WO1993001436A2 - Fluid flow obturating components - Google Patents

Fluid flow obturating components Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1993001436A2
WO1993001436A2 PCT/GB1992/001224 GB9201224W WO9301436A2 WO 1993001436 A2 WO1993001436 A2 WO 1993001436A2 GB 9201224 W GB9201224 W GB 9201224W WO 9301436 A2 WO9301436 A2 WO 9301436A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signal
forming
signal path
light
obturating
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1992/001224
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1993001436A3 (en
Inventor
Peter Edmund Reuben Mucci
Original Assignee
The University Of Southampton
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The University Of Southampton filed Critical The University Of Southampton
Publication of WO1993001436A2 publication Critical patent/WO1993001436A2/en
Publication of WO1993001436A3 publication Critical patent/WO1993001436A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J15/00—Sealings
    • F16J15/16—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces
    • F16J15/34—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with slip-ring pressed against a more or less radial face on one member
    • F16J15/3492—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with slip-ring pressed against a more or less radial face on one member with monitoring or measuring means associated with the seal
    • 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
    • F16K37/00—Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
    • 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
    • F16K37/00—Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
    • F16K37/0058—Optical means, e.g. light transmission, observation ports

Definitions

  • This invention relates to fluid flow obturating components, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with fluid flow obturating components for preventing unwanted flows, such as flow control valve seats and gaskets.
  • this comprises a ball-shaped valve member defining a through-flow duct, which cooperates with a cup-shaped seat, the valve member being rotatable about the seat between operative and inoperative positions.
  • the valve seat is often made of plastics material, which must remain pressure-tight throughout its life.
  • an obturating component for preventing unwanted flow of fluid is provided with means forming a signal path for incorporation in a signal system, whereby interference with the signal path as a result of wear may be detected.
  • the signal path may conduct fluid, light, electronic, or electrical signals.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of a seat for a ball valve unit
  • Figure 2 is a section, taken on the lines II-II of Fiqure 1
  • Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective, of part of the valve seat, together with a semi-diagrammatic illustration of a signal system
  • Figure 4 is a side view, in medial section, of the ball valve members
  • Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of flanged piping.
  • each seat 1 comprising a cup-shaped component of plastics material.
  • the part-spherical seating surface of the valve seat 1 is shown at 3.
  • the ball-shaped valve member 2 is formed v/ith a through duct 4 and is rotated relative to the valve seats 1 by a lever- operated valve spindle 5.
  • the valve unit has an inlet 6 and an outlet 7. Turning the valve spindle 5, and thus the valve member 2, through 90° moves the valve member from an operative to an inoperative position and thus terminates flow through the valve unit.
  • valve seats 1 and valve member 2 serve as obturating components in preventing unwanted flow of fluid through the valve unit.
  • the valve seats 1 form seals between the valve member 2 and valve unit housing 21 so as to prevent any fluid by-passing the valve member.
  • the valve member 2 itself prevents flow from inlet 6 to outlet 7 when in an inoperative position.
  • each valve seat 1 is provided with means 10 forming a signal path incorporated in a signal system 11, whereby interference with the signal path as a result of wear may be detected.
  • the means 10 comprise a tortuously-disposed optical fibre 12 embedded close to surface 3, within the valve seat 1.
  • One end of the fibre 12 is connected to a light source 13 and the other end to a light receiver 14.
  • the signal system 11 comprises the fibre 12 , the light source 13 , light receiver 14, connections 15, 16, and alarm initiator 17 with a warning light 18.
  • the source 13 transmits light signals through the optical fibre 12 to be collected by the receiver 14.
  • the wear will fracture or damage the optical fibre 12 sufficiently to interfere with the passage of light signals therethrough.
  • This interference will be sensed by the alarm initiator 17 whereby a visible warning signal will be emitted by the light 18.
  • a gasket 35 is clamped between the flanges 32, 33 by the action of the nuts and bolts.
  • Optical fibres 12a_ are embedded in the gasket 35, adjacent the surfaces thereof.
  • the fibres 12a are connected to a signal system identical to system 11 ( Figure 3) , interference with the system resulting from wear of the obturating gasket 35.
  • a further modification comprises one or more signal paths of circular shape.

Abstract

With reference to Figure 3, a pair of seats (1) for co-operation with a ball-shaped valve member (2) (Figure 4) in forming a ball valve unit (20) is shown, each seat (1) comprising a cup-shaped component of plastics material with a seating surface (3). Each valve seat (1) is provided with means (10) forming a signal path incorporated in a signal system (11), whereby interference with the signal path as a result of wear may be detected. The means (10) comprise a tortuously-disposed optical fibre (12) embedded close to surface (3), within the valve seat (1). One end of the fibre (12) is connected to a light source (13) and the other end to a light receiver (14). The signal system (11) comprises the fibre (12), the light source (13), light receiver (14), connections (15, 16) and alarm initiator (17) with a warning light (18). In operation, the source (13) transmits light signals through the optical fibre (12) to be collected by the receiver (14). In the event that undue wear of the valve seat surface (3) has taken place, (whereby leakage past the valve member (2) will occur), the wear will fracture or damage the optical fibre (12) sufficiently to interfere with the passage of light signals therethrough. This interference will be sensed by the alarm initiator (17) whereby a visible warning signal will be emitted by the light (18).

Description

"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FLUID'FLOW OBTURATING COMPONENTS"
This invention relates to fluid flow obturating components, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with fluid flow obturating components for preventing unwanted flows, such as flow control valve seats and gaskets.
Taking a ball valve unit as an example, this comprises a ball-shaped valve member defining a through-flow duct, which cooperates with a cup-shaped seat, the valve member being rotatable about the seat between operative and inoperative positions.
The valve seat is often made of plastics material, which must remain pressure-tight throughout its life.
Seat wear, which may be caused by corrosion and/or erosion, inevitably occurs in due course, and such wearallows un¬ wanted flow of fluid to take place.
According to the present invention, an obturating component for preventing unwanted flow of fluid is provided with means forming a signal path for incorporation in a signal system, whereby interference with the signal path as a result of wear may be detected.
The signal path may conduct fluid, light, electronic, or electrical signals.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyinσ drawings wherein :-
Figure 1 is a plan view of a seat for a ball valve unit, Figure 2 is a section, taken on the lines II-II of Fiqure 1, Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective, of part of the valve seat, together with a semi-diagrammatic illustration of a signal system,
Figure 4 is a side view, in medial section, of the ball valve members, and
Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of flanged piping.
With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, a pair of seats 1 for cooperation with a ball-shaped valve member 2 (Figure 4) in forming a ball valve unit 20 is shown, each seat 1 comprising a cup-shaped component of plastics material. The part-spherical seating surface of the valve seat 1 is shown at 3.
The ball-shaped valve member 2 is formed v/ith a through duct 4 and is rotated relative to the valve seats 1 by a lever- operated valve spindle 5. The valve unit has an inlet 6 and an outlet 7. Turning the valve spindle 5, and thus the valve member 2, through 90° moves the valve member from an operative to an inoperative position and thus terminates flow through the valve unit.
The valve seats 1 and valve member 2 serve as obturating components in preventing unwanted flow of fluid through the valve unit. The valve seats 1 form seals between the valve member 2 and valve unit housing 21 so as to prevent any fluid by-passing the valve member. The valve member 2 itself prevents flow from inlet 6 to outlet 7 when in an inoperative position.
As shown in Figure 3 , each valve seat 1 is provided with means 10 forming a signal path incorporated in a signal system 11, whereby interference with the signal path as a result of wear may be detected.
The means 10 comprise a tortuously-disposed optical fibre 12 embedded close to surface 3, within the valve seat 1. One end of the fibre 12 is connected to a light source 13 and the other end to a light receiver 14. The signal system 11 comprises the fibre 12 , the light source 13 , light receiver 14, connections 15, 16, and alarm initiator 17 with a warning light 18.
In operation, the source 13 transmits light signals through the optical fibre 12 to be collected by the receiver 14. In the event that undue wear of the valve seat surface 3 has taken place, (whereby leakage past the valve member 2 will occur) , the wear will fracture or damage the optical fibre 12 sufficiently to interfere with the passage of light signals therethrough.
This interference will be sensed by the alarm initiator 17 whereby a visible warning signal will be emitted by the light 18.
With reference to Figure 5, a pair of pipes 30, 31 with co¬ operating flanges 32, 33 are shown clamped together by nuts and bolts (not shown) acting along lines 34.
A gasket 35 is clamped between the flanges 32, 33 by the action of the nuts and bolts. Optical fibres 12a_ are embedded in the gasket 35, adjacent the surfaces thereof.
The fibres 12a are connected to a signal system identical to system 11 (Figure 3) , interference with the system resulting from wear of the obturating gasket 35.
Modifications of the embodiments illustrated may include the use of :-
1. Electrical or electronic signal conductor leads instead of optical fibres.
2. Small bore fluid pressure signal pipes instead of optical fibres.
3. Signal paths incorporated in the ball valve member instead of in the valve seat.
4. Ultrasonical signal paths.
5. Multiple signal paths,-which may comprise a mixture of the modifications listed above.
A further modification comprises one or more signal paths of circular shape. For example, incorporated in an obturating component in the form of a piston ring.
Obviously, the design of the signal system 11 may have to change to suit any of the above-mentioned modifications.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims

1. An obturating component for preventing unwanted flow of fluid is characterised by the provision of means (10) forming a signal path for incorporation in a signal system (11) whereby interference with the signal path as a result of wear may be detected.
2. An obturating component as claimed in claim 1 comprising a valve seat (1) for co-operation with a valve member (5).
3. An obturating component as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means (10) forming a signal path comprise means embedded close to the external surface (3) of the valve seat (1).
4. An obturating component as claimed in claim 1 comprising a gasket (35).
5. An obturating component as claimed in claim 1 comprising a valve member (2) for co-operation with a valve seat (1).
6. An obturating component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means (10) forming a signal path comprise optical fibre means (12) connectable to a light source (13) and to a light receiver (14).
7. An obturating component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means (10) forming a signal path comprise electrical or electronic signal conductor leads.
8. An obturating component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means (10) forming a signal path comprise fluid pressure signal pipes.
9. An obturating component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means (10) forming a signal path comprise ultrasonic signal paths.
10. An obturating component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means (10) forming a signal path comprise more than one of the signal paths set forth in any of claims 6 to 9.
PCT/GB1992/001224 1991-07-04 1992-07-06 Fluid flow obturating components WO1993001436A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9114443.6 1991-07-04
GB919114443A GB9114443D0 (en) 1991-07-04 1991-07-04 Improvements in or relating to fluid flow obturating components

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993001436A2 true WO1993001436A2 (en) 1993-01-21
WO1993001436A3 WO1993001436A3 (en) 1993-03-18

Family

ID=10697805

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1992/001224 WO1993001436A2 (en) 1991-07-04 1992-07-06 Fluid flow obturating components

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB9114443D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1993001436A2 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995006237A1 (en) * 1993-08-23 1995-03-02 W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Improved gasket/insertable member and method for making and using same
DE19524237A1 (en) * 1995-07-04 1997-01-16 Baelz Gmbh Helmut Electromagnetic control valve for hazardous fluid esp. hot cooking oil in deep fat fryer - in which condition of metallic bellows seal is continuously monitored, with geared stepper motor controlled according to thermostat reading
CN104482239A (en) * 2014-12-22 2015-04-01 北京橡胶工业研究设计院 Rubber sealing ring with alarming function for dry ash delivery valve
CN106352083A (en) * 2016-08-31 2017-01-25 苏州宝骅机械技术有限公司 Sealing component capable of monitoring sealing states
CN106352084A (en) * 2016-08-31 2017-01-25 苏州宝骅机械技术有限公司 Sealing assembly with sealing state monitoring function

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2158558A (en) * 1984-05-07 1985-11-13 Smith International High pressure valve having liner wear indicator
EP0185134A1 (en) * 1984-12-04 1986-06-25 Feodor Burgmann Dichtungswerke GmbH & Co. Wear sensor for mechanical seals
GB2188422A (en) * 1986-03-28 1987-09-30 Agency Ind Science Techn Method and apparatus for evaluating the slippage of a mechanical seal
EP0315391B1 (en) * 1987-10-30 1994-04-13 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Online valve diagnostic monitoring system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2158558A (en) * 1984-05-07 1985-11-13 Smith International High pressure valve having liner wear indicator
EP0185134A1 (en) * 1984-12-04 1986-06-25 Feodor Burgmann Dichtungswerke GmbH & Co. Wear sensor for mechanical seals
GB2188422A (en) * 1986-03-28 1987-09-30 Agency Ind Science Techn Method and apparatus for evaluating the slippage of a mechanical seal
EP0315391B1 (en) * 1987-10-30 1994-04-13 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Online valve diagnostic monitoring system

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995006237A1 (en) * 1993-08-23 1995-03-02 W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Improved gasket/insertable member and method for making and using same
DE19524237A1 (en) * 1995-07-04 1997-01-16 Baelz Gmbh Helmut Electromagnetic control valve for hazardous fluid esp. hot cooking oil in deep fat fryer - in which condition of metallic bellows seal is continuously monitored, with geared stepper motor controlled according to thermostat reading
DE19524237C2 (en) * 1995-07-04 2002-02-07 Baelz Gmbh Helmut Flow armature unit and operating method therefor
CN104482239A (en) * 2014-12-22 2015-04-01 北京橡胶工业研究设计院 Rubber sealing ring with alarming function for dry ash delivery valve
CN106352083A (en) * 2016-08-31 2017-01-25 苏州宝骅机械技术有限公司 Sealing component capable of monitoring sealing states
CN106352084A (en) * 2016-08-31 2017-01-25 苏州宝骅机械技术有限公司 Sealing assembly with sealing state monitoring function

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1993001436A3 (en) 1993-03-18
GB9114443D0 (en) 1991-08-21

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