US 12,359,747 B2
Valve packing apparatus and related methods
Lucas Schmitt, Conrad, IA (US); Steven Hostetter, Colfax, IA (US); Aaron Anderson, Marshalltown, IA (US); and Lisa Miller, Marshalltown, IA (US)
Assigned to Fisher Controls International LLC, Marshalltown, IA (US)
Filed by Fisher Controls International LLC, Marshalltown, IA (US)
Filed on Aug. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/896,768.
Prior Publication US 2024/0068595 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. F16K 41/02 (2006.01); F16J 15/18 (2006.01); F16K 41/16 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 41/02 (2013.01) [F16J 15/186 (2013.01); F16K 41/16 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus to install a valve packing comprising:
a cartridge dimensioned to fit in a bore of a bonnet of a valve, the cartridge including:
packing components;
a first flange; and
a spring;
a cap coupled to the cartridge to retain the packing components and the spring, the cap movable relative to the cartridge between a first position and a second position, the cap including a body defining a cavity and a second flange, the spring at least partially positioned in the cavity of the cap when the cap is coupled to the cartridge, the first flange spaced from the second flange in the first position, the first flange abutting the second flange in the second position, the cap to compress the packing components and the spring to a predetermined load in the second position, the cap having a wall portion that includes an aperture to receive a stem of the valve; and
a spring follower to maintain alignment of the spring when inserting the stem of the valve into the aperture of the cap, the spring extending between the wall portion and the spring follower, at least a portion of the spring follower positioned within the cavity of the cap.