Method and Apparatus for Monitoring and On-demand Lubricating of Industrial Valves

Abstract

A method of monitoring industrial valve actuation and maintaining an industrial valve by lubricating it on-demand and in coordination with in-service valve operations through an automated system eliminating downtime and/or exposure of personnel to hazardous environments through centralized lubricant supply and spent fluid collections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for lubricating an industrial valve comprising:
 a lubricant delivery source comprising:
 a lubricant reservoir, 
 an optional lubricant sensor, and 
 a first pump; 
   lubricant tubing;   at least one industrial valve, comprising:
 a valve body encircling a flow path interruptible by, 
 a gate attached to a stem moved by, 
 an actuator to actuate the industrial valve between:
 an open, first gate position, and 
 a closed, second gate position for controlling the flow path of the industrial valve; and 
 
 one or more grease fittings for lubrication of the industrial valve; and a controller configured to: 
 monitor actuation of the industrial valve or position of the gate; and 
 selectively deliver lubricant from the lubricant reservoir, through the lubricant tubing, to one or more grease fittings on the valve body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein the lubricant sensor determines the pressure of lubricant delivered. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein the lubricant sensor determines the quantity of lubricant delivered. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein the controller is further configured to:
 record actuation of the industrial valve; 
 count movement of the gate from one position to another position, a valve cycle; 
 monitor gate position; or 
 actuate the industrial valve. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein selectively pumping lubricant from the lubricant reservoir is responsive to a specific gate position. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as described in  claim 4  wherein selectively pumping lubricant from the lubricant reservoir is:
 responsive to actuation of the industrial valve, or 
 concurrent with an actuation of the industrial valve. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second pump:
 receiving lubricant from the lubricant tubing, 
 pressurizing the lubricant, high-pressure lubricant, and 
 delivering the high-pressure lubricant, to 
 the one or more grease fittings for lubrication of the industrial valve. 
 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein the controller is further configured to
 open a second grease fitting, and 
 vent excess fluid from the valve body while pumping lubricant from the lubricant reservoir. 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1  further comprising:
 one or more control valves, 
 selectively directing high-pressure lubricant to one of the one or more grease fittings of the industrial valve, and 
 directing excess fluid from a second of the one or more grease fittings of the industrial valve to a discharge collection. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as described in  claim 1  the discharge collection further comprising:
 a discharge reservoir for collecting excess fluid, 
 optional hose connecting the industrial valve to the discharge reservoir. 
 
     
     
         11 . A system for lubricating an industrial valve comprising:
 monitoring movement of a gate in an industrial valve,   controlling a lubrication system to deliver (at high pressure) lubrication,   greasing the industrial valve by pumping lubrication through a grease fitting for,   distributing throughout a cavity of the valve by movement of the gate.   
     
     
         12 . A method of lubricating a valve comprising:
 monitoring operation of the valve;   responsive to the valve operations and position,   delivering a prescribed quantity of lubricant to a first grease connection on the valve, while simultaneously   venting excessive pressure and collecting discharge from a second grease connection on the valve.   
     
     
         13 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the delivering of lubricant is coordinated with regular in-service valve operations. 
     
     
         14 . The method as described in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring operation of other valves;   coordinating delivery of lubricant among the plurality of valves.   
     
     
         15 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the delivery of lubricant is further responsive to anticipated future valve operations.