Patent Abstract:
A modular lining system for a valve body for use in fluid handling systems including fluid transport tankers, and a method for lining a valve body using the modular lining system. The lining system is slidably inserted into the valve body to protect the valve body from corrosive or other damaging materials. The liners are placed such that they are easily removable for cleaning or replacing when damaged. An actuator comprising a piston is actuated within one of the liners to selectively allow and stop fluid flow.

Full Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/306,273, filed Dec. 21, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/639,669, filed Dec. 28, 2004, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates to valves used in fluid handling systems including fluid transport tankers and, more particularly, to a valve having a modular lining system that protects the metallic valve components from adverse effects of contact with corrosive fluids, wherein the lining is easily cleaned and easily replaced when damaged.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Fluid handling systems are often used in handling corrosive materials or products that must be maintained in a high state of purity. One type of fluid handling system includes bulk fluid transport tankers. Fluid tankers and associated piping and valve components are typically made of stainless steel or other corrosion resistant metallic material. Some tanks are passivated at predetermined time intervals to maintain a protective coat on the tank interior to help increase corrosion resistance. However, tankers are often used to carry acids and corrosive chemicals that will attack virtually any type of metal over a period of time. Examples of such fluids include hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, ferric chloride, and bleach, to name a few. Transport of these chemicals requires that the tank surfaces and associated components are protected from adverse effects of contact with the cargo by a lining material. Typical tank lining materials are natural rubber, chlorobutyl, or hypalon. The associated piping and valves have also been lined.  
         [0004]     Efforts have been made to develop a lined valve to use with such applications. These prior art lined valves typically have a lining permanently affixed (i.e. bonded, molded) to the interior of the valve. This creates a problem if the lining of the permanently lined valve is damaged, as the entire valve will need to be replaced.  
         [0005]     Another problem is that the tank and tank valves must be cleaned periodically, especially when the tank will be used to transport a different chemical. The new chemical may react with the previously transported chemical which may not have been completely removed from the tank or valve components. The prior art permanently lined valves are difficult to clean within the confines of the valve.  
         [0006]     The lining material typically used in prior art valves are relatively soft and somewhat flexible. The valves are typically designed so that the various lining pieces seal against each other. This can lead to cold flow and eventual leaking of the valve.  
         [0007]     Another limitation of prior art valves involves the flow blocking device (butterfly disc, diaphragm, rotary plug, or ball), which is also typically coated with a permanently affixed lining material. If the lining on the flow blocking device is damaged, the entire valve needs to be replaced. Also, the permanent coating increases the thickness of the flow blocking device thereby reducing the volume of fluid flow.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, there is need for providing an improved lined valve over current known valves that overcomes one or more of these problems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention overcomes at least one disadvantage of the prior art by providing a valve comprising a valve body comprising a tubular first body portion having a first end and a second end, and a tubular second body portion affixed to and intersecting the first body portion, the second body portion having a first end distal from the first body portion; a tubular first lining removably positioned in the first body portion; a tubular second lining removably positioned in the second body portion, the second lining sealingly engaging an aperture in the first lining; and an actuator removably attached to the first end of the first body portion or the first end of the second body portion, the actuator comprising means for selectively stopping and allowing fluid flow through the valve.  
         [0010]     The present invention further overcomes at least one disadvantage of the prior art by providing a method of assembling lining into a valve body comprising a cylindrical first body portion having a first end and a second end, and a cylindrical second body portion intersecting the first body portion, the second body portion having a first end distal from the first body portion, the method comprising the steps of slidably inserting a non-metallic first lining into the outlet end of the first body portion such that the first lining extends from the outlet end to the actuator attachment end of the first body portion; slidably inserting a non-metallic second lining into the inlet end of the second body portion such that the second lining sealingly engages an aperture in the first lining and such that the second lining extends from the sealed engagement with the first lining to the inlet end of the second body portion; slidably inserting a non-metallic piston of an actuator into the first lining or the second lining; and attaching the actuator to the end of the corresponding body portion.  
         [0011]     These and other advantages will be apparent upon a review of the drawings and detailed description of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     This invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an elevational side view of an end portion of a tanker trailer of a type usable with the valve of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an elevational end view of an end portion of the tanker trailer of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the valve of the present invention in a valve open condition;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the valve of  FIG. 3  shown in a valve closed condition;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an elevational end view of the valve of  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional exploded view showing the modular lining components and the valve body and how the modular lining components are removed from the valve body and how they are inserted into the valve body. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     This invention will now be described in detail with reference to various embodiments thereof. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an end portion of a tanker trailer  110  is shown. Tanker trailer  110  typically has a stainless steel cargo tank  112  which may be used for transporting fluids including acids, solvents or other chemicals. When hauling these types of materials, the interior  114  of tank  112  is typically lined to protect the tank from adverse effects of contact with the cargo. Typically these tank interiors  114  are lined with natural rubber, chlorobutyl, or hypalon. Piping  116  is shown attached to tank  112  for loading/unloading the cargo. The piping  116  is also preferably lined. Associated with the piping  116 , valve  118  is shown in a typical position where the valve of the present invention may be utilized.  
         [0020]     The lined valve assembly  10  of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3  in a valve open condition, in  FIG. 4  in a valve closed position, and in  FIG. 5  in an outlet end view. The valve assembly  10  comprises a metallic valve body  20  comprising a cylindrical first body portion  30  having an outlet end  32  and an actuator attachment end  34 , and a cylindrical second body portion  40  fixably attached and intersecting the first body portion  30  in a generally perpendicular position, the second body portion having an inlet end  42  distal from first body portion  30 . Although shown herein as a ninety degree elbow, it is contemplated that other valve configurations could be used with the present invention. The valve assembly  10  further comprises a cylindrical first non-metallic lining  50  removably positioned in the first body portion  30  and extending from the outlet end  32  to the actuator attachment end  34  of the first body portion  30 . A cylindrical second non-metallic lining  60  is removably positioned in the second body portion  40 . A seal  80  on a leading end  62  of the second lining  60  sealingly engages an aperture  52  in the first lining  50 . The second lining  60  extends from the engagement with the first lining  50  to the inlet end  42  of the second body portion  40 . The valve assembly  10  further comprises a means  70  for selectively preventing and allowing fluid flow between the outlet  32  and the inlet  42  of the valve  10 . Means  70  is shown herein as an actuator assembly  70  removably attached to the actuator attachment end  34  of the first body portion  30 . Actuator assembly  70  comprises a reciprocal plug  72  shown herein as a cylindrical, non-metallic piston  72  sealingly moveable within the first lining  50  of the first body portion  30  for selectively preventing and allowing fluid flow between the outlet  32  and the inlet  42  of the valve  10 . In the valve open condition, the reciprocal plug  72  is completely removed from the fluid passageway allowing maximized fluid flow through the valve  10 . The actuator assembly  70  further comprises a main spring  74 , which keeps the valve assembly  10  in a closed position. When the actuator  70  is hydraulically activated, the main spring  74  is compressed and the piston  72  is retracted, opening the valve assembly  10 . An indicator rod  76  extends from the end of the actuator assembly  70  signaling that the valve assembly  10  is in a valve open condition. Although shown herein as a hydraulically actuated valve, the invention is not intended to be limited as such, and it is contemplated that actuation could be accomplished by any standard means such as manual or pneumatic actuation.  
         [0021]     The linings  50 ,  60  form a modular replaceable interlocking lining system. The linings  50 ,  60  are formed of rigid lining materials formed to removably slide into the valve body, and do not need to be molded or bonded to the valve body, as best shown in  FIG. 6 . The valve  10  is assembled by slidably inserting the first lining  50  into the outlet end  32  of the first body portion  30  such that the first lining  50  extends from the outlet end  32  to the actuator attachment end  34  of the first body portion  30 . Lining  50  is oriented such that aperture  52  is aligned with the second body portion. Lining  50  includes a lining flange  54  that registers against a corresponding recess  38  in the outlet attachment flange  32  of the first body portion  30  and acts to axially locate the lining  50  in the first valve body portion  30 . It is noted that the lining flange  54  extends slightly beyond the outlet end  32  to ensure a proper seal with the lining of the adjacent piping (not shown). The lining flange  54  can also be used to aid in the removal of the lining  50  when the lining  50  is configured as a snug fit with the first body portion  30 .  
         [0022]     The next step is to slidably insert the second lining  60  into the inlet end  42  of the second body portion  40  such that the seal  80  on the leading end  62  of the second lining  60  sealingly engages the aperture  52  in the first lining  50  such that the second lining  60  extends from the sealed engagement with the first lining  50  to the inlet end  42  of the second body portion  40 . Lining  60  includes a lining flange  64 , which registers against a corresponding recess  48  in the inlet attachment flange  42  of the second body portion  40  and acts to axially locate the lining  60  in the second valve body portion  40 . It is noted that the lining flange  64  extends slightly beyond the inlet end  42  to ensure a proper seal with the lining of the adjacent piping (not shown). As with the first lining  50 , the lining flange  64  can also be used to aid in the removal of the lining  60  when the lining  60  is configured as a snug fit with the second body portion  40 .  
         [0023]     The next step involves slidably inserting the piston  72  of the actuator assembly  70  into the first lining  50  and attaching the actuator  70  to the actuator attachment end  34  of the first body portion  30 . The piston  72  sealingly engages the interior of the first lining  50  utilizing a seal  82  on the leading end of the piston  72  and a seal  84  on a trailing end of the piston. Secondary seals  86  can be utilized as desired. It is noted that piston  72  may utilize a stepped configuration is association with a stepped interior of the first lining  50 .  
         [0024]     The plug or piston  72  may be made of the same material as the linings  50 ,  60 . It is also contemplated that the piston  72  may be made of a different lining material or of a metallic material that is covered with a lining material.  
         [0025]     When the valve  10  needs to be cleaned, or if one or more of the linings is worn or damaged, or if the installed linings are unsuitable for a fluid to be used in the tank  112 , the valve assembly  10  can be easily disassembled and the components cleaned or replaced as needed. To disassemble the valve assembly  10 , the steps are generally the reverse of the assembly (although the order of the removal of the actuator assembly  70  and the second lining  60  can be reversed). The second lining  60  needs to be removed prior to removal of the first lining  50  as the second lining helps lock the first lining  50  in position by preventing axial movement of the lining  50  in the first body portion  30 .  
         [0026]     Unlike existing valves, the modular nature of the linings of the valve of the present invention allows more rigid materials to be used. Since more rigid lining materials can be used, this valve incorporates seals between the lining components, as discussed above, to eliminate cold flow problems. Examples of suitable lining materials include, but are not intended to be limited to, UHMW Polyethylene, Teflon® (PTFE), PVC and the like. Accordingly, the present invention allows a wider range of materials to be selected with less restriction in comparison to prior art lined valves.  
         [0027]     Although the present invention has been described above in detail, the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5