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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
A FLANGE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/232471
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A venturi tube comprising: an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body, a first stop located at a first open end of the body, a first flange located at or towards the first open end of the body adjacent the first stop, the first stop for facilitating location of the first flange with respect to the body, the first flange being movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the first flange with respect to the body to assist installation and disassembly of the venturi tube into and from an installation of conduits, wherein the flange is releasably connected to a conduit to insert or release the venturi from the venturi tube.

Inventors:
STANLEY GARY (AU)
STANLEY TERRENCE (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2018/050640
Publication Date:
December 27, 2018
Filing Date:
June 25, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
STANLEY GARY (AU)
International Classes:
G01F1/44; F16L23/00; F16L27/10; G01F15/00
Foreign References:
US3013432A1961-12-19
US2240119A1941-04-29
US20150346733A12015-12-03
CN204142298U2015-02-04
US5533549A1996-07-09
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GRIFFITH HACK (AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A venturi tube comprising:

an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body,

a first stop located at a first open end of the body, a first flange located at or towards the first open end of the body adjacent the first stop,

the first stop for facilitating location of the first flange with respect to the body,

the first flange being movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the first flange with respect to the body to assist installation and disassembly of the venturi tube into and from an installation of conduits ,

wherein the flange is releasably connected to a conduit to insert or release the venturi from the venturi tube .

2. A venturi tube comprising:

an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body,

a first stop located at a first end of the body, a second stop located at a second end of the body, a first flange located at or towards the first end of the body adjacent the first projection,

a second flange located at or towards the second end of the body adjacent the second stop,

the first stop for facilitating location of the first flange in a first orientation, and

the second stop for facilitating location of the second flange in a second orientation,

wherein at least one of the first flange or the second flange is movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the flange with respect to the body to assist installation of the Venturi tube in an installation of conduits, and is releasably connectable to a conduit to insert or release the venturi from the venturi tube . 3. The venturi tube according to claim 2, wherein the venturi is located intermediate the first open end and the second open end.

4. The venturi tube according to any one of the

preceding claims, including a valve for controlling flow of the fluid through the venturi tube, wherein the valve is fixedly connected to the flange (s) enabling movement of the valve in unison with the flange (s) to adjust the orientation of the valve with respect to the body to assist installation and disassembly of the venturi tube into and from an installation of conduits.

5. The venturi tube according to any one of the

preceding claims , including a valve for controlling flow of the fluid through the body, the valve having a

multitude of different settings corresponding to different flow rates of the fluid through the body.

6. The venturi tube according to either claim 4 or 5, wherein the flange and the valve are removable from the venturi tube as a single unit, such that the setting of the valve is maintained during removal of the flange (s) from the body during disassembly of the venturi tube.

7. The venturi tube according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the valve includes an actuator that is movable between a locked configuration in which a pre-set position or configuration is maintained and a release configuration allowing adjustment of the valve.

8. The venturi tube according to claim 7 , wherein the actuator is biased to adopt a locked configuration when at rest.

9. The venturi tube according to any one of claims 4 to

8 , wherein the valve is a butterfly valve . 10. The venturi tube according to any one of claims 4 to

9, including a locking kit for retaining the valve in a selected pre-set configuration during removal of the valve from an assembly of conduits,

the locking kit comprising:

a first valve element adapted for fixed connection to a body of the valve to locate the kit with respect to the valve ,

the first valve element being provided with a multitude of retainers corresponding to the respective ones of the pre-set configurations, and

a second valve element adapted for movement relative to the first valve element to facilitate adjustment of the rate of flow of the fluid through the valve in accordance with the selection of a required flow rate,

the first valve element and the second valve element being capable of being securely fastened to one another to fixedly secure the first valve element and the second valve element to one another, wherein when the first valve element and the second valve element are secured to one another removal of the valve from the assembly of conduits retains the valve in the selected pre-set position or configuration thereby obviating the need to reposition the second valve element with respect to the first valve element.

11. The venturi tube according to claim 10, wherein the first valve element includes an engager for cooperative engagement with a part of the actuator of the valve.

12. The venturi tube according to either claim 10 or 11, including indicia for indicating the actual position of a flap or disc of the valve.

13. The venturi tube according to any one of the

preceding claims , including a sensor associated with the venturi for providing an indication of a characteristic of the fluid flowing through the body.

14. The venturi tube according to any one of the

preceding claims , wherein the outer surface of the venturi is profiled to match the profile of the inner surface of the body.

15. The venturi tube according to any one of the

preceding claims , wherein the outside diameter of the stop(s) is not greater than the pitch circle diameter (PCD) of fastening apertures of the flange (s) .

16. The venturi tube according to any one of the

preceding claims , wherein the flange or flanges are floating flange (s) .

17. The venturi tube according to any one of the

preceding claims , including an insulator for insulating the flange (s) from an external wall surface of the body.

18. A method of disassembling a venturi tube from an installation of conduits, the venturi tube comprising: an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body,

a first stop located at a first open end of the body, a first flange located at or towards the first open end of the body adjacent the first stop,

the first flange being movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the first flange with respect to the body,

the method comprising the step of disconnecting the flange from the venturi tube to release the venturi from the venturi tube .

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the venturi tube includes a valve connected to the first flange,

the valve for controlling flow of the fluid through the body,

the valve having a multitude of different settings corresponding to different flow rates of the fluid through the body, the method including the step of removing the flange and the valve from the venturi tube as a single unit,

wherein the setting of the valve is maintained during removal of the flange from the body during disassembly of the venturi tube .

Description:
A FLANGE

FIELD The present description relates to fittings for conduits in an assembly of conduits forming an installation for transporting or conveying fluids through the conduits.

In one form the present description relates to fittings for conduits in which the fittings facilitate control and/or monitoring of characteristics of the fluid being transported or conveyed by the conduits , including flow rates and other properties of the fluid. In one form the present description relates to a fitting in the form of a venturi tube for use in sensing or detecting a characteristic of a fluid flowing through a conduit, such as for example, the pressure of the fluid within the conduit.

In one form the present description relates to a fitting in the form of a movable flange of a venturi tube for use in adjusting the orientation of the venturi tube in an assembly of conduits .

In one form the present description relates to a fitting in the form of a valve having a multitude of pre-sets corresponding to different flow rates of a fluid through the valve, for adjusting the rate of flow of the fluid through the valve, adapted to be fitted to a movable flange in order to adjust the orientation of the valve.

In one form the present description relates to a kit for modifying a valve having a multitude of pre-sets

corresponding to different flow rates of fluid through the valve to lock the valve into a position corresponding to one of the pre-sets which is selected in accordance with the required flow rate of fluid through the valve to enable removal of the valve from the installation in which it is installed while retaining the valve in the selected pre-set configuration by locking the valve in the pre-set position or configuration, thereby obviating the need to readjust or recalibrate the valve when it is reinstalled in the installation after having been removed from the installation . In one form the present description relates to a device comprising a venturi tube, at least one flange, preferably two flanges, a valve and a locking kit for installation into an assembly of conduits providing enhanced

flexibility of installation orientations when required, such as for example when clearance is tight.

The present description relates generally to providing fittings in the forms of venturi tubes, flanges, valves and kits which facilitate adjustment of such fittings when being installed in an assembly of conduits so as to enhance the accessibility, operation, and removal of the fittings and components to which the fittings are attached or mounted. The present description finds particular application as an assembly comprising a venturi tube, one or more movable flanges and a valve having multiple pre-set positions in an installation of conduits in which the valve has been modified by the inclusion of a kit for allowing the selected pre-set position of the valve to be locked into position so as to be retained in the pre-set position even when the venturi tube, flanges or valve are removed or disassembled whilst simultaneously providing for greater flexibility in access to the various fittings during installation of the fittings into the assembly of conduits and operation of the installation containing the fittings. Although the present description will refer to specific embodiments of the fittings and their uses, it is to be noted that the scope of protection is not restricted to the described embodiments, but rather the scope of protection is more extensive so as to include other forms, variations and modifications of the respective fittings either individually or collectively or combinations of one or more, and to applications and uses of the various forms of the individual fittings or combination of fittings other than as specifically described.

BACKGROUND

Assemblies containing conduits for conveying fluids , particularly liquids, often have very little clearance for the installation of additional fittings, such as for example, monitors for monitoring characteristics of the fluids being conveyed within the conduits, due to the lack of space surrounding the conduits. The lack of space limits accessibility to the fittings both during

installation and maintenance of the fittings , as well as during operation of the installation, including individual fittings or components thereof. One problem associated with the lack of clearance around individual conduits of the installation is that the fittings are required to be oriented in less than

desirable orientations when being installed such that monitors are not readily visible or accessible,

particularly when adjusting sensors or detectors providing information about characteristics of the fluid being conveyed in the conduits of the installation. Therefore, there is a need to provide more flexibility of the orientation of fittings when installing such fittings so that the fittings are more readily visible or accessible, such as for monitoring the fluid or for maintenance of the fitting. Accordingly, it is an aim of the present description to provide fittings , particularly in the form of venturi tubes and associated components, which have improved accessibility to facilitate maintenance and installation.

It is also an aim of the present description to provide fittings, particularly in the form of venturi tubes and associated components, which have improved flexibility of orientation in the position adopted by the fittings when being installed in the installation.

One problem of existing fittings, particularly relating to valves having a multitude of different individual

settings, is that when the valve is removed from the installation the setting is destroyed so that when the valve is reinstalled, fresh recalibration and readjustment of the valve is required to obtain the earlier setting or settings of the valve which is often difficult due in part to the inaccessibility of the valve due to the orientation of the valve when installed in the installation, and time- consuming due in part to the valve needing to be

recalibrated or readjusted to resume or restore the original setting that existed before removal or

maintenance of the valve. Therefore, there is a need to provide a valve or arrangement which allows the valve to be removed from the installation without requiring readjustment or recalibration or resetting. Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a valve or a kit for a valve which allows the preset adjustment or position of the valve to be retained during maintenance of the valve or installation to which the valve is attached, including removal of the valve from the installation, either singly or in combination with another component of the installation, such as for example a flange or a flange and Venturi tube. SUMMARY

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a venturi tube comprising:

an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body,

a first stop located at a first open end of the body, a first flange located at or towards the first open end of the body adjacent the first stop,

the first stop for facilitating location of the first flange with respect to the body,

the first flange being movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the first flange with respect to the body to assist installation and disassembly of the venturi tube into and from an installation of conduits ,

wherein the flange is releasably connectable to a conduit to insert or release the venturi from the venturi tube .

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a venturi tube comprising:

an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body,

a sensor associated with the venturi for providing an indication of a characteristic of the fluid flowing through the body,

a first stop located at a first end of the body, a first flange located at or towards the first end of the body generally adjacent the first stop,

the first stop for facilitating location of the first flange with respect to the body,

wherein the first flange is movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the first flange with respect to the body to assist installation of the venturi tube in an installation of conduits, and is releasably connectable to a conduit to insert or release the venturi from the venturi tube.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a venturi tube comprising:

an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body,

a first stop located at a first end of the body, a second stop located at a second end of the body, a first flange located at or towards the first end of the body adjacent the first stop,

a second flange located at or towards the second end of the body adjacent the second stop,

the first stop for facilitating location of the first flange in a first orientation,

the second stop for facilitating location of the second flange in a second orientation,

wherein at least one of the first flange or the second flange is movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the flange with respect to the body to assist installation of the venturi tube in an installation of conduits.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a venturi tube comprising:

an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body,

a first stop located at a first open end of the body, a second stop located at a second open end of the body,

the venturi located intermediate the first open end and the second open end,

a first flange located at or towards the first open end of the body adjacent the first stop,

a second flange located at or towards the second open end of the body adjacent to the second stop, and

a valve for controlling flow of the fluid through the venturi tube

wherein at least one of the first flange or the second flange is movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the one flange with respect to the body, and

the valve is fixedly connected to the at least one flange enabling movement of the valve in unison with the one flange to adjust the orientation of the valve with respect to the body to assist installation and disassembly of the venturi tube into and from an installation of conduits.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a method of disassembling a venturi tube from an installation of conduits, the venturi tube comprising: an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body,

a first stop located at a first open end of the body, a first flange located at or towards the first open end of the body adjacent the first stop,

the first flange being movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the first flange with respect to the body,

the method comprising the step of disconnecting the flange from the venturi tube to release the venturi from the venturi tube .

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a method of disassembling a venturi tube from an installation of conduits, the venturi tube comprising: an elongate hollow body having a venturi located internally within the body for modifying the flow of a fluid through the body,

a first stop located at a first open end of the body, a first flange located at or towards the first open end of the body adjacent the first stop,

the first flange being movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the first flange with respect to the body, and

a valve connected to the first flange,

the valve for controlling flow of the fluid through the body,

the valve having a multitude of different settings corresponding to different flow rates of the fluid through the body,

the method comprising the steps of :

removing the flange and the valve from the venturi tube as a single unit,

wherein the setting of the valve is maintained during removal of the flange from the body during disassembly of the venturi tube .

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a valve having a multitude of different settings in which the different settings correspond to different flow rates of a fluid through the valve,

the valve being adapted for fixed connection to a flange,

the flange being movable for facilitating

installation of the valve into an assembly of conduits in a required location or orientation,

the valve comprising a body having an opening associated with a movable valve member,

the movable valve member capable of adopting

different positions or orientations with respect to the valve body,

a first valve element fixedly connected to the body of the valve,

a second valve element fixedly connected to the valve member ,

the first and second valve elements being movable with respect to one another,

the movable valve member being movable in accordance with corresponding movement of the second valve element with respect to the first valve element to a selected position in accordance with a predetermined flow rate of fluid through the opening of the valve,

wherein the selected relative position of the first valve element and the second valve element with respect to one another is maintained when the valve is removed from the flange or from the assembly of conduits.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a locking kit for a valve having a range of different positions or orientations for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid through the valve, the locking kit for retaining the valve in a selected pre-set

configuration during removal of the valve from an assembly of conduits, the locking kit comprising:

a first valve element adapted for fixed connection to a body of the valve to locate the kit with respect to the valve ,

the first valve element for defining a range of movement of the valve between fully opened and fully closed, and being provided with a retainer corresponding to the fully closed position of the valve, and

a second valve element adapted for movement relative to the first valve element to facilitate adjustment of the rate of flow of the fluid through the valve in accordance with the selection of a required flow rate,

the first valve element and the second valve element being capable of being securely fastened to one another to fixedly secure the first valve element and the second valve element to one another,

wherein when the first valve element and the second valve element are secured to one another the valve engages the retainer enabling the valve to adopt the fully closed position so that removal of the valve from the assembly of conduits retains the valve in the selected pre-set position or configuration thereby obviating the need to reposition the second valve element with respect to the first valve element.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a device for monitoring and/or testing of a characteristic of a fluid in a conduit comprising:

a housing, a venturi , a pair of movable flanges, and a valve having a modification kit in which each of the housing, venturi, flange, valve and kit are substantially as herein described and illustrated with respect to the description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In one form the body of the venturi tube includes a housing, typically an elongate housing, more typically a hollow elongate housing having an open end, typically two open ends. In one form the housing is tubular, being substantially hollow so as to have an internal bore, typically for receiving a venturi therein. Although the preferred form of the housing is cylindrical, the tube can have any convenient or suitable shape, such as for example in addition to having a circular cross-section, the tube can have a square, rectangular, elliptical, oval, or similar cross section, including roll grooved square cross section.

Forms of the housing are substantially elongate, being in the form of a short length of straight cylindrical tube . The housing may be made from any suitable or convenient material. Examples of suitable materials include metal or plastics, or other rigid materials. Forms of the housing are typically cylindrical, including a single cylinder. However, other forms of the housing can have two or more parts or housings , such as for example a housing comprising two concentric cylinders being located coaxially with each other or located off centre with each other, such as being eccentric. Other forms can have three concentric or eccentric cylinders. In one form, the venturi tube has an outer housing and an inner insert. In one form the outer housing has an external wall surface and an internal wall surface in which the external wall surface is generally straight and substantially smooth, and forms of the internal wall surface are generally profiled, such as for example, being tapered, stepped, notched, or the wall of the housing has sections, each with a different thickness so that overall the wall of the housing has a variable thickness over the length of the tube or over part of the length of the housing. Different sections of the tube have the same or different wall thicknesses at different locations along the length of the tube so that two sections of the wall have the same thickness . Forms of the internal wall surface of the housing are adapted to match the shape of the external wall surface of the insert forming the venturi . In forms of the housing the internal wall surface requires a surface which is shaped or profiled to enable location in the correct position of the insert within the housing, and of seals for sealing the insert to the housing, such as for example, O-ring seals or similar. Grooves provided within the internal wall surface of the housing are in alignment with grooves in the outer wall of the insert for receiving O-rings therein to seal the insert to the housing.

Forms of the venturi tube are provided with a venturi . The venturi can have any suitable or convenient shape, size or be of any suitable or convenient style or form depending upon requirements . Forms of the venturi tube have an integral venturi whereas other forms have an insert in the form of a venturi . Forms of the venturi are replaceable, exchangeable or

interchangeable venturi, typically in the form of an insert for insertion within the bore of the housing. In one form the outer surface of the venturi is profiled, typically profiled to match the profile of the inner surface of the housing.

Forms of the interchangeable insert forming the venturi are of substantially the same size or are of different sizes. Forms of relatively smaller size inserts can be exchanged or interchanged with relatively larger size inserts by modifying the walls of the insert, such as to increase the size, or by having an adapter to change the size of the insert. In one form, a smaller size venturi insert can be inserted into a larger size housing.

The insert forming the venturi can be made from any convenient or suitable material , including metal or alloys, plastics material, engineered materials or similar. Examples of suitable materials include ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, plastics, stainless steel, plastic fluoro polymers, urethanes, polyurethanes , poly propylene , polymers , elastomers , and including

compositions containing such materials or similar, or combinations of two or more materials.

Forms of the insert can be manufactured in any suitable or convenient manner, such as for example, being cast, moulded, milled, machined or the like, typically using a CNC machine or similar. Forms of the venturi tube have an attachment for attaching a sampling device to the tube . Forms of the sampling device include a sensor or detector or test point for taking a sample of the fluid within the venturi tube and/or for determining one or more parameters of the material flowing within the venturi tube, including the flow rate, composition, velocity, temperature, pressure, viscosity, or similar of the material flowing through the venturi tube . Forms of the sensor or detector include a test point assembly, typically having a part which extends through the wall of the housing, more typically for engaging with the venturi insert, even more typically with the outer wall of the venturi insert, and most typically with a depression provided in the outer wall of the insert.

In forms of the venturi tube, the test point includes a proximal part for attachment to the tube to extend inwardly of the wall of the tube and a distal part located outside the outer wall of the housing. The distal part of the test point facilitates sampling of fluid within the venturi tube . Forms of the proximal part include holders , extensions, anchors, pins, pegs or similar extending inside the housing for use in retaining the insert forming the venturi in the correct location and to secure the insert to the housing. In forms the distal end of the holder, extension or anchor extends to be received within a depression or recess provided in the outer wall of the insert, typically in alignment with the location of the extension of the holder.

Forms of the venturi tube are provided with a stop or stop surface or buffer for cooperatively engaging with the floating or rotatable plate. Typically, the stop is in the form of a projection, more typically a projection

extending substantially perpendicularly from the outer wall surface of the housing of the venturi tube. More typically, the projection is in the form of a wall, lip, upturn, rim, flange, abutment, edge, ridge, rib, or the like. In forms of the venturi tube the projection is sometimes referred to as the formed flange and is located at one end only or at both ends .

Forms of the Venturi tube are provided with a stop or stop surface in the form of a recess or depression for

receiving a fitting for locating the floating or rotatable flanged in the correct location around the outer

circumference of the housing. In one form the recess or depression is a groove, channel, rebate, or similar located circumferentially around the outer surface of the housing, either in segments or continuously. Typically, the recess or depression is a roll groove or square section rolled groove . In forms of the venturi tube a clamp or similar, typically the end of a clamp is received in the depression or recess to clamp the flange into the correct position at the end of the housing adjacent the open end, particularly for joining the venturi tube to a pipe or other conduit.

Forms of the housing of the venturi tube have a projection or recess at one open end only, whereas other forms have a projection or recess at both open ends of the housing.

Forms of the housing have a projection at one open end and a recess at the opposite open end.

In forms of the venturi tube, the outside diameter of the projection, typically the formed flange, and more

typically in the form of a rim or upturn or wall, is not greater than the pitch circle diameter (PCD) of the fastening apertures of the floating or rotating flange. Forms of the venturi tube have an insulator for insulating the flange from the external wall surface of the housing and/or the surface of the rim of the projecting wall at one open end of the housing or at both open ends of the housing. In forms of the venturi tube, the insulator is optional. The insulator, if present, can have any suitable or convenient form and be made from any suitable or convenient material. In one form the insulator is a layer, sheet, ring or similar of a suitable material having a suitable shape, cross-section or profile. Examples of suitable materials include rubber, rubber-like materials, resilient materials , resiliently compressible materials , elastomers or similar, including natural and synthetic materials . Typical examples include ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) , including coated EPDM for modifying the properties of the rubber, butyl rubber (IIR) , natural rubber (NR) , neoprene, nitrile rubber (NBR) , silicone, styrene butadiene (SBR) or the like, including Viton (FKM) , Aflas and similar.

In forms of the venturi tube not having an insulator, protection against corrosion is provided by other suitable or convenient arrangements or assemblies, such as for example protective coatings, barriers, or similar.

In one form the venturi tube has two movable flanges, one movable flange being located at one end and the other movable flanged being located at the other end of the venturi tube .

In one form, the movable flange or flanges are rotatable about the lengthwise extending axis of the venturi tube so as to adopt different orientations depending upon the location of installation of the venturi tube and the clearance of the location enabling access to the venturi tube. When the flanges are fixed in position within the installation or conduit, the venturi tube or housing can be rotated about its central axis to adopt the desired orientation . In one form, the flange or flanges are floating flanges.

Typical forms of the flange include any number of

fastening apertures or bores located around the periphery of the flange for receiving suitable fasteners there through for securing one flange to another flange, such as for example when joining the venturi tube to a pipe or similar. More typically, the number of fastening apertures or bores include 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 or more located in regular spaced apart relationship around the circumference of the flange. Typically, the number and spacing or PCD of the fastening apertures is in accordance with requirements of the venturi tube or valve, such as for example

according to the relevant industry standard or in

accordance with customised flanges made to order.

Typically, the flange can be made from any suitable material . Examples of suitable material include metal and alloys, including ferrous or non-ferrous materials, such as for example, stainless steel, steel, coated steel, brass, copper coated steel, SS316, nickel containing alloys, titanium, chromium, molybdenum, aluminium, or the like. Alternatively, flanges are made from plastics material , including engineered plastics material .

Although the valve can be any suitable or convenient valve, it is more usual that the valve be a pre-set valve or a valve having a multitude of different individual settings corresponding to different openings of the valve, typically different individual openings corresponding to different rates of flow of fluid through the valve. One preferred form of valve is a butterfly valve, more preferably a multi-position butterfly valve, even more preferably a butterfly valve having a multitude of different pre-set configurations, and most preferably a butterfly valve having a multitude of pre-set positions which can be selected in accordance with the flow rate desired within the venturi tube and/or within the pipes or conduits of the installation in which the venturi tube is located or installed. Forms of the valve have a stepless or continuous or infinite range of settings between the limits of the range of movement of the valve, the limits of movement being the fully opened position and the fully closed position.

Typically, forms of the valve, once pre-set at the time of the initial installation of the valve, or modified by inclusion of the locking kit, can retain the pre-set setting of the valve even when the venturi tube is being disassembled or removed from the installation and/or when the flange to which the valve is fixedly attached is moved, such as for example, rotated to a different orientation, and/or removed from the venturi tube, such as for example, during cleaning and/or repair and/or

replacement of the venturi tube, pipes, conduits or the installation generally.

Forms of the valve are fixedly attached to a flange so as to be rotatable in unison with the flange, typically rotated to or at a pre-determined or pre-arranged position in accordance with the required orientation of the valve, particularly the required position or orientation of the operating element of the valve, such as for example, an operator or actuator of the valve, typically in the form of a handle, tap, wheel, lever, squeeze handle, squeeze lever or similar. Forms of the handle are provided with a nose for engaging with one or other part of the locking kit to retain the valve in a pre—set predetermined position or configuration.

Forms of the valve and/or locking kit include a first valve element and a second valve element. Typically, the valve and/or locking kit comprises a pair of valve elements, typically in the form of two generally planar valve elements . In one form the planar valve elements are plates, discs, rings, sectors, or the like. The two valve elements arranged in a pair have two individual valve elements superposed in vertical alignment with each other at one end of the valve.

In one form the first valve element is an upper plate and the second valve element is a lower plate. Forms of the upper plate include a memory plate, typically a movable memory plate, more typically a rotatable memory plate .

Forms of the lower plate include a stop plate, typically a fixed stop plate permanently mounted to the body of the valve .

In forms of the valve the memory plate and the stop plate are movable relative to one another, typically over the full extent of movement of the valve between the fully closed position and the fully opened position.

In one form the stop plate is a fixed plate, fixedly attached to the valve, having a stop notch corresponding to the fully closed position of the valve, whereas the memory plate is a movable plate, typically rotatably movable with respect to the fixed stop plate, more typically rotatable in accordance with corresponding rotation of the operating element of the valve in the form of an operator or actuator. In one form the memory plate is provided with an operating notch for engagement by the nose of the handle to move the memory plate.

In forms of the valve, the movable memory plate is fixedly attached to a shaft, stem, or similar movable part of the valve for moving the flap, flapper or disc of the

butterfly valve. In one form the shaft is a shaft or stem, typically having a spline or similar connector for engagement with the actuator or operator.

In forms of the valve, movement of the memory plate is in accordance with movement of the spline fixedly connected to the flap or disc of the butterfly valve so that the flap or disc moves in accordance with corresponding movement of the memory plate. Forms of the handle of the valve include a pair of hinged levers, typically forming a squeeze handle which are capable of movement towards and away from each other, such as for example by squeezing one or both of the pair of levers to release the valve enabling adjustment of the flowrate through the valve. The handle is movable between a locked configuration in which the pre-set position or configuration is maintained and a release configuration allowing adjustment of the valve. The squeeze handle is biased to adopt a lock configuration when at rest. When the squeeze handle is grasped the handle moves to a release configuration allowing movement of the handle to a different position within the range of openings of the valve to adjust the flowrate of fluid through the valve. Forms of the memory plate include an engager for

cooperative engagement with a part of the actuator or operator of the valve, typically a part movable in unison with the operating lever of the squeeze handle. More typically, the engager receives therein the part of the operating lever, typically the nose of the handle or operating lever. More typically, the engager is in the form of a detente, tooth, groove, notch, recess, rebate, trough, groove, channel, recess, depression or the like. In one form the engager is located at the perimeter of the memory plate, typically around the circumference of a sector of the memory plate, more typically close to adjacent one end of the range of movement of the valve, typically adjacent the end of the range of movement corresponding to the valve being in the fully opened position.

Forms of the memory plate include voids , cutouts , spaces , gaps or similar for receiving there through suitable fasteners for fixedly securing the memory plate to the stop plate. Forms of the void include a pair of slots, typically located diametrically opposite one another. More typically, the slots are generally curved, such as for example being arcuate having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the circumference of the memory plate. Forms of the lower or fixed stop plate include indicia for indicating the actual position of the flap or disc of the valve. The indicia include a scale, graduations, markings, or similar extending from "open" at one extreme end corresponding to the valve being fully open to "closed" at the other extreme end corresponding to the valve being fully closed, the markings or graduations located

intermediate the "open" and "closed" indications

corresponding to the valve being partially opened to a greater or lesser extent for controlling the flowrate of fluid through the valve. The scale provides an indication of the amount of opening of the valve.

In forms of the locking kit the indicia is visible through the upper memory plate, typically through a window or similar, more typically a generally quadrilateral-shaped window. In some forms the window is a cutout, space or rebate, typically located at the circumference of the memory plate, more typically located intermediate the respective opposite ends of the two arcuate slots .

In forms of the locking kit the upper memory plate is secured to the lower stop plate by a suitable fastener, preferably, two suitable fasteners such as for example, a bolt, screw, or other releasably securable fastener.

Forms of the lock plate are provided with a lock recess, depression, rebate or similar, typically a lock notch such as a gullet, for receiving therein a part of the actuator or operator of the valve when the valve is in the fully closed position. More typically the lock notch is located at or towards one extreme end of the range of movement of the handle of the valve. Even more typically, the position of the lock notch corresponds to the valve being in the fully closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of various forms of fittings within the scope of protection will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is a schematic cross section view of one form of housing and one form of movable flange in which the flange is shown in a first location in isolation and in a second location in situ surrounding the housing showing the relationship of the movable flange to the housing.

Figure 2 is a schematic enlarged view of circle A of figure 1 showing one form of an insulator located

intermediate the flange and the housing. Figure 3 is a schematic cross section view of one form of venturi tube having a pair of movable flanges and a venturi in the form of an insert located within the housing . Figure 3A is a schematic partial side view of an

alternative form of housing having a roll groove located towards one open end for use in attaching a flange to the housing .

Figure 4 is a schematic cross section view of the venturi tube of figure 3 showing the venturi removed from the housing .

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of one form of a venturi for insertion within a housing to form a venturi tube .

Figure 6 is a schematic partial cross section view and partial side view of the form of the venturi tube of figure 3 and one form of valve connected to one another . Figure 7 is a schematic end view of the combination of venturi tube and valve of figure 5 from the end of the tube having the valve when the valve is in the fully opened position. Figure 8 is a top plan view of one form of a locking kit for modifying a valve to retain the setting of the valve showing one form of the memory plate in the fully opened position. Figure 9 is a top plan view of the form of the memory plate of the locking kit of figure 8.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the form of the lock plate of the locking kit of figure 8.

Figure 11 is atop plan view of the locking kit of figure 8 showing the valve in a partially open position.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the locking kit of figure 8 showing the valve in a fully closed position.

Figure 13 is a side perspective view of one form of a combination having a venturi tube, two flanges, a valve and a locking kit located in situ within two conduits joined together . SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of a venturi tube for monitoring and/or measuring the characteristic of a fluid in a conduit will now be described.

A venturi tube, generally denoted as 2 , is formed from various components . One of the components is a housing 12 , in the form of an elongate hollow cylindrical tube having a sidewall 14, which in one form is of a generally constant thickness provided with an external wall surface 16 and an internal wall surface 18, or which in another form is of variable wall thickness . In forms of the housing having a constant wall thickness, both external wall surface 16 and internal wall surface 18 are

substantially straight and smooth, such as for example as illustrated in figure 1. However, in other forms of the housing having variable wall thickness over the length of the housing, such as for example as illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the external wall surface is smooth and straight, but the internal wall surface is profiled so that the wall

14 of housing 12 is of a variable thickness over its length, such as for example by being tapered or stepped or the like (to be described in more detail later) . A projection, such as for example a formed flange, typically in the form of a rim 20, or upturn or wall section, is located at one open end of housing 12

extending circumferentially around the sidewall of housing 12. In one form rim 20 is formed by deforming the sidewall around the open end of the housing. However, it is to be noted that rim 20 may be a separate component fixedly connected to housing 12. A first movable flange 24 is located on the outside of housing 12 to be positioned adjacent rim 20 which acts as a stop to prevent flange 24 from slipping off the end of housing 12. Optionally, a second flange 24b is located over housing 12 and a formed flange 20b is formed at the second open end of the housing to retain both flanges on housing 12. A gasket, typically in the form of an insulator 28, is located intermediate rim 20 and flange 24 to prevent direct contact between the respective facing surfaces of rim 20 and flange 24 to reduce or eliminate corrosion of the housing, rim and flange due to electrolytic or galvanic action between such components in the event that the components are made from dissimilar metals. Although insulator 28 can have any suitable or convenient form, one preferred form is a ring having a generally L-shaped cross-section or profile, typically as shown in figure 2.

Optionally, but more usually, housing 12 is provided with a second rim 20b at the other open end for retaining a second movable flange 24b on the other end of housing 12. Similarly, a second insulator is provided intermediate the second rim 20b and the second movable flange 24b.

With particular reference to figures 3 and 4 , one form of housing 12 having a profiled inner wall surface 18 will now be described. This form of housing is for receiving a removable, replaceable or interchangeable venturi 30 within the bore of the housing. One form of venturi is shown in figures 3, 4 and 5. Inner wall surface 18 has a first end section 19 which is located next to the first open end and is of a reduced wall thickness, and a second end section 21 which is located next to the second open end of housing 12 and is of a reduced wall thickness which thickness is comparable to the thickness of the first section. A central third section 23 is located

intermediate the first end section 19 and second end section 21, and is of a greater thickness than each of the first end section and the second end section. A shoulder 25 is located at the transition of first end section 19 and central third section 23. A shoulder 27 is located at the transition of second end section 21 and central third section 23 at the other end of housing 12. Thus, the bore of housing 12 corresponding to the central third section of the wall surface is of slightly less diameter than the bores of the first and second end sections located at either end of housing 12. A pair of threaded ports 29a, 29b are drilled into central third section 23 at or towards one end thereof, typically adjacent intermediate shoulder 25 for receiving therein fittings for assessing the fluid flowing through venturi tube 2 , such as for example fittings for holding sensors or detectors for measuring characteristics of the fluid within venturi tube 2.

An insert in the form of a venturi 30 is located within housing 12. Venturi 30 can have any suitable or convenient form or be of any suitable or convenient type, and made from any suitable material, depending upon circumstances. In one form the outer wall of venturi 30 is profiled to match the profile of the inner wall surface 18 of the housing 12, particularly as illustrated in figures 3, 4 and 5. One form of venturi 30 will now be described in detail with particular reference to figures 3, 4 and 5. Venturi 30 has a profiled outer wall surface 31 and a generally curved tapering inner wall surface 32 for modifying the flow of fluid enabling measurement of a characteristic of the fluid, such as for example the flow rate of the fluid or the pressure of the fluid. Outer wall surface 31 is provided with end groove 33 for receiving therein the proximal end of a holder for one form of test point 40 to assist in retaining venturi 30 in the correct position within housing 12. End sealing channel 34 is provided towards one end of venturi 30 adjacent end groove 33 for receiving therein a sealing element or similar, such as for example, a sealing O-ring 35. Intermediate sealing channel 36 is provided more centrally of end sealing channel 34 for receiving therein O-ring 37 to assist in sealing venturi 30 within housing 12. An internal channel 38 is provided circumferentially around the inner surface of venturi 30 and is provided with four ports 39 located at regular spaced apart locations from each other, each of which is in fluid communication with chamber 41, via passage 44 which extends between one of ports 39 and chamber 41.

Chamber 41 is located externally circumferentially around the outer wall surface, for receiving fluid therein to be sampled. Chamber 41 is in alignment with the proximal end of test point fitting 40a, typically in the form of a holder 42 , such as for example an extension or similar in the form of a pin or peg or the like, for retrieving a sample of fluid for testing and/or evaluation and/or measurement and/or appraisal depending upon the particular characteristic of the fluid being tested.

In operation, fluid flowing through the bore of housing 12 contacts the central end of venturi 30 and flows into internal channel 38, then through ports 39 and into passage 44, and then into chamber 41 for sampling through test point 40a.

When removal of venturi 30 is required, holder 42 of test point 40a is withdrawn from groove 33 to release venturi 30 which can then be eased out of the bore of housing 12 by sliding venturi 30 axially along the bore of housing 12 in the direction of arrow A of figure 4. Venturi 30 can be cleaned and/or repaired or similar and replaced or a new venturi 30 of the same size inserted into housing 12 or a new venturi 30 of smaller size but with an enlarged sidewall or adapter can be inserted into housing 12. When fully home within housing 12, groove 33 of venturi 30 is in alignment with holder 42 so that holder 42 can be received within groove 33 to retain venturi 30 in the correct location within housing 12. Sensors or detectors, typically in the form of test points 40a, 40b, are provided in sidewall 14 of housing 12 to provide information relating to one or more characteristic of the fluid flowing through housing 12. The sensors or detectors or test points or similar can have any suitable or convenient form and be used to monitor or measure any characteristic or parameter of the fluid, such as for example pressure, temperature, flowrate, viscosity, composition, the presence of solids or contamination within the fluid, and the like. In forms, test points 40 comprise a proximal holder 42 and a distal access port or test point for retrieving a sample of fluid within venturi tube 2.

As the or both flanges 24, if provided, are movable with respect to housing 12, when flanges 24 are fixed in position in accordance with the spatial requirements of the installation owing to available clearance from adjacent fittings and conduits, such as for example to join the venturi tube to an existing pipe or conduit through the flanges, housing 12 can be rotated about its central axis to assist in locating housing 12 in the correct orientation so that the sensors, detectors, test points or similar, including the operator or actuator of the valve, if provided, are accessible for facilitating monitoring and/or maintenance.

Another form of housing is illustrated in figure 3A in which a square section roll groove 45 is formed

circumferentially externally around housing 12 at or towards one or both ends for receiving part of a clamp for clamping the flange to the housing. Groove 45 can be formed at one or both ends of housing 12 in combination with rim 20 at one or other end as required depending upon where housing 12 is to be installed.

Turning now to figures 7 to 13, one form of a valve and one form of a locking kit will now be described in detail.

The valve being fixedly connected to a flange located at one open end of venturi tube 2 can have any suitable or convenient form, including being a butterfly valve having a multitude of different positions corresponding to different openings of the butterfly disc with respect to the body or seat of the valve for controlling the rate of flow of fluid through the valve . Other forms of the valve have infinite settings between two extreme positions corresponding to the fully closed and opened positions, such as being steplessly or infinitely variable between the limits of travel or movement of the valve.

Valve 50 is fixedly attached to flange 24 using fastening bores of the flange by valve 50 having fastening apertures corresponding to the number, position and spacing apart of the fastening bores of the flange. Valve 50 includes an operator or actuator, typically in the form of a handle 52 , such as for example , a handle having a fixed arm and a movable hand lever 53 or similar in which the movable lever 53 is provided with a tapered nose at the proximal end thereof. Handle 52 is spring biased to adopt an engaging configuration for maintaining valve 20 in the selected position by the nose of lever 53 being received within a notch, recess, detent, or similar. Squeezing the movable hand lever 53 of valve 50 enables handle 52 to be moved to a release configuration allowing adjustment of valve 50 to a different position corresponding to a different flow rate of fluid through the valve . Releasing movable hand lever 53 causes movement of nose into the respective notch, recess or similar to maintain valve 50 in that position which corresponds to the required flowrate of fluid through valve 50.

The proximal end of handle 52 is fixedly connected to a shaft or stem, typically in the form of a spline 54 , which extends through the body of valve 50 to be fixedly connected to butterfly or disc 56 or flapper of valve 50. Rotation of handle 52 results in rotation of disc 56.

A locking kit 60 is located at or towards the top or upper end of the valve 50 adjacent the proximal end of handle

52 , such as being located intermediate the proximal end of handle 52 and the top or upper part of the body of valve 50. Locking kit 60 includes a first valve element, typically a planar valve element, more typically an upper planar element, even more typically a memory plate 62, and most typically a generally circular memory plate.

Memory plate 62 is provided with a radially outwardly extending end tab 63 for defining the limit of movement of handle 52 corresponding to the fully opened position of valve 50 by limiting the movement of handle 52 by handle 52 coming into contact with tab 63 when in abutting relationship with tab 63. A radially outwardly extending shoulder 64 is located adjacent end tab 63 which shoulder does not extend outwardly to the full length of tab 63 but is of a radius less than the radius of tab 63. A detent, in the form of an operating notch 65, is provided in shoulder 64 and is located in spaced apart relationship to tab 63 for engagement with the nose of lever 53 of handle 52 to rotate memory plate 62 when the nose is received within operating notch 65. With the nose of the handle 52 received within operating notch 65 , when handle 52 is moved there is corresponding rotation of plate 62 and disc 56 to move valve 50 to a partially opened position corresponding to the required opening of valve 50 in accordance with operation of the installation within which valve 50 is installed is determined by flow through venturi tube 2 as tested or evaluated by test points 40. An opening, in the form of a circular aperture 70 is provided at the centre of plate 62 for receiving there through the shaft or spline 54 of valve 50 to assist in location and connection of the locking kit to the valve.

Plate 62 further includes a pair of arcs 66a, 66b along opposite sides thereof and a pair of generally curved openings, in the form of arcuate slots 68a ,68b, located in diametrically opposed relationship to one another on either side of plate 62. Slots 68a, 68b extend

substantially in alignment with the curvature of the circumference of arcs 66a, 66b respectively, of plate 62. A pair of suitable fasteners, typically each in the form of a bolt having a hexagonal shaped head 69a, 69b are received through arcuate openings 68a, 68b respectively to assist in securing locking kit 60 in the required position to retain the adjustment of valve 50 when valve 50 or flange 24 is to be removed or disassembled. Plate 62 includes a window, in the form of a cutout 72, space, gap, recess, or similar located intermediate the respective ends of slots 68a, 68b. Cutout 72 is provided with a marker 74 for precisely indicating the position of valve 50. Cutout 72 provides for an indication of the position of disc 56, and hence the position adopted by valve 50 to be visually observed, such as for recording or

accountability, including digital accountability.

Locking kit 60 further includes a second valve element, typically a planar valve element, more typically a lower planar element, even more typically a stop plate, and most typically a generally circular stop plate 80 having an outwardly radially extending sector 82. Sector 82 is provided with a finger 83 forming a stop for limiting the movement of handle 52 when handle 52 abuts against finger 83. When handle 52 abuts against finger 83 valve 50 is in the fully closed position. A lock notch 84 is provided in sector 82 adjacent finger 83 for receiving the nose of lever 53 of handle 52 therein. Lock notch 84 corresponds to valve 50 being in the fully closed position which is a position to which handle 52 can be moved immediately prior to removal or disassembly of valve 50 from the

installation of conduits in which it is located.

Lock plate 80 includes indicia, typically in the form of a scale 85, graduations, markings or other indicators for providing information as to the extent of opening of valve 50 when handle 52 is in various positions. Scale 85 is visible through cutout 72 of memory plate 62 to provide an indication of the position of disc 56. Stop plate 80 is provided with a central opening,

typically in the form of a central circular aperture 86, for receiving their through the shaft or spline of the valve for allowing rotation of the shaft or spline with respect to plate 80. Aperture 86 allows for location and alignment of stop plate 80 with respect to memory plate 62.

Plate 80 is provided with an opening, typically in the form of a circular aperture or similar 87 for use in securely fastening plate 80 to valve 50, typically to the top or upper surface of the body of valve 50. In one form, aperture 87 receives there through a stud or other suitable fastener having a low relief head or counter sunk head or similar.

Plate 80 is provided with an aperture 88a for receiving there through the bolt having head 79a and an aperture 88b for receiving there through the bolt having head 79b shown in respect of memory plate 62. Bolts having respective heads 79a, 79b are for fixedly securing memory plate 62 and lock plate 80 to one another when in the required partially opened position so that as plate 80 is always maintained in a fixed position at all times, memory plate 62 is fixed in place so that when handle 52 is received in operating notch 65, valve 50 has the required opening. Operation of locking kit 60 will now be described. After removing handle 52 from valve 50, stop plate 80 is fixedly secured to the top or upper surface of valve 50 using a suitable fastener, such as for example a bolt or other suitable fastener to correctly locate plate 80 with scale 85 uppermost. Plate 62 is fixedly attached to handle 52 in the correct location. Handle 52 with plate 62 is

positioned on the top of valve 50 so that plate 62 is superposed over plate 80 with the respective central circular apertures 70, 86 aligned with one another.

After locating the nose of handle 52 in operating notch 65 , so as to engage handle 52 with memory plate 62 , handle 52 is rotated which causes corresponding rotational movement of memory plate 62 as memory plate 62 and handle 52 move in unison. Movement of handle 52 causes valve 50 to adopt the desired position corresponding to the required amount of opening of disc 56. When memory plate 62 is in the correct orientation, the fasteners having heads 79a, 79b received through slots 68a, 68b and openings 88a and 88b, respectively are tightened to secure plate 62 to plate 80 to prevent relative rotation of plate 62 with respect to plate 80, and thus maintain the predetermined or required setting or position of valve 50 corresponding with the required flow rate of fluid through venturi tube 2.

When valve 50 is to be removed or disassembled, handle 52 is grasped to move lever 53 so that the nose is withdrawn from operating notch 65 to release handle 52 from memory plate 62 which allows free rotation of handle 52 without causing corresponding rotation of plate 62 which remains in position by being securely attached to plate 80 by bolts having heads 79a, 79b, and to valve 50. Handle 52 is rotated to adopt a position against finger 83 of plate 80 at the limit of the movement of handle 52 corresponding to the fully closed position of valve 50. In this position handle 52 is released to allow the nose of lever 53 of handle 52 to engage with lock notch 84 to maintain valve 50 in the fully closed position, as shown in figure 12, thereby allowing removal or assembly of valve 50 from the installation of conduits. At the same time, venturi 30 can also be removed.

It is to be noted that in this position memory plate 62 and stop plate 80 are fixedly secured to one another to maintain the position of memory plate 62 so that when valve 50 is being reinstalled or within the installation, the position of operating notch 63 remains fixed so that the handle 52 when rotated to re-engage with operating notch 63, valve 50 is in the same position as it was prior to removal of valve 50 from the installation, such as for example as shown in figure 11 which corresponds to a position in which valve 50 is half open due to 45° being indicated on scale 85 , thereby maintaining the amount of opening of valve 50 to obviate the need for re-adjustment or a calibration of valve 50.

The inclusion of the locking kit enables the correct adjustment of valve 50 in the selected pre-set to be maintained even when the valve is disassembled or removed from the conduit or installation because plate 62 and plate 80 are securely secured to one another in a position corresponding to the selected opening of the disc of the valve thereby obviating the need for readjustment or recalibration of the valve when it is reinstalled in the conduit or installation thereby saving time and

maintaining the operating conditions of the plant or installation for treating the fluid.

ADVANTAGES

Advantages of one or other of the embodiments of the present description include one for other wall to a more of the following:

The releasably connectable flange allows the venturi tube to be assembled and disassembled into and from an

installation of conduits without rotating the body of the venturi tube about its central axis. This allows the venturi tube to be assembled and disassembled into and from an installation of conduits when there is limited space or accessibility around the venturi tube . In contrast, a venturi tube having threaded ends requires rotation of the body about its central axis in order to be assembled and disassembled into and from an installation of conduits. This may not be possible when there is very little clearance for the installation of additional fittings, or a lack of space surrounding the conduits particularly when the venturi tube including sampling devices which project from the tube.

The movable flanges , such as the floating flanges , allow the flanges on the housing to rotate through 360° to enable pipework alignment and valve orientation

adjustment, particularly in situations where there is little or no clearance or space available for installation of the venturi tube or similar.

Flange insulators made from resiliently compressible materials, including natural and synthetic rubbers, provide a barrier between the housing, for example made from stainless steel and the flanges , for example made from steel . The rubber insulator also enables the face of the flange to be compressed to a mating flanged face in a more uniform manner .

The venturi tube housing is easily fitted with all different flanged types or standard variants depending upon requirements so that a full stock of different flanges permanently attached to venturi tubes is not required since the appropriate flange can be selected and added to the venturi tube as the need arises. Similar existing devices would need either flanges permanently attached to the venturi tube, such as for example being welded thereon, or would require the flanges and housing to be cast as a single piece during manufacturing

processes .

The locking kit is a retrofit kit or an OEM kit for incorporation into an existing suitable valve or a new valve being manufactured, as the locking kit is a bolt-on assembled component that is fitted to a mating butterfly valve in the assembly. The notched plate of the locking kit allows the butterfly valve to be set in a position between open and closed at any point corresponding to the flow rate through the valve as determined by the venturi .

Further advantages of the locking kit include one or more of the following :

The ability to add the locking kit without any substantial alteration to a wide range of brands and sizes of

butterfly valves made by a variety of different

manufacturers .

The ability to read and record a specific digital number relating to the position of the valve when set. The ability to close the valve for maintenance purposes then reopen the valve to its set position without any chance of altering or losing the original setting or set point of the valve.

The device incorporating the locking kit is compact allowing increased flexibility of orientation when installing the valve or device containing the valve .

In the claims which follow and in the preceding

description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.




 
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