Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. An automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves comprising of an adaptor mounted on hand wheel guide bar of gear box for the rotational movement of the hand wheel clockwise and anti-clockwise by means of guide bar for opening and closing of the valve, wherein said adaptor is mounted to pneumatic gun.

2. The automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adaptor can be of various types including limit torque gear box gear adaptor, auma claw type wheel gear adaptor and auma key type wheel gear adaptor.

3. The automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the clockwise rotational movement of the hand wheel causes rotary movement of a threaded stem in upward direction resulting in opening of the valve.

4. The automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the anticlockwise rotational movement of the hand wheel causes rotary movement of the threaded stem in downward direction resulting in closure of the valve, in which the stem is mounted to the sleeve of the gear box.

5. The automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pneumatic gun is provided with pressure through air hose line connected thereto for rotation of the hand wheel.

6. The automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pneumatic gun is mounted on a fastener including L clamp locking nut, which is provided in connection with yoke assembly through a connecting assembly.

7. The automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting assembly includes L-clamp, free end of which is connected to fastener assembly.

8. The automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said fastener assembly may include threaded stud and locking nut directed towards the gun.

9. The automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the stud is held to a stud holder with nut clamped to a clamp, which is attached to the yoke assembly forming a part of valve body.

10. The automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves as claimed in any of the preceding claims is associated with the advantageous features such as herein described.
, Description:An automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves
FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for hydro testing of valves. More particularly the invention relates to an automatic apparatus for opening/closing of valve during hydro testing without manual intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] For hydro testing of Different sizes in the range of 2” to 38” with 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 3000 class of Globe, Gate & Non Return style valves, hydro test bench is used. Hydro testing is carried out for valves to check the leakage by clamping of two plungers in the valve of both sides during hydro testing. After clamping the testing is done by water. Pressure for each valve is according to the process sheet indicated. In hydro testing of valve, back seat is one of the testing processes, while back seat testing process gear hand wheel rotating continuously by operator for (full open) back seat gets engaged at the time pressure is more than 450Kg/cm2. In this process there are high chances of “O” ring to burst which is highly unsafe to the operator.

[003] In hydro testing, opening/closing of gear operated valve is achieved manually. In Hydro testing bench, sufficient space is not available to stand properly with a height of more than 1.5 meter. This condition is very unsafe and may lead to slip of operator, endangering operator’s life. Further, operator cannot stand properly because there is no even surface.

[004] Due to manual operating method, valve’s opening and closing time takes nearly 2-3 hours for big size valves, which requires more time of crane utilization.

[005] Again in case gear thread clearance is very less, the operator gets more fatigued by operating gear in very restricted space.

[006] Further, in power plant, gear operated valves opening & closing is more difficult on site because the valves are mounted in steam line circuit at critical position.

[007] In view of the above, there is a need to devise an alternate apparatus for addressing the issues of the prior art. So that the invented apparatus leads to increase in the productivity, less time consumption, safety and convenience of the operator.
PRIOR ART:

[008] Now, some patents may be discussed hereinunder.

[009] US20150300298 pertaining to overmolded motorized valve with improved sealing wherein the motorized valve is made up of a closable pipe, a valve shutter, a rotary electromagnetic actuator and an over-moulding plastic material. The actuator being formed of a stator assembly, of a rotor secured to a spindle, the valve shutter being positioned progressively by the actuator using the spindle and able to shut off the pipe. The over-moulding plastic material surrounding and being secured at least in part to the actuator and forming the pipe at least in part. The static sealing being afforded by over-moulding plastic material common to the actuator and the pipe, and the over-moulding material having passing through it a passage that is rendered fluid tight for guiding the spindle that connects the valve shutter and the rotor.

[0010] IN5978CHE2013 directed to pneumatic control valve in particular dual-circuit brake transducer in a compressed-air brake system of a vehicle for correcting a brake pressure which corresponds to a desired braking action, having at least one first valve system (10, 14) which is arranged in a housing upper part (2) with a first valve piston (10). This can be actuated via an elastomer spring element (9) manually or by means of an actuator and with a first annular plate valve (14) which interacts therewith, and having a second valve system (30, 37) which is arranged in a housing lower part (2) with a coaxially arranged second valve piston (30) which can be actuated

[0011] pneumatically and/or mechanically by the first valve system (10, 14) and with a second annular plate valve (37) which interacts therewith. In order to avoid or at least to reduce an impairment of the sealing action of the first valve piston (10) in the housing upper part (2) as a result of transverse forces and tilting moments which can be produced by a plunger piston (4), it is provided that, in the case of the first valve system (10, 14), the elastomer spring element (9) and the first valve piston (10) are configured in one piece as a composite component, and that, in the region of a radial sealing lip (9a) of the elastomer spring element (9), the material of the elastomer spring element (9) engages radially and axially in a positively locking manner around a radially outer section of the first valve piston (10).

[0012] EP2877765 disclosing a motorized valve 1 comprising a servomotor 10, a operating nut 40, and a coupling rod 20 for rotationally coupling the servomotor 10 and the operating nut40. The coupling rod 20 of the present valve 1 is equipped with a device 21 for direct measurement of the torque delivered by servomotor 10 to operating nut 40 and a contactless transmitter of measurement data recorded by the measurement device. The invention also concerns a coupling rod 20, an electric valve system of a nuclear power plant, a data processing module, a method for implementing the measured data, and a computer program product for implementing said method during an execution of said program by a processor 2.

[0013] None of the above fulfill the requirements for which the present invention has been devised. Hence, the present invention introduces an automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves which obviates short comings of the prior art.

[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves which serves the purpose efficiently without compromising on safety of the operator for opening/closure of valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] According to this invention, there is provided an automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves comprising of an adaptor mounted on hand wheel guide bar of gear box for the rotational movement of the hand wheel clockwise and anti-clockwise by means of guide bar for opening and closing of the valve, wherein said adaptor is mounted to pneumatic gun.

[0018] The adaptor can be of various types including limit torque gear box gear adaptor, auma claw type wheel gear adaptor and auma key type wheel gear adaptor.

[0019] The clockwise rotational movement of the hand wheel causes rotary movement of a threaded stem in upward direction resulting in opening of the valve.

[0020] The anticlockwise rotational movement of the hand wheel causes rotary movement of the threaded stem in downward direction resulting in closure of the valve, in which the stem is mounted to the sleeve of the gear box.

[0021] The pneumatic gun is provided with pressure through air hose line connected thereto for rotation of the hand wheel.

[0022] The pneumatic gun is mounted on a fastener including L clamp locking nut, which is provided in connection with yoke assembly through a connecting assembly.

[0023] Said connecting assembly includes L-clamp, free end of which is connected to fastener assembly.

[0024] Said fastener assembly may include threaded stud and locking nut directed towards the gun.

[0025] The stud is held to a stud holder with nut clamped to a clamp, which is attached to the yoke assembly forming a part of valve body.

[0026] By replacing manual method with the automatic apparatus, the present invention gives rise to various advantageous features including safety, very less fatigue to operator, requirement of less man power and reduction in production cycle time consuming nearly 5 minutes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0027] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments and wherein:

Figure 1 shows: The Gear Adaptor (Limit Torque Gear Box) used in
the present invention.
Figure 2 shows: The Gear Adaptor (Auma Claw Type Wheel) of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows: The Gear Adaptor (Auma Key Type Wheel) employed in the present invention.
Figure 4 shows: An automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves in accordance with the invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0028] The instant invention imparts teaching in respect of an automatic apparatus for hydro testing of valves. For the same, reference may be made to figure 4 depicting automatic apparatus of invention for opening/closure of valve in the course of hydro testing of different dimensioned and class of valves doing away with manual intervention.

[0029] The apparatus includes an adaptor (3) mounted on hand wheel guide bar (2A and 2B) of the gear box by means of locking clamp with bolt nuts (1). This adaptor can be of various types including limit torque gear box gear adaptor, auma claw type wheel gear adaptor and auma key type wheel gear adaptor as best seen in fig. 1 to 3 respectively without restricting scope of the invention to the same. Thus, other kind of adaptor (3) readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are understood to be within purview of the invention.

[0030] The hand wheel guide bar comprises of a hand wheel (2A) and guide bar (2B) constituting a single structure as shown. The adaptor (3) is provided for the rotational movement of the hand wheel (2A) clockwise and anti-clockwise with the support of hand wheel guide bar (2B). The clockwise rotational movement of the hand wheel in turn causes rotary movement of a threaded stem (12), which is mounted to the sleeve of the gear box (13). Thus, with clockwise movement of the hand wheel, the stem rotates in upward direction resulting in opening of the valve.

[0031] Similarly, anticlockwise rotation of the hand wheel (2A) causes rotary movement of the threaded stem (12) in downward direction leading to closure of the valve.

[0032] Said adaptor (3) is mounted to pneumatic gun (4) which helps to rotate the hand wheel (2A) by providing air pressure. Pressure is provided to pneumatic air gun (4) through air hose line (5).The line Pressure in the hose (5) is around 4.5 kg/cm2 which rotates the hand wheel (2A).

[0033] The pneumatic gun (4) is mounted on a fastener including L clamp locking nut (6), which is provided in connection with yoke assembly (14) through a connecting assembly.

[0034] Said connecting assembly includes L-clamp (7), free end of which is connected to fastener assembly. Said fastener assembly may include threaded stud (8) and locking nut (9) directed towards the gun (4) as illustrated in the figure 4, wherein the stud is held to a stud holder with nut (10) clamped to a clamp (11), which is attached to the yoke assembly (14). The yoke assembly (14) forms a part of valve body (15).

[0035] The Valve body (15) is loaded to the hydro test bench for testing. To close the valve for seat test, pressure of 4.5 kg/cm2 is provided through air hose to the pneumatic gun (4). The rotary movement from ratchet clamp (11) provides motion to the pneumatic gun (4) arrangement. This rotary movement is converted to the rotational motion through the adaptor (3) fitted to the pneumatic gun (4) to rotate the hand wheel (2A) of the gearbox (13). Now for the valve to open, the same operation is repeated for shell test.

[0036] Thus, testing is completed without manual intervention for opening/closing of valve through mechanized arrangement of the proposed application.

[0037] Experimental data for the development of Mechanized opening/closing of Valves:

Before Experiment:
Pressure - 4.5 kg/cm2
Man hour – Two Men
Time Required to Open and Close: 60 minutes
After Experimental:
Pressure - 4.5 kg/cm2
Torque – 0.44 N-m
Man hour – one man for mounting
Time Required to Open and Close: 5 minutes

Thus, the invention substantially reduces Man power and machine usage cost.

[0038] Advantageous features of the invention can be listed out hereinbelow:-

- Highly safe for the operator
- Very less fatigue to the operator
- Requirement of less man power
- Reduction in production cycle time

[0039] It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-