Dual slide gate valve and method for using same

• US 7,398,675 B1
• Filed: 02/13/2006
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reliance Worldwide Corporation (GSA Industries Pty Limited)
• Original Assignee: Securus Incorporated (Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brown, Larry D., Condon, Duane R., Metzger, Greg P., Kendall, Thomas L., Enstrom, Fred O., Hart, Dennis L., Randolph, Scott W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bellamy; Tamiko D
• Application Number:
  US11/353,595
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 73/37, 73/46, 73/498, 73/40, 73/491, 73/495, 251/319, 138/89, 138/94, 138/90, 138/94.3
• US Class Current: 73/40
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/0281 Guillotine or blade-type valves, e.g. no passage through the valve member
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/105 Closing devices introduced radially into the pipe or hose
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2853 for pipe joints or seals G01M3/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5109 Convertible

Abstract

A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal recess cooperating with a test slide to block flow through the fitting. An externally accessible port allows insertion and removal of the test slide. The test slide has an internal recess in which a pressure release slide moves to open a hole to release pressure, and to close the hole to block flow through the fitting for pressure testing. After testing and the release of the fluid test pressure, the test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess. The finish slide has an opening located and configured to coincide with the flow path through the male ends of the pipes, and to block the recess to provide a substantially uniform, cylindrical flow path through the fitting.

Claims

1. A kit for testing for leaks in a pipe line, comprising:

a main fitting having two ends each adapted to connect to an end of a pipe and align a fluid passage of the pipe with a fluid passage extending through the main fitting during use of the kit, the main fitting having a port opening on an exterior side of the fitting;

a first test slide having a periphery corresponding in shape to a periphery of the fluid passage through the fitting, the first slide sized and configured to be removably inserted through the port to partially block fluid flow through the fitting, the first slide having a recess therein extending over a portion of the first slide that is positioned within the fluid passage, the first slide having a first hole through the slide located to be placed in the fluid flow path of the fitting when the first slide is inserted into the fitting;

a second pressure release slide sized and configured to be received within the recess in the first slide and movable between a first position blocking the first hole sufficient for testing the line for leaks, and a second position allowing sufficient fluid flow through the first hole sufficient to relieve the pressure used to test the line.

2. The testing kit of claim 1, further comprising a third finish slide sized and configured to be inserted into the port sufficiently to seal the port.

3. The testing kit of claim 1, wherein the main fitting has a recess extending around at least a portion of the fluid passage, with the first test slide being further configured to fit within the recess.

4. The testing kit of claim 3, further comprising, a third finish slide sized and configured to be inserted into the port to seal the port, and sized and configured to fit into a recess in the fitting and having an opening sized to provide a substantially continuous fluid passage through the fitting when the finish slide is inserted into the recess in the fitting.

5. The testing kit of claim 1, wherein a portion of the third slide comprises an annular, circular periphery.

6. The testing kit of claim 1, wherein the first test slide has a first end with a circular periphery and a second end configured to be manually gripped and extending beyond the port during use of the first slide.

7. The testing kit of claim 3, wherein the main fitting has a boss extending toward a longitudinal centerline of the fitting, with the recess being formed in the boss.

8. The testing kit of claim 2, wherein the third finish slide has a portion that is ring-shaped and sized to fit in the recess in the fitting and encircle the flow passage through the fitting.

50. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting.

51. The kit of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive selected to adhere to the pipe line and wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting and selected so the adhesive does not adhere to the first slide.

52. The kit of claim 1, wherein the main fitting comprises a clean-out coupling.

53. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through a wall of the fitting and in fluid communication with the fluid passage of the pipe and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

54. The testing assembly of claim 1, further comprising an opening extending from the outside of the fitting to the inside of the fitting and having an external hose bib fitting that is either male or female.

55. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through the first test slide and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

56. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first test slide is tapered to abut against and form a fluid seal with at least one of two opposing walls of the main fitting which opposing walls encircle the fluid flow path.

57. The kit of claim 1, wherein the second pressure release slide has a face seal abutting a surface of the first slide to form a seal when the second slide is in the first position.

58. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first test slide has a seal around the fluid passage through the main fitting, on only one side of the first test slide.

9. A testing assembly for testing the pressure in a pipe line, comprising:

a fitting having two ends, each adapted to connect to an end of a pipe, the fitting having walls defining a fluid passage extending through the fitting, the fitting having a first port opening on an exterior side of the fitting; and

a first test slide sized and configured to be removably inserted through the first port to abut the walls of the fitting and sized to block the flow of fluid through the main fitting during use of the fitting, the first slide having formed therein a recess, the first slide having a first hole therethrough which is located in the fluid passage and in fluid communication with the recess to allow fluid to flow through the test slide; and

a second pressure release slide sized and configured to move within the recess in the first test slide between a first position blocking the flow of fluid through the first hole, and a second position allowing fluid to flow through the test slide.

10. The testing assembly of claim 9, wherein the fitting has a fitting recess encircling the fluid passage and opening to the port, with the first slide fitting into that fitting recess.

11. The testing assembly of claim 9, wherein the first slide has a second port opening on an exterior side of the fitting and aligned with the recess in the first slide, and wherein the second slide is removably inserted through the second port and into the recess in the first slide.

12. The testing assembly of claim 9, wherein the second slide has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

13. The testing assembly of claim 9, further comprising at least one releasable locking mechanism interposed between the first and second slides to releasably restrict relative motion of the first and second slides.

14. The testing assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and second slides each have a manually grippable end by which end the first slide can be manually inserted and removed from the port and the second slide can be manually inserted and removed from the recess in the first slide.

59. The testing assembly of claim 9, wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting.

60. The testing assembly of claim 9, further comprising an adhesive selected to adhere to the pipe line and wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting and selected so the adhesive does not adhere to the first slide.

61. The testing assembly of claim 9, wherein the fitting comprises a clean-out coupling.

62. The testing assembly of claim 9, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through a wall of the fitting and in fluid communication with the fluid passage of the pipe and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

63. The testing assembly of claim 9, further comprising an opening extending from the outside of the fitting to the inside of the fitting and having an external hose bib fitting that is either male or female.

64. The testing assembly of claim 9, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through the first test slide and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

65. The testing assembly of claim 9, wherein the first test slide is tapered to abut against and form a fluid seal with at least one of two opposing walls of the fitting which opposing walls encircle the fluid flow path.

66. The testing assembly of claim 9, wherein the second pressure release slide has a face seal abutting a surface of the first slide to form a seal when the second slide is in the first position.

67. The testing assembly of claim 9, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through a wall of the fitting and in fluid communication with the fluid passage of the pipe and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

68. The testing assembly of claim 9, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through the first test slide and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

69. The kit of claim 9, wherein the first test slide has a seal encircling the hole, on only one side of the first test slide.

15. An removable slide for blocking fluid flow through a pipe fitting for testing, the fitting having walls defining a fluid passage having an inner periphery with a generally circular cross section, the fitting having a first port opening onto an external surface of the fitting, the removable slide comprising:

a first slide having a circular periphery on at least a lower portion of the slide and sized and configured relative to the fitting to be removably inserted through the first port and into the fitting to block flow through the fitting, the first slide having a first hole extending through the first slide and located in the fluid flow passage when the first slide is inserted into the fitting during use, the first slide having an internal recess therein through which the first hole extends;

a second slide located in the internal recess and movable within that recess to block and unblock the flow of fluid through the hole.

16. The removable slide of claim 15, wherein the fitting has a recessed groove surrounding at least about half of a periphery of the fluid passage and wherein the first slide has a thickness along the flow sized to fit within that groove and abut at least one wall forming that groove.

17. The removable slide of claim 15, wherein the internal recess and the second slide each have a rectangular cross section.

18. The removable slide of claim 16, wherein the second slide has a face seal abutting the recess in the first slide to form a fluid tight seal.

19. The removable slide of claim 16, wherein the second slide has an end external of the internal recess and the second slide is moveable within the internal recess by manually gripping that end.

70. The removable slide of claim 15, wherein the first slide is tapered so that it can abut against and form a fluid seal with at least one of two opposing walls of the main fitting forming a recess encircling at least a portion of the fluid passage.

71. The removable slide of claim 15, wherein the second release slide has a face seal abutting a surface of the first slide to form a seal when the second slide blocks flow through the hole.

72. The kit of claim 15, wherein the first slide has a seal encircling the hole, on only one side of the first test slide.

20. A method for testing a pipe line for leaks, the pipe line having a fitting in fluid communication with the line, the fitting having a flow path through the fitting and an externally accessible port in communication with that flow path, comprising:

placing a first slide into the fitting through the port to block fluid flow through the fitting and out the port, the first test slide having an internal recess with a first hole extending through the test slide and recess to allow fluid flow through the first test slide;

placing a second slide in the internal recess in the first slide in a closed position to block fluid flow through the first;

filling the line with fluid and testing the line for leaks;

moving the second slide relative to the first slide sufficiently to unblock the hole; and

removing the first and second slides from the fitting.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising sealing the port.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the fitting has a recessed groove encircling at least the portion of the flow path opposite the port, and further comprising:

inserting a third slide into the recessed groove, the third slide having an opening conforming in size and shape to the fluid passage at the location of the third slide; and

forming a seal between the third slide and the port.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising releasably fastening the third slide to the fitting.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising permanently fastening the third slide to the fitting.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the externally accessible port is formed by placing an insert into a recess around the flow path through the fitting to provide a fluid tight seal between the fitting and the insert that encircles the flow path, the insert having a groove therein that receives a distal end of the first slide.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the filling step further comprises connecting a fluid source to an externally accessible port on the fitting that is in fluid communication with the portion of the line to be tested.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein the externally accessible port is formed by placing a non-metallic insert into a recess encircling the flow path of the fitting to provide a fluid tight seal between the fitting and the insert that encircles the flow path, the insert having a groove therein that cooperates with the first slide to provide a fluid tight seal between the insert and the first slide and encircling the flow path.

28. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

removing the first and second slides; and

sealing the port by inserting a finish slide into the port.

29. The method of claim 20, comprising placing a garden hose fitting in fluid communication with a fluid passage through a wall of the fitting.

73. The method of claim 20, wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting.

74. The method of claim 20, further comprising applying an adhesive to fasten the fitting to the pipe line and wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting and selected so the adhesive does not adhere to the first slide.

75. The method of claim 20, wherein the fitting comprises a clean-out coupling.

76. The method of claim 20, further comprising introducing fluid from an external source through a fluid passage extending through the test first test slide into the pipe line to pressurize the pipe line for testing.

30. A method for use in testing for leaks in a pipe line having a fluid flow path, comprising:

attaching a fitting to the pipe line, the fitting having an externally accessible port and a fluid flow path aligned with the flow path of the pipe line;

inserting a first slide into the port to block fluid flow through the fitting, the first slide having a hole therethrough with a second slide moveable between a first position blocking fluid flow through the hole and a second position allowing fluid flow through the hole;

moving the second slide to the first position and blocking the fluid flow through the test fitting;

testing the pipe line for leaks by using pressurized fluid;

moving the second slide to the second position and releasing the pressure used for testing; and

removing the test slide from the port; and

sealing the port against passage of fluid out of the port.

31. A method of claim 30, wherein the sealing step comprises inserting a third slide having structure defining an opening that encircles the fluid passage and aligning the opening in the third slide with the fluid passage.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the fitting has a recessed groove encircling at least a portion of the flow path, and further comprising placing a portion of the third slide in the recessed groove and providing a substantially smooth flow passage through the portion of the fitting where the port is located.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the step of sealing the port comprises forming a releasable connection between the fitting and a cover sealing the port.

77. The method of claim 30, wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting.

78. The method of claim 30, wherein the fitting is attached to the pipe using an adhesive selected to adhere to the pipe line and wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting and selected so the adhesive does not adhere to the first slide.

79. The method of claim 30, wherein the main fitting comprises a clean-out coupling.

80. The method of claim 30, wherein the testing step further comprising introducing fluid into the pipe line through a fluid passage extending through the first test slide.

81. The method of claim 30, wherein the testing includes pressurizing the pipe line by passing a pressurizing fluid through a passage extending through a wall of the fitting.

82. The method of claim 30, wherein the testing includes pressurizing the pipe line by passing pressurizing fluid through the first slide.

34. A leak testing assembly for pipes, comprising:

a fitting having a side wall with an interior defining a fluid passage through the fitting, the fitting having first and second ends configured to attach to said pipes, the fitting having a first port extending through the side wall;

first and second gate slides cooperating to block flow through the fluid passage, the first slide sized to be inserted through the first port and engaging the interior of the side wall, the first slide having an opening therethrough located in the fluid passage, the second slide abutting the first slide to block the opening in a first position, and movable relative to the first slide to a second position wherein the opening is not blocked.

35. The leak testing assembly of claim 34, wherein the first slide has a circular outer periphery configured to engage a mating recess formed in the interior side wall.

36. The leak testing assembly of claim 35, wherein the first slide has a port opening onto an exterior of the slide and fitting and through which the second slide is removably inserted.

37. A dual slide gate valve testing kit for pipes, comprising:

a fitting having a side wall with an interior defining a fluid passage through the fitting, the fitting having first and second opposing ends, the fitting having a first port extending through the side wall;

a first slide sized to fit through the first port and mate with the interior of the fitting, the first slide having a pressure release hole extending therethrough and located within the fluid passage when the first slide is inserted into the fitting;

a second gate slide movably mounted within a recess in the first slide to block and unblock the hole, the second gate slide having a portion extending external to the fitting sufficiently to move the second gate slide by hand.

38. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, wherein the fluid passage has a first shape at the location of the first slide and further comprising:

a finish slide sized to fit through the first port and having an opening therethrough corresponding to the first shape.

39. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 38, wherein the interior walls of the fluid passage define a recess into which the first slide fits.

40. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 39, wherein the recess is located in a boss on the interior of the side wall and encircling the fluid passage.

41. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, wherein the interior walls of the fluid passage define a recess into which the first slide fits, the recess extending along half of the fluid passage opposite the first port and the port forming the remainder of the recess.

42. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, wherein the interior of the side wall defines a recess around the fluid passage, and further comprising:

an insert placed through the first port and into the recess to form a seal therewith, the insert defining a second port aligned with the first port, the first slide being inserted through the second port and sealing with the second port during pressure testing of the pipe line, the insert having an opening aligned with the fluid passage when the insert is within the recess.

43. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 42, wherein the opening in the insert corresponds to the shape of the fluid passage at the location of the insert.

44. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 43, further comprising a releasable lock between the first slide and the fitting restraining relative movement of the locked parts.

83. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting.

84. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, further comprising an adhesive selected to adhere to the pipe line and wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting and selected so the adhesive does not adhere to the first slide.

85. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, wherein the fitting comprises a clean-out coupling.

86. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through a wall of the fitting and in fluid communication with the fluid passage of the fitting and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

87. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, further comprising an opening extending from the outside of the fitting to the inside of the fitting and having an external hose bib fitting that is either male or female.

88. The dual slide gate valve testing kit claim 37, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through the first slide and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

89. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, wherein the first slide is tapered to abut against and form a fluid seal with at least one of two opposing walls of the fitting which opposing walls encircle the fluid flow path.

90. The dual slide gate valve testing kit of claim 37, wherein the second gate slide has a face seal abutting a surface of the first slide to block flow through the hole.

91. The kit of claim 37, wherein the first slide has a seal encircling the fluid passage through the fitting, on only one side of the first test slide.

45. A leak testing assembly to be positioned between two adjacent fluid conduits, the assembly comprising:

a fitting having interior walls defining an interior fluid passage therethrough, the fitting having opposing end portions adapted to engage respective end portions of two adjacent conduits, the fitting having a first port located between said first and second end portions;

a test slide insertable through the first port and having a periphery configured to seal the fluid passage and block flow through the fluid passage except for flow through a hole in the test slide with the hole positioned to be located in the fluid passage during use of the test slide;

a valve operably connected to the test slide to open and close the hole to control fluid flow through the hole during use, the valve located within the hole.

46. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, wherein valve comprises a gate slide located within the test slide.

47. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, further comprising a recess in the interior walls sized to receive the test slide.

48. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, wherein the fluid flow path has a cylindrical cross section and further comprising a recess in the interior walls sized to receive the test slide, the recess extending around about half the circumference of the flow path.

49. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, further comprising a releasable lock between the test slide and the fitting restraining movement of the test slide.

92. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, wherein the test slide is made of a material different from the fitting.

93. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, further comprising an adhesive selected to adhere to the fluid conduits and wherein the first slide is made of a material different from the fitting and selected so the adhesive does not adhere to the first slide.

94. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, wherein the fitting comprises a clean-out coupling.

95. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through a wall of the fitting and in fluid communication with the fluid passage through the fitting and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

96. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, further comprising an opening extending from the outside of the fitting to the inside of the fitting and having an external hose bib fitting that is either male or female.

97. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, further comprising a second fluid passage extending through the test slide and further having an external fitting adapted to be connected to an external fluid source.

98. The leak testing assembly of claim 45, wherein the valve includes a face seal abutting a surface of the first slide to close the hole during use.

99. The kit of claim 45, wherein the test slide has a seal encircling the fluid passage through the fitting, on only one side of the first test slide.