Patent Publication Number: US-2013240771-A1

Title: Ball valve with integrated fugitive emission assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/611,699, filed Mar. 16, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly to valves having a body with an integrated fugitive emission assembly. 
     2. Related Art 
     Valves, such as ball valves, are devices that may be used to control fluid flow. Valves may be opened or closed to control flow. In some situations, undesirable media may become trapped inside the valve. To monitor or remove the undesirable media, valves may require an extension bonnet that facilitates emissions. The extension bonnet may be attached to a body of the valve through which the fluid may flow. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure describes a valve that may include a body having a cavity that is configured to pass a fluid there-through. The valve may include a fugitive emission assembly that facilitates the flow of media from the valve. The fugitive emission assembly may comprise a unitary part of the body. 
     The present disclosure also describes a valve that may include a body having an inner cavity and a ball-like element movably disposed within the inner cavity. The ball-like element may be movable between an open position that allows fluid to flow through the inner cavity and a closed position that prevents the fluid from flowing through the inner cavity. The valve may include a fugitive emission assembly that facilitates the flow of media from the valve. The fugitive emission assembly may comprise an integral component of the body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a valve having an integrated fugitive emission assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of a valve having an integrated fugitive emission assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a valve that includes a non-tamper proof locking assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a valve engaged with a tamper-proof locking assembly, where the locking assembly is in an engaged and locked configuration and a handle is in a first position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the valve shown in  FIG. 4 , where the locking assembly is in a disengaged configuration and the handle is in the first position. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the valve shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , where the locking assembly is in a disengaged configuration and the handle is in a second position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the valve shown in  FIG. 6 , where the locking assembly is in an engaged and locked configuration and the handle is in the second position. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of a valve, showing a locking stem and a spring of the tamper-proof locking assembly, where the locking assembly is in an engaged configuration. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section side view of the valve shown in  FIG. 8 , where the locking assembly is in an unengaged configuration. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective underside view of a handle of a valve. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective topside view of the handle shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure describes a valve having a body that may include an emissions portion, such as a fugitive emission assembly that is a unitary part or integrated with the body. Some valves have fugitive emission purge capability without requiring an extra device to purge the valve, like as an extension bonnet having emission ports. Some extension valves are attached to the body. 
     Some valves have a tamper-proof locking assembly. The locking assembly may lock or secure the valve in an open position or a closed position that control the flow of fluid through the valve. The locking assembly may be tamper-resistant to ensure the valve does not change state without proper access and/or authority. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a valve or valve assembly  100 . The valve  100  may be a ball valve. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the valve  100  may include a body  102 . The body  102  may be made of steel, such as stainless steel or carbon steel, or other metal alloys, as examples. The body  102  may surround a cavity  106  in which a medium, such as fluid or gas, may pass through. The cavity  106  may extend from a first end or opening  108  to a second end or opening  110  of the body  102 . The cavity  102  may house a rounded movable object or ball  104  (collectively referred to as a ball) that may facilitate and/or control the flow of fluid through the cavity  106 . The medium may or may not pass through the cavity  106  depending on the positioning or configuration of the ball  104 . 
     The ball  104  may include a channel or passage  112  that extends through the ball  104  terminating between an inlet and outlet. The ball  104  may move in the cavity  106  between a first or open position and a second or closed position. When the ball  104  is in the open position, the channel  112  through the ball  104  may be substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis passing through the cavity  106 , which allows fluid flow through the valve  102 . When the ball is in a closed position, the channel  112  passing through the ball  104  may be substantially perpendicular or non-coincident to the longitudinal axis of the cavity  106 , which may prevent fluid flow through the valve  102 . 
     The valve  100  may include a handle  114  that couples the ball  104 . The handle  114  may move between a first position and a second position. In some configurations, the first and second positions may be determined from a direction in which the handle  114  extends relative to the longitudinal axis of the cavity  106 . When the handle  114  is in the first position, the ball  104  may be in either the open position or the closed position. When the handle  114  is in the second position, the ball  104  may be in the other of the open and the closed position. 
     The valve  100  may further include a valve stem assembly that may couple the handle  114  to the ball  104 . The valve stem assembly may include a valve stem  116 . The valve stern  116  may include a securing element  118  such as a handle nut that may secure the handle  114  to the valve stem  116 . To couple the handle  114  to the ball, the valve stem  116  may include opposing ends  120 ,  122  that are each coupled to one of the ball  104  and the handle  114 . For example, a first end  120  of the valve stem  116  may couple the ball  104 , to engage with a slot or notch  124  in the ball  104 . Additionally, an opposing second end  122  may couple the handle  114  at a coupling portion  126  of the handle  114 . In one configuration, the coupling portion  126  may include an opening  128  configured to receive the second end  122 . The second end  122  may extend through the opening  128  and engage with the securing element  118 . In another configuration, where the securing element  118  includes a handle nut, the second end  122  may have a threaded configuration to engage with the handle nut. In order for the valve stem  116  to couple both the ball  104  and the handle  114 , the body  102  may include a hole or inner chamber  130  that is large enough for at least a portion of the valve stem  116  to extend through and/or be disposed within. The inner chamber  130  may extend from the cavity  106  to a surface  132  of the body  102  that faces the coupling portion  126  of the handle  114 . The valve stem  116  may extend from the ball  104 , through the inner chamber  130  to the coupling portion  126 . The inner chamber  130  in the body  102  may be configured so that the valve stem  116  may extend from the ball  104  to the handle  114  in a direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passing through the cavity  106 . 
     When coupled to the ball  104 , axial or rotational movement of the valve stem  116  may move the ball  104  between an open and the closed positions. When the securing element  118  is engaged with the second end  122  in a secure or tightened position, the handle  114  may be coupled to the valve stem  116 . When the valve stem  116  and the handle  114  are coupled together, movement of the handle  114  between the first and second positions may axially or rotationally move the valve stem  116 . When the valve stem  116  is coupled to both the handle  114  and the ball  104 , then movement of the handle  114  between the first and second positions may move the ball  104  between the open and closed positions. To enhance and/or facilitate the axial or rotational movement of the valve stem  116 , one or more ring-shaped thrust bearings  133 , such as a top thrust bearing  133   a  and a bottom thrust bearing  133   b,  may be disposed over, around, and/or about the valve stem  116 . The thrust bearings  133  may be disposed at and/or near the first end  120  of the valve stem  116 . The thrust bearings  133  may reduce friction generated between the valve stem  116  and a shoulder within the inner chamber  130  on which the valve stem  116 , may rest, which may enhance and/or facilitate the rotational and/or axial movement of the valve stem  116 . 
     The valve  100  may include valve stem packing  134  that may be disposed over, around, and/or about at least a portion of the valve stem  116  between first and second ends  120 ,  122 . At least a portion of the valve stem packing  134  may separate and/or isolate the valve stem  116  from a side wall of the body  102  that forms the inner chamber  130 . The valve stem packing may also provide a seal between the cavity  106  and the surface  132 . The valve stem packing  134  may include a plurality of rings or ring-like structures  134   a - i . In some example configurations, one or more of the rings, such as rings  134   d,    134   i,  may be made of graphite for fire safety or prevention, as an example. 
     Additionally, one of the rings, such as ring  134   e,  may have one or more holes radially extending through the ring, for example between the inner and outer walls of the ring. In some configurations, the ring  134   e  having the holes may be a lantern ring. The holes of the ring  134   e  may align with emission holes  166  that extend within the body  102  to purge and/or remove undesirable media within the inner chamber  130 , as described in more detail below. 
     The valve  100  may include at least one gland or gland ring  135  that may be disposed over, around, and/or about the valve stem  116 . Additionally, the gland ring  135  may be disposed adjacent the valve stem packing  134 , in direct contact with (e.g., directly above) the valve stem packing  134 , and/or in between the valve stem packing  134  and the coupling portion  126  of the handle  114 . The gland ring  135  may compress the valve stem packing  134  and/or compress the individual rings  134   a - i  together. Additionally, the gland ring  135  may align and/or maintain positioning of the valve stem  116  in its axial position within the inner chamber  130 . The gland ring  135  may prevent the valve stem  130  from being pulled off-axis or “sideways,” which may be referred to as “side loading.” 
     In addition, the valve  100  may include one or more elements to relieve friction, prevent leakage, and/or distribute pressure. In some devices flat disks or washers  136 , such as Belleville washers or conical spring washers, that may be disposed over, around, and/or about the valve stem  116 . The washers  136  may be disposed adjacent the gland ring  135 , in direct contact with (e.g., directly above) the gland ring  135 , and/or in between the gland ring  135  and the coupling portion  126  of the handle  114 . The washers  136  may provide resiliency for sealing made by the stem packing  134  as the valve  100  is subjected to various environmental conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and erosion. The washers  136  may provide a constant load on the stem packing  134 , which may be referred to as live-loaded stem packing. 
     The valve  100  may further include securing mechanisms in addition to the securing mechanism  118 , to attach and/or secure the coupling portion  126  of the handle  114  to the valve stem  116 . The additional securing mechanisms may include a lock tab  137  and/or a packing nut  138 . The lock tab  137  and/or the packing nut  138  may be disposed over, around, and/or about the valve stem  116 . The lock tab  137  and/or the packing nut  138  may be coupled to the coupling portion  126  at a side opposite a side that the securing mechanism  118  is coupled to the coupling portion  126 . Additionally, the lock tab  137  and/or the packing nut  138  may be disposed in between the washers  136  and the coupling portion  126  of the handle  114 . The lock tab  137  and/or the packing nut  138  may provide a more secure and/or stable connection between the handle  114  and the valve stem  116  than if handle  114  was in direct contact with the washers  136 . 
     The valve  100  may also include anti-static elements  139 , including an anti-static ball  139   a  and an anti-static spring  138   b.  In some systems, the anti-static elements  139  may couple the valve stem  116  at and/or near the first end  120 . The anti-static elements  139  may remove and/or discharge electric charge, such as static electric charge, that has accumulated within and/or on the valve  100 . In some systems, the anti-static elements  139  may be part of a conducting path to a ground (being part of a safety device). For example, the static elements may form part of a discharge or ground path. By discharging or grounding the electric charge, the anti-static elements  139  may prevent arcing or sparking that may occur when the valve  100  accumulates electrical charge. 
     Some valves  100  include one or more components  140  that may position and/or secure the ball  104  within the cavity  106 , facilitate movement of the ball  104 , and/or provide tracking for the ball  104  when the ball  104  moves between the open and closed positions. The components  140  may be disposed within the cavity  106  and include seats or other ring-like structures that are sized and/or dimensioned in accordance with the size or dimensions of the ball  104 . 
     The valve  100  may also include end caps  142 ,  144  that attach to the body  102  at the first and second ends  108 ,  110 . Each of the end caps  142 ,  144  may include an opening  146 ,  148  in which fluid may pass. The openings  146 ,  148  may be sized proportionally and/or in accordance with the cavity  106 . The end caps  142 ,  144  may be attached to the body  102  so that the openings  146 ,  148  of the end caps  142 ,  144  are substantially aligned and/or concentric with first and second openings  108 ,  110  of the body  102 . The end caps  142 ,  144  may be attached to the body using fasteners such as bolts  150  and nuts  152 . In operation, one of the openings  146 ,  148  may receive fluid and pass fluid through the cavity  106  to the other opening  146 ,  148 , where the fluid exits the valve  100 . In addition, each of the end caps  142 ,  144  may include connecting portions  154 ,  156  that connect to a tubular member such as a pipe or a hose (not shown) that delivers the fluid to or and/or from the valve  100 . The valve  100  may further include one or more ring-like body seals  158  that may be positioned around the first and second openings  108 ,  110  of the body  102 . The seals  142  may prevent fluid that has entered the cavity  106  from exiting the valve  100  in between the body  102  and the end caps  142 ,  144 . 
     In some configurations, the valve  100  may further include a lock plate  160  that is configured to be attached to the surface  132 . The lock plate  160  may include locking portions  162   a,    162   b,  such as holes that may extend away and/or protrude from the body  102 . The lock plate  160  may be configured so that when the handle  114  is in the first position or the second position, one of the holes  162   a,    162   b  may be in alignment with a portion, such as a hole  163 , of the handle  114 . The holes  162   a ,  162   b  may be aligned with a hole  163  of the handle  114  so that a lock or other device may engage with both the handle  114  and one of the holes  162   a,    162   b  in order to prevent movement of the handle  114  relative to the body  102  and/or in order to prevent movement of the handle  114  between the first and second positions. Some valves  100  may use stop pins  164  to attach and/or secure the lock plate  160  to the body  102 . 
     The valve  100  may also include an emission assembly, such as a fugitive emission assembly that substantially or completely detects, removes, and/or purges undesirable media (e.g., liquid, gas, dust, other media, etc.) from the valve  100 . Some fugitive emission assemblies may include one or more emission outlets or ports  166  that may be shaped or described as openings, holes, or perforations. Some emission holes  166  may comprise an integral or unitary part of the body  102 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of the valve  100 , shown along the longitudinal axis passing through the cavity  106 . The emission holes  166  may be positioned and/or extend within the body  102 . In some systems, the emission holes  166  may extend through a portion  167  of the body  102  in between the cavity  106  and the surface  132 . Additionally, the emission holes  166  may extend in a direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the valve stem  116  extends through the inner chamber  130 . Also, in some example configurations, some or all of the emission holes  166  may extend in the body  102  in a direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passing through the cavity  106 . In other example configurations, some or all of the emission holes  166  may extend in other directions, such as parallel to the longitudinal axis passing through the cavity  106  or in directions at angles other than perpendicular to or parallel with the longitudinal axis passing through the cavity  106 . Various configurations or combinations of configurations are possible. 
     Some or all emission holes  166  may be in fluid communication with the inner chamber  130  of the body  102 . In some example configurations, the fugitive emission assembly may include one or more emission holes, such as two emission holes, in fluid communication with the inner chamber  130 . Where the configuration includes two emission holes  166 , the two emission holes  166  may be positioned at opposing portions of the inner chamber  130 . Each of the emission holes  166  may include an inner opening  168  that may face the valve stem  116  and/or a portion of the valve stem packing  134 , such as the lantern ring  134   e.  The inner openings  168  may be in communication with the inner chamber  130  by each being in communication and/or aligned with one of the holes of the lantern ring  134   e.  Each of the emission holes  166  may also include an outer opening  170  opposite the inner opening  168  that faces the outside of the valve  100 . Undesirable media contained within the chamber  130  may exit the chamber  130  through the holes of the lantern ring  134   e.  The undesirable media may then exit the body  102  of the valve  100  by passing through the inner and outer openings  168 ,  170  of the emission holes  166 . By using one or more of the holes of the lantern ring  134   e,  the valve  100  may be configured so that a portion of the valve stem packing  134  disposed within the inner chamber  130 , such as the lantern ring  134   e,  may also be a part of the emission assembly that removes undesirable media from the inner chamber  130  of the valve  100 . 
     In some configurations, at least a portion of the outer openings  170  may be configured and/or adapted to connect to and/or couple to a device, such as a sniffer or a gauge, that may detect and/or monitor media, characteristics of the media, and/or environmental conditions within the valve  100  (e.g., pressure, temperature) at the outer openings  170 . The outer openings may connect to the device by having a threaded configuration, as an example. When one or more devices are attached to the valve  100 , such as at the outer openings  170 , at least some media may be detected and/or purged from an interior portion of the valve  100 , such as from the inner chamber  130 , without the media escaping into an outer environment. 
     In addition, the valve  100  may include and/or be locked with a locking assembly. The locking assembly may be a mechanical or electromechanical device or structure that may prevent the handle  114  from moving or being moved between the first and second positions without proper access. Access may be provided through a device such as a key, software code (e.g., a digital certificate) or secure communication, or other devices or processes that provides access. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the valve  100  that includes and/or is engaged with a locking device  302  that prevents movement of the handle  114  between the first and second positions. The locking device  302  may include a portion  304 , such as a U-shaped rod or bar, that may be inserted through a hole  163  of the handle  114  and one of the holes  162   a,    162   b  of the lock plate  160 . After the bar  304  is inserted through the hole  163  and one of the holes  162   a,    162   b,  the bar  304  may engage with a locking portion  306  of the locking device  302  so that the locking device  302  is in a locked configuration. By engagement with both the handle  114  and the lock plate  160 , and through the locked configuration, the locking device  302  may prevent movement of the handle  114  between the first and second positions, and as such, prevent the valve  100  from being opened and closed without proper access. 
     The locking device  302  alone may not be tamper-resistant because the ball  104  may be moved between the open and closed positions, even when the locking device  302  is locked and engaged with the valve  100 , if the valve  100  is subjected to tampering. For example, in  FIG. 3 , the valve  100  may be tampered with by detaching the exposed securing mechanism  118  from the second end  122  of the valve stem  116 . By detaching the securing mechanism  118 , the handle  114  may be detached and/or decoupled from the valve stem  116 , which may enable access and/or movement to the valve stem  116 . In turn, the ball  104  may be moved between the open and closed positions without unlocking the locking device  302  and disengaging the locking device  302  from the handle  114  and/or the lock plate  160 . 
     In addition and/or alternatively to being configured to include and/or engage with a non-tamper proof lock, the valve  100  may include and/or engage with a tamper-resistant or tamper-proof lock or tamper-proof locking assembly.  FIG. 4  shows the valve  100  that includes and/or engages a tamper-proof locking assembly  400 . The tamper-proof locking assembly  400  may include a cover  402  that covers at least a portion of and/or prevent access to the securing mechanism  118 . The cover  402  may move between a covered position and an uncovered position. In the covered position, the cover  402  may cover and/or prevent access to the securing mechanism  118 . In the uncovered position, the cover  402  may expose and/or provide access to the securing mechanism  118 . 
     The tamper-proof locking assembly  400  may further include one or more stems or pins  404  that are configured to prevent movement of the handle  114  relative to the body  102  and/or prevent movement of the handle to move the ball  104  between the open and closed positions. The pins  404  may be movable between an inhibitive position and a non-inhibitive position. In the inhibitive position, the pins  404  may engage with the handle  114 , such as by extending through the one or more holes  163  of the handle  114 . The pins  404  may engage with the handle  114  and extend to a position adjacent the body  102  or one of the end caps  142 ,  144 . When extended to the position adjacent the body  102  or one of the end caps  142 ,  144 , at least a portion of the each of the pins  404  is adjacent to a portion of the body  102  or the end caps  142 ,  144 . In the inhibitive position, the pins  404  may prevent or inhibit movement or rotation of the handle  114  relative to the body  102 . In the non-inhibitive position, the pins  404  may be disengaged from the handle  114 , in which the pins  404  may not extend through the holes  163  to a position adjacent the body  102  or one of the end caps  142 ,  144 . In the non-inhibitive position, the pins  404  may be unable to prevent or inhibit movement of the handle  114  relative to the body  102 , and the handle  114  may be free and/or uninhibited by the pins  404  to move between the first and second positions. 
     In some configurations, the pins  404  may be a unitary part of, integral with and/or attached to the cover  402 . Unitary pins  404  integral with and/or attached to the cover  402 , allows the tamper-proof locking assembly  400  to include a single component that covers the securing mechanism  118  and may prevent or inhibit the handle  114  from being moved to open and close the valve  100 . When the cover  402  is in the covered position, the pins  404  may be in the inhibitive position. Alternatively, when the cover  402  is in the uncovered position, the pins  404  may be in the non-inhibitive position. In addition or alternatively, some valves  100  that include and/or engage the tamper-proof locking assembly  400  may not include and/or may not have attached to the body  102  the lock plate  160 . 
     The tamper-proof locking assembly  400  may further include a lock-engaging member  404  that may engage with a locking device to lock and/or secure the cover  402  in the covered position and/or to prevent the cover  402  from being moved from the covered position to the uncovered position. In addition or alternatively, the lock-engaging member  404  may engage a locking device to lock and/or secure the pins  404  in the inhibitive position. To lock and/or secure the cover  402  in the covered position and/or the pins  404  in the inhibitive position, the lock-engaging member  404  may securely attach to a locking device  406 . For example, the locking device  406  may be attached to the lock-engaging member  404 , such as by having a U-shaped bar or rod that may be inserted through a hole in the lock-engaging member  404 , and may be locked once attached to the lock-engaging member  404 . In some configurations, the locking device  406  may be securely attached to the lock-engaging member  404  only when the cover  402  is in the covered position and/or only when the pins  404  are in the inhibitive position. When the locking device  406  is attached to the lock-engaging member  404  and locked, the locking assembly  400  may be in a locked position, such that the cover  402  may be prevented from moving to an uncovered position and the pins  404  may be prevented from moving to the non-inhibitive position without proper access to unlock the locking device  406  and detach the locking device  406  from the lock-engaging member  404 . 
     The tamper-proof locking assembly  400  may be in at least three different states or configurations—an unengaged configuration, an engaged and unlocked configuration, and an engaged and locked configuration. In the unengaged configuration, the cover  402  may be in the uncovered position and the pins  404  may be in the inhibitive position, allowing the handle  114  to move between the first and second positions to open and close the valve  100 . In the engaged and unlocked configuration, the cover  402  may be in the covered position and the pins  404  may be in the inhibitive position, inhibiting movement of the handle  114  between the first and second positions. Additionally, in the engaged and unlocked configuration, the locking device  406  may be unattached to, disengaged with, and/or unlocked with the lock-engaging member  404 . As such, in the engaged and unlocked configuration, a user or operator, with or without authorized access to unlock the locking device, may change the configuration of the locking assembly  400  to the unengaged configuration to open and close the valve  100  because the locking device is unlocked and/or unattached to the lock-engaging member  404 . 
     In the engaged and locked configuration, the cover  402  may be in the covered position and the pins  404  may be in the inhibitive position. Additionally, in the engaged and locked configuration, the locking device  406  may be attached to, engaged with, and locked with the lock-engaging member  404 . As such, in the engaged and locked configuration, a user or operator of the valve  100  may change the configuration of the locking assembly  400  to the unengaged configuration to open and close the valve  100  only if the user or operator has authorized access, such as by having a key, to unlock and detach the locking device  406  from the lock-engaging member  404 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the locking assembly  400  in the engaged and locked configuration. When the locking assembly is in the engaged and locked configuration, the handle  114  may be in either the first position or the second position. As previously described, the first and second positions may be defined and/or determined based on a direction in which the handle  114  extends relative to the longitudinal axis of the cavity  106 . For example, the first position or the second position may be defined and/or determined as a position in which the handle  114  extends in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity  106 , as the handle  114  is shown in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, the other of the first position or the second position may be defined and/or determined as a position in which the handle  114  extends in a direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity  106 . Suppose for example, that the handle  114 , extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity  106  as shown in  FIG. 4 , is in the first position. To move the handle  114  to the second position, the locking device  406  may be unlocked and removed from the lock-engaging member  404  so that the locking assembly  400  may be configured in the engaged and unlocked configuration. From the engaged and unlocked configuration, the locking assembly  400  may be moved to the unengaged configuration and the handle  114  may be rotated to the second position. 
       FIG. 5  shows the locking assembly  400  in the unengaged configuration. As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the locking assembly  400  is in the unengaged configuration, the cover  402  may be in the uncovered position and the pins  404  may be in the non-inhibitive position. When the pins  404  are in the non-inhibitive position, the pins  404  may be spaced away from the end cap  144  such that the pins  404  may be unable to inhibit movement of the handle  114  from the first position to the second position. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the pins  404  are in the non-inhibitive position, the pins  404  may extend at least partially in the holes  163  of the handle. In alternative configurations, when the pins  404  are in the non-inhibitive position, the pins  404  may not extend into and/or may be positioned away from the holes  163 . 
     To move the locking assembly  400  from the engaged and unlocked configuration to the unengaged configuration, the cover  402  may be lifted or moved away from the body  102  in a direction in which the surface  132  faces. In some example configurations, when the locking assembly  400  is in the unengaged configuration and/or moved from the engaged and unlocked configuration to the unengaged configuration, at least a portion of the cover  402  may cover or shield at least a portion of the lock-engaging member  404 , such as by surrounding the lock-engaging member  404 . By covering and/or shielding the lock-engaging member  404 , the locking device  406  may be prevented from being attached and/or secured to the lock-engaging member  404 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the locking assembly  400  in the unengaged configuration and the handle  114  in the second position, where the second position is defined and/or determined as a position in which the handle  114  extends in a direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity  106 . By configuring the locking assembly  400  in the unengaged configuration as shown in  FIG. 5 , the handle  114  may be moved from the first position (shown in  FIG. 5 ) to the second position as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the locking assembly  400  in the engaged and locked configuration and the handle  114  in the second position. The locking assembly  400  may be configured in the engaged and locked position when the handle  114  is in the second position by moving the locking assembly  400  from the unengaged position to the engaged and unlocked configuration when the handle  114  is in the second position. When the locking assembly  400  is in the engaged and unlocked configuration, the cover  402  may be in the covered position, which may expose, uncover, and/or un-shield the lock-engaging member  404 , allowing the locking device  406  to be attached and locked to the lock-engaging member  404 . When the locking device  406  is attached and locked to the lock-engaging member  404 , the locking assembly may be configured in the engage and locked configuration. 
       FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper-proof locking assembly  400 , showing the tamper-proof locking assembly  400  in further detail. The locking assembly  400  may further include a locking stem  410  and an elastic device or biasing device, like a spring  412 , disposed over, about, and/or around the locking stem  410 . The locking stem  410  and/or the spring  412  may facilitate movement of the locking assembly  400  between the engaged and unengaged configurations. The locking stem  410  may have a first end  414  that includes the lock-engaging portion  404 . A second opposing end  416  of the valve stem  410  may engage with and secured to the handle  114 , such as by using a bolt  418 . 
     In some configurations, the cover  402  may include a first portion  419  that is configured to cover the securing mechanism  118  (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) and a second portion  420  that is configured to cover at least a portion of the locking stem  410  and/or a portion of the locking stem  410  that includes the spring  412 . 
     The spring  412  may be moved between an uncompressed position and a compressed position. As shown in  FIG. 8 , when the locking assembly  400  is in either the engaged and locked configuration or the engaged and unlocked configuration, the spring  412  may be in the uncompressed position. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the locking assembly  400  is in the unengaged configuration, the spring  412  may be in the compressed position. To move the locking assembly  400  from the locked position to the unlocked position, a bias, such as an external bias, may be applied to and/or exerted on the locking assembly  400  to compress the spring  412 . Alternatively, when no bias is applied to the locking assembly  400  to compress the spring  412 , the locking assembly  400  may be in an engaged configuration. In some configurations, when bias is applied to the locking assembly  400  to compress the spring  412  and move the locking assembly  400  to the unengaged configuration, the bias may be removed and/or released from the locking assembly  400  to move the locking assembly  400  from the unengaged configuration to the engaged and unlocked configuration. 
     In some configurations, the locking stem  410  may include a hole  422  extending through the locking stem  410  at about midway between the first and second ends  418 ,  420  of the locking stem  410 . The hole  422  may receive a pin or a rod that, when inserted into the hole  422 , is configured to have at least one end that protrudes from the locking stem  410 . When the pin is inserted into the hole  422 , the pin may prevent the locking assembly  400  from moving from the unengaged configuration to the engaged and unlocked configuration when bias used to compress the spring  412  is released. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show perspective views of the handle  114 .  FIG. 10  shows a topside view of the handle  114 .  FIG. 11  shows an underside of the handle  114 . The handle  114  may include a gripping portion  1004  that may provide an area of the handle  114  for an operator to hold or grip when rotating the handle  114  between the first position and the second position. An end portion  1006  of the gripping portion  1004  may include a rounded portion or a ball, which may prevent an operator from sliding off of the gripping portion  1004 . The gripping portion  1004  may couple to a middle portion  1008 , which may provide a transition from the gripping portion  1004  to a locking portion  1010 . 
     The locking portion  1010  of the handle  114  may include one or more components or features that may be part of and/or engage with the tamper-proof locking assembly  400 . For example, the locking portion  1010  may include the holes  163  that may each engage with and/or receive one of the pins  404  that inhibit movement of the handle  114  between the first and second positions. As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the holes  163  may be positioned in between the gripping portion  1010  and the coupling portion  126 , which may couple the handle  114  to the valve stem  116 . Additionally, the locking portion  1010  may include a hole  1012 , which may be disposed in between or substantially in between two of the holes  163  configured to receive the pins  404 . The hole  1012  may engage with and/or receive the second end  416  of the locking stem  410  (shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Further, the locking portion  1010  may include one or more side walls or sidewall portions  1014  that extend and/or protrude from an undersurface  1016  of the handle  114 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the handle  114  may include three sidewall portions  1014   a,    1014   b,    1014   c.  The sidewall portions  1014  may shield, cover, and/or prevent access to the bolt  416  used to secure the locking stem  410  to the handle  114  and/or the securing mechanism  118 . By shielding, covering, and preventing access to the bolt  416  and/or the securing mechanism  118  using the sidewall portions  1014 , further tamper-proof capabilities of the locking assembly  400  and/or the valve  100  are provided. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.