(51) Int Cl.: F16K 17/04 ( )

Transcription

1 (19) TEPZZ 786Z B_T (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (4) Date of publication and mention of the grant of the patent: Bulletin 16/08 (21) Application number: (22) Date of filing: (1) Int Cl.: F16K 17/04 (06.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US12/ (87) International publication number: WO 13/08228 ( Gazette 13/23) (4) SLAM SHUT SAFETY DEVICE HAVING A CAGE VERSCHLUSSSCHUTZVORRICHTUNG MIT EINEM KÄFIG DISPOSITIF DE SÉCURITÉ À FERMETURE À RESSORT COMPRENANT UNE CAGE (84) Designated Contracting States: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR (30) Priority: US P (43) Date of publication of application: Bulletin 14/41 (73) Proprietor: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc. McKinney, TX 7070 (US) (72) Inventors: NGUYEN, Tung, Kim McKinney, TX 7070 (US) FOURNEL, Guillaume 7070 McKinney, Texas (US) ALEXANDRU-VLAD, Roman 7070 McKinney, Texas (US) (74) Representative: Bohnenberger, Johannes Meissner, Bolte & Partner GbR Widenmayerstraße München (DE) (6) References cited: US-A US-A US-A EP B1 Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 7001 PARIS (FR)

2 1 EP B1 2 Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION flow conditions, such as relatively high flow conditions, suction on the valve disc may impede the functionality of the slam-shut device. Field of the Disclosure SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The disclosure generally relates to slam-shut safety devices for gas distribution systems, and specifically relates to slam-shut safety device having a cage surrounding the valve disc of the slam-shut safety device. Related Technology [0002] Gas distribution systems, such as systems used to distribute natural gas, typically transport gas from a producer to a consumer along a series of pipes and through a series of valves. Each gas distribution system may include one or more regulator valves that control the pressure of the gas within the distribution system. Normally, the gas is transmitted at a high pressure through the system. However, the pressure of the gas must be reduced prior to final distribution to the consumers. This pressure reduction is typically accomplished at pressure reducing stations within local networks. [0003] Typically, these pressure reducing stations include one or more pressure regulating valves and some sort of safety device to shut off the flow of gas should the pressure regulating valve fail. Most commonly, slam-shut safety valves are used for this purpose. For example, US-A discloses a slam-shut safety valve that provides overpressure protection in a pipeline. Another example of a slam-shut safety valve is disclosed in US- A-08/0274. The slam-shut safety valve is generally disposed upstream of the pressure regulating valve so that the slam-shut valve may prevent gas from reaching the pressure regulating valve in the event of the pressure regulating valve has failed. The slam-shut safety valve monitors gas pressure downstream of the pressure regulating valve for maximum and minimum pressure tolerances. If the downstream pressure exceeds either the maximum or minimum tolerance, the slam-shut safety valve closes, cutting off the flow of gas to the pressure regulating valve and preventing an uncontrolled leak of gas due to the pressure regulating valve failure. [0004] Known slam-shut safety valves have a valve disc that covers a valve orifice in the vicinity of a valve seat when an overpressure or underpressure condition is sensed. The valve disc is coupled to a reset pin, and the reset pin in turn is attached to an actuator that senses the overpressure or underpressure condition. The reset pin is typically in the open or untripped position, which places the valve disc away from the valve seat in an open position. Should the actuator sense the appropriate trip condition, the actuator releases the reset pin, and the valve disc shifts to the closed position against the valve seat. [000] In conventional slam-shut devices, the valve disc is exposed to the flow of fluid. Moreover, in certain [0006] A slam-shut safety device includes a valve body, the valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and defining a flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, the valve body including a valve seat surrounding an orifice disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A valve disc is provided, the valve disc being disposed within the valve body and shiftable between an open first position in which the valve disc is spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed second position in which the valve disc is seated against the valve seat. A reset pin is operatively coupled to the valve disc and is shiftable relative to the valve body between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open first position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed second position. The reset pin is arranged to respond to an actuator to shift the reset pin from the untripped position toward the tripped position. A cage is mounted within the valve body and disposed in the flow path, the cage sized to slidably receive the valve disc. The cage includes a plurality of flow apertures. [0007] In accordance with one or more preferred aspects, the device includes a spring disposed within the valve body, with the spring operatively coupled to the valve disc and arranged to bias the valve disc toward the closed second position. The cage preferably is cylindrical and includes a first end mounted adjacent the valve seat and a second end spaced away from the valve seat, and the valve disc may be retracted past the plurality of apertures and into a recess formed by the cage when the valve disc is in the open first position. The valve disc preferably is shiftable along an axis, and the cage may be cylindrical and provided with a plurality of longitudinal guides extending parallel to the axis of the valve disc, each of the plurality of apertures bounded by the longitudinal guides. Each of the plurality of apertures may extend at least partially along a circumference of the cage. Further, the cage may include a slot extending parallel to the axis between the first end and the second end. [0008] Each of the plurality of apertures may extend partially along a circumference of the cage, and each of the plurality of apertures may be bounded by a first circumferentially extending edge disposed toward the first end of the cage, a second circumferentially extending edge disposed toward the second end of the cage, and a pair of side edges extending parallel to the axis. The recess may be spaced away from the second circumferentially extending edges and adjacent the second end of the cage. [0009] In accordance with another exemplary form, a slam-shut safety device may comprise a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and defining a flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, with the valve body in- 2

3 3 EP B1 4 cluding a valve seat surrounding an orifice disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A valve disc is disposed within the valve body and is shiftable between an open first position in which the valve disc is spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed second position in which the valve disc is seated against the valve seat. A reset pin is operatively coupled to the valve disc and is shiftable relative to the valve body between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open first position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed second position, with the reset pin arranged to respond to an actuator to shift the reset pin from the untripped position toward the tripped position. A cylindrical cage is mounted within the valve body and is disposed in the flow path, with the cage including a plurality of flow apertures. The cage is sized to slidably receive the valve disc. The cage includes a first end mounted adjacent the valve seat and a second end spaced away from the valve seat, and the cage is sized to form a cylindrical recess disposed adjacent the second end of the cage and spaced away from the flow apertures. The cylindrical recess is sized to receive the valve disc when the valve disc is in the open first position. [00] In accordance with another aspect, a method of assembling a slam-shut safety device includes the steps of providing a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and defining a flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, mounting a valve seat in the valve body, the valve seat surrounding an orifice disposed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet, and placing a valve disc sized to fit within the valve body and arranging the valve disc to shift between an open first position in which the valve disc is spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed second position in which the valve disc is seated against the valve seat. The method includes operatively coupling a reset pin to the valve disc and arranging the reset pin to shift relative to the valve body between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open first position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed second position, the reset pin arranged to respond to an actuator to shift the reset pin from the untripped position toward the tripped position. The method further includes mounting a cylindrical cage within the valve body to place the cage in the flow path, providing the cage with a plurality of flow apertures, and sizing the cage to slidably receive the valve disc. Further, the method includes placing the cage within the valve body with a first end of the cage mounted adjacent the valve seat and with a second end of the cage spaced away from the valve seat, and forming a cylindrical recess in the cage adjacent the second end of the cage and spaced away from the flow apertures, the cylindrical recess sized to receive the valve disc when the valve disc is in the open first position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art slamshut safety valve and showing the valve disc in a closed position. Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cutaway view in perspective of a portion of the slam-shut safety valve of Figure 1, but showing the valve disc in an open position. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a slam-shut safety valve assembled in accordance with the teachings of a disclosed example of the present invention incorporating a safety cage around the valve disc and showing the valve disc in the closed position. Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cutaway view in perspective of a portion of the slam-shut safety valve of Figure 3, but showing the valve disc in an open position. Figure is an enlarged perspective view of the safety cage for use in the slam-shut safety valve of Figure 3. Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the valve disc disposed within the safety cage. Figure 7 is an elevational view of the safety cage of Figure. Figure 8 is an end view of the safety cage. Figure 9 is a plan view of a metal blank having apertures formed therein prior to forming the blank into the shape of Figure. Figure is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the valve of Figure 3 in the open position. Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the valve of Figure 3 in the closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] Turning now to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate one example of a known slam-shut safety device. The slam-shut safety device may be attached to a main regulator (not shown) in a gas distribution system to provide a safety shutoff capability in the event of main regulator failure. The slam-shut safety device includes a valve portion 11, a slam-shut portion 13, and an actuator. The valve portion 11 includes a valve body 12 having a fluid inlet 14, and a fluid outlet 16 connected by a fluid passage forming a flow path 18. A valve seat is disposed within the valve body 12 and defines a flow orifice 21 forming a portion of the flow path 18. 3

4 EP B Consequently, fluid flowing through the slam-shut safety device flows from the fluid inlet 14, through the flow path 18 including the valve seat (and the flow orifice 21 formed by the valve seat ) to the fluid outlet 16. [0013] The slam-shut portion 13 includes a valve disc 22 that cooperates with the valve seat to restrict fluid flow through the slam-shut safety device when an overpressure or underpressure condition is sensed downstream of the main regulator. The valve disc 22 slides within the valve body 12 toward the valve seat in order to close the fluid orifice 21, and away from the valve seat in order to open the fluid orifice 21. Typically, the actuator includes a housing 26 enclosing one or more springs 28, and the springs 28 are typically connected to a diaphragm 30. The diaphragm 30 is sensitive to pressure changes within the actuator and moves within the actuator housing 26 in response to pressure changes. The diaphragm 30 is connected to a back plate 32, which moves longitudinally within the housing 26 in conjunction with the diaphragm 30. The back plate 32 interacts with a cam 34 to engage or release a reset pin 36. The reset pin 36 is shiftable along an axis A relative to the valve body 12 between a retracted or untripped position in which the valve disc 22 is spaced away from the valve seat in an open position opening the flow orifice 21, and a tripped position in which the valve disc 22 is seated against the valve seat in a closed position closing the flow orifice 21. [0014] The slam-shut portion includes a spring 37 or other suitable biasing mechanism, which acts to bias the valve disc 22 toward the closed position. Consequently, the reset pin 36 is shiftable between the untripped position and the tripped position when the actuator senses either an overpressure condition or an underpressure condition. The actuator causes the cam 34 to release the reset pin 36, such that the spring 37 causes the reset pin 36 and hence the valve disc 22 to slide toward the valve seat, ultimately bringing the valve disc 22 into contact with the valve seat, thus closing the flow orifice 21 and shutting off fluid flow through the flow path 18. Figure 2 illustrates a close up view of the slam-shut portion 13 of the slam-shut safety device. The reset pin 36 is shown attached to the valve disc 22, with the reset pin 36 disposed in the untripped position placing the valve disc 22 in the open position spaced away from the valve seat. Those of skill in the art will readily understand that the reset pin 36, when positioned in the untripped position, may be held in place by the cam 34 or other suitable latching mechanism, such that the cam 34 releasably holds the reset pin 36 in the armed or untripped position with the valve disc 22 spaced away from the valve seat. When the cam 34 is activated by the actuator, the cam 34 releases the reset pin 36, and the valve disc 22 slides or otherwise shifts toward the valve seat to close the slam-shut safety device, preventing fluid flow through the flow path 18. [00] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, a slam-shut safety device assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown and is referred to by the reference numeral 1. The slam-shut safety device 1 may be similar to the slam-shut safety device discussed above with respect to Figures 1 and 2, and therefore the same or similar components will have the same reference numerals, although the reference numerals will be increased by 0. Once again, the slamshut safety device 1 may be attached to a main regulator (not shown) in a gas distribution system to provide a safety shutoff capability in the event of main regulator failure. As shown in Figure 3, the slam-shut safety device 1 includes a valve portion 111, a slam-shut portion 113, and an actuator 1. The valve portion 111 includes a valve body 112 having a fluid inlet 114 and a fluid outlet 116, with the inlet 114 and the outlet 116 being connected by a fluid passage forming a flow path 118. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a valve seat 1 is disposed within the valve body 112 and defines a flow orifice 121 forming a portion of the flow path 118. Consequently, fluid flowing through the slam-shut safety device 1 flows from the fluid inlet 114, through the flow path 118 including the valve seat 1 (and the flow orifice 121 formed by the valve seat 1) to the fluid outlet 116. The slam-shut safety device 1 includes a cage 140 mounted within the valve body 112 so as to be disposed in the flow path 118. The cage 140 is sized and shaped to receive the valve disc 122 as will be discussed in greater detail below. [0016] Preferably, the valve disc 122 is round, and consequently the cage 140 preferably is preferably generally cylindrical and defines an axis B. When the cage 140 is disposed within the valve body 112 as outlined herein, the axis B is positioned to be generally parallel to the axis A of the reset pin 136. Still further, the axis A and the axis B are aligned to be generally coaxial with one another. The cage 140 includes at least one flow aperture 142 or a plurality of flow apertures 142. In the example of Figure 4 discussed in greater detail below, the cage 140 includes a plurality of flow apertures 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d. Only a pair of flow apertures is visible in the cross-section of Figure 4, although all of the flow apertures are shown in greater detail in, for example, Figure through 9. [0017] As with the example of Figures 1 and 2, the slam-shut portion 113 includes a valve disc 122 that cooperates with the valve seat 1 to restrict fluid flow through the slam-shut safety device 1 when an overpressure or underpressure condition is sensed downstream of the main regulator. The valve disc 122 shifts within the valve body 112 toward the valve seat 1 in order to close the fluid orifice 121, and further shifts away from the valve seat in order to open the fluid orifice 121. Typically, the actuator 1 includes a housing 126 enclosing one or more springs 128, and the springs 128 are typically connected to a diaphragm 130. The diaphragm 130 is sensitive to pressure changes within the actuator 1 and moves within the actuator housing 126 in response to pressure changes. The diaphragm 130 is connected to a back plate 132, which moves longitudinally within the housing 126 in conjunction with the dia- 4

5 7 EP B1 8 phragm 130. The back plate 132 interacts with a cam 134 to engage or release a reset pin 136. The reset pin 136 is shiftable along an axis A relative to the valve body 112 between a retracted or untripped position in which the valve disc 122 is spaced away from the valve seat 1 in an open position opening the flow orifice 121, and a tripped position in which the valve disc 122 is seated against the valve seat 1 in a closed position closing the flow orifice 121. The slam-shut portion includes a spring 137 or other suitable biasing mechanism, which acts to bias the valve disc 122 toward the closed position. Consequently, the reset pin 136 is shiftable between the untripped position and the tripped position when the actuator 1 senses either an overpressure condition or an underpressure condition. The actuator 1 causes the cam 134 to release the reset pin 136, such that the spring 137 causes the reset pin 136 and hence the valve disc 122 to slide or otherwise shift toward the valve seat 1, ultimately bringing the valve disc 122 into contact with the valve seat 1, thus closing the flow orifice 121 and shutting off fluid flow through the flow path 118. [0018] Referring now to Figure 4, the cage 140 is shown mounted within the valve body 112. Specifically, the valve body 112 includes a receiving area 144. The cage 140 includes a first end 146 disposed in a first receiving area 148 formed by the valve body 112 and disposed generally adjacent the valve seat 1. The cage 140 also includes a second end 0 disposed in a second receiving area 2 also formed by the valve body 112 and disposed generally away from the valve seat 1. In Figure 4, the valve disc 122 is shown in the open position spaced away from the valve seat 1 and into a recess 4 formed by the cage 140. In the open position shown in Figure 4, the valve disc 122 is retracted or otherwise positioned past the plurality of apertures 142a-142d (only the apertures 142a and 142b are visible in Figure 4), and into the recess 4. [0019] As shown in Figures 4 and, each of the apertures 142a-142d extends in a generally circumferential direction, with each of the apertures 142a-142d preferably extending partially along a circumference of the cage 140. Each of the apertures 142a-142d includes a first edge 6 disposed generally toward or otherwise adjacent the first end 146 of the cage 140, and also includes a second edge 8 disposed generally toward the second end 0 of the cage 140. Each of the apertures 142a- 142d also includes a pair of side edges 160, 162 extending between the corresponding first and second edges 6, 8. Each of the first and second edges 6 and 8 extends partially about the cylindrical cage 140 in a generally circumferential direction (extending around the axis B), while each of the side edges 160 and 162 extends in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis B of the cage 140. [00] In the example shown in Figure, the cage 140 includes a slot 164 extending between the first end 146 and the second end 0 in a direction that is parallel to the axis B of the cage 140. The slot 164 is defined by opposite ends 164a and 164b of the cage 140 as will be explained in greater detail below. As shown in Figure, the cage 140 also includes a plurality of sections 166, each of which extends longitudinally in a direction parallel to the axis B, and each of which is bounded by at least one or a pair of the side edges 160, 162 of the apertures 142a-142d. Each of the sections 166 includes a width 168, and preferably the sections 166 form an inner longitudinally extending guide 170. The cage 140 is preferably sized so that the guides 170 function to guide the valve disc 122 when the valve disc 122 shifts between the open and closed positions outlined above. [0021] Referring now to Figures 4 and 6, when the valve disc 122 is shifted away from the valve seat 1 and into the recess 4, a front surface 172 of the valve disc 122 is separated from the second edge 8 of the adjacent apertures 142 by a gap 174. Consequently, when assembled in accordance with the disclosed example, when the valve disc 122 is disposed in the recess 4, the cage 140 acts to protect the valve disc 122. For example, in relatively high flow situations (for example, at flows higher than 00 cubic feet per hour), the suction force acting on the valve disc 122 may be high enough to impede the functionality of the slam-shut device 1. The cage 140 assembled in accordance with the example discussed herein preferably acts to lessen or minimize the suction force. Still further, in relatively high flow situations, the recess 4 formed by the cage 140 protects the valve disc 122. Such a benefit may be achieved by preventing flow from directly contacting the front surface 172 of the valve disc 122, and/or by preventing flow from directly contacting an edge of the valve disc 122. Consequently, a slam-shut device 1 assembled in accordance with the teachings outlined herein may experience improved performance and/or improved reliability. These and other benefits may be further enhanced by providing the longitudinally extending guides 170. [0022] Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the cage 140 is shown in an elevational view (Figure 7) and in an end view (Figure 8). In Figure 8, slot 164 defined by the opposite ends 164a and 164b is shown. In accordance with the disclosed example, slot 164 is sized to leave an opening having an angle C of approximately measured about the circumference of the cage 140. Further, each of the sections 166 is sized to extend approximately measured about the circumference of the cage 140, while each of the apertures 142a-142d is sized to extend approximately 7 about the circumference of the cage 140. Other angles and dimensions may be chosen. [0023] Referring now to Figure 9, the cage 140 is shown in a planar configuration prior to being formed into the cylindrical shape illustrated in the balance of the Figures. In the configuration shown, each of the apertures 142a-142d is illustrated as a generally rectangular aperture formed in a planar blank 180. Each of the apertures 142a-142d preferably includes a plurality of radiused corners 180a, 180b, 180c and 180d. [0024] In accordance with one exemplary method, the

6 9 EP B1 disclosed slam-shut safety device 1 may be assembled by the valve body 112 as outlined above, including the inlet, the outlet, the flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, and having the valve seat disposed in the valve body surrounding an orifice. The method includes providing the valve disc sized to fit within the valve body, and arranging the valve disc to shift between an open first position in which the valve disc is spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed second position in which the valve disc is seated against the valve seat. The method further includes operatively coupling the reset pin 136 to the valve disc 122 and arranging the reset pin 136 to shift relative to the valve body between the untripped position placing the valve disc in the open first position and the tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed second position, the reset pin arranged to respond to an actuator to shift the reset pin from the untripped position toward the tripped position. The cage 140 may be mounted in the valve body 112 to place the cage 140 in the flow path, and the cage 140 is provided with apertures 142, and is sized to slidably receive the valve disc 122. The cage 140 is placed within the valve body with a first end 146 of the cage mounted adjacent the valve seat 1 and with a second end 0 of the cage 140 spaced away from the valve seat 1. The cylindrical recess 4 is formed in the cage 140 adjacent the second end 0 of the cage and spaced away from the flow apertures 142, with the cylindrical recess sized to receive the valve disc when the valve disc is in the open first position. [002] Preferably, the method includes forming guides 170 in the cage 140, and orienting the guides 170 to extend parallel to an axis A of the valve disc 122, each of the guide sections bounding at least one of the plurality of flow apertures 142. The method may include providing the planar blank 180, which may be rectilinear, and which may be formed of stainless steel or other suitable material. The apertures 142a-142d may be formed in the blank 180 while the blank 180 is still in a planar configuration, such that the apertures appear generally rectangular. Thereafter, the metal blank 180 is rolled or otherwise suitably manipulated to form the cylindrical cage 140. [0026] Still preferably, when the metal blank 180 is formed into the cylindrical cage 140, the opposite ends 164a and 164b are spaced apart to leave the slot 164. When the cage 140 is in the cylindrical configuration, each of the apertures 142a-142d extends partially about the circumference of the cage 140. [0027] Referring now to Figures and 11, the operation of the slam shut device 1 is shown in greater detail. In Figure, the reset pin 136 is retracted into the untripped or armed position, thus placing the valve disc 122 in the open position. In the open position, the valve disc is disposed in the recess 4 and separated from the apertures 142a-142d by the 174. The spring 137 is compressed and consequently biases the valve disc 122 toward the valve seat 1. The reset pin 136 and hence the valve disc 122 are maintained in the position shown by virtue of the cam 134. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 11, upon release of the reset pin 136 by the cam 134, the reset pin 136 along with the valve disc 122 shift along their respective axes under the force of the spring 137. Consequently, the valve disc 122 moves into contact with the valve seat 1, best closing the flow orifice 121. [0028] While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Claims 1. A slam-shut safety device (1), comprising: a valve body, (112) the valve body having an inlet (114), an outlet (116), and defining a flow path (118) extending between the inlet and the outlet, the valve body including a valve seat (1) surrounding an orifice (121) disposed between the inlet and the outlet; a valve disc (122), the valve disc disposed within the valve body and shiftable between an open first position in which the valve disc is spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed second position in which the valve disc is seated against the valve seat; a reset pin (136) operatively coupled to the valve disc and shiftable relative to the valve body between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open first position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed second position, the reset pin arranged to respond to an actuator (134) to shift the reset pin from the untripped position toward the tripped position; characterised in that: a cage (140) is mounted within the valve body and disposed in the flow path, the cage sized to slidably receive the valve disc; and wherein the cage includes a plurality of flow apertures (142). 2. The device of claim 1, including a spring (137) disposed within the valve body, the spring operatively coupled to the valve disc and arranged to bias the valve disc toward the closed second position. 3. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cage is cylindrical and includes a first end (146) mounted adjacent the valve seat and a second end (0) spaced away from the valve seat, and wherein the valve disc is retracted past the plurality of apertures and into a recess (4) formed by the cage 6

7 11 EP B1 12 when the valve disc is in the open first position. 4. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the valve disc shifts along an axis, and wherein the cage is cylindrical and includes a plurality of longitudinal guides extending parallel to the axis of the valve disc, each of the plurality of apertures bounded by the longitudinal guides.. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cage is cylindrical and each of the plurality of apertures extends partially along a circumference of the cage. 6. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cage includes a slot (164) extending parallel to the axis between the first end and the second end. 7. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of apertures extends partially along a circumference of the cage, each of the plurality of apertures is bounded by a first circumferentially extending edge (6) disposed toward the first end of the cage, a second circumferentially extending edge (8) disposed toward the second end of the cage, and a pair of side edges (160, 162) extending parallel to the axis. 8. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the recess is spaced away from the second circumferentially extending edges and adjacent the second end of the cage. 9. A method of assembling a slam-shut safety device, the method comprising: providing a valve body (112), the valve body having an inlet (114), an outlet (116), and defining a flow path (118) extending between the inlet and the outlet; mounting a valve seat (1) in the valve body, the valve seat surrounding an orifice disposed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet; placing a valve disc (122) sized to fit within the valve body and arranging the valve disc to shift between an open first position in which the valve disc is spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed second position in which the valve disc is seated against the valve seat; operatively coupling a reset pin (136) to the valve disc and arranging the reset pin to shift relative to the valve body between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open first position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed second position, the reset pin arranged to respond to an actuator to shift the reset pin from the untripped position toward the tripped position; characterised by: mounting a cylindrical cage (140) within the valve body to place the cage in the flow path, providing the cage with a plurality of flow apertures, and sizing the cage to slidably receive the valve disc; placing the cage within the valve body with a first end of the cage mounted adjacent the valve seat and with a second end of the cage spaced away from the valve seat; and forming a cylindrical recess (4) in the cage adjacent the second end of the cage and spaced away from the flow apertures, the cylindrical recess sized to receive the valve disc when the valve disc is in the open first position.. The method of claim 9, including forming guide sections in the cage, and orienting the guide sections to extend parallel to an axis of the valve disc, each of the guide sections bounding at least one of the plurality of flow apertures. 11. The method of either of claims 9 or, including providing a planar and rectilinear metal blank, forming the plurality of flow apertures in the metal blank, and forming the metal blank into the cylindrical cage. 12. The method of any of claims 9 to 11, including forming a longitudinal slot in the cage by leaving a gap between edges of the metal blank when forming the metal blank into the cylindrical cage. 13. The method of any of claims 9 to 12, including shaping the plurality of apertures on the metal blank such that the apertures extend partially along a circumference of the cage when the blank is formed into the cage. 14. The method of any of claims 9 to 13, including sizing the cage and the flow apertures such that the valve disc is separated from the flow apertures by a gap when the valve disc is disposed in the recess. Patentansprüche 1. Zuschlag-Sicherheitseinrichtung (1), welche aufweist: einen Ventilkörper (112), wobei der Ventilkörper einen Einlass (114), einen Auslass (116) hat und einen Strömungsweg (118) definiert, der sich zwischen dem Einlass und dem Auslass erstreckt, wobei der Ventilkörper einen Ventilsitz (1) hat, der eine zwischen dem Einlass und 7

8 13 EP B1 14 dem Auslass angeordnete Öffnung (121) umgibt; eine Ventilscheibe (122), wobei die Ventilscheibe in dem Ventilkörper angeordnet und zwischen einer offenen ersten Position, in der die Ventilscheibe vom Ventilsitz beabstandet ist, und einer geschlossenen zweiten Position verschiebbar ist, in der die Ventilscheibe am Ventilsitz sitzt; einen Rückstellstift (136), der wirkungsmäßig mit der Ventilscheibe gekoppelt und relativ zum Ventilkörper zwischen einer unausgelösten Position, die die Ventilscheibe in die offene erste Position platziert, und einer ausgelösten Position, die die Ventilscheibe in die geschlossene zweite Position platziert, verschiebbar ist, wobei der Rückstellstift derart angeordnet ist, dass er auf einen Aktuator (134) reagiert, der den Rückstellstift von der unausgelösten Position zur ausgelösten Position verschiebt; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass: ein Gehäuse (140) in dem Ventilkörper montiert und im Strömungsweg angeordnet ist, wobei das Gehäuse so bemessen ist, um gleitbar die Ventilscheibe aufzunehmen; und wobei das Gehäuse eine Mehrzahl von Strömungsöffnungen (142) einschließt. 2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, eine Feder (137) einschließend, die in dem Ventilkörper angeordnet ist, wobei die Feder wirkungsmäßig mit der Ventilscheibe gekoppelt und derart ausgebildet ist, dass sie die Ventilscheibe zur geschlossenen zweiten Position hin vorspannt. 3. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Gehäuse zylindrisch ist und ein erstes Ende (146), welches benachbart zum Ventilsitz montiert ist, und ein zweites Ende (0) aufweist, welches entfernt vom Ventilsitz angeordnet ist, wobei die Ventilscheibe hinter die Mehrzahl von Öffnungen und in eine Ausnehmung (4) zurückgezogen ist, die in dem Gehäuse gebildet ist, wenn die Ventilscheibe in ihrer offenen ersten Position ist. 4. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Ventilscheibe sich längs einer Achse verschiebt und wobei das Gehäuse zylindrisch ist und eine Mehrzahl von langgestreckten Führungen einschließt, die sich parallel zur Achse der Ventilscheibe erstrecken, wobei jede der Mehrzahl von Öffnungen durch die langgestreckten Führungen beschränkt ist.. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Gehäuse zylindrisch ist und jede der Mehrzahl von Öffnungen sich teilweise längs eines Umfangs des Gehäuses erstreckt. 6. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Gehäuse einen Schlitz (164) einschließt, der sich parallel zur Achse zwischen dem ersten Ende und dem zweiten Ende erstreckt. 7. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei jede der Mehrzahl von Öffnungen sich teilweise längs eines Umfangs des Gehäuses erstreckt, wobei jede der Mehrzahl der Öffnungen durch eine erste sich umfangsmäßig erstreckende Kante (6) beschränkt ist, die zum ersten Ende des Gehäuses hin angeordnet ist, eine zweite umfangsmäßig sich erstreckende Kante (8), die zum zweiten Ende des Gehäuses hin angeordnet ist, und ein Paar von Seitenkanten (160, 162), die sich parallel zur Achse erstrecken. 8. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Ausnehmung von den zweiten sich in Umfangsrichtung erstreckenden Kanten räumlich entfernt und zum zweiten Ende des Gehäuses benachbart ist. 9. Verfahren zum Montieren einer Zuschlag-Sicherheitseinrichtung, wobei das Verfahren aufweist: Bereitstellen eines Ventilkörpers (112), wobei der Ventilkörper einen Einlass (114), einen Auslass (116) hat und einen Strömungsweg (118) definiert, der sich zwischen dem Einlass und dem Auslass erstreckt; Montieren eines Ventilsitzes (1) im Ventilkörper, wobei der Ventilsitz eine im Ventilkörper zwischen dem Einlass und dem Auslass angeordnete Öffnung umgibt; Platzieren einer Ventilscheibe (122), die so bemessen ist, dass sie in den Ventilkörper passt, und Ausbilden der Ventilscheibe zu einer Verschiebung zwischen einer offenen ersten Position, in der die Ventilscheibe vom Ventilsitz beabstandet ist, und einer geschlossenen zweiten Position, in der die Ventilscheibe am Ventilsitz sitzt; wirkungsmäßiges Koppeln eines Rückstellstiftes (136) mit der Ventilscheibe und Ausbilden des Rückstellstiftes zu einer Verschiebung relativ zum Ventilkörper zwischen einer unausgelösten Position, die die Ventilscheibe in die offene erste Position platziert, und einer ausgelösten Position, die die Ventilscheibe in die geschlossene zweite Position platziert, wobei der Rückstellstift so ausgebildet ist, dass er auf einen Aktuator anspricht, der den Rückstellstift aus der unausgelösten Position zur ausgelösten Position verschiebt; 8

9 EP B1 16 gekennzeichnet durch: Revendications Montieren eines zylindrischen Gehäuses (140) in den Ventilkörper zum Platzieren des Gehäuses im Strömungsweg, Versehen des Gehäuses mit einer Mehrzahl von Strömungsöffnungen und Bemessen des Gehäuses zu einer gleitbaren Aufnahme der Ventilscheibe; Platzieren des Gehäuses im Ventilkörper mit einem ersten Ende des Gehäuses montiert benachbart zum Ventilsitz und mit einem zweiten Ende des Gehäuses beabstandet vom Ventilsitz; und Bilden einer zylindrischen Ausnehmung (4) in dem Gehäuse benachbart zum zweiten Ende des Gehäuses und entfernt von den Strömungsöffnungen, wobei die zylindrische Ausnehmung so bemessen ist, dass sie die Ventilscheibe aufnimmt, wenn die Ventilscheibe in der offenen ersten Position ist.. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, welches das Bilden von Führungsabschnitten im Gehäuse und das Orientieren der Führungsabschnitte zu einer Erstreckung parallel zu einer Achse der Ventilscheibe einschließt, wobei jeder der Führungsabschnitte mindestens eine der Mehrzahl von Strömungsöffnungen beschränkt. 11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9 oder, einschließend das Bereitstellen eines ebenen und rechteckigen Metallrohlings, das Formen der Mehrzahl von Strömungsöffnungen im Metallrohling und das Formen des Metallrohlings zum zylindrischen Gehäuse. 12. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, einschließend das Bilden eines langgestreckten Schlitzes im Gehäuse durch Belassen eines Spalts zwischen Enden des Metallrohlings, wenn der Metallrohling zu dem zylindrischen Gehäuse geformt wird. 13. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 12, einschließend das Formen der Mehrzahl von Öffnungen in dem Metallrohling derart, dass die Öffnungen sich partiell längs eines Umfangs des Gehäuses erstrecken, wenn der Rohling zu dem Gehäuse geformt wird. 14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 13, einschließend das Bemessen des Gehäuses und der Strömungsöffnungen derart, dass die Ventilscheibe von den Strömungsöffnungen durch einen Spalt separiert ist, wenn die Ventilscheibe in der Ausnehmung angeordnet wird Dispositif de sécurité à fermeture brusque (1), comprenant : un corps de valve (112), le corps de valve ayant une entrée (114), une sortie (116), et définissant un trajet d écoulement (118) s étendant entre l entrée et la sortie, le corps de valve incluant un siège de valve (1) entourant un orifice (121) disposé entre l entrée et la sortie ; un disque de valve (122), le disque de valve étant disposé à l intérieur du corps de valve et capable d être déplacé entre une première position ouverte dans laquelle le disque de valve est espacé en éloignement du siège de valve, et une seconde position fermée dans laquelle le disque de valve est en assise contre le siège de valve ; une broche de relance (136) fonctionnellement couplée au disque de valve et capable d être déplacée par rapport au corps de valve entre une position non activée qui place le disque de valve dans la première position ouverte et une position activée qui place le disque de valve dans la seconde position fermée, la broche de relance étant agencée de manière à réagir à un actionneur (134) pour déplacer la broche de relance depuis la position non activée vers la position activée ; caractérisé en ce que : une cage (140) est montée à l intérieur du corps de valve et disposée dans le trajet d écoulement, la cage ayant une taille propre à recevoir le disque de valve en coulissement ; et dans lequel la cage inclut une pluralité d ouvertures d écoulement (142). 2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, incluant un ressort (137) disposé à l intérieur du corps de valve, le ressort étant fonctionnellement couplé au disque de valve et agencé pour solliciter le disque de valve vers la seconde position fermée. 3. Dispositif selon l une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la cage est cylindrique et inclut une première extrémité (146) montée adjacente au siège de valve et une seconde extrémité (0) espacée en éloignement du siège de valve, et dans lequel le disque de valve est rétracté au-delà de la pluralité d ouvertures et jusque dans un évidement (4) formé par la cage quand le disque de valve est dans la première position ouverte. 4. Dispositif selon l une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le disque de valve se dé- 9

10 17 EP B1 18 place le long d un axe, et dans lequel la cage est cylindrique et inclut une pluralité de guides longitudinaux s étendant parallèlement à l axe du disque de valve, chacune de la pluralité d ouvertures étant bordée par les guides longitudinaux.. Dispositif selon l une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la cage est cylindrique et chacune de la pluralité d ouvertures s étend partiellement le long d une circonférence de la cage. 6. Dispositif selon l une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la cage inclut une fente (164) s étendant parallèlement à l axe entre la première extrémité et la seconde extrémité. 7. Dispositif selon l une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chacune de la pluralité d ouvertures s étend partiellement le long d une circonférence de la cage, chacune de la pluralité d ouvertures est bordée par une première bordure s étendant circonférentiellement (6) disposée vers la première extrémité de la cage, une seconde bordure s étendant circonférentiellement (8) disposée vers la seconde extrémité de la cage, et une paire de bordures latérales (160, 162) s étendant parallèlement à l axe. 8. Dispositif selon l une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l évidement est espacé en éloignement des secondes bordures s étendant circonférentiellement et adjacent à la seconde extrémité de la cage. 9. Procédé pour assembler un dispositif de sécurité à fermeture brusque, le procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à : fournir un corps de valve (112), le corps de valve ayant une entrée (114), une sortie (116), et définissant un trajet d écoulement (118) s étendant entre l entrée et la sortie ; monter un siège de valve (1) dans le corps de valve, le siège de valve entourant un orifice disposé dans le corps de valve entre l entrée et la sortie ; placer un disque de valve (122), d une taille propre à se loger à l intérieur du corps de valve et agencer le disque de valve pour se déplacer entre une première position ouverte dans laquelle le disque de valve est espacé en éloignement du siège de valve, et une seconde position fermée dans laquelle le disque de valve est en assise contre le siège de valve ; coupler fonctionnellement une broche de relance (136) au disque de valve et agencer la broche de relance pour se déplacer par rapport au corps de valve entre une position non activée qui place le disque de valve dans la première position ouverte et une position activée qui place le disque de valve dans la seconde position fermée, la broche de relance étant agencée pour réagir à un actionneur pour déplacer la broche de relance depuis la position non activée vers la position activée ; caractérisé par les étapes consistant à : monter une cage cylindrique (140) à l intérieur du corps de valve pour placer la cage dans le trajet d écoulement, en dotant la cage d une pluralité d ouvertures d écoulement et en choisissant la taille de la cage pour recevoir en coulissement le disque de valve ; placer la cage à l intérieur du corps de valve avec une première extrémité de la cage montée adjacente au siège de valve et avec une seconde extrémité de la cage espacée en éloignement du siège de valve ; et former un évidement cylindrique (4) dans la cage en position adjacente à la seconde extrémité de la cage et espacée en éloignement des ouvertures d écoulement, l évidement cylindrique ayant une taille propre à recevoir le disque de valve quand le disque de valve est dans la première position ouverte.. Procédé selon la revendication 9, incluant l étape consistant à former des sections de guidage dans la cage, et à orienter les sections de guidage pour s étendent parallèlement à un axe du disque de valve, chacune des sections de guidage bordant au moins une de la pluralité d ouvertures d écoulement. 11. Procédé selon l une ou l autre des revendications 9 ou, incluant les étapes consistant à fournir une ébauche plane et rectiligne de métal, à former la pluralité d ouvertures d écoulement dans l ébauche de métal, et à former l ébauche de métal sous la forme cylindrique. 12. Procédé selon l une quelconque des revendications 9 à 11, incluant l étape consistant à former une fente longitudinale dans la cage en laissant un intervalle entre des bordures de l ébauche de métal lorsqu on forme l ébauche de métal sous la forme cylindrique. 13. Procédé selon l une quelconque des revendications 9 à 12, incluant l étape consistant à mettre en forme la pluralité d ouvertures sur l ébauche de métal de telle façon que les ouvertures s étendent partiellement le long d une circonférence de la cage quand l ébauche est formée pour donner la cage. 14. Procédé selon l une quelconque des revendications

11 19 EP B1 9 à 13, incluant l étape consistant à choisir la taille de la cage et des ouvertures d écoulement de telle façon que le disque de valve est séparé des ouvertures d écoulement par un intervalle quand le disque de valve est disposé dans l évidement

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21 EP B1 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard. Patent documents cited in the description US A [0003] US A [0003] 21