DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of piston valves.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
A conventional type piston valve face issues such as early failure before expected life. This failure occurs due to excessive rotation of the hand-wheel even after the piston of the valve has reached either of its extreme positions, viz. ON and OFF position. There is no means for indication available on the valve to notify an operator about the state of closing or opening of the valve. During closing operation of the valve, the operator keeps on rotating the hand-wheel even after the piston has reached the bottom end. The operator stops rotating the hand wheel when it is not possible to rotate the hand wheel further, as the internal part of piston touches either the body or any other part of the valve. The operators apply extra force to make sure that the hand wheel is not rotating further. Such repeated extra application of force causes excessive stress and further damage to important components like a threaded bush and a split nut. The functioning of the valve gets affected over the period of time.
Therefore, there is felt a need of a device for preventing damage to a piston valve, that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks of the conventional arrangements.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that prevents over-stressing.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that prevents damage to a piston valve.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device having an indication means for determining the ON/OFF status of the piston valve.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that will help in increasing the life of a piston valve.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an ON-OFF indication device that can be fitted on existing piston valves with minimum modification.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device having an indication means to identify whether the piston valve has been subjected to over stressing by the operator of the piston valve.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
To be made in accordance with final claims.
The present disclosure envisages an ON-OFF indication device for a piston valve. The ON-OFF indication device helps in preventing damage to a piston valve. The device comprises an indication means that runs parallel to the stem of the piston valve wherein the indication means is configured to indicate the opening and closing state of the valve.
In an embodiment, the indication means comprises a base plate, at least one indicator plate extending from the periphery of the base plate, and a longitudinal slot configured on the indicator plate. The slot is having a length equal to the stroke of the piston of the valve. At least one stopper screw fastened to the valve body and configured to be received in the slot. The base plate and the indicator plate configured to travel with the stem of the valve such that the relative position between the stopper screw and the slot indicates the proportion of closeness and openness of the valve.
In another embodiment, a hole is provided in the base plate and the hole is configured to receive the stem of the valve.
In another embodiment, the base plate is configured to freely rotate with respect to the spindle and the hand wheel.
In another embodiment, a support plate abutting the base plate is provided for supporting the indication means.
In another embodiment, each of the indicator plate is painted green near the central portion of the slot indicating safe zones to rotate hand wheel when the piston is in between its extreme positions.
In another embodiment, each of the indicator plate is painted red near the end portions of the slot indicating unsafe zones to rotate hand wheel when the piston has reached its extreme positions.
In another embodiment, the shape of the base plate and support plate is circular.
In another embodiment, the shape of the base plate and support plate is polygonal.
In another embodiment, the indication device includes two indicator plate and two screws are fastened on the body diagonally opposite to one another.
In another embodiment, the indicator plate extends parallel to the stem of the valve and towards the valve body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A device for preventing damage to a piston valve, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1a illustrates a front view of a conventional type piston valve;
Figure 1b illustrates a side view of the conventional type piston valve shown in figure 1a;
Figure 2 illustrates a cut section view of the conventional type piston valve shown in figure 1b along plane A-A;
Figure 3a illustrates a front view of a piston valve arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure;
Figure 3b illustrates a side view of the piston valve arrangement shown in figure 3a;
Figure 3c illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of bonnet of the piston valve arrangement shown in figure 3a;
Figure 4a illustrates an isometric view of an ON-OFF indication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4b illustrates a top view of the ON-OFF indication device of the figure 4a;
Figure 5a illustrates a front view of the ON-OFF indication device shown in the figure 4a;
Figure 5b illustrates a side view of the ON-OFF indication device shown in the figure 4a;
Figure 6a illustrates an isometric view of an ON-OFF indication device in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6b illustrates a top view of the ON-OFF indication device of the figure 6a;
Figure 7a illustrates a front view of the ON-OFF indication device shown in the figure 6a;
Figure 7b illustrates a side view of the ON-OFF indication device shown in the figure 6a;
Figure 8a illustrates an isometric view of the piston valve arrangement in an open configuration;
Figure 8b illustrates a front view of the piston valve arrangement shown in figure 8a;
Figure 9a illustrates an isometric view of the piston valve arrangement in a close configuration; and
Figure 9b illustrates a front view of the piston valve arrangement shown in figure 9a.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
01 – Body
02 – Bonnet
03 – Piston
04 – Spindle
05 – Stem
06 – Split Nut
07 – Threaded bush
08 – Handwheel
09 – Indicator plate
09a – Slot/s
09g – Green color band/s of the indicator plate/s
09r – Red color region of the indicator plate/s
10 – Indication device
11 – Limiting pins on ON-OFF indicator plate
12 – Stopper screw
13 – Positive stopper
16 – Support plate
16’ – Base plate
16a’ – Slot on base plate
17 – Cylindrical element in the bonnet
100 – A conventional piston valve
200 – New piston valve
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a”, "an", and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", “including”, and “having” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on", “engaged to”, "connected to", or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third, etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages an indication device/means for preventing over-stressing and damaging of internal parts of a piston valve due to excessive rotation of handwheel even after complete closure or complete opening of the piston valve.
A conventional type piston valve 100 is illustrated using Figures 1a and 1b. The internal components of the piston valve 100 are shown in detail in the cut section view of the Figure 2. The conventional piston valve 100 as shown in Figure 1a, 1b and Figure 2, comprise of a body 01, a bonnet 02, piston 03, a spindle 04, a stem 05, a split nut 06, a threaded bush 07, and a handwheel 08.
The bonnet 02 is fastened to the body 01 via a plurality of threaded fasteners. The threaded bush 07 is press fitted in a cylindrical element 17 of the bonnet 02. The externally threaded spindle 04 is received by the internally threaded bush 07. The handwheel 08 is fixed to the spindle 04 near the operative top surface of the spindle 04. The stem 05 and the spindle 04 are connected to each other with split nut 06 such that spindle 04 can rotate freely with respect to stem 05. As the piston 03 moves up and its top edge touches the inner cavity surface of the bonnet 02, the further movement of the piston 03 is stopped. Any further rotation of the handwheel 08 results in an increased stress on the internal components such as, the split nut 06, the spindle 04, and the threaded bush 07. Over torqueing and the excessive stress lead to the damage of the internal components which are critical to the proper functioning of the valve.
Similar is the case during the closing cycle. When the handwheel 08 is rotated in a second rotational direction (say clockwise direction) the piston 03 goes down and its bottom portion touches the land area of the body 01. The piston 03 stops moving further. Upon further rotation of the handwheel 08 an increased torque is applied on the spindle 04. This results in stress on the threads of the bush 07, which causes damage to the threaded bush 07.
During the opening operation of the valve, the rotating motion of the handwheel 08 in a first rotational direction (say counter-clockwise direction), causes the spindle 04 to move up and it pulls stem 05 and hence the piston 03. The repeated overstressed cycles of opening and closing of the conventional piston valve reduce the life and reliability of the components.
When an operator is closing the piston valve to stop the flow of fluid therethrough, the operator is not aware of the actual position of a piston which is housed inside housing. This problem faced by the operator is solved by the device disclosed in the present disclosure.
Figure 3a illustrates a front view of a piston valve arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure while figure 3b illustrates a side view of the piston valve arrangement. An enlarged view of a device for preventing overstressing of the piston valve is depicted in Figure 3c.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an indication device 10 comprises of a base plate 16’ and two indicator plates 09 that extends in an axial direction from diagonally opposite portions of the base plate 16’. The two ON-OFF indicator plates 09 are blanked to form a longitudinal slot 09a along the axis of each plate 09. In an embodiment, the ends of the slots 09a are semi-circular in shape. Each of the indicator plate 09 is coloured with green bands along the lengths and red region near the ends. The green colour indicates a safe zone for the piston travel and the red colour zone indicates that the piston has travelled outside the safe travel limits. In an embodiment, at least one stopper screws 12 is provided in a cylindrical element 17 of the bonnet 02 as shown in Figure 3a through Figure 9b. When two screws 12 are used they are screwed at diametrically opposite ends of the cylindrical element 17. The stopper screws 12 are configured to act as a guide for the movement of the indicator plate 09.
The stopper screws 12 are configured to prevent the rotation of the ON-OFF indicator plate 09. The stopper screws 12 may also act as pointers. The location of the stopper screws 12 with respect to the green bands and the red region gives an indication about the valve opening/closing position.
The stopper screws 12 are screwed on the bonnet 02 such that the stopper screws 12 are 180 degrees opposite to each other. A support plate 16 is provided which supports the base plate 16’ of the ON-OFF indication device 10. The base plate 16’ has a slot 16a’ in the centre for receiving the spindle 04. The base plate 16’ is configured to be positioned below the handwheel 08 such that the indication device 10 can freely rotate with respect to the spindle 04 and the handwheel 08. There is no relative motion between spindle 04 and base plate 16’
Two limiting pins 11 are provided in the slot 09a of the ON-OFF indicator plate 09 at the end of the green band 09g and just before the start of the red band 09r. The pins 11 are configured to act as a second level of indication in case the handwheel 08 is rotated more than the permissible limit.
If more than desired torque applied on the handwheel 08 after the piston has reached ON or OFF position the stopper screws 12 touch the limiting pins 11. The excess torque will cause the limiting pins 11 to bend and get permanently damaged. The bent limiting pins will also indicate that the valve is overstressed by the user/operator and help in settling the warrantee claims. This will help the manufacturer to build good relation with the customers.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the limiting pins 11 are located such that there is some more safety margin for the spindle 04 to move before the internal components of the valve touches the body 01 or the bonnet 02.
Figure 4a illustrates an isometric view of an ON-OFF indication device 10 provided with two indicator plates 09 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, while figure 4b illustrates a top view of the ON-OFF indicator plate of the figure 4a. The screws 12 are received by threaded holes of the bonnet 02.
Figure 5a illustrates a front view of the ON-OFF indication device 10 while figure 5b illustrates a side view of the ON-OFF indication device 10, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The curved ends of the slot 09a are configured to act as positive stoppers 13 to positively stop the movement of the hand wheel 08.
Figure 6a illustrates an isometric view of an ON-OFF indication device 10 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6b illustrates a top view of the ON-OFF indication device 10 of the Figure 6a.
Figure 7a illustrates a front view of an ON-OFF indication device 10 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure shown in the Figure 6a. In accordance with this embodiment only one indicator plate 09 is provided on the device 10. Figure 7b illustrates a side view of the ON-OFF indication device 10 shown in the Figure 6a.
Figure 8a illustrates an isometric view of the piston valve arrangement in an open configuration. The valve is complete open without any resistance to the flow of fluid passing through the valve. The operator stops rotating the handwheel 08 when the screw 12 touches the limiting pins 11 near the bottom end of the green band 09g. Figure 8b illustrates a front view of the piston valve arrangement shown in figure 8a. The screw 12 can be seen near the bottom end of the green bands 09g of the indicator plates 09.
Similarly, Figure 9a illustrates an isometric view of the piston valve arrangement in a close configuration. In the closing cycle, the operator stops rotating the handwheel 08 when the screw 12 touches the limiting pins 11 near the top end of the green bands 09g. Figure 9b illustrates a front view of the piston valve arrangement shown in figure 9a to clearly depict the position of the screws 12 with respect to the indicator plate 09.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an ON-OFF indication device for a piston valve that:
• provides a means for determining the opening and closing status of the piston valve;
• prevents over torqueing of the spindle of the piston valve;
• prevents the damage to the internal components of the piston valve;
• increases the life and reliabity of the piston valve;
• helps in settling warranty claims; and
• can be easily fitted on existing piston valves.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
One of the object of the Patent Law is to provide protection to new technologies in all fields and domain of technologies. The new technologies shall or may contribute in the country economy growth by way of involvement of new efficient and quality method or product manufacturing in India.
To provide the protection of new technologies by patenting the product or process will contribute significant for innovation development in the country. Further by granting patent the patentee can contribute in manufacturing the new product or new process of manufacturing by himself or by technology collaboration or through the licensing.
The applicant submits that the present disclosure will contribute in country economy, which is one of the purposes to enact the Patents Act, 1970. The product in accordance with present invention will be in great demand in country and worldwide due to novel technical features of a present invention is a technical advancement in the field of piston valves. The technology in accordance with present disclosure will contribute to economy of the country.
The product will contribute new concept in piston valves wherein patented product will be used. The present disclosure will replace the whole concept of a conventional piston valve being used in various fields from decades. The product is developed in the national interest and will contribute to country economy.
The economy significance details requirement may be called during the examination. Only after filing of this Patent application, the applicant can work publically related to present disclosure product/process/method. The applicant will disclose all the details related to the economic significance contribution after the protection of invention.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200), said device (10) comprising an indication means that runs parallel to the stem of said piston valve (200), said indication means configured to indicate the opening and closing state of said valve (200), said indication device (10) comprises:
a. a base plate (16’);
b. at least one indicator plate (09) extending from the periphery of said base plate (16’);
c. a longitudinal slot (09a) configured on said indicator plate (09), said slot (09a) having a length equal to the stroke of the piston of said valve (200); and
d. at least one stopper screw (12) fastened to the valve body and configured to be received in said slot (09a),
said base plate (16’) and indicator plate (09) configured to travel with the stem of said valve (200) such that the relative position between said stopper screw (12) and said slot (09a) indicates the proportion of closeness and openness of said valve (200).
2. The ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200) as claimed in claim 1, said base plate (16’) having a slot (16a’) in the center and configured to receive the stem of said valve (200).
3. The ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base plate (16') is configured to freely rotate with respect to the spindle (04) and the hand wheel (08).
4. The ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a support plate (16) abutting said base plate (16’) is provided for supporting said indication means.
5. The ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said indicator plate (09) is painted green near the central portion of said slot (09a) indicating safe zones to rotate hand wheel (08) and open state of said valve (200) when the piston is in between its extreme positions.
6. The ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said indicator plate (09) is painted red near the end portions of said slot (09a) indicating unsafe zones to rotate hand wheel (08) and close state of said valve (200) when the piston has reached its extreme positions.
7. The ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of said base plate (16’) and support plate (16) is circular.
8. The ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of said base plate (16’) and support plate (16) is polygonal.
9. The ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein indication device (10) includes two indicator plate (09) and two screws (12) being fastened to the body and positioned diagonally opposite to one another.
10. The ON-OFF indication device (10) for preventing damage to a piston valve (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicator plate (09) extends parallel to the stem of said valve (200) and towards the valve body.