Patent Application
20160177665
The present invention relates generally to a fluid flow valve and more particularly to fluid flow valves used in the oil and gas industry.
Valves are commonly used in the oil and gas industry for controlling the passage of fluids (e.g. gases, liquids, fluidized solids for slurries) though a pipe or duct. The valve is used to open, close or partially obstruct various passageways. Valves often include two or more ports. For example, three port values are often shaped in an “L” or “T” configuration and are used to permit connection of one or more inlet ports to one or more outlet ports in a piping arrangement.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a heated valve for preventing ice plugs. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Attached to the main body 101 is heater block such as a heater housing 115 that is contiguous with a side of the main body 101. The heater housing 115 has a block-like appearance and is generally cubical in shape having a rectangular configuration and includes at least one port, namely port 117 and port 119. The heater housing 115 includes one or more ports that are may be threaded that matches a corresponding threaded valve port. The threaded ports help to securely fasten the pin heaters to the heater housing for providing optimal heat transfer. Port 117 and port 119 are generally cylindrical voids having proximal and distal ends that are closed and/or sealed at their distal end. Port 117 and port 119 are sized to accept pin heater 121 and pin heater 123 respectively. Pin heater 121 and pin heater 123 are fastened to the heater housing 115 using screws and a mounting bracket. As described herein, the pin heater 121 and pin heater 123 work to heat and/or warm the main body 101 to increase the temperature of the main body for preventing freezing, clogging and flow reduction of liquids passing through the valve during pressure changes.
By way of example and not limitation, a typical pin heater might be a “Diff Therm” vacuum diffusion pump heater made by Dalton Electric Heating Company, Inc. will work for this purpose. The pin heater is also sometimes referred to as a flex heater and is typically cylindrical in shape and sized at ⅜″×3″ for fitting within port 117 and port 119 respectively. The pin heater 121 and pin heater 123 may also include an internal thermostat 125 that can be preset to approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit (F). The pin heater 121 and pin heater 123 have proximal and distal ends where the proximal end is visible and the distal end is inserted into the port within the heater housing. The thermostat 125 is typically positioned between pin heater 121 and pin heater 123 into the heater housing 115 so the thermostat 125 is mounted in a parallel plane distal end-to-distal end to the pin heater 121 and pin heater 123. This allows for a more accurate temperature reading since the thermostat 125 is further distant from the pin heaters. If mounted in close proximity to the pin heaters, the thermostat will actuate the pin heaters so they cycle too rapidly between on and off modes of operation. If the thermostat 125 is positioned a predetermined distance opposite the pin heater 121 and pin heater 123 this allows the main body of the valve to warm uniformly without falsely detecting a target temperature. Also, the control wiring will also exit or project from the opposite side of the heater housing 115 so there is less clutter and easier hook-up of the control wiring. Those skilled in the art that the temperature of the pin heater can be selected using the type of heater or through the use of software where the thermostat will signal a control system when approaching “a do not exceed” temperature so preventative action can be taken.
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Thus, the present invention is directed to a valve configured in a T-configuration that includes one or more pin heaters each controlled by a thermostat for heating the valve. In situations where dramatic pressure changes occur, this prevents ice from accumulating and blocking operation of the valve. Since the heating is done externally to the valve, the heated valve is safe and in regulatory compliance for oil and gas applications.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
