Valve operating device having a movable arm for use in exercising valves

A valve operating device includes first and second pivots, a first arm portion extending therebetween, a second arm portion extending from the second pivot, a valve operating machine on the second arm portion, and an actuator connected between the first pivot and the first arm portion. The first arm portion can rotate around a first vertical axis defined by the first pivot and can pivot around a horizontal axis defined by the first pivot. The second arm portion can rotate around a second vertical axis defined by the second pivot. The actuator causes the first and second arm portions, the second pivot, and the valve operating machine to pivot upward and downward relative to the first pivot around the horizontal axis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to exercising valves.

BACKGROUND

Municipalities and the like have extensive networks of piping to control the flow of water from storage and pumping stations to users. The network of piping includes numerous valves such that portions of the network can be closed off as needed for service while the remainder of the network remains in operation. The piping required for such networks can range in size from as small as three or four inches in diameter to as large as three feet in diameter. Also, the valves of the system typically remain in an open condition or in a closed condition for very long periods of time.

The valves of a municipal water system are located below ground with an access shaft extending from the valve stem to the surface through which an elongate key is extended to turn the stem. Such valves typically include a screw that is rotatable through one hundred turns or more to fully open or fully close the valve. Also, underground valves undergo a certain degree of deterioration over time and it is common for valves to become frozen or locked into their current position as a result of contamination on the surface of the screw or deterioration of the parts. As a result, the large amount of torque needed to open and close such valves is provided by a motorized valve turning machine. Such machines are heavy and awkward and when operated apply a great amount of torque to the key that extends down a shaft to the valve stem for rotating the valve. Accordingly, to aid in the operation of such valve turning machines, it is common to mount such valve turning machines on an arm attached to a vehicle such as, for example, a truck or trailer.

One such mounting device mounts a valve turning machine on a horizontal slide that allows the machine to move horizontally from a first position over the truck bed to a second position spaced from the side of the truck. Such slideable mounting provides rigid support to the valve turning machine while it exercises a valve. This longitudinally slideable structure, however, has limited mobility with respect to the vehicle. Where valves are positioned between various obstacles such as buildings, curbs, boulders, trees and the like, it may not be possible for the truck to reach a position where the valve turning machine may be positioned directly over the shaft leading to the valve. In addition, the ground may be uneven; such a longitudinally slidable structure does not provide for vertical movement of the mounting device to accommodate uneven ground.

Efforts have been made to attach a valve turning machine to a manipulating arm connected to a truck. Such a device includes a multi-hinged arm configured as a backhoe with the inner end of the arm connected to a vehicle and the outer end to a valve turning machine. The arm is pivotable about a horizontal axis generally giving the device a one hundred and eighty degree of rotation with the hinged elbow of the backhoe arm permitting the free end of the arm to move eight to twelve feet radially outward of the vehicle. The hinged elbow includes one or more spring loaded compensating structures to apply a vertically upward force to the free end of the arm to compensate for the weight of the valve turning machine. By virtue of the spring-loaded compensating devices, the free end of the arm can be manipulated to a position directly over an otherwise difficult to reach shaft to a valve.

It has been found that a valve turning machine mounted on this type of arm attached by a key to a valve and with torque applied to the key by the machine, the machine will shake and toss violently as the valve is exercised. The shaking and tossing are a result of the uneven torque applied to the key as the turning screw encounters areas of contamination by foreign materials and deterioration of the moving parts. The shaking and tossing of the machine include vertical components of force which cause the key to be pulled free of the valve stem, thereby interrupting the valve turning operation and perhaps causing damage to either the machine or the valve. To retain the machine and the key in their desired orientation with respect to the valve stem, the operator is required to grasp the machine with his/her arms and use his/her body weight to hold the machine in the desired orientation as the valve is exercised.

Since the shaking and tossing of the machine is caused by contamination and deterioration below ground and not visible to the operator, the movement of the machine is unpredictable and can also cause injury to the operator. Accordingly, there is a need for providing an extendible arm for supporting a valve turning machine over a valve stem positioned remotely from a vehicle that will retain the machine against all the forces applied to the end of the arm as a consequence of frequent and sudden changes in torque applied to the valve.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims.

In one aspect, a movable arm for use in exercising valves is provided.

In one aspect, a valve operating device having a movable arm for use in exercising valves is provided.

In another aspect, a valve operating device having a movable arm for use in exercising valves is provided and which is mounted on a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1-3, one example of a vehicle20is shown and is fitted with one example of a valve operating device22which is used to exercise a valve24, which in some examples may be an underground valve. The valve operating device22is attached to a stable part of the vehicle20, such as a trailer coupled to a truck or other transportable vehicle, which remains generally parallel to the level of underlying ground26. While the valve operating device22is shown and described as being mounted on the illustrated example of the vehicle20, the valve operating device22can be mounted on any stable surface of any type of vehicle during operation. For example, the valve operating device22may be coupled to a truck bed, a front or rear bumper of a truck, or any other stable surface associated with a vehicle20or other portable machine.

The valve operating device22has a mounting portion28affixed to the vehicle20or other stable surface, an arm30extending from the mounting portion28and movable relative to the mounting portion28, an actuator32for effecting a movement of the arm30relative to the mounting portion28, and a valve turning machine34attached to the arm30. The arm30is rotatable around two vertical axes36,38, and one horizontal axis40so that the valve turning machine34can be positioned at a desired orientation relative to the valve24and to the ground26. The rotation around the vertical axes36,38provides for the positioning of the valve turning machine34directly above the valve24. The rotation around the horizontal axis40provides for the positioning of the valve turning machine34vertically upwardly or downwardly to accommodate uneven ground26so that the valve turning machine34can be directly positioned above the valve24. The valve turning machine34is used to exercise the valve24by an elongated key42, seeFIGS.3and8, attached to the valve turning machine34.

With continued reference toFIGS.1and2and further reference toFIG.6, the mounting portion28may include a planar mounting plate44attached to the vehicle20or the other stable surface, and an upstanding mount46extending vertically upward from the mounting plate44. The mounting plate44may have a plurality of mounting holes therein for attachment to the vehicle20or other stable surface by fasteners.

Referring now toFIGS.1-5, the arm30includes a first pivot48attached to the mounting plate44, a first elongated arm portion50having a first end attached to the first pivot48, a second pivot52attached to a second opposite end of the first arm portion50, and a second elongated arm portion54having a first end attached to the second pivot52.

As shown inFIG.6, the first pivot48includes a pedestal56, which may be formed of a tubular member, fixedly attached to the mounting plate44, and a mounting cup58, which may be formed of a tubular member, surrounding the pedestal56and rotatably mounted on the pedestal56by bearings60positioned between the pedestal56and the mounting cup58. The first pivot48defines the vertical axis36through the center of the pedestal56. The first pivot48further includes a bracket64, which may take the form of a plate, which extends outwardly from, and is rigidly affixed to, the mounting cup58. The bracket64includes a plurality of apertures66therethrough to which the first end of the first arm portion50is mounted by pivot pins68which defines the horizontal axis40.

As shown inFIG.6, the second pivot52includes a pedestal70, which may be formed of a tubular member, fixedly attached to the second arm portion54, and a mounting cup72, which may be formed of a tubular member, surrounding the pedestal70. The pedestal70is rotatably mounted within the mounting cup72by bearings74positioned between the pedestal70and the mounting cup72. The pedestal70extends outwardly from the mounting cup72. As shown, the pedestal70extends upwardly from the mounting cup72. The second pivot52defines the vertical axis38through the center of the pedestal70. The second pivot52further includes a bracket76, which may take the form of a plate, which extends outwardly from, and is rigidly affixed to, the mounting cup72. The bracket76includes a plurality of apertures78therethrough to which a second end of the first arm portion50is mounted by pivot pins80. The brackets64,76are co-planar with each other. The vertical axes36,38are parallel to each other. The mounting cup72retains the axis of rotation of the bearings74around the pedestal70parallel to the axis of rotation of the bearings60around the pedestal56. Accordingly, the second arm portion54will rotate about the axis38defined by the pedestal70with the length thereof parallel to the vehicle20or other stable surface with a second end of the second arm portion54moving in a plane parallel to the vehicle20or other stable surface and parallel to the underlying ground26.

The first arm portion50rotates relative to the first pivot48, the mounting portion28, and the vehicle20or other stable surface around the pivot pins68and thus around the horizontal axis40. The first arm portion50also rotates relative to the second pivot52around the pivot pins80. As such, the first arm portion50can pivot relative to the first and second pivots48,52to raise or lower the second arm portion54.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first arm portion50is formed of two elongated members50a,50bwhich are parallel to each other, and the member50ais vertically lower than the member50b. The elongated members50a,50bmay be formed of tubes. Each elongated member50a,50bhas a first end attached to the bracket64at pivot pin68, and a second opposite end attached to the bracket76at a pivot pin80.

As best shown inFIG.7, the actuator32is provided between the bracket64and the first arm portion50and is used to rotate the arm30around the horizontal axis40. As shown, the actuator32is provided between the bracket64and the lower member50a. A first end of the actuator32is pivotally attached to the bracket64at a pivot82which may be formed of a pin extending from the actuator32and which extends through an aperture, seeFIG.6, in the bracket64. The pivot82is vertically lower than the pivot pins68. A second end of the actuator32is pivotally attached to the first arm portion50at a pivot84which may be formed by a pin extending from the actuator32which extends through an aperture in the first arm portion50. In an example, the second end of the actuator32is pivotally attached to the lower member50a. In one example, the actuator32is an electric cylinder. In an example, the actuator32is a linear actuator. In an example, the actuator32is a hydraulic cylinder. It should be understood the actuator32may be any type of actuator configured to apply the necessary force to the arm in order to move the arm in a necessary manner to ensure proper operation of the arm, and all of such actuators and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now toFIG.6, a first end of the second arm portion54is fixedly attached to the pedestal70of the second pivot52. As such, the second arm portion54rotates around the vertical axis38relative to the first arm portion50and the vehicle20or other stable surface. Since the first arm portion50is attached to the bracket64which is fixedly attached to the mounting cup58, the first arm portion50, and thus the second arm portion54, rotate around the vertical axis36. When only rotating the arm30using the first and second pivots48,52around the vertical axes36,38, the second end of the second arm portion54always moves within the same plane regardless of whether the movement occurs as a result of rotation of the first pivot48or the second pivot52.

In an example, the second arm portion54is formed of an elongated first member54a, which forms a first section of the second arm portion54, having an elongated second member54b, which forms a second section of the second arm portion54, which telescopes outwardly from the first member54a. Each first and second member54a,54bmay be formed of a generally hollow tube with a rectangular cross-section. In an example, the second member54bhas outer dimensions which are slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the first member54asuch that the second member54bseats within the first member54aand will not rotate axially with respect to the first member54a. A first end of the first member54ais fixedly attached to the pedestal70of the second pivot52and rotates with the pedestal70, and thus rotates relative to the first pivot48, the mounting portion28, and the vehicle20or other stable surface, around the vertical axis38of the second pivot52. A mechanical lock86is provided, which, when engaged, prevents movement of the second member54brelative to the first member54a. In an example as shown, the lock86is an adjustable screw with an enlarged head in the shape of a handle is threaded into a complimentarily threaded hole (not shown) in the wall of the first member54aand against the surface of the second member54b. When the screw is tightened against the second member54b, the first and second members54a,54bare longitudinally locked to one another; and when the screw is loosened, the second member54bis longitudinally movable with respect to the first member54a. It is to be understood that the first member54amay instead seat within the second member54b, such that the first member54ahas outer dimensions which are slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the second member54bsuch that the first member54awill not rotate axially with respect to the second member54b. When only rotating the arm30using the first and second pivots48,52around the vertical axes36,38, the second end of the second arm portion54always moves within the same plane regardless of whether the movement occurs as a result of rotation of the first pivot48or the second pivot52, or the longitudinal extension or retraction of the second arm portion54by telescopically sliding the first and second members54a,54b. While the second arm portion54is shown and described as being two telescoping members54a,54b, the second arm portion54can be formed of a single elongated member.

The valve turning machine34is rigidly attached to the second end of the second arm portion54. As shown inFIG.8, the valve turning machine34includes a hydraulic motor88and an electronic controller90. The electronic controller90may be detachable from the valve turning machine34, but communicates with the valve turning machine34either through a wire, not shown, or by wireless technology. The electronic controller90includes a microprocessor having a memory for storing information about the valve24to be controlled, such as the rotational direction for opening the valve24, the number of turns to move the valve24from fully closed to fully open position, the maximum torque that can be applied to the stem of the valve24, the current position, open or closed, of the valve24, and the date on which the valve24was last exercised. Using input from an operator which may be provided by an interface92, shown schematically inFIG.9, and the information in the memory, the electronic controller90operates a sequence of valves (not shown) to direct hydraulic fluid from a pump94, shown schematically inFIG.9, through a plurality of hoses to operate the motor88in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The motor88drives a rectangular sleeve96on the valve turning machine34into which the key42is inserted, the lower end of the key42fits over the stem of the valve24, for rotating the valve24. The key42may be polygon-shaped and may fit through a polygon-shaped opening in the sleeve96. The valve turning machine34is the type known in the art and such a machine is described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,996, which is incorporated herein by reference.

A first brake assembly98, shown schematically inFIG.9, may be provided to lock the first pivot48in place once a desired orientation is achieved to exercise the valve24, such that the first arm portion50does not rotate around the vertical axis36. This prevents rotation of the first arm portion50relative to the mounting portion28and the vehicle20or other stable surface around the vertical axis36. A second brake assembly100, shown schematically inFIG.9, may be provided to lock the second pivot52in place once a desired position is achieved to exercise the valve24, such that the second arm portion54does not rotate around the vertical axis38. This prevents rotation of the second arm portion54relative to the mounting portion28and the vehicle20or other stable surface around the vertical axis38. Each brake assembly98,100can be controlled by the electronic controller90. The sets of bearings60,74ensure that the second end of the second arm portion54is only movable within a plane parallel to the vehicle20or other stable surface and thus the underlying ground26, and allow the arm30to be manipulated by an operator using only one hand when the two brake assemblies98,100are disengaged.

With reference toFIG.8, a handle102is positioned at the outer end of the valve turning machine34where it is easily grasped by an operator. A control button104may be provided at the distal end of the handle102and provides an input to the electronic controller90. When the control button104is depressed, the electronic controller90operates to release the brake assemblies98,100and to enable operation of the actuator32and to allow rotation around the pivots48,52. Conversely, when the control button104is not depressed, the electronic controller90operates to lock the brake assemblies98,100which lock the positions of the first and second pivots48,52in their desired orientation and to disable the actuator32to lock the first arm portion50in its desired orientation. In one example, the brake assemblies98,100may be hydraulic brakes and may be hydraulically actuated. In other examples, the hydraulic brakes may be other types of brakes including, but not limited to, disc brakes, pneumatic brakes, etc., and may include the appropriate complementary components to actuate the different types of brakes. Although the control button104is described as being at the end of the handle102, the control button104can be located at any position where the control button104is convenient to the operator as the arm30is manipulated. Additionally, in some examples, a plurality of control buttons may be included in the valve operating device22. In such examples, a first control button may be used to operate the first brake assembly98and a second control button may be used to operate the second brake assembly100.

When the valve operating device22is not being used and is in storage, as shown inFIGS.1and2, the first arm portion50and the second arm portion54are vertically stacked above each other and are parallel to each other which causes the pivots48,52to be aligned with each other. The brake assemblies98,100are locked, so the first arm portion50cannot rotate around the first pivot48and the second arm portion54cannot rotate around the second pivot52. In addition, the actuator32is locked, so the first arm portion50cannot rotate around the pivot80.

An operator using the vehicle20fitted with the valve operating device22will drive the vehicle20to a position near the valve24. Once the vehicle20is properly positioned, the operator can grasp the handle102with one hand, depress the control button104with the thumb of that hand, and using the same hand manipulate the second end of the second arm portion54until it is positioned immediately above the valve24to be exercised. During this movement, the first arm portion50can rotate around the vertical axis36defined by the first pivot48and therefore the ground26, the second arm portion54can rotate around the vertical axis38defined by the second pivot52and therefore the ground26, the second arm portion54can telescope (if a telescoping second arm portion54is provided) along a longitudinal direction relative to the ground26. The operator can rotate the first arm portion50around the horizontal axis40, which causes the second arm portion54and the valve turning machine34to rotate around the horizontal axis40and be raised vertically higher or lower than when in the storage position so that the valve turning machine34is properly positioned for exercising the valve24. In some situations, as the operator is manipulating the second end of the second arm portion54to be positioned immediately above the valve24, the valve24may interfere with the second arm portion54and the operator must rotate the first arm portion50around the horizontal axis40to clear the valve24prior to final positioning of the second arm portion54. Continued adjustments between rotation of the first arm portion50and movement of the second arm portion54can be made in any order as the operator deems necessary to properly position the valve turning machine34for exercising the valve24. Of course, the operator could first rotate the first arm portion50around the horizontal axis40prior to any movement of the second arm portion54. Therefore, the provision of having the arm30rotatable around two vertical axes36,38and one horizontal axis40provides a great amount of flexibility for the operator to position the valve turning machine34at the desired orientation relative to the valve24and to the ground26, especially when the ground26is uneven.

Once the arm30is properly positioned above the stem of the valve24, the operator can release his grip on the control button104thereby causing the braking assemblies98,100to be locked in their present orientation and thereby causing the actuator32to be locked from further movement. With the first and second arm portions50,54locked, the operator can position the key42in the sleeve96of the valve turning machine34with distal end thereof fitted over the stem of the valve24. Once the key42is attached to the valve24, the operator can then use the electronic controller90to operate the valve turning machine34to exercise the valve24without requiring the operator to touch the valve turning machine34while it is operating. The operator, therefore, does not have to use his body weight to retain the valve turning machine34against the forces generated as torque is applied to the valve as is the case with machines mounted on prior art manipulating arms.

After the valve24has been fully exercised, the operator can remove the key42from the valve stem and the sleeve96thereby disconnecting the valve turning machine34from the valve24. The operator can then again grasp the handle102and depress the control button104, thereby causing the braking assemblies98,100to release and enable actuation of the actuator32. This allows the operator to easily manipulate the arm30and move the arm30into the storage position for transportation to another site.

It should be understood that the use of any orientation or directional terms herein such as, for example, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “side”, etc., is not intended to imply only a single orientation of the item with which it is associated or to limit the present disclosure in any manner. The use of such orientation or directional terms is intended to assist with the understanding of principles disclosed herein and to correspond to the exemplary orientation illustrated in the drawings.

The mounting portion28and the arm30are made with sufficient strength and rigidity to hold the valve turning machine34during operation. Specifically, the elongated arm portions50,54are made sufficiently strong and the bearings60,74of the pivots48,52are sufficiently large and rigid enough to hold the valve turning machine34at a fixed elevation in opposition to the forces of gravity applied by virtue of the weight of the valve turning machine34and in opposition to the vertical forces incurred as the valve turning machine34applies torque to the stem of the valve24. Accordingly, an operator will not be required to use his own body to retain the valve turning machine34against the forces that shake and throw the valve turning machine34when torque is applied to the valve24.

It should also be understood that use of numerical terms such as, for example, “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., should not be interpreted to imply an order or sequence of components or functions. Moreover, use of these numerical terms is not intended to pertain to only the component and/or function with which they are utilized. Rather, the use of these numerical terms is merely used to assist the reader with understanding the subject matter of the present disclosure. For example, one of the components in the specification may be referenced as a “first component”, but the same component may be referenced differently in the claims (e.g., second or third component).

Also, the following examples are provided, which are numbered for easier reference.

1. A valve operating device comprising: a first pivot; a second pivot;

a first arm portion between the first and second pivots, wherein the first arm portion is configured to rotate around a first vertical axis defined by the first pivot and is configured to pivot around a horizontal axis defined by the first pivot, the first arm portion being configured to pivot relative to the second pivot; a second arm portion extending from the second pivot, wherein the second arm portion is configured to rotate around a second vertical axis defined by the second pivot; a valve operating machine attached to the second end of the second arm portion; and an actuator connected between the first pivot and the first arm portion and configured to cause the first arm portion, the second pivot, the second arm portion and the valve operating machine to pivot upward and downward relative to the first pivot around the horizontal axis.

2. The valve operating device of example 1, wherein the actuator is one of an electric cylinder, a linear actuator, and a hydraulic cylinder.

3. The valve operating device of example 1, wherein the actuator is pivotally connected to the first pivot.

4. The valve operating device of example 1, further comprising a mounting for retaining the valve operating device to a vehicle.

5. The valve operating device of example 4, wherein the first arm portion, the second pivot, the second arm portion and the valve operating machine can be pivoted around the first and second pivots to vertically align the first and second pivots into a storage orientation on the vehicle.

6. The valve operating device of example 1, wherein the first arm portion includes an upper arm member and a lower arm member.

7. The valve operating device of example 6, wherein each pivot includes a mounting cup rotatably mounted on a pedestal.

8. The valve operating device of example 7, wherein each mounting cup has a bracket extending therefrom to which the first arm portion is attached.

9. The valve operating device of example 6, further comprising a mounting for retaining the valve operating device to a vehicle.

10. The valve operating device of example 6, wherein the second arm portion includes first and second members which telescope relative to each other.

11. The valve operating device of example 10, wherein the first and second members of the second arm portion can be selectively locked into position relative to each other.

12. The valve operating device of example 1, wherein each pivot includes a mounting cup rotatably mounted on a pedestal.

13. The valve operating device of example 12, wherein each mounting cup has a bracket extending therefrom to which the first arm portion is attached.

14. The valve operating device of example 1, further comprising a first brake configured to lock the first pivot into a desired orientation, and a second brake configured to lock the second pivot into a desired orientation.

15. The valve operating device of example 14, wherein the first and second brakes are hydraulic.

16. The valve operating device of example 14, further comprising an electronic controller configured to control operation of the first and second brakes.

17. The valve operating device of example 1, further comprising a handle on the valve operating machine.

18. A valve operating device comprising: a first pivot; a mounting for retaining the first pivot to a vehicle; a second pivot; a first arm portion between the first and second pivots, wherein the first arm portion is configured to rotate around a first vertical axis defined by the first pivot and is configured to pivot around a horizontal axis defined by the first pivot, the first arm portion being configured to pivot relative to the second pivot, the first arm portion including an upper arm member and a lower arm member; a first brake configured to lock the first pivot into a desired orientation; a second arm portion extending from the second pivot, wherein the second arm portion is configured to rotate around a second vertical axis defined by the second pivot, the second arm portion including first and second members which telescope relative to each other and can be locked into position relative to each other; a valve operating machine attached to the second end of the second arm portion; a second brake configured to lock the second pivot into a desired orientation; an actuator pivotally connected between the first pivot and the first arm portion and configured to cause the first arm portion, the second pivot, the second arm portion and the valve operating machine to pivot upward and downward relative to the first pivot around the horizontal axis; and a handle on the valve operating machine.

19. The valve operating device of example 18, wherein the actuator is one of an electric cylinder, a linear actuator, and a hydraulic cylinder.

20. The valve operating device of example 18, wherein each pivot includes a mounting cup rotatably mounted on a pedestal, each mounting cup having a bracket extending therefrom to which the first arm portion is attached.

While various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.