Abstract:
An apparatus and method for the grinding and reconditioning of valve seats utilizing adjustable, rotatable satellite grinding wheels to change the diameter of the annular surface defined by the grinding action to match that of the valve, or the faying ring that is to be reconditioned. The satellite wheels are carried, in a freely rotatable manner, on the periphery of a planetary wheel and secured to slide blocks movable within doveways having radial slots for adjustment of the satellite wheels to vary the diameter. Through the utilization of slide blocks with angular faces in conjunction with rasp or file-type rotatable grinding wheels, the pitch of the satellite wheels can be changed, and excess material resulting from the grinding of the valve or faying ring can be cut away, thereby restoring the valve seating surface to the original widths prescribed by the manufacture. This combination also allows the user to change the angle of relief of the valve seating from an unknown to a known angle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the grinding of plane, annular surfaces. In particular, this invention relates to the grinding and resurfacing of annular valves surfaces and the faying rings of valves used in pipe or pipe connections for industrial, commercial, and/or residential applications. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     A surface grinding apparatus comprising a plurality of rotatable satellite grinding wheels attached to a central rotating wheel has been described in the prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,688. However, the apparatus described therein has the dimensions of a central rotating wheel, and satellite grinding wheels which are immovable relative to the annular faces that are subjected to the grinding action. 
     Another problem with the grinding apparatus of the prior art is the reduction of valve sealing ability due to widening of the valve seating surface upon reconditioning of the valve. Once the surface of the valve seat exceeds approximately fifty-five percent of the available seating surface of the disc or gate that seals against the valve seat, the valve is considered scrap or salvage. Standard operating procedure for narrowing the width of reconditioned valve seats is to use a single plate with an angular champher cut into the plate to which adhesive grinding papers are attached and used to grind away the excess material. This technique is used by only the most highly skilled within the valve reconditioning industry, and requires a particular plate for each particular size valve. Such procedure may necessitate the utilization of as many as fifteen plates for one valve size diameter. 
     Still further, when utilizing the grinding tools of the prior art, it is difficult to re-establish the valve manufacturer&#39;s valve angle for that particular valve. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides new and useful improvements in tools for the grinding and reconditioning of valve seats, by providing means for the adjustment of the rotatable satellite grinding wheels in order to change the diameter of the annular surface defined by the grinding action to match that of the valve, or the faying ring, that is to be reconditioned. The central rotating wheel of the apparatus of the present disclosure details a plurality of doveways arranged along the periphery of the central, or planetary, wheel an equal distance from each other and an equal distance from the center of the planetary wheel. 
     The satellite wheels are carried in a freely rotatable manner on the periphery of the planetary wheel, such satellite wheels being rotatable about their respective axes of rotation which are substantially parallel to the axes of the planetary wheel. The satellite wheels are also secured to slide blocks movable within the doveways for adjustment of the satellite wheels to varying diameters. These slide blocks may have flat surfaces with the satellite wheels being mounted with their axes disposed parallel (the angle of infinity) with the axis of the planetary wheel, or may have angular faces where the satellite wheels are mounted with their axes disposed at a selected angle with respect to the axis of the planetary wheel. The slide blocks are attached to the planetary wheel through radial slots disposed in the seat of the doveway, and are secured to the planetary wheel by T-nuts and adjustment screws, in combination. The T-nuts are fitted into adjustment slots located on the bottom surface of the planetary wheel, such adjustment slots being congruent with the radial slots disposed within the doveways. Graduated marks are provided on the planetary wheel along the adjustment slots so that exact adjustments of the satellite wheels may be achieved. 
     This invention contemplates the utilization of a rasp or file-type rotatable grinding wheel, as well as an adhesive-type grinding surface. Through the utilization of slide blocks with angular faces in conjunction with rasp or file-type rotatable grinding wheels, the pitch of the satellite wheels can be changed, and excess material resulting from the grinding of the valve or faying ring can be cut away, thereby restoring the valve seating surface to the original widths prescribed by the manufacturer. This combination also allows the user to change the angle of relief of the valve seating from an unknown to a known angle. 
     Additional and further features of the present invention, particularly with the reference to the drive mechanism and adaptation of the satellite wheels to varying diameters and pitches, will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a disassembled rotary valve reconditioning apparatus as disclosed in the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an assembled front end view of the rotary valve reconditioning apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A--A of FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is an isolated view of the doveway as disclosed in the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view in cross-section of the slide block of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the slide block with an angular face as disclosed in the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the coupler ball of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the coupler ball of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view in cross-section of the coupler support of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view in cross-section of the couple bearing of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view in cross-section of the retainer washer of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the slide block bushing of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, there is disclosed illustratively the valve reconditioning apparatus of the present invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral 50. As illustrated, the valve reconditioning apparatus 50 details a planetary wheel 9, adapted for appropriate attachment to a drive means (not shown), and a plurality of satellite wheels 1 arranged in equally-spaced relation about the outer peripheral top surface of the planetary wheel 9. Planetary wheel 9 is attached to the drive means through the provision of a coupler ball 12 through which rotational movement is imparted to the planetary wheel 9. 
     For purposes of clarity, applicant will first describe, with specificity, the planetary wheel 9 as disclosed herein. Descriptions of satellite wheel 1 and coupler ball 12 will follow, with adequate descriptions of the other component parts of the apparatus then ensuing. 
     For purposes of description, the top surface of planetary wheel 9 will be referred to as 9a with the bottom surface thereof being referred to as 9b. As can be seen in FIG. 1, planetary wheel 9 may be generally described as being of a flat, circular configuration with an aperture 9c extending through the center thereof. Aperture 9c details an inwardly radially extending shoulder 9d having a plurality of axially-aligned semi-circular slots 9e disposed upon its inner circumferential surface. Planetary wheel 9 also displays a plurality of radially projecting, generally arcuate doveways 17 which are equally-spaced about the outer periphery thereof within its top surface 9a. As can be readily seen, each doveway 17 is provided with a centrally located, radially extending adjustment slot 20 which extends from the seat of doveway 17 through the bottom surface 9b of planetary wheel 9. The bottom surface 9b of planetary wheel 9, beneath each doveway 17 and adjustment slot 20, defines a radially extending adjustment groove 21 etched therein. 
     As indicated above, a plurality of satellite wheels 1 are affixed along the outer periphery of planetary wheel 9. These satellite wheels 1 are advantageously carried in a freely rotatable manner on such periphery of the planetary wheel 9, such satellite wheels 1 being rotatable about their respective axes of rotation which, upon assembly, are substantially parallel to the axis of the planetary wheel 9 and, as later described with reference to FIG. 6, desirably may be disposed at some angle other than parallel to the axis of planetary wheel 9 (with parallel being considered an angle of infinity). wheel 1 details a generally flat, circular grinding head 1a having an annular grinding face 1c, and a generally cylindrical satellite wheel body 1b conformed to detail a unitary structure, such unitary structure having a centrally-located aperture 1d extending therethrough. A circular, flat bearing washer 2 is designed to fit onto satellite wheel body 1b of satellite wheel 1, as is a circular, flat inner race 3, both said bearing washer 2 and said inner race 3 detailing a centrally-located aperture, the outer circumference of such centrally-located apertures being slightly larger in diameter than the outer circumferential surface of said satellite wheel body 1b. That portion of satellite wheel body 1b which extends beyond the bearing washer 2 and the inner race 3 is disposed within a slide block bushing 4, with inner race 3 bearing against its annular surface 4a. 
     A plurality of slide blocks 5 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) are adapted to fit within the doveways 17. Illustratively, each slide block 5 is configured such that it is rounded on its inner end 5a, while detailing bevelled surfaces 5e on its outer end 5b, such slide block 5 being adapted to be snugly fitted within doveway 17. One of the bevelled surfaces 5e of the outer end 5b of slide block 5 is disposed with a screw hole 5d. 
     As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 5, the bottom surface of slide block 5, at its rounded inner end 5a, defines a T-nut slot 25 which extends vertically upwardly for a distance into slide block 5. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, coupler ball 12, as a unitary structure, details a generally spherical, coupler ball head 12a with a central, axially aligned aperture 12c disposed herein and a generally cylindrical shaft extension 12b. Shaft extension 12b is axially attached to coupler ball head 12a at its proximal end, while defining a centrally disposed, axially aligned, hexagonal insert 12d at its distal end (FIG. 7). As clearly seen in FIG. 7a, coupler ball head 12a further details an elongate, radially extending coupler ball slot 18 which intersects coupler ball head aperture 12c. 
     As can be more clearly seen in FIGS. 1 through 3, coupler ball 12 is secured within the centrally-located aperture 9c of planetary wheel 9 by an apertured, generally flat, circular coupler support 15 on its bottom surface, and by a coupler bearing 16 on its top surface. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8, coupler support 15 details an upwardly vertically extending annular shoulder 15a; a pair of radial slots 15b situated 180 degrees apart on the inner circumferential surface of coupler support 15, such slots being disposed completely through shoulder 15a and for a distance into the inner circumferential surface of coupler support 15; a plurality of coupler support screw holes 15d situated approximately 120 degrees apart, such holes extending through portions of annular shoulder 15a to detail a generally semi-circular configuration, and then into coupler support 15; a coupler pinhole 15c which also extends through a portion of annular shoulder 15a and into coupler support 15, such pinhole 15c also detailing a semi-circular configuration as it extends through annular shoulder 15a; and a generally arcuate coupler support aperture 15e. 
     FIGS. 1 and 9 illustrate coupler bearing 16 which also details a generally flat, circular configuration with an arcuate aperture 16a extending therethrough. Coupler bearing 16 further defines a plurality of coupler bearing screwholes 16b; a coupler pin hole 16c disposed through its annular surface; and an inwardly axially extending shoulder 16d. 
     In assemblying coupler ball 12 within the aperture 9c of planetary wheel 9, a coupler ball pin 13 is disposed through coupler ball slot 18 of coupler ball 12, with the extremities 13a of coupler ball 13 being placed within radial slots 15b of coupler support 15. A coupler pin 14 is then inserted into coupler pin hole 15c of coupler support 15 prior to inserting coupler support 15 into planetary wheel aperture 9c. Preferably, radially extending shoulder 9d is centrally situated on the circumference of planetary wheel aperture 9c. With such an arrangement, the outer circumferential surface of upwardly vertically extending shoulder 15a of coupler support 15 will mate against the inner circumferential surface of planetary wheel aperture shoulder 9b such that coupler support screw holes 15d and the inner peripheral slots 9c of radially extending shoulder 9b of planetary wheel aperture 9a of planetary wheel 9 will mate to provide circular screw holes therebetween. Upon assembly, coupler support 15 and coupler bearing 16, which detail a like number of similarly situated coupler screw holes 16b for mating with coupler support screw holes 15d, a coupler pin hole 16c for mating with coupler pin hole 15c of coupler support 15, and annular shoulder 16d are joined within planetary wheel aperture 9c against the mated shoulders 9d and 15a by coupler screws 11 to confine and retain coupler ball 12 thereinbetween. 
     In further assembling the valve reconditioning apparatus of the present disclosure, an appropriately sized, circular, centrally-apertured bearing washer 2 is fitted onto satellite wheel body 1b of satellite wheel 1, as is an appropriately sized, circular, centrally-apertured inner race 3. That portion of satellite wheel body 1b which extends beyond the bearing washer 2 and inner race 3 is disposed within slide block bushing 4 with inner race 3 bearing against the annular surface 4a of slide block bushing 4. Once assembled, slide block bushing 4 is inserted into the aperture 5a of slide block 5. This is possible since the outer circumferential surface 4a of slide block bushing 4 is slightly smaller than the inner circumferential surface of slide block aperture 5c. 
     FIG. 11 details an alternative embodiment of slide block bushing 4 wherein the slide block bushing aperture 4c is narrowed at is bottom end to define a an annular shoulder 44. This alternative embodiment may be employed when utilizing satellite wheels having smaller shafts. Herein, bearing washer 2 and inner race 3 may also be similarly altered and fitted into slide block bushing slot 4e upon assembly. 
     As previously indicated, one of the bevelled surfaces 5e of the outer end 5b of slide block 5 is disposed with a screw hole 5d such that a slide block pin 6 (FIG. 1) may be fitted therein to bear against the outer circumferential surface 4b of slide block bushing 4 to retain same within slide block aperture 5c of slide block 5. 
     As clearly seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, a centrally apertured retainer washer 7 is disposed within retainer washer slot 5d situated on the bottom surface of slide block 5 beneath slide block bushing 4. As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 10, retainer washer 7 defines an angled aperture such that the angled bead 8a of satellite wheel screw 8 may fit snuggly therein. As slide block bushing 4 is still the only element associated with satellite wheel 1 which is attached, satellite wheel screw 8 is inserted through the centrally located aperture 7a of retainer washer 7 into the centrally located aperture 1d of satellite wheel 1 so as to retain satellite wheel 1 within slide block 5 and slide block bushing 4. 
     To secure slide block 5 within doveway 17 of planetary wheel 9, a T-nut 10 having a generally square base portion 10a  with an upwardly vertically extending nose 10b, both defining a central aperture 10c which extends therethrough, is inserted into the T-nut housing 25 disposed on the bottom surface of slide block 5. An adjustment screw 19 may then be inserted through aperture 10c of T-nut 10 into the slide block screw hole 22 so as to hold slide block 5 in position within doveway 17. 
     It should become readily apparent to those with skill in the art to which this invention pertains that annular surfaces, or valves and faying rings of varying diameter may be reconditioned or ground, by adjusting the placement of T-nut 10 within adjustment groove 21 of planetary wheel 9 for each slide block 5. The preferred embodiment of the present invention also details, as seen in FIG. 4, graduations being which are stamped or scored on the bottom surface 9b of planetary wheel 9 within adjustment grooves 21 so as to insure that the satellite wheels 1 are adjusted an equal distance from the center of planetary wheel 9. 
     FIG. 6 is illustrative of an appropriate angular slide block 5 which may be utilized instead of flat slide blocks 5, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, to adjust the satellite wheels 1 to match a selected angle of relief of a particular valve seat or faying ring. As can be seen this angular slide block 5 also details a T-nut housing 25, retainer washer slot 5f, and screw hole 22 depending therefrom, as well as a screw hole 5d disposed within one of the bevelled surfaces 5e of the outer end 5b thereof. This angular slide block 5 of FIG. 6, when optionally substituted for the flat slide block 5 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, serves to dispose the axes of satellite wheels 1 at a selected angle other than parallel with the axis of planetary wheel 9, such as shown in FIG. 3. 
     In utilizing the present invention for reconditioning the faces of valve housings, for example, the drive means of this apparatus maybe mounted to the top valve of the valve housing with the arm of the drive means, which is attached to the coupler ball, extending into the interior of the valve housing so as to position the planetary wheel substantially parallel to the faces of the valve housing. The planetary wheel is then laterally rotated and moved toward the face of the valve housing in order to cause the satellite wheels to bear against the face. The apparatus is then locked into position for grinding. 
     Prior to placement of the present apparatus into the valve housing, each satellite wheel should be adjusted to a radial distance from the center of the planetary wheel by moving the slide block, attached T-nut, and adjustment screw to similar markings or graduations scored on the bottom surface of the planetary wheel so that upon engagement of the satellite wheels with the valve face, the satellite wheels will rotate about their axes as the planetary wheel is rotated by the drive means. As the planetary wheel is rotated by the drive means, the frictional engagement of the satellite wheels with the valve face causes the satellite wheels to rotate, thereby allowing the grinding surfaces of the satellite wheels to recondition the valve face. 
     To further adjust the satellite wheels for reconditioning of a valve of another diameter, the apparatus is removed from the valve housing, and the slide blocks and attached satellite wheels are simply moved within the doveways to new markings on the planetary wheel. 
     To cut away the excess material resulting from reconditioning the valve face, a rasp or file-type satellite wheel is attached within the slide block. The slide block utilized for this type of operation has an angular face adjacent to the satellite wheel which allows the satellite wheel to engage only the edge of the annular surface of the reconditioned valve face. By mounting the apparatus to the valve housing, as heretofore described, rotation of the planetary wheel will cause the satellite wheels to grind away the edge of the reconditioned valve face, thereby restoring the valve face to the original width prescribed by the manufacturer. 
     From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the present invention provides an improved apparatus for grinding and reconditioning valves by providing means for adjusting the diameter and/or pitch of the grinding satellite wheel. The present disclosure also provides for actually cutting away excess material in a machining operation, as well s grinding or resurfacing operations. 
     Although only one embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it is understood that variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such modifications or adaptations are intended to be included in the scope of this invention. For example, the inner end 5a of slide block 5 may be squared. This particular configuration would serve to enhance the structural ability of the apparatus when said slide blocks are moved radially outwardly toward periphery of the planetary wheel 9. When the slide block 5 with the rounded inner end is moved, further out in the periphery of the planetory whell 9, the likelihood of the slide block shifting during use is increased due to it&#39;s rounded configuration. In this embodiment, however, it also becomes necessary to alter the configuration of the doveways 17 to compliment the configuration of the slide block. 
     It is also to be understood that the phraselogy and terminolgy herein employed are for purposes of description and not of limitation, since the scope of the present invention is devoted in the appended claims.