Ralph L Beamer

US Patent:

7051760, May 30, 2006

Filed:

Jan 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/769329

Inventors:

Ralph Lewis Beamer - Naperville IL, US
Richard Carl Andersen - Rolling Meadows IL, US

International Classification:

F16K 11/10

US Classification:

13762547, 137244

Abstract:

A multi-port valve device to divert flow of a fluid from a piggable transfer pipe line into a branch pipeline, and simultaneously prevent a line clearing device (known as a pig or cleaning sphere) from flowing with that fluid into the branch pipeline. This device can operate in a least two positions; one that will allow unobstructed flow of a fluid and/or pigs through the device, and at least one other position that will divert flow of a fluid through the device to a branch port and simultaneously present an in-line barrier to stop a pig. In a preferred embodiment, the device resembles a customized “T-port” ball valve where the “branch” flow path is modified to include an integral pig stop.