Systems and methods for servicing ball valves

• US 6,640,826 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GATX Corp.
• Original Assignee: GATX Rail Corp. (GATX Corp.)
• Inventors: Mullins, Douglas O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US09/978,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20030070709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 137/15.17, 137/15.18, 137/15.22, 137/315.01, 137/315.18, 137/315.19, 137/315.2, 137/315.21, 137/315.41, 137/315.42, 292/131, 292/216, 298/901.2, 298/901.21, 294/020.2, 298/901.24, 294/020.3, 294/020.8, 294/265, 297/00
• US Class Current: 137/315.2
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 43/00 Auxiliary closure means in valves, which in case of repair, e.g. rewashering, of the valve, can take over the function of the normal closure means; Devices for temporary replacement of parts of valves for the same purpose
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0486 Specific valve or valve element mounting or repairing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0491 Valve or valve element assembling, disassembling, or replacing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0508 Ball valve or rotary ball valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6041 Replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6109 Tool for applying or removing valve or valve member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49719 Seal or element thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4973 Replacing of defective part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49822 by applying force
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53552 Valve applying or removing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53596 Removal tool

Abstract

A temporary ball valve support structure is utilized to apply pressure to the ball in a ball valve so that a seal is maintained between the ball and the upstream seal member in the ball valve to prevent fluid from leaking from the valve while the valve is being serviced. The temporary ball valve support allows a downstream seal member and the ball valve retainer housing assembly to be removed. This allows the outer seal and retainer to be replaced and/or serviced without allowing fluid to escape from the tank or pipe. First and second ball support members are alternately used to force the ball member against the upstream seal member.

Claims

1. A method of servicing a ball valve assembly having an upstream seal member, a downstream seal member and a ball member therebetween, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a temporary support structure in a position to engage first and second ball support members at a distance from the ball member;

pivotally engaging the first support ball member with the temporary support structure;

applying a force to the ball member with the first ball support member wherein the force is directly related to the pivotal position of the first ball support member relative to the temporary support stucture;

removing the downstream seal member from a location adjacent the ball member;

pivotally engaging a second ball support member with the temporary support structure;

applying a force to the ball member with the first and second ball support members wherein the force is directly related to the pivotal positions of the first and second ball support members relative to the temporary support structure;

applying a force to the ball member with the second ball support member from engagement with the temporary support structure;

placing a new downstream seal member around the first ball support member and reengaging the first ball support member with the temporary support structure;

applying a force to the ball member with the ball support member while removing the second ball support member from engagement with the temporary support structure;

installing the new downstream seal member adjacent the ball member; and

removing the first ball support member and the temporary support structure.

2. The method of servicing a ball valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising the step of placing a force distribution member between the ball member and the first ball support member prior to applying a force to the ball member with the first ball support member.

3. A temporary support structure for servicing a downstream seal of a ball valve assembly having a ball member, the temporary support structure comprising a base adapted to be positioned a distance from said ball value assembly, and further comprising first and second ball support members, wherein each ball support member is adapted to pivotally engage the base and to selectively engage the ball member and wherein the force applied by the ball support members is directly related to their pivotal position relative to the temporary support structure, whereby the ball support members allow removal of the downstream seal and insert in of a new downstream seal about at least one of the ball support members.

4. The temporary support structure of claim 3, further comprising base supports connected to and extending from the base to position the base at a distance from a tank or pipe.

5. The temporary support structure of claim 3, further comprising at least one locking mechanism to temporarily secure at least one of the ball support members in a position engaging the ball member.

6. The temporary support structure of claim 3, wherein each ball support member may be removed from engagement with the base.

7. A temporary support structure for servicing a downstream seal of a ball value assembly having an upstream seal member, a downstream seal member and a ball member therebetween, said temporary support structure comprising a base adapted to be positioned a distance from said ball value assembly, and further comprising first and second ball support members, wherein each ball support member is adapted to selectively engage the base and the ball member to apply increased force as the ball support member pivots toward the ball value assembly and whereby the ball support members allow removal of the downstream seal and insertion of a new downstream seal about at least one of the ball support members.

8. The temporary support structure of claim 7, further comprising base supports connected to and extending from the base to position the base at a distance from a tank or pipe.

9. The temporary support structure of claim 7, further comprising at least one pivot member on the base for engagement with at least one of the ball support members.

10. The temporary support structure of claim 7, further comprising at least one locking mechanism to temporarily secure at least one of the ball support members in a position of engagement with the ball member.

11. The temporary support structure of claim 7, wherein the first ball support member is adapted to receive a downstream seal member.

12. The temporary support structure of claim 11, wherein the first ball support member is adapted to be removed from the base.

13. The temporary support structure of a claim 7, further comprising a force distribution member adapted to engage the ball member and the first and second ball support members.