METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING FLUID FROM FLUID VALVES

• US 20110283817A1
• Filed: 05/24/2010
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2010
• 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: Decker, Trent
• Granted Patent: US 9,194,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/863.86
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/02 of lift valves for reducing the flow resistance of screw-spindle lift-valves F16K1/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/246 Combination of a sliding valve and a lift valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 39/024 using an auxiliary valve on the main valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 7/40 in a closed circulation system

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for removing fluid from fluid valves are described. An example apparatus for controlling fluid flow includes a fluid regulator having a body defining an inlet port, an outlet port and an aperture therebetween. The body further defining a bore fluidly coupled to a valve and at least one of the outlet port or the inlet port. The valve is to enable fluid contained within the body to be removed therefrom.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling fluid flow, comprising:

a fluid regulator having a body defining an inlet port, an outlet port and an aperture therebetween, the body further defining a bore fluidly coupled to a valve and at least one of the outlet port or the inlet port, wherein the valve is to enable fluid contained within the body to be removed therefrom.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the bore is configured to receive a threaded coupling.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the bore is defined by a threaded plug of the body.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the bore is defined by the body.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein an opening of the bore is adjacent to a surface of one of the inlet port or the outlet port.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a ball valve.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a process-controlled actuator to actuate the valve.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the process-controlled actuator is to actuate the valve based on a time interval to obtain a sample of the fluid contained within the body.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the sample is to be stored in one or more storage containers.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising a tester to test at least a portion of the sample contained in the one or more storage containers.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve further comprises a quick-disconnect coupling.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve further comprises a quick-disconnect coupling.

12. A method of removing fluid contained within a fluid regulator, comprising:

opening a valve, wherein the valve is fluidly coupled to a bore defined by a body of the fluid regulator, and wherein the fluid regulator comprises an inlet port, an outlet port and an aperture therebetween; and

closing the valve to substantially prevent fluid flow from within the fluid regulator.

13. The method as defined in claim 12, further comprising coupling a flowline to a quick-disconnect coupling of the valve.

14. An apparatus for controlling fluid flow, comprising:

a fluid regulator having a body defining an inlet port, an outlet port and an aperture therebetween, the body further defining a bore fluidly coupled to a valve and at least one of the outlet port or the inlet port, wherein the valve is to enable fluid contained within the body to be removed therefrom; and

a process-controlled actuator to actuate the valve to automatically obtain a sample of the fluid contained within the body.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the process-controlled actuator actuates the valve based on a time interval.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the sample is to be stored in one or more storage containers.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, further comprising a tester to test at least a portion of the sample contained in the one or more storage containers.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the bore is defined by the body.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein an opening of the bore is adjacent to a surface of one of the inlet port or the outlet port.