U.S. patent application number 14/549173 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-28 for heater and heating system.
This patent application is currently assigned to IRONMAN VALVE HEATERS, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is IRONMAN VALVE HEATERS, LLC. Invention is credited to Troy A. Green.
Application Number | 20150147054 14/549173 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53182756 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150147054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green; Troy A. |
May 28, 2015 |
Heater and Heating System
Abstract
A heater and heating system for installation adjacent a valve to
control temperature near the valve is disclosed. In an example, the
heating system includes a housing having a heating chamber formed
therein, the heating chamber configured to retain a heating fluid.
The heating system also includes an electric heating element
disposed in thermal contact with the heating chamber. The heating
system also includes a connection to attach the heating chamber to
the valve.
Inventors: |
Green; Troy A.; (Fruita,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IRONMAN VALVE HEATERS, LLC |
Fruita |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
IRONMAN VALVE HEATERS, LLC
|
Family ID: |
53182756 |
Appl. No.: |
14/549173 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61908445 |
Nov 25, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
392/449 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 49/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
392/449 |
International
Class: |
F24H 1/00 20060101
F24H001/00 |
Claims
1. A heater, comprising: a heating chamber; a heating element
disposed in thermal contact with the heating chamber; a connection
to attach the heating chamber to a valve.
2. The heater of claim 1, wherein the heating chamber is configured
to retain a heating fluid.
3. The heater of claim 1, wherein the heating element is an
electric heating element.
4. The heater of claim 1, further comprising a bore formed through
a housing.
5. The heater of claim 4, wherein the heating chamber at least
partially surrounds the bore formed within the housing.
6. The heater of claim 1, further comprising a thermostat in
thermal contact with the heating chamber, the thermostat to control
operation of the heating element.
7. The heater of claim 6, further comprising a
temperature-controlled circuit breaker provided through a distal
surface into thermal communication with the heating chamber,
wherein the circuit breaker is configured to arrest operation of
the heating element in response to detecting a threshold
temperature of heating fluid within the heating chamber.
8. The heater of claim 1, wherein the connection includes a spin
collar.
9. The heater of claim 1, wherein the connection is configured to
attach to a railroad tanker car.
10. The heater of claim 1, wherein the connection includes a first
flange and a second flange.
11. The heater as set forth in claim 9, wherein the first and
second flanges further comprise a plurality of fastener
through-bores, the first flange configured to mount to a conduit,
and the second flange configured to mount to a valve.
12. The heater of claim 1, further comprising an electronics cover
removably coupled with the housing to seal and protect the heating
element and other electronics from a surrounding environment.
13. A heating system for installation adjacent a valve to control
temperature near the valve, comprising: a housing having a heating
chamber formed therein, the heating chamber configured to retain a
heating fluid; an electric heating element disposed in thermal
contact with the heating chamber; a connection to attach the
heating chamber to the valve.
14. The heating system of claim 13, further comprising a bore
formed through a housing, the bore providing passage for a fluid
through the housing, and wherein the heating chamber at least
partially surrounds the bore to maintain a predetermined
temperature or temperature range of the fluid adjacent the
valve.
15. The heating system of claim 13, further comprising a thermostat
in thermal contact with the heating chamber, the thermostat to
control operation of the heating element.
16. The heating system of claim 15, further comprising a
temperature-controlled circuit breaker provided through a distal
surface into thermal communication with the heating chamber,
wherein the circuit breaker is configured to arrest operation of
the heating element in response to detecting a threshold
temperature of heating fluid within the heating chamber.
17. The heating system of claim 13, further comprising a first
flange and a second flange, wherein the first and second flanges
further comprise a plurality of fastener through-bores, the first
flange configured to mount to a conduit, and the second flange
configured to mount to a valve.
18. The heating system of claim 13, wherein the connection includes
a spin collar to attach to a railroad tanker car.
19. A method of heating a valve, comprising: providing a housing
having an interior and an exterior defined between proximal and
distal open ends; providing a first flange to mount the housing to
a conduit; providing a second flange to mount the housing to the
valve; providing a heating element to maintain a predetermined
temperature or temperature range within the interior of the
housing.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising heating a fluid in
the housing adjacent the valve to prevent freezing of the valve.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application. No. 61/908,445 filed Nov. 25, 2013 and titled
"Valve Heater" of Troy A. Green, hereby incorporated by reference
for all that is disclosed as though fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Tanks are used in the oil and gas industry to store volumes,
often in cold and even extreme cold environments. It is important
that the tank contents do not freeze. While tank heaters can be
used to reduce freezing, this alone is often insufficient. For
example, valves and pipelines associated with the tanks may still
freeze.
[0003] When valves freeze, an open-flame torch is typically applied
to the exterior of the valve to heat and thaw the valve. However,
an open flame can cause an undesirable and dangerous ignition
(e.g., oils or other combustibles) even if only small residues are
present on the valve exterior and/or nearby. Other approaches to
reduce the occurrence of valves freezing is to wrap the valves with
heat tape, or simply leave the valves open. But each of these
approaches has yet further disadvantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example valve heater
installed between a valve and a section of conduit.
[0005] FIGS. 1A-1B are perspective views of an example valve
heater.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the example valve heater shown
in FIGS. 1A-1B.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the example valve heater
shown taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 1B.
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a connection on the example valve heater
with a control box (see FIG. 5) shown removed.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a control box for the example valve
heater.
[0010] FIG. 6 shows another example valve heater.
[0011] FIGS. 7A-B illustrate the example valve heater shown in FIG.
6 as the valve heater may be implemented on a railroad tanker
car.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Example valve heaters are disclosed herein as these may be
used to enable operation of valves (e.g., a four-inch butterfly
style valve) when freezing temperatures may otherwise prevent the
valves from opening and closing. In an example, the valve heater
may maintain a raised temperature of the fluid in and/or near the
valve to maintain proper operation of the valve.
[0013] In an example, the valve, heater may be implemented for
valves commonly found in the oil and gas industry, although the
valve heater is not limited to any particular end-use, For example,
another valve heater is disclosed herein which may be implemented
for a railroad tanker car.
[0014] It is noted that other applications of the valve heater may
include, but are not limited to, use with any valve (e.g., a valve
using a flange style application) of any configuration and/or
dimension which may be provided in cold weather environments, such
as frac tanks, water manifolds, and mud pumps.
[0015] Indeed, the valve heater is not limited to use in cold
weather environments. For example, the valve heater may also find
application with asphalt valves in hot plants, wherein any cooling
below the high temperatures needed to fluidize asphalt may result
in the valve becoming inoperable. As such, the valve heater may be
used to maintain the high temperatures needed to prevent the
asphalt from cooling such that it would cause the valve to stick or
otherwise become inoperable.
[0016] As such, the valve heater reduces or altogether eliminates
the need for open-flame torches and/or the need to leave the valves
open (potentially releasing hazardous fluids). In an example, a
total rebuild of electrical components, including wiring can be
performed without having to remove the valve heater.
[0017] Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the
terms "includes" and "including" mean, but is not limited to,
"includes" or "including" and "includes at least" or "including at
least." The term "based on" means "based on" and "based at least in
part on."
[0018] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example valve heater 10. In
an example, the valve heater 10 may be implemented as an inline
heating system. That is, the heating system may be installed
adjacent a valve 1 and a section of conduit 2. For example, the
valve heater 10 may include a connection to attach the heating
chamber to the valve 10. In an example, the connection is a first
flange 12 to connect the valve heater 10 to the valve 1. The
connection may also include a second flange 14 to connect to
connect to the section of conduit 2.
[0019] The valve heater 10 is configured to maintain fluid (or
other matter) in conduit 2 near the valve 1 at a predetermined
temperature. For example, the temperature can be selected to be
above freezing so that the fluid (or other matter) in the conduit 2
immediately adjacent the valve 1 does not freeze and render the
valve inoperable.
[0020] The temperature may be maintained at any suitable
temperature and/or within a predetermined temperature range. For
example, if asphalt cools below the high temperatures needed to
fluidize asphalt may result in the valve becoming inoperable. As
such, the heating system may be provided to maintain the asphalt
immediately near the valve at a sufficiently high temperature to
prevent the asphalt from cooling (albeit not freezing) to a
temperature wherein the asphalt would become less fluid or even
harden and cause the valve to stick or otherwise become
inoperable.
[0021] it is noted that more than one valve heater 10 may be
implemented. In the illustration shown in FIG. 1, for example,
other valve heater(s) may be installed between the valve 1 and
conduit section 3 and/or conduit section 4.
[0022] FIGS. 1A-1B are perspective views of an example valve heater
10. FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the example valve heater 10 shown
in FIGS. 1A-1B. The valve heater 10 may include a housing 16 with a
heater bore 18 formed through the housing 16. The heater bore 18
may be configured with a similar inner diameter as a conduit to be
connected to the valve heater 10 (e.g., conduit section 2 shown in
FIG. 1) and/or an opening to the valve 1 (see FIG. 1).
[0023] As noted above, the valve heater 10 may include a first
flange 12 and a second flange 14. Each of the first and second
flanges 12 and 14 further include a plurality of fastener
through-bores (e.g., through-bores 20a on flange 14 and
through-bores 20b on flange 12 are labeled in FIGS. 1A-1B). The
through-bores or fastener ports are configured for receiving
fasteners to couple the valve heater 10 between the valve 1 and the
conduit 2 (or structure, such as another valve, tank, etc.).
[0024] In an example, the valve heater 10 is configured as a
cylinder having an interior and an exterior defined between
proximal and distal ends. The first flange 12 is provided to the
cylinder proximal end, and the second flange 14 is provided to the
cylinder distal end. While the cylinder and flanges may be
configured to any of a variety of dimensions, in an example, the
cylinder is 6''.times.'' and 0.1875'' thick, and the flanges are
4'' standard and 5/8'' thick. Additionally, a 4'' schedule 80
center or bore may be incorporated therein.
[0025] In an example, the valve heater 10 may include a rectangular
section 22 for the heating chamber and heating element (see FIG.
3). While the rectangular section 22 may have any of a variety of
dimensions, in an example, the length may be approximately 4 inches
while the width is approximately 2 inches.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the example valve heater
shown taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 1B. The housing 16 may include
a heating chamber 24 formed therein (shown in its entirety in
cross-hatch). The heating chamber 24 may retain a heating fluid
that can be maintained at a predetermined temperature. For example,
an electric heating element 26 may be disposed in thermal contact
with the heating chamber 24 (e.g., inside the heating chamber,
adjacent, or otherwise) to heat the heating fluid therein. Any
suitable heating fluid may be provided in the heating chamber 24,
and may vary by application, cost, and/or other design
considerations.
[0027] In an example, the heating chamber 24 at least partially
surrounds the bore 18 to maintain a predetermined temperature or
temperature range of the fluid therein. The heating element 26 may
be provided through the distal facet into thermal communication
with the heating chamber 24 to increase the temperature of a
heating fluid.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a connection platform 30 on the example
valve heater. The connection platform 30 connects with an
electronics housing. A plug 32 (e.g., 3/8'' National Pipe Thread
plug) may be provided in the connection platform 30 to enable
filling and/or draining heating fluid in the heating chamber 24. In
an example, the plug is provided on a 6''.times.6'' collar opposite
from the heating element 26. Another opening 34 (e.g., a 3/8''
National Pipe Thread opening) may also be provided in the housing
30 for the heating element 26 to extend therethrough.
[0029] During operation, heat from the heating element 26 is
transferred to the heating fluid in the heating chamber 24, which
is in turn transferred to the heater bore 18. As such, the fluid
(or other matter) within the heater bore 18 is maintained at a
predetermined temperature to prevent freezing of the fluid (or
other matter) immediately adjacent the valve 1.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a control box for the example valve
heater. The control box may include bottom portion 36a and cover
portion 36b of an electronics housing. The electronics housing may
be removably coupled with the connection platform 30 (e.g., on a
distal facet of the connection 30) to selectively protect the
heating element 26 and the other control electronics. While the
electronics housing may be provided in any of a variety of
dimensions, in one example, the cover portion 36b of electronics
housing measures approximately 3''.times.4''.times.2''.
[0031] in an example, a fastener is configured for coupling the
lower portion 36a of the electronics housing to the connection
platform 30 by cooperating with a threaded bore formed in the
distal facet. The threaded bore may include a 1'' National Pipe
Thread bore facilitating fastening of the electronics housing with
a threaded fastener such as a 3/8'' bolt.
[0032] Control electronics may be provided in electronics housing
to control operation of the valve heater 10. In an example, a
thermostat 28 may be provided in thermal contact with the heating
chamber 14. The thermostat 28 can be provided to control operation
of the heating element 26 (e.g., to maintain the predetermined
temperature).
[0033] Other control electronics may also be provided. For example,
a temperature-controlled circuit breaker may be provided through a
distal surface into thermal communication with the heating chamber.
The circuit breaker can be configured to arrest operation of the
heating element 26 in response to detecting a threshold temperature
of heating fluid within the heating chamber 24.
[0034] An electrical conduit port 38 may be formed in a cover 36c
of the electronics housing to harness an electrical conduit 40 to
provide power to the control electronics and the heating element
26. A power switch 42 may also be provided (e.g., to turn the valve
heater 10 on and off).
[0035] FIG. 6 shows another example valve heater 100. In this
example, the valve heater 100 includes a heating chamber formed
within the housing 116. The heating chamber may be solid and/or
include a heating fluid. The heating chamber may also extend up to
end plate 118, or is otherwise in thermal contact with end plate
118.
[0036] In this example, the valve heater 100 is provided with a
spin collar 150a to connect to a valve, such as valves found on a
railroad tanker car. FIGS. 7A-B illustrate the example valve heater
shown in FIG. 6 as the valve heater may be implemented on a
railroad tanker car 200.
[0037] By connecting the valve heater 100 to valve 210 (e.g.,
tanker drain valve or other fixture) and operating the heating
element (e.g., in bottom portion and cover portions 136a and 136b
of connection 130) via electricity provided by cable 140, as
already described above for the example valve heater 10, the valve
210 (and any fluid held behind the valve) is maintained at a
predetermined temperature to prevent the valve 210 from freezing.
The valve heater 100 can be removed, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, and
a hose or other conduit 220 connected to the valve 210, e.g., to
drain the tanker.
[0038] Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples
described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are
not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device
configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations
described herein.
[0039] A method of heating a valve is also disclosed. In an
example, the method includes providing a housing having an interior
and an exterior defined between proximal and distal open ends. The
method also includes providing a first flange to mount the housing
to a conduit. The method also includes providing a second flange to
mount the housing to the valve. The method also includes providing
a heating element to maintain a predetermined temperature or
temperature range within the interior of the housing. During
operation, a fluid (or gas or other component such as asphalt) in
the housing adjacent the valve is heated to prevent freezing of the
valve.
[0040] In an example, the heater bore may also be heated to melt or
thaw a frozen working fluid (or increase temperature of other
matter such as to liquefy asphalt).
[0041] A method of manufacture of a valve heater is also disclosed,
in an example, a cylinder is provided with an interior and an
exterior defined between proximal and distal ends, a first flange
12 is mounted to the cylinder proximal end and a second flange 14
is mounted to the cylinder distal end. Mounting may be by welding.
A plurality of bores are formed through the first and second
flanges 12 and 14.
[0042] A housing, which may be formed as a rectangular base
cylinder truncated along an oblique plane, is coupled to the
cylinder exterior so as to form a heating fluid chamber 24.
Coupling of the housing to the cylinder exterior may include
inserting a proximal edge of the housing into a passage formed in
the cylinder exterior.
[0043] To provide a distal facet, an end plate is coupled to the
housing remote from the cylinder exterior, for example, by welding.
A heating element and control electronics (e.g., a temperature
controlled circuit breaker) are inserted into the housing, through
the end plane, and into thermal communication with the heating
fluid chamber.
[0044] The cylinder may be installed or inserted between a valve
and a fluid conduit and coupled thereto by inserting a plurality of
fasteners through the bores formed in the first and second flanges.
To facilitate immersion of the heating element, the housing,
element block and control block may be mounted in a downward
position underneath the cylinder to help ensure the heating element
remains immersed in the heating fluid.
[0045] A heating fluid may be provided to the housing. With a
heating fluid provided, the heating fluid is heated with the
heating element. The heating element may be deactivated, e.g., with
the temperature controlled circuit breaker upon detecting a
threshold temperature of the heating fluid.
[0046] The operations shown and described herein are provided to
illustrate example implementations. It is noted that the operations
are not limited to the ordering shown. Still other operations may
also be implemented.
[0047] It is noted that the examples shown and described are
provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.
* * * * *