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US 10,046,447 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for removing a strainer basket from a steam valve
AssigneeSiemens Energy, Inc.
InventorsMaxwell Pless, Stuart C. Weddle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve strainer basket of an interceptor-type or control-type steam valve is removed from its nested orientation within a counter bore and valve rim of the valve casing. A strong back beam straddles the casing rim over the strainer basket. It is coupled to the strainer basket, such as by engagement of threaded rods into threaded apertures formed in the strainer basket rim. Biasing cylinders, such pressurized fluid cylinders or screw jacks, are interposed between the casing rim and opposite ends of the strong back beam. When the biasing cylinders are actuated, the strong back beam rises, lifting and separating the strainer rim from its nested engagement with the counter bore of the valve casing.
Claims16
A system for removing a valve strainer basket of an interceptor-type or control-type steam valve for steam turbines, comprising:
- a steam valve including:
- a valve casing, defining an internal plenum for passage of pressurized steam therein, an upper end of the casing defining a casing rim circumscribing the internal plenum, the casing rim including a counter bore, defining an inner diameter thereof, and a upper surface for opposed orientation with a valve bonnet;
- a valve strainer basket, including:
- a strainer rim having an outer diameter that is slidably nested within the counter bore of the casing rim, the strainer rim including an upper surface defining first portions of respective first and second coupling members, and a porous strainer skirt projecting downwardly from the strainer rim into the internal plenum of the valve casing;
- a removal tool for a strainer basket, including:
- a strong back beam having a top surface, a bottom surface facing and spanning the upper surfaces of the casing rim and the strainer rim, and respective first and second beam ends;
- first and second biasing cylinders, respectively interposed between the bottom surface of the beam, at first and second ends thereof, and the upper surface of the casing rim, for selectively raising or lowering the beam relative to the casing and strainer rims;
- second portions of respective first and second coupling members, said second portions coupled to the beam and engaged with said first portions thereof, thereby coupling the beam and the strainer rim;
- an array of threaded bonnet studs projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the casing rim;
- the first and second beam ends of the strong back beam and the respective first and second biasing cylinders interposed between first and second respective pairs of bonnet studs on opposed circumferential sides of the casing rim;
- and
- first and second beam restraints respectively coupled to at least one bonnet stud of each respective first and second pairs of bonnet studs, for restraining inadvertent separation of the strong back beam from the valve casing,
- whereby, actuation of the first and second biasing cylinders separates the strong back beam from the upper surface of the casing rim, and extracts the outer diameter of the strainer rim out of slidable, nested engagement within the counter bore of the casing rim.
10 more elements
A method for removing a valve strainer basket of an interceptor-type or a control-type steam valve for steam turbines, comprising:
- providing a steam valve including:
- a valve casing, defining an internal plenum for passage of pressurized steam therein, an upper end of the casing defining a casing rim circumscribing the internal plenum, the casing rim including a counter bore, defining an inner diameter thereof, and a upper surface for opposed orientation with a valve bonnet;
- providing a valve strainer basket, including:
- a strainer rim having an outer diameter that is slidably nested within the counter bore of the casing rim, the strainer rim including an upper surface defining first portions of respective first and second coupling members, and a porous strainer skirt projecting downwardly from the strainer rim into the internal plenum of the valve casing;
- providing a removal tool for a strainer basket, which includes:
- a strong back beam having a top surface, a bottom surface, and respective first and second beam ends;
- first and second biasing cylinders;
- second portions of respective first and second coupling members, said second portions coupled to the beam;
- placing the first and second biasing cylinders on opposed circumferential sides of the upper surface of the casing rim;
- placing the bottom surface of the respective first and second ends of the strong back beam on the respective first and second biasing cylinders, spanning the upper surfaces of the casing rim and the strainer rim, so that the first and second biasing cylinders are interposed between the bottom surface of the beam, at first and second ends thereof and the casing rim;
- coupling the first and second portions of each respective first and second coupling member to each other, so that the strainer rim rises with the strong back beam;
- actuating the first and second biasing cylinders, separating the strong back beam from the upper surface of the casing rim and extracting the outer diameter of the strainer rim out of slidable, nested engagement within the counter bore of the casing rim;
- and
- removing the valve strainer basket from the valve casing by lifting the strainer basket skirt above the casing rim:
- the provided valve casing having an array of threaded bonnet studs projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the casing rim;
- providing first and second beam restraints for coupling respectively to at least one bonnet stud;
- interposing the first and second beam ends of the strong back beam and the respective first and second biasing cylinders between first and second respective pairs of bonnet studs on opposed circumferential sides of the casing rim;
- and
- coupling the first and second beam restraints respectively to at least one bonnet stud of each respective first and second pairs of bonnet studs, for restraining inadvertent separation of the strong back beam from the valve casing.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.