Valve Body with Dual Sense Mechanism

• US 20090260697A1
• Filed: 04/21/2009
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerson Process Managment Regulator Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Process Managment Regulator Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Kranz, Seth A., Foust, Gregory L., Hawkins, James C., Mevius, Jason S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,286,660 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/484.200
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/02 Modifications to reduce the effects of instability, e.g. due to vibrations, friction, abnormal temperature, overloading or imbalance
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/0404 with two or more controllers mounted in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/0694 using a spring-loaded membrane with a spring-loaded slideable obturator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7754 Line flow effect assisted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7757 Through separate aperture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7794 With relief valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7795 Multi-stage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7831 With mechanical movement between actuator and valve

Abstract

A gas regulator includes an actuator, a regulator valve, and a secondary device. Downstream pressure feedback is provided to the actuator and the secondary device via a Pitot tube disposed within an outlet of the regulator valve. The Pitot tube has a first branch having an end connected to the actuator to place the actuator control cavity and diaphragm in fluid communication with downstream pressure within the outlet for maintaining the outlet pressure at an actuator setpoint pressure. The Pitot tube also has a second branch having an end connected to the secondary device to place the interior of the secondary device in fluid communication with downstream pressure within the outlet for responding to changes in the downstream pressure when the outlet pressure diverges from a predetermined normal operating pressure range.

Claims

1. A fluid regulating device, comprising:

a regulator valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve port disposed between the inlet and the outlet;

an actuator coupled to the regulator valve and comprising an actuator valve disc, the actuator valve disc disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging a downstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port;

a secondary device coupled to the regulator valve and configured to sense an input pressure and to perform a responsive action if the sensed input pressure varies from a secondary device setpoint pressure; and

a Pitot tube having a first end with a sensing point disposed within the outlet of the regulator valve, a first branch extending toward the actuator, and a second branch extending toward the secondary device, wherein the first end and the first branch of the Pitot tube place the sensing point and the outlet in fluid communication with an interior of the actuator, wherein the first end and the second branch of the Pitot tube place the sensing point and the outlet in fluid communication with an interior of the secondary device, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the actuator valve disc to move toward the valve port when the pressure at the sensing point of the Pitot tube increases and to cause the actuator valve disc to move away from the valve port when the pressure at the sensing point decreases to maintain a pressure downstream of the fluid regulating device approximately equal to a regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the pressure at the sensing point is the input pressure of the secondary device.

2. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 1, comprising an actuator balancing diaphragm operatively connected to the actuator valve disc and having a first side in fluid communication with an upstream pressure of fluid flowing through the valve port, wherein the upstream pressure applies a force to the actuator valve disc in the direction of the open position, and the upstream pressure acting on the first side of the actuator balancing diaphragm applies a force to the valve disc in the direction of the closed position and approximately equal to the force of the upstream pressure on the actuator valve disc.

3. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the secondary device comprises a monitoring device comprising a monitor valve disc, the monitor valve disc disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging an upstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, wherein the secondary device setpoint pressure is a monitor cutoff pressure that is greater than the regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the responsive action of the monitoring device is causing the monitor valve disc to engage the upstream side of the valve port to close the regulator valve and stop a fluid flow through the regulator valve when the pressure at the sensing point exceeds the monitor cutoff pressure.

4. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the monitoring device comprises a monitor balancing diaphragm operatively connected to the monitor valve disc and having a first side in fluid communication with an upstream pressure of fluid flowing through the valve port, wherein the upstream pressure applies a force to the monitor valve disc in the direction of the open position, and the upstream pressure acting on the first side of the monitor balancing diaphragm applies a force to the valve disc in the direction of the closed position and approximately equal to the force of the upstream pressure on the monitor valve disc.

5. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the secondary device comprises a slam shut safety device comprising a slam shut plug, the slam shut plug disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging an upstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, wherein the secondary device setpoint pressure is a maximum setpoint pressure that is greater than the regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the responsive action of the slam shut safety device is causing the slam shut plug to engage the upstream side of the valve port to close the regulator valve and stop a fluid flow through the regulator valve when the pressure at the sensing point exceeds the maximum setpoint pressure, and wherein the slam shut safety device is configured so that the slam shut plug must be manually reset to the open position after slam shut plug moves to the closed position.

6. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the secondary device comprises a slam shut safety device comprising a slam shut plug, the slam shut plug disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging an upstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, wherein the secondary device setpoint pressure is a minimum setpoint pressure that is less than the regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the responsive action of the slam shut safety device is causing the slam shut plug to engage the upstream side of the valve port to close the regulator valve and stop a fluid flow through the regulator valve when the pressure at the sensing point falls below the minimum setpoint pressure, and wherein the slam shut safety device is configured so that the slam shut plug must be manually reset to the open position after slam shut plug moves to the closed position.

7. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 1, comprising a cylindrical housing disposed in the regulator valve and having an inner diameter that is sized and configured to slidably receive the actuator valve disc when the valve disc moves between the open and closed positions, wherein the housing includes a passage therethrough to which the first branch of the Pitot tube is connected to place the sensing point of the Pitot tube in fluid communication with the interior of the actuator.

8. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator stem operatively connected to the actuator valve disc to move the actuator valve disc between the open and the closed positions, and a stem guide disposed within an actuator mouth of actuator proximate the regulator valve and slidably engaging the actuator stem, wherein the stem guide includes channels therethrough such that the first branch of the Pitot tube, the passage of the housing and the channels of the stem guide place the sensing point of the Pitot tube in fluid communication with the interior of the actuator.

9. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the regulator valve has a passage therethrough proximate the outlet and the secondary device and having the second branch of the Pitot tube connected thereto, the fluid regulating device comprising a coupling module connecting the secondary device to the regulator valve and having a passage aligning with the passage of the regulator valve, wherein the second branch of the Pitot tube, the passage of the regulator valve and the passage of the coupling module place the sensing point in fluid communication with the interior of the secondary device.

10. In a fluid regulating device having a regulator valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve port disposed between the inlet and the outlet, an actuator coupled to the regulator valve and comprising an actuator valve disc, the actuator valve disc disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging a downstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, and a secondary device coupled to the regulator valve and configured to sense an input pressure and to perform a responsive action if the sensed input pressure varies from a secondary device setpoint pressure, the improvement comprising:

a Pitot tube having a first end with a sensing point disposed within the outlet of the regulator valve, a first branch extending toward the actuator, and a second branch extending toward the secondary device, wherein the first end and the first branch of the Pitot tube place the sensing point and outlet in fluid communication with an interior of the actuator, wherein the first end and the second branch of the Pitot tube place the sensing point and the outlet in fluid communication with an interior of the secondary device, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the actuator valve disc to move toward the valve port when the pressure at the sensing point of the Pitot tube increases and to cause the actuator valve disc to move away from the valve port when the pressure at the sensing point decreases to maintain a pressure downstream of the fluid regulating device approximately equal to a regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the pressure at the sensing point is the input pressure of the secondary device.

11. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the fluid regulating device includes an actuator balancing diaphragm operatively connected to the actuator valve disc and having a first side in fluid communication with an upstream pressure of fluid flowing through the valve port, wherein the upstream pressure applies a force to the actuator valve disc in the direction of the open position, and the upstream pressure acting on the first side of the actuator balancing diaphragm applies a force to the valve disc in the direction of the closed position and approximately equal to the force of the upstream pressure on the actuator valve disc.

12. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the secondary device is a monitoring device comprising a monitor valve disc, the monitor valve disc disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging an upstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, wherein the secondary device setpoint pressure is a monitor cutoff pressure that is greater than the regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the responsive action of the monitoring device is causing the monitor valve disc to engage the upstream side of the valve port to close the regulator valve and stop a fluid flow though the regulator valve when the pressure at the sensing point exceeds the monitor cutoff pressure.

13. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the monitoring device comprises a monitor balancing diaphragm operatively connected to the monitor valve disc and having a first side in fluid communication with an upstream pressure of fluid flowing through the valve port, wherein the upstream pressure applies a force to the monitor valve disc in the direction of the open position, and the upstream pressure acting on the first side of the monitor balancing diaphragm applies a force to the valve disc in the direction of the closed position and approximately equal to the force of the upstream pressure on the monitor valve disc.

14. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the secondary device comprises a slam shut safety device comprising a slam shut plug, the slam shut plug disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging an upstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, wherein the secondary device setpoint pressure is a maximum setpoint pressure that is greater than the regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the responsive action of the slam shut safety device is causing the slam shut plug to engage the upstream side of the valve port to close the regulator valve and stop a fluid flow through the regulator valve when the pressure at the sensing point exceeds the maximum setpoint pressure, and wherein the slam shut safety device is configured so that the slam shut plug must be manually reset to the open position after slam shut plug moves to the closed position.

15. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the secondary device comprises a slam shut safety device comprising a slam shut plug, the slam shut plug disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging an upstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, wherein the secondary device setpoint pressure is a minimum setpoint pressure that is less than the regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the responsive action of the slam shut safety device is causing the slam shut plug to engage the upstream side of the valve port to close the regulator valve and stop a fluid flow through the regulator valve when the pressure at the sensing point falls below the minimum setpoint pressure, and wherein the slam shut safety device is configured so that the slam shut plug must be manually reset to the open position after slam shut plug moves to the closed position.

16. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the fluid regulating device includes a cylindrical housing disposed in the regulator valve and having an inner diameter that is sized and configured to slidably receive the actuator valve disc when the valve disc moves between the open and closed positions, wherein the housing includes a passage therethrough to which the first branch of the Pitot tube is connected to place the sensing point of the Pitot tube in fluid communication with the interior of the actuator.

17. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator stem operatively connected to the actuator valve disc to move the actuator valve disc between the open and the closed positions, and a stem guide disposed within an actuator mouth of actuator proximate the regulator valve and slidably engaging the actuator stem, wherein the stem guide includes channels therethrough such that the first branch of the Pitot tube, the passage of the housing and the channels of the stem guide place the sensing point of the Pitot tube in fluid communication with the interior of the actuator.

18. A fluid regulating device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the regulator valve has a passage therethrough proximate the outlet and the secondary device and having the second branch of the Pitot tube connected thereto, wherein the fluid regulating device includes a coupling module connecting the secondary device to the regulator valve and having a passage aligning with the passage of the regulator valve, wherein the second branch of the Pitot tube, the passage of the regulator valve and the passage of the coupling module place the sensing point in fluid communication with the interior of the secondary device.

19. A dual sensing mechanism for a fluid regulating device having a regulator valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve port disposed between the inlet and the outlet, an actuator coupled to the regulator valve and comprising an actuator valve disc, the actuator valve disc disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging a downstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, and a secondary device coupled to the regulator valve and configured to sense an input pressure and to perform a responsive action if the sensed input pressure varies from a secondary device setpoint pressure, the dual sensing mechanism comprising:

a Pitot tube having a first end with a sensing point disposed within the outlet of the regulator valve;

a first branch extending from the Pitot tube toward the actuator, wherein the Pitot tube and the first branch place the sensing point and the outlet in fluid communication with an interior of the actuator e; and

a second branch extending from the Pitot tube toward the secondary device, wherein the Pitot tube and the second branch of the Pitot tube place the sensing point and the outlet in fluid communication with an interior of the secondary device,

wherein the actuator is configured to cause the actuator valve disc to move toward the valve port when the pressure at the sensing point of the Pitot tube increases and to cause the actuator valve disc to move away from the valve port when the pressure at the sensing point decreases to maintain a pressure downstream of the fluid regulating device approximately equal to a regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the pressure at the sensing point is the input pressure of the secondary device.

20. A dual sensing mechanism in accordance with claim 19, wherein the fluid regulating device includes an actuator balancing diaphragm operatively connected to the actuator valve disc and having a first side in fluid communication with an upstream pressure of fluid flowing through the valve port, wherein the upstream pressure applies a force to the actuator valve disc in the direction of the open position, and the upstream pressure acting on the first side of the actuator balancing diaphragm applies a force to the valve disc in the direction of the closed position and approximately equal to the force of the upstream pressure on the actuator valve disc.

21. A dual sensing mechanism in accordance with claim 19, wherein the secondary device is a monitoring device comprising a monitor valve disc, the monitor valve disc disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging an upstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, wherein the secondary device setpoint pressure is a monitor cutoff pressure that is greater than the regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the responsive action of the monitoring device is causing the monitor valve disc to engage the upstream side of the valve port to close the regulator valve and stop a fluid flow though the regulator valve when the pressure at the sensing point exceeds the monitor cutoff pressure.

22. A dual sensing mechanism in accordance with claim 19, wherein the monitoring device comprises a monitor balancing diaphragm operatively connected to the monitor valve disc and having a first side in fluid communication with an upstream pressure of fluid flowing through the valve port, wherein the upstream pressure applies a force to the monitor valve disc in the direction of the open position, and the upstream pressure acting on the first side of the monitor balancing diaphragm applies a force to the valve disc in the direction of the closed position and approximately equal to the force of the upstream pressure on the monitor valve disc.

23. A dual sensing mechanism in accordance with claim 19, wherein the secondary device comprises a slam shut safety device comprising a slam shut plug, the slam shut plug disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging an upstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, wherein the secondary device setpoint pressure is a maximum setpoint pressure that is greater than the regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the responsive action of the slam shut safety device is causing the slam shut plug to engage the upstream side of the valve port to close the regulator valve and stop a fluid flow through the regulator valve when the pressure at the sensing point exceeds the maximum setpoint pressure, and wherein the slam shut safety device is configured so that the slam shut plug must be manually reset to the open position after slam shut plug moves to the closed position.

24. A dual sensing mechanism in accordance with claim 19, wherein the secondary device comprises a slam shut safety device comprising a slam shut plug, the slam shut plug disposed within the regulator valve and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging an upstream side of the valve port and an open position disposed away from the valve port, wherein the secondary device setpoint pressure is a minimum setpoint pressure that is less than the regulator setpoint pressure, and wherein the responsive action of the slam shut safety device is causing the slam shut plug to engage the upstream side of the valve port to close the regulator valve and stop a fluid flow through the regulator valve when the pressure at the sensing point falls below the minimum setpoint pressure, and wherein the slam shut safety device is configured so that the slam shut plug must be manually reset to the open position after slam shut plug moves to the closed position.

25. A dual sensing mechanism in accordance with claim 19, wherein the fluid regulating device includes a cylindrical housing disposed in the regulator valve and having an inner diameter that is sized and configured to slidably receive the actuator valve disc when the valve disc moves between the open and closed positions, wherein the housing includes a passage therethrough to which the first branch is connected to place the sensing point of the Pitot tube in fluid communication with the interior of the actuator.

26. A dual sensing mechanism in accordance with claim 25, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator stem operatively connected to the actuator valve disc to move the actuator valve disc between the open and the closed positions, and a stem guide disposed within an actuator mouth of actuator proximate the regulator valve and slidably engaging the actuator stem, wherein the stem guide includes channels therethrough such that the Pitot tube, the first branch, the passage of the housing and the channels of the stem guide place the sensing point of the Pitot tube in fluid communication with the interior of the actuator.

27. A dual sensing mechanism in accordance with claim 19, wherein the regulator valve has a passage therethrough proximate the outlet and the secondary device and having the second branch connected thereto, wherein the fluid regulating device includes a coupling module connecting the secondary device to the regulator valve and having a passage aligning with the passage of the regulator valve, wherein the Pitot tube, the second branch, the passage of the regulator valve and the passage of the coupling module place the sensing point in fluid communication with the interior of the secondary device.