Tool and Method for Cleaning a Valve Body of a Control Valve
AssigneeFisher Controls International LLC
InventorsSteven K. Hostetter, Wesley T. Ohrt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool and a method are provided for cleaning a sealing surface of a valve body. The tool includes a stem adapted to be disposed in the valve body, at least one cleaning element coupled to the stem, and a handle operatively coupled to the at least one cleaning element via the stem. The at least one cleaning element includes at least one cleaning surface adapted to engage the sealing surface when the stem is disposed in the valve body. The at least one cleaning element is movable responsive to actuation of the handle such that the at least one cleaning surface cleans the sealing surface of the valve body.
Claims20
A tool for cleaning a sealing surface of a valve body, the tool comprising:
- a stem adapted to be disposed in the valve body;
- at least one cleaning element coupled to the stem, the at least one cleaning element comprising at least one cleaning surface adapted to engage the sealing surface when the stem is disposed in the valve body;
- and
- a handle operatively coupled to the at least one cleaning element via the stem, wherein the at least one cleaning element is movable responsive to actuation of the handle such that the at least one cleaning surface cleans the sealing surface of the valve body.
A tool for cleaning first and second sealing surfaces of a valve body, the tool comprising:
- a stem adapted to be disposed in the valve body;
- at least one first cleaning element coupled to a first portion of the stem, the at least one first cleaning element comprising at least one first cleaning surface adapted to engage the first sealing surface when the stem is disposed in the valve body;
- at least one second cleaning element coupled to a second portion of the stem, the at least one second cleaning element comprising at least one second cleaning surface adapted to engage the second sealing surface when the stem is disposed in the valve body;
- a handle operatively coupled to the at least one first cleaning element and the at least one second cleaning element via the stem, wherein the at least one first cleaning element and the at least one second cleaning element are movable responsive to actuation of the handle such that the at least one first and at least one second cleaning elements clean the first and second sealing surfaces of the valve body.
A method of cleaning first and second sealing surfaces of a valve body, the method comprising:
- providing a body comprising a stem and at least one first cleaning element coupled to the stem and carrying at least one first cleaning surface;
- providing at least one second cleaning element carrying at least one second cleaning surface;
- coupling the at least one second cleaning element to the stem such that the at least one first cleaning element is in a retracted position;
- disposing the stem, the at least one first cleaning element, and the at least one second cleaning element in the valve body such that (i) the at least one first cleaning surface is proximate but spaced from the first sealing surface, and (ii) the at least one second cleaning surface engages the second sealing surface of the valve body;
- moving the at least one first cleaning element from the retracted position to an expanded position in which the at least one first cleaning surface engages the first sealing surface of the valve body;
- and
- manipulating the at least one first cleaning surface and the at least one second cleaning surface to clean the first and second sealing surfaces of the valve body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.