# US 11,674,606 B2 · Process control systems and associated monoflanges

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- Number: US 11,674,606 B2
- Document ID: US11674606B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/156,092
- Filed: 2021-01-22
- Published: 2021-07-22
- Granted: 2023-06-13
- Earliest claimed: 2020-01-22
- Assignees: Tescom Corporation
- Applicants: Tescom Corporation
- Inventors: Pat Hergott; Ed Ross; Nigel Dean
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11674606B2

## CPC

- F16K 11/22: with an actuating member for each valve, e.g. interconnected to form multiple-way valves
- F16K 1/04: with a cut-off member rigid with the spindle, e.g. main valves
- F16K 1/14: with ball-shaped valve member (check valves F16K15/04)
- F16K 11/105: {Three-way check or safety valves with two or more closure members}
- F16K 17/02: opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side (check valves F16K15/00)
- F16K 27/003: {Housing formed from a plurality of the same valve elements}
- F16K 27/0245: {with ball-shaped valve members}
- F16K 27/0263: {multiple way valves}
- F16K 31/60: Handles {(form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04)}
- G01L 19/0007: {Fluidic connecting means}
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)

## Abstract

In accordance with an example, a process control system includes a fluidic line having a longitudinal axis and including a fluidic connection. The fluidic connection has an axis angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the fluidic line. The process control system includes a primary block valve having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port is coupled to the fluidic connection. The process control system includes a monoflange including a male portion forming an inlet port and including an external threaded surface. The monoflange includes an outlet and a flanged interface surrounding the outlet port of the monoflange. The monoflange includes a bleed port. The monoflange includes a bleed valve adapted to control fluid flow from the bleed port and a secondary block valve adapted to control fluid flow from the outlet port. The external threaded surface of the male portion threadably engages the outlet port of primary block valve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process control system comprising:
a fluidic line having a longitudinal axis and comprising a fluidic connection having an axis angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the fluidic line;
a primary block valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet port coupled to the fluidic connection and being aligned the axis of the fluidic connection; and
a monoflange comprising:
a male portion aligned with the axis of the fluidic connection, the male portion forming an inlet port and comprising an external threaded surface;
an outlet port aligned with the axis of the fluidic connection;
a flanged interface surrounding the outlet port of the monoflange and being aligned with the axis of the fluidic connection;
a bleed port;
a bleed valve having a valve seat disposed within and integral with a body of the monoflange and adapted to control fluid flow from the bleed port, the bleed valve having a bonnet flange mounted directly to the monoflange by a first threaded connection; and
a secondary block valve having a valve seat disposed within and integral with the body of the monoflange and adapted to control fluid flow from the outlet port of the monoflange, the secondary block valve having a bonnet flange mounted directly to the monoflange via a second threaded connection;
wherein the external threaded surface of the male portion threadably engages the outlet port of the primary block valve; and
further wherein the bleed valve and the secondary block valve are oriented perpendicular to the axis of the fluidic connection.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process control system of claim 1, wherein the primary block valve, the secondary block valve, and the bleed valve enable double block and bleed functionality.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process control system of claim 1, wherein the secondary block valve is positioned between the male portion forming the inlet port and the bleed valve.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The process control system of claim 1, wherein the bleed valve is positioned between the flanged interface surrounding the outlet port and the secondary block valve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The process control system of claim 1, wherein the monoflange comprises an integral body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The process control system of claim 5, wherein the integral body comprises a one-piece forged valve body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The process control system of claim 1, further comprising a neck flange coupled to the flanged interface of the monoflange.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The process control system of claim 7, further comprising a gasket disposed between the neck flange and the flanged interface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The process control system of claim 1, further comprising a diaphragm seal disposed adjacent the flanged interface.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The process control system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the secondary block valve or the bleed valve comprise a bonnet and the monoflange comprises an external monoflange surface adjacent the corresponding bonnet, further comprising a seal surrounding the bonnet and positioned between the bonnet and the external monoflange surface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The process control system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the secondary block valve or the bleed valve comprise a bonnet having a central bore, external threads, and a distal portion, further comprising a stem assembly disposed within the central bore, wherein a body of the monoflange comprises a threaded bore, a valve seat, and a portion surrounding the valve seat, and wherein the external threads of the bonnet threadably engage the threaded bore and the distal portion sealingly engages the portion surrounding the valve seat.

### Claim 12

A monoflange and primary block valve assembly for use with a process control system having a fluidic line, the assembly comprising:
a primary block valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet port of the primary block valve arranged for coupling to the fluidic line;
a monoflange having a male portion forming an inlet port and comprising an external threaded surface, the male portion sized to be operatively coupled to the outlet of the primary block valve, thereby placing the inlet port of the male portion of the monoflange in flow communication with outlet port of the primary block valve;
the monoflange further including:
an outlet port;
a flanged interface surrounding the outlet port of the monoflange;
a bleed port,
a bleed valve having a valve seat disposed within and integral with a body of the monoflange and adapted to control fluid flow to the bleed port, the bleed valve having a bonnet flange mounted directly to the monoflange by a first threaded connection; and
a secondary block valve having a valve seat disposed within and integral with the body of the monoflange and adapted to control fluid flow from the outlet port of the monoflange, the secondary block valve having a bonnet flange mounted directly to the monoflange via a second threaded connection; and
wherein the inlet port of the monoflange is operatively coupled to the outlet port of the primary block valve via the external threaded surface of the male portion.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The monoflange of claim 12, wherein the secondary block valve is positioned between the male portion forming the inlet port and the bleed valve.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The monoflange of claim 12, wherein the bleed valve is positioned between the flanged interface surrounding the outlet port of the monoflange and the secondary block valve.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The monoflange of claim 12, wherein the monoflange comprises an integral body.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The monoflange of claim 12, wherein at least one of the secondary block valve or the bleed valve comprises a bonnet and the monoflange comprises an external monoflange surface adjacent the corresponding bonnet, further comprising a seal surrounding the bonnet and positioned between the bonnet and the external monoflange surface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The monoflange of claim 12, wherein at least one of the secondary block valve or the bleed valve comprise a bonnet having a central bore, external threads, and a distal portion, further comprising a stem assembly disposed within the central bore, wherein a body of the monoflange comprises a threaded bore, a valve seat, and a portion surrounding the valve seat, and wherein the external threads of the bonnet threadably engage the threaded bore and the distal portion sealingly engages the portion surrounding the valve seat.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The monoflange of claim 12, wherein at least one of the secondary block valve or the bleed valve comprises a bonnet, a plug, and a stem assembly including a first portion that threadably engages the bonnet and a second portion that carries the plug and is rotationally coupled to the first portion.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The monoflange of claim 18, wherein the first portion includes slot and the second portion includes a head that is disposed within the slot.

### Claim 20

A method comprising:
threadably engaging an outlet port of a primary block valve with an external threaded surface of a male portion of a monoflange, the primary block valve having an inlet port coupled to a fluidic connection of a fluidic line, the monoflange comprising the male portion forming an inlet port, a flanged interface surrounding an outlet port of the monoflange, and a bleed port, the monoflange further comprising a bleed valve and a secondary block valve;
actuating the secondary block valve to control fluid flow from the outlet port of the monoflange; and
actuating the bleed valve to control fluid flow from the bleed port;
providing the bleed valve with a valve seat disposed within and integral with a body of the monoflange and adapted to control fluid flow to the bleed port, the bleed valve having a bonnet flange, and joining the bleed valve directly to the monoflange by a first threaded connection; and
providing the secondary block valve with a valve seat disposed within and integral with the body of the monoflange and adapted to control fluid flow from the outlet port of the monoflange, the secondary block valve having a bonnet flange, and mounting the bonnet flange directly to the monoflange via a second threaded connection.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein closing the secondary block valve prevents additional process fluid flow through the secondary block valve and toward the bleed valve.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the bleed valve and the secondary block valve are substantially coplanar.