Device and Method for Testing Vessel Pressure Relief Valves
AssigneeBlessey Marine Services, Inc.
InventorJohn Black
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A testing device and method used on pressure relief valve while installed on an inland cargo barge to open the pressure relief valve and to determine its set lift pressure. Use of the testing device does not require the testing to be performed at a shipyard. The testing device includes a lift unit that mounts to the top of the valve's spring housing and engages the valve stem. Hydraulic pressure applied to pistons on the lift device moves the valve stem. Proper separation of plates on the lift unit indicates proper opening of the valve. The pressure reading for the applied hydraulic pressure is then correlated to the lift pressure set for the valve under test.
Claims13
A testing device for testing an operation of a pressure relief valve installed on a vessel, the pressure relief valve having a valve stem, the testing device comprising:
- a lift unit configured to engage a top end of the valve stem of the pressure relief valve, the lift unit comprising a bottom plate, a top plate, and a plurality of hydraulic presses disposed between the bottom plate and the top plate, wherein the valve stem is configured to extend through the bottom plate and the top plate;
- at least one hydraulic pump configured to produce a hydraulic pressure, the at least one hydraulic pump being fluidly connected to the plurality of hydraulic presses;
- and
- a keeper feature configured to engage the top end of the valve stem such that the keeper feature is positioned above the top plate,
- wherein the hydraulic pressure produced by the at least one hydraulic pump activates each of the plurality of hydraulic presses to lift the top plate axially upward away from the bottom plate until the top plate meets the keeper feature.
A method of testing an operation of a pressure relief valve installed on a vessel, the method comprising:
- extending the pressure relief valve extends through a bottom plate and a top plate of a testing device, wherein a plurality of hydraulic presses are located between the bottom plate and the top plate;
- pumping hydraulic pressure to each of the hydraulic presses to lift the top plate axially away from the bottom plate until the top plate engages a keeper feature coupled to the valve stem above the top plate, wherein the top plate applies a force to the valve stem;
- measuring a lift distance of the top plate;
- and
- comparing the lift distance to a predetermined distance or distance range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.