Sensor ball valve safety interlock
AssigneeInvensys Systems, Inc.
InventorStephen B. Talutis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interlocked valve sensor insertion assembly for use in a manufacturing process is shown and described. The assembly includes a ball valve configured to alternately couple and decouple a retraction chamber with the process. An insertion assembly is coupled to the retraction chamber, and includes an axially slidable insertion tube with a sensor supported on one end. The tube has a range of motion capable of extending the sensor into the valve. A fastener releasably couples the tube to the insertion assembly, and an actuator is configured for engagement with both the valve and the fastener. The actuator is configured to alternately engage and disengage the fastener when the valve is respectively disposed in open and closed positions.
Claims23
An interlocked ball valve sensor insertion assembly for use in a manufacturing process comprising:
- a ball valve configured for being couplable to the manufacturing process;
- a retraction chamber coupled to the ball valve;
- the ball valve disposed to alternately couple and decouple the retraction chamber with the process;
- an insertion assembly coupled to the retraction chamber;
- the insertion assembly including an axially slidable insertion tube;
- the tube having a sensor supportably disposed on an end thereof;
- the tube having a range of motion extending from an insertion position to a retraction position;
- the sensor extending into the ball valve and into operative engagement with the process when in the insertion position;
- the sensor being disposed on an opposite side of the ball valve from the process when in the retraction position;
- a first fastener coupled to the tube, the first fastener configured to selectively permit and prevent movement of the tube within the range of motion;
- a second fastener coupled to the tube, the second fastener configured to selectively permit and prevent removal of the tube from the retraction chamber;
- an actuator coupled to the ball valve;
- the actuator configured to effect the alternate coupling and decoupling;
- the actuator configured for alternate engagement and disengagement with the second fastener;
- the alternate engagement and disengagement respectively inhibiting and enabling operational access to the second fastener;
- wherein the actuator is configured to effectively couple the process fluid with the retraction chamber and to inhibit operational access to the second fastener when the tube is disposed in the insertion position;
- and
- wherein the actuator is configured to effectively decouple the process fluid from the retraction chamber and to enable operational access to the second fastener when the tube is disposed in the retracted position.
An interlocked valve sensor insertion assembly for use in a manufacturing process, the assembly comprising:
- a valve configured for engagement with the manufacturing process;
- a retraction chamber coupled to the valve;
- the valve having a range of motion extending from an open position to a closed position;
- an insertion assembly coupled to the retraction chamber;
- the insertion assembly including a slidable insertion tube;
- the insertion tube having a sensor end configured to support a sensor;
- the insertion tube having a range of motion extending from an insertion position to a retraction position;
- the range of motion of the insertion tube being configured to extend the sensor into the valve;
- a fastener configured to releasably couple the tuba to the retraction chamber;
- an actuator configured for engagement with both the valve and the fastener;
- and
- the actuator configured to alternately engage and disengage the fastener when the valve is respectively disposed in said open and closed positions.
A method for providing an interlocked valve sensor insertion assembly for use with a manufacturing process, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a valve which is couplable with the manufacturing process, the valve having a range of motion extending from an open position to a closed position;
- (b) coupling a retraction chamber to the valve;
- (c) coupling an insertion assembly to the retraction chamber;
- (d) providing the insertion assembly with an axially slidable insertion tube;
- (e) configuring an end of the insertion tube to support a sensor;
- (f) configuring the insertion tubs with a range of motion extending from an insertion position to a retraction position, wherein the sensor extends into the valve in the insertion position;
- (g) releasably coupling the tube to the insertion assembly with a fastener;
- and
- (h) configuring an actuator for selective engagement with both the valve and the fastener, wherein the actuator alternately moves the valve between said open and closed positions, while respectively engaging and disengaging the fastener.
An interlocked valve sensor insertion assembly for use in a manufacturing process, the assembly comprising:
- a valve configured for engagement with the manufacturing process;
- a housing coupled to the valve;
- the valve having a range of motion extending from an open position to a closed position;
- an insertion member slidable coupled to the housing;
- the insertion member having a sensor end configured to support a sensor;
- the insertion member having a range of motion extending from an insertion position to a retraction position;
- a fastener configured to releasably couple the insertion member to the housing;
- an actuator configured for engagement with both the valve and the fastener;
- and
- the actuator configured to alternately engage and disengage the fastener when the valve is respectively disposed in said open and closed positions.
An interlock for use in a manufacturing process, the interlock comprising:
- an actuator configured for engagement with a valve operatively engagable with the manufacturing process;
- the valve being coupled to a housing, and having a range of motion extending from an open position to a closed position;
- the actuator also being configured for engagement with a fastener configured to releasably couple an insertion member to the housing;
- the insertion member having a sensor end configured to support a sensor;
- the insertion member having a range of motion extending from an insertion position to a retraction position;
- the actuator configured to alternately engage and disengage the fastener when the valve is respectively disposed in said open and closed positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.