Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 251/175)
  • Patent number: 5119858
    Abstract: A valve comprises a valve member engageable with a valve seat provided in a valve body, an annular seal slidably supported on the valve member or adjacent the valve seat and having an axial end face which is sealing engageable with the valve seat or valve member respectively on engagement of the valve member with the valve seat, the axial end face providing at least some of the sealing between the valve member and valve seat. In use the differential in pressure existing between the upstream side of the valve member, and thus closed space, and the downstream side of the valve member when the valve is closed produces an axial force on the seal to drive it axially into sealing engagement with the valve seat or valve member respectively. Any wear of the axial end face of the seal is accommodated by such axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Dartnall Engineering & Innovation PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: William J. Dartnall
  • Patent number: 5116022
    Abstract: A double disk wedge valve the valve disk of which is movable by an actuating rod and is provided with a pipe bridge which includes two sealing rings connected by way of a compensator, said sealing rings in the open position of the valve being urged by elastic bias against the sealing seats of the valve housing, wherein said compensator comprises an inner pipe section and an outer pipe section extending in coaxial relationship therewith. The outer pipe section is fixedly joined, especially welded, to both sealing rings. Also, it has a circumferentially extending indentation. The inner pipe section is fixedly joined to only one of said two sealing rings while it is axially movable relative to the other one. Within the valve housing a gas pressure can be set which is higher than the pressure in the valve passageway in the open position of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Zimmermann & Jansen GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Genreith, Norbert Marx, Gunter Nagler
  • Patent number: 5087017
    Abstract: A non-sliding gate valve includes a valve housing and a valve body, the valve body having a paired valve plate and a counter plate disposed within the valve housing in parallel with each other. Also included are a pair of inner supports, each made of a metallic circular plate and arranged in parallel with each other, an outer support arranged outside the inner supports, and a pair of annular elastic connecting sheets arranged radially between the inner and outer supports and in parallel with each other, with a gap being left therebetween. The valve and counter plates are sealingly connected to the confronting inner supports, respectively; and the inner and outer supports are sealingly secured at their peripheries to the annular sheets at their inner and outer diameter portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Irie Koken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Sawa, Norikimi Irie, Yuzo Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5083705
    Abstract: A wax-pellet thermostat having a frame having a valve seat, a piston secured to the frame, a guide member slidably mounted on the piston, and a valve secured to the guide member. A resilient annular seal member is secured to an outer periphery portion of the primary valve. An annular groove is formed in the seal member to form an annular resilient lip at an outer periphery of the seal member. The resilient lip is arranged to be engaged with an inside wall of the frame by pressure of coolant in a main passage of a cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Kuze
  • Patent number: 5083745
    Abstract: An electrically actuated valve for incremental fluid flow rate control is disclosed. The valve is comprised of a valve body having an interior with a planar outlet surface against which a rectilinear valve element is slidingly operated. The valve body includes an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in the planar outlet surface for fluid flow through the valve body. The valve element has an orifice therethrough controlling flow through the outlet orifice in accordance with the position of the valve element, which is linearly actuated by a rotary stepper motor. Linear actuation of the valve element by the rotary stepper motor is accomplished by a shaft extending through and rotating in bearings at opposing ends of the valve body. A drive key on the shaft interfits a corresponding slot in the valve element and converts rotary motion of the shaft to linear motion of the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Tischer
  • Patent number: 5076540
    Abstract: A three-piece angle stop valve comprises a valve body, resilient control sleeve and handle, with no separate fastening or sealing elements required. Inlet line pressure resiliently biases the side walls of the control sleeve and a circumferential sealing flap formed thereon into sealing engagement with the valve bore to prevent leakage. The handle is secured to the valve body by resilient formations which snap into a circumferential groove on the valve body. The handle rotates the control sleeve by means of telescoping splines. Several circumferential and axial reinforcing ribs are formed in the interior of the control sleeve. A collar having a tapered rim in the valve body piercingly engages a corresponding tapered section on the resilient control sleeve to additionally secure the control sleeve against axial downstream movement in the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Brass-Craft Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Roger W. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5070910
    Abstract: A diverter valve adapted for use in a pneumatic conveying system for transporting bulk materials comprising a housing having a chamber provided with a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall having an inlet port communicating with an inlet passageway in the housing and first and second outlet ports communicating with first and second passageways in the housings, respectively, a rotor disposed in the chamber and having a cylindrical wall disposed in opposed relation to the chamber cylindrical wall, the rotor cylindrical wall having first and second ports and an intercommunicating passageway, the rotor ports being spaced apart a sufficient distance whereby upon the rotor being rotated into a first position relative to the housing, the first rotor port will register with the housing inlet port and the second rotor port will register with the first housing outlet port to intercommunicate the housing inlet passageway with the first housing outlet passageway, and upon the rotor being rotated into a second position r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: The Young Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Mothersbaugh, Galen S. Ingram, Andrew P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5042531
    Abstract: A orifice fitting for measuring gas flow in gas pipelines has an energized seal. The orifice fitting has a plate carrier which moves downward into a seat slot to position an orifice plate in the gas flow. An annular seal mounts to the plate carrier for engaging a downstream side of the seat slot. The seal is energized or pressed outwardly by hydraulic fluid pressure. The plate carrier has a chamber containing hydraulic fluid and a piston. A pin protrudes outward. The orifice fitting slide valve carrier engages and pushes the pin downward as the slide valve carrier moves to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Inventors: James H. Foster, John Beson
  • Patent number: 5020567
    Abstract: A valve is installed into an underground conduit to control drainage of water through that conduit. The drainage control valve includes a perforated plate across the conduit. The latter plate is formed with a peripheral groove rectangular in cross section and a hollow tube made of flexible material is inserted into this groove to seal the joint between the plate and the inner surface of the conduit. A flap also made of flexible material is applied against the upstream surface of the plate and is formed with a peripheral edge taper whereby pressure applied on the flap by water upstream of the drainage valve forces the edge taper against the upstream plate surface to form a sealed joint between these flap and plate. The upper portion of the flap is attached to the upper portion of the plate through screw and nut assemblies. These assemblies traverse rigid washers inserted in respective holes made in the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Innotag Inc.
    Inventor: Serge L. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5009388
    Abstract: A magnetic-controlled valve for fluid pipelines. The valve comprises a sealed guide bushing accommodating an external magnetic ring movable along the outer wall thereof and an internal magnetic plug-stopper movable longitudinally therein. A valve body accommodates one or more stages of a valve plunger, and the internal magnetic plug-stopper is aligned and engaged with the plunger. Lifting the external magnetic ring will lift the internal magnetic plug-stopper through a magnetic force, thus lifting the plunger to open the fluid passage of the valve body. This forms a magnetic-controlled stop valve. In an alternate configuration, an external magnetic ring is rotated to rotate the internal magnetic ring (blocks) to bring a butterfly type valve plate into rotary motion through a connecting rod. The rod is provided with a stopper element connected to the internal magnetic ring, thus forming a magnetic-controlled butterfly valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Inventors: Mao Pei-gi, Gan Jing, Que Bing-huang
  • Patent number: 4995414
    Abstract: A method for opening a sealingly closed, balanced-torque butterfly valve, and apparatus adapted for use with the method. The butterfly valve (40) comprises a valve plate (42) having a peripherally disposed seal (162) seated in an annular recess (160). A flow passage (164, 166) is formed in the valve plate (42) and fluidically connects the recess (160) to the downstream-facing surface of the valve plate. A check valve (168) is disposed in the flow passage (164, 166) to alternately block or permit flow therethrough. Outwardly directed pressure exerted by high-pressure fluid on the seal (162) is relieved by opening the check valve (168) in reponse to a slight translational movement of the valve plate (42) relative to a rotatable shaft (72) which pivotally connects the valve plate to the duct (146).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: John N. Tervo
  • Patent number: 4979884
    Abstract: A two-cylinder pump for heavy flowable material comprising a pump body with a deck surface, a pair of cylinder bores opening at the deck surface, and a piston reciprocating in each cylinder bore in charging and discharging strokes. The pump further includes a valve conduit with an inlet port for the transfer of flowable material between the valve conduit and the cylinder bores, the valve conduit being pivotable about an axis to cause a movement of the inlet port across the deck surface between two operative positions, in each operative position the inlet port being in register with either one of the cylinder bores. A fluid operated piston-cylinder assembly is operatively mounted between the valve conduit and the pump body in order to produce a force with a direction generally coincident with the pivotal axis on the valve conduit for urging the inlet port thereof in sealing engagement with the deck surface of the pump body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: La Cie de Machinerie Rennel Inc.
    Inventors: Rene Letarte, Lionel Letarte, Gilles Savard
  • Patent number: 4971098
    Abstract: An improved seal ring for sealing across the annular space between the exterior of a seat ring and the inner surface of a counterbore recess surrounding the entry of either the inlet or outlet into the valve chamber within the valve body, the seal ring including a pair of radially extending flanges connected by a tubular connector extending between the radial midportions of the flanges and the leading flange having inner and outer sealing surfaces which provide a high interference fit seal between the recess inner surface and the seat ring outer surface and the trailing flange having inner and outer sealing surfaces which provide a low interference fit seal between the recess inner surface and the seat ring outer surface. A spacer ring is provided to seat against the shoulder of the counterbore recess and retain the sealing flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryl R. H. Stroud
  • Patent number: 4968001
    Abstract: In a bi-directional valve control system, a differential, bi-directional valve seating member for operation at a seating surface wherein the seating member comprises a multi-membered disk formed of at least first and second contiguous disk elements. The first disk element is formed of flexible material which is capable of primary deformation in response to fluid flow along a flow line direction corresponding to second-to-first disk orientation. This first disk element is configured in size and shape to increase seating contact at the seating surface by flow-pressure assist principles which cause the primary deformation response. The second disk element is formed of flexible material which when combined with the first disk element is less capable of deforming than the independent deformation first disk element. This second disk element resists the primary deformation response with respect to fluid flow along the opposing flow line from first-to-second disk element orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventors: Vaughn R. Anderson, Robert E. Gooch
  • Patent number: 4928921
    Abstract: In a ball valve, valve seats are spring-urged against a valve ball turnable between open and closed position. Each seat has an annular face confronting the ball, the face being a surface of revolution of a line inclined to the said axis. The face is interrupted by an annular groove so as to leave a radially inner annular rib having a radially inner part of the said face. At low pressures there is line contact with the ball nearer the radially outer edge of the inner face part. however, at high pressures elastic distortion of the ball is accompanied by an elastic radially outward flexing of said rib so that said line contact moves nearer the radially inner edge of the inner face part. The contacting surfaces of the ball and the seats are preferably coatings of tungsten carbide. In normal operation the outer face part is clear of the ball but is available for contact with the ball in emergency conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: T K Valve Limited
    Inventor: John Steele
  • Patent number: 4915352
    Abstract: The sealing arrangement comprises a seal having end sealing surfaces. The one end sealing surface bears against an annular sealing surface of a valve seat screwed into a lower part of a water faucet. The other end sealing surface presses upon a non-rotatable disk which bears against a rotary disk. The seal comprises radially outwardly projecting supporting ribs in the region of the end sealing surfaces. These supporting ribs are supported at a supporting ring of a housing of a ceramic upper part or portion. A slit spring washer bears against the seal at the inner or internal side thereof. With this sealing arrangement it is rendered possible that the seal has to be fitted into the water faucet with only a small bias or loading, because the seal efficiently utilizes the water pressure and converts or transforms such water pressure into a force which presses the end sealing surfaces with greaater compression or pressure against the annular sealing surface and the non-rotatable disk, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: KWC AG
    Inventor: Ferdinand Hochstrasser
  • Patent number: 4913400
    Abstract: The double disk gate has a moving gate which includes two closure disks which define a space into which pressurized medium can be delivered. The closure disks are mounted to be moveable within the gate valve when the gate is in a closed position so as to be brought into sealing contact with the seating surfaces of the inlet and outlet ports of the valve. The pressure medium may be obtained from the medium passing through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Edelbert Tiefenthaler
  • Patent number: 4903730
    Abstract: A pipe coupling consisting of a male and female elements for connecting and disconnecting a hydraulic or pneumatic piping used for industrial machinery. Each coupling element includes a check valve therein which is actuated by connecting and disconnecting operation to automatically open the passageway of the coupling when it is connected and to automatically close it when it is disconnected. The inventive pipe coupling is designed to be used with a conventional automatic connecting and disconnecting device such as automatic coupling device for large scaled industrial machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Nippon Air Brake Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Otsuki, Katsumi Tomioka, Toshihiko Onishi
  • Patent number: 4901763
    Abstract: A fluid valve apparatus has a spool mounted for movement within a spool cavity of a body, the body having inlet and outlet ports therein. The spool has a spool closure portion which is adapted for sealing against the outlet port when positioned thereagainst. The spool closure portion is responsive to fluid pressure acting on the spool which cooperates with the spool so as to displace the closure portion against the outlet portion to improve sealing therewith. The apparatus is particularly adapted for manufacturing by plastic injection, which provides a low cost, lightweight, corrosion resistant, easily adaptable valve assembly particularly for use in controlling liquid flows in medium bore pipes as used in forest fire fighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Blayney J. Scott
  • Patent number: 4899980
    Abstract: A ball valve (10) has a ball valve member (34) mounted for floating movement in a valve chamber (32) between an upstream metal seat (102) and a downstream metal seat (104). Each metal seat (102, 104) fits within a recess (100) and has a body portion (110) of a generally uniform thickness adjacent an opposed shoulder (108) with a lip (114) about its inner circumference for sealing against spherical surface (40) of ball valve member (34) at all times. Body portion (110) acts as a Belleville spring and spaces lip (114) from adjacent shoulder (108) at low fluid pressures. A bearing portion (118) has an arcuate seat (120) spaced from spherical surface (40) at low fluid pressures but contacting spherical surface (40) at high fluid pressures. A flexible connector (118) of a relatively thin uniform thickness extends between bearing portion (118) and body portion (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Kemp Development Corporation
    Inventor: Willard E. Kemp
  • Patent number: 4892287
    Abstract: A valve piston (1) is axially movably arranged in a valve housing (8) having a cylindrical flow passage. A circumferential groove (2) of the piston (1) carries a sealing ring (3) for separating a high pressure side (H) from a low pressure side (L) of the valve. The sealing ring (3) has a cross-sectionally trapezoid shaped portion (4) of which the narrow side (3a) may be pressed tightly to seal against the inner valve seat surface (8') of the housing (8). At least one spring ring (7) is arranged to radially outwardly bias the sealing ring (3) for sealing against the valve seat surface (8').
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Mokveld Valves B.V.
    Inventor: Henri H. Weevers
  • Patent number: 4889162
    Abstract: A water tap has a closure member in the form of a rubber or like cup 34 located in a chamber in carrier 32. The base of the cup extends across the port 28 which is to be closed when the tap is in "off" condition and the base of the cup has a hole 38 registered with the port in that off condition. Hence water can flow into the cup and the water pressure in the cup acts to hold the cup on the seat whereas pressure in the port acts against the base of the cup in the opposite direction but on a smaller area of cup. Hence the higher the water pressure the better the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Armitage Shanks Limited
    Inventors: Haydn J. Newcombe, John Hird
  • Patent number: 4884594
    Abstract: A compact, relatively low cost twin piston pump (20) especially adapted for the pumping of foods (e.g. juices, puddings or particulates such as stews and chilies) is provided which includes quick detach yoke and clevis assemblies (108, 124, 110, 126) connecting the reciprocable pistons (100, 102) with their associated hydraulic cylinders (116, 118), thereby permitting quick cleanup of the machine (20). A jacking screw plate (136) is used for forward mounting of the piston and cylinder assemblies (84, 86, 116, 118) coupled with the sleeves (42, 44) and associated pistons (100, 102). This permits precise adjustment of the working components of the machine, while eliminating expensive bearings and heavy duty framing members. The pump (20) is also provided with a slide plate-type valve (38, 184) for controlling output of product from the pump (20). In one valve embodiment (184) a two-part metallic slide plate assembly (192, 200) is sandwiched between a pair of apertured nylon plates (186).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Marlen Research Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Powers, Joseph G. Currier, Joseph S. Zeets
  • Patent number: 4869653
    Abstract: A compact, relatively low cost twin piston pump (20) especially adapted for the pumping of foods (e.g. juices, puddings or particulates such as stews and chilies) is provided which includes quick detach yoke and clevis assemblies (108, 124, 110, 126) connecting the reciprocable pistons (100, 102) with their associated hydraulic cylinders (116, 118), thereby permitting quick cleanup of the machine (20). A jacking screw plate (136) is used for forward mounting of the piston and cylinder assemblies (84, 86, 116, 118) coupled with the sleeves (42, 44) and associated pistons (100, 102). This permits precise adjustment of the working components of the machine, while eliminating expensive bearings and heavy ducy framing members. The pump (20) is also provided with a slide plate-type valve (38, 184) for controlling output of product from the pump (20). In one valve embodiment (184) a two-part metallic slide plate assembly (192, 200) is sandwiched between a pair of apertured nylon plates (186).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Marlen Research Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Powers, Joseph G. Currier, Joseph S. Zeets
  • Patent number: 4856557
    Abstract: A high pressure, low friction slide valve incorporates a valve body defining parallel spaced internal sealing surfaces and inlet, vent and function ports communicating with an internal valve chamber. A seal carrier is movable within the valve chamber and supports a seal cylinder for rockable motion therein. The seal cylinder has sealing contact with one of the sealing surfaces while a seal rod projecting from a transverse passage of the seal cylinder has sealing contact with the opposite sealing surface. Within the seal rod is positioned a packing member which is of a configuration establishing sealing within the seal cylinder only at a location immediately adjacent the inner end of the seal rod, thus permitting the seal cylinder and seal rod to have low friction metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the parallel sealing surfaces without necessitating the provision of close tolerance seals or O-rings and thus permitting efficient high pressure sealing and low friction movement of the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Company
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 4852850
    Abstract: A steam bypass valve system for a steam turbine. The system provides a supplemental hydraulic seating force to a fast acting bypass valve after the valve plug is positioned against the valve seat with a spring force. The system also provides for quick hydraulic relief in order to retain the fast opening characteristics of a single acting hydraulic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Peter L. Wilhelm, Gilbert F. Hyde
  • Patent number: 4852190
    Abstract: A double cascade spout unit particularly adapted for use in whirlpool baths and spas wherein both filling and recirculation may be realized with a cascade or waterfall effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Jason International, Inc.
    Inventors: Remo Jacuzzi, Eugene C. Smith
  • Patent number: 4836250
    Abstract: A device for closing a pipe branch, especially for closing either orifice of a Y-shaped distributor connection, which is to close the inflow of the unoccupied flow-off in a gastight and watertight manner, is proposed. At the same time, there will be the possibility of mixing the medium for all the connections. To achieve this object, for this purpose either branching-off junction connection is made closeable by means of a common rotary plug, the rotary plug being designed as an oblique cylinder section (see the drawing for this).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: AVT Anlagen- und Verfahrenstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Krambrock
  • Patent number: 4825907
    Abstract: A low restriction fluid control valve has a body (12) which a first inlet port (14) and first and second outlet ports (16, 18). The valve body has an internal cavity (24). A rectangular slide (50) having a circular aperture (52) is movable in said cavity. Movement of the slide places the outlet ports of the valve selectively in fluid communication with the inlet port through the circular aperture of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: J. Les Johnson, John R. Hanning
  • Patent number: 4824074
    Abstract: A gate valve improvement including a seat-to-body seal means for reliable bi-directional sealing, a port to bypass at least one of the seat-to-body seals, and means to plug the bypass port when the operation of this seal is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Benton F. Baugh
  • Patent number: 4815702
    Abstract: A gate valve which prevents the accumulation of pressure within the valve housing when closed is disclosed. The device employs poppets which are located on both sides of a shuttle carried in the gate structure and movable transversely thereto. The shuttle fits in the gate structure in a manner to facilitate the communication of fluid throughout the valve housing so as to equalize, in the closed position, pressure throughout the valve housing, with upstream line pressures. The device also is reversely operable to respond to pipeline backflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Charles C. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4815700
    Abstract: A ball valve of the floating ball variety is provided. Improved sealing subassemblies each comprising a floating seat retainer and a corresponding flexible metallic seat ring provide reliable sealing engagement with both upstream and downstream surfaces of the ball. Each seat retainer moves with the floating ball to maintain annular contact therewith, and retains its corresponding seat ring in constant concentricity with the ball. The seat ring is sealed against the ball by line pressure acting directly on the seat ring on the upstream side, and by line pressure acting on the ball on the downstream side to transmit movement to the seat retainer which then causes the seat ring to perfect a seal against the ball. Each of the seat rings and seat retainers thus independently floats with respect to the valve body. The same sealing subassemblies are utilized on both the upstream and downstream sides of the valve, allowing any side of the valve to be used in any location and making the valve highly versatile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: James W. Mohrfeld
  • Patent number: 4776564
    Abstract: The slide or gate valve (10) suitable in particular as pressure valve comprises a valve housing (12) in which a relatively wide and preferably double-walled closure body (14) is displaceable. The sealing of the closure body (14) within the valve housing (12) in the closed state is via a pressure-activatable seal (66). Downstream of the closure body (14) a tubular member (30) of increased diameter is disposed which serves as expansion member. The features of the very wide closure body, the pressure-activatable seal and the expansion member (30) make it possible to actuate the valve when pressure is in the conduits through which a gaseous or liquid medium charged with a high proportion of solid is conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Inventor: Martin Westenberg
  • Patent number: 4771831
    Abstract: A tubing retrievable, hydrostatically operated liquid sleeve valve to control and shut off well production to the well surface of a producing well. The sleeve valve includes a port for supplying production fluid through the well annulus for pumping. When the pump stops, the liquid level in the annulus rises and creates a hydrostatic head against a sleeve piston which is biased to the open position by a gas charge. When the liquid reaches a selected level, the valve will move to a closed position. When the pump is reactivated, the liquid level is lowered and the valve is moved to the open position. Low friction seals minimize friction and a dynamic seal is set after the valve is shifted to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Camco, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pringle, Arthur J. Morris
  • Patent number: 4752031
    Abstract: A bubbler includes two molded plastic parts, a main body portion with an internally threaded upper chamber terminating in a valve seat, and a hollow cap with a downwardly extending externally threaded valve stem for engagement with the internally threaded upper chamber of the body portion. Elongated channels extend from the open upper end of the body portion to a position adjacent the valve seat. When the cap is threaded onto the body portion with the end of the valve stem spaced from the valve seat, water flows from the lower chamber of the body portion past the valve seat and upwardly through the channels into the hollow part of the cap and then out through a space between the skirt on the cap and the body portion. When the cap is threaded downwardly to cause the valve stem to engage the valve seat, the bubbler is closed and no water flow takes place through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Inventor: Vincent A. Merrick
  • Patent number: 4747578
    Abstract: A valve consisting of a housing (1) provided with a flow-through passage (4), of a closing member (2) having the shape of a rotational body or part of a rotational body and provided with an aperture (6), and turnably disposed in said flow-through passage, and of a sealing member (3) disposed between the closing member and the housing. Between the sealing member (3) and the housing (1) has been arranged an intermediate space (8) in which when the valve is in closed position prevails a pressure urging the sealing member against the closing member (2). From said intermediate space (8) leads a passage (12) to a point close to that portion of the sealing member (3) adjacent to which an aperture communicating with the flow passage is first established when the valve is being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Neles OY
    Inventors: Pekka J. Kivipelto, Esko T. Yli-Koski
  • Patent number: 4708161
    Abstract: A tapered plug valve containing a tapered plug surrounded by a sleeve of elastomeric material which deflects upon high fluid pressure applied through the valve inlet port, leakage which might otherwise occur due to such deflection being absorbed by `O` ring seals. The plug may also be urged into the valve body by hydraulic pressure from the inlet port, and this maintains a sealing contact between the elastomeric material and the valve body surrounding the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Philmac Pty Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm W. Phillipps
  • Patent number: 4706706
    Abstract: A horizontal check valve has a swinging clapper (16) eccentric with a tapered valve seat (14) and carrying a floating ring seal. There is clearance between the clapper (16) and the passage wall at the bottom so that reverse flow urges the ring seal into the taper. The clapper (16) abuts an abutment surface (15) formed by the valve body (10) around the valve seat so that the hydrostatic forces exerted on the clapper (16) by the reverse fluid flow are reacted by the abutment surface and not by the tapered seat (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Corrotex Limited
    Inventors: Robert G. Page, John S. Milton
  • Patent number: 4705259
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sealing an opening (7) defined by an edge (6), comprising a sealing element (2, 102), the dimensions of which are at least equal to those of the opening (7), means for securing the said sealing element opposite the opening, and means for ensuring fluid-tightness between the sealing element (2, 102) and the edge (6). The means for ensuring tightness between the sealing element (2, 102) and the edge (6) consists of a flexible membrane (8), means for fixing the circumference of this membrane to the sealing element (2, 102) so as to define a volume (16) between the membrane (8) and the sealing element (2, 102), and a communication hole (18, 32) provided in the sealing element so as to connect the volume (16) to a source of pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Electricite de France (Service National)
    Inventors: Gerard Dolhen, Claude Oberlin, Jean-Claude Lemarquis, Daniel Bandura
  • Patent number: 4685655
    Abstract: A split gate for a gate valve regulating fluid flow with reduced gate drag. The split gate comprises a plurality of members for sealing a flowway intersecting a valve chamber. A first member seats against a first portion of the flowway and has a pressure-balancing surface pressure-isolated from the first flowway portion and from the valve chamber. A second member seats against a second portion of the flowway and allows pressure in the second flowway portion to bear on the pressure-balancing surface of the first member. Pressure in the valve chamber exceeding pressures in the flowway portions creates pressure differentials pressing the gate members more firmly against their seats, thereby increasing the frictional resistance opposing reciprocation of a closed gate to its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Herd
  • Patent number: 4681142
    Abstract: Solenoid valve (10) has a valve chamber (18) within valve body (12). Inlet and outlet tubes (22) and (24) extend through plate (14) into the chamber (18). Movable core (32) in chamber (18) extends into solenoid coil (30). Distal end (38) of core (32) has a silicone rubber plug (40). Other than when solenoid (30) is energized, compressed spring (48) biases core (32) downward so that surface (44) of the plug (40) is in sealing engagement with ends (26) and (28) of the tubes (22) and (24). Any leak at ends (26) and (28) increases pressure in the chamber (18), resulting in increased sealing force of the plug (40) against the other end (26) or (28). Flow direction through the valve (20) is easily reversed by changing connections to the tubes (22) and (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Fritz H. Woeller, Yutaka Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 4671489
    Abstract: A wedge-shaped gate member, movable by a valve rod, is disposed in a housing and can be pressed against valve seats on two ends of aligned tubular conduit sections. Each interior space of the tubular conduit sections is connected to the housing interior space via a respective auxiliary valve device. These devices each work as check valves, whereby when the wedge sluice valve is closed a pressure is maintained in the housing interior space which is equal to the pressure in the tubular conduit section which is serving as the feed pipe. The pressure in the housing interior space presses the wedge-shaped gate member against its associated seats and ensures a reliable seal. The wedge angle of the wedge-shaped gate member is relatively large, and said member is slidably guided in the housing. In this way, the friction between and the wear of the sealing surfaces are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Mladen Jankovic
  • Patent number: 4664356
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve housing having a valve bore with a first valve member movable therein to control fluid communication between a pump, a reservoir and a hydraulic function. The first valve member includes annular grooves which receive pressure controlled seals. A second valve member is movable in the valve bore and is connected to an actuator. The first and second valve members cooperate to form a pre-control valve which controls pressurization of the pressure controlled seals. The second valve member also connects the actuator with the first valve member so that the seals are relieved of pressure before the first valve member is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Manfred Becker, Hilmar Ortlepp
  • Patent number: 4658851
    Abstract: A reversing valve construction having a housing provided with a chamber carrying a movable valve member therein that controls ports of a valve seat of the housing through the relative position of a cavity of the valve member relative to the ports, the ports comprising first, second and third ports disposed in spaced apart and straight line relation and the cavity bridging the first and second ports while exposing the chamber to the third port when the valve member is in one position thereof and bridging the second and third ports while exposing the chamber to the first port when the valve member is in another position thereof. The valve member carries a flexible annular sealing member that is disposed between an annular surface of the valve member and the valve seat and surrounds the cavity to seal the cavity to the valve seat while permitting sliding movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventors: Rudolf K. Koch, Octavio F. Affonso
  • Patent number: 4651972
    Abstract: A flow control apparatus for selectively directing fluid from a fluid supply line to a number of outlet lines includes an outer member having an outer wall, a throughbore forming an annular inner wall and a plurality of spaced, discharge bores formed therebetween. An inner member having an annular outer wall is received within the throughbore of the outer member so that their annular walls face one another. The outer member is rotatable with respect to the inner member to selectively align each of its discharge bores with the fluid passageway of the inner member, and an interlock mechanism is provided to ensure accurate alignment therebetween. The facing surfaces of the inner and outer members are sealed at the fluid passageway by a Teflon seal mounted at one end of a driven piston which is axially movable within the fluid passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Gerald K. Yankoff
  • Patent number: 4647005
    Abstract: A blowout protector for use between sections of well tubing at a well head comprises a flat rectangular housing having top and bottom plates with aligned openings connected to the respective tubing sections, the housing defining an internal chamber. A closure plate is movable piston-wise within the chamber between respective terminal positions at opposite ends of the chamber. The closure plate has an opening therein which aligns with the respective openings in the top and bottom plates when the closure plate is in one terminal position in order to allow well fluid to flow through the protector. In the other terminal position the closure plate forms a barrier to fluid flow through the housing. Fluid pressure inlet and exhaust ports are provided at opposite ends of the housing for moving the closure plate between its respective positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Inventor: Joseph M. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4643395
    Abstract: A gate valve 10 of slab gate variety with "floating" seats having means for protecting the seat ring seals and seat pockets in severe operating conditions. Each seat ring (40,41) is provided in its rear face (43,44) with an annular groove (49) coaxial with the ring axis and of a diameter to be located closely adjacent the flow passage (16,17) through the valve and accommodating an O-ring seal (49,50) therein. A second annular groove (51) is formed in the outer cylindrical surface (40a, 41a) of the ring near the front face (43,44) of the ring and accommodates an O-ring seal therein. The two O-ring seals (49,52) and (50,51) by their location establish a "trapped" volume chamber (55) behind the seat ring and seat pocket (32,33) which protects and isolates the seat pocket from corrosive ladings and solids deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Joy Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John B. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4641685
    Abstract: A valve assembly for insertion into a valve body. The valve assembly includes a valve insert adapted to be positioned axially within the valve body. The valve insert has a longitudinally extending fluid passageway therethrough including an inlet opening at one end in communication with a source of fluid under pressure and an outlet opening at the other end remote from the fluid source and includes a seal disposed between the valve insert and the valve body to only permit flow of the fluid through the fluid passageway. In addition, the valve insert includes a sealing surface extending about the outlet opening. The valve assembly also includes a valve stem adapted to be in axially positioned alignment with the valve insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Universal-Rundle Corporation
    Inventor: John Rudelick
  • Patent number: 4638719
    Abstract: A pressure-unbalanced hydraulic amplifier valve assembly has an axially slidable amplifier piston and a control plunger axially slidably arranged in the amplifier piston with a loose fit to permit a slight radial movement thereof in the amplifier piston. For providing a tight seal in the zone of control ports arranged in the amplifier piston, the control plunger is urged in that zone radially against the amplifier piston by a transverse piston continuously exposed to the system pressure. A pressure piston engages one end of the control plunger and is exposed to an external force (such as a braking force applied by a pedal) for axially displacing the control plunger. In order to eliminate undesired axial force components from the force applied by the transverse piston, a force-transmitting ball contacts the transverse piston and an inner wall of the control plunger forming a throughgoing axial bore and constituting an axially linear track for the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Volkswagenwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunter Leineweber, Rolf Warnecke, Heinz Ruhmer
  • Patent number: 4635674
    Abstract: A diverter valve for a swimming pool/spa system is disclosed which has a lubricated seal assembly for the diverter portion of the valve. Valve lubrication is accomplished without valve disassembly. A method for minimizing the diameter of a valve body for a valve having a selected one of three, five, six or seven ports while still permitting the valve to be used with standard plumbing fittings is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Peter Bajka