Valve stem nut wear analysis apparatus and method
AssigneesShaw Intellectual Property Holdings, Inc., Loop BV
InventorsChris A. Labat, Carter Reames
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring stem nut wear in a valve having a threaded valve stem that is positioned to engage the threads of a stem nut. In a preferred embodiment, a tool is mounted on the stem nut, wherein the tool rotates when the stem nut rotates. The tool indicates a measurement of stem nut rotation. An indicator indicates stem movement. The stem nut is rotated and the amount of percent wear is observed. Rotation continues until the stem begins to move. The tool provides a reading when the stem begins to move that indicates an amount of stem nut wear.
Claims26
1-7. (canceled)
The method of claim 39, wherein the amount of stem nut wear includes an acceptable wear range indication.
9-13. (canceled)
The method of claim 39, further comprising measuring stem thread wear.
An apparatus that indicates valve stem nut wear to an observer, comprising;
- a) a tool body having a lower portion adapted to connect with and rotate with a stem nut that is to be measured for wear, said tool body having a scale having indicia of stem nut wear thereon;
- b) an instrument that indicates when the valve stem initiates movement;
- c) a pointer that registers on the scale a stem nut wear value that is based upon an amount of stem nut rotation that occurs prior to axial stem movement when the stem nut is rotated, wherein the scale is at least partly circular.
(canceled)
22-23. (canceled)
29-38. (canceled)
An apparatus that indicates wear of a valve stem nut to an observer, comprising;
- a) a scale having indicia of stem nut wear thereon;
- b) an instrument that indicates when the valve stem initiates movement;
- c) a pointer that registers on the scale a stem nut wear value that is based upon an amount of stem nut rotation that occurs prior to axial stem movement when the stem nut is rotated;
- d) attachment means for attaching the scale to the valve stem nut or the pointer to the valve stem nut so that either the scale or the pointer rotates with valve stem nut.
A method of measuring stem nut wear in a valve having a valve stem that is connected to a stem nut, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a scale that indicates a measurement of stem nut rotation;
- b) providing an indicator instrument that indicates to an observer that stem movement has initiated;
- c) rotating the stem nut;
- d) continuing rotation until the stem begins to move, wherein the scale provides to an observer, a value of stem nut wear once stem movement is initiated.
46-48. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.