Patent Grant
12070837
Embodiments of the technology relate generally to a tool for aligning a flushing ring with an instrument assembly.
Petrochemical processing plants, such as refineries, typically comprise vessels, such as tanks and pipes, containing fluids. The fluid within the vessel can be monitored using instruments that attach to one or more ports in the vessel. The instruments can be gauges that measure pressure, differential pressure, or other properties within the vessel. Proper installment of the instrument onto the vessel is necessary for the instrument to function properly and to avoid leaking of fluid from the vessel. Accordingly, tools that assist with the proper installation of such instruments onto vessels would be beneficial.
In one example embodiment, the present disclosure is generally directed to an alignment tool. The alignment tool can comprise: a semicylindrical body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a process end surface, and an instrument end surface. The inner surface of the alignment tool can comprise: a process bearing surface; an instrument bearing surface; and a ring bearing disposed between the process bearing surface and the instrument bearing surface. The ring bearing can comprise: a first fastener aperture; a second fastener aperture; and a ring bearing surface having an alignment feature.
In another example embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method of installing an instrument using an alignment tool. The method can comprise: placing a process flange onto a process bearing surface of the alignment tool; placing an instrument flange onto an instrument bearing surface of the alignment tool; and placing a flushing ring onto a ring bearing of the alignment tool. With the flanges and flushing ring in place on the alignment tool, a first fastener can be inserted through an aperture in the instrument flange and through a first fastener aperture of the ring bearing. Similarly, a second fastener can be inserted through a second aperture in the instrument flange and through a second fastener aperture of the ring bearing. Next, an instrument gasket can be placed onto the alignment tool between the instrument flange and the flushing ring and a process gasket can be placed onto the alignment tool between the process flange and the flushing ring. With the components in place and properly aligned on the alignment tool, the first fastener and the second fastener can be tightened onto apertures of the process flange thereby securing the instrument flange, the instrument gasket, the flushing ring, the process gasket, and the process flange together onto the process flange. Lastly, once the instrument is properly attached to the process flange using the alignment tool, the alignment tool can be removed.
The foregoing embodiments are non-limiting examples and other aspects and embodiments will be described herein. The foregoing summary is provided to introduce various concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify required or essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is the summary intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The accompanying drawings illustrate only example embodiments of an alignment tool and methods of using an alignment tool and therefore are not to be considered limiting of the scope of this disclosure. The principles illustrated in the example embodiments of the drawings can be applied to alternate methods and apparatus. Additionally, the elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, the same reference numerals used in different embodiments designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements.
The example embodiments discussed herein are directed to apparatus and methods involving installation of instruments. The example apparatus and methods described herein are particularly beneficial in the oil and gas industry where instruments are often mounted to tanks, pipes, and other fluid containing vessels. In particular, the embodiments disclosed herein describe an alignment tool and a method of using the alignment tool in connection with mounting an instrument to a fluid vessel. The examples described herein improve upon prior approaches in that they facilitate proper installation of the instrument allowing a worker to more easily and to more quickly install the instrument. The alignment tool also facilitates proper installation of the instrument onto the vessel to avoid leaks and to ensure that the instrument functions correctly. The alignment tool also facilitates the installation by holding several components in place while the instrument is secured to the vessel.
Such instruments attached to vessels often include a flushing ring. Flushing rings are used with flanged chemical seal systems for flushing or venting the space immediately in front of the instrument's diaphragm. The flushing ring is mounted between the flanged process connection (the connection on the vessel) and the instrument's diaphragm seal. The flushing ring has flushing ports, typically located on each lateral side of the flushing ring, that allow washing out of material or particles that have accumulated in front of the instrument's membrane. Additionally, pressure within the space that is occupied by the flushing ring can be vented or drained via the flushing ports of the flushing ring. The alignment tool described herein facilitates proper installation of the instrument and its flushing ring.
In the following paragraphs, particular embodiments will be described in further detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. In the description, well-known components, methods, and/or processing techniques are omitted or briefly described. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the embodiments is not to suggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s).
Referring to
Proper attachment of the instrument flanges and flushing rings to the process flanges of the vessel can be challenging and time consuming. Accordingly, an alignment tool, such as that illustrated and described in the examples herein, can facilitate the attachment of the instrument to the vessel.
Referring to
The alignment tool 300 has a generally semi-cylindrical shape and can be made from a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, carbon fiber, metals, and metal alloys. The alignment tool 300 has an outer surface 303 and an inner surface 307 generally defining the semi-cylindrical shape. The outer and inner surfaces are bounded by a first edge surface 311, a second edge surface 313, a process end surface 307, and an instrument end surface 309. A diameter D1 extends between the first edge surface 311 and the second edge surface 313. Adjacent to the process end surface 307 is a process bearing surface 330 that receives a process flange, such as the process flanges attached to the vessel 105 of
Between the process bearing surface 330 and the instrument bearing surface 332, a first support wall 315, a second support wall 317, and a ring bearing 320 extend from the inner surface 305 and into the interior of the alignment tool 300. The first support wall 315 is adjacent to the first edge surface 311, while the second support wall 317 is adjacent to the second edge surface 313. The first support wall 315 and the second support wall 317 extend only a portion of the way from the first edge surface 311 and the second edge surface 313, respectively, so that a diameter D2, smaller than diameter D1, extends in the gap between the first support wall 315 and the second support wall 317. The ring bearing 320 extends from the inner surface 305 and is disposed in the gap between the first support wall 315 and the second support wall 317. At the top of the ring bearing 320 is a ring bearing surface 322 that is curved to receive and support a flushing ring. The ring bearing surface 322 can have an alignment feature, such as an indexing pin 324, that fits into a recess in the outer circumference of the flushing ring when the flushing ring is placed on the ring bearing surface 322. The alignment feature assists in properly aligning the flushing ring when it is resting on the ring bearing surface 322.
A first fastener aperture 326 is located between the ring bearing 320 and the first support wall 315. Similarly, a second fastener aperture 328 is located between the ring bearing 320 and the second support wall 317. As will be described and illustrated further below, the first and second fastener apertures allow fasteners to pass through the instrument flange, through the alignment tool, and into the process flange as the instrument flange is being aligned and secured to the process flange. As illustrated in
Referring to
Similar to alignment tool 300, alignment tool 500 has a generally semi-cylindrical shape and can be made from a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, carbon fiber, metals, and metal alloys. Alignment tool 500 has an outer surface 503 and an inner surface 507 generally defining the semi-cylindrical shape. The outer and inner surfaces are bounded by a first edge surface 511, a second edge surface 513, a process end surface 507, and an instrument end surface 509. A diameter D1 extends between the first edge surface 511 and the second edge surface 513. Adjacent to the process end surface 507 is a process bearing surface 530 that receives a process flange, such as the process flanges attached to the vessel 105 of
Between the process bearing surface 530 and the instrument bearing surface 532, a first support wall 515, a second support wall 517, and a ring bearing 520 extend from the inner surface 505 and into the interior of the alignment tool 500. The first support wall 515 is adjacent to the first edge surface 511, while the second support wall 517 is adjacent to the second edge surface 513. The first support wall 515 and the second support wall 517 extend only a portion of the way from the first edge surface 511 and the second edge surface 513, respectively, so that a diameter D2, smaller than diameter D1, extends in the gap between the first support wall 515 and the second support wall 517. The ring bearing 520 extends from the inner surface 505 and is disposed in the gap between the first support wall 515 and the second support wall 517. At the top of the ring bearing 520 is a ring bearing surface 522 that is curved to receive and support a flushing ring. The ring bearing surface 522 can have an alignment feature, such as an indexing pin 524, that fits into a recess in the outer circumference of the flushing ring when the flushing ring is placed on the ring bearing surface 522. The alignment feature assists in properly aligning the flushing ring when it is resting on the ring bearing surface 522.
Alignment tool 500 differs from alignment tool 300 in that alignment tool 500 provides four fastener apertures. In the region between the first support wall 515 and the ring bearing 520, a first arm support 535 extends from the inner surface 505 toward the interior of the alignment tool. A first outer fastener aperture 526 is located between the first support wall 515 and the first arm support 535, whereas a first fastener aperture 527 is located between the first arm support 535 and the ring bearing 520. Similarly, in the region between the second support wall 517 and the ring bearing 520, a second arm support 537 extends from the inner surface 505 toward the interior of the alignment tool. A second outer fastener aperture 528 is located between the second support wall 517 and the second arm support 537, whereas a second fastener aperture 529 is located between the second arm support 537 and the ring bearing 520. The four fastener apertures allow fasteners to pass through the instrument flange, through the alignment tool, and into the process flange as the instrument flange is being aligned and secured to the process flange. As illustrated in
Referring now to
Beginning with operation 1 of
For any figure shown and described herein, one or more of the components may be omitted, added, repeated, and/or substituted. Additionally, it should be understood that in certain cases components of the example systems can be combined or can be separated into subcomponents. Accordingly, embodiments shown in a particular figure should not be considered limited to the specific arrangements of components shown in such figure. Further, if a component of a figure is described but not expressly shown or labeled in that figure, the label used for a corresponding component in another figure can be inferred to that component. Conversely, if a component in a figure is labeled but not described, the description for such component can be substantially the same as the description for the corresponding component in another figure.
With respect to the example methods described herein, it should be understood that in alternate embodiments, certain steps of the methods may be performed in a different order, may be performed in parallel, or may be omitted. Moreover, in alternate embodiments additional steps may be added to the example methods described herein. Accordingly, the example methods provided herein should be viewed as illustrative and not limiting of the disclosure.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “distal”, “proximal”, and “within” are used merely to distinguish one component (or part of a component or state of a component) from another. Such terms are not meant to denote a preference or a particular orientation, and are not meant to limit the embodiments described herein. In the example embodiments described herein, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include plural alternatives, e.g., at least one. The terms “including”, “with”, and “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language), unless specified otherwise.
When Applicant discloses or claims a range of any type, Applicant's intent is to disclose or claim individually each possible number that such a range could reasonably encompass, including end points of the range as well as any sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges encompassed therein, unless otherwise specified. Numerical end points of ranges disclosed herein are approximate, unless excluded by proviso.
Values, ranges, or features may be expressed herein as “about”, from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such values, or ranges are expressed, other embodiments disclosed include the specific value recited, from the one particular value, and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that there are a number of values disclosed therein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. In another aspect, use of the term “about” means ±20% of the stated value, ±15% of the stated value, ±10% of the stated value, ±5% of the stated value, ±3% of the stated value, or ±1% of the stated value.
Although embodiments described herein are made with reference to example embodiments, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are well within the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example embodiments described herein are not limited to any specifically discussed application and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the example embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments using the present disclosure will suggest themselves to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the example embodiments is not limited herein.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160136796 | Baker | May 2016 | A1 |
| Entry |
|---|
| Emerson Rosemount DP Level Transmitters and Diaphragm Seal Systems, Reference Manual 00809-0100-4002, Rev FA, Apr. 2022. |
| Shridhan Flushing Rings Manual, Apr. 2018, available at https://shridhan.com/node/13. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20240025019 A1 | Jan 2024 | US |
