Systems and methods for gate valves

Abstract

A gate valve system includes a body including an upstream end, a downstream end, and a flow path extending through the upstream end and the downstream end. The gate valve system includes a gate assembly extending within the body, the gate assembly including a gate a stem secured to the gate and configured to place the expandable gate in a first position in which a flow of fluid is permitted between the upstream end and the downstream end and a second position in which the flow of fluid is prevented. The gate valve system also includes a lubrication port in an exterior of the body, the lubrication port being in fluid communication with an interior of the body and including a lubrication guiding insert configured to guide a supply of lubricating fluid to a location inside the body and between the upstream end and the downstream end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gate valve system, comprising:
 a body including:
 an upstream end; 
 a downstream end; and 
 a flow path extending through the upstream end and the downstream end; 
   a gate assembly extending within the body, the gate assembly including:
 a gate; and 
 a stem secured to the gate and configured to place the gate in a first position in which a flow of fluid is permitted between the upstream end and the downstream end and a second position in which the flow of fluid is prevented; and 
   a lubrication port in an exterior of the body, the lubrication port being in fluid communication with an interior of the body and including a lubrication guiding insert configured to guide a supply of lubricating fluid to a location inside the body and between the upstream end and the downstream end.   
     
     
         2 . The gate valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the lubrication port includes an axially-extending channel having a first end positioned outside of the body and a second end positioned inside the body. 
     
     
         3 . The gate valve system of  claim 2 , wherein the lubrication guiding insert includes a proximal opening configured to receive a fluid fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The gate valve system of  claim 3 , wherein the lubrication guiding insert includes a distal end having a radially-positioned opening. 
     
     
         5 . The gate valve system of  claim 3 , wherein the lubrication guiding insert includes a distal opening positioned to supply fluid to a surface of the gate assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The gate valve system of  claim 3 , wherein the lubrication guiding insert includes a distal opening positioned to supply fluid to a guide plate secured to the gate valve assembly. 
     
     
         7 . A gate valve system, comprising:
 a body including:
 an upstream end forming an upstream opening; and 
 a downstream end forming a downstream opening; 
   an expandable gate moveable between an open position and a closed position;   a seat ring positioned to contact the expandable gate when the expandable gate is in the closed position, the seat ring including a radially-extending passage; and   a sealant port extending within the body, the sealant port being in fluid communication with the radially-extending passage in the seat ring.   
     
     
         8 . The gate valve system of  claim 7 , wherein the sealant port extends to an outer surface of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The gate valve system of  claim 7 , wherein the seat ring includes a longitudinal passage that extends in a direction that is parallel to an axial direction defined by the seat ring. 
     
     
         10 . The gate valve system of  claim 9 , wherein the longitudinal passage extends from the radially-extending hole. 
     
     
         11 . The gate valve system of  claim 10 , wherein the longitudinal passage extends to a valve insert. 
     
     
         12 . The gate valve system of  claim 7 , wherein the radially-extending passage extends through an outer circumferential surface of the seat ring that abuts the body. 
     
     
         13 . The gate valve system of  claim 7 , further including a lubrication port formed in the body, the lubrication port being in fluid communication with an interior of the body, the lubrication port including a lubrication-introducing member secured to an exterior of the body and configured to guide a supply of fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The gate valve system of  claim 13 , wherein the lubrication port includes an axially-extending channel having a first end positioned outside of the body and a second end positioned inside the body and the axially-extending channel includes a proximal opening configured to receive a fluid fitting. 
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling a gate valve system, the method comprising:
 forming a body including an upstream end, a downstream end, and a flow path extending through the upstream end and the downstream end;   placing an expandable gate valve assembly within the body, the expandable gate valve assembly including a gate within the body and a stem secured to the gate, the stem being configured to actuate the gate between a first position in which a flow of fluid is permitted between the upstream end and the downstream end and a second position in which the flow of fluid is prevented; and   forming a lubrication port in an exterior of the body, the lubrication port being in fluid communication with an interior of the body and including a lubrication guiding insert configured to guide a supply of fluid to a location between the upstream end and the downstream end.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including forming an axially-extending channel in the lubrication guiding insert of the lubrication port, the lubrication guiding insert having a first end positioned outside of the body and a second end positioned inside the body. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the lubrication guiding insert includes a proximal opening configured to receive a fluid fitting. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further including placing a seat ring within the body, the seat ring including a radially-extending hole. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including forming a sealant port within the body, the sealant port being in fluid communication with the radially-extending hole in the seat ring. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sealant port extends to an exterior of the body.