Abstract:
Installing a fluid regulator in a fluid distribution system by: determining the position and orientation of the fluid regulator in the fluid distribution system; determining if a first opening and/or a second opening in the body of the regulator, are accessible with the fluid regulator in the determined position and orientation; installing the slam-shut device in the first opening, if accessible, and securing a plate over the second opening; and installing the fluid regulator in the fluid distribution system. The first and second openings are dimensioned such that the slam-shut device can be secured at least partially within the first opening in a first configuration and can be secured at least partially within the second opening in a second configuration.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/275,245, entitled “Fluid Regulator with Field Convertible Slam-Shut Device” and filed on May 12, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/986,549, entitled “Fluid Regulator with Field Convertible Slam-Shut Device” and filed on Apr. 30, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to fluid regulators and, more specifically, to fluid regulators with having a slam-shut device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The pressure at which typical fluid distribution systems supply fluid may vary according to the demands placed on the system, the climate, the source of supply, and/or other factors. However, most end-user facilities equipped with gas appliances such as furnaces, ovens, etc., require the gas to be delivered in accordance with a predetermined pressure, and at or below a maximum capacity of a gas regulator. Therefore, fluid regulators are implemented in these distribution systems in order to ensure that the delivered gas meets the requirements of the end-user facilities. 
         [0004]    Fluid regulators, such as the Tartarini™ M Series Pressure Regulator, are primarily designed for industrial and commercial applications supplying fluids, such as natural gas and propane, to furnaces, burners, and other appliances and are generally well known in the art. Fluid regulators are typically used to regulate the pressure of a fluid to a substantially constant value. Specifically, a fluid regulator has an inlet that typically receives a supply fluid at a relatively high pressure and provides a relatively lower and substantially constant pressure at an outlet. To regulate the downstream pressure, fluid regulators commonly include a sensing element or diaphragm to sense an outlet pressure in fluid communication with a downstream pressure. 
         [0005]    Fluid regulators can also include a slam-shut device, such as the Emerson® OS/66 series, that has its own shutter and seat and operates independent of the fluid regulator. Slam-shut devices can operate based on a maximum downstream pressure, a minimum downstream pressure, or maximum and minimum downstream pressure. When the downstream pressure is at a normal operating value, the slam-shut device remains open. When downstream pressure varies beyond its set limits, the slam-shut device closes and prevents fluid from flowing through the fluid regulator. One problem encountered with typically slam-shut devices is the position of an integrated slam-shut device in the fluid regulator. A typical integrated slam-shut device is accessible from one side of the body of the fluid regulator, between the input and the output. Depending on the field installation and/or skid design, the side of the fluid regulator where the slam-shut device is positioned can be inaccessible by the user. During normal line startup, maintenance, and/or trouble shooting, it is essential that a user be able to access the slam-shut device in a reasonable manner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    In accordance with one exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method of installing a fluid regulator in a fluid distribution system comprises the steps of: determining the position and orientation of the fluid regulator in the fluid distribution system; determining if a first opening in a first side of a body of the regulator between an inlet and an outlet and/or a second opening in a second side of the body of the regulator between the inlet and the outlet, opposite the first side, are accessible with the fluid regulator in the determined position and orientation, wherein the first and second openings are dimensioned such that a slam-shut device can be secured at least partially within the first opening in a first configuration and can be secured at least partially within the second opening in a second configuration; installing the slam-shut device in the first opening and securing a plate over the second opening if the first opening in the body is accessible; and installing the fluid regulator in the fluid distribution system. 
         [0007]    In further accordance with any one or more of the foregoing exemplary aspects of the present invention, a method of installing a fluid regulator in a fluid distribution system may further include, in any combination, any one or more of the following preferred forms. 
         [0008]    In one preferred form, the method further comprises the step of installing the slam-shut device in the second opening and securing the plate over the first opening if the first opening is not accessible and the second opening is accessible. 
         [0009]    In another preferred form, the method further comprises the step of coupling a controller of the slam-shut device to the body such that the controller and the outlet of the body are in fluid communication. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method of retrofitting a fluid regulator comprises the steps of: removing a slam-shut device from a first opening in a first side of a body of the regulator between an inlet and an outlet; removing a plate from over a second opening in a second side of the body of the regulator, opposite the first side of the body, between the inlet and the outlet; installing the slam-shut device in the second opening; and securing the plate over the first opening; wherein the first and second openings are dimensioned such that a slam-shut device can be secured at least partially within the first opening in a first configuration and can be secured at least partially within the second opening in a second configuration. 
         [0011]    In further accordance with any one or more of the foregoing exemplary aspects of the present invention, a method of retrofitting a fluid regulator may further include, in any combination, any one or more of the following preferred forms. 
         [0012]    In one preferred form, the method further comprises the step of coupling a controller of the slam-shut device to the body such that the controller and the outlet of the body are in fluid communication. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an example fluid regulator with an integral slam-shut device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front, partial cross-sectional view of the example fluid regulator of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the example fluid regulator of  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The fluid regulator described herein can allow a user to retrofit a slam-shut device to either side of the body of the fluid regulator depending on field installation and/or skid design to have the best possible access to the slam-shut device. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an example fluid regulator  10  generally includes an actuator assembly  100 , a body assembly  200  that can be secured to actuator assembly  100  with threaded members  400 , and a slam-shut device  300  that can be secured to the body assembly  200  with threaded members  405 , as described in more detail below. 
         [0018]    As can best be seen in  FIG. 3 , actuator assembly  100  has an upper casing  110  secured to a lower casing  120  with nuts  410  and bolts  415 , or any other well-known means, which when assembled define a cavity  140 . A diaphragm assembly  150 , as described in more detail below, is secured between upper casing  110  and lower casing  120  to divide cavity  140  into an upper portion  142  above diaphragm assembly  150  and a lower portion  144  below diaphragm assembly  150 . 
         [0019]    Upper casing  110  has a cylindrical wall  112  extending therefrom that has a threaded inner surface  113  and defines and opening  114  in one end. A closing cap  170  is threaded into the opening  114  of cylindrical wall  112  to prevent debris from entering actuator assembly  100  and an adjusting screw  160  is threaded into closing cap  170 . A spring  180  is disposed in upper portion  142  of cavity  140  between adjusting screw  160  and diaphragm assembly  150  to bias diaphragm assembly  150  toward body assembly  200 . A travel indicator  116  and/or a vibration damper  118  could also be secured to upper casing  110  and extend through apertures in upper casing  110 . 
         [0020]    Lower casing  120  has a threaded opening  132  that can be used to connect lower casing  120  to an external control line (not shown), which can be used to fluidly couple lower portion  144  of cavity  140  and outlet  214  of body  210  or a downstream pipe, as discussed in more detail below. When not in use, threaded opening  132  can be sealed with a plug  122  or any other well-known means. 
         [0021]    Diaphragm assembly  150  generally includes a diaphragm  152 , diaphragm plate  154 , spring seat  156 , and top and bottom sealing washers  158 ,  159 . Diaphragm  152  is secured at its outer edge between upper casing  110  and lower casing  120  and has an opening formed in the center to receive stem  242  of stem assembly  240 . Diaphragm plate  154  is positioned adjacent diaphragm  152  to provide support to the inner portion of diaphragm  152  and spring seat  156  is positioned adjacent diaphragm plate  154  to receive one end of spring  180 . Top and bottom sealing washers  158 ,  159  are positioned on opposite sides of diaphragm  152  to secure diaphragm  152  and diaphragm plate  154  to stem  242 , as described in more detail below, and to provide a seal to prevent fluid flow between upper portion  142  and lower portion  144  of cavity  140  through the opening in diaphragm  152 . 
         [0022]    Body assembly  200  generally includes a body  210 , seat insert  220 , and stem assembly  240 . Body  210  is secured to actuator assembly  100  and defines a fluid inlet  212 , a fluid outlet  214 , and a fluid passage  216  fluidly connecting inlet  212  and outlet  214 . An opening  218  is formed in body  210  and is in fluid communication with inlet  212  and aligned with fluid passage  216 . Seat insert  220  is positioned and secured in fluid passage  216  and provides a first sealing surface  222  that engages valve disk  260  of stem assembly  240  when regulator  10  is in a closed position and a second sealing surface  230 , opposite the first sealing surface  222 , that engages a pad  315  of slam-shut device  300  when slam-shut device  300  is in a closed position. A plate  232  is positioned in opening  218  and an aperture  234  is formed through plate  232  to receive stem  242  of stem assembly  240 . A pair of walls  290 ,  292  protrude from opposite sides of body  210  between inlet  212  and outlet  214  and each wall  290 ,  292  defines a device opening  294 ,  296 , which can be axially aligned. Each opening  294 ,  296  is dimensioned to have a size and shape that allows openings  294 ,  296  to receive a portion of slam-shut device  300 , as described in more detail below. 
         [0023]    Stem assembly  240  generally includes a stem  242  and valve disk  260 . Stem  242  is a generally cylindrical rod that extends through aperture  234  in plate  232  and has a first threaded end  244  that extends through openings in bottom sealing washer  159 , diaphragm  152 , diaphragm plate  154 , spring seat  156 , and top sealing washer  158  and a nut  270  is threaded onto first threaded end  244  to secure diaphragm assembly  150  to stem assembly  240 . Valve disk  260  is threaded to or otherwise secured to a second threaded end  246  of stem  242 . 
         [0024]    Slam-shut device  300  includes a generally cylindrical cup  305  that is disposed in body  210  and slidably positioned around stem  242  and has a portion that can be received within aperture  234  in plate  232 . Shutter  310  is positioned around and connected to cup  305  and has a pad  315  that can seal against second sealing surface  230  of seat insert  220  when slam-shut device  300  is in a closed position. Spring seat  320  is disposed within body  210  and positioned around shutter  310  and adjacent protrusion  312  in shutter  310 . Spring  325  is positioned within body  210  between plate  232  and spring seat  320  to bias shutter  310  and pad  315  toward seat insert  220  and slam-shut device  300  toward a closed position. 
         [0025]    Hub  330  of slam-shut device  300  is positioned within opening  294  and is secured to body  210  by threaded members  405 . Shaft  340  extends through hub  330  and into body  210  and has a first end that includes cam  345  that can contact spring seat  320  to position slam-shut device  300  in an open position or a closed position. In the open position, cam  345  contacts spring seat  320  and prevents shutter  310  from moving into a closed position when slam-shut-device is inactivated. In the closed position, cam  345  moves out of the way of spring seat  320  and allows shutter  310  to move into a closed position when slam-shut device is activated. A second end of shaft  340 , opposite cam  345 , extends outside of body  210  and can have a polygonal shape to engage a handle  360 , which can be removably connected to the second end of shaft  340  and used to rotate shaft  340  and move slam-shut device  300  between open and closed positions. A controller  350  is operatively connected to shaft  340  and is in fluid communication with outlet  214  of body  210  to monitor the outlet pressure of regulator  10 . If the outlet pressure of regulator  10  is within preset limits, controller  350  prevents shaft  340  from rotating, which keeps slam-shut device in an open position. If the outlet pressure of regulator  10  exceeds the preset limits, controller  350  releases shaft  340  to move slam-shut controller into the closed position, thereby prevent the flow of fluid through regulator  10 . 
         [0026]    When slam-shut device  300  is installed and secured in opening  294  of wall  290 , opposing opening  296  in wall  292  is covered with plate  370 , which is secured to body  210  with threaded members  375 . Plate  370  can also be sealed against body  210  by a gasket, O-ring, or any other means to prevent the flow of the operating fluid through opening  296 . Alternatively, if the installation of regulator  10  requires slam-shut device  300  to be accessible on the opposite side of regulator  10  to provide access to slam-shut device  300 , or for any other reason, slam-shut device  300  can be positioned in opening  296  of wall  292  and plate  370  can be used to cover opening  294  in wall  290 . The positioning of slam-shut device  300  can be done in the field during installation and/or maintenance of regulator  10  or can be done during the manufacture of regulator  10 . 
         [0027]    In operation, when the valve disk  260  is in an open position the operating fluid enters body  210  through inlet  212  at an inlet pressure, through seat insert  220 , and exits body  210  through outlet  214  at a downstream pressure. A portion of the operating fluid at the downstream pressure flows through an external control line  420  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and is communicated to lower portion  144  of cavity  140  through opening  132  in lower casing  120 . Increased demand for the operating fluid at outlet  214  will cause the downstream pressure to decrease, which will decrease the pressure in lower portion  144  of cavity  140 , and the upward pressure exerted on diaphragm  152 , and allow spring  180  to move diaphragm  152  and stem assembly  240  downward, which will open valve disk  260  further and supply more operating fluid to the system to meet the increased demand. Decreased demand for the operating fluid at outlet  214  will cause the downstream pressure to increase, which will increase the pressure in lower portion  144  of cavity  140 , and the upward pressure exerted on diaphragm  152 , and move diaphragm  152  and stem assembly  240  upward, which will close valve disk  260  further to decrease the supply of the operating fluid to the system to meet the decreased demand. 
         [0028]    In addition, a portion of the operating fluid at the downstream pressure will also flow through a second external control line (not shown) and is communicated to controller  350 . Again, increased demand for the operating fluid at outlet  214  will cause the downstream pressure to decrease and decreased demand for the operating fluid at outlet  214  will cause the downstream pressure to increase. Controller  350  can be set to close slam-shut device if the outlet pressure increases above a preset value, decreases below a preset value, or both. If the outlet pressure surpasses a preset value, controller  350  will release shaft  340  and allow it to rotate, which will move cam  345  out of the way of spring seat  320 . With cam  345  out of the way of spring seat  320 , spring  325  will move shutter  310  and pad  315  downward until pad  315  seals against second sealing surface  230  of seat insert  220 , thereby preventing the flow of the operating fluid through the regulator  10 . Slam-shut device  300  can be reset by placing handle  360  on the end of shaft  340  and rotating shaft  340  until slam-shut device  300  is reset. 
         [0029]    As discussed above, in the example shown the slam-shut device  300  is installed in opening  294  of wall  290 . However, in some installations having slam-shut device  300  installed in this position may cause slam-shut device to be inaccessible to a user, making reset and maintenance difficult or impossible. In these types of installations, plate  370  can be removed from wall  292  and slam-shut device  300  can be installed in opening  296  of wall  292 , opposite wall  290 . Plate  370  can then be installed over opening  294  of wall  290 . 
         [0030]    When installing fluid regulator  10  in a fluid distribution system a user will first determine the position of regulator  10  in the system and the orientation of regulator  10  based on the direction of fluid flow. Once the position of regulator  10  in the system is determined, the user can determine if first opening  294  or second opening  296  is accessible with regulator  10  in that position and orientation. If it is determined that first opening  294  is accessible, slam-shut device  300  can be installed in first opening  294  and plate  370  can be secured over second opening  296 . If it is determined that second opening  296  is accessible, slam-shut device  300  can be installed in second opening  296  and plate  370  can be secured over first opening  294 . Once slam-shut device  300  has been installed, controller  350  of slam-shut device  300  can be coupled to body  210  so that outlet  214  of body  210  is in fluid communication with controller  350  and regulator  10  can be installed into the fluid distribution system. Alternatively, if regulator  10  has already been installed, regulator  10  can be retrofit to move slam-shut device between first opening  294  and second opening  296  to provide better access to slam-shut device  300 . 
         [0031]    While various embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not intended to be limited thereto. Variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments that are still within the scope of the appended claims.