# US 2014/0197348 A1 · Method for Greasing the Mated Threads of a Threaded Connector and Related Device

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- Number: US 2014/0197348 A1
- Document ID: US20140197348A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/151,015
- Filed: 2014-01-09
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-15
- Assignees: York Laboratories, LLC
- Applicants: York Laboratories, LLC
- Inventors: Richard Wurzbach; Gary Tilton; Evan Bupp; Lisa Williams
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197348A1

## CPC

- F16K 31/508: {the actuating element being rotatable, non-rising, and driving a non-rotatable axially-sliding element}
- F16H 57/0464: {Grease lubrication}
- F16H 57/0497: {Screw mechanisms}
- 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)}
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

A method for greasing the mated threads of a valve stem and a stem nut of a motor-operated valve without the need to actuate the valve and without the need for an internal grease path within the stem nut includes pressurizing one end of the thread interface defined by the mating threads with pressurized grease. A device for carrying out the method may include a thread lubricator that has a bore that receives the free end of the valve stem and an adapter nut that attaches the thread lubricator to the valve housing. Pressurized grease flows into the thread lubricator and to the one end of the tread interface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for greasing the mated threads of a threaded valve stem and a threaded stem nut threaded on the valve stem, the mated threads defining a thread interface between the mated threads of the valve stem and the stem nut extending along the valve stem between a first end and a second end of the thread interface, the method comprising the steps of:
pressurizing one end of the thread interface with pressurized grease, wherein the pressurized grease flows into the one end of the thread interface between the mated threads and towards the other end of the thread interface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the one end of the thread interface is pressurized for a sufficient time and sufficient pressure such that the pressurized grease flows to the other end of the thread interface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the flow of pressurize grease towards the other end of the thread interface displaces old grease in the thread interface, the method further comprising the steps of:
pressurizing the one end of the thread interface for a sufficient time and sufficient pressure for old grease to flow out of the other end of the thread interface; and
analyzing at least a portion of the old grease after the old grease flowed out of the other end of the thread interface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 comprising the steps of:
enclosing the one end of the thread interface with a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel defining an interior volume in fluid communication with the thread interface;
flowing pressurized grease into the interior volume of the pressure vessel wherein the pressurized grease in the pressure vessel comes into fluid communication with the thread interface and flows into the thread interface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4 wherein the step of closing the one end of the thread interface with a pressure vessel comprises placing the pressure vessel over a free end portion of the valve stem.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein the step of closing the one end of the thread interface with a pressure vessel comprises compressing a resilient seal surrounding the one end of the thread interface between the pressure vessel and the stem nut.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 comprising the step of removing a valve stem hood enclosing the free end portion of the valve stem prior to placing the pressure vessel over the free end portion of the valve stem.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein the pressure vessel remains placed over the free end portion of the valve stem during normal operating movement of the valve stem caused by rotation of the stem nut.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein the step of removing the valve stem hood comprises the step of unthreading the valve stem hood from a threaded opening of a housing enclosing the thread interface; and
the step of placing the pressure vessel over the free end portion of the valve stem comprises threading an adapter nut into the threaded opening and threading the pressure vessel into the adapter nut.

### Claim 10

A device for greasing the mated threads of a threaded valve stem and a threaded stem nut of a motor-actuated valve, the motor-actuated valve comprising a housing enclosing the stem nut, the housing comprising an internally-threaded opening through which the valve stem passes out of the housing, the device comprising:
a thread lubricator and an adapter nut;
the thread lubricator comprising an elongate body, external threads formed on the outside of the body, a blind bore in the body, a flow channel, and an outer surface;
the elongate body extending along an axis between a first end and an axially opposite second end;
the bore defined by a bore wall surrounding the bore and extending from the first end of the body into the body to a closed end of the bore, the bore wall configured to receive a threaded end of the valve stem with clearance between the threads of the valve stem and the bore wall;
the flow channel comprising an inlet opening on an outer surface of the body and extending to a discharge opening in the bore wall, the flow channel being configured to flow pressurized grease received at the inlet opening to the discharge opening;
the external threads concentric with the body axis and extending axially along the body;
the adapter nut comprising an annular body having external threads and internal threads,
the an annular body size to receive with clearance the valve stem passing through the annular body; and
the internal threads of the annular body being configured and disposed to threadingly mate with the external threads of the thread lubricator to enable the thread lubricator to be threaded into the adapter nut.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The lubricating device of claim 10 wherein when the thread lubricator is threaded into the adapter nut, the internal threads of the adapter nut and the external threads of the thread lubricator form a threaded connection that is configured and disposed to axially move the thread lubricator relative to the adapter nut parallel with the lubricator axis.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The lubricating device of claim 10 wherein the thread lubricator comprises a resilient sealing member located at the first end of the body and surrounding the bore.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The lubricating device of claim 12 wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The lubricating device of claim 12 wherein the first end of the body is flat and the sealing member is proud of the first end of the body when uncompressed.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The lubricating device of claim 10 in combination with a motor-actuated valve, the motor-actuated valve comprising a housing, a valve stem, and a stem nut, the housing enclosing the stem nut, the housing comprising a threaded opening through which the valve stem extends out of the housing to a free end portion of the valve stem, the adapter nut threaded into the housing opening.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The combination of claim 14 wherein the thread lubricator is threaded into the adapter nut, the free end portion of the valve stem inside the bore of the thread lubricator.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The combination of claim 15 wherein the thread lubricator is pressed against the stem nut.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The combination of claim 17 comprising a resilient seal compressed between the thread lubricator and the stem nut, the seal surrounding the valve stem.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The combination of claim 17 wherein the valve stem and stem nut include mating threads that define a thread interface, the combination further comprising pressurized grease in the thread lubricator bore in fluid communication with the thread interface.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The combination of claim 15 wherein the closed end of the thread lubricator bore is axially spaced away from the stem valve portion with sufficient clearance to enable normal operation of the motor-operated valve without the need to remove the thread lubricator.