Valve-to-Fitting Converter for Piping Section Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piping systems often require extended shutdowns for maintenance, cleaning, and passivation, which is disruptive and costly, especially when only a portion of the system needs attention.
Innovation Solution
A valve-to-fitting converter that mounts on existing valves, replacing the actuator, with a dam that blocks flow and ports for section isolation or re-routing, allowing sections of piping to be worked on without shutting down the entire system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional valve actuators are used to control flow in piping systems, then the system can be operated and controlled, but the entire system must be shut down for extended periods during maintenance, cleaning, or passivation
Solution Approach 1:
The converter divides the previously unified system shutdown requirement into separate section-level isolation capabilities. By installing a converter with multiple ports on individual valve bodies, each port can independently isolate specific piping sections while allowing other sections to remain operational. This segmentation transforms system-wide shutdowns into localized section isolations.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve-to-fitting converter acts as an intermediary device between the existing valve body and the piping system. It provides multiple ports that serve as intermediate connection points, enabling selective isolation of piping sections without requiring shutdown of the entire system. The converter mediates between the single-valve control limitation and the need for section-level isolation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the entire piping system is shut down for maintenance or cleaning, then all sections can be serviced, but operational disruption and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The converter enables segmentation of maintenance activities by providing independent access ports for different piping sections. Each port can be used to isolate and service specific sections while other sections continue to operate, allowing maintenance work to be performed on divided sections rather than requiring complete system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter maintains continuity of useful action by allowing non-isolated sections to remain operational during maintenance of isolated sections. The multiple ports enable continuous flow through alternative paths while maintenance is performed on specific sections, ensuring that productive operations continue uninterrupted in non-maintenance areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are used to isolate piping sections, then section isolation is possible, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The converter merges the functions of multiple separate valves into a single integrated device. By providing multiple ports on one converter body that can independently isolate different sections, it replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate valve installations, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining section isolation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter exhibits multi-functionality by providing multiple ports that can independently perform isolation functions for different piping sections. A single converter device can isolate multiple sections simultaneously or independently, making it a universal solution that replaces multiple specialized valves with one multi-functional component.
Data Source
AI summary
Valve-to-fitting converter that mounts on the body of an existing valve in a piping system in place of the actuator for the valve and has a dam that mates with a weir in the valve body to block flow between sections of piping connected to the valve body, and ports that provide communication between the sections of piping and fittings connected to the converter. With such converters replacing two or more of the valves in a system, sections of piping can be isolated and/or re-routed without having to shut down the entire system for an extended period of time.