transverse through opening complementary to a pair of

ttings

62 and 63. Fitting 62 has a vertical bore 64 slidably receiving stem portion 5I and Yis provided with a communicating counterbore 65 merging outwardly into amouth 66. Stem portion 5l is provided with van elongated opening ..61 which is in at least partial register with opening 65 at all times, the normal relation of the openings beingvshown in Figure 2.

Fitting 63 is secured by "screws to the fitting 62. It has an upper wall portion .68 inclined inwardly to merge into the bottom of al recess 69, of arcuate cross section, formed in the body 59 thereabove. Fitting 63 also has an outwardly projecting peripheral flange .'II) interrupted at the bottom of the recess 69 and further has a iin 'II in the plane of the plug axis providing an outer vertical guiding edge. Both fittings are within the projection of the body 59.

The cap 50 has a recess 'I2V above recess 69 providing a continuation of the latter. Furthermore, as here shown the cap has a lower peripheral flange inwardly bevelled to receive the bevelled end of the body 59. 'Ihe cap 66 similarly receives the lower end of body 59 and below tting 63 has an elongated flange portion T3.

Figure 5 shows the stem portion 23 as about to be coupled with the stem portion 5I and flange 48 of neck 49. Figure 2 shows the coupling as having been completed through engagement of shell 46 with flange 48. Member 43 bears against the top flange 48 and is locked to the latter and to stem portion 5| trhough the

lugs

55 and 56. In order to insure a fluid tight joint between the stem portions, a compressible gasket 'I4 may be interposed between the top of head 52 and the shoulder which exists at the lower end of socket portion `44.

Referring particularly to Figure 2, the plug 42 is shown as having been lowered through the openings I9 and I9 to bring cap 60 into abutment with the shoulder I6' of the tting portion I6. The tting 62 is faced into the section II which is to be repaired or replaced or otherwise operated on and fitting 63 is faced into the down stream side of the main I0. The upper edge of flange 'i3 projects into the opening I9 and, as here shown, somewhat thereabove, while the n l extends substantially above the opening I9. If downward pressure is now exerted on stem portion 23 through operation of the

pressure applying mechanism

35, 38, cap 50 and stem portion 5I will be moved downwardly relative to cap 60 so that longitudinal compression is exerted on body 59 and the latter is expanded to be seated transversely of the main and to the left against the adjacent edges of the .openings I9 and I9 whereby the main is plugged and the section to be repaired is shut oi from the downstream side of the main. However, flow can .occur between the latter and the unit vcasing and flow may .occur between section I I and the hollow valve stem as controlled by the valve plug 3|. In compressing the valve body stem portion 5I has been moved downwardly somewhat relative to ttings 62 and 63 and cap 65 but capacity ow through opening 65 is stillpossible due to the .elongation of opening 61. The body 59 is compressed both above and below ttings 62 and 63 so that the latter will themselves have been moved downwardly to some extent, but the upper end of fin 1I is still in front of the edge of opening I9 and prevents undue displacement of the plug to the right.

No seal is desired at the right hand side of the plug (Figure 2) and consequently flow of the rubber longitudinally of the main should be predominantly to the left where the seal is to be made. Fitting 63 serves to impede flow of the rubber in its direction and enables higher pressures to be stopped 01T than with a solid rubber plug. The end flange 'I3 prevents the rubber on the right hand side of the plug from engaging the sharp edge of the opening I9 and thus the lift of the plug body is increased. Furthermore, ilange 'I3 serves to restrain flow o-f the rubber and exerts a wedging action so that flow in the lower portion of the plug and longitudinally of the main is predominantly to the left. Also with the use of the fitting 63 the rubber is of smaller volume and therefore more economical to replace and the support which the fitting provides permits a much larger by-pass area 69 than in the solid type of plug.

- The unit I2 (Figure 1) is Oppositely disposed in the main as compared to the unit I3 so that the section Il is in communication through the fittings 62 with both of the valve stem passages while the chamber of unit I2 is in communication with the upstream side of the line through recess 89. The barrels of the two units are connected by the by-pass conduit I4 and three-way valves 'I5 and I6 are interposed in the conduit I4 adjacent their respective barrels. Valve 'I5 has a nipple I'I engageable by the hose coupling 34 for connection with the hollow stem of unit I2 while valve 'I6 has a similar nipple 'I8 for engagement by the coupling 34 of the other hose section so as to be connectible with the hollow valve stem of the other unit I3.

After the line has been pierced within the fittings I5, I6 the gate valves I8 are closed so that the drill housing can be removed and replaced by the barrels 20 in which the plugs are disposed. Flow at this time is through section II. The system as set up is full of air and to avoid dilution of the fluid in the main a desirable preliminary step is the purging of the air from the system.

To accomplish this, valves 'I5 and "I5 in the bypass conduit are each turned 180 from the posi tion illustrated so that flow through the nipple 'il is prevented and flow through the nipple 'I3 is permitted. Hereupon, valves 30 being closed, the gate valve of unit I2 is somewhat opened so that gas can flow through the associated chamber 2S and the conduit I4 up to and out of the nipple I8, driving the air before it. In order that any escaping gas may be carried away -to a safe place, the hose 33 of unit I3 may be coupled with the nipple 'I8 and uncoupled from the valve 32. To purge the unit I3, valve 'I5 may be now turned in a counterclockwise direction 90 from the position shown and the gate valve I8 of the unit i3 slightly opened to permit iiow from the main through chamber 20 and out through nipple 78. Since the gate valve is seated upwardly with considerable force by reason of the pressure in the main, the last described purging operation may be more conveniently carried out by turning the by-pass valve 'I9 (Figure 2) to the position shown so that fluid from the main can flow through the opening 80 in the bottom wall of the hollow gate valve I8, out of the open inner end of the gate valve, and through the by-pass conduit 8l to the chamber 20.

Or, more simply still, entire purging of the system can be effected by turning the valves 'I5 and 'I6 to the positions first described above and turning the plug I9 90 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 2 so that the upper part of the by-pass 8l is connected with the outlet 82. This latter practice, however, is somewhat objectionable in that there will be some escape of gas through outlet 82 in the vicinity of the workmen as the gas follows the air out at the conclusion of the purging operation.

The by-pass conduit may now be placed in operation to the exclusion of section II by opening both valves I8 and pushing the plugs 42 to their lowermost positions and expanding them as above described. Valve I6 is in the position shown in Figure 1, and the valve l5 has been turned 180 from the position shown in Figure 1 so that the flow takes place upwardly through the chamber of unit I2, across conduit I4 and downwardly through the chamber of unit I3 to the downstream side of the main I0.

Section II may now be cut into Without loss of uid from the main. The section II however,

is assumed to be full of gas, although dead, and the escape of gas from the same upon cutting into it, especially with an acetylene torch, is apt to produce a dangerous situation. Consequently it is desirable that the gas be driven from section II before operations are commenced thereon. To accomplish this it is merely necessary that both couplings 34 be disengaged and valves 30 opened, permitting the gas to rise through the hollow stems and to be led away through the hoses. To complete the evacuation of section I I, air may be blown thr-ough one hose to displace the gas through the other. Section II may now be operated on without danger of resultant explosion.

When the operations on section II have been completed it remains lled with air which upon restoration of the section to ow would dilute the gas in the main. Consequently it is desirable to purge the air from the said section prior to its restoration of service. With the parts adjusted as shown in Figure 1, to accomplish this, it is only necessary to open both valves 30 so that gas ows downwardly through the hollow stem of unit I2 displacing the air from section II upwardly through the hollow stem of unit I3 and out through the associated hose 33. The end of the latter may be placed in a bucket of soap suds and a test can be made to determine when section II been completely purged of air.

When this has been accomplished, the valve 30 of unit I3 is closed, causing pressure to build up in section I i until it is equal to the pressure in the line. When the pressure has thus been equalized, it is only necessary to raise the plugs above the gate valves, close the latter and then plug the upper fitting portions I5 in the manner described in my above-mentioned prior application.

In the modified form of plug shown in Figures 8 and 9, the fitting 83 corresponds in function and disposition with the fitting 62 previously described. 'Ihe caps 84 and 85 on their sides opposite tting B3 are outwardly inclined toward each other, as at 83 and 3l, and terminate in lips 88, 89, the caps being substantially circular in projection. It will be evident that upon movement of cap 84 toward cap 85 the wedging effect of the right hand portions of the caps will cause predominant expansion of the compressible plug body 90 to the left. A by-pass recess exists above portion 86 of cap 84 and a fin 9| rises from the latter and has the same function as the fin 'II previously described.

The plugs per se and in their direct combination of elements are covered in a divisional application Serial No, 200,000, filed April 4, 1938,

While I have described specific apparatus and various uses thereof, it will be understood that the apparatus may be Varied from that disclosed herein in details of form and arrangement, and that uses of the apparatus are not confined to those described. The invention is not to be considered as limited beyond what is explicitly set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for use in Icy-passing uid around a section of a pipe line comprising ttings adapted to enclose the pipe at either side of said section, each of said fittings having an open cylindrical portion extending outwardly from the pipe so that openings may be made in the pipe and within the ttings, members insertable through the open cylindricall portion of the fitting and into the pipe and adapted to prevent ow of uid into said section and to permit ilow of uid 35 between the Iopen cylindrical portions of the tting and the remainder of the pipe, a conduit adapted to connect the respective open cylindrical portions of the fittings, and a controllable connection between the pipe line and the section whereby uid from the pipe line may be admitted to the section to displace the air from the latter, there being a vent for the displaced air.

2. An apparatus for use in by-passing fluid around a section of a pipe line comprising fittings adapted to enclose the pipe at either side of said section, each of said fittings having an open cylindrical portion extending outwardly from the pipe so that openings may be made in the pipe and within the fittings, expansible members insertable through the open cylindrical portion of the fitting and into the pipe and adapted to be expanded to prevent flow of fluid into said section and having passageways therein to permit flow of uid between the open cylindrical portions of the fitting and the remainder of the pipe, a conduit adapted to connect the respective open cylindrical portions of the ttings, and a controllable connection between the pipe line and the section whereby uid from the pipe line may be admitted to the section to displace the air from the latter, there being a vent for lthe displaced air.

3. An apparatus for use in by-passing fluid around a section of a pipe line comprising fittings adapted to enclose the pipe at either side of said section, each of said fittings having an open cylindrical portion extending outwardly from the pipe so that openings may be made in the pipe and within the fittings, members insertable through the open cylindrical portion of the fitting and into the pipe and adapted to prevent flow of fluid into said :section and to permit flow of ud between the open ycylindrical portions of the fitting and the remainder of the pipe, a conduit adapted to connect the respective open cylindrical portions of the fittings, at least one of said members having a hollow operating stem secured thereto and an opening in its side placing one end of the hollow stem in communication with the said section, a valved opening in said conduit and a connection between the valved opening and the other end of the hollow stem whereby connection may be established between the conduit and the section to permit iiow of uid into the latter.

4. An apparatus for use in by-passing fluid around a section of a pipe line comprising fittings adapted to enclose the pipe at either side of said section, each of said fittings having an open cylindrical portion extending outwardly from the pipe so that openings may be made in the pipe and Within the ttings, members insertable through the open cylindrical portion of the fitting and into the pipe and adapted to prevent flow of fluid into said section and to permit flow of uid between the open cylindrical portions of the fitting and the remainder of the pipe, a conduit adapted to connect the respective open cylindrical portions of the fittings, both of said members having hollow operating stems secured thereto and openings in the adjacent sides of said members placing the lower ends vof said -hollowstems in communication with said section, whereby fluid may be purged from the section by injecting a different uid into the upper end of one of the hollow stems and permitting it to fiow out of the upper end of the other hollow stem.

FRANK H. MUELLER. 5