Top entry ultra-low temperature ball valve

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of top-mounted ultra-low temperature ball valve, it is related to cryogenic valve technical field, including valve main body and pneumatic actuator, valve main body includes valve body, valve stem, valve cover, valve ball and drip tray, valve cover includes the integrated lengthened neck structure of longitudinal section being set as inverted "T" type and connecting main body, connecting main body is used for being detachably connected with valve body by connecting piece;The both ends of valve body are provided with the welding end surface for being adapted with pipeline, and the inner cavity of valve body is provided with the operating space for the disassembly of components in valve body;Valve stem is worn in valve cover, for connecting pneumatic actuator and valve ball, and valve body is provided with the valve seat for being adapted with valve ball, and valve ball can rotate under the drive of valve stem;Drip tray includes at least two groups, and drip tray is sequentially arranged along the axial direction of lengthened neck structure.The utility model can realize on-line maintenance, avoid leakage and have good condensation prevention effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cryogenic valve technology, and in particular to a top-mounted cryogenic ball valve. Background Technology

[0002] In the fields of petrochemicals, natural gas, and cryogenic engineering, the transportation and control of cryogenic media (such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquid nitrogen (LN2), and liquid oxygen (LO2) place extremely high performance requirements on valves. These media typically have temperatures as low as -196°C and are flammable, explosive, and easily vaporized; leaks can lead to serious safety accidents.

[0003] Traditional cryogenic ball valves mostly use side-mounted or split-type valve bodies, connected to pipelines via flanges. Furthermore, conventional cryogenic ball valves typically employ an extended neck bonnet structure, with the extended neck bonnet length exceeding 250mm according to standard design, and a drip tray welded onto the extended neck.

[0004] The applicant has discovered that the prior art has at least the following technical problems:

[0005] 1. Cryogenic ball valves are connected to pipelines via flanges. In low-temperature environments, the flange sealing surface is prone to gaps due to material shrinkage, leading to leakage of the medium and potentially causing safety accidents.

[0006] 2. Valve maintenance requires the removal of all connections between the valve body and the pipeline, and the entire valve must be taken offline. This results in long maintenance times and downtime of the storage and transportation system, increasing operating costs.

[0007] 3. Traditional extended neck valve covers are designed according to general standards and only have one drip tray. In low-temperature operating environments, the cooling capacity inside the extended valve cover is insufficient, resulting in a low temperature of the stuffing box, which affects the sealing performance of the packing and can easily lead to valve stem seal failure, further increasing the risk of leakage.

[0008] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a top-mounted cryogenic ball valve to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Utility Model Content

[0009] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a top-mounted cryogenic ball valve to solve the following technical problems in the prior art: Cryogenic ball valves are connected to pipelines via flanges; in low-temperature environments, the flange sealing surface is prone to gaps due to material shrinkage, leading to external leakage of the medium and potential safety accidents; valve maintenance requires complete removal of the valve body from the pipeline, resulting in long maintenance times and downtime of the storage and transportation system, increasing operating costs; and traditional extended neck valve covers, designed according to general standards, only have one drip tray, which, in low-temperature operating environments, results in insufficient cooling within the extended valve cover, leading to low temperature of the stuffing box, affecting the sealing performance of the stuffing box, and easily causing valve stem seal failure, further increasing the risk of leakage. The various technical effects of the preferred technical solution provided by this utility model are detailed below.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0011] This utility model provides a top-mounted cryogenic ball valve, comprising a valve body and a pneumatic actuator. The valve body includes a valve body, a valve stem, a valve cover, a valve ball, and a drip tray, wherein:

[0012] The valve cover includes an integral extended neck structure with an inverted "T" shaped longitudinal section and a connecting body. The connecting body is used to detachably connect to the valve body via a connector.

[0013] Both ends of the valve body are provided with welding end faces for adaptation to pipelines, and the inner cavity of the valve body is provided with operating space for disassembling and assembling the components inside the valve body.

[0014] The valve stem passes through the valve cover and is used to connect the pneumatic actuator and the valve ball. The valve body is provided with a valve seat adapted to the ball valve. The valve ball can rotate under the drive of the valve stem.

[0015] The drip tray includes at least two sets, which are arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the extended neck structure.

[0016] Preferably, the connector comprises multiple sets, which are evenly arranged along the circumference of the valve cover.

[0017] Preferably, the connector includes a stud and a nut that mates with the stud.

[0018] Preferably, the connecting body is provided with a through hole, the top surface of the valve body is provided with a threaded hole that mates with the stud, one end of the stud extends into the threaded hole through the through hole and mates with the threaded hole, and the other end of the stud is fastened by a nut.

[0019] Preferably, the length of the extended neck structure is less than 250 mm.

[0020] Preferably, the drip tray includes three sets, with the axial spacing between two adjacent drip trays being the same, and the diameter of the drip tray being larger than the outer diameter of the valve cover.

[0021] Preferably, the valve body further includes a packing assembly, which is pressed into a stuffing box between the valve stem and the valve cover to form an axial sealing structure.

[0022] Preferably, the packing assembly includes a packing gland, a packing sleeve, a packing, a packing pad, and a live load spring washer arranged in sequence, wherein the packing gland is bolted to the valve cover to compress the packing assembly, and the packing includes flexible graphite.

[0023] Preferably, an antistatic spring is also provided inside the valve body. The antistatic spring is located at the contact point between the valve ball and the valve stem to ensure electrical continuity between the valve ball, the valve body, and the valve stem.

[0024] Preferably, the top-mounted cryogenic ball valve further includes a connecting bracket, one end of which is connected to the valve cover, and the other end is used to install the pneumatic actuator.

[0025] This utility model provides a top-mounted cryogenic ball valve with welded end faces at both ends of the valve body for pipeline adaptation. During use, the valve body and pipeline are connected by welding, reducing the risk of external leakage associated with traditional cryogenic ball valves that connect to pipelines via flanges, thus improving the safety of cryogenic media transportation. The valve cover and valve body are detachably connected, and the valve body cavity provides sufficient operating space for disassembling and assembling internal components, facilitating online maintenance after valve cover removal, significantly reducing downtime and lowering operating costs. The extended neck structure of the valve cover, combined with a multi-layer drip tray, provides excellent heat dissipation and anti-condensation effects, ensuring long-term reliable valve stem sealing. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the top-mounted cryogenic ball valve of this utility model.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Valve body; 11. Valve body; 12. Valve stem; 13. Valve cover; 131. Extended neck structure; 132. Connecting body; 14. Valve ball; 15. Drip tray; 16. Connecting parts; 161. Stud; 162. Nut; 17. Packing assembly; 171. Packing gland; 172. Packing sleeve; 173. Packing; 174. Packing gasket; 175. Live load spring washer; 18. Antistatic spring;

[0029] 2. Pneumatic actuator;

[0030] 3. Connecting bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of this embodiment, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a top-mounted cryogenic ball valve, including a valve body 1 and a pneumatic actuator 2. The valve body 1 includes a valve body 11, a valve stem 12, a valve cover 13, a valve ball 14, and a drip tray 15.

[0033] The valve cover 13 includes an extended neck structure 131 with an inverted "T" shaped longitudinal section and a connecting body 132. In this embodiment, the extended neck structure 131 and the connecting body 132 are an integral structure. The connecting body 132 is used to detachably connect to the valve body 11 via a connector 16. Both ends of the valve body 11 are provided with welding end faces for adaptation to pipelines. The inner cavity of the valve body 11 is provided with operating space for disassembling and assembling components inside the valve body 11. The valve stem 12 passes through the valve cover 13 and is used to connect the pneumatic actuator 2 and the valve ball 14. The valve body 11 is provided with a valve seat for adaptation to the valve ball 14. The valve ball 14 can rotate under the drive of the valve stem 12. The drip tray 15 includes at least two sets, and the drip trays 15 are fixed sequentially along the axial direction of the extended neck structure 131.

[0034] By providing welded end faces at both ends of the valve body 11 for pipeline adaptation, the connection between the valve body 11 and the pipeline is welded, reducing the risk of external leakage of the medium compared to traditional cryogenic ball valves that connect to pipelines via flanges, thus improving the safety of cryogenic medium transportation. The connecting body 132 of the valve cover 13 is detachably connected to the valve body 11 via a connector 16, and an operating space is provided within the valve body 11 for disassembling and assembling internal components, facilitating online maintenance after removing the valve cover 13, significantly reducing downtime and lowering operating costs. The extended neck structure 131 of the valve cover 13, combined with the multi-layer drip tray 15, provides excellent heat dissipation and anti-condensation effects, ensuring long-term reliable sealing of the valve stem 12.

[0035] As an optional implementation, the connector 16 includes multiple sets, which are evenly arranged along the circumference of the valve cover 13.

[0036] In actual production and use, the connector 16 can be set in two, three, or six groups. By arranging multiple connectors 16 evenly along the circumference of the valve cover 13, it is possible to ensure uniform force distribution, avoid local stress concentration caused by thermal expansion and contraction at low temperatures, improve the reliability of low-temperature sealing, and ensure balanced force distribution during disassembly and assembly, thereby reducing the risk of component deformation and extending the service life of the valve.

[0037] Specifically, in this embodiment, the connector 16 includes a stud 161 and a nut 162 that mates with the stud 161. The stud 161 and nut 162 are preferably made of low-temperature resistant, high-strength stainless steel to ensure mechanical properties and corrosion resistance at low temperatures. Preferably, in this embodiment, a washer is also provided between the nut 162 and the connecting body 132.

[0038] Optionally, in this embodiment, a through hole is provided on the connecting body 132, and a threaded hole is provided on the top surface of the valve body 11 to mate with the stud 161. One end of the stud 161 extends into the threaded hole through the through hole and mates with the threaded hole, while the other end of the stud 161 is fastened by a nut 162. In actual use, a washer can be provided between the nut 162 and the connecting body 132 to enhance the anti-loosening ability and improve the long-term stability of the valve.

[0039] As an optional implementation, the length of the extended neck structure is less than 250 mm.

[0040] Compared to the existing technology where the length of the extended neck structure is greater than 250mm, this embodiment sets the length of the extended neck structure to be less than 250mm, which can more flexibly adapt to different installation environments, such as LNG loading skids and other usage scenarios with limited installation space. This avoids interference with surrounding equipment and can shorten the cold energy transfer path to a certain extent, reducing cold loss.

[0041] As an optional implementation, the drip tray 15 includes three sets, with the axial spacing between adjacent drip trays 15 being the same, and the diameter of the drip tray 15 being larger than the outer diameter of the valve cover 13. Compared with the traditional single-layer drip tray, the cooling effect and anti-condensation effect are significantly improved, extending the service life of the valve.

[0042] Optionally, the three drip trays can have the same or different diameters. In some embodiments, the diameters of the three drip trays can be arranged to increase sequentially from top to bottom, forming a stepped structure to better improve cooling and anti-condensation effects.

[0043] As an optional implementation, the valve body 1 in this embodiment further includes a packing assembly 17, which is pressed into the stuffing box between the valve stem 12 and the valve cover 13 to form an axial sealing structure. In use, the packing assembly 17 effectively seals the valve stem 12, preventing leakage of cryogenic media.

[0044] Specifically, the packing assembly 17 in this embodiment includes a packing gland 171, a packing sleeve 172, a packing 173, a packing pad 174, and a live load spring washer 175 arranged sequentially to form a multi-layer sealing structure. The packing gland 171 is bolted to the valve cover 13 to compress the packing assembly, and the packing 173 comprises high-density flexible graphite.

[0045] As an optional implementation, an antistatic spring 18 is also provided inside the valve body 1. The antistatic spring 18 is located at the contact point between the valve ball 14 and the valve stem 12 to ensure the conductive continuity between the valve ball 14, the valve body 11, and the valve stem 12, thus meeting the antistatic requirements under flammable and explosive media conditions. In this embodiment, the antistatic spring 18 is made of SS316 material.

[0046] As an optional implementation, this top-mounted cryogenic ball valve also includes a connecting bracket 3. One end of the connecting bracket 3 is connected to the valve cover 13, and the other end is used to mount the pneumatic actuator 2. By setting the connecting bracket 3 to fix the pneumatic actuator 2, it provides stable support, enabling the pneumatic actuator 2 to be effectively connected to the valve stem, thereby realizing the automated operation of the valve. During connection, it is sufficient to ensure that it conforms to the relevant drive device connection standards, which is existing technology and will not be elaborated here.

[0047] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A top-mounted cryogenic ball valve, characterized in that: The valve includes a valve body and a pneumatic actuator. The valve body comprises a valve body, a valve stem, a valve cover, a valve ball, and a drip tray, wherein: The valve cover includes an integral elongated neck structure with an inverted "T" shaped longitudinal section and a connecting body. The connecting body is used to detachably connect to the valve body via a connector. Both ends of the valve body are provided with welding end faces for adaptation to pipelines, and the inner cavity of the valve body is provided with operating space for disassembling and assembling the components inside the valve body. The valve stem passes through the valve cover and is used to connect the pneumatic actuator and the valve ball. The valve body is provided with a valve seat adapted to the valve ball. The valve ball can rotate under the drive of the valve stem. The drip tray includes at least two sets, which are arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the extended neck structure.

2. The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector comprises multiple sets, which are evenly arranged along the circumference of the valve cover.

3. The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connector includes a stud and a nut that mates with the stud.

4. The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting body has a through hole, and the top surface of the valve body has a threaded hole that mates with the stud. One end of the stud extends into the threaded hole through the through hole and mates with the threaded hole. The other end of the stud is fastened with a nut.

5. The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The length of the extended neck structure is less than 250 mm.

6. The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The drip tray includes three sets, with the axial spacing between two adjacent drip trays being the same, and the diameter of the drip tray being larger than the outer diameter of the valve cover.

7. The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The valve body also includes a packing assembly, which is pressed into a stuffing box between the valve stem and the valve cover to form an axial sealing structure.

8. The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve according to claim 7, characterized in that: The packing assembly includes a packing gland, a packing sleeve, a packing, a packing pad, and a live load spring washer arranged in sequence. The packing gland is bolted to the valve cover to compress the packing assembly. The packing includes flexible graphite.

9. The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: An antistatic spring is also provided inside the valve body. The antistatic spring is located at the contact point between the valve ball and the valve stem to ensure the electrical continuity between the valve ball, the valve body, and the valve stem.

10. The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The top-mounted cryogenic ball valve also includes a connecting bracket, one end of which is connected to the valve cover, and the other end is used to install the pneumatic actuator.

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