US2386893A

US2386893A - Line blind

Info

Publication number: US2386893A
Application number: US439851A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leland S Hamer
Original assignee: PAUL A DEWHLRST
Current assignee: PAUL A DEWHLRST
Priority date: 1942-04-21
Filing date: 1942-04-21
Publication date: 1945-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 1962-10-16

Description

Oef. 16, 1945. 1 HAMER 21,386,893

LINE BLIND Filed April 21, 19.42

A172g. 3. a

f1 @ma 3 H/ly Afro/wey ,estema est. is, 194s y LiNEBLmn Leland s. Hamer, Long Besen, cani., assigner si trgourth to Paul A. Dewhirst, Los Angeles,

Application April 2i, 1942, Serial No. 39,851

e claims. (ci. esi-161i This invenon relates to pipe line equipment and relates more particularly to line blinds or blinding H or closing pipe lines. etc. A general object of this invention is to provide a simple practical and eiective line blind in which the blind plate may be easily and quickly installed, removed or reversed.

Another object of this invention is to provide improvements oi the general type of line blind disclosed in Patent No. 2,271,138 granted to me January 27, 1942.

Another object oi this invention is to .provide a line blind of the character referred to, embodying novel, readily retractible means for clamping the plate in position to close ofi the'pipe, said means being retractible when loosened to allow the free introduction and removal of the plate. The two upper bolts, which serve to clamp the two body sections against the blind plate, maybe easily retracted or spread apart to positions where they permit the free introduction and removal oi the plate so that there is never any necessity for removing any of the bolts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a line blind of the character referred to in which the two upper bolts are automatically retracted upon withdrawing or inserting the blind plate as the case may be. The blind plate and the upper bolts are shaped and related so that movement oi the plate to or from its position between the ends of the body sections automatically pushes or cams the loosened upper bolts to retracted positions where they allow free passage of the plate.

Another object of this invention is .to provide a line blind of the character referred to embodying practical effective means for spreading the body sections to free the plate for removal or to condition the device for the ready insertion of the plate.

A further object of this invention is to provide a line blind of the character referred to which embodies only four nuts that require manipulation or use in the full operation of the line blind.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical, preferred form and application oi my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing,inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the line blind provided by this invention. Fig. 2 is an end view of the line blind showing the bar nuts. Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the line blind showing the blind plate in position duced transverse detailed sectional view ten substantially as indicated by line' s-d on 3.

The improved line blind oi! the present invention may be said to comprise. generally, two body sections A and B having telescopically related ein51 sagement, a plate is arranged between the seetions A andrB, means il for urging the sections together to releasably clamp the plate l@ between the sections, and spreader means l for spree; .w the sections A and B to facilitate the introduc tion and removal oi' the plate.

The two body sections A and B constitute assembly adapted to be installed or connected be tween the opposing adjacent ends of pipes P or other fluid handling parts. The sections A and B are simple members, preferably constructed to be easily and quickly secured to the adjacent ends of the pipes P. In practice the sections A and B may be constructed to be welded, bolted or screw threaded on the pipes. In the particular construction illustrated in the drawing the sections A and B are designed to be screw threaded on the pipes, each section having a central threaded opening or socket i3 for receiving the threaded end of its respective pipe P. The body sections A and B are complementary similar members resembling flanges.

The outer side of the section Ahas a boss or hub it in which the threaded opening it is formed and the inner side of the section A has a hub l5 of larger diameter. The inner hub it has a central longitudinal socket or opening it of larger diameter than the iiuid openings il of the sections A and B. The bottom or inner Wall I8 of the opening it forms an annular shoulder which lies in a plane transverse of the longitudinal axis of the device. A transverse or lateral opening or slot I9 is formed in the hub Ib and joins the opening I6. The lateral opening or slot I9 is provided to receive the plate ill. The width or transverse dimension of the opening I9 is at least equal to the diameter of the opening Il and the edge walls of the slot is may extend tangentially outwardly or upwardly from the wall of the opening it. The opening i9 vis open at the top of the hub i5 -to receive the plate Ill. The lateral opening i9 occurs at the inner end of the hub' I5 so that the above described wall Il is co-extensive with the inner side wall of the lateral opening la. A drain opening 20 is provided in the lower wall of the hub i5 and is normally closed by a threaded-in plug 2i The drain opening 2li provides for the draining of the iitting and the pipe line when the plate I0 is installed,

.between the body sections. Fig. 4 is s slightly re- 55 replaced or reversed.

The section B of the iitting may have a plain flat outer side or end. A boss or hub 22 is formed on the inner side oi the section B and projects into the opening Il of the hub I5. In practice the hub 22 nts the opening I6 with considerable clearance. The threaded socket I3' for the pipe P extends through the body of the section B and enters the hub 22, the opening I'I of the section B continuing inwardly to the inner end of the hub. The inner end of the hub 22 constitutes a flat annular surface 23 which is spaced from and parallel withthe wall I6. The wall I6 and the surface 23 are adapted to clamp against opposite Sides f the P1818 l0. as will be hereinafter described.

The invention preferably includes means for I slidably sealing/between the sections A and B to prevent the drainage or leakage of fluid from between the sections when the plate I6 is-being installed, replaced or reversed; An annular body or ring 24 oi' packing is set in a groove in a wall of theopening I6. The sealing ring 24 is spaced outwardly or away from the lateral opening I9 and the sealing ring projects inwardly from the wall of the opening I6 to seal with the periphery of the hub 22. Where -petroleum products are to be handled by the device, the sealing ring 24 may be formed of a synthetic rubber which will expand through contact with the iiuid to maintain an effective seal between the two body sections A and B.

The plate I6 is adapted to be engaged or clamped between the sections A and' B to blind on or close of! the pipe line. The plate In may comprise two joined or connected

portions

25 and 26. The two

plate portions

25 and 26 are generally disc-shaped and the p ortion 25 is closed or imperforate while the portion 26 has an orifice or opening 21. When the device is employed as aline blind -the opening 2'I is preferably of the same diameter as the opening II so that when the portion 26 is engaged between the sections A and B there is a free unrestricted fluid passage through the device. When the device or fitting is to be used as an oriiice meterfitting the orifice 21 may be considerably smaller than the openings I'I so that the plate portion 26 may operate as an orice plate. I'he

plate portions

25 and 26 are proportioned so that they may be readily passed into the lateral opening I6 to occupy a position between the wall I6 and the surface 23. The radius of curvature of the peripheries of the portions 25 and26 may be equal to or slightly less than the radius of the opening I6 so that the plate portions are effectively guided into position by the side or edge walls of the 4transverse opening I9 and so that the peripheral edges of the plate portions may bear on the bottom or inner wall of the opening I6 to centralise or locate 'the plate portions.

It is preferred to provide means for sealing between the opposite faces oi the plate I0 and the wall I6 and surface 23 of the sections A and B. In the case illustrated suitable gaskets 26 .are provided on the opposite sides of the plate portion 25 to seal with .the wall ,I8 and surface 23. It is to be understood that appropriate seallng means may be provided on the wall I6 and the surface 23 to seal with the opposing surfaces of the plate I6.

The means II serves to connect the body sections A and B and is operable to clamp the sections against the plate III to retain thevplate in the lateral opening I3 and to assuretight seals between the plate and the sections. jIn -accordlo ance with the invention the means II comprises a limited number o! spaced aligned or complementary lugs on the ilange sections A and B. The lugs occur on the peripheries of the flangelike sections A and B and are preferably integral parts oi the sections. In the preferred construction illustrated there are four substantially equally spaced lugs on each section A and B, namely, two lower lugs 30 and two upper lugs 3I.

l,The lower lugs 30 may be partially disc-shaped, y while the upper lugs 3I are inthe nature of upper corner portions of the flange sections A and B,

which corner portions may be generally angular.

.The` lower lugs 36 have aligned axial openings 32 forreceiving studs or bolts 33. In accordance with the invention the openings 32 are flat walled or polygonal and the bodies oiP the bolts 33 are correspondingly shaped to litY the openings. For example, the openings 32 may be hexagonal and the bodies of the bolts 33 may be hexagonal. The tlt or engagement of the bolts 33 in the openings 32 positively holds the bolts 33 against rotation. The opposite end portions of the bolts 33 are cylindrical and screw-threaded, and project beyond the outer faces oi the flange sections A and B.

The section connecting and Iplate clamping means II further includes slots 34 in the upper lugs 3i. The slots 34 are horizontal, that is, their long axes are normal to the longitudinal axlsof the lateral opening I6. The slots 34 have at parallel upper and lower Walls of substantial extent and the end walls of the slots 34 may each be defined by two converging walls 35. Stds or bolts 36 are passed through the aligned or complementary slots 34 of the two body sections A and B. The bolts 36 are nat sided and have fiat surfaces which cooperate with the longitudinal walls of the slots 34, this engagement serving to positively hold the bolts against rotation. In practice the bolts 36 may be the same as the bolts 33, that is. the bodies of the bolts 36 may be hexagonal. The upper and lower surfaces of the hexagonal bolt bodies slidably ride on the upper and lower walls of the elongat 'slots 34.

The hexagonal bolts 36 engaged in the slots 34, as just described, each has a dat face 31 sloping downwardly and inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the device and a flat face 36 sloping downwardly and outwardly. The facesV 31 on the sides of the two opposing bolts 36 may be engaged by the periphery

ofsa plate portion

25 or 26 when the same is being inserted in the opening I9 and this engagement may result in outward movement or spreading of the two bolts 36. The downwardly and outwardly pitched faces 36 of the bolts 36 may be engaged by the periphery of the

plate portion

25 or 26 when the latter is being withdrawn from the tting and this engagement may cani apart or spread the bolts 36. With the boltsjloose or free the engagement of the plate I6 with the

surfaces

31 or 33, as the case may be, effectively serves to automatically spread the bolts 36 to positions Where they permit the free entry or withdrawal of the Vplate I6. The slots 36 are suiilciently long to allow the bolts 36 to be moved to outer positions where they permit the free movement of the ,plate I6 into or out of the lateral opening I6.

'escasos a piste portion 2s cr as in the operative posities the bolts as may termites inwardly tothe in.

. K ner end portions of the slots 3l.

36. vThe nuts may be of typical or conventional character but it is preferred to provide what I will term a bar nut" 39 on one end of each bolt 33 and 3B'.4 The bar ynuts 39 each have two or more lcircumferentially spaced ears 39", and these ears 39'I have .lateral or tangential openings 4o for receiving a turning bar or rod.- In the case illustrated there are three ears 39 on each nut te. With the nuts 39 constructed in this man- '3 move the nuts It and the nuts maybe merely loosened or backed oil. when this has been done the spreading screws I2 may be rotatedto press against the bosses 44 to spread the sections A and B. This spreading of the sections A and B fully frees the 'plate I0 and the plate may lbe readily withdrawn from the lateral opening i9. In the event the upper studs or bolts 38 have not-been retracted or spread outwardly in their 1o Jslots 34 the upward withdrawal of the plate portion 28 from the opening I9 results in the automatic retraction of the studs.v The periphery of the plate portion 25' cooperates with the bolt suri faces-33 to movethe bolts outwardly to their nera lever turning bar maybe readily inserted in one of the openings 4l! with a nut in am rotative position. In the construction illustrated there is a bar nut 39 on oneend of each lbolt 3s and 36. The bar nuts se are shown on corresponding ends of the several bolts to cooperate with the plain outer side of the section B. Com.. mon or conventional nuts di may be threaded on the other ends of the bolts 33 ahd to cooperate with the outer face of the section A. The nuts ti may be threaded inwardly to selected positions with their inner faces in a common plane to engage the section A and maybe left in these positions indefinitely because it is unnecessary and, in fact, impossible to turn the bolts t3 and 3B when operating the device. It

will be apparent how rotation of the nuts t@ in the correct direction will cause the sections A and B to be urged together to tightly clamp the plate id between the sections.

The invention may further include me if for spreading the sections A and-B to facilitate the free removal, reversal and insertion of the plate iii. There are preferably two diametrically opposite spreading means i2. In tne case illustrated the spreading means i2 are located at the opposite sides of the line blind. Each means i2 includes a spreader screw t2 threaded through an opening is in the ange portion of the section B. The inner end of each screw t2 reacts or bears against a lugor boss 4t on the inner side of the section A 'I'he portion of the screw d2 between the sections A and B is preferably polygonal for engagement by a wrench. It will be seen that by rotating the screw 42, in the correct direction the screw presses against the boss tt to spread or exert a spreading force on the sections A and B. With the nuts 38 loosened the spreader screws 42 may be employed to shift the sections A and B away from one another to free the plate I for ready removal or to facilitate the easy insertion of the plate.` v

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the line blind provided by this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. With the plate portion disposed in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, and with the nuts 38 tightened against the section B the plate is securely held between the two sections and the pipe line is completely closed off. The gaskets 28 tightly compressed between the surfaces of the plate I0 and the opposing wall IE and surface 23 assure fluid tight seals at opposite sides of the plate. W'hen it is desired to remove the plate i0 or to reverse the plate to permit a free flow of uid through the pipe line the bar nuts 39 are backed oil. This is readily accomplished by merely inserting the end portion of a bar in the openings 40 and exerting a turnretracted positions so that the plate portion 25 may be freely removed. With the plate lo withdrawn from the line blind the packing 24 prevents fluid from draining or leaking from. the line and thus eliminates dangerous flre hazards where inammable uids are handled.

When lthe plate it is to be replaced, for example-when the plate portion 28 is to be clamped between the sections Aand B, the portion 26 is merely passed inwardly through the opening i9 to its position between the wall la and the surface 23. The plate portion 2d may be equipped with gaskets similar to the gaskets iid. The bolts te are in their retracted positions at the outer ends of the slots '8d and the plate portion 2t is free to pass in through the opening is. With the plate portion 2t engaged against the bottom wall ofthe opening is the bolts it are restored to their active positions at the inner ends of the slots se and the bar nuts t@ of the several bolts it and 38 are tightened against the section B. Prior to this the spreader screws i2 are retracted from the bosses it so that the clamping of the nuts it against the section B forces the sections A and B toward one another. This results in the wall it and the surface 2s tightly clamping against the plate portion 2t to secure the same in place and to assure fluid-tight seals.

It is to be observed that it is unnecessary to remove any nuts or bolts when installing, reversing or replacing the blind plate. The lower bolts 33 may always remain in position while the upper bolts 38 are either manually shifted between their active and retracted positions or automatically retracted upon insertion or removal of the plate and, in no case, is it necessary to withdraw any of the bolts. The line blind is fully operable by a minimum number of simplextools. A simple bar or rod is all that is required`to loosen and Having described only a typical preferred formV and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim :l

l. A :fitting of the character described compris'- ing two iiange sections having a nuid passage and having means for connecting with fluid conductors, telescopically related hubs on the inner sides of the'sections, the outer hub having a lateral opening and an internal seat, a. plate to b e inserted in the opening to extend across the passage, and means for urging the sections toward one another so that the plate is clamped between the seat and theinner endi of the inner hub, said means including clamp bolts circumferentially spaced around the assembly of sections, one or more of the bolts extending across the mouth of said opening preventing movement of the plate through the opening, the sections having openings for passing the bolts, those openings which pass said bolts which extend across the mouth of said lateral opening being in the form of slots the outer ends of which are beyond the path of the plate as it passes through the opening so that the bolts may be shifted in the slots to retracted positions at the outer ends of the slots where they do not interfere with the insertion or removal of the plate, and nuts screwed on the bolts;-

2. A fitting of the character deseribedgcomprising two flange sections having a fluid passage and having means for connecting with fluid conductors, telescopically related hubs on the inner sides ofthe sections, the outer hub having a lateral opening, a plate to be inserted in the opening to extend acrossthe passage, and means for urging the sections toward one another so that the plate is clamped between the seat and the inner` end of the inner hub, said means including clamp bolts circumferentially spaced around the assembly of sections and having polygonal intermediate portions, one or more of the bolts extending across the mouth of said opening, the sections having spaced polygonal openings receiving the polygonal portions of the bolts, the engagement of the polygonal bolts in the polygonal openings holding the bolts against rotation, and nuts threaded on the bolts to cooperate with the sections, those bolt-passing openings which receive the bolts which extend across the mouth of the lateral opening being in the nature of slots whose longitudinal axes are substantially normal with respect to the axis of movement of the plate into and out of said lateral opening the outer ends of which are beyond the path of the plate as it passes through the opening so that the bolts therein may be shifted toretracted lpositions in the slots where they do not interfere with the insertion or removal of the plate but are held against rotation',

3. A fitting-'fof the character described comprising two flange sections having a, fluid passage and having means for connecting with fluid conductors, telescopically related hubs on the inner sides oi the sections, the outer hub having a lateral opening, a plate to be operated into and out ofthe opening to extend across the passage, and means for urging the sections toward one another so that the plate is clamped between the seat and the inner end of the inner hub, said means ini cluding clamp bolts extending across the mouth of said lateral opening and having polygonal intermediate portions, the sections having slots receiving said portions of the bolts, the long axes bf the slots being transverse of the movement oi' the plate when the plate is inserted and removed so that the bolts may be shifted from their normal positions across the mouth ofthe opening to retracted positions removed from the mouth of the opening where they do not interfere with the insertion or removal of the plate, the engagement of said polygonal portions in the slots preventing rotation of the bolts, and nuts screwed on the bolts to cooperate withthe sections, said polygonal portions of the bolts presenting surfaces engageable by the plate, upon operation o f the plate, to cam the bolts to said retracted positions.

4. A fitting of the character described to be connected between iluid conductors comprising two flange sections having fluid passages, a plate insertable between the sections, and means for assasos clamping the sectional/,against the plate comprising clamp bolts, the sections having slots for receiving the bolts so they are movable into and Y out of positions where they are in the path of yclamping the sections against the plate compris- "ing clamp bolts. the sections having aligned slots for receiving the bolts, nuts on the bolts, the bolts being movable in the slots from opposite the plate to retracted positions to allow for the insertion of the plate between the sections, one section havingA spaced threaded openings, and 'spreading' screws threaded in the last named openings and reacting against the other section.

6. A fitting of the character described to be connected between fluid conductors comprising two flange sections having fluid passages, a plate adapted tcf'be passed into and out of position between the;` sections, and means for clamping the sections against the plate and obstructing the passage oi' the plate including a bolt extending through registering slots in the ange sections and a unit on the bolt for tightening the sections together, the said slots being formed to slidably carry the bolt when the nut is released and extending from a point in the path traveled by the plate in passing to or from position between 'the sections to a point out of the said path of the plate.

7. A fitting oi the character described to be connected between iluid conductors comprising two flange sections having fluid passages, a plate adapted to be passed into and out of position between the sections, and means for clamping the sections against the plate and obstructing the passage of the plate including a bolt extending through registering slots in the flange sections and a. nut on the bolt for tightening the sections together, the said bolt having a fiat sided intermediate portion and the said slots slidably carrying said portion of the bolt to prevent it from turning when the nut is operated, the slots extending yin a direction transverse of the longitudinal laxis of the fitting from a point in the path traveled by the plate in passing to or from position between the sections to a point out of the said path oi' the plate.

8. A tting of the character described to be connected between fluid conductors comprising two flange sections having fluid passages, a plate adapted to be passed into and out of position between the sections, and means for clamping the sections against the plate and obstructing the passage of the plate including spaced bolts extending through registering openings in the flange sections and each having an intermediate portion polygonal in cross section, nuts on the bolts for tightening the bolts on the ange sections, the flange sections having slots slidably carrying the said portions of the bolts between positions where the bolts are clear of the path of the plate as it..`

passes intoor out`of position between the sections and positions where they are in the path of the plate as it passes into or out of position between the sections and present convergent faces engageable by the plate as it is moved in said path so the bolts are moved by means of the plate to the first mentioned positions. I

9. A tting of the character described comprising two flange sections having a uid passage and having means for connecting with iiuid conductors, teiescopically related hubs. on the inner sides of the sections, the outer hub having a lateral opening. a plate to be inserted in the opening to extend across the passage, and means for urging the sections toward one another so that the plate is clamped between the seat and the inner end of the inner hub, said means including clamp bolts extending between the sections opposite the mouth of said lateral opening and having polygtransverse oi' the direction of movement of the plate when the plate is inserted and removed so that the bolts may be shifted from their normal positions opposite the mouth of\the opening to retracted positions where they are removed from the path of the plate as it is operated through the mouth of the opening,'the engagement ot said polygonal portions in the' slots preventing rotation of the bolts, nuts screwed' on the bolts to cooperate with the sections, and means for spreading the sections when the nuts are loosened comprising a threaded screw on one section for pressing against the other section.

LELANDS.HAMER.