BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a lockout device, particularly to a valve lockout device and to a method for locking a valve.

Mechanical lockout devices are often used in various industries to lock a device in either an operative actuated condition or a non-actuated condition. In the case of valves, mechanical valve lockout devices are operatively used to lock manually the valve to a non-actuated closed condition or position so that the valve cannot be operated remotely inadvertently causing injury to someone working downstream of the valve.

To this end, valve lockout devices are typically mechanical devices which operatively fit between actuators and the corresponding valves and comprise one or more slots or key zones which are configured to receive associated keys which effectively lock the valves to the closed position. However, due to working environments of various installations, the slot/key areas of the valve lockout devices get congealed with dirt or product residue so the keys then battle to fit which in turn makes locking the valve to the closed position problematic. Another problem is that some valve lockout devices cannot be operated to lock a valve in a desired position when the devices are not aligned with the valves and/or actuators.

It is desirable at least to address the abovementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a lockout device for use with an apparatus adapted to be actuated by displacement of an actuator arm controllable by an actuator, the lockout device being configured to lock the apparatus in at least one operating condition, in use, the lockout device comprising: mounting means to mount the lockout device relative to the apparatus; a centre sleeve fixedly connected to the mounting means, the centre sleeve defining at least one sleeve aperture and a longitudinally extending bore for receiving the actuator arm axially therethrough, wherein the actuator arm defines at least one actuator aperture and is configured to be operatively displaceable within the centre sleeve thereby to actuate the apparatus, in use, and wherein said sleeve aperture and said actuator aperture are substantially alignable when the apparatus is actuated, by the actuator member, to at least one operating condition; and an adjustable collar arrangement located around the centre sleeve, wherein the collar arrangement defines an alignment aperture and is operable between fixed and adjustable conditions relative to the centre sleeve such that the collar arrangement is substantially locked against displacement relative to the centre sleeve in the fixed condition and is displaceable relative to the centre sleeve in the adjustable condition thereby to facilitate substantial alignment of the alignment aperture with the aligned sleeve and actuator apertures respectively, in use, such that insertion of a locking member through the substantially aligned apertures prevents the actuator arm from operative displacement and causing corresponding actuation of the apparatus, thereby locking the apparatus in the at least one operating condition.

The apparatus may be in the form of a valve or valve apparatus, the device is therefore in the form of a valve lockout device, locatable between the valve and a valve actuator, for use in locking the valve in an open or closed condition.

The device may comprise the actuator arm which has an elongate substantially cylindrical body defining attachment means at opposite ends thereof for operative attachment to the valve and to the valve actuator. The mounting means may comprise a valve flange attachable to the valve and an actuator flange attachable to the valve actuator, the centre sleeve extending between the valve and actuator flanges.

In the adjustable condition, the adjustable collar arrangement may be axially rotatable and longitudinally displaceable relative to or about the centre sleeve so as to allow manual manipulation of the collar arrangement to bring the alignment aperture into alignment with the aligned sleeve and actuator apertures, in use. In this way, unskilled labourers may easily use the device described herein.

The device may comprise the removable locking member and a tether means to tether the locking member to the device.

The centre sleeve may be cylindrical and may define a pair of aligned opposite sleeve apertures on walls of the sleeve, wherein the sleeve apertures are of larger diameter than the actuator aperture, and wherein the sleeve apertures share an axis substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the centre sleeve.

The actuator aperture may be in the form of a bore through the actuator arm, the bore having an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the actuator arm.

The adjustable collar arrangement may preferably comprise: a cylindrical collar body defining the alignment aperture; a securing body attachable to the collar body in a nested fashion, the securing body being at least partly resiliency, in use; and attachment means operable to attach of the collar body to the securing body thereby securing the arrangement to the fixed condition, in use.

The securing body may define one or more external surfaces shaped and/or dimensioned for complementary engagement with one or more complementary shaped and/or dimensioned internal surfaces of the collar body.

The securing body may be in the form of a resiliency deformable split truncated conical centre boss or body having a bore extending axially therethrough, wherein at least the centre sleeve is axially receivable in the bore, in use.

The conical body may extend from a radially projecting part-circular rim and has a split in the form of a longitudinally extending gap provided on the conical body, substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conical body. The collar body defines an internal surface shaped and/or dimensioned substantially to receive the truncated conical body or outer surface thereof in a complementary fashion such that, in use, an axial force urging the conical body into interaction with the internal walls of the collar body causes the internal surface of the collar body to abut the conical body and deform the same at least radially thereby to fit within the collar body in a nested fashion, which radial deformation causes the conical body to tighten around the centre sleeve such that the arrangement is locked against displacement relative to the centre sleeve or in other words the fixed condition. It follows that subsequent operation of the attachment means causes the adjustable collar arrangement to be secured in the fixed condition, in use. It will be noted that withdrawal of the conical body from the collar body may cause the conical body to expand, at least radially.

The collar body may define an internal lip to limit travel of the conical body axially therein.

The collar body may comprise opposite aligned alignment apertures disposed on opposite walls of the collar body, wherein the alignment apertures share an axis which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the collar body such that, in use, the locking pin is receivable through aligned apertures of the collar body, the centre sleeve and the actuator arm.

The attachment means may comprise screws receivable within alignable holes provided on the rim of the conical body and the collar body thereby to secure the securing body to the collar body and thus in the fixed condition.

The adjustable collar arrangement may comprise jacking means operable to displace the collar body from the conical body axially, when the conical body is detached from the collar body.

The jacking means may be in the form of one or more jacking screws locatable through apertures provided on the rim of the securing body, said screws having ends which are adapted to abut the collar body and urge the same axially away from the conical body, in use.

The attachment means may be operated to detach the conical body from the collar body, actuation of the jacking screws causes the collar body and the securing body to be axially displaced from each other thereby causing the securing body to expand radially outwardly and loosen grip around the centre sleeve, wherein the adjustable collar arrangement is thus actuated from the fixed condition to the adjustable condition in which the collar arrangement is axially rotatable and longitudinally displaceable relative to the centre sleeve to allow manual alignment of the alignment aperture with the aligned sleeve and actuator apertures for passage of the locking member axially through the aligned apertures, in use..

The lockout device may be a manually actuable lockout device.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for locking a valve to an open or closed condition, the method comprising: locating a lockout device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims between the valve and a valve actuator; operating the attachment means to detach the conical body from attachment to the collar body; operating the jacking means to displace the conical body axially from within the collar body wherein axial displacement of the conical body from the collar body causes the conical body to radially expand thereby loosening its grip around the centre sleeve thereby allowing the collar arrangement to be operated from the fixed condition to the adjustable condition in which the same is axially and rotatably displaceable relative to the centre sleeve; bringing the alignment apertures of the collar arrangement into axial alignment with the aligned sleeve and actuator apertures; and locating the locking pin through the aligned apertures to lock the valve in either the open or closed condition.

The method may comprise bringing and securing the lockout device to the fixed condition by: urging the conical body and/or the collar body axially along the centre sleeve into nested engagement with each other such that the internal surface of the collar body abuts the outer surface of the conical body causing the same to radially deform around the centre sleeve and grip the same in response to axial forces extended on the collar body and/or conical body; operating the attachment means to secure the conical body and the collar body to each other and hence the centre sleeve thereby securing or locking the adjustment arrangement in the fixed condition.

The method may comprise actuating the valve actuator to the at least one operating condition such that at least the sleeve and actuator apertures are substantially alignable. The method may comprise operating the attachment means to lock the adjustable collar arrangement in the fixed condition with the locking pin operatively through the substantially aligned apertures such that the locking pin is secure in the aligned apertures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an exploded three dimension view of a valve lockout device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a three dimension view of a constructed valve lockout device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 shows a three dimensional part-sectional view of the constructed valve lockout device of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a top view of the valve lockout device in accordance with the invention with the locking member operatively in position in the device;

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the valve lockout device in accordance with the invention with the locking member operatively in position in the device;

Figure 6 shows a cross sectional side view through the device in accordance with the invention illustrating the locking member being introduced into aligned apertures of the device; and

Figure 7 shows a cross sectional side view through the device in accordance with the invention illustrating the locking member operatively in position in the device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of an embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details.

Although reference will be made to the Figures in general, it will be appreciated that attention may be drawn to one or more Figure/s, as the case may be, in particular to facilitate better understanding of the invention described herein. Referring to Figures 1 to 7, a valve lockout device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The valve lockout device 10 is typically a mechanical device which sits between an actuator (not illustrated), for example, a pneumatic operated valve actuator and a valve (not illustrated). The device 10 typically facilitates locking of the valve in preferably a closed position so that the valve cannot be operated remotely thereby possibly causing injury to someone working downstream of the valve.

In Figure 1 , in an exploded view of the device 10, it can be more clearly seen that the device 10 has mounting means comprising an actuator mounting flange 12 and a valve mounting flange 14 for mounting the device 10 to the actuator and valve respectively. The actuator and valve may comprise corresponding flanges. The flanges 12 and 14 may therefore be shaped and dimensioned for mating engagement to the flanges of actuator and valve, for example, by way of bolts, screws, or the like through mounting holes 12.1 and 14.1 . In the illustrated example embodiment, more clearly seen in Figures 4 and 5, the flanges 12, 14 are roughly planar square shaped with rounded edges and define large centrally located holes shaped and dimensioned to receive an actuator arm 16, in use, as will be discussed below.

The device 10 comprises a cylindrical centre sleeve 18 defining a bore therethrough, the sleeve 18 being fixedly connected at opposite ends to the mounting flanges 12, 14 by way of at least mounting screws 13 and 15, respectively as can be seen more clearly in Figures 3, 6 and 7. The mounting screws 13 and 15 may be receivable in aligned holes of the flanges 12 and 14 and the centre sleeve 18. The centre sleeve 18 also comprises radially extending and radially spaced lips 18.1 protruding longitudinally from periphery of the wall of the sleeve 18. The lips 18.1 may be snugly receivable within complementary alignable radially spaced channels located in the flanges 12, 14 thereby to fixedly locate the sleeve 18 relative to the flanges 12, 14 and hence to the actuator and valve to which the device 10 is operatively attached. In this way, the sleeve 18 is advantageously prevented from being displaced, in use, relative to the device 10 mounted to the actuator and valve.

The sleeve 18 also comprises aligned sleeve apertures 18.2 which extend through opposite walls of the sleeve 18.

In Figures 3, 6 and 7, it can be seen that the actuator arm 16 is operatively receivable within the axial bore defined by the sleeve 18. The actuator arm 16 is cylindrical and defines, at one actuator end thereof, an attachment protrusion 16.1 for complementary engagement with the actuator, particularly a part thereof, and, at an opposite valve end, an attachment slot 16.2 for complementary engagement with the valve, particularly a part thereof. It will be understood that the connection means of the actuator arm 16 to the actuator and the valve may vary, for example, slots 16.2 may be provided at both the actuator and valve ends, protrusions 16.1 may be provided at both the actuator and valve ends, the protrusion 16.1 may be provided at the valve end and the slot 16.2 may be provided at the actuator end, etc.

Axial rotation of the actuator arm 16 causes the same to operate the valve to one or more pre-determined operating conditions, for example, open or closed conditions to allow or restrict the flow of fluid or material therethrough. The actuator arm 16 may be of the actuator or the valve. However, in the illustrated example embodiment, the arm 16 is part of the device 10 and is disposed in operative mechanical communication between the actuator and the valve. In this regard, the actuator is configured to rotate the arm 16 within the sleeve 18 in response to a command signal; the rotating arm 16 correspondingly operates the valve.

The actuator arm 16 also comprises an actuator aperture or bore 16.3 extending through the same, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the arm 16. The aperture 16.3 has a slightly smaller diameter than the actuator aperture 16.3. As can be seen more clearly in Figures 6 and 7, the bore 16.3 is alignable with the sleeve aperture 18.2 in at least a position in which the valve is actuated to the closed condition as will be described in greater detail below.

The device 10 also advantageously comprises an adjustable collar arrangement 20 which is configured to be located concentrically arranged around the centre sleeve 18 as can be seen in Figures 2 to 7. The arrangement 20 comprises essentially two parts removably attachable to each other, viz., a cylindrical collar body 22 and a resiliency deformable securing body 24. It will be understood that the collar body 22 and the securing body 24 define bores therethrough for facilitating attachment to the sleeve 18.

As can be seen more clearly in Figures 1 , 6 and 7, the securing body 24 advantageously comprises a resiliency deformable spilt part-conical or tapered centre boss or body 24.1 extending from a part-circumferentially extending rim 24.2. Differently defined, the body 24.1 has a roughly frusto-conical shape. Even more differently defined, the outer surfaces of the body 24.1 is bevelled or tapered. In any event, the split 24.3, seen in Figure 1 , enables the securing body 24 to deform radially into the same in response to a radially compressive force. The securing body 24 returns to its original form with the spilt 24.3 maintained on removal of the force. It will be appreciated that operative deformation of the securing body 24 is largely dependent on the size of the split 24.3.

The securing body fits in a nested fashion to the collar 22 with the rim 24.2 being configured to abut a periphery of the collar 22. To this end, it will be appreciated that the collar 22 may define an internal surface 22.1 shaped and dimensioned substantially to receive the part- conical or frusto-conical body 24.1 in a complementary fashion. It will be appreciated that the internal surface 22.1 may be shaped and dimensioned to cause radial deformation of the securing body 24, or at least part thereof, as the securing body 24 is urged therein. In other words, the urging of the body 24.1 into abutment with the internal walls 22.1 provides the radial compressive force required to deform the body 24.1 which in turn causes the arrangement 20 to fit snugly or tightly around the sleeve 18 in a fixed condition. It will be noted that when the arrangement 20 is axially rotatable and longitudinally displaceable relative to the sleeve 18 (i.e. not in the fixed condition) it is in the adjustable condition relative thereto.

The internal surface 22.1 may also define a lip which limits longitudinal movement of the securing body 24 relative thereto.

The collar body 22 and the securing body 24 may be attachable by way of attachment means comprising screws, adjusting bolts, or the like 26 which are insertable in aligned apertures provided in the rim 24.2 and a peripheral area of the collar body 22. It will be appreciated that actuation of the attachment means 26 may facilitate urging of the body 24.1 axially into the collar 22 and deformation thereof as described above as well as retaining the securing body 24.1 in its radially deformed position.

The arrangement 20 may further comprise jacking means 28 comprising one or more jacking bolts 28 which abut the collar body 22 and facilitate displacement of the securing body 24 relative to the collar body 22 on operating thereof.

It will be noted that the collar body 22 comprises alignment apertures 22.2 provided in opposite walls of the body 22, the apertures 22.2 having similar dimensions to the bore 16.3.

The device 10 may also comprise an elongate solid cylindrical bar-like locking member or pin 30 which may be tethered to the device 10 by way of a tether means comprising a chain, or the like. The locking pin 30 is typically shaped and dimensioned for operative receipt in at least the aperture 16.3.

It will be appreciated that the device 10 may be constructed from one or more of steel, mild steel, stainless steel, etc.

In construction, referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the actuator arm 16 is fitted to a valve stem of the valve. The valve flange 14 is then attached to a corresponding valve mounting flange of the valve with bolts, studs, screws, etc. The sleeve 18 is passed over the arm 16 such that the latter is axially located in the sleeve 18 as described above. The sleeve 18 is then fixedly connected to the flange 14. The arrangement 20 is then passed over the sleeve 18.

The actuator flange 12 is attached to an associated actuator plate in a similar manner as described above. The actuator is connected to the actuator end of the actuator arm 16. It will be understood that the sleeve 18 is fixedly connected to the flange 12 thereby ensuring that the sleeve 18 is fixedly connected between the actuator and the valve.

The valve is then actuated to the position required for locking out (i.e. Opened or Closed) and the holes 16.3, 18.2 and 22.2 are correspondingly then aligned and the locking member 30 is slid through the aligned holes 16.3, 18.2, and 22.2. The arrangement 20 is then operated to a fixed condition relative to the sleeve 18 essentially securing the same to the desired position on the sleeve 18, at least by actuating the attachment means 26. With the arrangement 20 in the desired position, the locking member 30 should ideally pass smoothly and freely between the aligned holes 16.3, 18.2, and 22.2. This is important given the low tolerances in dimensions between particularly at least the holes 16.3 and 22.2.

In use, referring to Figures 1 to 7 of the drawings, should it be desired that the valve be locked to the closed condition, for example, for maintenance downstream from the valve, the same is actuated accordingly and the holes 16.3, 18.2, and 22.2 should conceivably align for passage of the locking member 30 therethrough as illustrated more clearly in Figures 6 and 7. The locking member 30 through the aligned holes 16.3, 18.2, and 22.2 mechanically limits rotation of the arm 16 relative to the sleeve 18 and arrangement 20 thereby preventing actuation of the valve, in other words, manually and mechanically locking out the valve.

However, sometimes the holes, particularly the holes 16.3 and 22.2, do not align perfectly with each other with the valve actuated in the desired condition. This problem may be due to various reasons ranging from operating environments and conditions, wear and tear on equipment due to use, etc. Whatever the cause, the misalignment of the holes 16.3, 18.2, and 22.2 prevents the locking member 30 from freely passing through the same which undesirably prevents the valve from being locked out. Typically this problem would have resulted in great amounts of time, effort and money being expended on resolving the same. However, the present invention advantageously addresses the problem.

In particular, when faced with the problem of misaligned holes, the attachment means 26 of the arrangement 20 is operated and removed from restraining attachment to both the collar body 22 and the securing body 24. Though not attached by way of the means 26, the collar body 22 is still frictionally attached to the securing body 24 and for this reason, the jacking bolt 28 is actuated causing the same to bear against the collar body 22 and urge the same away from the securing body 24. The collar body 22 is displaced from attachment to the securing body 24 and the body 24.1 slides substantially out of abutment with the internal walls 22.1 . It follows that the securing body 24 correspondingly expands radially, loosening the arrangement 20 around the sleeve 18 and thereby operating the arrangement 20 to the adjustable condition. In the adjustable condition, the arrangement 20 particularly the collar 22 is advantageously rotated axially or displaced longitudinally relative to the sleeve 18 to bring alignment of at least the hole 22.2 and the hole 16.3.

Once the holes 16.3, 18.2, and 22.2 are aligned, the locking member 30 is passed therethrough and the arrangement 20 is operated to the fixed condition at the new position relative to the sleeve 18. In particular, for operation to the fixed condition, it will be noted that the securing body 24 is urged into attachment with the collar body 22, facilitated via the means 26. As the securing body 24 is urged into attachment with the collar body 22, the walls 22.1 of the collar body 22 bear on the body 24.1 causing the same to radially deform or compress around the sleeve 18 thereby to thereto securing the arrangement 20 thereto at the desired position. The means 26 therefore facilitates tensioning of the arrangement 20 in the fixed condition to securely attach the same to the sleeve 18.

The member 30 is then locked in place within the holes 16.3, 18.2, and 22.2 by a padlock, through an associated aperture, etc. thereby preventing unauthorised removal of the same. For completeness, it will be noted that should an erroneous control signal be received by the actuator to open a valve locked in the closed position, the actuator will attempt to rotate the arm 16 from its position associated with the closed valve to the position associated with the open valve. However, the member 30, which passes through the arm 16, abuts against at least the arrangement 20 thereby mechanically preventing rotation of the arm 16 and hence actuation of the valve.

The invention as hereinbefore described provides a convenient means for addressing and ameliorating at least some of the problems associated with misaligned valve lockout devices. In addition, the present invention is relatively simple to operate thereby making the same more accessible for use by unskilled workers.