Heating of the valve body

Abstract

Valve housings are configured to maintain the temperature of the valve. These configurations can incorporate paths or channels within the structure of the valve that carry the working fluid. A heating fluid, such as steam or hot water, can flow through these paths to heat the structure. This feature can maintain or raise the temperature of the working fluid to meet specifications, standards, or process parameters. In one implementation embodiment, the paths may have complex routes or shapes with curves, bends, or other features that can maximize the surface area available for distributing heat to the device. This shape may require manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing, which can produce structures with voids within the material to form a one-piece or monolithic structure, particularly a one-piece path for the heating fluid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Flow control units play a major role in many industrial facilities. For example, power plants and industrial processing facilities use different types of flow control units to manage the flow of materials, typically fluids, throughout an extensive network of pipes, tanks, generators, and other equipment. An operator may need these flow controls to keep this material at a specific temperature. For example, some materials may need to flow at a higher temperature to avoid crystallization or to maintain a lower fluid viscosity. One solution to address these requirements was to enclose the flow control unit in an outer layer of insulation blanket or heating blanket. In some cases, the manufacturer can include a metal cover that encloses the parts of the flow control unit. This "jacket" can be coupled to a system that distributes a heating fluid to the device to maintain or increase the temperature of the flow control unit.

Summary of the Invention

[0002] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to improvements for adding heat to a material flowing through or in the vicinity of a flow control unit. Particularly interesting are embodiments that can receive a flow of heating fluid. These embodiments may have a single body with an integral channel for this flow. This design can reduce costs because the flow control unit does not require additional parts such as insulation, heating blankets, or jackets.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] This specification refers to the following drawings. [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a valve housing. [Figure 2] An elevation view of an embodiment of the valve housing of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] An elevation view of an embodiment of the valve housing of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]Figure 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of a valve housing. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of a valve housing.

[0004] These drawings and any descriptions herein represent embodiments that may disclose or illustrate the invention. These embodiments include best modes and enable those skilled in the art to carry out the invention, including fabricating and using any device or system and performing any incorporated methods. The drawings are not to a constant scale unless otherwise noted in the discussion. Elements in the embodiments may appear in one or more of several figures, or in combination of several figures. The drawings may use similar reference numerals to indicate identical or corresponding elements. Methods are illustrative and may be modified, for example, by rearranging, adding, removing, and / or changing individual steps or stages. In this specification, such stages, as well as any parts, components, elements, or functions, may be identified in the singular using the words “a” or “an,” however this should not exclude the plural form of such designation unless this specification expressly states or describes such exclusion. Similarly, any reference to “one embodiment” or “one implementation” should not exclude the existence of additional embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the enumerated features. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0005] Next, the features of each embodiment shown in the drawings above will be described. These features provide operators with a cost-effective solution for maintaining the temperature of working fluids flowing through valves or other devices in process lines. This solution can leverage designs that integrate complex flow paths into the structures that carry the working fluid. These designs allow for optimal use of available surface area, which helps maintain or raise the temperature of the working fluid to a level that meets the operator's requirements. Other embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0006] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the valve housing 100. This embodiment is typically found in a distribution network 102 designed to transport material 104 throughout a network of conduits 106. The valve housing 100 may form part of a flow control unit 108, which is part of the network 102. The flow control unit 108 may have an actuator 110 and a valve stem 112, the valve stem 112 having an end that connects to a valve mechanism 114, which may include a closing member 116 and a seat 118. In one implementation, the valve housing 100 may include a heating unit 120 that positions the valve mechanisms 116, 118 in the flow of fluid F.

[0007] In general, the valve housing 100 may be configured to generate heat. These configurations may include designs that allow a fluid, such as hot water or steam, to flow throughout the device. In this design, channels or paths with complex shapes may be utilized to maximize surface area. These shapes may be formed integrally with structures that support other components, such as components that regulate the flow of fluids, including process materials or resources such as oil or natural gas.

[0008] The distribution system 102 may be configured to deliver or move these fluids. These configurations can embody extensive infrastructure. The materials 104 may also include gases, liquids, solids, mixtures of solids and liquids, or mixtures of liquids and gases. The conduits 106 may often include pipes or pipelines connected to pumps, boilers, etc. The pipes may also be connected to tanks or reservoirs. In many facilities, this equipment forms a complex network for carrying out processes such as the purification of raw materials or the manufacture of final products.

[0009] The flow control unit 108 may be configured to regulate the flow of material 104 through the conduit 106 in this complex network. These configurations may include control valves and similar devices. The actuator 110 may use a pressurized fluid (such as air or natural gas) to generate a load. Often, this device may include a piston, a spring (or multiple springs), or a flexible diaphragm for this purpose. The valve stem 112 can direct this load to a closing member 116, which is typically a ball, plug, or disc. This feature allows the closing member 116 to be maintained in a desired position relative to the seat 118 against the pressure of the material 104 on the opposite side of the closing member 116. This desired position or “setpoint” may correspond to flow parameters to the material 104 in order to satisfy process requirements or process parameters.

[0010] The heating unit 120 may be configured to house valve mechanisms 116, 118. These configurations may include devices made of metal that can be cast, forged, or machined. Additive manufacturing techniques (including 3D printing) are also popular because they offer flexibility for designing and implementing structures with unique or complex shapes. In one implementation configuration, the device may also include features that generate or transfer heat to any adjacent structure. In one implementation configuration, these features may circulate a heating fluid, such as hot water or steam, which transfers heat to the structure of the flow control unit 108 (including the valve mechanisms 116, 118).

[0011] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of one embodiment of these heat-generating features. The heating unit 120 may form a valve body 122 having flanges on openings I, O. Adjacent pipes 106 may be connected to these flanges. The valve body 122 may also have a main flow path 124. Material 104 may pass through the main flow path 124 (from inlet I to outlet O) according to the conventional use of the flow control unit 108 in the network 102. The outer wall structure 126 may define at least a portion of the main flow path 124. The outer wall structure 126 may include a first wall 128 that may form the internal surface 130 of the main flow path 124. The first wall 128 may incorporate a secondary or "heating" flow path 132 that allows a heating fluid to flow within and throughout the structure of the valve body 122. In one implementation, the heating flow path 132 may embody individual paths 134 spaced apart from each other, for example, radially spaced around the central axis C of the device. The path 134 may have a circular cross-section. However, the present disclosure intends that this cross-section may also take other shapes, such as a square or a rectangle. For example, additive manufacturing allows for more complex shapes due to the flexibility of creating, depositing, or "printing" layers of material on top of each other according to a defined pattern.

[0012] Figure 3 shows a side elevation view of one embodiment of the heating unit 120 of Figure 2. The path 134 may terminate at a port 136, which may optionally embody an opening or hole having threads for receiving complementary fasteners. This feature allows the operator to connect specific hoses or conduits for bringing heating fluid into and out of the path 134. The port 136 may be variously located within the outer wall structure 126, for example, to provide access to the bore portion 138 of the path 134. This disclosure envisions a multitude of geometric shapes (including shape, orientation, or curves) of the bore portion 138, including linear or nonlinear arrangements available through the use of additive manufacturing techniques. The linear arrangement in this embodiment may extend roughly longitudinally or axially along the central axis C. In both arrangements, the geometric shape may maximize the surface area available for distributing heat to the device. This feature allows for the optimal distribution of the heating fluid to maintain or raise the temperature of the material 104 in order to meet specifications, standards, or process parameters.

[0013] Figure 4 shows a side elevation view of one embodiment of the heating unit 120 of Figure 2. The bore portion 138 can take various detour routes 140 that traverse along the outer wall structure 126. This design can cause the heated fluid to change direction, for example, axially along the central axis C and radially away from the central axis C. This feature can result in an "S" shape or pattern that can provide a larger surface area compared to, for example, the linear or longitudinal shape of Figure 3. In one implementation, the bore portion 138 can take a circumferential route 142, which is shown here to surround at least a portion of the central axis C and is often in the form of a ring-shaped gap or channel within the valve body 122. This design can also connect or connect these channels to each other to allow a continuous flow of heated fluid through the path 134. However, it is also possible that any of the routes intended herein represent individual paths 134.

[0014] Figure 5 shows a side elevation view of one embodiment of the heating unit 120 of Figure 2. In this embodiment, the second wall 144 may be integrally formed as part of the outer wall structure 126. This design can incorporate a space or gap 146 between the “inner” first wall 128 and the “outer” second wall 144. Ports 148 in the second wall 144 may allow heating fluid to flow into the space 146 and come into contact with the first wall 128. In one implementation, the second wall 144 may include paths 134 for further distributing heating fluid throughout the device. Additional paths 134 may also be located in proximity to parts of the device, for example, in proximity to the closing member 116 or sheet 118. Additive manufacturing may allow the walls 128, 144 to be integrally formed with each other as a “seamless” product. This feature can avoid welding or fasteners, which may require various time-consuming or labor-intensive post-processing steps. In one implementation, this technology can also provide walls 128 and 144 with material compositions that are the same as or effectively homogeneous with each other.

[0015] Considering the above, the proposed design can maintain the temperature of the valve or valve component even under critical conditions. This improvement avoids changes in the component's "envelope" because the feature necessary for carrying the heated fluid or steam is integrated with the underlying component, typically the valve body. This feature avoids the need for auxiliary components such as heating blankets in the field. It also allows for the use of more of the valve body as area (or volume) for distributing heat to the closing member or seat, for example.

[0016] The following examples include specific elements or sections for illustrating embodiments intended within the scope of this specification. These elements may be combined with other elements and sections to similarly illustrate embodiments. This specification includes and may include other embodiments conceived by those skilled in the art. These other embodiments fall within the scope of the claims, for example, if they have structural elements that are no different from the literal wording of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are substantially the same as the literal wording of the claims.

Claims

1. It is a valve, Actuator and A closing member coupled to the actuator, A valve comprising a valve body surrounding the closing member, the valve body having a main flow path with a central axis and a first wall having a secondary flow path disposed inside.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path is terminated at a port located on the first wall.

3. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path terminates at a port located on the flange of at least one end of the valve body.

4. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary side has a main bore portion that forms a bypass route in the wall.

5. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path has a main bore portion that forms an S-shape.

6. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path has a main portion that at least partially surrounds the central axis.

7. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path has a main bore portion that extends longitudinally along the central axis.

8. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the first wall forms the surface of the main flow path.

9. Further comprising a second wall spaced apart from the first wall, forming a gap between them, The valve according to claim 1, wherein the second wall is integrally formed with the first wall as part of the valve body.

10. Further comprising a second wall spaced apart from the first wall, forming a gap between them, The second wall is formed integrally with the first wall as part of the valve body. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the port penetrates the second wall to allow access to the gap.

11. It is a valve, Actuator and The closing member coupled to the actuator, A sheet positioned adjacent to the closing member, A valve comprising: a valve body that surrounds both the seat and the closing member, and having a channel inside that can hold fluid.

12. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the channel forms a bypass route within the valve body.

13. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the channel is located in close proximity to the closing member.

14. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the channel is located in close proximity to the seat.

15. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the channel is arranged to affect the temperature of the closing member.

16. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the channel is arranged to affect the temperature of the seat.

17. It is a valve, A valve body having a main flow path with openings located at both ends, and having a first wall that forms the inner surface of the main flow path, The steam jacket is disposed on the valve body and surrounds the valve body, and comprises a steam jacket that forms a second wall spaced apart from the first wall, thereby creating a gap between them. A valve in which the first wall and the second wall are integrally formed from a seamless manufactured product.

18. The valve according to claim 17, wherein the first wall and the second wall have the same material composition.

19. The valve according to claim 17, wherein the first wall and the second wall are integrally formed with respect to each other, and the first wall includes a channel for holding a fluid therein.

20. The valve according to claim 17, wherein the first wall and the second wall are integrally formed with respect to each other, and the first wall and the second wall include a channel for holding a fluid therein.

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