US2396964A

US2396964A - Valve inserting mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2396964A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hubert F O'brien
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1942-11-10
Filing date: 1942-11-10
Publication date: 1946-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 1963-03-19

Description

March 19; 1-946. D. F. O'BRIEN 2,396,964

VALVE INSERTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 10; 1942 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 INVENTO Jaws FOB/W5 March 19,1946. D.,F.OBRiEN v 2,396,964

VALVE INSERTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 4 fizzy;

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Patented Mar. 19, 1946 VALVEINSERTING MECHANISM 7 Denis F. OBrien, East Orange, N.-J.; Hubert F.

OBrien executor of said Denis F. OBrien, de-

ceased Application November 10, 1942, Serial No. 465,119 3 Claims. (01. 29213) This invention relates to improvements in valve inserting mechanism.

It is an object of the invention to provide mechanism for inserting horizontal valves in pipes or mains under pressure without stopping the flow through the pipe, by means of which the valve may be inserted vertically and then turned into horizontal position.

It is a further object Of the invention to provide mechanism usable for inserting either vertical or horizontal valves.

With these and other objects which will appear in the following description in mind the invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings and thenmore particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of a main, showing the lower part of a machine, em- .bodyin-g the invention in a preferred form, in position thereon; V

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the line 33 of Figure 6;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with certain parts removed and showing the valve I turned into horizontal position;

Figure 5 is a view showing the machine in central longitudinal section, with the parts in the position occupied just prior to insertion of the valve;

Figure 6 is a view in central longitudinal section showing the valve in inserted position; and

Figure '7 is a detail vertical cross section, showing fittings incorporated in the dome cover f the machine for operating a cutter and lowering the valve into position.

The machine and method of the present invention are improvements on the machine and method disclosed in Denis F. OBrien Patent No. 1,174,342 issued March 7, 1916, by which improvements it becomes possible to insert horizontal Valves in vertical position and then turn the same to horizontal position and also to employ the same machine for insertion of both horizontal and vertical valves In the case of horizontal valves, the difliculties inherent in horizontal inserting mechanism are thus avoided.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 5 in which the main I is shown with the machine in position upon it, the machine will be seen to include an exterior housing for the main, comprising a lower section 2, having a side plate 3 removably fastened to it by means of bolts 4, and an upper housing'section 5 mounted on the lower section 2 andfastened thereto and to the removable side plate 3, as by means of shackle bolts (not shown). Mounted in turnupon the upper housing section 5 and fastened thereto by shackle bolts 1 is a dome comprising a dome body 8 and a removabledome cover 9.

The foregoing parts constitute a water tight enclosure around the pipe or main, being completed by end plates or stufing boxes I0 which are fastened to the housing sections 2 and 5 (Figures 2 and 5) ,as by bolts l 1; Each end plate lilis made in two parts as indicated in Figure 2, for fitting around the main, and makes a watertight joint therewith by means of packing as indicated in Figures 5 and 6. The end plates also fit into the housing and may be sealed thereto by gaskets or packing, not shown. 1

' Means is provided for closing off the lower part of the machine from the dome and comprises a gate [2 slidably supported by ribs l3 upon the housing sidewalls and adapted to fit against a gasket 14 as shown in Figure 5. The gate [2 is operated by means of a rod [5 fastened thereto, extending through a stuffing box in the wall of housing section 5 and terminating in a handle l6 outside the casing. As shown in Figure 5, the supports I3 are slanted so that the gate l2 will move downwardly away from the gasket [4 when handle it is pulled out and will be pressed or wedged up against the gasket it when the handle 16 is pushed in. A by-pass ll containing a valve I8 is provided for interconnecting the lower portion of the machine and the dome 8 when the gate-l2 is in place so as to permit equalizing of pressure above and below the gate. The dome cover 9 is provided, as in thec'ase of my previous patent, above referred to, with a stufling box, accommodating an operating rod I9, the upper end of which is threaded 'as indicated in Figure 5 and which may be raised and lowered by means.

of'the sleeve 20 by turning a correspondingly threaded handwheel H, The machine includes also a cutter operating shaft'22 which likewise passes through a stufiing box in the dome cover 9, and with which is associated suitable gearing, (Figure '7), for rotating" the same. This cutter shaft operating mechanism is the same as in the case of my previous patent, above referred to, and requires no further description.

A further operating means for positioning parts longitudinally of the main is provided and 'consitsof a pai r of jacks 2 3; the operating rods 24 of which extend through stufilng boxes 25 into the housing and terminate in heads 26 arranged to enter into recesses in a sleeve member, later referred to. An abutment for the jacks to operate against is provided in the form of a split ring 21 which is bolted around the main as shown in Figure 5. Within the casing is a sleeve member 28 formed in two parts and fastened around the main as by means of bolts 29. The sleeve 28 includes a packing 38 and an end portion 3| adapted to fit against the valve and provided with packing grooves 32.

When an insertion is to be made, a suitable cutter, such as shown, for example, in Patent No. 587,091, may be positioned around the main and the cutting operation partly performed, and then the housing parts, the sleeve 28, jacks 23 and abutment 28, may be assembled around the main as shown in Figure 5. The valve, however, will not be in position in the dome. As will be understood, the main, prior to completion of the cutting operation, is continuous, Figure 5 showing the condition of the main after the cutter and cut out section have been removed. With the parts so assembled, the remainder of the cutting operation will be carried out, utilizing shaft 22 for this purpose, and the rod l9 being attached to the cutter for lifting the same upon completion of the cutting. When the cutting is completed, rod I9 is used to lift the cutter, together with the section of pipe which has been out out, into .the dome in the position occupied by the valve in Figure 5. The gate [2, which will of course be withdrawn during the foregoing operation, is now pushed to the position of Figure 5 by means of handle l6 and the entire dome structura. together with the cutter and cut out pipe section, may be removed by uniastening shackle bolts 1. The'dome will now be replaced with the valve 33 in the position of Figure 5, supported from the rod I9 by links 34 pivotally connected to the valve and to the rod [9 as shown. Valv I8 is now opened, permitting water to enter the dome throughbypass I1, equalizing the pressure above and below the gate l2 and the gate I2 is withdrawn tothe position of Figure 6 by means of handle l6.

Handwheel 2| is now operated. to lower the valve into position between the cut ends of. the main. Cooperating

guide members

35 and 36 upon the valve and upon the dom 8 and upper casing 5, respectively, serve to keep. the valve in proper position during its descent to the .level of the main (Figure 3).

For guiding the valve in its longitudinal movement a downwardly projecting lower guide member 31 upon the valve and a cooperating lug 38 upon the floor of housing section 2 are provided. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the valve member 31 has a V-shaped groove adapted to receive a correspondingly V-shaped guiding portion 39 of the lug 38. The lug 38, however, includes also a flat or substantially flat portion 40 adapted ,to support the projection 31 but permitting sidewise movement. The lug 38, which may be removably mounted on the floor of the housing section 2 is positioned so that the valve maycome to rest, after beinglowered, with its projection 31 upon the V-shaped portion 38, but so that projection 38 wil1 pass off the portion 39 onto flat portion 48 whenin position on the mam.

With the valve in lowered position and resting on the lug 38 the jacks '23 areoperatedflorcing sleeve 28 against the valve so as to push the gaskets M are preferably formed with peripheral notches to accommodate the wedges so that they may be inserted past the wedges and .then rotated slightly so as to be held in place thereby. The: valve body is also formed with flanges 43 having hubs adapted for receiving packing members which may be applied later.

With the valve in position as described the dome may now be disassembled and removed together with rod 19 and the upper housing section 5 (Figure 5) and the side plate 3 may also be taken ofi so that the only housing members remaining in place are the lower section 2 and the lower portions of end plates l8. Aswill be apparent, the valve is still held in position by means of the jacks 23. The entire valve may now be turned as by means of a block and tackle, so asto lie horizontally in the position of Figure 4, the opening normally closed off by the side plate 3 being of sufiicient size to accommodate the valve in this position. The valve hubs and, sleeve 28 may now be packed and calked and the rest of. the mechanism removed, completing the installation as in my previous Patent No. 1,174,342.

As will be apparent, the machine ofthe invention is adapted also to inserting vertical valves, it being necessary in this .case merely to leave out the step of turning the valve after it has been inserted. The machine is also adaptable to inserting valves of different sizes, this necessitating merely the substitution of suitable stufiing boxes l8 to fit the main of another diameter.

What is claimed is:

1. In valve inserting mechanism for inserting valves in a main under pressurewithout interrupting flow therethrough, and in combination, a housing for a main including a lower housing 'section'open at one side for accommodating a valve in horizontal position on the main. and including also removable housing sections attached to said lower housing section, adome removably mounted'upon said housing, and valve inserting mechanism within said dome and housing, the said dome and removable housing sections being removable to permit turning said valve from vertical to horizontal position while said lower housing section remains in position on said main.

2. In valve inserting mechanism for inserting valves in a main under pressure without interrupting flow therethrough, and in combination, ahousing for a main including a lower housing section open at one side for accommodating a valve in horizontal position on the main and' ineluding also removable housing sections attached to said lower housing section, means in said lower housing section for holding a valve in inserted position longitudinally of the main, a dome removably mounted upon said housing, and valve inserting mechanism within said dome and housing, the said dome and removable housingsections being removableto permit turning. of said valve from vertical. to horizontal position while said lower housing section remains in position on said main.

position longitudinally of the main, a dome removably mounted upon said housing, and valve inserting mechanism within said dome and housing, the said dome and removable housing sections being removable to permit turning of said valve from vertical to horizontal position while said lower housing section remains in position on said main.

DENIS F. OBRIEN.