US2868220A - Valves - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1959 M. L. FREEMAN VALVES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1955 INVENTOR Mathew L. Freeman ATTORNEY Jall- 1959 M. L. FREEMAN 2,868,220

VALVES Filed Dec. 21, 1855 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 as 4 49 Fig.5

7 INVENTOR Mathew L. Freeman BY /iwww ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1959 M. L. FREEMAN VALVES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 21, 1955 Jan. 13, 1959 Filed Dec. 21, 1955 M. L. FREEMAN VALVES 250 235 32 23/ 2&9 2%

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 2&9 238 INVENTOR Murhew L. Freeman ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1959 M. L. FREEMAN VALVES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.l2

Fig..ll

INVENTOR Mathew L. Freeman ATTORNEY United States Patent VALVES Mathew L. Freeman, Houston, Tex.

Application December 21, 1955, Serial No. 554,441

9 Claims. (Cl. 137-219) This invention relates tovalves and. more particularly to an in-line type valve. for gas transmission lines or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved in-line type valve having a main or block valve means for selectively shutting off flow of fluid in the line.

Another object is to provide a valve of the type described having means for selectively blowing down the line, either upstream, downstream or simultaneously both upstream and downstream.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a valve, of the type described, having means forby-passing the block valve means in order to reduce the pressure differential across the block valve means and thus facilitate opening of the block valve means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve, of the type described, which is operable by fluid pressure to open and close the block valve means and the blow down means.

A still further object is to provide a valve, of the type described, having a mechanical means for operating the main or block valve means.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view showing an in-line type valve of the invention for controlling the flow of fluid in the flow line;

Figure 2 is a schematic sectionalview of one form of the in-line type valve showing the main or blocking valve in open position andthe upstream and downstream valves in closed position, whereby the fluid flows normally in the line;

Figure 3 is a view taken on line 4--4 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the blow down valves;

Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of the valve showing the main 0 1- blocking valve in closed position and theblo'w down valves in closed position whereby all flow of fluid in the line is stopped;

Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of the valve showing the upstream blow down valve in open position whereby upstream blow down may be accomplished;

Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view showing both blow down valves in open positions whereby the fluid in the line may bypass the main or blocking valve, thus decreasing the pressure differential thereacross;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the in-line type valve of the invention with the main valve shown in closed position and the upstream blow down valve in open position;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of the in-line type valve;

Figure 10 is alongitudinal sectional View of still another form of the in-line-type valve;

Figure 11 is an axial sectional view'of amechanical 2,868,220 Patented Jan. 13, 1959 2 means for opening and. closing the main or. block valve of an in-line type valve; and,

Figure 12 is a view taken on line 12-12 of Figure 11.

The in-line type valve 30 of. the invention may be easily connected between adjacent sections of the line by welding or by means of. the usual flange connections 21, and does not require the conventional by-pass manifold and valve, and requires only a single blow down valve. The advantages of the in-line type valve thus are very obvious.

The in-line type valve 30 includes a valve body 32, formed of a substantially tubular outer shell or housing 33 having internal longitudinal ribs 34 which support and hold rigidly a power cylinder 35. The power cylinder and the ribs are provided with radial aligned apertures 36 and 37, respectively, which communicate withthe central compartment 38 of the power cylinder and the annular blow down collecting passage 39 formed by the collar or connecting ring 4% on the valve body 32. A vent pipe 41 connects the collecting passage 39 to the atmosphere through the vent valve 42when the latter is opened.

The power cylinder is provided with a pair of internal annular partitions or walls 44 and 45 which slidingly support a downstream by-pass and blow down piston or valve tube 46 which is provided with an external annular piston d7. The piston 47 can be moved in either direction by introducing fluids under pressure selectively into the chambers 48 and 49 on opposite slides of the piston, through proper fittings, not shown. in. Figures 2 through 7. The downstream valve tube has one end closed by a valve plug 50' and has slidingly disposed on it, between the valve plug 50 and the internal wall 44 of the power cylinder, a main valve 52: which closes the open downstream end of the power cylinder and is adapted to engage the annular valve seat 53 of the valve body to prevent fiow of line fluid through the longitudinal passages 54 located outwardly of the power cylinder and between the ribs 34. The shoulder 56 of the valve plug 50 engages a correspondinglyshaped valve seat 57 of the main valve 52 to prevent flow of line fluid between the central chamber 38, through the interior of the downstream valve tube 46 and its lateral apertures 58 located adjacent the valve plug, and the downstream section of the line.

The main valve is movable toward the valve seat 53 to closed position by fluid under pressure admitted to the chamber 60 through suitable fittings, not shown. The main value is moved away from the valve seat 53 toward open position when fluid under pressure is admitted to the chamber 48, since the shoulder 56 of the valve plug engages the valve seat 57 when the valve tube is moved away from the main valve seat 53 by pressure acting on the piston 47.

An upstream blow down and by-pass piston or valve tube 64 is slidingly supported by annular internal walls or partitions 67 and 68 of the power cylinder and provided with. a valve plug 69 on its upstream end which has an annular face '70 which is adapted. to engage a correspondingly shaped valve seat 71 provided by the annular wall 68 of the power cylinder. The upstream valve tube dd is provided with an external annular piston 72 which is disposed between the annular walls 67 and 68 of the power cylinder, so that the upstream valve tube is moved toward open. position when fluid under pressure is introduced into the chamber between the annular wall 2 and the upstream'and downstream valve tubes and their valve plugs are in the closed positions shown in Figure 2. If it is now desired to close the main valve to prevent flow of line fluid through the pipe line, fluid under pressure is introduced into the chamber 60, while fluid under lesser pressure is introduced into the chamber 48. The pressure or power fluid moves the main valve toward its valve seat 53 until the main valve seat is engaged by the main valve. The downstream by-pass or blow down valve tube 46 and its valve plug 50 are also moved toward the valve seat 53 since the valve plug shoulder 56 is engaged by the seat 57 of the main valve. The various elements of the in-line valve 30 are then in the positions shown in Figure 5 and the line fluid is thus prevented from flowing from the upstream section 20 of the line to the downstream section 21 of the pipe line.

If it is then desired to blow down the upstream section 20 of the line, the vent valve 42 is opened and the chamber 75 is vented, while fluid under pressure is introduced 'into the chamber 74 to act on the piston 72 and move the upstream blow down or by-pass valve tube in a direction to move the valve plug 69 away from its valve seat 71 so the line fluid may flow from the upstream section 20 through the lateral aperture 78 of the upstream valve tube into the central bore thereof and thence to the central chamber 38. From the central chamber the line fluid escapes through the apertures 36 and 37 to the collecting passage 39, and from the collecting passage 39 the line fluidflows into the vent pipe 41 and thence through the vent valve 42 to the atmosphere. The parts of the valve are then in the positions shown in Figure 6.

If it is desired, to vent the downstream section 21 of the line, the chamber 48 is partly vented and fluid under pressure is introduced into the chamber 49 to act on the piston 47 and move the downstream blow down or bypass valve tube 46 in a direction to move the valve plug 50 1 away from its valve seat 57. Thus, line fluid may flow from the downstream section 21 through the lateral apertures 58 of the downstream valve tube into the central bore thereof, and thence to the central chamber 38. From the central chamber the line fluid escapes through the apertures 36 and 37 to the collecting passage 39, and from the collecting passage the line fluid flows into the vent pipe 41 and thence through the event valve 42 to the atmosphere. t

It will be evident that the blow down or by-pass valves may be opened simultaneously or alternately, as may be desired. If opened simultaneously while the vent valve 42 is open, the upstream and downstream sections of the line will be vented simultaneously.

It is apparent that the vent valve 42 may be left open, and so long as the valve tubes 46 and 64 are closed no fluid will escape. Also either valve tube may then be opened to vent fluids from their respective sections of the transmission line, or both may be opened simultaneously.

If it is desired to equalize pressure on both sides of the main valve 52, the vent valve 42 is closed and both the downstream and the upstream valve tubes 46 and 64 are then moved to open positions. Line fluid will then pass through the lateral apertures 78 of the upstream valve tube 64 into its bore, thence to the central chamber 38, and from the central chamber into the bore of the downstream valve tube 46 and through its lateral apertures 58 to the downstream section 21 of the line. The valve parts are then in the positions shown in Figure 7.

The general term fluid under pressure has been used in describing the operation of the valve, and it is to be understood that this operating fluid may be hydraulic fluid from an extraneous source of supply and controlled by suitable valves, it may be bottled gas similarly stored and controlled, or it may be fluid or gas taken from the transmission line through a suitable manifold and control system for acting on the valve parts to accomplish the actuation and operation described.

- Simple pilot controls may be utilized for controlling the direction, admission and release of the operating fluid to the various chambers for remote control of the operation of the valve, and the operation may be made automatic by providing suitable pilot controls connected with the fluids in the transmission line upstream and downstream of the valve, so the controls may be set to cause the operating fluid to close the valve in response to a predetermined rate of pressure drop or increase or upon the pressure in the line reaching a predetermined value or figure.

It will now be seen that a new and improved in-line type valve for fluid transmission lines or pipe lineshas been illustrated and described, which includes a valve ,body 32 connected between adjacent sections of the pipe line and a power cylinder disposed in the valve body and having its upstream end closed by'a valve plug 69 of an upstream valve tube 64 and its downstream end closed by a main valve and a valve plug 50 of a downstream valve tube 46 on which the main valve is mounted. It will also be seen that the main valve is movable to engage a seat 53 of the valve body to prevent flow of line fluid in the passages between the power cylinder and the valve body 32. It will also be seen that the power cylinder is provided with a chamber into which fluid under pressure may be introduced to selectively move the main valve, and the upstream and downstream valve tubes, whereby line fluid may be selectively directed to a vent pipe from either the upstream or downstream sides of the line or may be permitted to flow through the power cylinder and the valve tubes from the upstream section of the line to the downstream section even though the main valve is in closed position.

Figure 8 shows the structural details of the in-line type of valve hereinbefore described and schematically illustrated in Figures 2 through 7, the construction and operation of the valve of Figure 8 being identical with the valve schematically illustrated in Figures 2 through 7. The valve includes a valve body 101 which may be of cast construction, having a plurality of internal longitudinal ribs 102 which support a power cylinder 103. The power cylinder is provided at its upstream end with an end plug 104 having an annular flange 105 which is dis-posed between and abuts the upstream end of the power cylinder and inwardly projecting shoulders 106 of the ribs. ,The end plug 104 thus is confined against movement and also limits upstream movement of the power cylinder in the valve body. An O-ring 104a seals between the end plug and the power cylinder to pre- I vent passage of fluid therebetween. A plurality of elongate set screws 107 extending through threaded bores in the ribs 102 engage in suitable recesses in the exterior otthe downstream end of the power cylinder to lock it immovable in the valve body. The upstream blow down or by-pass piston or valve tube 108 extends through the axial bore of the end plug 104 and is provided with an annular piston 109 held in place by snap rings 110 which are disposed in annular grooves in the valve tube. O-rings 111a seal between the piston and the power cylinder and an O-ring 111b seals between the piston and the valve tube. The valve tube 108 is also supported by an annular partition wall or plate 112 secured in place in the power cylinder by snap rings 113 which are disposed in annular grooves in the bore of the cylinder. The valve tube 108 is provided with a plug 114 having a shoulder 11411 which engages the valve seat 1141: in the outer end of the bore of the end plug 104. The downstream blow down or by-pass piston or valve tube 115 is supported by annular partition walls or plates 1'16 and 117 secured fixedly in the bore of the power cylinder 103 by-snap rings 118 disposed in annular grooves provided in the bore of the power cylinder. A piston 120 is disposed between the walls 116 and 117 and is secured to the downstream valve tube by snap rings 121 engaging in suitable annular grooves formed in the exterior. surface of said valve tube. O'rings 122 seal between the annular walls and the cylinder and between the annular walls and the valve tube.

The main valve 125 is slidingly mountedon the downstream valve tube 115 and seats on. a valve seat 126 held in place in the body 101 by an anchor ring 127. The main valve may be provided with an annular insert or sealing member 128 which engages the valve seat 126. The downstream valvetube 115 is provided at its downstream end with a valve plug 129 having a shoulder 130a which engages a valve seat 131a provided by the main valve.

Chevron packing members 132a are employed to seal between themain. valve and the power cylinder and the downstream valve tube, and similar packing members 132b seal between the main valve and mid-downstream valve tube and between the upstream valve tube 108 and the end plug 104.

The power cylinder has a central chamber 130 with which the inner ends of the valve tubes communicate. Lateral registering ports 131 and 132 of the power cylinder and the valve body, respectively, lead from the main chamber to an annular collecting passage 133. A vent pipe 134, to which a vent valve such as. the valve 42, may be connected, communicates with the collecting passage.

Fluid under pressure may be introduced into the chamber 140 between the main valve 125 and the annular valve 116 through a tubular passage 145 which extends through one of the ribs of the valve body and through the wall of the power cylinder. Similar passages open into the chamber 141 between the wall 116 and the piston 120, into the chamber 142 between the piston 120 and the wall 117, into thechamber 143 between the plate 112 and the piston 109, and into the chamber 1-44 between the piston 109 and the end plug 104, and fluid under pressure may thus be introduced into each of the chambers for actuating the valve tubes 108 and 115.

Lateral apertures 147 in the wall of the valve tube 108 car the plug 114 provide for flow of fluids through the bore of the valve tube when the plug is in the open position. Lateral apertures 148 in the wall of the valve tube 115 near the plug 129 likewise provide for fluid flow through the bore of that valve tube when the plug is in the open position.

'It will be apparent that the valve 100 functions in the same manner as the valve 30 previously described. Briefly, the main valve 125 is closed by admitting fluid under pressure into the chamber 140 while at the same time admitting fluid under lesser pressure into chamber 141.

The downstream valve tube is'moved to open positionby admitting fluid under pressure into chamber 142 while venting chamber 141. Similarly, the upstream valve tube is moved to open position by introducin fluid under pressure into the chamber 143 while venting the chamher 144. The valve tubes can be moved to closed positions by admitting fluid pressure into the chambers 1'41 and 144 while ventingthe chambers 1'42 'and 143. Also, the main valve 125 is opened by pressure introduced into the chamber 141 to act on the piston 120 and, by means of the valve tube 115, to pull said main valve open.

All parts of this valve and its operating mechanism may be removed through the downstream end of the body 101, the ring 127 being removable to permit the valve seat 126m be removed, and the set screws 107 being removable to permit the power cylinder 103 and the parts mounted therein to be removed. This structure facilitates assembly, servicing, repair and replacement of all valve parts.

In Figure 9 is shown another form ofthe in-line type valve wherein the valve 160 comprises a power cylinder 161Yheld in position in a tubular shell 163 by ribs 164 which are welded to the shell and the cylinder. A collector ring 165 is welded about the shell 163 to form the collecting chamber- 1-66. Sleeves 167 are welded to the shell and the cylinder and serve as communicating means between the central chamber 168 of the power cylinder and the collecting chamber 166.

The tubular shell may 'be constructed of several cylindrical sections welded together at their abutting ends, and having reducing swage portions 203 welded to the opposite ends of the cylindrical portion of the shell and connecting flange members or neck portions 204 welded to the small outer ends of the swag-e portions.

The upstream end of the power cylinder is provided with an end plug 168 secured to an annular well 169 by bolts 1'70. The annular partitions or walls 169 and 171 are secured. to the power cylinder by snap rings 172 which fit in internal annular grooves in the bore of the power cylinder. A piston 173 is similarly secured to the upstream valve tube 174, and the end plug 175 of said valve tube is adapted to engage the power cylinder end plug168. Tubular fittings 176 and 177 serve to introduce fluid into and vent fluid from the chambers 178 and 179, respectively, on either side of the piston.

The downstream valve tube 182 is supported by annu.- lar partitions or walls 183 and 184 secured in the power cylinder by snap rings 185. A piston 188 is secured to the downstreamvalve tube and is slidable inthe bore of the power cylinder between the annular walls 133 and'184.

A main valve 190 is slidingly mounted on the outer or downstream end portion of the downstream valve tube 182 and incudes a main cylindrical sleeve section 191 having an annular nose member 192 secured thereto by bolts 193. A preloaded helical spring 194 surrounds the valve tube within the sleeve section 191 and is confined between the nose 192 and a flange ring 195 held in position on the exterior of the valve tube by a snap ring 196'. The spring biases the downstream valve tube 182 toward closed position so that a fluid in the chamber 197 between the piston 188 and the wall 183 must exert a predetermined pressure against the piston 1-88 before any movement of the valve tube 182 relative to the main valve can take place. The downstream valve tubehas an end plug 193 formed with an external annular shoulder 199 which seats against the seat 200 in the bore of the nose of the main valve. The main valve has a piston head 202 at its inner end which is slidable in the bore of the power cylinder. The downstream valve tube is slidable in the bores of thepiston head and nose member. Chevron type packing members 201a seal between the main valve and the power cylinder and similar packing members 2011? seal between the piston head of the main valve and the downstream valve tube.

The nose portion of the main valve is movable into the bore of the downstream neck portion or flange 204 to close off flow through the valve 160 when fluid under pressure is simultaneously introduced into the chamber 205 between the main valve piston head and the annular wall 184, and into the chamber 197. The packing members 201a on the nose portion of the main valve seal against the bore wall of the neck portion to elfect the closure. A smaller pressure must be introduced into the chamber 197 than the chamber 205 in order that the force exerted by the spring 194 not be overcome, otherwise the valve tube 182 might be caused to move to open position. Fluid under pressure is conducted into and out of the chamber 205 through a tubular fitting 206 which extends through apertures in the outer shell 163 and power cylinder. A similarly positioned tubular fitting 207 provides for conducting fluid into and out of. the chamber 208 between the wall 184 and the piston 188. in the downstream valve tube, and a like fitting 209 conducts fluid into and out of the chamber 197.

The provision of the preloaded spring 194 permits application of fluid pressure both to the main valve and to the valve tube 132 when it is desired to close the main. valve. This is advantageous where the pressure of the power fluid is limited since it provides for utilizing both.

the pressure acting on the main valve piston head and the pressure acting on the valve tube piston 188 to efiec- 220 comprising a valve body 221 having a plurality of radially spaced longitudinal internal ribs 221a which abut and support a power cylinder which is held in position therein by a plurality of set screws 222 mounted in suitable apertures formed .in a plurality of the ribs and engaging recesses in the exterior of the power cylinder. Secured to the upstream end of the power cylinder is a plug 223 which includes a closure disk or wall 224 held in position by a snap ring 225 and'a dome shaped deflector 226 secured to the closure disk by a bolt 227. The deflector directs the fluid flowing through the valve outwardly between the power cylinder and the valve body and tends to decrease turbulence.

A main valve 229 has the downstream end of a piston rod 230 threaded axially into a suitable bore therein. The piston rod is supported by an annular partition or wall 231 held stationary by snap rings 232 which secure it in place in the bore ofthe power cylinder. A piston 233 is secured on the upstream end of the piston rod and is slidably disposed in the bore of the power cylinder between the closure disk 224 and the annular partition or wall 231. The main valve has an annular sealing member 235 held in place by a nose 236 which is connected to the main valve by the bolt 237 in such a mannet that the nose may move longitudinally of the main valve to compress the sealing member when the nose engages the valve seat 238 which is secured in the downstream end of the valve body by a split retainer ring 239. Packing rings 236a seal between the nose and main valve. A bushing 240 and a connecting flange 241 are also positioned at the downstream end of the body for connecting the valve in a fluid flow line. Packing rings 242 seal between the valve seat 238 and the body and between the bushing 240 and the body.

In use, the valve 220 is connected in a fluid transmission line and fluid pressure is admitted through the fitting 244 into the chamber 243 between the partition wall 231 and the piston 233 to act on the piston to move the valve 229 to open position against the pressure exerted by the spring 245. The spring tends to hold the valve in closed position since it is confined between and bears against the upstream end of the valve 229 and :a disk 246 engaging one of the split retainer rings 232. The fitting 247 communicates with the chamber 249 between the partition wall and the main valve, while the fitting 248 communicates with the chamber 250 between the closure disk 224 and the piston 233, and these fittings vent their respective chambers when the piston moves the main valve to open position. The main valve 229 will thus stay open only while fluid under pressure is admitted into the chamber 243, and should this pressure ever fail 284 of a mount disk 285. The retainer rings are held against lateral displacement by snap rings 286 and are held against rotary motion by keys 287 which fit in corresponding slots in the disk 285 and the retainer rings. The disk 285 itself is held in place in the power cylinder 276 by snap rings 289 and is held against rtation by a key 288 which fits in corresponding slots in the disk and in the power cylinder. Screws 290 are threaded in suitable bores in the retainer rings 282 and 283 and at their inner ends attach to keys 291 which slide in the longitudinal slot 292 in the operating shaft 281 in order to prevent rotation of the shaft. The retainer rings are also provided with slots which receive the outer portions of the keys 291 to further prevent rotation of the operating shaft.

The operating shaft is moved longitudinally by means of the internally threaded gear 294 which is threaded onthe shaft and is rotatably held between and by the opposed annular flanges 295 on the inner faces of the retainer rings by means of a pair of ball bearing assembles 296. The outer periphery of the gear 294 is toothed, and its teeth areengaged by a worm gear 297 mounted in a transverse bore 298 in the disk 285 and held therein by snap rings 298a. The worm gear is keyed on the inner end of a shaft 299 which isjournalled in the valve body 275 and extends into the transverse bore 298 through a suitable aperture in the power cylind'er 276, as shown in Figure 11.

It will now be apparent that when the shaft 299 is rotated in one direction by means of its hand wheel 300, the worm gear 297 will rotate the gear 294 in one direction and thus cause the shaft 281 to move longitudinally in one direction, whereby the flange 280 on the end of said shaft engages the snap ring 305 in the bore of the spring 245 automatically closes the valve 229, making the valve 220 and its operation of the fail-safe type. Also, fluid pressure may be introduced into the chambers 249 and 250 to assist the spring in positively closing the valve. The chamber 243 would in this case be vented.

In Figures 11 and 12 a mechanical means for operating an in-line type valve is shown in which the valve body 275 is connected in the line in the same manner as the valves previously described and has a power cylinder 276 secured in the valve body between the ribs 277 thereof.

A main valve (not shown) for closing the valve is mounted on one end of the piston rod or tube 278 whose other end is provided with a cap ring 279 threaded thereon which engages the flange 280 provided on the end of a threaded operating shaft 281.

The thread operating shaft is supported by a gear 294 rotatably mounted between a pair of retainer rings 282 and 283 which are secured in the centrtal aperture the piston rod 278 to close the valve- When the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, the shaft 281 will be moved longitudinally in the opposite direction to engage the flange 280 with the cap ring 279 to open the valve. By spacing the snap ring 305 a sufficient distance into the bore of the piston rod, a lostmotion connection is provided which will permit the manual operating mechanism to be set in a center position to allow the valve to be operated by fluid pressure. In such case, the manual operating mechanism is merely an auxiliary safety positive operating means for closing stream and downstream blow downs of the line as well as the closing of the line. It is further apparent that all forms of the valve are adapted for remote or automatic control of their operation.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the constructions illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A valve of the type described including: a valve body having a flow passage and connectible in a fluid transmission line for transmitting fluid from the upstream side of the valve body to the downstream side; a main valve member in said valve body for closing said flow passage of said valve body and preventing flow of line fluid through said passage between said upstream and downstream sides; means for actuating said main valve member to close said flow passage; and means,

for selectively venting said upstream and downstream sides of the line to atmosphere while said flow passage is closed; said last mentioned means including a vent valve for connecting the interior of said valve body to the atmosphere, a valve means for selectively connecting the upstream side of the line to the interior of said valve body, and separate valve means providing a flow passage through said main valve member and selectively connecting the downstream side of the line to the interior of said valve body.

2. A valve of the type described including: a valve body having a flow passage and connectible in a fluid transmission line for transmitting fluid from the up stream side of the valve body to the downstream side; a main valve member for closing said flow passage of said valve body and preventing flow of line fluid through said passage between said upstream and downstream sides; means for actuating said main valve member to close said flow passage; individually operable means for selectively connecting said upstream and downstream sides of the line to the interior of said valve body while said flow passage is closed; and a vent means for selectively connecting the interior of said main valve member to the atmosphere.

3. A valve of the type described including: a valve body having a flow passage and connectible in a fluid transmission line for transmitting fluid from the upstream side of the valve body to the downstream side; a main valve member for closing said flow passage of said valve body and preventing flow of line fluid between said upstream and downstream sides; means for actuating said main value member to close said flow passage; individually operable means for selectively connecting said upstream and downstream sides of the line to the interior of said valve body which said main flow passage is closed, said means including a valve means for selectively connecting said upstream side of the line to the interior of said valve body; and a vent means for selectively connecting the interior of said main valve to the atmosphere; said actuating means and said individually operable means being operable by fluid under pressure.

4. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectible between adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinder disposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluid passage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valve means closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and movable to open position to connect the upstream section to the exterior of said power cylinder;

a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end of said power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluid passage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and movable to open position to connect said downstream section of the line to the interior of said power cylinder; and valve means for connecting the interior of said power cylinder to the atmosphere.

5. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectible between adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinder disposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluid passage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valve means closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and movable to open position to connect the upstream section to the exterior of said power cylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end of said power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluid passage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and movable to open position to connect said downstream section of the line to the interior of said power cylinder; and valve means for connecting the interior of said power cylinder to the atmosphere; said first valve means having a piston movable in said power cylinder, when subjected to fluid under pressure, to move said valve means between open and closed position.

6. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectible between adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinder disposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluid passage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valve means closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and movable to open position to connect the upstream section to the exterior of said power cylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end of said power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluid passage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and movable to open position to connect said downstream section of the line to the interior of said power cylinder; and valve means for connecting the interior of said power cylinder to the atmosphere; said first valve means having a piston movable in said power cylinder when subjected to fluid under pressure to move said valve means between open and closed position; said second valve means having a piston movable in said power cylinder when subjected to fluid under pressure to move said valve means between open and closed positions.

'7. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectible between adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinder disposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluid passage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valve means closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and movable to open position to connect the upstream section to the exterior of said power cylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end of said power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluid passage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and movable to open position to connect said downstream section of the line to the interior of said power cylinder; and valve means for connecting the interior of said power cylinder to the atmosphere; said first valve means having a piston movable in said power cylinder, when subjected to fluid under pressure, to move said valve means between open and closed position; said main valve being movable to closed position when subjected to fluid under pressure.

8. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectible between adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinder disposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluid passage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valve means closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and including a hollow valve tube having lateral ports open to the upstream section when the first valve means is in open position and having a piston slidable in said power cylinder for moving said first valve means, the inner end of-said valve tube opening in an interior chamber of said power cylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end of said power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluid passage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and including a hollow valve tube having lateral ports open to the downstream section when the second valve means is in open position and having a piston slidable in said power cylinder for moving said second valve means, the inner end of said valve tube opening in an interior chamber of said power cylinder; means for selectively subjecting said pistons to fluid pressure to move said valve means between open and closed position, and means for selectively opening said interior chamber to the atmosphere.

9. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectible between adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinder disposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluid passage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valve means closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and including a hollow valve tube having lateral ports open to the upstream section when the first valve 11 means is in open position and having a piston slidable in said power cylinder for moving said first valve means, the inner end of said valve tube opening in an interior chamber of said power cylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end of said power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluid passage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and including a hollow valve tube having lateral ports open to the downstream section when the second valve means is in open position and having a piston slidable in said power cylinder for moving said second valve means, the inner end of said valve tube opening in an interior chamber of said power cylinder; means for selectively subjecting said pistons to fluid pressure to move said valve means between open and closed position; said main valve having piston means for movingit to closed position; resilient means biasing said secon valve means toward closed position; and means for selectively opening said interior chamber to the atmosphere.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,387,446 Astier Aug. 16, 1921 1,916,384 Newberg July 4, 1933 1,925,958 Giles Sept. 5, 1933 2,095,410 Diescher Oct. 12, 1937 2,184,513 Clade Dec. 26, 1939 2,297,597 White Sept. 29, 1942 2,725,891 Bourguignon Dec. 6, 1955 2,731,033 Cable Jan. 17, 1956 2,756,771

Spencer July 31, 1956

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