Orifice Plate Alignment Device

Abstract

A tool for supporting and centering a flat circular orifice plate flow meter between two pipe flanges that have circumferentially spaced apart circular flange bolt holes that lie on a bolt circle and receive circular flange bolts for interconnecting the flanges, comprising a flat plate having a first edge which includes at least two points that lie on a line of curvature having a radius equal to the radius of the circular orifice plate, and at least one set of at least two tool holes sized to receive two of the bolts that interconnect the flanges.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 are end views of pipe flanges having respectively three different pressure ratings such as, for example, ANSI 150, 300 and 600 class. Different pressure rated flanges are shown attached to the ends of same sized pipes with same sized orifice plates centered within the circle of each pipe flange. Shown in plan view and placed on the respective flanges is the single flat plate alignment tool of the present invention that centers the orifice plate within the various sized flanges.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the alignment appliance shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is an end view of a pipe flange having a greater pressure rating than the flanges shown in FIGS. 1-3, for example ANSI 900 class. The flange is attached to the end of a pipe having the same line size as the pipes shown in FIGS. 1-3. An orifice plate of the same size as that shown in FIGS. 1-3 is centered within the circle defined by the pipe flange. The alignment tool of the present invention is shown positioned on the flange and in contact with an orifice plate of the same size as the orifice plate of FIGS. 1-3. The alignment tool illustrated in this Figure has two sets of bolt holes and is thereby adapted for use on two different pressure rated flanges.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the alignment device shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an end view of a pipe flange having a greater pressure rating than the flange shown in FIGS. 1-5. The flange is attached to the end of a pipe of similar size to the pipe shown in FIG. 5 with a same sized orifice plate as that shown in FIG. 5. The orifice plate is centered within the circle of the flange. An alignment tool designed only for this particular rated flange is shown with its bolt holes positioned over two adjacent holes in the bolt circle of the flange.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the alignment appliance shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an end view of a pipe flange attached to a larger pipe than that shown in FIGS. 1-8 and supporting a larger orifice plate, illustrating that a larger diameter orifice plate may require the use of more than one flat plate alignment tool.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the alignment device shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of typical bolt connected pipe flanges where an orifice plate is compressively supported between the flanges. The alignment tool of the present invention is shown in cross section as it would appear compressed between a pair of mating pipe flanges, one of which is shown in FIG. 7, for example.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the widened double plate alignment tool for use with thicker orifice plates.

Claims

1. A tool for supporting and centering a flat circular orifice plate flow meter between two pipe flanges that have circumferentially spaced apart circular flange bolt holes that lie on a bolt circle and receive circular flange bolts for interconnecting the flanges, comprising, a flat plate having, a first edge which includes at least two points that lie on a line of curvature having a radius equal to the radius of the circular orifice plate, andat least one set of at least two tool holes sized to receive two of the bolts that interconnect the flanges.

2. The tool of claim 1 where the centers of the tool holes are spaced from the line of curvature of the first edge a distance equal to the difference between (a) the radius of the flange bolt hole circle and (b) the radius of the orifice plate plus (c) the difference between the diameter of the flange bolt holes and the diameter of a flange connecting bolt.

3. The tool of claim 1 where the first edge is an arc on a chord of a circle that has the same radius as that of the circular orifice plate flow meter.

4. The tool of claim 1 where the flat plate further includes, a plurality of sets of at least two holes, each set of which corresponds in size and spacing with two of the bolt receiving holes in differently rated pipe flanges.

5. The tool of claim 2 where the flat plate further includes, a plurality of sets of at least two holes, each set of which sets corresponds in size and spacing with two of the bolt receiving holes in differently rated pipe flanges.

6. The tool of claim 1 where the flat plate has a thickness substantially similar to the circular orifice plate flow meter.

7. (canceled)