VALVE STEM NUT WEAR ANALYSIS APPARATUS AND METHOD
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring stem nut wear in a valve having a threaded valve stem that is positioned to engage the threads of a stem nut. In a preferred embodiment, a tool is mounted on the stem nut, wherein the tool rotates when the stem nut rotates. The tool indicates a measurement of stem nut rotation. An indicator indicates stem movement. The stem nut is rotated and the amount of percent wear is observed. Rotation continues until the stem begins to move. The tool provides a reading when the stem begins to move that indicates an amount of stem nut wear.
21 Citations
49 Claims
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3-15. -15. (canceled)
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16. An apparatus that indicates valve stem nut wear to an observer, comprising;
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a) a tool body having a lower portion adapted to rotate with a stem nut that is to be measured for wear, said tool body having a scale having indicia of stem nut wear thereon; b) an instrument that indicates when the valve stem initiates movement; c) a pointer that registers on the scale a stem nut wear value that is based upon an amount of stem nut rotation that occurs prior to axial stem movement when the stem nut is rotated. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28)
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22-23. -23. (canceled)
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27. (canceled)
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29-38. -38. (canceled)
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39. An apparatus that indicates wear of a valve stem nut to an observer, comprising;
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a) a wear indicator having indicia of stem nut wear thereon; b) an instrument that indicates when the valve stem initiates movement; c) a pointer that registers on the wear indicator a stem nut wear value that is based upon an amount of stem nut rotation that occurs prior to axial stem movement when the stem nut is rotated; d) attachment means for attaching the wear indicator to the valve stem nut or the pointer to the valve stem nut so that either the wear indicator or the pointer rotates with valve stem nut. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 49)
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42. A method of measuring stem nut wear in a valve having a valve stem that is connected to a stem nut, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a wear indicator that indicates a measurement of stem nut rotation; b) providing an indicator instrument that indicates to an observer that stem movement has initiated; c) rotating the stem nut; d) continuing rotation until the stem begins to move, wherein the wear indicator provides to an observer, a value of stem nut wear once stem movement is initiated. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 43, 44, 45)
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46-48. -48. (canceled)
Specification