Valve manifold for a differential pressure transmitter

• US 4,602,657 A
• Filed: 02/11/1985
• Issued: 07/29/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anderson, Greenwood & Co. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Anderson, Greenwood & Co. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Anderson, William L. Jr., Moyers, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hepperle, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US06/700,539
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 137/595, 137/597, 137/625.16, 137/625.19, 137/625.15, 137/625.18, 137/312, 137/625.47, 73/3, 73/4 R
• US Class Current: 137/595
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/185 Connecting means, e.g. bypass conduits
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0015 using switching means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86566 Rotary plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87161 With common valve operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87249 Multiple inlet with multiple outlet

Abstract

A valve manifold (18) between a main flow line (10) and a differential pressure transmitter (24) having a body (40) with a bore (48) in which three spherical ball valve members (72, 74, 76) are mounted for rotation among run, zero and calibration positions. A low pressure calibrating port (28) and a high pressure calibrating port (46) are controlled by calibration valve member (76). Low pressure calibrating port (28) is connected to a source of a predetermined low pressure calibrating fluid and high pressure calibrating fluid port (46) is connected to a source of a predetermined high pressure calibrating fluid to calibrate transmitter (24) between any desired low pressure and high pressure ranges. Low pressure calibrating port (28) and high pressure calibrating port (46) may be selectively connected to atmospheric pressure if desired and the calibrating fluids may be controlled from a remote control site (26).

Claims

1. A valve manifold adapted to be positioned between a main flow line in which a differential fluid pressure is to be measured and a differential pressure transmitter to control fluid flow through high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to the transmitter comprising:

a body having a central main bore therein;

a pair of inlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to provide a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure inlet port;

a pair of outlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines to said differential pressure transmitter to provide a low pressure outlet port and a high pressure outlet port;

a stem mounted within said bore having an end thereof extending outwardly from said body;

means to rotate said stem among three rotational settings including a run position setting, a zero position setting, and a calibration position setting;

three separate valve members mounted within said bore and operatively connected to said stem for movement in response to the rotation of the stem among said three settings, one of said separate valve members being a low pressure valve member permitting direct fluid communication between the low pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position setting to provide low fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter, and blocking direct fluid communication between the low pressure inlet and outlet ports in the zero and calibration settings;

a second of said separate valve members being a high pressure valve member permitting direct fluid communication between the high pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position setting to provide high fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter, and blocking direct fluid communication between the high pressure inlet and outlet ports in the zero and calibration settings;

a calibration inlet port in said body adapted to be selectively connected to a predetermined calibration fluid pressure for calibration of the transmitter to a predetermined high pressure amount; and

a third of said separate valve members being a calibration valve member permitting fluid communication between the calibration inlet port and the high pressure outlet port in the calibration setting for calibration of the transmitter at a predetermined high amount, and blocking fluid communication between the calibration inlet port and the high pressure outlet port in the run position setting.

2. A valve manifold as set forth in claim 1 in which said valve members are mounted on said stem in spaced relation along the stem, and a fluid chamber is provided in said bore between the stem and the adjacent surfaces defining said bore.

3. A valve manifold as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stem has a passageway therein between said high pressure valve member and said calibration valve member to provide fluid communication at said calibration position setting between said calibration inlet port and said high pressure outlet port.

4. A valve manifold as set forth in claim 2 wherein said calibration valve member has a vent port in fluid communication with said fluid chamber in said bore, and said valve manifold body has a vent port therein adjacent said calibration valve member to selectively vent said fluid chamber to atmosphere, said calibration valve member blocking said body vent port in said zero position setting but permitting fluid communication between said fluid chamber, said valve vent port, and said body vent port at said calibration position setting.

5. A valve manifold as set forth in claim 2 wherein said body has a vent to atmosphere in selective fluid communication with said fluid chamber, and said calibration valve member is positioned between said fluid chamber and said vent to permit selectively the venting of the fluid chamber to atmosphere.

6. A valve manifold as set forth in claim 5 wherein said vent may be selectively open to atmosphere or closed, said vent when open in the run position setting permitting the detection of any fluid pressure leaks from said high and low fluid pressure lines into said fluid chamber.

7. A valve manifold adapted to be positioned between a main flow line in which a differential fluid pressure is to be measured and a differential pressure transmitter to control fluid flow through high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to the transmitter comprising:

a body having a central main bore therein;

a pair of inlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to provide a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure inlet port;

a pair of outlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines to said differential pressure transmitter to provide a low pressure outlet port and a high pressure outlet port;

a stem mounted within said bore having an end thereof extending outwardly from said body;

means to rotate said stem among three rotational settings including a run position setting, a zero position setting, and a calibration position setting;

three separate valve members mounted in axially spaced relation along said stem for movement therewith, one of said separate valve members being a low pressure valve member permitting direct fluid communication between the low pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position setting to provide low fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter;

a second of said separate valve members being a high pressure valve member permitting direct fluid communication between the high pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position setting to provide high fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter;

a calibration inlet port in said body adapted to be selectively connected to a predetermined calibration fluid pressure for calibration of the transmitter at a predetermined fluid pressure; and

a third of said separate valve members being a calibration valve member permitting fluid communication between the calibration inlet port and one of the pressure outlet ports for calibration of the transmitter at a predetermined fluid pressure and blocking fluid communication between the calibration inlet port and high outlet port in the run position setting.

8. A valve manifold as set forth in claim 7 wherein said valve members are spherical valve members.

9. A valve manifold adapted to be positioned between a main flow line and a differential pressure transmitter to control fluid flow through high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to the transmitter comprising:

a body having a central main bore therein;

a pair of inlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to provide a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure inlet port;

a pair of outlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines to said differential pressure transmitter to provide a low pressure outlet port and a high pressure outlet port;

a stem mounted within said bore having an end thereof extending outwardly from said body;

means to rotate said stem among three rotational settings including a run position setting, a zero position setting, and a calibration position setting;

three separate valve members mounted within said bore and operating connected to said stem for movement therewith upon rotation of the stem among said three settings, one of said separate valve members being a low pressure valve member and permitting direct fluid communication between the low pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position to provide a low fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter, and blocking direct fluid communication between the low pressure inlet and outlet ports in the zero and calibration settings;

a second of said separate valve members being a high pressure valve member and permitting direct fluid communication between the high pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position setting to provide a high fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter, and blocking direct fluid communication between the high pressure inlet and outlet ports in the zero and calibration settings;

a calibration inlet port in said body adapted to be selectively connected to a predetermined calibration fluid pressure, a third of said separate valve members being a calibration valve member permitting fluid communication in the calibration setting between the calibration inlet port and the transmitter for calibration of the transmitter at a predetermined fluid pressure.

10. In a differential fluid pressure system including a main flow line in which a differential fluid pressure is to be measured on opposed sides of a flow restriction in the flow line, and a differential pressure transmitter for transmitting to a remote site the differential fluid pressure in said flow line communicated to the transmitter through high and low pressure lines from the main flow line;

an improved valve manifold between the transmitter and main flow line connected to said high and low pressure lines to control the fluid pressure flow to the transmitter, said improved valve manifold comprising;

a body having a central main bore therein;

a pair of inlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to provide a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure inlet port;

a pair of outlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines to said differential pressure transmitter to provide a low pressure outlet port and a high pressure outlet port;

a stem mounted within said bore having an end thereof extending outwardly from said body;

means to rotate said stem among three rotational settings including a run position setting, a zero position setting, and a calibration position setting;

three separate valve members mounted within said bore and operatively connected to said stem for movement upon rotation of the stem among said three settings, one of said separate valve members being a low pressure valve member and permitting direct fluid communication between the low pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position to permit a low fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter;

a second of said separate valve members being a high pressure valve member and permitting direct fluid communication between the high pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position setting to permit a high fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter;

said stem being spaced from the adjacent surfaces defining said bore to form a fluid chamber therebetween in said bore, said valve manifold body having a vent port therein communicating said fluid chamber to atmosphere;

and a third of said valve members having a vent passage therein in continuous fluid communication with said fluid chamber, said vent passage being in fluid communication with said body vent port at the run position setting for venting said fluid chamber to atmosphere at the run position setting thereby to permit detection of any fluid pressure leaks from said high and low pressure lines into said fluid chamber formed by the body bore.

11. In a differential fluid pressure system including a main flow line in which a differential fluid pressure is to be measured, and a differential pressure transmitter for transmitting the differential fluid pressure from the main flow line;

an improved valve manifold in high and low pressure lines between the transmitter and main flow line, said improved valve manifold comprising;

a body having a central main bore therein;

a pair of inlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to provide a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure inlet port;

a pair of outlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines to said differential pressure transmitter to provide a low pressure outlet port and a high pressure outlet port;

a stem mounted within said bore having an end thereof extending outwardly from said body;

means to rotate said stem among three rotational settings including a run position setting, a zero position setting, and a calibration position setting;

three separate valve members mounted within said bore and operatively connected to said stem for movement upon rotation of the stem among said three settings, one of said separate valve members being a low pressure valve member and permitting direct fluid communication between the low pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position to permit a low fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter;

a second of said separate valve members being a high pressure valve member and permitting direct fluid communication between the high pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position setting to permit a high fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter;

a fluid passage in the manifold between the inlet and outlet ports for the transmitter to permit fluid communication therebetween in said zero position, said first and second valve members blocking fluid communication between said inlet and outlet ports of the transmitter in said run position;

and a third of said valve members having a vent passageway therein in continuous fluid communication with said fluid passage and selectively in fluid communication with atmospheric pressure for venting said fluid chamber to atmosphere at the run position setting thereby to permit detection of any pressure leaks from said high and low pressure lines into said fluid passage.

12. In a fluid pressure differential measuring system having a main flow line in which a fluid pressure differential between two points is desired to be measured, and a pressure differential transmitter for transmitting the fluid pressure differential to a desired location;

an improved valve manifold positioned in the fluid pressure lines between the flow line and the measuring instrument for transmitting and regulating the flow of fluid therebetween comprising;

a body having a central main bore therein;

a pair of inlet ports communicating with said main bore and spaced longitudinally of said bore, said ports being connected to high and low fluid pressure lines from said main flow line;

a pair of outlet ports communicating with said main bore and spaced longitudinally of said bore and in alignment transversely of the bore with the pair of inlet ports, and an intermediate calibration port communicating with said main bore and positioned between said pair of outlet ports;

an elongate stem positioned within said main bore and extending outwardly of one end of said body;

said stem having three spherical valve members mounted thereon and spaced along its length, said stem being of an outer diameter less than the diameter of said bore to provide a free bore space between the stem and the inner periphery of said main bore defining a fluid chamber;

said spherical valve members including a pair of end valve members and an intermediate valve member between the end valve members, the end valve members being positioned between the transversely aligned inlet and outlet ports to control the flow of fluid therebetween and the intermediate valve member being positioned at the intermediate port to control fluid flow thereat; and

means to rotate the stem and spherical valve members thereon between three distinct rotational settings comprising a run position setting, a zero position setting, and a calibration position setting;

said spherical end valve members having suitable axial bores therethrough alignable in said run position with associated transversely aligned inlet and outlet ports to permit fluid flow from said flow line to said pressure differential transmitter, said end valve members in the zero and calibration settings blocking fluid communication between the associated inlet and outlet ports and said axial bores of said end valve members;

said intermediate spherical valve member permitting fluid communication between said intermediate calibration port and the high pressure outlet port to the pressure differential transmitter in said calibration setting for calibration of the transmitter at a predetermined fluid pressure.

13. In a fluid pressure differential measuring system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said stem has a passageway therein permitting fluid communication between said intermediate calibration port and said high pressure outlet port at said calibration setting.

14. In a fluid pressure differential measuring system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said valve manifold body has a vent port therein in fluid communication with said fluid chamber for selectively venting said fluid chamber to atmosphere, said intermediate spherical valve member blocking the venting of said fluid chamber to atmosphere at said zero setting and permitting the venting of said fluid chamber to atmosphere at said calibration setting.

15. A valve manifold adapted to be positioned between a main flow line and a differential pressure transmitter for regulating the flow of fluid through high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to the transmitter comprising:

a body having a central main bore therein;

a pair of inlet ports communicating with said main bore and spaced longitudinally of said bore, said ports being connected to high and low fluid pressure lines from said main flow line;

a pair of outlet ports communicating with said main bore and spaced longitudinally of said bore and in alignment transversely of the bore with the pair of inlet ports, and an intermediate calibration port communicating with said main bore and positioned between said pair of outlet ports;

an elongate stem positioned within said main bore and extending outwardly of one end of said body;

said stem having three spherical valve members mounted thereon and spaced along its length, said stem being of an outer diameter less than the diameter of said bore to provide a free bore space between the stem and the inner periphery of said main bore defining a fluid chamber;

said spherical valve members including a pair of end valve members and an intermediate valve member between the end valve members, the end valve members being positioned between the transversely aligned inlet and outlet ports to control the flow of fluid therebetween and the intermediate valve member being positioned at the intermediate port to control fluid flow thereat; and

means to rotate the stem and spherical valve members thereon between three distinct rotational settings comprising a run position setting, a zero position setting, and a calibration position setting;

said spherical end valve members having suitable axial bores therethrough alignable in said run position with associated transversely aligned inlet and outlet ports to permit fluid flow from said flow line to said pressure differential transmitter, said end valve members in the zero and calibration settings blocking fluid communication between the associated inlet and outlet ports and said axial bores of said end valve members;

said valve manifold body having a vent port therein communicating with said body bore for selectively venting said fluid chamber to atmosphere, said intermediate spherical valve member blocking the venting of said fluid chamber to atmosphere through said vent port at said zero setting and permitting the venting of said fluid chamber to atmosphere through said vent port at said calibration setting.

16. A valve manifold adapted to be positioned between a main flow line and a differential pressure transmitter for regulating the flow of fluid through high and low pressure line from the main flow line to the transmitter comprising:

a body having a main bore therein defining a fluid chamber;

low and high pressure inlet ports in said body connecting with said main bore and adapted to be connected to the main flow line;

low and high pressure outlet ports in said body communicating with said main bore and adapted to be connected to the pressure differential transmitter;

a high pressure calibration port in said body communicating with said main bore and adapted to be connected to a source of a predetermined high pressure calibration fluid;

a separate low pressure calibration port in said body communicating with said main bore and adapted to be connected to a source of a predetermined low pressure calibration fluid;

a stem mounted within said bore and having a purality of separate valve members mounted thereon in spaced relation along the length thereof, said valve members being associated with said ports to control the flow of fluid therethrough upon rotation of the stem;

means to rotate said stem for positioning said valve members among run, zero, and calibration positions;

said valve members when positioned in the run position permitting the alignment of said low and high pressure inlet ports with said low and high pressure outlet ports for the flow of low and high pressure fluids from the main flow line to said pressure differential transmitter;

said valve members when positioned at said calibration position permitting the flow of predetermined high pressure and low pressure calibration fluids to the respective high pressure and low pressure outlet ports thereby to calibrate the transmitter between any desired low pressure and high pressure ranges;

said valve members when positioned in the zero position permitting the alignment of said high pressure inlet port with said low and high pressure outlet ports to said transmitter thereby to provide fluid balancing of said transmitter.

17. A valve manifold as set forth in claim 16 wherein said valve members when positioned in the zero position have a restricted fluid flow passage between said high pressure inlet port and said low and high pressure outlet ports to said transmitter to permit a gradual equalization of pressure on said transmitter.

18. A valve manifold as set forth in claim 16 wherein said low pressure calibration port is a vent to atmosphere in communication with the body bore in the run position to permit the detection of fluid leaks into the body bore from the high and low pressure lines.

19. In a valve manifold between a main flow line and a differential pressure transmitter;

a body having a main bore therein defining a fluid chamber;

low and high pressure inlet ports in said body in communication with said bore;

low and high pressure outlet ports in said body communicating with said main bore and adapted to be connected to the pressure differential transmitter;

separate low and high pressure calibration ports in said body each adapted to be connected to a source of calibration fluid of a predetermined fluid pressure;

a stem mounted within said bore having an end thereof extending outwardly from said body, a plurality of spaced valve elements mounted within the bore along the stem and associated with said ports to control the flow of fluid therethrough upon rotation of the stem;

means to rotate said stem for positioning said valve elements among run, zero, and calibration positions;

said valve elements when positioned in the run position permitting the alignment of said low and high pressure inlet ports with said low and high pressure outlet ports;

said valve elements when positioned in the zero position having a restricted flow passage between said high pressure inlet port and said low and high pressure outlet ports to said transmitter, thereby to provide a relatively slow equalization of pressure on said transmitter;

said valve elements when positioned at said calibration position permitting the flow of the calibration fluids of selected fluid pressures to said low and high pressure outlet ports.

20. In a valve manifold as set forth in claim 19 wherein either of said predetermined low pressure or high pressure calibration fluids may be atmospheric.

21. In a differential fluid pressure system including a main flow line in which a differential fluid pressure is to be measured on opposed sides of a flow restriction in the flow line, and a differential pressure transmitter adapted for transmitting to a remote site the differential fluid pressure in said flow line communicated to the transmitter through high and low pressure lines from the main flow line;

an improved valve manifold between the transmitter and main flow line connected to said high and low pressure lines to control the fluid pressure flow to the transmitter, said improved valve manifold comprising;

a body having a central main bore therein;

a pair of inlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines from the main flow line to provide a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure inlet port;

a pair of outlet ports communicating with said main bore and connected to high and low pressure lines to said differential pressure transmitter to provide a low pressure outlet port and a high pressure outlet port;

a calibration port in said body adapted to be connected to a source of calibration fluid of a predetermined pressure;

a stem mounted within said bore having an end thereof extending outwardly from said body;

means to rotate said stem among three rotational settings including a run position setting, a zero positon setting, and a calibration position setting;

a plurality of valve members mounted within said bore and operatively connected to said stem for movement upon rotation of the stem among said three settings, said valve members permitting direct fluid communication between the low pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position to permit a low fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the transmitter, said valve members permitting direct fluid communication between the high pressure inlet and outlet ports in the run position setting to permit a high fluid pressure directly from the flow line to the tramsmitter, said valve members when positioned at said calibration position setting permitting the flow of calibration fluid to said high pressure outlet port;

said stem being spaced from the adjacent surfaces defining said bore to form a fluid chamber therebetween in said bore, said valve manifold body having a vent port therein communicating said fluid chamber to atmosphere; and

one of said valve members having a vent passage therein in continuous fluid communication with said fluid chamber, said vent passage being in fluid communication with said body vent port at the run position setting for venting said fluid chamber to atmosphere at the run position setting;

said valve members when positioned in the zero position permitting the alignment of said high pressure inlet port with said low and high pressure outlet ports to said transmitter thereby permitting fluid balancing of said transmitter.