WO2017034422A1 - Internal device for valves, with free and articulated longitudinal, circular, angular, compression and expansion movements - Google Patents

Abstract

Industrial production processes require control elements that allow the optimisation thereof so as to be used to maintain precise control over the volume of fluids. Valves are the instruments most involved in this control. They must be selected so as efficiently fulfil the instructions emitted from the control room. The internal device of the valves must be designed with precision so that the free and articulated movements thereof can be exploited to obtain the volume of fluid required by the control system. The invention consists in the design of parts which, when assembled, allow the device to carry out free and articulated longitudinal, circular, angular, compression and expansion movements, which, when applied in the valve, achieves optimum control of the processes. Valves do not exist which have internal parts with the characteristics of this invention, such as: A. both internal parts (needle plunger and seat) with free and articulated movements; B. self-lubrication; C. a low-pressure zone for reducing erosion; D. a micrometric movement for the high precision thereof; E. a hermetic seal, resulting from the exact centralisation of the two internal parts obtained by the free movements thereof; F. non-balling due to the free and articulated movements; and G. low current consumption due to the self-lubrication.

Description

 Internal Device for Valves, with Free and Articulated Movements:

Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and

Expansion.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The prediction of the future of internal devices for valves is a difficult compromise, we only have the past as a guide.

In the search for the perfection of control of the processes, the internal devices for the valves represent a very important role due to their final action of control for the dosage of the fluids.

The changes and innovations in all fields and related, some seemingly unrelated sectors, impact on the development of the Devices, keeping them in a state of continuous renewal. These devices with their new designs appear at a dizzying pace. The inventive mind of man has devised them in numerous special ways, in his attempt to overcome the different challenges of precision in the control of the processes to which the Devices are exposed.

In the market, a large number of devices for valves, present little precision in process control, due to its rigid design. This mechanical rigidity does not allow the parts to adjust to the conditions of the process, or to the misalignments that may exist. The most common fault is; lack of precision, deterioration due to erosion and high torque due to friction between the parts or the valve body.

Many efforts have been made in search of solutions to: increase accuracy, reduce deterioration due to erosion, avoid clogging of parts, decrease the low efficiency in the control of the process and eliminate the losses associated with production. All this creates: distrust and insecurity in the facilities and the investment.

In the control of industrial processes, it is required that its controlling element (Valves) maintain both the optimal control and the protection of the equipment installed before and after the valves. Therefore, the internal devices of the valves must be designed to avoid abrupt changes during process control.

There are many processes that are extremely critical and demanding in the handling of fluid volume, one of these is the tanker where the mixtures to be controlled must be continuously monitored and controlled by high precision equipment. Artificial Gas Lift Systems and the Diluent Injection require an optimal control of the volume of the fluid, to avoid losses in the production by operating the wells out of the optimum point of its production.

The invention refers to the design of a device based on Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and Expansion, for the control of processes by the valves.

The invention also refers to that the device is self-lubricated, to decrease the torque and avoid clogging between its components.

Additionally, the geometric shapes in the components of the device create a low pressure turbulent zone, with the purpose of preventing erosion in the valve body and body, caused by the heavier particles of the process.

The parts of the Device are those identified in (Fig. 01), these have been designed with special mechanical characteristics, so that in the Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and Expansion, of the Device, these are coupled With high precision for the whole range of operation and so that incorporated into the body of the valves, a control of this type can be carried out.

The Invention was conceived, to avoid and / or to diminish the influence of the forces of the process in the movement transferred to the Device, by the actuator or steering wheel. Allowing the Device to overcome the process conditions with the least effort, for the entire control range and especially during the closing and opening of the valve.

In valves, the area of greatest erosion usually occurs where the velocity of the fluid is highest. In that area the device was given a concave shape, to cause low pressure. This zone of low pressure, causes that the heaviest particles travel by the center of the fluid avoiding the deterioration by the erosion.

The angular movement of the Device allows a tight seal to be produced during closure, without losing its range, precision and control.

The Free and Articulated Movements between the parts of the Device cause them to be coupled with high precision. This coupling reduces the minimum defects that may occur due to: Assembly, Deterioration, De-Alignment or Repair.

The strength of the process and the self lubrication of the parts, is used by the device to help in the accuracy and to avoid leaks.

The industry that has valves with a Device of this type does not risk losses in production, due to: poor process control, induced failures to other equipment and maintenance.

The objective of the invention is to provide a device that assembled in the body of a valve, provides an optimal control of the processes, easy to maintain, with which the indicated advantages are exploited.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained with more details by reference to the drawings, in which:

1. The (Fig.01), It is a perspective view of the components of the Device according to the Invention.

 2. The (Fig.02), shows a longitudinal section of the coupling.

 3. The (Fig. 03), shows a longitudinal section of the needle.

 4. The (Fig.04), shows the longitudinal section of the base of the needle.

 5. The (Fig.05), Shows a longitudinal section of the seat.

 6. The (Fig.06), shows a longitudinal section of the base of the seat.

7. The (Fig.07), Shows the assembly of the Device in the valve body.

• The (Fig.01) shows the parts that make up the device, which are named according to their function.

 • The (Fig.02), includes the coupling, its function is to connect the needle, with the actuator or steering wheel. This serves as a transmitting piece of movements commanded from the outside.

 • The (Fig. 03), comprises the needle, whose regulatory function is commanded by the requirements of the control system, through the coupling. The needle is held in place by the base of the needle. The needle has been machined so that, in conjunction with the base of the needle, Free and Articulated Movements are made: Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and Expansion. The needle has a concave mechanical arrangement, which produces with the flow, a low pressure zone, where the heavier particles converge and erosion is reduced.

• The (Fig.04), the base of the needle, converts the circular movement of the needle into longitudinal movement. Its machining allows the needle Circular, Angular, Compression and Expansion movements, which are used by the needle and the seat to control the process.

 • The (Fig.05), the seat is the dynamic element of coupling with the needle, together they control the process. This has Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and Expansion.

• The (Fig. 06), the base of the seat, serves as a seat support. Its machining allows the seat Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular and Angular. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Based on the need of the Industries for having a Safe, Accurate, Reliable and Easy to Maintain control, the Invention described here was produced.

This invention is the result of the experiences in the different disciplines of engineering and field tests to similar devices. His selection is due to the advantages of Free and Articulated Movements, geometric shapes and characteristics of his pieces, which allows our Device to comply with the demands of the Industrial Processes, which differentiate it from similar Devices.

The combined use of Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and Expansion, in the parts of the Device allows this to adjust to the conditions of Pressure, Flow, Turbulence and Erosion of the process, without affecting the control, for the entire range of operation.

Geometric Forms are used according to the degree of precision required by the process, for the entire range of operation of the Device. They are also used to prevent deformation due to erosion.

The set of pieces used in the Invention, to comply with the functional requirements of the Device, have been listed according to their sequential application and following the order of the movements received from the actuator or steering wheel, for the control of the process. This set of pieces consists of:

1. The Coupling.

 It connects the actuator and / or steering wheel with the needle, to which it transfers circular movements, to open or close.

• Packing.

 Prevents leakage and metal-metal friction between the coupling stop and the valve body.

 Decreases the demand of torque to the actuator and / or steering wheel.

2. The Needle.

It transmits the movements of the coupling, so that in conjunction with the seat, it executes its control function. It has been mechanized to work with micrometric precision, in conjunction with the coupling and the base, allowing it to execute Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and Expansion.

3. The Needle Base.

 Use the circular movement of the needle to transfer it to this, longitudinal movement. Additionally, it allows the needle to move Angular, Compression and Expansion.

4. Seat.

 To requirements of the needle or of the process, the seat, can execute Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular and Angular.

The seat, together with the needle, performs its control function.

 • Packing.

 Allows the seat Compression and Expansion movements.

Avoid metal-metal friction and leaks downstream of the seat.

Decreases torque requirements on the actuator or steering wheel.

5. The Seat Base.

 It supports the seat in its place and allows Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular and Angular. It also serves as a force stop resulting from the pressure of the process and the closing of the Device.

• Packing.

 Avoid Leakage downstream of the base of the seat.

6. The body of the Valve.

 It serves as the device's enclosure.

 • Valve body packing.

 It avoids leaks between the cylindrical section of the coupling and the body of the valve.

The movements received from the Control System and / or Operator through the actuator or the valve handwheel, are executed by each of the parts of the Device, through its Free and Articulated movements, necessary to comply with the regulating function of the Device. , as described in detail below:

1.- The coupling (Fig.02), connects the needle, with the actuator and / or steering wheel and serves as a transmitting part of the movements commanded by the System or Operator through the actuator or steering wheel. • Its cylindrical shape is the result of the machining of a metal piece, which was given the shape that characterizes it.

 • In the coupling, from its external side to the body of the valve, an orifice was built, for the installation of a metallic piece. This piece serves as a stop to the movements of the actuator and / or steering wheel, it also serves as protection for both the Device, as the actuator and / or steering wheel.

 • When fitting, a disc was built, which serves as a stop, to prevent the coupling from being expelled to the outside by the force that accumulates in it, due to the pressure of the process.

 • Between the top of the coupling and the body of the valve, a gasket was installed, to avoid metal-metal friction, leakage and decrease torque.

 • The coupling was machined an arrangement (male), to articulate with the needle.

2.- The Needle (Fig. 03 transmits the movements of the coupling to the seat) All the movements of the rest of the parts of the Device are used directly or indirectly by the needle for the entire range of control of the process. It is executed basically by the needle and the seat in a male-female connection of the same geometry.

• The needle is made of a metallic piece, articulated to the coupling through a sliding and threaded arrangement to its base.

 • The needle was machined at its point of connection with the coupling an arrangement (female), which serves as an articulation between the two, to transfer the movements of the coupling to the needle.

 • The cylindrical body of the needle, like the rest of the piece, is machined from a solid metal part.

 • The male threaded section of the needle serves as a connecting element with the female threaded hole in the needle base. At this connection point, the base of the needle uses the circular movement of the needle, to transfer longitudinal movement.

• Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and Needle Expansion, are used in the precision of process control. These movements, accompanied by: the movements of the seat, the vacuum that forms at the tip of the needle and the lubrication effect of the gaskets, allow resistance to movement in the Device caused by Pressure, Flow, Turbulence and Erosion is minimized, making the Device maintain precise control for the entire range of operation and especially during the closing and opening of the valve. • The needle has a male conical terminal section, which serves as a coupling with the female conical end section of the seat, both sections are of identical geometry.

 • Both the operating range and the accuracy are directly related to the size of the geometric conical figure of the terminal section of the needle. Increasing the diameter increases the range. The precision is maintained with the micrometric movement of the needle.

 • The tip of the needle ends in a Concave Section, which creates a low pressure zone, where the heavier particles of the fluid converge, decreasing the erosion in the seat and the body of the valve.

3.- The Needle Base (Fig. 4), is a hollow cylindrical piece, in the shape of a hat. It is screwed to the body of the valve. Its function is to transmit to the needle longitudinal, angular, compression and expansion movements through the threaded connection that join them.

 • It is constructed of iron and metal cylinder, soldiers.

 • The base of the needle has a female threaded hole, which is used as a connection point with the male threaded section of the needle. At this connection point, the base of the needle transfers longitudinal movement to the needle. The base of the needle provides the needle with Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Angular, Compression and Expansion. The precision can be varied, with the number of threads of the thread.

 • In the cylindrical part holes were built, for the passage of the fluid towards the seat.

• 4.- The Seat (Fig.05). It is a cylindrical piece in the shape of a mushroom. In its upper part a metal cap was built. In the center a conical hole was drilled to connect with the needle and ends in a cylindrical hollow. It serves as the final element of the needle coupling. The seat is a dynamic piece, that can execute to requirements of the needle Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and Expansion.

 • It is constructed of a metallic piece, solid and cylindrical.

• The metal top of the seat holds the seat in its base, which prevents the force caused by the pressure from dragging it downstream from the base. The stop allows the seat to rotate and keep it in a perpendicular position, to facilitate the coupling with the needle. • The seat / needle coupling is achieved with the construction of faces of identical female / male geometry between both components.

 • Both the operating range and the accuracy are directly related to the conical geometric shape of the hole. If the diameter is increased, the range is increased. The precision can be varied, with the number of threads of the thread.

 • Between the top of the seat and the base of the seat, a gasket was installed, which:

 A. - Avoid leaks downstream of the top of the seat.

 B. - Avoid metal-metal friction between the top and the base of the seat.

 C- Allows angular movements, compression and seat expansion.

D. - Absorbs longitudinal forces that may occur due to de-calibration of the valve, avoiding damage to the device, actuator and / or steering wheel.

 E. - Avoid metallic clogging between the needle and the seat.

 F. - Decrease torque during valve closing.

5. - The Seat Base (Fig.06), this serves as seat support. It has a disk shape. Its function is to keep the seat in place.

 • It is constructed of a metal plate, strong enough, to withstand the forces perpendicular to its face, caused by the pressure of the process and the needle at closing.

 • It has holes to fix it with screws to the body of the valve.

 • In the body of the valve, a hole was built for the seat which will allow the seat to move freely and articulated: longitudinal, circular and angular.

 • With the gasket installed between the base for the seat and the body of the valve, it prevents leaks downstream of the base and allow the Free and Articulated Movements: Compression and Expansion.

6. - The body of the valve (Fig.071 serves as an enclosure for the Device) It has an inlet and outlet port and an additional hole for the coupling.

 • The construction of the valve body is usually metallic, in accordance with the standards and requirements of the process.

 • Between the coupling and the body of the valve, gaskets were installed, to avoid leakage of the process.

 Depending on the requirements or characteristics of the process, the invention can be adjusted to your needs, keeping your basic concept of movements and parts, adjusted to the requirements of the process.

Claims

1. A Device according to the Invention, for the precise control of processes, characterized by the articulation of its components, through its Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular, Angular, Compression and Expansion, to be coupled to the forms that the components can adopt in their manufacture and the action of the Pressure, Flow, Turbulence and Erosion of the process. 2. A low pressure zone to prevent erosion in the seat and valve body. 3. Use of components for self lubrication of the device. 4. Articulation of circular movement in longitudinal movement in pieces, to minimize the torque. 5. Mechanical design of needle and seat to induce free and articulated movements. 6. A component of the device for carrying out claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized by the coupling, which transfers the outer circular movement to the needle. 7. A component of the device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized by a gasket between the coupling and the body of the valve. 8. Use of the in claim 7, to: prevent leaks to the outside and friction metal / metal between the coupling and the body of the valve. 9. A component of the device for carrying out claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized by the packing of the valve body. 10. Use of the gasket in claim 9 to: prevent leaks, self lubricate and minimize torque. 11. A component of the device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized by the needle. 12. Mechanical construction of the needle in claim 11, to give longitudinal, circular and angular movements, decrease manufacturing defects and minimize torque on the device. 13. Concave mechanical arrangement construction in claim 11, to induce a low pressure zone and decrease erosion. 14. Mechanical construction of the needle according to claim 11, to convert Circular to Longitudinal movement. 15. Mechanical construction of the needle in claim 11, to produce angular movement. 16. A component of the device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized by the seat. 17. Mechanical construction of the seat according to claim 16, characterized by the Free and Articulated movements of the seat. 18. A component of the device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized by the installation of a gasket between the top of the seat and the base of the seat. 19. Use of the gasket in claim 18 to: prevent leakage downstream, friction metal-metal, continuous lubrication, minimize torque, adjust misalignment between the needle and the seat, facilitate circular movement of the seat, cushion forces perpendicular to the packing and decrease the demand for external torque. 20. A design of the dimensions of the seat enclosure, according to claim 16, to allow the seat Free and Articulated Movements: Longitudinal, Circular and Angular.