Patent Document

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/577,731, filed Dec. 19, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application No. 13/741,326, filed Jan. 14, 2013, which issued into U.S. Pat. No. 8,960,229, on Feb. 24, 2015, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to valves. More specifically, this disclosure relates to sleeve valves. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Valve elements are used to regulate or control the flow of material by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. One type of valve is a sleeve valve, which can be used in a number of applications. Some sleeve valves contain one or more perforations on a sleeve that allow for material to flow through the valve. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Disclosed is a method of controlling the flow of fluid in a pipe system including controlling a sleeve valve in the pipe system, the sleeve valve including a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet, an outlet, and a body cavity between the inlet and the outlet; a sleeve disposed at least partially within the body cavity, the sleeve including at least one opening fluidly connecting the inlet to the outlet; a gate proximate to the sleeve, the gate including a front stop and a back stop; and a drive assembly including a pair of drive lines, each drive line including a drive shaft, a first drive line of the pair of drive lines including a sync cam on the drive shaft of the first drive line, the sync cam of first drive line movably positioned between the front stop and the back stop, a first gap defined between the front stop and the sync cam, a second gap defined between the back stop and the sync cam; moving the sync cam to a front stop position, wherein the front stop position reduces the first gap; and moving the gate to uncover the at least one opening to allow fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet. 
         [0005]    Also disclosed is a method of controlling the flow of fluid in a pipe system including controlling a sleeve valve in the pipe system, the sleeve valve including a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet, an outlet, and a body cavity between the inlet and the outlet; a sleeve disposed at least partially within the body cavity, the sleeve including at least one opening fluidly connecting the inlet to the outlet; a gate proximate to the sleeve, the gate including a front stop and a back stop; and a drive assembly including a pair of drive lines, each drive line including a drive shaft, a first drive line of the pair of drive lines including a sync cam on the drive shaft of the first drive line, the sync cam of first drive line movably positioned between the front stop and the back stop, a first gap defined between the front stop and the sync cam, a second gap defined between the back stop and the sync cam; moving the sync cam to a back stop position, wherein the back stop position reduces the second gap; and moving the gate to cover at least one opening to reduce fluid from flowing from the inlet to the outlet. 
         [0006]    Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sleeve valve in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view from another end of the sleeve valve of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve valve of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a sync cam of the sleeve valve of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the sync cam of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the sync cam of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a gate of the sleeve valve of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the gate of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view in isolation of a front stop and a back stop of the sleeve valve of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a front direction load balancing screw of the sync cam of  FIG. 4 . In the current embodiment the front direction load balancing screw is identical to a backward direction load balancing screw. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the front direction load balancing screw of  FIG. 10 . In the current embodiment the front direction load balancing screw is identical to the backward direction load balancing screw. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a pair of drive lines of a drive assembly and an alternative embodiment of a gate surrounding a sleeve of the sleeve valve of  FIG. 1 , wherein the view of a drive shaft of each drive lines is abridged, showing only a portion of the drive shaft. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the gate and one of the the drive lines of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional detail view of the drive line, the gate, the sleeve, and a body cavity portion of the valve body of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the drive line including the drive shaft, the sync cam, and an actuator located on an exterior of the sleeve valve, wherein the view of the drive shaft is abridged, showing only the front portion and the back portion of the drive shaft. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the interior of the body cavity portion of the valve body of  FIG. 1  including the drive line, gate, and sleeve valve. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 17A and 17B  are perspective views of  FIG. 4  and show the sync cam in a first position and a second position on the drive shaft, respectively. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, and 18E  show a side view of the drive assembly and gate of  FIG. 12  and show a method for syncing the sleeve valve. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, and 19E  show a side view of the drive assembly and gate of  FIG. 12  and show a method for controlling the flow of fluid through the sleeve valve. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Disclosed is a sleeve valve and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. The sleeve valve includes a drive assembly having at least one drive line including a sync cam and a drive shaft. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed sleeve valve is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom. 
         [0028]    One embodiment of a sleeve valve  100  is disclosed and described in  FIGS. 1-2 . In  FIG. 1  the sleeve valve  100  includes a valve body  110  that has an inner surface  117  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and an outer surface  119 . The inner surface  117  and the outer surface  119 , as illustrated in the current embodiment, define an inlet portion  120 , an outlet portion  130 , and a body cavity portion  140 . In the current embodiment, the inlet portion  120  defines an inlet  125  and is conical-shaped and welded to the body cavity portion  140 , although other joining interfaces are contemplated by this disclosure and should be considered included. The outlet portion  130  defines an outlet  135 . The outlet portion  130  and the body cavity portion  140 , in the current embodiment, are both of an approximately cylindrical shape. The shape of the inlet portion  120 , the outlet portion  130 , and the body cavity portion  140  are not limiting and may be other shapes. The inlet portion  120 , the outlet portion  130 , and the body cavity portion  140  in the current embodiment are made of welded fabricated carbon steel plates, although one of skill in the art would recognize that other materials could be used and such a disclosure is not limiting. The inlet portion  120 , the outlet portion  130 , and the body cavity portion  140  may also include flanged ends, and as seen in the current embodiment in  FIG. 1 , the inlet portion  120  includes one flanged end  124  on the opposite end of that which is connected to the body cavity portion  140 . Also, in the current embodiment, both ends of the outlet portion  130  include flanged ends  132  and  134 , and the end of the body cavity portion  140  that faces the outlet portion  130  includes a flanged end  142 . 
         [0029]    The current embodiment includes fastening elements  141  in the form of a plurality of nuts and bolts coupling the flanged end  142  of the body cavity portion  140  to the flanged end  134  of the outlet portion  130  and thereby joining the body cavity portion  140  to the outlet portion  130 . However, various types of fasteners, such as nails, screws, welding, or any other type of fastener may be used, and the disclosure of nuts and bolts is not limiting upon the fastener that must be used. Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the sleeve valve  100  includes a drive assembly  170  including an actuator motor  175  and drive lines ( 330  and  340  in  FIG. 3 ). Further, the current embodiment of the sleeve valve  100  includes inspection ports  190   a  and  190   b  that are circular and defined in the body cavity portion  140  and include inspection lids  195   a,b  fastened to the outer surface  119  of the valve body  110  via a plurality of nuts and bolts. However, various types of fasteners, such as nails, screws, or any other type of fastener may be used, and the disclosure of nuts and bolts is not limiting upon the fastener that must be used. The shape of the inspection ports  190   a  and  190   b  is not limiting, and other shapes such as oval and square may be used. The inspection ports  190   a  and  190   b  allow access to the interior of the body cavity portion  140 . In the current embodiment, inspection ports  190   a,b  include hinges  191   a,b  and handles  192   a,b  ( 192   b  not shown). 
         [0030]    The current embodiment of the sleeve valve  100  also includes an access port  194  that is circular and defined on the outer surface  119  of the valve body  110 . The access port  194  includes an access lid  196  fastened to the outer surface  119  of the valve body  110  via a plurality of nuts and bolts. However, various types of fasteners, such as nails, screws, or any other type of fastener may be used, and the disclosure of nuts and bolts is not limiting upon the fastener that must be used. Moreover, the shape of the access port  194  is not limiting and other shapes such as oval and square may be used. In the current embodiment, the body cavity portion  140  and the outlet portion  130  include pressure gauges  185   a  and  185   b  that are located on the outer surface  119 , but these are not required for all embodiments. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  displays a perspective view of the sleeve valve  100  where the outlet portion  130  is in the foreground of the illustration. As can be seen in the current embodiment, the actuator motor  175  is mounted to the outer surface  119  of the flanged end  134  of the outlet portion  130 , although the actuator motor  175  may be mounted to any portion of the sleeve valve  100 . The actuator motor  175  is connected to the drive lines ( 330  and  340  in  FIG. 3 ) by a splitter  274 , or three-way gear, and two actuator drive shafts  276   a  and  276   b  extending from the splitter  274  to two separate machine screw actuators  278   a  and  278   b , where actuator drive shaft  276   a  is attached to machine screw actuator  278   a  and actuator drive shaft  276   b  is attached to machine screw actuator  278   b . Splitter  274  translates rotational movement from the actuator motor  175  to the actuator drive shafts  276   a,b , which translate rotational movement to each machine screw actuator  278   a,b , respectively. Machine screw actuator  278   a  is part of drive line  330  and machine screw actuator  278   b  is part of drive line  340 . In the current embodiment, the machine screw actuators  278   a  and  278   b  are Duff-Norton Machine Screw Actuators, model number DM- 9006 ; however, one of skill in the art would recognize that such a disclosure is not limiting and other types of machines or operations that enable the drive shaft  332  and/or  342  (described with reference to  FIG. 3 ) to operate may be used. The drive assembly  170  can be operated in many different ways, including automatically from a remote location, via local controls on the actuator motor  175  itself, or via a clutch lever, and the methods of operation of the drive assembly  170  are not intended to be limiting. The actuator motor  175  is an electric motor, but may also be a manual handwheel in alternative embodiments. Additionally, in the current embodiment, actuator spacers  279   a,b,c,d  ( 279   d  not shown) mount machine screw actuator  278   a  to the outlet portion  130  and actuator spacers  279   e,f,g,h  ( 279   h  not shown) mount machine screw actuator  278   b  to the outlet portion  130 , but the machine screw actuators  278   a,b  may be mounted to the outlet portion  130  by any other types or amount of fasteners. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  provides a cross-sectional view of the sleeve valve  100 . In the current embodiment, material flows from the inlet portion  120  through a body cavity defined within the body cavity portion  140  to the outlet portion  130 . Inspection port  190   a  and access port  194  are also shown in the current embodiment. In the current embodiment, a sleeve  310  is located within the body cavity portion  140  and is secured at a sleeve flanged end  312  to the outlet portion  130  by a plurality of nuts and bolts. The sleeve  310 , in the current embodiment, is cylindrically shaped with a dome-shaped sleeve end  311  that prevents material from entering the sleeve  310  from sleeve end  311 . The sleeve flanged end  312  is open to allow material to flow freely from the sleeve  310  to the outlet portion  130  once the material enters the interior of the sleeve. The shapes of sleeve end  311  and sleeve flanged end  312  are not limiting and other shapes may be used. Additionally, the technique of securing sleeve flanged end  312  of sleeve  310  to the outlet portion  130  may be achieved using any known technique in the art. The sleeve  310  in the current embodiment is made of a welded fabricated stainless steel plate, although one of skill in the art would recognize that other materials could be used and such a disclosure is not limiting. 
         [0033]    In the current embodiment, sleeve  310  includes perforated openings  315 , which allow material to flow from the body cavity portion  140  to the interior of the sleeve  310 . Although multiple perforated openings  315  are shown in the current embodiment, only one perforated opening may be included, and any number of perforated openings may be included in various embodiments. In the current embodiment, perforated openings  315  refer to all openings in the sleeve  310 . The elements to which reference  315  points are exemplary only and should not be considered limiting on the disclosure. Proximate to the sleeve  310 , in the current embodiment, is a gate  320 , which is moveable over a portion of the sleeve  310  including at least one of the perforated openings  315 . When the gate  320 , in the current embodiment, is positioned over at least one of the perforated openings  315 , the gate  320  prevents material from flowing into or out of the interior of the sleeve  310  through the at least one perforated opening  315  that the gate  320  is positioned over. However, neither the material nor shape of the gate  320  is limiting, and various materials or shapes may be used in various embodiments. The gate  320  in the current embodiment is made of a welded fabricated stainless steel plate, although one of skill in the art would recognize that other materials could be used and such a disclosure is not limiting. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the current embodiment includes drive line  330 , which operates to move the gate  320  axially over the sleeve  310 . In the current embodiment, the drive line  330  includes a drive shaft  332 , which is a cylindrical rod that rotates and includes at least a threaded portion. 
         [0034]    The drive shaft  332  connects to the machine screw actuator  278   a  in the current embodiment. The drive shaft  332  in the current embodiment is made of stainless steel, although one of skill in the art would recognize that other materials could be used and such a disclosure is not limiting. The gate  320  will be enabled to move axially along the sleeve  310  within the portion of the drive shaft  332  that is threaded. Moreover, in the current embodiment, the drive line  330  includes a sync cam  334 , which is moveably positioned around the drive shaft  332 . Additionally, when the drive shaft  332  rotates the sync cam  334  may move axially between a front stop  326  in the form of a front stop plate and a back stop  328  in the form of a back stop plate, though other front stops and back stops may be used in other embodiments. The sync cam  334  in the current embodiment is made of a stainless steel plate, although one of skill in the art would recognize that other materials could be used and such a disclosure is not limiting. 
         [0035]    In addition, the sync cam  334  in the current embodiment includes two forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b  ( 335   b  shown in  FIGS. 4-6 ). Although the current embodiment includes two forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b , other embodiments may include any number of forward direction load balancing mechanisms, which can be nuts and bolts, screws, other types of fasteners, or any other load balancing mechanism. Additionally, the drive line  330  may include more than one sync cam  334  and drive shaft  332 . In the current embodiment, the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  are connected to and formed on the gate  320 , but it is not a requirement that the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  be connected to or formed on the gate  320 . 
         [0036]    The front stop  326  and the back stop  328  can be plates or any other mechanism that hinders the sync cam  334  from moving past the front stop  326  or the back stop  328 . The thickness of the sync cam  334  may be less than the distance between the front stop  326  and the back stop  328 . Additionally, in the current embodiment, the back stop  328  includes two backward direction load balancing screws  368   a,b  ( 368   a  shown in  FIGS. 7-8 ); however, this configuration is not meant to be limiting in terms of the type of mechanism used for backward direction load balancing and the number of backward direction load balancing mechanisms. The back stop  328  includes at least one backward direction load balancing mechanism, which can be achieved with nuts and bolts, screws, other types of fasteners, or any other load balancing mechanism which is known in the art. 
         [0037]    The components of the drive line  330 , in the current embodiment, are not meant to be limiting. Additional components may be added to the drive line  330  and the components in combination described above are not all required. In the current embodiment, an additional drive line  340  is provided, although it is not required, and is located approximately 180 degrees from drive line  330 , though the drive line  340  may be located relative to the drive line  330  in any position in other embodiments. Drive line  340 , in the current embodiment, is configured in the same way drive line  330  is configured. The drive line  340  includes a drive shaft  342 , which is configured in the same way as drive shaft  332 . The drive shaft  342  connects to the machine screw actuator  278   b  in the current embodiment. The drive line  340  also includes a sync cam  344 , which is configured in the same way as sync cam  334 , and the drive line  340  may include more than one sync cam  344  and drive shaft  342 . Also, the sync cam  344  in the current embodiment includes two forward direction load balancing screws  345   a,b  ( 345   a  shown in  FIG. 12 ). Although the current embodiment includes two forward direction load balancing screws  345   a,b , that is not meant to be limiting. The sync cam  344  includes at least one forward direction load balancing mechanism, which can be achieved with nuts and bolts, screws, other types of fasteners, or any other load balancing mechanism. 
         [0038]    In the current embodiment, a front stop  346  and a back stop  348  are connected to and formed on the gate  320 , but it is not a requirement in all embodiments that the front stop  346  and the back stop  348  be connected to or formed on the gate  320 . The front stop  346  and the back stop  348  can be plates or any other mechanism that hinders the sync cam  344  from moving past the front stop  346  or the back stop  348 . Additionally, in the current embodiment, the back stop  348  includes two backward direction load balancing screws  378   a,b  ( 378   b  shown in  FIG. 12 ); however, this configuration is not meant to be limiting in terms of the type of mechanism used for backward direction load balancing and the number of backward direction load balancing mechanisms. The back stop  348  includes at least one backward direction load balancing mechanism, which can be achieved with nuts and bolts, screws, other types of fasteners, or any other load balancing mechanism which is known in the art. Although in the current embodiment the drive line  340  is configured in the same way and includes all of the same components as drive line  330 , the embodiment is not meant to be limiting. Drive line  340  may also include additional components, and the components in combination described above are not all required. Moreover, additional drive lines may be implemented with the sleeve valve  100 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a sync cam  334  of the sleeve valve  100 . In the current embodiment the sync cam  344  includes the same features as sync cam  334 , although such a configuration is not required. The sync cam  334 , in the current embodiment, is triangularly shaped with sides  425 ,  435 , and  445  that connect the rounded ends  420 ,  430 , and  440 , although the shape of the sync cam  334  is not critical. In the current embodiment, the sync cam  334  includes two forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b . Sync cam  334 , in the current embodiment, also defines a circular drive shaft bore  416  through the upper center portion of the sync cam  334 , although the position and shape of the bore is not critical. The drive shaft bore  416  is threaded in the current embodiment. Additionally, the drive shaft bore  416  of the sync cam  334 , in the current embodiment, includes threads  418  along the drive shaft bore  416 , although the threads  418  are not critical. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a top view of sync cam  334 . In the current embodiment the sync cam  344  is configured the same way as sync cam  334 , although such a configuration is not required. In the current embodiment, the sync cam  334  is triangular shaped with rounded edges, although the shape of the sync cam  334  is not critical. In the current embodiment, the sync cam  334  includes two lobes  520   a  and  520   b , which are located on each side of the middle section  530 . Also, each lobe  520   a  and  520   b  extends from the sync cam  334  a distance longer than a distance between the drive shaft  332  and a gate surface  721  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) of the gate  320 . In the current embodiment, the middle section  530  includes side edges  531   a  and  531   b , which extend along the lobes  520   a  and  520   b  as well. The distance between side edges  531   a  and  531   b , or in essence the thickness of the sync cam  334 , is less than the distance between the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  of the drive line  330  in the current embodiment. Sync cam  334 , in the current embodiment, also includes two forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b , extending through each lobe  520   a  and  520   b ; however, this configuration is not meant to be limiting in terms of the type of mechanism used for forward direction load balancing and the number of forward direction load balancing mechanisms. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of sync cam  334  taken from line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . In the current embodiment the sync cam  344  is configured the same way as sync cam  334 , although such a configuration is not necessary. In the current embodiment, the sync cam  334  includes two forward load balancing holes  622  and  642 , which are threaded in the current embodiment. Although the current embodiment includes two forward direction load balancing holes  622  and  642 , such a configuration is not meant to be limiting. Depending on whether or not the type of forward direction load balancing mechanism requires a hole or holes, forward direction load balancing holes  622  and  642  might or might not be necessary; in some embodiments, more forward direction load balancing holes may be required. The length of the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b  is about the same as the length of the forward direction load balancing holes  622  and  642 . The length of the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b  is the distance from ends  624  and  644  to ends  626  and  646 , respectively; however, this length is not critical. The length of the forward direction load balancing holes  622  and  642  is the distance from ends  621  and  623  (closest portion of the hole to rounded end  430 ) to ends  641  and  643 , respectively. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of gate  320  for sleeve valve  100 . Gate  320  includes gate surface  721 , which in the current embodiment is made of a welded fabricated stainless steel plate. As shown and described with reference to  FIG. 3 ,when the gate  320  is positioned over at least one of the perforated openings  315 , the material used for gate  320  prevents fluid material from flowing into or out of the interior of the sleeve  310  through the at least one perforated opening  315  over which the gate  320  is positioned. The shape of gate  320  enables the gate  320  to be moveable over a portion of the sleeve  310 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , including at least one of the perforated openings  315  (also seen in  FIG. 3 ). The distance between the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  is greater than the thickness of the sync cam  334 . Additionally, the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  each include a drive shaft hole  727  and  729 , respectively. The drive shaft holes  727  and  729  provide a through-hole for the drive shaft  332  to fit through (seen in  FIG. 3 ). Further, one or more additional drive shafts, such as drive shaft  342 , may be included (seen in  FIG. 3 ). If drive shaft  342  is included, then the front stop  346  and back stop  348  would also include drive shaft holes. Also, in the current embodiment, located on the gate surface  721  of the gate  320 , between the front stop  326  and the back stop  328 , is an adjustment plate  725 , which provides a raised surface which the two forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b  may contact when they are screwed down. There also may be an adjustment plate  1245  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) between the front stop  346  and back stop  348 .  FIG. 8  is a top view of gate  320 , and the elements are described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the front stop  326  and the back stop  328 . In some embodiments, the front stop  346  and the back stop  348  are included and function the same way as previously disclosed in  FIG. 3 . In the current embodiment, the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  are six-sided and made of solid material. Front stop  326  includes flat edges at top right side  911 , right side  912 , left side  914 , and top left side  915 . Additionally, the front stop  326  includes a rounded top side  916  and a rounded bottom side  913  that approximates the curvature of the gate surface  721 . Back stop  328  includes flat edges top right side  921 , right side  922 , left side  924 , and top left side  925 . Additionally, the back stop  328  includes a rounded edge top side  926  and a rounded bottom side  923  that approximates the curvature of the gate surface  721 . Although, in the current embodiment, the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  each include six sides that result in the shapes seen in  FIG. 9 , such a disclosure is not meant to be limiting. Other shapes such as a square, rectangle, triangle, and polygon, among others, may be used for the front stop  326  and the back stop  328 . Moreover, the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  need not be of the same shape. Also, in the current embodiment, the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  include drive shaft holes  727  and  729 , respectively, as described in the description of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 10-11  show load balancing screw  1010 . The load balancing screw  1010  can be the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b , as seen in  FIG. 3 , and/or the backward direction load balancing screws  368   a  and  368   b , as seen in  FIG. 9 . In the current embodiment, the load balancing screw  1010  include a top end  1012  that connects to the head portion of the load balancing screws  1010 , a threaded main portion  1011 , and a bottom end  1014 , which is a flat, non-threaded portion. However, the bottom end  1014 , in the current embodiment, may be threaded or may be configured to end as a sharp point, and the current disclosure is not meant to be limiting. The load balancing screw  1010 , in the current embodiment, also includes a self-locking mechanism  1030 . The self-locking mechanism  1030  includes a piece of plastic material that is packed inside a bore through the side of the load balancing screw  1010 . The self-locking mechanism  1030  in the current embodiment is not meant to be limiting, and other forms of self-locking may be used or a load balancing screw  1010  without a self-locking mechanism  1030  may be used as well. 
         [0045]    As can be seen in the current embodiment, the top  1012  of load balancing screw  1010  is configured with a hexagonal head. However, the current embodiment is not meant to be limiting and the top  1012  can be configured to include other types of heads, such as a slot head, a cross-head, a torx head, or any other types of head. The top  1012  in the current embodiment is dome shaped, however, other shapes may be used for the top  1012 , such as a low disc with a chamfered outer edge, cylindrical with a rounded top, truss shaped, flat, or any other shape. 
         [0046]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the sleeve  310 , gate  320 , and drive lines  330  and  340 . In the current embodiment as shown in  FIG. 12 , located on the gate  320 , between the front stop  326  and the back stop  328 , is the adjustment plate  725 . Moreover, in the current embodiment, located on the gate  320 , between the front stop  346  and the back stop  348 , is the adjustment plate  1245 , which provides a raised surface which the two forward direction load balancing screws  345   a,b  may contact when they are screwed down. Adjustment plate  725  and adjustment plate  1245  are not required and the two forward direction load balancing screws  335   a,b  and the two forward direction load balancing screws  345   a,b  may contact the gate surface  721  in other embodiments. Although in the current embodiment the drive line  340  is configured in the same way and includes all of the same components as drive line  330 , the embodiment is not meant to be limiting. Drive line  340  may also include or different additional components, and the components in combination described above are not all required. 
         [0047]    Also shown in  FIG. 12  are a pair of front stop feet  1252   a,b  on the front stop  326 , a pair of back stop feet  1254   a,b  on the back stop  328 , a pair of front stop feet  1256   a,b  on the front stop  346 , and a pair of back stop feet  1258   a,b  on the back stop  348 . The front stop feet  1252   a,b ,  1256   a,b  provide support to the front stops  326 , 346 , and the back stop feet  1254   a,b ,  1258   a,b  provide support to the back stops  328 , 348 . However, front stop feet  1252   a,b ,  1256   a,b  and back stop feet  1254   a,b ,  1258   a,b  are not required. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the sleeve  310 , the gate  320 , and the drive line  330  from  FIG. 12 . The configuration of the drive line  340  is substantially the same as the configuration of drive line  330  as shown in the current embodiment. 
         [0049]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional detail view of the drive line  330  located proximate to the gate  320  and inside of the body cavity portion  140 , seen in  FIG. 1 . The drive line  340  is configured substantially the same as drive line  330  in the current embodiment. In the current embodiment, the gate  320  is located proximate to the sleeve  310 , and as seen in  FIG. 14 , there is nearly no space between gate  320  and sleeve  310 , although there may be space in various embodiments. Further,  FIG. 14  shows that the drive shaft  332  does not contact the front stop  326  and the back stop  328  in the current embodiment, but rather extends through the drive shaft holes  727 ,  729 . The threads of the drive shaft  332  engage the threads  418  of the drive shaft bore  416  of the sync cam  334  to allow movement of the sync cam  334  along the drive shaft  332 , though the drive shaft  332  may engage the sync cam  334  in any manner in other embodiments to allow movement of the sync cam  334  along the drive shaft  332 . Because the sync cam  334  engages the drive shaft  332 , the sync cam  334  is thereby moveably positioned relative to the drive shaft  332 . 
         [0050]    As seen in  FIG. 15 , the drive line  330  includes the sync cam  334  and the drive shaft  332 . The sync cam  334  is moveably positioned relative to the drive shaft  332 . Drive line  340  is configured the same way as the drive line  330  in the current embodiment. Additionally, the drive shaft  332  is threaded over the entire area in which the sync cam  334  will longitudinally move along the drive shaft  332 , which is cylindrical in the current embodiment. As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , the drive shaft  332  extends through a bore  1570 , which itself extends through the flanged end  134  of the outlet portion  130  to be connected to the machine screw actuator  278   a , which is mounted on the flanged end  134  of the outlet portion  130 . The drive shaft  332  is connected to the machine screw actuator  278   a  by a drive shaft flange  1532  coupled to an actuator flange  1534  with a plurality of drive shaft flange bolts  1535 , though the drive shaft  332  may be connected to the machine screw actuator  278   a  by any method in other embodiments. In the current embodiment, to seal the remainder of the bore  1570  surrounding the drive shaft  332 , the bore  1570  includes a bearing  1572 , a shaft packing seal  1574 , a retainer plate  1576 , and a plurality of bolts  1578  to hold the retainer plate  1576  in place. 
         [0051]    Although it appears in the figure that there are two bearings, two shaft packing seals, and two retainer plates, there is actually only one of each because each of these are circular and extend entirely around the drive shaft  332  to seal the bore  1570 , but this is not required. In the current embodiment, the bearing  1572  is made of bronze material, the shaft packing seal  1574  is made of rubber, and the retainer plate  1576  and the bolts  1578  are made of metal material. The material used and arrangement for sealing the bore  1570  in the disclosure and the current embodiment is not meant to be limiting, and one skilled in the art would know of other ways to seal the bore  1570 . As can be seen in the current embodiment, the drive shaft  332  is coupled to the machine screw actuator  278   a , which is coupled to the actuator motor  175  (as seen in  FIG. 2 ). In the current embodiment, the machine screw actuator  278   a  enables the drive shaft  332  to rotate, translating rotational movement from the actuator motor  175  to the drive shaft  332 . The machine screw actuator  278   a , in the current embodiment, includes four actuator spacers  279   a,b,c,d , which are coupled to the flanged end  134  of the outlet portion  130  and allow the machine screw actuator  278   a  to be positioned at a distance from the flanged end  134 . Although the present disclosure includes a machine screw actuator  278   a , such disclosure is not meant to be limiting and one of skill in the art would recognize other ways to enable to drive shaft  332  to rotate. Additionally, the actuator spacers  279   a,b,c,d  of the present disclosure are not meant to be limiting, and one of skill in the art would recognize that more or fewer actuator spacers could be used. Moreover, the machine screw actuator  278   a  could be separate from the drive shaft  332  or located in a different position relative to the sleeve valve  100 . More than one of these configurations in  FIG. 15  may be used for the sleeve valve  100 . Additionally, in the current embodiment, drive line  340  also includes the same configuration as drive line  330  and the same actuator connection between the drive shaft  342  and the machine screw actuator  278   b  as drive line  330  does to machine screw actuator  278   a . However, the configuration and actuator arrangement of drive line  340  is not required to be the same as drive line  330  and may be different in various embodiments. Moreover, as described above in  FIG. 3 , drive line  340  is included in the current embodiment, but it is not required. 
         [0052]    As seen in  FIG. 16 , a cross-sectional detail view of the interior of the body cavity portion  140  including the drive line  330 , gate  320 , and sleeve  310 , is provided. In the current embodiment, the flanged end  134  of the outlet portion  130  is coupled to flanged end  142  of the body cavity portion  140 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 17A and 17B , show the adjustment stop plate  725 , the sync cam  334 , and the drive shaft  332  in isolation. In the current embodiment, the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b  of the sync cam  334  (described with respect to  FIG. 4 ) are initially balanced and contacting the adjustment plate  725  equally, as shown in  FIG. 17A . Additionally, in the current embodiment, the forward direction load balancing screws  345   a  and  345   b  of the sync cam  344  are initially contacting the adjustment plate  1245 . In other embodiments, the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a,b  and  345   a,b  may contact the gate surface  721 . In the current embodiment, when the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a,b  are in contact with the adjustment stop plate  725  and the drive shaft  332  is thereafter turned, the sync cam  334  will move linearly with respect to the drive shaft  332  toward either the front stop  326  or the back stop  328 , depending on the direction the drive shafts  332  and  342  rotate. This movement takes place because the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a,b , when in contact with the adjustment stop plate  725 , prevent the sync cam  334  from rotating with the drive shaft  332 , forcing the sync cam  334  to move linearly with respect to the drive shaft  332  due to the interaction of the threads of the drive shaft  332  with the threads  418  of the drive shaft bore  416 . In the current embodiment, the sync cam  344  moves linearly with respect to the drive shaft  342  in a similar manner. 
         [0054]    As will be described in  FIG. 18 , during syncing of the current embodiment, when the sync cams  334  and  344  are being synced to the front stops  326  and  346 , respectively, one of the sync cams  334  or  344  will contact its respective front stop  326  or  346  first. In the current embodiment, in order to have the other sync cam  334  or  344  contact its respective front stop  326  or  346  simultaneously, the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a  and  335   b  (for sync cam  334 ) or  345   a  and  345   b  (for sync cam  344 ), can be adjusted to enable the non-contacting sync cam  334  or  344  to move linearly along its respective threaded drive shaft  332  or  342 . As can be seen in  FIG. 17B , in the current embodiment, by turning the forward direction load balancing screw  335   a,b , the sync cam  334  rotates about the drive shaft  332  and thereby moves linearly along the drive shaft  332  towards or away from the front stop  326 . By screwing forward direction load balancing screw  335   a  downward within lobe  520   a  and screwing forward direction load balancing screw  335   b  upward within lobe  520   b , sync cam  334  is rotated clockwise in a direction  1780  and thereby moves in a direction  1750  along the drive shaft  332 , as shown in  FIG. 17B . Screwing forward direction load balancing screw  335   a  upward within lobe  520   a  and screwing forward direction load balancing screw  335   b  downward within lobe  520   b  rotates sync cam  334  counter-clockwise and thereby moves the sync cam  334  in a direction opposite to direction  1750  along the drive shaft  332 . In some embodiments, one forward direction load balancing screw  335   a,b  must be screwed upward before the other forward direction load balancing screw  335   b,a  can be screwed downward so that the sync cam  334  can be rotated. In these embodiments, once the sync cam  334  is rotated to the correct position, both forward direction load balancing screws  335   a,b  must be screwed downward sufficiently to contact the adjustment stop plate  725  to prevent further rotation of the sync cam  334 . In the current embodiment, the sync cam  344  is moved linearly with respect to the drive shaft  342  in a similar manner. The disclosure described above is not meant to be limiting, and one of skill in the art would recognize that there are other ways such tasks may be performed. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, and 18E  show a syncing process for the sleeve valve  100 . Syncing may be used to ensure that each drive line  330  and  340  is applying opening or closing force to the gate  320  at the same time and with the same degree of force, which will prolong the longevity of each drive line  330  and  340  and the actuator motor  175  and will ensure smooth opening and closing of the gate  320 . In the current embodiment, syncing ensures that each drive line  330  and  340  is working the same amount by accounting for the machine tolerances in each of the drive lines  330  and  340 , the front stops  326  and  346 , the back stops  328  and  348 , and the splitter  274 . Syncing may occur during installation, but it can also be achieved, via the inspection ports  190   a  and  190   b , later when the sleeve valve  100  is assembled. As seen in  FIG. 18A , when syncing begins the sync cams  334  and  344  may be in a neutral position, meaning the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a,b ,  345   a,b  are all equally screwed down to contact the adjustment plates  725 , 1245 , respectively and the sync cams  334  and  344  are not touching the front stops  326 , 346 , respectively or the back stops  328 , 348 , respectively. However, the sync cams  334  or  344  are not required to begin in a neutral position. 
         [0056]    In the current embodiment, because the drive lines  330 , 340  are both connected to a single actuator motor  175 , the drive shafts  332 , 342  turn at approximately equal speeds and the sync cams  334 , 344  move linearly together along the drive shafts  332 , 342 . In order to sync the sync cams  334  and  344  in a front stop position so that both sync cams  334 , 344  contact front stops  326 , 346  simultaneously, as shown in  FIG. 18C , the sync cams  334  and  344  are moved linearly together towards respective front stops  326 , 346  so that at least one of the sync cams  334 , 344  contact a front stop  326  or  346 . As shown in  FIG. 18B , the sync cams  334 , 344  may not contact the front stops  326 , 346  simultaneously prior to syncing in the front stop position. Once one of the sync cams  334 , 344  contacts a front stop  326  or  346 , the non-contacting sync cam  334  or  344  is moved linearly along its respective threaded drive shaft  332  or  342  so that both sync cams  334 , 344  contact the front stops  326 , 346 , as can be seen in  FIG. 18C . At this point, in  FIG. 18C , the sync cams  334  and  344  are synced in the front stop position. 
         [0057]    As seen in  FIG. 18D  of the current embodiment, to sync each sync cam  334  and  344  in the back stop position the sync cams  334 , 344  are moved linearly towards the back stops  328 , 348  until at least one of the sync cams  334  and  344  contact its respective back stop  328  or  348 . The backward direction load balancing screws ( 368   a  and  368   b  or  378   a  and  378   b ) of the non-contacting back stop  328  or  348  are then turned to move the backward direction load balancing screws  368   a,b  or  378   a,b  towards the non-contacting sync cam  334  or  344  and into contact with the non-contacting sync cam  334  or  344 . The non-contacting sync cam  334  or  344  thereby effectively contacts its respective back stop  328  or  348  by contacting the backward direction load balancing screws  368   a,b  or  378   a,b  with the non-contacting sync cam  334  or  344 , as shown in  FIG. 18E . In other embodiments, when the sync cams  334 , 344  are moved linearly towards the back stops  328 , 348 , at least one of the sync cams  334  and  344  contacting its respective back stop  328  or  348  may include at least one of the sync cams  334  and  344  contacting at least one backward direction load balancing screw  368   a ,  368   b ,  378   a , or  378   b . In these embodiments, syncing the sync cams  334 , 344  in the back stop position includes placing each backward direction load balancing screw  368   a,b  and  378   a,b  in contact with the sync cams  334 , 344 . 
         [0058]    In the current embodiment, after syncing in the front stop position and syncing in the back stop position have occurred, syncing is complete. The disclosure described above is not meant to be limiting, and one of skill in the art would recognize that there are other ways such tasks may be performed. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, and 19E  show how the gate  320  moves in operation after syncing has occurred.  FIG. 19A  shows the sync cams  334  and  344  in neutral positions (as described in  FIG. 18 ) and the gate  320  in a half open position. Neither the gate  320  nor the sync cams  334  and  344  must start in this position, and this position is merely described for purposes of example. In  FIG. 19B  of the current embodiment, the drive shafts  332 , 342  have been rotated in such a way that the sync cams  334 , 344  are moved linearly along the drive shafts  332 , 342 , respectively, toward the front stops  326  and  346 . If syncing in the front stop position has already occurred, then the sync cams  334  and  344  should contact their respective front stops  326  and  346  at the same time. To ensure that the sync cams  334 , 344  do not rotate upon rotation of the drive shafts  332 , 342 , the forward direction load balancing screws  335   a,b  and  345   a,b  should be screwed down into contact with the adjustment plates  725 , 1245  or, in alternative embodiments, the gate surface  721 , though rotation the sync cams  334 , 344  may be prevented in other manners in other embodiments. As seen in  FIG. 19C  of the current embodiment, after the sync cams  334  and  344  contact their respective front stops  326  and  346  and the drive shafts  332  and  342  continue to rotate in the same direction, the gate  320  is moved toward the open position (where more or all of the perforations  315  are exposed). In the open position, the gate  320  allows fluid to flow from the inlet  125  through the perforations  315  to the outlet  135 .  FIG. 19C  shows the gate  320  in its most open position for the current embodiment. 
         [0060]    In  FIG. 19D  of the current embodiment, the drive shafts  332  and  342  have been rotated in such a way that the sync cams  334  and  344  are moved toward the back stops  328  and  348 . If syncing in the back stop position has already occurred, then the sync cams  334  and  344  should contact their respective back stops  328  and  348  at the same time (including effective contact with the backward direction load balancing screws  368   a,b  or  378   a,b ). As seen in  FIG. 19E  of the current embodiment, after the sync cams  334  and  344  contact their respective back stops  328  and  348  (or effectively contact the backward direction load balancing screws  368   a  and  368   b  or  378   a  and  378   b ) and the drive shafts  332  and  342  continue to rotate in the same direction, the gate  320  is moved toward the closed position (where more or all of the perforations  315  are covered). In the closed position, the gate  320  restricts fluid flow from the inlet  125  through the perforations  315  to the outlet  135 .  FIG. 19E  shows the gate  320  in its most closed position for the current embodiment. In these embodiments, space between the sync cams  334 , 344  and the respective front stops  326 , 346  and back stops  328 , 348  operates to allow the sync cams  334 , 344  to “hammer” the gate  320 , thereby budging the gate  320  from its resting position. With this arrangement, the gate  320  may be more easily moved by the sync cams  334 , 344  than if it were arranged with little or no space between the sync cams  334 , 344 , the front stops  326 , 346 , and the back stops  328 , 348 , respectively, because the sync cams  334 , 344  gain momentum and hit the respective front stops  326 , 346  with an inertia that provides additional force than if no inertia was present. This “hammer” effect may also dislodge the gate  320  in circumstances where the gate  320  gets stuck on the sleeve  310 . 
         [0061]    One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
         [0062]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

Technology Category: y