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US 2020/0309319 A1Published application
Method and Apparatus for Monitoring and On-demand Lubricating of Industrial Valves
OwnerJason Pitcherinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of monitoring industrial valve actuation and maintaining an industrial valve by lubricating it on-demand and in coordination with in-service valve operations through an automated system eliminating downtime and/or exposure of personnel to hazardous environments through centralized lubricant supply and spent fluid collections.
Claims15
An apparatus for lubricating an industrial valve comprising:
- a lubricant delivery source comprising:
- a lubricant reservoir,
- an optional lubricant sensor, and
- a first pump;
- lubricant tubing;
- at least one industrial valve, comprising:
- a valve body encircling a flow path interruptible by,
- a gate attached to a stem moved by,
- an actuator to actuate the industrial valve between:
- an open, first gate position, and
- a closed, second gate position for controlling the flow path of the industrial valve;
- and
- one or more grease fittings for lubrication of the industrial valve;
- and a controller configured to:
- monitor actuation of the industrial valve or position of the gate;
- and
- selectively deliver lubricant from the lubricant reservoir, through the lubricant tubing, to one or more grease fittings on the valve body.
14 more elements
A system for lubricating an industrial valve comprising:
- monitoring movement of a gate in an industrial valve,
- controlling a lubrication system to deliver (at high pressure) lubrication,
- greasing the industrial valve by pumping lubrication through a grease fitting for,
- distributing throughout a cavity of the valve by movement of the gate.
1 more element
A method of lubricating a valve comprising:
- monitoring operation of the valve;
- responsive to the valve operations and position,
- delivering a prescribed quantity of lubricant to a first grease connection on the valve, while simultaneously
- venting excessive pressure and collecting discharge from a second grease connection on the valve.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.