CA1288258C - Pressure signal instrumentation having removable flanges and mounting method therefor - Google Patents
Pressure signal instrumentation having removable flanges and mounting method thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA1288258C CA1288258C CA000528087A CA528087A CA1288258C CA 1288258 C CA1288258 C CA 1288258C CA 000528087 A CA000528087 A CA 000528087A CA 528087 A CA528087 A CA 528087A CA 1288258 C CA1288258 C CA 1288258C
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- flange
- manifold
- orifice
- ports
- nipples
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Abstract
PRESSURE SIGNAL INSTRUMENTATION HAVING
REMOVABLE FLANGES AND MOUNTING METHOD THEREFOR
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An instrument manifold and pressure transducer are provided for detecting a pressure differential across an orifice fitting. Removable flanges are utilized on the output side of the orifice fitting, and on the input and the output ends of the manifold. Each flange may be structurally secured to its respective piece of equipment by special nipples, and is provided with apertures for receiving bolts to interconnect the flanges and the equipment. The versatility of the equipment is substantially increased, the response time and signal reliability is increased, and the installation costs are reduced.
REMOVABLE FLANGES AND MOUNTING METHOD THEREFOR
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An instrument manifold and pressure transducer are provided for detecting a pressure differential across an orifice fitting. Removable flanges are utilized on the output side of the orifice fitting, and on the input and the output ends of the manifold. Each flange may be structurally secured to its respective piece of equipment by special nipples, and is provided with apertures for receiving bolts to interconnect the flanges and the equipment. The versatility of the equipment is substantially increased, the response time and signal reliability is increased, and the installation costs are reduced.
Description
P~ESSURE. SI(~NAL INSTRUMENTATION ~IAVING
1 _EMOVAB.~ LANGES AND MOUNTING MET~IOD THEREFOR
~he patent application is related in part to Canadian Serial No. 493,991, filed October 28, 1985.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to apparatus for use with orifice assemblies to transmit and detect pressure signals and, more particularly, relates to removable flanges for interconnecting an orifice fitting to a valve manifold and a pressure transducer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
.
Instrument manifolds are commonly utilized in differential pressure systems between the source of the differential pressure and the pressure transducer, monitor, or meter. In a typical installation, a three-valve instrument manifold is ïnstalled between an orifice flange and a transmitter, and is used to (a) nor~ally transmit two different pressures to the transmitter, and (b) intermittently test the reliability of the transmitter. The testing of the transmitter may be accomplished by several techniques, including opening a "crossover valve" so as to subject the transmitter to the same pressure on both sides of the differential pressure transmitter.
Without regard to the number of control valves, prior art instrument manifolds are basically of two types:
(1) those designed for direct couoling on the input and/or the output ends of the manifold; and (2) those designed for 82~
1 remote coupling. The manifold ends designed for direct coupling utilize a flange integral with the manifold body, while ports in the manifold ends designed for remote coupling are tapped for receiving threaded fittings.
5 ~ The interconnection of an instrument manifold to ; both the orifice flange and the differential pressure sensor may thus be made by either a remote coupling or a direct , (close) coupling. Referring first to a remote coupling for ¦l an orifice flange/manifold interconnection, this interconnection 10 1 is typically made between the two threaded ports of the ~¦ orifice flange and the two threaded input ports of the manifold by flaired-end pliable tubing and hydraulic end connectors.
With this remote coupling, the manifold may be located at a selected distance generally exceeding six inches from the orifice flange, and the manifold is typically structurally supported separate from the orifice flange. Similarly, a remots coupling between the manifold and the transmitter may be made with pliable tubing and end connectors, and the transmitter may also be located a selected distance from the 20 ~ manifold and structurally supported separate from the manifold.
An advantage for remote coupling relates to the flexibility in placing the instrument manifold and the pressure sensor at ! any desired location relative to the orifice flange. Also, !I remote coupling of manifold flanges has often been preferred 25 !I because of the availability of instrument manifolds at reasonable costs having tapped l/2 inch NPT input and output ports.
On the other hand, there are significant and sometimes critical advan'ages to direct coupling over remote coupling. Using direct coupling, the spacing between the 1 transmitter and the orifice flange may be minimized to achieve a high speed of response to a change of differential pressure.
This reduction in spacing also minimizes the detrimental effects on signal accuracy due to pressure pulsations in th~
flow lines between the orifice and the transmitter. Fewer fluid-tight interconnections are required for direct coupling so that there is a reduced number of leak points and increased pressure signal reliability. Each of the passageways inter-~¦ connecting the orifice flange to the transmitter may be 10 l¦ provided along a central axis, thereby simplifying rod-out ji operations and reducing maintenance costs. Also, installation costs may be substantially reduced when using dlrect coupling, in part because the instrument manifold and transmitter do not require separate support structures. The manifold and transmitter may be mounted on a single support, or both the manifold and transmitter may be sufficiently supported by their interconnections to the orifice flange affixed to the flow lines so as to require no additional support.
The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention. Improved apparatus is hereinafter provided for securing a flange to a standard instrument ,¦ manifold designed for remote coupling. Utilizing another ¦ orifice fitting flange, the valve manifoid of the present ¦l invention can thus be easily mounted to the orifice fitting, and both the manifold and transmitter mày be supported by the orifice fitting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the instrument manifold o this invention includes a manifold body having first and second passageways connecting two inlet ports and two exit ports each threaded for remote mounting. The manifold includes a selected number of control valves. One or both ends of the instrument manifold may be provided with a flange having a plurality of apertures for enabling the flange to be directly mounted to corresponding upstream or downstream equipment. The flange is structurally secured in rigid engagement with the instrument manifold by a pair of specially designed nipples each including a passageway for maintaining fluid communication between the valve manifold and the upstream or downstream equipment.
When the manifold is mounted to an orifice fitting having NPT ports in the body portion with a substantially planar surface adjacent the ports, a first flange may be mounted -to the orifice fitting with a pair of specially designed nipples. Second and third identical flanges may be connected to the input and output ends of the manifold, respectively, with each flange also mechanically connected to the manifold by a corresponding pair of special nipples.
The second manifold has a plurality of apertures spaced outwardly of the nipples for receiving bolts, which are threaded to corresponding threaded ports in the first flange. Similarly, the transmitter may be directly mounted to the third flange by a plurality of bolts. A rigid assembly is thus provided between the orifice fitting and the transmitter, and the valve manifold and transmitter may be supported by the orifice fitting.
.8 When an orifice flange assembly having a curvilinear surface adjacent the ports is utilized, a standard multi-port gauge valve may be threadably connected to each port, and a first flange then connected to the planar face of the gauge valve. This embodiment allows for flexibility in positioning the manifold relative to the orifice flanges, and also allows for redundancy in pressure signal transmission by a monitor connected to other ports in the gauge valve. In the alternative, a special spacer block may be utilized with a vertical adapter block. These components allow vertically positioned ports in the orifice flange assembly to be connected to horizontally positioned input and ports in the manifold.
In either case, however, a mechanically rigid and fluid tight assembly is provided between the orifice fitting and the manifold, and the manifold is mounted in close relationship to the orifice fitting.
Although there are various aspects of the invention, one aspect pertains to apparatus for interconnecting an orifice flange assembly having an external curvilinear surface adjacent at least one of its pressure signal transmitting ports to a valve manifold including a manifold body having first and second passageways interconnecting respective first and second inlet ports and first and second outlet ports, each of the orifice flange signal transmitting ports, the inlet ports and the outlet ports at least partially defined by a tapered thread sidewall. The apparatus includes first and second bodies each having a threaded first end in-cluding a tapered thread for sealing engagement with one of the orifice flange signal transmitting ports, the first and second bodies each having a fluid passageway through the body and an output port adjacent a substantially planar exterior . . ~
fae( al~(l the exterior sur~ace~ of the first and second ~odies lying within a substantially sinyle plane. There is a flan~e fo~- selective renlovable engagement with an input end of the manifold body and it has first and second nipple receiving apertures. There is a pair of nipples for in-dependently structurally interconnecting the flange to the manifold body, each of the nipples including a central passageway for transmitting fluid pressure from the orifice fitting to the valve manifold, the passageway at least partially defined by torque engaging surfaces for facilitating rotation of the nipple. A threaded end includes a tapered thread for sealing engagement with the tapered thread sidewall of one of the manifold body inlet ports. A stop portion provides for forcing and retaining the flange into rigid engagement with the manifold body, and the axial spacing between the stop portion and the tapered thread is selected so that the nipple forces the flange into rigid engagement with the manifold body when the tapered thread is in sealing engagement with the tapered thread sidewall of one of the inlet ports.
Interconnection means removably interconnect the flange to the first and second bodies.
Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method of securing a flangless valve manifold to an orifice fitting having threaded fluid pressure transmission ports, the valve manifold including a manifold body having first and second passageways interconnecting first and second threaded inlet ports and first and second threaded outlet ports. The method comprises forming a plurality of nipples each having a central fluid passageway, a tapered thread on an end for sealing engagement with one of the ports, and a stop portion at a selected spacing relative to the tapered thread, ~ 5a -~ ~a~
structurally inteLconnecting a first flange to the orifice fitting by threading irst and second of the plurality of nipyles to the orifice fitting ports until the stop portion forces that first flange into rigid engagement with the orifice fitting, structurally interconnecting a second flange to an input end of the manifold body by threading third and fourth of the plurality of nipples to the manifold body inlet ports until the stop portion forces the second flange into rigid engagement with the manifold body, and rigidly interconnecting the first flange to the second flange.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the Figures in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top view, partially in cross-section, of a typical installation including an instrument manifold according to the present invention interconnected between an orifice flange and a differential pressure transducer.
Figure 2 is a top view, partially in cross-section, of an alternate embodiment of a portion of the apparatus depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the apparatus depicted in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a portion of a suitable flange and fitting for mounting on the instrument side of an instrument manifold.
Figure 5 is a side view of a portion of an orifice fitting assembly with a pair of multiport valves connected thereto.
Figure 6 is an exploded view, partially in cross-section, of a portion of an orifice fitting with a spacer block and a vertical adapter block.
1 Figure 7 is an end view, partically in cross-section, of the apparatus depicted in Figure 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, a typical installation of an instrument manifold according to the present invention is depicted in a close or direct mounting interconnection with transmitter 14. and with standard pipe nipples between the orifice flange assembly and the manifold. The manifold includes body member 12 having first and second line block valves 12A and 12B for controlling fluid flow through corresponding passageways 12D and 12E, and a crossover valve 12C for controlling flow through crossover passageway 12F.
In a typical installation, the transmitter 14 is used to monitor the pressure differential across an orifice plate 11 in assembly 10 and thereby measure the flow rate through the orifice flange assembly. In some applications, it may also be necessary to quantitatively measure the upst-eæ~
or downstream static pressure in order to calculate flow rates through the orifice flange. The assembly as shown in Figure 1 is typically used to measure the quantity of liquid or gas passing through a pipeline (not shown) interconnected to the orifice flange. The end of the manifold adjacent the orifice containing the pressure lnput ports is commonly referred to as the "process side", and the end of the manifold 2~
adjacent the transmitter 14 is commonly referred to as the "instrument side."
Pressure on both the upstream and do~nstream sides of the orifice plate is therefore separately passed throug.h a nipple 16, an elli?tical-shaped football flange 18, a process-side nip?le 30, passage~ay 12D or l~E in the manifold body 5~
1 12, instrument-side nipple 34, and to trans~itter 14. Trans-mitter 14 may either detect the differential in pressure values between the upstream and downstream sides of restriction 11, or the static pressure value at either of these locations and the differential in pressure values. Normally, valves 12A and 12B are therefore open and crossover valve 12C is closed. In order to check the accuracy of the reading from the transmitter. valve 12B may be closed and crossover valve ; 12C opened. The transmitter is thereby subjected to this 10 ! same pressure (in this case, the~pressure on the downstream side of the orifice plate ll), and the differential pressure .
reading from the transmitter should therefore be zero.
Flange 22 is structurally interconnected to and in engagement with manifold body 12 by a pair of specially-designed nipples 30 each having a central passageway 40. Theremovable flange 24 on the instrument aide of the manifold is similarly structurally secured to and in engagement with the manifold body by a pair of nipples 34 each having a passageway 42. Flanges 22 and 24 may thus separately be removed from the manifold body and reinstalled on the same manifold body - or another manifold body, depending upon whether a remote or direct coupling is desired.
Each nipple 30 is threaded in fluid-tight manner to - the tapped 1/2 inch NPT sidewalls of an input port, and each nipple 34 is similarly threaded to an exit port. A seal 32 provides sealing engagement bet~een each football and nipple - 30, and a seal 36 provides sealing engagement between nipp1e 34 and the flanged end of a transmitter. On the process-side, fluid pressure is transmitted from the passageway 38 in 1 football 18 to each passageway in the body 12 solely through nipple 30. On the instrument-side, the fluid pressure is transmitted from each passageway in the manifold 12 ~o the transmitter 14 solely through the nipple 34. No portion of flange 22 or flange 24 thus is required to be in seale~
engagement with another component to prevent loss of fluid.
Flange 22 having first and second nipple receiving apertures may be secured to the valve body by first and second special nipples 30. Each nipple 30 has 1/2 inch NP~ threads o ! for engagement with corresponding thréaded sidewall portions of an input port for either the firs~t or second passageways 12D, 12E through the valve body. A circular-shaped stop portion or shoulder on the nipple 30 is adapted for engagement with a similar circular-shaped lip portion surface on the flange 22, forcing the flange 22 into engagement with the manifold. The spacing between the stop portion and the threads on the nipple and the spacing between the lip portion surface and the interior surface of the flange 212 are controlled so that the substantially planar surface of the flange comes into secured engagement with the end of tne manifold body when the threads obtain sealed engagement with the input port. Once the fitting 30 is secured to the body 12, no substantial movement of the flange with respect to the ~ body will thereafter occur.
25 , Referring now;to Figure 4, the removable flange 24 and nipple 34 for the instrument side of the manifold will now be discussed. The instrument side flange 24 includes a first relatively thin rectangular-shaped portion 60 having dimensions similar to flange 22, and a second attached body portion 68 having a width of portion 60 and a height 1 sub~t3ntially eorresporlding to manifold ~ody 12. Fo~r direct mounting apert~res 6~ are provided in the portion 60 for receiving bolts 26, so that the flange may be rigidly secured to the transmitter 1~. The apertures 62 are preferably :, .
provided at centerline spacings of approximately 1.625 inches, which is the standard spacing between apertures on the transmitter flange. The heads of the bolts 26 are provided Il on the manifold body side of the flange 24, and the portion ¦1 68 of the flange may be provided with four curvilinear-shaped 10 1¦ cutouts 64 allowing the bolt heads to rotate within the ¦I cutouts for threading the bolts to the transmitter. The instrument side of the flange is provided with first and j second nipple receiving apertures for each of the nipoles 31.
i Each nipple 34 may thus be sealed with the bocy 12 by NPT threads as the substantially planar inner surface 61 of the flange comes into secured engagement with the body 12.
. Accordingly, the spacing between the substantially circuiar stop surface 74 and the threads of the nipple and the soacing between the substantially circular lip engaging portion 66 and the interior surface 61 of the flange are closely controlled. Close tolerance is also maintained between an outer diameter 33 of the nipple 34 and an inner diameter 25 , of the nipple receiving aperture in the flange 24, so that ¦I the flange 24 is prevented from movement in any direction 25 1! with respect to the body 12 when nipoles 34 are in sealing I engagement with the body. Passageway 42 in each nip?le inclu~es torque engaging surfaces 8~.
Expanded end portion 72 of the nipole 34 ooposite the threads includes recess 78 for receiving an 0-rins membe~
80 or other suitable seal, such as a Teflon~ ring member.
~ ~8~5~
1 On the instrument side, the O-ring or seal typically is not provided on the transmitter flange. Accordingly, the substantially planar exterior surface 63 of the flange is adapted for sealing engagement with the flange of the transmitter ~not depicted in Figure 4) when the o-ring 80 carried by the flange 34 has established sealing engagement between the circular end surface 77 of the nipple and an appropriate sealing surface of the transmitter flange. In I other respects, the instrument-side flange and nipple are i similar to the process-sidë fla~nge ànd nipple. ~ -It is also within the scope of the present invention ' to electrically isolate an orifice fitting from a valvemanifold and/or a valve manifold from a pressure transducer by modifying the components described above. Such elect.ical isolation both eliminates problems with damage to electrical pressure transducers caused by electric spikes being transmitted down a pipeline to the transducer, and decreases damage to components due to dielectic corrosion. One technique for accomplishing this objective is to fabricate one or more of the removable flanges 22, 24 from a rigid thermoplastic material.
Referring to Figure l, for example, removable flange ~4 could be fabricated from a thermoplastic material, which woula electrically isolate the valve manifold from the transmitter.
, 't Electrical transmission between these components is not 1 : ". ~ -possible through bolts 26, since the heads of the bolt engage only the thermoplastic flange. The non-conductive seal 36 is sandwiched between the transmitter and the special nipple 34, and prevents metal-to-metal contact between these componen's.
a~s~
1 ~ Referring to Figure 4, another technique for ; completing electrical isolation between flanged components is depicted. A rectansular-shaped planar non-conductive plastic ~ or other sheet material 180 covers the end of manifold 12, and has a pair of holes for receiving special nipples 34. Sheet 180 is thus sandwiched between the end of the valve manifold ` and the metallic flange 34. Electrical isolation between the metallic flange and the special nipple 34 is accomplished by a pair of identical tubular isolation members 182, also ' '-2; -_ ~
¦ fabricated from a non-conductive material. A first tubular section 184 has an internal diamëter for sliding over the ., threads 82 and fitting snuggly on the main body of the special nipple. An expanded diameter section 186 covers expanded end I portion 72 of the nipple. Sections 184 and 186 are joined by step section 188, which is sandwiched between surfaces 66 and 77. During assembly, sheet 180 is positioned against the manifold body, the nipples 34 are pressed into a respective isolation member 182, and fitted within the flange. Threading of the special nipples to the manifold body thus achieves the desired fluid-type connection between the manifold and the nipples, and the desired mechanically rigid connnection ' between the flange and the manifold body.
j' When the assembly described above is mounted, for Il example, to pressure transducer 14, the flange 24 and pressure ~ - -- . - -25 ~ transducer 14 are in electrical contact, but together are isolated from the manifold body 12 and the special nipples 3threaded to the manifold body. A~ain, electrical ensagement bet~een the end of the special nipples and the pressure a~
1 transducer is prevented by seal 36. In similar fashion, electric isolation between flange 10~ and manifold body 100 (Figures 2 and 3) is possible, with plastic sheet 180 being sandwiched between the flange and the body, and isolation members 184 electrically separating the special nipples 104, 106 from the flange 102.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, apparatus is depicted according to the present invention for fixedly ¦ mounting a valve manifold and transmitter to an orifice 10 !¦ fitting in a close or direct mounting arrangement. Orifice ! . . .. .
fitting assembly 86 includes a pair of ~PT threaded ports Il 88, 90 each in fluid communication with the respective side of an orifice within the fitting. Fitting 86 is of the type having a substantial planar surface 92 surrounding each of the port openings, and surface 92 typically serves as a reference , plane for threading the NPT ports 88, 90 within the fitting.
A suitable orifice fitting assembly is depicted in Catalog 200 entitled "Orifice Fittings" and distributed by the Flow Products Division of Daniel Industries, Inc. According to the present invention, reversible flange 94 may be affixed to the planar surface 92 of the fitting 86 by nipples 96, 98. Flange 102 may be secured to the process side of the , valve manifold 100 by nipples 104, 106. The manifold 100 (or ¦l a combined manifold and transmitter affixéd thereto as shown , . . . .
' in Figure 1) with removable flange 102 affixed thereto may then be mounted to flange 94 by the plurality of bolts 108.
One of the features of the present invention relates to tne fle~ibility of choosing from various installation arrangements, and is the reduction in manufacturin~ costs due to s'andardization of components. Regardless of whether ( 1 installation personnel desire the assembly as shown in Figure 1 or the assembly as shown in Figures 2 and 3 (the difference in Figures 2 and 3 relating to the direct mounting of the valve manifold to the orifice fitting), the same components may be utilized. Flange 94 affixed to the fitting 86 by special nipples 96 and 98 may thus be identical to flance 22 and nipples 30 previously described. Similarly, flange 102 secured to the manifold by nipples 104, 106 may be identical j to flange 24 and nipples 34 previously described. The ~hreaded l ~ . .,. ;,-......................... .
10 ' apertures in flanges 22 or 94 are thus positioned and spaced for receiving either bolts ZO for affixing a pair of foot~all fittings 18, or bolts 108 for interconnecting flange 102 to flange 94.
The significant advantage of the apparatus depicte~
in Figures 2 and 3 is that equipment manufacturing and installation costs have been substantially reduced. Flange 94 is in fixed yet removable engagement with the orifice fitting, flange 102 is a fixed yet removable engagement with the valve manifold, and flange 102 and manifold 100, as a unit, are in fixed yet movable engagement with flange 94 and ! the orifice fitting. Fluid communication between the orifice ¦i fitting assembly and the transmitter is established by nipples 96, 98 in sealing engagement with the NPT threads of the Il orifice fitting, nipples 104, 106 in sealing engagement with 25 ~ nipples 96, 98 respectively, nipples 104, 106 in sealins engagement with the NPT ports of the valve manifold, flow passageways through the valve manifold, and nipples 36 (Figu-e 1) in sealing engagement with the NPT exit ports of the manifold and with the flange of the transmitter 14. Th~s, special nipples alone provide the flow path between the 1288;~S8 1 orifice fitting and the valve manifold, and between the valve manifold and the transmitter, while the flanges 94, 102 provide solid structural support between the orifice fitting and the manifold, and flange 24 provides solid structural support between the manifold and the transmitter. A significant advantage of the embodiment depicted in Figures 2 and 3 is that the manifold or the combined manifold and transmitter ' may be supported solely by the orifice fitting assembly, ! thereby substantially reducing installation costs.
, .. ~ - - . , . - .. . .
Another advantage of the embodiment depicted in Figures 2 and 3 relates to increased pressure signal reliability.
! The signal path and thus the flow volume between the orifice fitting and the transmitter has been substantially reduced, thereby shortening the time delay due to signal travel and minimizing the effects of pulsation. Relatively few components be~ween the orifice fitting and the valve manifold need to be in sealing engagement, thus decreasing the likelihood of lea'~age.
~igure 5 depicts an embodiment for use with orifice ~ flange assembly 110. Suitable flanges of such an assembly are more fully described in Catalog Section P entitled ¦ "Orifice Flanges" by the Flow Products Division of Daniel i Industries, Inc. Orifice flange assembly 110 typically ! utilizes a "paddle-type" orifice plate sandwiched between the I
! flanges.- Threaded NPT ports 112, 114 are in fluid communication 25 ~ with respective sides of the orifice plate, and the flange end surfaces 116 are generally cylindrical-shaped. A pair of multi-port gauge valves 118, 120 each having valve assem~lies 122 are threaded to the NPT ports. Each gauge valve 118, 120 may be similar to the gauge valves shown on page 6 of the .8 1 brochure entitled "Industrial Valves and Manifolds" distributed by General Screw Products Company. The e~it ports 124, 126 are threaded for receiving NPT threads, and a flange and special nipples identical to flange 94 and nipples 96, 98 (Figure 2) may be used to connect the gauge valves 118, 120 with downstream equipment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. It should be understood that the exterior surfaces 128, 130 are ,l each substantially planar and are co-planar, so that the ¦¦ planar surface of flange 94 establishes solid mechanical 10 ll engagement with the multi-port gauge valves 118, 120. Once flange 94 has been connected to the gauge valves, a manifold (or manifold and transmitter) may be connected to flange 94 by flange 102, as described previously.
~ A sufficiently solid mechanical connection would be difficult or impossible between a flange with a planar engaging surface and the curvilinear surface of orifice flanges.
Gauge valves 118, 120 thus provide a planar surface for - receiving a suitable flange according to the present invention.
In addition, gauge valves 118, 120 provide increased flexibility for positioning the valve manifold and transmitter relative to the orifice flanges, since the flange, via the special 'i nipples, may be connected to either the right side ports 124, ,, 126 shown in Figure 5, to the NPT threaded end ports (shown !~ closed with plugs 132 in Figare 5), or with left side NPT
25 ' threaded ports ~not shown in Figure 5) on the faces opposing surfaces 128, 130.
The gauge valves 118, 120 shown in Figure 5 enable the valve assemblies 122 to be closed for any repair/replacemen' operations required on downstream equipment. Another ad~antagement of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is that the 3 '5f~ ( 1 orifice flanges may be oriented with the NPT ports do~lnward, so that valve assemblies 122 may be closed and plugs 132 unthreaded to remove condensate which otherwise may pass to the valve manifold and transmitter. Also, the various exit ports of the gauge valves 118, 120 enable pressure signals to be transmitted to an electronic transducer similar to transmitter 14 shown in Figure 1, while simultaneously forwarding signals to an alternate pressure signal transducer, such as a chart recorder. The flanges and manifolds described herein may , - ..-~ ,.,, . ,, .-thus be used to connect an electronic pressure transducer . ~, . .; . .: - . - , . .
¦ to the ports 124, 126 of the multi-port gauge valves, while a chart recorder may be connected by conventional tubing to similar NPT ports on the opposing faces of the gauge valves.
An electronic pressure transducer would normally provide a signal which more accurately corresponds to the pressure differential across the orifice, but the recordations from the chart recorder may be viewed by some to be a more reliable indication of the pressure differential and thus the flow througn the pipe.
Figure 6 is a top view of alternate components for mounting to an orifice flange assembly 30, the asse~bly having cylindical-shaped surfaces 132 adjacent the NPT ports 134, 136. In certain situations, e.g., when gas is being transmitted through a pipeline and thus gas pressure signals ; l : - . ' ¦~ are forwarded to a pressure transducer, the accuracy of the 25 !! pressure transducer is adversely affected unless the pressure transducer is mounted horizontally, i.e., with its diaphram horizontally positioned. If the valve manifold is to be mounted directly to the pressure transducer, as shown in Figure 1, the input and output ports of the valve manifold also should be in a horizontal plane. Accordingly, it is 5~
1 . well known in the art to utilize a vertical adapter to e~fectively transform two vertically positioned NPT ports into two hori~ontally positioned NPT ports, so that the valve ! manifold connected to the horizontally positioned NPT ports may also be horizontally mounted. According to the present invention, however, this same benefit may be accomplished without the use of standard pipe nipples and football I connections which increase the signal path and substantially l decrease the rigidity of the orifice flange assembly/manifold 10 ¦ connection.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, à mounting block 138, .' a vertical adapter block 140, and special bolt 142 are utilized to change an upper ~PT port 134 and a lower NPT port 136 to . horizontally positioned ports 138 and 144. It should be 15 . understand that, once assembled as described hereafter, a valve manifold 100 with a transmitter directly mounted thereto may be connected in the horizontal position to block 140 and be in fluid engagement with ports 136, 144, and that the I entire assembly may be fully supported by the orifice flange 20 .; assembly.
Elongate spacer block 138 has a bolt and nipple , receiving aperture 146. An elongate channel 148 is cut out Il adjacent the orifice engaging face of the rectangular-cross ¦I sectional block 138, forming a pair of elongate ears 150 each 25 '. having an orifice engaging edge surface lS2. The ears 150 thus enable the block 138 to be securely affixed to the cylindrical surface 132. Vertical adapter block 140 has a similar bolt receiving aperture 154 and a transverse passageway 156 for es'ablishing fluid communication between port 134 and port 144. Planar surface 158 adjacent port 144 enables fluid-~ ~82~';8 type communication between passageway 156 and a suital~le nipple (e.g. 104) within flange 102.
Special bolt 142 has external NPT threads 160 for sealing engagement with the threads of port 134. An axially ~ositioned cylindical passageway 162 is provided partially through bolt 142, and a radially positioned cylindical passageway 164 establishes fluid communication between passageway 162 and passageway 156. A fluid-tight seal is provided one each side of passageway 164 by Teflon~ washers 10 j 166, 168 respectively. The hexagonal head i70 allows the '~
~olt to be easily threaded to-port 134, thereby providing an a~ial compression force on washers 166, 168 to establish sealing engagement between the blocXs 138 and 140, and between the bloc~ 140 and the head 170 of the bolt. Alternatively, ~he seal may be established on either side of passageway 164 between the washers 166, 168 and the respective cylindrical e~terior surfaces 172, 174 of the bolt. The reduced diameter cross-section adjacent passageway 164 ensures that fluid co~munication is made between port 134 and passageway 156, regardless of the rotational position of passageway 164.
Close tolerance of the thicknesses of blocXs 138 and 140, the thicknesses of washers 166 and 168, and the spacing between the threads 160 and the surface 171 on the bolt head is . , . . . .
,' ~aintained to ensure that sealing engagement between the ~PT
2~ hreads is achieved while simultaneously obtaining the risid ~echanical connection between the block 140 and the orifice 'lange assembly.
BlocXs 138 and 140 are securely mounted to the orifice flange assembly by bolt 142 and special nip~le 176.
`.iipple 176 may be identical to nipple 30 previously described, ~ ~8~:5~
1 e~cept that nipple 176 is longer than nipple 30 by the thic~ness of the block 138. Thus, when nipple 176 is in sealing relation-ship with the NPT threaded port 136, the nipple 176 also presses blocX 140 to block 138, and presses block 138 to the surface 132 of the orifice flange, so that both a solid mechanical connection is made and a fluid tight seal is established.
A fluid-tight passageway is thus provided between the upper orifice flange port 138 and port 144 by the special 10 I bolt 142 and vertical adapter block 140, with spacer block 138 providing a mechanically ound interconnection of the ! components but having no affect on maintaining a fluid-tight path. As with nipple 30 previously described, the NPT threads 1 of nipple 176 are in sealing engagement with similar threads of the ~PT port, and the outer face of the special nipple is planar for sealing engagement with,-e.g., the seal of nipple 104 within flange 102.
With a flange 102 already mounted to a valve manifold via special nipples 34, bolts 108 may be threaded to appropriately positioned threaded passageways 178 provided in block 140, thereby securely mounting the valve manifold to ¦ tne orifice flange assembly via the vertical adapter blocX.
I Seals 80 ~see Figure 4) provide a fluid-tight seal between I the outer planar face 130 of nipple 176 and the surface 77 of nipple 34. Similarly, a fluid-tight seal will be obtained bet~een the outer planar face 158 adjacent port 144 of block 140 and surface 77 of another nipple 34.
A significant advantage of the apparatus depicted in Figures 6 and 7 relates to repair or replacement of the orifice "paddle" in assembly 130. Although the valve manifold l transmitter may be fully sup~orted by asse:nbly 13~ as de~crib~ herein, rerloval of the orifice paddle is possi'Jle ~ithout removing the valve m~nifold or transmitter.
D~rin~ repair of the paddle, bol~ 134 may be unthreaded from the ~pper NPT port, with the valve flanges described herein, the valve manifold and transmitter supported solely by special nip~le 176 sec~red to the lower NPT port. The orifice flanses may then be a~ially separated, the paddle replaced, the flanges rebolted, and bolt 134 installed to reestablish flow between the upper NPT port and the horizontally positioned valve manifold, and also to reestablish the desired mechanical connection between the orifice flange assembly and the manifold and transmitter suitable for returning to normal operations.
The removable flange and special nipples of the present invention are thus applicable to any valve manifold having two passageways each having a threaded in~ut port and a t~readed output port. Further details regarding the re~ovable flange and special nipples are disclosed in copending Canadian Serial No. 493,991, filed October 28, 1985. The manifold of the present invention may be utilized with either hard-seat or soft-seat valve bodies. The seal between the rotatable valve stem and the valve bonnet may be made according to the teachings of U.S. Patent No. 4,556,196 or U.S. Patent No. 4,597,591.
The concepts of the present invention are not limited by the type of differential pressure sensina equipment or transmitter employed. A suita~le transmitter 14 may be provided as shown in Figure 1 for detecting differential ~ ~8~5~
1 pressure and outputting an electrical signal indicative of that differen~ial pressure. Alternatively, any number of differential presure gauges, meters, or recorders may be ~ ut~lized, including commonly utilized chart-type meter manifold recorders.
Also, the present invention is not limited to a differential pressure situation, since a three valve instrument manifold as described herein having a pair of ports on a ¦ first or inlet face of the manifold and a pair of ports on a I - . . .~, . . - . . .-, , :
10 i second or outlet face of the manifold may be utilized for transmitting a single pressure signal to a transmitter. In this situation, one of the ports on the outlet face would normally be plugged, while the other port may be connected to the instrument or transmitter. The inlet port opposite the 15 ' plugged outlet port would normally serve as a signal input to the manifold, while the port on the inlet face opposite the instrument port would normally serve as a bleed port controlled by the adjacent valve assembly.
If the orifice flange assembly is mounted with its NPT ports horizontally positioned, multi-port valves may be utilized, as shown in Figure 5, for mounting a valve manifold and transmitter in the horizontal position. Alternatively, a special flange similar to flange 94 could be utilized, with I the section defined by the dashed line 180 in Figure 3 removed, I .; . : . . . .-.~. -. , .
thus providing a pair of surfaces 182 for engagement with the , curvilinear flanges, with surfaces 182 being similar to surfaces 152 shown in Figure 6. In this latter case, the nipples for threaded engagement with the orifice flange ports may have to be modified to ensure that a proper NPT seal is 5~ ``
1 m~cle simultaneously with the nipples forcillg the flan~e into rigid engagement with the orifice flange assembly.
The terms "orifice fitting" and "orifice flange assembly" are used herein interchangably, although the former term has generally been used when the output ports of the device are adjacent a planar surface, and the latter term used when the output ports are adjacent a curvilinear surface.
~ These ports are similar to the ports of the manifold body, in ¦ that the ports are each partially defined by a threaded 10 I sidewall adapted for receiving the tapered ~PT thread of a remote coupling end connector.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a vertical adapter block may also be utilized if an orifice I, fitting is mounted with the ports vertically arranged.
Multi-port valves may also be connected to an orifice fitting and then the flanges, manifold and transmitter as an asse~bly connected to the multi-port valves if another mounting arrange-ment of these components relative to the orifice fitting is , preferred.
20 ' Other alternative forms of the present invention will suggest themselves from a consideration of the apparatus and techniques herein discussed. Accordingly, it should be ¦¦ fully understood that the apparatus described herein and jl shown in the accompanying drawings are intended as exemplary 25 !' embodiments of the invention, but not as limitations thereto.
1 _EMOVAB.~ LANGES AND MOUNTING MET~IOD THEREFOR
~he patent application is related in part to Canadian Serial No. 493,991, filed October 28, 1985.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to apparatus for use with orifice assemblies to transmit and detect pressure signals and, more particularly, relates to removable flanges for interconnecting an orifice fitting to a valve manifold and a pressure transducer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
.
Instrument manifolds are commonly utilized in differential pressure systems between the source of the differential pressure and the pressure transducer, monitor, or meter. In a typical installation, a three-valve instrument manifold is ïnstalled between an orifice flange and a transmitter, and is used to (a) nor~ally transmit two different pressures to the transmitter, and (b) intermittently test the reliability of the transmitter. The testing of the transmitter may be accomplished by several techniques, including opening a "crossover valve" so as to subject the transmitter to the same pressure on both sides of the differential pressure transmitter.
Without regard to the number of control valves, prior art instrument manifolds are basically of two types:
(1) those designed for direct couoling on the input and/or the output ends of the manifold; and (2) those designed for 82~
1 remote coupling. The manifold ends designed for direct coupling utilize a flange integral with the manifold body, while ports in the manifold ends designed for remote coupling are tapped for receiving threaded fittings.
5 ~ The interconnection of an instrument manifold to ; both the orifice flange and the differential pressure sensor may thus be made by either a remote coupling or a direct , (close) coupling. Referring first to a remote coupling for ¦l an orifice flange/manifold interconnection, this interconnection 10 1 is typically made between the two threaded ports of the ~¦ orifice flange and the two threaded input ports of the manifold by flaired-end pliable tubing and hydraulic end connectors.
With this remote coupling, the manifold may be located at a selected distance generally exceeding six inches from the orifice flange, and the manifold is typically structurally supported separate from the orifice flange. Similarly, a remots coupling between the manifold and the transmitter may be made with pliable tubing and end connectors, and the transmitter may also be located a selected distance from the 20 ~ manifold and structurally supported separate from the manifold.
An advantage for remote coupling relates to the flexibility in placing the instrument manifold and the pressure sensor at ! any desired location relative to the orifice flange. Also, !I remote coupling of manifold flanges has often been preferred 25 !I because of the availability of instrument manifolds at reasonable costs having tapped l/2 inch NPT input and output ports.
On the other hand, there are significant and sometimes critical advan'ages to direct coupling over remote coupling. Using direct coupling, the spacing between the 1 transmitter and the orifice flange may be minimized to achieve a high speed of response to a change of differential pressure.
This reduction in spacing also minimizes the detrimental effects on signal accuracy due to pressure pulsations in th~
flow lines between the orifice and the transmitter. Fewer fluid-tight interconnections are required for direct coupling so that there is a reduced number of leak points and increased pressure signal reliability. Each of the passageways inter-~¦ connecting the orifice flange to the transmitter may be 10 l¦ provided along a central axis, thereby simplifying rod-out ji operations and reducing maintenance costs. Also, installation costs may be substantially reduced when using dlrect coupling, in part because the instrument manifold and transmitter do not require separate support structures. The manifold and transmitter may be mounted on a single support, or both the manifold and transmitter may be sufficiently supported by their interconnections to the orifice flange affixed to the flow lines so as to require no additional support.
The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention. Improved apparatus is hereinafter provided for securing a flange to a standard instrument ,¦ manifold designed for remote coupling. Utilizing another ¦ orifice fitting flange, the valve manifoid of the present ¦l invention can thus be easily mounted to the orifice fitting, and both the manifold and transmitter mày be supported by the orifice fitting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the instrument manifold o this invention includes a manifold body having first and second passageways connecting two inlet ports and two exit ports each threaded for remote mounting. The manifold includes a selected number of control valves. One or both ends of the instrument manifold may be provided with a flange having a plurality of apertures for enabling the flange to be directly mounted to corresponding upstream or downstream equipment. The flange is structurally secured in rigid engagement with the instrument manifold by a pair of specially designed nipples each including a passageway for maintaining fluid communication between the valve manifold and the upstream or downstream equipment.
When the manifold is mounted to an orifice fitting having NPT ports in the body portion with a substantially planar surface adjacent the ports, a first flange may be mounted -to the orifice fitting with a pair of specially designed nipples. Second and third identical flanges may be connected to the input and output ends of the manifold, respectively, with each flange also mechanically connected to the manifold by a corresponding pair of special nipples.
The second manifold has a plurality of apertures spaced outwardly of the nipples for receiving bolts, which are threaded to corresponding threaded ports in the first flange. Similarly, the transmitter may be directly mounted to the third flange by a plurality of bolts. A rigid assembly is thus provided between the orifice fitting and the transmitter, and the valve manifold and transmitter may be supported by the orifice fitting.
.8 When an orifice flange assembly having a curvilinear surface adjacent the ports is utilized, a standard multi-port gauge valve may be threadably connected to each port, and a first flange then connected to the planar face of the gauge valve. This embodiment allows for flexibility in positioning the manifold relative to the orifice flanges, and also allows for redundancy in pressure signal transmission by a monitor connected to other ports in the gauge valve. In the alternative, a special spacer block may be utilized with a vertical adapter block. These components allow vertically positioned ports in the orifice flange assembly to be connected to horizontally positioned input and ports in the manifold.
In either case, however, a mechanically rigid and fluid tight assembly is provided between the orifice fitting and the manifold, and the manifold is mounted in close relationship to the orifice fitting.
Although there are various aspects of the invention, one aspect pertains to apparatus for interconnecting an orifice flange assembly having an external curvilinear surface adjacent at least one of its pressure signal transmitting ports to a valve manifold including a manifold body having first and second passageways interconnecting respective first and second inlet ports and first and second outlet ports, each of the orifice flange signal transmitting ports, the inlet ports and the outlet ports at least partially defined by a tapered thread sidewall. The apparatus includes first and second bodies each having a threaded first end in-cluding a tapered thread for sealing engagement with one of the orifice flange signal transmitting ports, the first and second bodies each having a fluid passageway through the body and an output port adjacent a substantially planar exterior . . ~
fae( al~(l the exterior sur~ace~ of the first and second ~odies lying within a substantially sinyle plane. There is a flan~e fo~- selective renlovable engagement with an input end of the manifold body and it has first and second nipple receiving apertures. There is a pair of nipples for in-dependently structurally interconnecting the flange to the manifold body, each of the nipples including a central passageway for transmitting fluid pressure from the orifice fitting to the valve manifold, the passageway at least partially defined by torque engaging surfaces for facilitating rotation of the nipple. A threaded end includes a tapered thread for sealing engagement with the tapered thread sidewall of one of the manifold body inlet ports. A stop portion provides for forcing and retaining the flange into rigid engagement with the manifold body, and the axial spacing between the stop portion and the tapered thread is selected so that the nipple forces the flange into rigid engagement with the manifold body when the tapered thread is in sealing engagement with the tapered thread sidewall of one of the inlet ports.
Interconnection means removably interconnect the flange to the first and second bodies.
Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method of securing a flangless valve manifold to an orifice fitting having threaded fluid pressure transmission ports, the valve manifold including a manifold body having first and second passageways interconnecting first and second threaded inlet ports and first and second threaded outlet ports. The method comprises forming a plurality of nipples each having a central fluid passageway, a tapered thread on an end for sealing engagement with one of the ports, and a stop portion at a selected spacing relative to the tapered thread, ~ 5a -~ ~a~
structurally inteLconnecting a first flange to the orifice fitting by threading irst and second of the plurality of nipyles to the orifice fitting ports until the stop portion forces that first flange into rigid engagement with the orifice fitting, structurally interconnecting a second flange to an input end of the manifold body by threading third and fourth of the plurality of nipples to the manifold body inlet ports until the stop portion forces the second flange into rigid engagement with the manifold body, and rigidly interconnecting the first flange to the second flange.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the Figures in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top view, partially in cross-section, of a typical installation including an instrument manifold according to the present invention interconnected between an orifice flange and a differential pressure transducer.
Figure 2 is a top view, partially in cross-section, of an alternate embodiment of a portion of the apparatus depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the apparatus depicted in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a portion of a suitable flange and fitting for mounting on the instrument side of an instrument manifold.
Figure 5 is a side view of a portion of an orifice fitting assembly with a pair of multiport valves connected thereto.
Figure 6 is an exploded view, partially in cross-section, of a portion of an orifice fitting with a spacer block and a vertical adapter block.
1 Figure 7 is an end view, partically in cross-section, of the apparatus depicted in Figure 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, a typical installation of an instrument manifold according to the present invention is depicted in a close or direct mounting interconnection with transmitter 14. and with standard pipe nipples between the orifice flange assembly and the manifold. The manifold includes body member 12 having first and second line block valves 12A and 12B for controlling fluid flow through corresponding passageways 12D and 12E, and a crossover valve 12C for controlling flow through crossover passageway 12F.
In a typical installation, the transmitter 14 is used to monitor the pressure differential across an orifice plate 11 in assembly 10 and thereby measure the flow rate through the orifice flange assembly. In some applications, it may also be necessary to quantitatively measure the upst-eæ~
or downstream static pressure in order to calculate flow rates through the orifice flange. The assembly as shown in Figure 1 is typically used to measure the quantity of liquid or gas passing through a pipeline (not shown) interconnected to the orifice flange. The end of the manifold adjacent the orifice containing the pressure lnput ports is commonly referred to as the "process side", and the end of the manifold 2~
adjacent the transmitter 14 is commonly referred to as the "instrument side."
Pressure on both the upstream and do~nstream sides of the orifice plate is therefore separately passed throug.h a nipple 16, an elli?tical-shaped football flange 18, a process-side nip?le 30, passage~ay 12D or l~E in the manifold body 5~
1 12, instrument-side nipple 34, and to trans~itter 14. Trans-mitter 14 may either detect the differential in pressure values between the upstream and downstream sides of restriction 11, or the static pressure value at either of these locations and the differential in pressure values. Normally, valves 12A and 12B are therefore open and crossover valve 12C is closed. In order to check the accuracy of the reading from the transmitter. valve 12B may be closed and crossover valve ; 12C opened. The transmitter is thereby subjected to this 10 ! same pressure (in this case, the~pressure on the downstream side of the orifice plate ll), and the differential pressure .
reading from the transmitter should therefore be zero.
Flange 22 is structurally interconnected to and in engagement with manifold body 12 by a pair of specially-designed nipples 30 each having a central passageway 40. Theremovable flange 24 on the instrument aide of the manifold is similarly structurally secured to and in engagement with the manifold body by a pair of nipples 34 each having a passageway 42. Flanges 22 and 24 may thus separately be removed from the manifold body and reinstalled on the same manifold body - or another manifold body, depending upon whether a remote or direct coupling is desired.
Each nipple 30 is threaded in fluid-tight manner to - the tapped 1/2 inch NPT sidewalls of an input port, and each nipple 34 is similarly threaded to an exit port. A seal 32 provides sealing engagement bet~een each football and nipple - 30, and a seal 36 provides sealing engagement between nipp1e 34 and the flanged end of a transmitter. On the process-side, fluid pressure is transmitted from the passageway 38 in 1 football 18 to each passageway in the body 12 solely through nipple 30. On the instrument-side, the fluid pressure is transmitted from each passageway in the manifold 12 ~o the transmitter 14 solely through the nipple 34. No portion of flange 22 or flange 24 thus is required to be in seale~
engagement with another component to prevent loss of fluid.
Flange 22 having first and second nipple receiving apertures may be secured to the valve body by first and second special nipples 30. Each nipple 30 has 1/2 inch NP~ threads o ! for engagement with corresponding thréaded sidewall portions of an input port for either the firs~t or second passageways 12D, 12E through the valve body. A circular-shaped stop portion or shoulder on the nipple 30 is adapted for engagement with a similar circular-shaped lip portion surface on the flange 22, forcing the flange 22 into engagement with the manifold. The spacing between the stop portion and the threads on the nipple and the spacing between the lip portion surface and the interior surface of the flange 212 are controlled so that the substantially planar surface of the flange comes into secured engagement with the end of tne manifold body when the threads obtain sealed engagement with the input port. Once the fitting 30 is secured to the body 12, no substantial movement of the flange with respect to the ~ body will thereafter occur.
25 , Referring now;to Figure 4, the removable flange 24 and nipple 34 for the instrument side of the manifold will now be discussed. The instrument side flange 24 includes a first relatively thin rectangular-shaped portion 60 having dimensions similar to flange 22, and a second attached body portion 68 having a width of portion 60 and a height 1 sub~t3ntially eorresporlding to manifold ~ody 12. Fo~r direct mounting apert~res 6~ are provided in the portion 60 for receiving bolts 26, so that the flange may be rigidly secured to the transmitter 1~. The apertures 62 are preferably :, .
provided at centerline spacings of approximately 1.625 inches, which is the standard spacing between apertures on the transmitter flange. The heads of the bolts 26 are provided Il on the manifold body side of the flange 24, and the portion ¦1 68 of the flange may be provided with four curvilinear-shaped 10 1¦ cutouts 64 allowing the bolt heads to rotate within the ¦I cutouts for threading the bolts to the transmitter. The instrument side of the flange is provided with first and j second nipple receiving apertures for each of the nipoles 31.
i Each nipple 34 may thus be sealed with the bocy 12 by NPT threads as the substantially planar inner surface 61 of the flange comes into secured engagement with the body 12.
. Accordingly, the spacing between the substantially circuiar stop surface 74 and the threads of the nipple and the soacing between the substantially circular lip engaging portion 66 and the interior surface 61 of the flange are closely controlled. Close tolerance is also maintained between an outer diameter 33 of the nipple 34 and an inner diameter 25 , of the nipple receiving aperture in the flange 24, so that ¦I the flange 24 is prevented from movement in any direction 25 1! with respect to the body 12 when nipoles 34 are in sealing I engagement with the body. Passageway 42 in each nip?le inclu~es torque engaging surfaces 8~.
Expanded end portion 72 of the nipole 34 ooposite the threads includes recess 78 for receiving an 0-rins membe~
80 or other suitable seal, such as a Teflon~ ring member.
~ ~8~5~
1 On the instrument side, the O-ring or seal typically is not provided on the transmitter flange. Accordingly, the substantially planar exterior surface 63 of the flange is adapted for sealing engagement with the flange of the transmitter ~not depicted in Figure 4) when the o-ring 80 carried by the flange 34 has established sealing engagement between the circular end surface 77 of the nipple and an appropriate sealing surface of the transmitter flange. In I other respects, the instrument-side flange and nipple are i similar to the process-sidë fla~nge ànd nipple. ~ -It is also within the scope of the present invention ' to electrically isolate an orifice fitting from a valvemanifold and/or a valve manifold from a pressure transducer by modifying the components described above. Such elect.ical isolation both eliminates problems with damage to electrical pressure transducers caused by electric spikes being transmitted down a pipeline to the transducer, and decreases damage to components due to dielectic corrosion. One technique for accomplishing this objective is to fabricate one or more of the removable flanges 22, 24 from a rigid thermoplastic material.
Referring to Figure l, for example, removable flange ~4 could be fabricated from a thermoplastic material, which woula electrically isolate the valve manifold from the transmitter.
, 't Electrical transmission between these components is not 1 : ". ~ -possible through bolts 26, since the heads of the bolt engage only the thermoplastic flange. The non-conductive seal 36 is sandwiched between the transmitter and the special nipple 34, and prevents metal-to-metal contact between these componen's.
a~s~
1 ~ Referring to Figure 4, another technique for ; completing electrical isolation between flanged components is depicted. A rectansular-shaped planar non-conductive plastic ~ or other sheet material 180 covers the end of manifold 12, and has a pair of holes for receiving special nipples 34. Sheet 180 is thus sandwiched between the end of the valve manifold ` and the metallic flange 34. Electrical isolation between the metallic flange and the special nipple 34 is accomplished by a pair of identical tubular isolation members 182, also ' '-2; -_ ~
¦ fabricated from a non-conductive material. A first tubular section 184 has an internal diamëter for sliding over the ., threads 82 and fitting snuggly on the main body of the special nipple. An expanded diameter section 186 covers expanded end I portion 72 of the nipple. Sections 184 and 186 are joined by step section 188, which is sandwiched between surfaces 66 and 77. During assembly, sheet 180 is positioned against the manifold body, the nipples 34 are pressed into a respective isolation member 182, and fitted within the flange. Threading of the special nipples to the manifold body thus achieves the desired fluid-type connection between the manifold and the nipples, and the desired mechanically rigid connnection ' between the flange and the manifold body.
j' When the assembly described above is mounted, for Il example, to pressure transducer 14, the flange 24 and pressure ~ - -- . - -25 ~ transducer 14 are in electrical contact, but together are isolated from the manifold body 12 and the special nipples 3threaded to the manifold body. A~ain, electrical ensagement bet~een the end of the special nipples and the pressure a~
1 transducer is prevented by seal 36. In similar fashion, electric isolation between flange 10~ and manifold body 100 (Figures 2 and 3) is possible, with plastic sheet 180 being sandwiched between the flange and the body, and isolation members 184 electrically separating the special nipples 104, 106 from the flange 102.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, apparatus is depicted according to the present invention for fixedly ¦ mounting a valve manifold and transmitter to an orifice 10 !¦ fitting in a close or direct mounting arrangement. Orifice ! . . .. .
fitting assembly 86 includes a pair of ~PT threaded ports Il 88, 90 each in fluid communication with the respective side of an orifice within the fitting. Fitting 86 is of the type having a substantial planar surface 92 surrounding each of the port openings, and surface 92 typically serves as a reference , plane for threading the NPT ports 88, 90 within the fitting.
A suitable orifice fitting assembly is depicted in Catalog 200 entitled "Orifice Fittings" and distributed by the Flow Products Division of Daniel Industries, Inc. According to the present invention, reversible flange 94 may be affixed to the planar surface 92 of the fitting 86 by nipples 96, 98. Flange 102 may be secured to the process side of the , valve manifold 100 by nipples 104, 106. The manifold 100 (or ¦l a combined manifold and transmitter affixéd thereto as shown , . . . .
' in Figure 1) with removable flange 102 affixed thereto may then be mounted to flange 94 by the plurality of bolts 108.
One of the features of the present invention relates to tne fle~ibility of choosing from various installation arrangements, and is the reduction in manufacturin~ costs due to s'andardization of components. Regardless of whether ( 1 installation personnel desire the assembly as shown in Figure 1 or the assembly as shown in Figures 2 and 3 (the difference in Figures 2 and 3 relating to the direct mounting of the valve manifold to the orifice fitting), the same components may be utilized. Flange 94 affixed to the fitting 86 by special nipples 96 and 98 may thus be identical to flance 22 and nipples 30 previously described. Similarly, flange 102 secured to the manifold by nipples 104, 106 may be identical j to flange 24 and nipples 34 previously described. The ~hreaded l ~ . .,. ;,-......................... .
10 ' apertures in flanges 22 or 94 are thus positioned and spaced for receiving either bolts ZO for affixing a pair of foot~all fittings 18, or bolts 108 for interconnecting flange 102 to flange 94.
The significant advantage of the apparatus depicte~
in Figures 2 and 3 is that equipment manufacturing and installation costs have been substantially reduced. Flange 94 is in fixed yet removable engagement with the orifice fitting, flange 102 is a fixed yet removable engagement with the valve manifold, and flange 102 and manifold 100, as a unit, are in fixed yet movable engagement with flange 94 and ! the orifice fitting. Fluid communication between the orifice ¦i fitting assembly and the transmitter is established by nipples 96, 98 in sealing engagement with the NPT threads of the Il orifice fitting, nipples 104, 106 in sealing engagement with 25 ~ nipples 96, 98 respectively, nipples 104, 106 in sealins engagement with the NPT ports of the valve manifold, flow passageways through the valve manifold, and nipples 36 (Figu-e 1) in sealing engagement with the NPT exit ports of the manifold and with the flange of the transmitter 14. Th~s, special nipples alone provide the flow path between the 1288;~S8 1 orifice fitting and the valve manifold, and between the valve manifold and the transmitter, while the flanges 94, 102 provide solid structural support between the orifice fitting and the manifold, and flange 24 provides solid structural support between the manifold and the transmitter. A significant advantage of the embodiment depicted in Figures 2 and 3 is that the manifold or the combined manifold and transmitter ' may be supported solely by the orifice fitting assembly, ! thereby substantially reducing installation costs.
, .. ~ - - . , . - .. . .
Another advantage of the embodiment depicted in Figures 2 and 3 relates to increased pressure signal reliability.
! The signal path and thus the flow volume between the orifice fitting and the transmitter has been substantially reduced, thereby shortening the time delay due to signal travel and minimizing the effects of pulsation. Relatively few components be~ween the orifice fitting and the valve manifold need to be in sealing engagement, thus decreasing the likelihood of lea'~age.
~igure 5 depicts an embodiment for use with orifice ~ flange assembly 110. Suitable flanges of such an assembly are more fully described in Catalog Section P entitled ¦ "Orifice Flanges" by the Flow Products Division of Daniel i Industries, Inc. Orifice flange assembly 110 typically ! utilizes a "paddle-type" orifice plate sandwiched between the I
! flanges.- Threaded NPT ports 112, 114 are in fluid communication 25 ~ with respective sides of the orifice plate, and the flange end surfaces 116 are generally cylindrical-shaped. A pair of multi-port gauge valves 118, 120 each having valve assem~lies 122 are threaded to the NPT ports. Each gauge valve 118, 120 may be similar to the gauge valves shown on page 6 of the .8 1 brochure entitled "Industrial Valves and Manifolds" distributed by General Screw Products Company. The e~it ports 124, 126 are threaded for receiving NPT threads, and a flange and special nipples identical to flange 94 and nipples 96, 98 (Figure 2) may be used to connect the gauge valves 118, 120 with downstream equipment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. It should be understood that the exterior surfaces 128, 130 are ,l each substantially planar and are co-planar, so that the ¦¦ planar surface of flange 94 establishes solid mechanical 10 ll engagement with the multi-port gauge valves 118, 120. Once flange 94 has been connected to the gauge valves, a manifold (or manifold and transmitter) may be connected to flange 94 by flange 102, as described previously.
~ A sufficiently solid mechanical connection would be difficult or impossible between a flange with a planar engaging surface and the curvilinear surface of orifice flanges.
Gauge valves 118, 120 thus provide a planar surface for - receiving a suitable flange according to the present invention.
In addition, gauge valves 118, 120 provide increased flexibility for positioning the valve manifold and transmitter relative to the orifice flanges, since the flange, via the special 'i nipples, may be connected to either the right side ports 124, ,, 126 shown in Figure 5, to the NPT threaded end ports (shown !~ closed with plugs 132 in Figare 5), or with left side NPT
25 ' threaded ports ~not shown in Figure 5) on the faces opposing surfaces 128, 130.
The gauge valves 118, 120 shown in Figure 5 enable the valve assemblies 122 to be closed for any repair/replacemen' operations required on downstream equipment. Another ad~antagement of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is that the 3 '5f~ ( 1 orifice flanges may be oriented with the NPT ports do~lnward, so that valve assemblies 122 may be closed and plugs 132 unthreaded to remove condensate which otherwise may pass to the valve manifold and transmitter. Also, the various exit ports of the gauge valves 118, 120 enable pressure signals to be transmitted to an electronic transducer similar to transmitter 14 shown in Figure 1, while simultaneously forwarding signals to an alternate pressure signal transducer, such as a chart recorder. The flanges and manifolds described herein may , - ..-~ ,.,, . ,, .-thus be used to connect an electronic pressure transducer . ~, . .; . .: - . - , . .
¦ to the ports 124, 126 of the multi-port gauge valves, while a chart recorder may be connected by conventional tubing to similar NPT ports on the opposing faces of the gauge valves.
An electronic pressure transducer would normally provide a signal which more accurately corresponds to the pressure differential across the orifice, but the recordations from the chart recorder may be viewed by some to be a more reliable indication of the pressure differential and thus the flow througn the pipe.
Figure 6 is a top view of alternate components for mounting to an orifice flange assembly 30, the asse~bly having cylindical-shaped surfaces 132 adjacent the NPT ports 134, 136. In certain situations, e.g., when gas is being transmitted through a pipeline and thus gas pressure signals ; l : - . ' ¦~ are forwarded to a pressure transducer, the accuracy of the 25 !! pressure transducer is adversely affected unless the pressure transducer is mounted horizontally, i.e., with its diaphram horizontally positioned. If the valve manifold is to be mounted directly to the pressure transducer, as shown in Figure 1, the input and output ports of the valve manifold also should be in a horizontal plane. Accordingly, it is 5~
1 . well known in the art to utilize a vertical adapter to e~fectively transform two vertically positioned NPT ports into two hori~ontally positioned NPT ports, so that the valve ! manifold connected to the horizontally positioned NPT ports may also be horizontally mounted. According to the present invention, however, this same benefit may be accomplished without the use of standard pipe nipples and football I connections which increase the signal path and substantially l decrease the rigidity of the orifice flange assembly/manifold 10 ¦ connection.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, à mounting block 138, .' a vertical adapter block 140, and special bolt 142 are utilized to change an upper ~PT port 134 and a lower NPT port 136 to . horizontally positioned ports 138 and 144. It should be 15 . understand that, once assembled as described hereafter, a valve manifold 100 with a transmitter directly mounted thereto may be connected in the horizontal position to block 140 and be in fluid engagement with ports 136, 144, and that the I entire assembly may be fully supported by the orifice flange 20 .; assembly.
Elongate spacer block 138 has a bolt and nipple , receiving aperture 146. An elongate channel 148 is cut out Il adjacent the orifice engaging face of the rectangular-cross ¦I sectional block 138, forming a pair of elongate ears 150 each 25 '. having an orifice engaging edge surface lS2. The ears 150 thus enable the block 138 to be securely affixed to the cylindrical surface 132. Vertical adapter block 140 has a similar bolt receiving aperture 154 and a transverse passageway 156 for es'ablishing fluid communication between port 134 and port 144. Planar surface 158 adjacent port 144 enables fluid-~ ~82~';8 type communication between passageway 156 and a suital~le nipple (e.g. 104) within flange 102.
Special bolt 142 has external NPT threads 160 for sealing engagement with the threads of port 134. An axially ~ositioned cylindical passageway 162 is provided partially through bolt 142, and a radially positioned cylindical passageway 164 establishes fluid communication between passageway 162 and passageway 156. A fluid-tight seal is provided one each side of passageway 164 by Teflon~ washers 10 j 166, 168 respectively. The hexagonal head i70 allows the '~
~olt to be easily threaded to-port 134, thereby providing an a~ial compression force on washers 166, 168 to establish sealing engagement between the blocXs 138 and 140, and between the bloc~ 140 and the head 170 of the bolt. Alternatively, ~he seal may be established on either side of passageway 164 between the washers 166, 168 and the respective cylindrical e~terior surfaces 172, 174 of the bolt. The reduced diameter cross-section adjacent passageway 164 ensures that fluid co~munication is made between port 134 and passageway 156, regardless of the rotational position of passageway 164.
Close tolerance of the thicknesses of blocXs 138 and 140, the thicknesses of washers 166 and 168, and the spacing between the threads 160 and the surface 171 on the bolt head is . , . . . .
,' ~aintained to ensure that sealing engagement between the ~PT
2~ hreads is achieved while simultaneously obtaining the risid ~echanical connection between the block 140 and the orifice 'lange assembly.
BlocXs 138 and 140 are securely mounted to the orifice flange assembly by bolt 142 and special nip~le 176.
`.iipple 176 may be identical to nipple 30 previously described, ~ ~8~:5~
1 e~cept that nipple 176 is longer than nipple 30 by the thic~ness of the block 138. Thus, when nipple 176 is in sealing relation-ship with the NPT threaded port 136, the nipple 176 also presses blocX 140 to block 138, and presses block 138 to the surface 132 of the orifice flange, so that both a solid mechanical connection is made and a fluid tight seal is established.
A fluid-tight passageway is thus provided between the upper orifice flange port 138 and port 144 by the special 10 I bolt 142 and vertical adapter block 140, with spacer block 138 providing a mechanically ound interconnection of the ! components but having no affect on maintaining a fluid-tight path. As with nipple 30 previously described, the NPT threads 1 of nipple 176 are in sealing engagement with similar threads of the ~PT port, and the outer face of the special nipple is planar for sealing engagement with,-e.g., the seal of nipple 104 within flange 102.
With a flange 102 already mounted to a valve manifold via special nipples 34, bolts 108 may be threaded to appropriately positioned threaded passageways 178 provided in block 140, thereby securely mounting the valve manifold to ¦ tne orifice flange assembly via the vertical adapter blocX.
I Seals 80 ~see Figure 4) provide a fluid-tight seal between I the outer planar face 130 of nipple 176 and the surface 77 of nipple 34. Similarly, a fluid-tight seal will be obtained bet~een the outer planar face 158 adjacent port 144 of block 140 and surface 77 of another nipple 34.
A significant advantage of the apparatus depicted in Figures 6 and 7 relates to repair or replacement of the orifice "paddle" in assembly 130. Although the valve manifold l transmitter may be fully sup~orted by asse:nbly 13~ as de~crib~ herein, rerloval of the orifice paddle is possi'Jle ~ithout removing the valve m~nifold or transmitter.
D~rin~ repair of the paddle, bol~ 134 may be unthreaded from the ~pper NPT port, with the valve flanges described herein, the valve manifold and transmitter supported solely by special nip~le 176 sec~red to the lower NPT port. The orifice flanses may then be a~ially separated, the paddle replaced, the flanges rebolted, and bolt 134 installed to reestablish flow between the upper NPT port and the horizontally positioned valve manifold, and also to reestablish the desired mechanical connection between the orifice flange assembly and the manifold and transmitter suitable for returning to normal operations.
The removable flange and special nipples of the present invention are thus applicable to any valve manifold having two passageways each having a threaded in~ut port and a t~readed output port. Further details regarding the re~ovable flange and special nipples are disclosed in copending Canadian Serial No. 493,991, filed October 28, 1985. The manifold of the present invention may be utilized with either hard-seat or soft-seat valve bodies. The seal between the rotatable valve stem and the valve bonnet may be made according to the teachings of U.S. Patent No. 4,556,196 or U.S. Patent No. 4,597,591.
The concepts of the present invention are not limited by the type of differential pressure sensina equipment or transmitter employed. A suita~le transmitter 14 may be provided as shown in Figure 1 for detecting differential ~ ~8~5~
1 pressure and outputting an electrical signal indicative of that differen~ial pressure. Alternatively, any number of differential presure gauges, meters, or recorders may be ~ ut~lized, including commonly utilized chart-type meter manifold recorders.
Also, the present invention is not limited to a differential pressure situation, since a three valve instrument manifold as described herein having a pair of ports on a ¦ first or inlet face of the manifold and a pair of ports on a I - . . .~, . . - . . .-, , :
10 i second or outlet face of the manifold may be utilized for transmitting a single pressure signal to a transmitter. In this situation, one of the ports on the outlet face would normally be plugged, while the other port may be connected to the instrument or transmitter. The inlet port opposite the 15 ' plugged outlet port would normally serve as a signal input to the manifold, while the port on the inlet face opposite the instrument port would normally serve as a bleed port controlled by the adjacent valve assembly.
If the orifice flange assembly is mounted with its NPT ports horizontally positioned, multi-port valves may be utilized, as shown in Figure 5, for mounting a valve manifold and transmitter in the horizontal position. Alternatively, a special flange similar to flange 94 could be utilized, with I the section defined by the dashed line 180 in Figure 3 removed, I .; . : . . . .-.~. -. , .
thus providing a pair of surfaces 182 for engagement with the , curvilinear flanges, with surfaces 182 being similar to surfaces 152 shown in Figure 6. In this latter case, the nipples for threaded engagement with the orifice flange ports may have to be modified to ensure that a proper NPT seal is 5~ ``
1 m~cle simultaneously with the nipples forcillg the flan~e into rigid engagement with the orifice flange assembly.
The terms "orifice fitting" and "orifice flange assembly" are used herein interchangably, although the former term has generally been used when the output ports of the device are adjacent a planar surface, and the latter term used when the output ports are adjacent a curvilinear surface.
~ These ports are similar to the ports of the manifold body, in ¦ that the ports are each partially defined by a threaded 10 I sidewall adapted for receiving the tapered ~PT thread of a remote coupling end connector.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a vertical adapter block may also be utilized if an orifice I, fitting is mounted with the ports vertically arranged.
Multi-port valves may also be connected to an orifice fitting and then the flanges, manifold and transmitter as an asse~bly connected to the multi-port valves if another mounting arrange-ment of these components relative to the orifice fitting is , preferred.
20 ' Other alternative forms of the present invention will suggest themselves from a consideration of the apparatus and techniques herein discussed. Accordingly, it should be ¦¦ fully understood that the apparatus described herein and jl shown in the accompanying drawings are intended as exemplary 25 !' embodiments of the invention, but not as limitations thereto.
Claims (20)
1. In apparatus for interconnecting an orifice fitting to a pressure detector, said orifice fitting including a pair of pressure transmitting ports each at least partially defined by a tapered thread sidewall, a valve manifold for transmitting signals to said pressure detector, said valve manifold including a manifold body having first and second passageway interconnecting respective first and second inlet ports and first and second outlet ports, each of said inlet and outlet ports at least partially defined by a tapered thread sidewall, the improvement comprising:
a first flange for selective removable engagement with a planar surface of said orifice fitting and having first and second nipple receiving apertures;
first and second nipples for independently structurally interconnecting said first flange to said orifice fitting;
a second flange for selective removable engagement with an input end of said manifold body and having third and fourth nipple receiving apertures;
third and fourth nipples for independently structurally interconnecting said second flange to said manifold body;
each of said first, second, third and fourth nipples including a central passageway for transmitting fluid pressure from said orifice fitting to said valve manifold, said passageway at least partially defined by torque engaging surfaces for facilitating rotation of said nipple, a threaded end including a tapered thread for sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said orifice fitting or manifold body ports, a stop portion for forcing and retaining said first or second flange into rigid engagement with said orifice fitting or manifold, respectively, and axial spacing between said stop portion and said tapered thread being selected so that said nipple forces said flange into rigid engagement with said orifice fitting or manifold body when said tapered thread is in sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said ports; and structural interconnection means for removably interconnecting said first and second flanges.
a first flange for selective removable engagement with a planar surface of said orifice fitting and having first and second nipple receiving apertures;
first and second nipples for independently structurally interconnecting said first flange to said orifice fitting;
a second flange for selective removable engagement with an input end of said manifold body and having third and fourth nipple receiving apertures;
third and fourth nipples for independently structurally interconnecting said second flange to said manifold body;
each of said first, second, third and fourth nipples including a central passageway for transmitting fluid pressure from said orifice fitting to said valve manifold, said passageway at least partially defined by torque engaging surfaces for facilitating rotation of said nipple, a threaded end including a tapered thread for sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said orifice fitting or manifold body ports, a stop portion for forcing and retaining said first or second flange into rigid engagement with said orifice fitting or manifold, respectively, and axial spacing between said stop portion and said tapered thread being selected so that said nipple forces said flange into rigid engagement with said orifice fitting or manifold body when said tapered thread is in sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said ports; and structural interconnection means for removably interconnecting said first and second flanges.
2. Apparatus as defined in Claim 1, further comprising:
first sealing means for sealing an end of said first nipple with an end of said third nipple; and second sealing means for sealing an end of said second nipple with an end of said fourth nipple.
first sealing means for sealing an end of said first nipple with an end of said third nipple; and second sealing means for sealing an end of said second nipple with an end of said fourth nipple.
3. Apparatus as defined in Claim 2, wherein each of said nipples further comprises:
a substantially planar circular-shaped end surface opposite said threaded end for sealing engagement with said first or second sealing means.
a substantially planar circular-shaped end surface opposite said threaded end for sealing engagement with said first or second sealing means.
4. Apparatus as defined in Claim 1, wherein each of said nipples has a substantially cylindrical configuration with a central axis.
5. Apparatus as defined in Claim 1, wherein said interconnection means is spaced radially outwardly from said nipples.
6. Apparatus as defined in Claim 1, wherein each of said first and second flanges further comprises:
first and second substantially planar and opposing end surfaces; and a substantially planar circular-shaped lip surface spaced between said planar surfaces for engagement with said stop portion.
first and second substantially planar and opposing end surfaces; and a substantially planar circular-shaped lip surface spaced between said planar surfaces for engagement with said stop portion.
7. Apparatus as defined in Claim 1, further comprising:
a third flange for selective removable engagement with an output end of said manifold body and having fifth and sixth nipple receiving apertures;
fifth and sixth nipples for independently structurally interconnecting said third flange to said manifold body; and detector interconnecting means for removably interconnecting said third flange to said pressure detector.
a third flange for selective removable engagement with an output end of said manifold body and having fifth and sixth nipple receiving apertures;
fifth and sixth nipples for independently structurally interconnecting said third flange to said manifold body; and detector interconnecting means for removably interconnecting said third flange to said pressure detector.
8. Apparatus as defined in Claim 7, wherein at least one of said first, second or third flanges is formed from an electrically non-conductive material for electrically insulating said orifice fitting from said pressure detector.
9. Apparatus as defined in Claim 7, further comprising:
a non-conductive sheet material sandwiched between said manifold body and said second or third flange, and a pair of non-conductive tubular isolation members each for receiving a substantial portion of one of said third, fourth, fifth or sixth nipples and for electrically isolating said nipple from its respective flange;
whereby said orifice fitting is electrically isolated from said pressure detector.
a non-conductive sheet material sandwiched between said manifold body and said second or third flange, and a pair of non-conductive tubular isolation members each for receiving a substantial portion of one of said third, fourth, fifth or sixth nipples and for electrically isolating said nipple from its respective flange;
whereby said orifice fitting is electrically isolated from said pressure detector.
10. Apparatus for interconnecting an orifice flange assembly having an external curvilinear surface adjacent at least one of its pressure signal transmitting ports to a valve manifold including a manifold body having first and second passageway interconnecting respective first and second inlet ports and first and second outlet ports, each of said orifice flange signal transmitting ports, said inlet ports and said outlet ports at least partially defined by a tapered thread sidewall, the apparatus comprising:
first and second bodies each having a threaded first end including a tapered thread for sealing engagement with one of said orifice flange signal transmitting ports;
said first and second bodies each having a fluid passageway through said body and an output port adjacent a substantially planar exterior surface, said exterior surfaces of said first and second bodies lying within a substantially single plane;
a flange for selective removable engagement with an input end of said manifold body and having first and second nipple receiving apertures:
a pair of nipples for independently structurally interconnecting said flange to said manifold body, each of said nipples including a central passageway for transmitting fluid pressure from said orifice fitting to said valve manifold, said passageway at least partially defined by torque engaging surfaces for facilitating rotation of said nipple, a threaded end included a tapered thread for sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said manifold body inlet ports, a stop portion for forcing and retaining said flange into rigid engagement with said manifold body, and axial spacing between said stop portion and said tapered thread being selected so that said nipple forces said flange into rigid engagement with said manifold body when said tapered thread is in sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said inlet ports; and interconnection means for removably interconnecting said flange to said first and second bodies.
first and second bodies each having a threaded first end including a tapered thread for sealing engagement with one of said orifice flange signal transmitting ports;
said first and second bodies each having a fluid passageway through said body and an output port adjacent a substantially planar exterior surface, said exterior surfaces of said first and second bodies lying within a substantially single plane;
a flange for selective removable engagement with an input end of said manifold body and having first and second nipple receiving apertures:
a pair of nipples for independently structurally interconnecting said flange to said manifold body, each of said nipples including a central passageway for transmitting fluid pressure from said orifice fitting to said valve manifold, said passageway at least partially defined by torque engaging surfaces for facilitating rotation of said nipple, a threaded end included a tapered thread for sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said manifold body inlet ports, a stop portion for forcing and retaining said flange into rigid engagement with said manifold body, and axial spacing between said stop portion and said tapered thread being selected so that said nipple forces said flange into rigid engagement with said manifold body when said tapered thread is in sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said inlet ports; and interconnection means for removably interconnecting said flange to said first and second bodies.
11. Apparatus as defined in Claim 10, wherein each of said first and second bodies is a valve body having a plurality of outlet ports; and said interconnection means includes another flange, another pair of nipples for structurally interconnect-ing said another flange to said first and second bodies, and flange interconnection means for removably interconnecting said flange and said another flange.
12. Apparatus as defined in Claim 10, further comprising:
a spacer block member sandwiched between said first and second bodies and said orifice flange assembly, said spacer block member having a pair of elongate projections for engagement with said exterior curvilinear surface of said orifice flange assembly for securely mounting said first and second bodies to said orifice flange assembly.
a spacer block member sandwiched between said first and second bodies and said orifice flange assembly, said spacer block member having a pair of elongate projections for engagement with said exterior curvilinear surface of said orifice flange assembly for securely mounting said first and second bodies to said orifice flange assembly.
13. Apparatus as defined in Claim 12, wherein said second body includes a central passageway for transmitting fluid pressure, said passageway at least partially defined by torque engaging surfaces for facilitating rotation of said second body;
a stop portion on said second body for forcing and retaining a portion of said first body and said spacer block member into rigid engagement with said curvilinear surface of said orifice flange assembly: and axial spacing between said stop portion and threaded end of said second body selected so that said stop portion forces said portion of said first body and said spacer block member into rigid engagement with said orifice flange assembly when said threaded end is in sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said signal transmitting ports.
a stop portion on said second body for forcing and retaining a portion of said first body and said spacer block member into rigid engagement with said curvilinear surface of said orifice flange assembly: and axial spacing between said stop portion and threaded end of said second body selected so that said stop portion forces said portion of said first body and said spacer block member into rigid engagement with said orifice flange assembly when said threaded end is in sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said signal transmitting ports.
14. Apparatus as defined in Claim 12, wherein said first body comprises:
a bolt portion including said tapered thread at one end and a head at another end with torque engaging surface;
a vertical adapter block portion having a fluid passageway terminating at said outlet port;
said bolt portion including a passageway for establishing fluid communication between one of said orifice flange signal transmitting ports and said adapter block passageway; and axial spacing between said bolt head and said tapered thread selected so that said bolt portion forces said vertical adapter block and said spacer block member into rigid engagement with said orifice flange assembly when said tapered thread is in sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said signal transmitting ports.
a bolt portion including said tapered thread at one end and a head at another end with torque engaging surface;
a vertical adapter block portion having a fluid passageway terminating at said outlet port;
said bolt portion including a passageway for establishing fluid communication between one of said orifice flange signal transmitting ports and said adapter block passageway; and axial spacing between said bolt head and said tapered thread selected so that said bolt portion forces said vertical adapter block and said spacer block member into rigid engagement with said orifice flange assembly when said tapered thread is in sealing engagement with said tapered thread sidewall of one of said signal transmitting ports.
15. Apparatus as defined in Claim 14, further comprising:
sealing means sandwiched between said spacer block member and said adapter block portion for preventing loss of fluid from said first body.
sealing means sandwiched between said spacer block member and said adapter block portion for preventing loss of fluid from said first body.
16. A method of securing a flangeless valve manifold to an orifice fitting having threaded fluid pressure transmission ports, said valve manifold including a manifold body having first and second passageways interconnecting first and second threaded inlet ports and first and second threaded outlet ports, the method comprising:
forming a plurality of nipples each having a central fluid passageway, a tapered thread on an end for sealing engagement with one of said ports, and a stop portion at a selected spacing relative to said tapered thread;
structurally interconnecting a first flange to said orifice fitting by threading first and second of said plurality of nipples to said orifice fitting ports until said stop portion forces that first flange into rigid engagement with said orifice fitting;
structurally interconnecting a second flange to an input end of said manifold body by threading third and fourth of said plurality of nipples to said manifold body inlet ports until said stop portion forces said second flange into rigid engagement with said manifold body; and rigidly interconnecting said first flange to said second flange.
forming a plurality of nipples each having a central fluid passageway, a tapered thread on an end for sealing engagement with one of said ports, and a stop portion at a selected spacing relative to said tapered thread;
structurally interconnecting a first flange to said orifice fitting by threading first and second of said plurality of nipples to said orifice fitting ports until said stop portion forces that first flange into rigid engagement with said orifice fitting;
structurally interconnecting a second flange to an input end of said manifold body by threading third and fourth of said plurality of nipples to said manifold body inlet ports until said stop portion forces said second flange into rigid engagement with said manifold body; and rigidly interconnecting said first flange to said second flange.
17. The method as defined in Claim 16, further comprising:
sealing end surfaces between said first and third nipples and between said second and fourth nipples.
sealing end surfaces between said first and third nipples and between said second and fourth nipples.
18. The method as defined in Claim 16, further comprising:
interconnecting said first flange to said second flange with a plurality of bolts each spaced radially outward away from said nipples.
interconnecting said first flange to said second flange with a plurality of bolts each spaced radially outward away from said nipples.
19. The method as defined in Claim 16, further comprising:
forming first and second substanially planar and opposing end surfaces on each of said first and second flanges;
and forming a substantially planar circular-shaped lip surface on each of said first and second flanges for engagement with said stop portion.
forming first and second substanially planar and opposing end surfaces on each of said first and second flanges;
and forming a substantially planar circular-shaped lip surface on each of said first and second flanges for engagement with said stop portion.
20. The method as defined in Claim 16, further comprising:
electrically isolating said orifice fitting from said manifold body.
electrically isolating said orifice fitting from said manifold body.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US832,872 | 1986-02-26 | ||
| US06/832,872 US4672728A (en) | 1984-10-31 | 1986-02-26 | Pressure signal instrumentation having removable flanges and mounting method therefor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1288258C true CA1288258C (en) | 1991-09-03 |
Family
ID=25262823
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000528087A Expired - Lifetime CA1288258C (en) | 1986-02-26 | 1987-01-23 | Pressure signal instrumentation having removable flanges and mounting method therefor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1288258C (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-01-23 CA CA000528087A patent/CA1288258C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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