Valve for installation on a pressurized fluid flow line

A valve for installation on a fluid flow line, the valve comprising:

• a valve body having first and second body portions defining therebetween a channel configured to receive a section of a flow line, said first body portion having a first bore communicating with the channel, said second body portion having a second bore communicating with the channel and opposing the first bore of the first body portion;
• a valve cartridge movable through the first bore between a withdrawn position wherein said valve cartridge is spaced a distance from the channel and an operating position wherein said valve cartridge extends across the channel;
• means for securing the first and second body portions together in a fluid-tight seal around the flow line;
• a valve cap receiving a portion of said valve cartridge and being removably attached to the first body portion to cover the first bore in a fluid-tight seal;
• a cutter tool removably attached to the second body portion while the flow line is being cut, said cutter tool covering the second bore in a substantially fluid-tight seal and adapted for cutting a portion of the flow line between the first bore and the second bore;
• and
• a valve plug removably attached to the second body portion while the valve is in operation, said valve plug covering the second bore in a fluid-tight seal;
• wherein said valve cartridge in the operating position is movable in response to actuation of said valve cartridge portion between an open position wherein said valve cartridge allows fluid flow therethrough and a shut-off position wherein said valve cartridge prevents fluid flow therethrough.

A method of installing a valve on a pressurized fluid flow line, the steps of the method comprising;

• providing a valve having a first body portion and a second body portion defining therebetween a channel adapted to receive a section of a fluid flow line, the first body portion having a first bore containing a valve cartridge and communicating with the channel, the valve also having a valve cap receiving a portion of said valve cartridge and covering the first bore in a fluid-tight seal, and the second body portion having a second bore opposing the first bore and communicating with the channel;
• securing the first and second body portions together with a fluid flow line in the channel therebetween;
• attaching a cutting tool having a rotary cutter to the second body portion in fluid-tight engagement with the second bore;
• rotating and extending the rotary cutter through the second bore to cut out the portion of the fluid flow line between the second bore and the first bore;
• withdrawing the rotary cutter form the channel;
• moving the valve cartridge through the first bore into an operating position wherein the valve cartridge extends across the channel in fluid-tight engagement with the fluid flow line;
• actuating the valve cartridge portion to position the valve cartridge into a shut-off position wherein the valve cartridge prevents fluid flow therethrough;
• removing the cutting tool and the cut-out portion of the fluid flow line from the second bore;
• and
• securing a valve plug within the second bore to seal the second bore against fluid leakage;
• wherein the valve cartridge in the operating position is movable in response to actuation of the valve cartridge portion between an open position wherein the valve cartridge allows fluid flow therethrough and a shut-off position wherein the valve cartridge prevents fluid flow therethrough.