Aligned and axially loaded pig injector valve and method of attaching

Abstract

A method of attaching a tubular member, having an attachment flange defining a plurality of bolt holes, to a valve fitting comprising a valve body having a loading surface and a valve flange. The valve flange includes a flange, defining a plurality of bolt holes, for engaging the attachment flange and a plurality of axial loading members movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position protruding to bear on the loading surface. The method includes threading a threaded end of the valve flange onto a threaded end of the valve body, rotating the valve flange until the bolt holes of the valve flange are geometrically aligned with the bolt holes of the tubular member and moving at least one of the axial loading members into its second extended position to bear on the loading surface to impart an axial tensile force between the valve body and valve flange.

1 . A method of attaching a tubular member having an attachment flange defining a plurality of bolt holes to a valve fitting having a longitudinal axis, the fitting comprising:
 (i) a valve body having an outlet, a threaded end and a loading surface; and   (ii) a valve flange comprising a first threaded end for engaging the valve body threaded end, a flange for engaging the tubular member attachment flange, said flange defining a plurality of bolt holes, and a plurality of axial loading members each movable between a first position retracted away from the loading surface and a second extended position protruding to bear on the valve body loading surface to impart an axial tensile force between the valve body and valve flange;   
       the method comprising:
 (a) threading the valve flange onto the valve body; 
 (b) rotating the valve flange until the bolt holes on the flange of the valve flange are geometrically aligned with the bolt holes on the attachment flange of the tubular member; and 
 (c) moving at least one of the plurality of axial loading members into its second extended position so that it bears on the loading surface of the valve body. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the plurality of axial loading members is moved into its second extended position before the valve flange is attached to the attachment flange. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the valve flange is attached to the attachment flange before the at least one of the plurality of axial loading members is moved into its second extended position. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein moving at least one of the plurality of axial loading members comprises moving each of the plurality of axial loading members into its second extended position so that it bears on the loading surface of the valve body. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein each axial loading member is moved into its second extended position before the valve flange is attached to the attachment flange. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the valve flange is attached to the attachment flange before each axial loading member is moved into its second extended position. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the loading surface of the valve body defines a plurality of recesses for receiving the axial loading members when moved into their second extended positions to bear on the loading surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the loading surface of the valve body defines a plurality of recesses for receiving the axial loading members when moved into their second extended positions to bear on the loading surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein each axial loading member has a tapered end for receipt in one of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein each of the plurality of recesses is conical. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein each axial loading member has a tapered end for receipt in one of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein each axial loading member has a tapered end for receipt in one of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein each of the plurality of recesses is conical. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein each axial loading member has a tapered end for receipt in one of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein each axial loading member is a set screw. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8  wherein each axial loading member is a set screw. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each axial loading member is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve fitting. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7  wherein each axial loading member is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve fitting. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8  wherein each axial loading member is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve fitting. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the valve fitting is a pig injector valve for connection with a pipeline, wherein the pipeline is comprised of the tubular member. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the valve fitting is a pig injector valve for connection with a pipeline, wherein the pipeline is comprised of the tubular member. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the valve fitting is a ball valve for the insertion or extraction of pigs from a pipeline, wherein the pipeline is comprised of the tubular member. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the valve fitting is a ball valve for the insertion or extraction of pigs from a pipeline, wherein the pipeline is comprised of the tubular member.