Hollow Bolt Valve Assembly for Corrosion-Resistant Security Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing valve assemblies with security wires, such as drilling holes in flanges and using conventional bolts, are not optimal as they can introduce corrosion and are not designed for easy inspection tagging, and may involve dissimilar metals that can cause further issues.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly design featuring a hollow bolt with a longitudinal through hole that accepts a security wire, minimizing the need for drilling and reducing corrosion risks by using a stainless-steel material, and allowing the wire to pass completely through the bolt, providing a more secure and corrosion-resistant tamper-indicating mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bolts are used with drilled holes in flanges for security wires, then the valve assembly can be secured together, but corrosion is introduced and dissimilar metals cause additional issues
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt is made of stainless steel material throughout, eliminating dissimilar metal contact that causes galvanic corrosion. The hollow interior and solid exterior both use the same corrosion-resistant material, ensuring uniform protection against corrosive environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt combines a stainless steel exterior with a hollow interior space, creating a composite structure that provides both structural integrity and a protected pathway for the security wire, preventing corrosion of the wire while maintaining bolt strength.
2Ease of operation
If holes are drilled into flanges for security wires, then the wire can be installed, but the flange structure is compromised and corrosion is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The security wire pathway is segmented from the flange structure itself and relocated to the hollow interior of the bolt. This separates the wire installation function from the flange structural function, allowing wire installation without compromising flange integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow bolt interior acts as an intermediary pathway for the security wire, providing a protected route that eliminates the need to drill through the flange. The bolt mediates between the need for wire installation and the requirement to preserve flange structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional bolts are used, then the valve assembly can be assembled, but the security wire cannot pass completely through for proper tamper indication
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow bolt serves multiple functions: it provides structural fastening like a conventional bolt, and simultaneously provides a complete through-pathway for the security wire to ensure proper tamper indication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wire installation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow pathway for the security wire is pre-formed as part of the bolt manufacturing process, before assembly. This preliminary preparation ensures the wire can pass completely through for proper tamper indication without requiring post-assembly modifications or complex installation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly having a bolt with a through hole for a security wire includes at least one valve of the valve assembly mechanically coupled to a pipe or to a section of another component of the valve assembly by a coupling or by a pair of mating flanges. At least one hollow bolt is bolted through a closing bolt hole of the coupling or a joining bolt hole of the pair of mating flanges. The at least one hollow bolt accepts a safety wire run completely through the hollow bolt in a longitudinal direction of the hollow bolt and extending completely through the closing bolt hole of the coupling or the joining bolt hole of the pair of mating flanges.