Claims:We Claim:
1. An isolating gate valve (140) for annealing stimulator (100), the isolating gate valve (140) comprising:
a valve disc (301) formed with a combination of a first hemispherical plate (306a) and a second hemispherical plate (306b);
a first rack (302) connected with the first hemispherical plate (306a);
a second rack (303) connected with the second hemispherical plate (306b); and
a pinion (304) located between the first rack (302) and the second rack (303) forming a rack and pinion arrangement for operating the valve disc (301).
2. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first handle (305a) connected to first hemispherical plate (306a) and a second handle (305b) connected to second hemispherical plate (306b), wherein when one hemispherical plate (306a,306b) is pulled using one of the first and second handles (305a, 305b), another hemispherical plate (306a,306b) is pushed in an opposite direction due to a displacement of the rack and pinion arrangement.
3.
4. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hemispherical plates (306a, 306b) are provided with a refractory lining (409) on inner edges.

5. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve disc (301) is circular in shape.

6. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second hemispherical plates (306a,306b) having a half-round recess form a circular opening (307) in a closed gate position so as to allow the movement of a test specimen (172).

7. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rack (302) and the second rack (303) are toothed racks.

8. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rack (302) is connected to a circumferential edge of the first hemispherical plate (306a).

9. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second rack (303) is connected to a lower end of the second hemispherical plate (306b).

10. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rack (302) and the second rack (303) are on opposite sides of the pinion (304).

11. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second handle (305a,305b) being in form of a cylindrical rod are connected to the first and second hemispherical plates (306a, 306b) for manual operation.

12. The isolating gate valve (140) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rectangular box enclosure (308) for holding the valve disc (301).
, Description:ISOLATING GATE VALVE FOR ANNEALING SIMULATOR

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to advancements in a gate valve for an annealing simulator. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a gate valve having a valve disc attached to a rack and pinion arrangement.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Annealing simulators have been used for quite a long time. The annealing simulators should be capable of providing varied conditions to the specimen so that the specimen can be tested in various conditions. Such annealing simulators comprise of a hot chamber for heating the specimen to the desired temperature and a cold chamber for the cooling of the test specimen during the continuous annealing cycle simulations.
[0004] Further, the cold chamber includes a gate valve which is being configured to detachably couple the cold chamber with the hot chamber. Since the complete process requires continuous cycle simulations it becomes important that a gate valve which couples the hot chamber with the cold chamber is operable conveniently. The gate valve in the annealing simulators is operated manually which creates a loss of efficiency during the continuous annealing cycles owing to higher consumption of labour and time which further affects the operating efficiency of the annealing simulator. Thus, there arises a need for an operating system which would reduce the effort required to operate the gate valve and further lead to an increase in the operating efficiency of the annealing stimulator.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0006] A general object of the present disclosure is to increase the efficiency of the annealing stimulator.
[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for the efficient operation of a gate valve.
[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism to operate a gate valve coupling the hot chamber with the cool chamber such that less effort and time is required during the operation of the gate valve
[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present disclosure is illustrated.

SUMMARY
[0010] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an isolating gate valve for annealing simulator. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0011] The present disclosure relates to an isolating gate valve for an annealing stimulator. The isolating gate valve comprises a valve disc formed with a combination of a first hemispherical plate and a second hemispherical plate, a first rack connected with the first hemispherical plate, a second rack connected with the second hemispherical plate, and a pinion located between the first rack and the second rack forming a rack and pinion arrangement for operating the valve disc.
[0012] In an aspect, the isolating gate valve comprises a first handle connected to first hemispherical plate and a second handle connected to second hemispherical plate, wherein when one hemispherical plate is pulled using one of the first and second handles to push another hemispherical plate in the opposite direction due to a displacement of the rack and pinion arrangement.
[0013] In an aspect, the hemispherical plates are provided with a refractory lining on inner edges.
[0014] In an aspect, the valve disc is circular in shape.
[0015] In an aspect, the first and second hemispherical plates have a half-round recess forming a circular opening in a closed gate valve position so as to allow the movement of a test specimen.
[0016] In an aspect, the first rack and the second rack are toothed racks.
[0017] In an aspect, the first rack is connected to a circumferential edge of the first hemispherical plate.
[0018] In an aspect, the second rack is connected to a lower end of the second hemispherical plate.
[0019] In an aspect, the first rack and the second rack are on opposite sides of the pinion.
[0020] In an aspect, the first and the second handle being in the form of a cylindrical rod are connected to the first and second hemispherical plates for manual operation.
[0021] In an aspect, a rectangular box enclosure is provided for holding the valve disc.
[0022] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic line drawing of an annealing simulator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the annealing simulator implementing a gate valve designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic line drawing of the closed position of the gate valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic line drawing of the open position of the gate valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0029] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0031] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0033] Embodiments and/or implementations described herein relate to an annealing simulator comprising of a hot chamber, a detachable auxiliary cold chamber engaged with the hot chamber, the detachable cold chamber comprising of a specimen loading device, the specimen loading device is designed to move along with a specimen between the detachable cold chamber and the hot chamber. The hot chamber is designed to heat the specimen and the detachable cold chamber is designed to cool the specimen. Further, for the execution of multi-stage annealing process, the cold chamber comprises a gas spraying channel and a booster cooling system so as to spray cooling gas to cool a specimen, and comprises an infrared heating facility to reheat the specimen in the cold chamber.
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates various components of an annealing simulator (100), while FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the annealing simulator (100) in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the annealing simulator (100) includes a hot chamber (104) and a detachable cold chamber (108). The cold chamber (108) is an airtight compartment where a specimen (172) can be loaded at ambient temperature. The environment of the cold chamber (108) is maintained at conditions similar to that of the hot chamber (104) so that no oxidation takes place when a specimen (172) enters from the hot chamber (104) to the cold chamber (108).
[0035] The cold chamber (108) includes a specimen mounting arrangement (160) which is configured to mount the specimen (172) for the execution of the multi-stage annealing process.
[0036] The specimen mounting arrangement (160) is adapted to move along with the specimen (172) between the cold chamber (108) and the hot chamber (104). The cold chamber (108) further includes an opening (164) towards a coupling plate (116) of the hot chamber (104). The opening (164) is being adapted to allow routing of the specimen (172) mounted on the specimen mounting arrangement (160) inside the hot chamber (104).
[0037] In the said aspect, the opening (164) is closed by a gate valve (140) during an annealing process. Also, with the operation of the gate valve (140), the gate valve (140) is adapted to the couple or detach the cold chamber (108) with the hot chamber (104).
[0038] Now, once the specimen (172) mounted on the specimen mounting arrangement (160) inside the hot chamber (104), the hot chamber (104) heats the specimen (172). For instance, the hot chamber (104) is supported on a platform (112). The hot chamber (104) is placed in the vicinity of an electric furnace (120). The electric furnace (120) is moveable on the platform (112) on which the hot chamber (104) is supported. In operation or during the annealing process, the electric furnace (120) is moved towards the hot chamber (104) so that the hot chamber (104) along with the specimen (172) is inserted inside the electric furnace (120) for heating of the specimen (172). The hot chamber (104), inserted in the electric furnace (120), is subjected to controlled temperature and environment similar to the one that the steel experiences in a steel plant during various operations.
[0039] After the specimen (172) is annealed for a desired heating cycle, the push rod (192) is pulled while opening the gate valve (140). After the specimen (172) is retracted, the gate valve (140) is again closed so as to prevent the cold chamber (108) being exposed to the heat of the hot chamber (104) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0040] In FIGS. 3 and 4, a detailed construction of the gate valve (140) is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The gate valve (140) includes a valve disc (301) formed with a combination of a first hemispherical plate (306a) and a second hemispherical plate (306b).
[0041] Further, the gate valve (140) includes a first rack (302) which is connected with the first hemispherical plate (306a) and a second rack (303) connected with the second hemispherical plate (306b). Also, a pinion (304) is located between the first rack (302) and the second rack (303) forming a rack and pinion arrangement for operating the isolating gate valve (140).
[0042] Yet further, a first handle (305a) is connected to the first hemispherical plate (306a) and further a second handle (305b) is connected to the second hemispherical plate (306b). When one of the hemispherical plates (306a,306b) is pulled using one of the first and second handles (305a, 305b), another hemispherical plate (306a, 306b) is pushed in the opposite direction due to a displacement of the rack and pinion arrangement.
[0043] The rack and pinion arrangement comprises of the first rack (302) which is further connected to a circumferential edge of the first hemispherical plate (306a) and the second rack (303) is connected to a lower end of the second hemispherical plate (306b), wherein the first rack (302) and the second rack (303) are on opposite sides of the pinion (304). In an aspect, the first rack (302) and the second rack (303) are toothed racks.
[0044] The complete frame of the gate valve (140) is enclosed within a rectangular box enclosure (308) for holding the valve disc (301) in an intact position during the opening and closing of the gate valve (140) in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0045] Further, the hemispherical plates (306a, 306b) are provided with a refractory lining (409) on inner edges as shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0046] Yet further, the valve disc (301) is circular in shape and further the first and second hemispherical plates (306a,306b) have a half-round recess forming a circular opening (307) in a closed gate position so as to allow the movement of the test specimen (172) in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0047] In an embodiment, the first and the second handle (305a,305b) designed in the form of a cylindrical rod are connected to the first and second hemispherical plates (306a, 306b) for operating the gate valve (140) manually.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0048] Following are the advantages of the isolating gate valve (140) with the annealing simulator (100):
• The gate valve (140) does not require manual operation of both the handles altogether at the same time.
• The gate valve (140) involves lesser effort during its operation.
• The cold chamber (108) is detachable being configured to the gate valve (140) and can be used as an attachment to the annealing simulator (100).
• Varieties of unique annealing simulations can be made easier using the annealing simulator (100), i.e., it is versatile for several applications with the gate valve (140).
• The annealing simulator (100) can be applied for the batch as well as continuous annealing of steel specimens.
Equivalents
[0049] Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0050] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0051] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
Reference Numerals
Reference No. Description
100 Annealing simulator
104 Hot chamber
108 Cold Chamber
112 Platform
116 Coupling plate
120 Electric Furnace
140 Gate Valve
160 Specimen mounting arrangement
164 Opening
172 Test specimen
192 Push Rod
301 Valve Disc
302 First Rack
303 Second Rack
304 Pinion
305a First handle
305b Second handle
306a First hemispherical plate
306b Second hemispherical plate
307 Circular opening
308 Rectangular box enclosure
409 Refractory lining