Valve cover locking system

• US 20050226754A1
• Filed: 04/13/2004
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Helmerich & Payne Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Helmerich & Payne Incorporated
• Inventors: Jensen, Ernest J., Orr, Alan, Greager, Eric Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,290,560 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/571
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/007 Cylinder heads
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/10 Valves; Arrangement of valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/1032 Spring-actuated disc valves F04B53/1022, F04B53/103 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7504 Removable valve head and seat unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7559 Pump type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7668 Retained by bonnet or closure

Abstract

An apparatus and method to assemble and disassemble a valve cover locking screw assembly for a reciprocating pump module block. The module block has a bore, a removable valve cover closing the bore, and a valve cover locking ring securable to the block and surrounding the bore with internal threads. A valve cover locking screw has cylindrical walls with external threads, a closed top, and an open bottom. A plurality of threaded bolts engage a plurality of threaded openings through the cylindrical walls of the locking screw so that the bolts force the valve cover against the module block thereby creating a fluid tight seal.

Claims

1. A valve cover locking screw assembly for a reciprocating pump module block having a bore, a removable valve cover closing said bore, and a valve cover locking ring with internal threads surrounding said bore, which assembly comprises:

a valve cover locking screw having cylindrical walls with external threads, a closed top, and an open bottom; and

a plurality of threaded bolts engaging a plurality of threaded openings through said cylindrical walls of said locking screw so that said plurality of bolts forces said valve cover against said module block to create a fluid tight seal.

2. A valve cover locking screw assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a circular gasket between said valve cover and said module block to assist in forming a fluid tight seal.

3. A valve cover locking screw assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bore in said module block includes a circular shoulder to receive said valve cover thereon.

4. A valve cover locking screw assembly as set forth in claim 1 including an eye bolt extending from said valve cover to act as a handle for said cover.

5. A valve cover locking screw assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of removable fasteners between said locking ring and said module block to secure said locking ring to said module block.

6. A valve cover locking screw assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said threaded bolts and each threaded opening is parallel to an axis of said cylindrical walls of said locking screw.

7. A valve cover locking screw assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a head extending from said closed top of said locking screw.

8. A valve cover locking screw assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein a diameter of said removable valve cover is slightly less than an inner diameter of said locking ring.

9. A valve cover locking screw assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking screw retrofits with an existing valve cover and locking ring.

14. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein steps are performed in reverse order to remove said valve cover.

10. A method to secure and seal a valve cover to a module block for a reciprocating pump, which method comprises:

inserting a removable valve cover through a valve cover locking ring secured to said module block over a bore in said module block;

threading a valve cover locking screw having cylindrical walls with external threads, a closed top, and an open bottom, in to said locking ring so that internal threads on said locking ring mate with said external threads of said locking screw; and

threading a plurality of bolts through threaded openings in said cylindrical walls of said locking screw so that said bolts force said valve cover against said module block.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of inserting said valve cover includes using an eye bolt extending from said cover as a handle.

12. A method as set forth in claim 10 including the additional step of inserting a circular gasket against said module before inserting said valve cover.

13. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of threading said valve cover is accomplished by rotating a head extending from said top of said locking screw.