Including Trunnion Opposite Axially Extending Actuating Means Patents (Class 251/315.08)
  • Patent number: 11885421
    Abstract: A rotary-type valve device includes: a tubular valve having an inner passage and opening parts opened in an outer circumferential wall from the inner passage toward an outward side in a radial direction; a housing accommodating the valve and turnably supports the valve; a tubular passage member assembled in the housing such that the passage member abuts on the outer circumferential wall of the valve and defining a radial-direction passage; and a biasing spring biasing the passage member toward the outer circumferential wall The passage member includes an abutting member abutting on the outer circumferential wall, and an intervening member having an annular pressing part intervening between the abutting member and the biasing spring and partially pressurizing the abutting member. The abutting member includes an annular sealing surface aligned with the annular pressing part in a biasing direction of the biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tochigi, Shoichi Ishiguchi
  • Patent number: 11788638
    Abstract: A pressure relief device includes a housing member having an inner space, a piston member provided in the inner space of the housing member, and a fusible member provided in a region below the piston member. The piston member includes an upper end region formed at an upper end in the up-down direction (H), and a connection region which is formed below the upper end region and extends downward from the upper end region while being connected to the upper end region. A first width (W1) of the upper end region in a left-right direction (A) is equal to a second width (W2) of the connection region in the left-right direction (A) or less than the second width (W2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeong Hyun Ham
  • Patent number: 11754190
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body and a valve member extending through at least a portion of the valve body. The valve assembly also includes a seat pocket forming an annular recess in the valve body and a seat arrangement positioned at least partially within the seat pocket. The seat arrangement includes a lower seat extending radially inward from the annular recess toward the valve cavity axis. The seat arrangement also includes an upper seat at least partially overlapping the lower seat, the upper seat extending radially inward toward the valve cavity axis to contact the valve member along a seat face. The seat arrangement further includes an interface seal positioned along an interface between the upper seat and the lower seat, the interface seal receiving a fluid pressure to drive the lower seat radially outward and into the annular recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lauren Valera, Jeremy Choate, Keith Adams, Mahesha Udipi
  • Patent number: 11686404
    Abstract: A component for a ball valve that is configured to reduce noise. The component or “shoe” can install into the valve body, for example, on a downstream side of a throttling ball. In one implementation, the embodiments comprise an annular ring with an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is cupped to receive a portion of the throttling ball. The outer surface may have a stepped profile with portions of the annular ring that have concentrically-decreasing diameter. This stepped profile sits in a corresponding recess in the valve body. Welds can be used to secure the shoe in place in lieu of fasteners, like bolts or screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Dresser, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle McKinley Bryan, Jonathan Clyde Whitten, Abdul Raoof Mohamed, Jeffrey Louis Johanning
  • Patent number: 11661929
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a suction valve apparatus for use in being directly connected to a surgical suction tubing and a surgical suction tip, and thus, allowing a user to stop, or shut off, a flow of suction with the use of a single hand. The present invention pertains to a thumb-activated shut-off valve apparatus for use in easily and efficiently stopping and starting a flow of suction during surgical operations. The suction valve apparatus of the present invention generally comprises a ball valve member, an O-ring, a housing member, and a handle switch member, wherein said ball valve member, said housing member, said O-ring, and said handle switch member cooperate to be able to stop or start a flow of suction from a surgical suction tube and a surgical suction tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: John H. Campbell, Angela Guidry Sobiesk
  • Patent number: 11560959
    Abstract: A trunnion ball valve provides a reliable seal when closed, while minimizing or eliminating frictional resistance during rotation of the ball. A pressurization chamber behind the upstream valve seat can be interconnected by one or more pressurization valves with either the upstream or the downstream process fluid. The interconnection can be via a single 3-way valve. When the valve is closed and the ball is fixed in orientation, the pressurization chamber is automatically connected to the upstream process fluid, thereby pressing the seat against the ball and ensuring a reliable seal. While the ball is being rotated, the pressurization chamber is automatically connected to the downstream process fluid, thereby substantially eliminating valve seat friction. Connection to the downstream process fluid can include connection to a small space in front of the upstream seat. An electronic controller can control both valve stem rotation and the pressurization valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: Danilo Barni, Luca Simontacchi
  • Patent number: 11460117
    Abstract: A ball valve is disclosed herein. The ball valve can include a non-planar seal disposed upon a rotating ball, the ball and seal contained within a housing, wherein the seal includes a first section and a second section, the first section oriented at a different angle than the second section. The ball valve can further include a mating surface disposed within the housing adjacent to the ball, the mating surface arranged to fully contact the seal when the ball valve is in a closed position, the mating surface including a first section and a second section, the first section oriented at a different angle than the second section. The seal and mating surface can be oriented so that the first section of the seal does not contact the second section of the mating surface when the ball is rotated between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Blue Origin LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Ouellet, Kevin A. Westhoff, Tyler J. Baker
  • Patent number: 11448334
    Abstract: A double 6-way valve for a vehicle cooling system provides various modes, reduces the number of parts of the cooling system, and improves packaging, compared to a conventional cooling system. The double 6-way valve includes: an upper housing including a plurality of upper nipples disposed at equal intervals on an outer circumference surface thereof; a lower housing stacked under the upper housing and including a plurality of lower nipples disposed at equal intervals on an outer circumference surface thereof; an upper hub rotatably mounted within the upper housing; a lower hub rotatably mounted within the lower housing and stacked under the upper hub; and a driving apparatus to rotate the upper hub and the lower hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seong Bin Jeong, Hyun Jae Lee, Jae Eun Jeong, Wan Je Cho, Tae Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 11415229
    Abstract: A lifting valve includes a first and a second connection, a passage connecting the first and second connections and surrounded by a valve seat, a closing element that can be brought into sealing contact with the valve seat, and an actuator to bring about the sealing contact. The closing element includes a sealing arrangement comprising a first part, a second part releasably connected to the first part, a first groove formed in the first part, a second groove, and a clamping gap. The second groove and clamping gap are formed between the first and second parts, and a seal comprising a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg is received in the sealing arrangement. The first leg is received in the first groove, the second leg is received in the second groove, and the third leg is received in the clamping gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: GEA Tuchenhagen GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Burmester, Jörg Pieplow, Matthias Südei, Nils Waldemann
  • Patent number: 11092248
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a trim arrangement for a ball valve. The trim arrangement can include a first seat assembly having a first seat, a threaded collar, and a biasing element. The first seat can be in contact with a first side of a ball element, and the threaded collar can be threadably coupled to the first seat and can be in engagement with the biasing element. The trim arrangement further includes a second seat assembly having a second seat in contact with a second side of the ball element. The threaded collar can have a profile that is configured to non-rotatably and slidably engage a corresponding profile of a collar bore of the valve body to prevent rotation of the threaded collar relative to the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Brandon Wayne Bell
  • Patent number: 11047489
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a trim arrangement for a ball valve. The trim arrangement can include a first seat assembly having a first seat, a threaded collar, and a biasing element. The first seat can be in contact with a first side of a ball element, and the threaded collar can be threadably coupled to the first seat and can be in engagement with the biasing element. The trim arrangement further includes a second seat assembly having a second seat in contact with a second side of the ball element. The threaded collar can have a profile that is configured to non-rotatably and slidably engage a corresponding profile of a collar bore of the valve body to prevent rotation of the threaded collar relative to the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Brandon Wayne Bell
  • Patent number: 10544868
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a trim arrangement for a ball valve. The trim arrangement includes a first seat assembly having a first seat, a threaded collar, and a biasing element. The first seat is in contact with a first side of a ball element, and the threaded collar is threadably coupled to the first seat and in engagement with the biasing element. The trim arrangement further includes a second seat assembly having a second seat in contact with a second side of the ball element. The biasing element biases the first seat toward the first side of the ball element to provide a contact stress between the first seat and the first side of the ball element and the second seat and the second side of the ball element. The contact stress provided by the biasing element is adjustable by rotating the first seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Brandon Wayne Bell
  • Patent number: 9670825
    Abstract: In a cylindrical valve body 3, a first opening portion M1 for a heater heat exchanger and a second opening portion M2 for an oil cooler are arranged parallel in an axial direction of the valve body 3. A third opening portion M3 for a radiator is arranged in a different circumferential direction position from the first or second opening portion M1 or M2 on an outer peripheral surface of the valve body 3 so that at least a part of the third opening portion M3 overlaps with the first or second opening portion M1 or M2 in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Murakami, Junichiro Onigata, Kishiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 9541203
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for a rotary ball valve an eccentric cammed ball. The seal assembly may include a seal ring disposed within the valve interior and biased toward the ball element of the valve. A seal ring retainer may be threadedly secured to an interior of the valve body, thereby retaining the seal ring in the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Paul R. Dalluge
  • Patent number: 9211158
    Abstract: A novel collection device for collection, storage and disposal of biological products, in conjunction with an improved cleansing method. Disclosed is an apparatus which includes a locking closing member handle to allow for safe transport and disposal of medical waste. Closing member allows for secure containment of medical waste and subsequent apparatus cleaning. Closing member design includes a gap between closing member and housing which facilitates device cleaning after waste disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Biofluid Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Radford, Drew Radford, Wayne Willich, Jack D. Howard
  • Publication number: 20150008351
    Abstract: A ball valve has trunnions that comprise shaft portions and larger diameter bearing portions. The larger bearing portions ensure that bearing pressures will be low. Smaller shaft portions reduce material costs and minimize the overall size of the valves. Preferably the bearing portions are formed out of a different material than are the shaft portions. This allows the bearing portions to be formed out of a lower strength (and therefore lower cost) material. Conversely, it also allows the shaft portions to be formed out of a higher strength material to thereby minimize the size of the trunnion shafts without impacting the bearing size and cost. Additionally, each bearing portion is preferably a cylindrical sleeve and is preferably heat-shrunk around part of the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20150008352
    Abstract: A valve has trunnions that comprise shaft portions and larger diameter bearing portions. The larger bearing portions ensure that bearing pressures will be low. Smaller shaft portions reduce material costs and minimize the overall size of the valves. Preferably the bearing portions are formed out of a different material than are the shaft portions. This allows the bearing portions to be formed out of a lower strength (and therefore lower cost) material. Conversely, it also allows the shaft portions to be formed out of a higher strength material to thereby minimize the size of the trunnion shafts without impacting the bearing size and cost. Additionally, each bearing portion is preferably a cylindrical sleeve and is preferably heat-shrunk around part of the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Patent number: 8925894
    Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes an enclosure for supporting the ball valve during actuation. In one embodiment, the enclosure can be a split enclosure, and can have trunnion support apertures for engaging trunnions on the ball valve. In one embodiment, a pair of link arms are used to transfer force from a pair of actuation members to the ball valve. The link arms can be located in a recess on the actuation members, such the actuation members and the face of the trunnions define a cavity to enclose and protect the link arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Sivakumar Natarajan, Robert Samuel Buchan, Thirupathi Dommati
  • Patent number: 8770546
    Abstract: A ball or half-ball valve with drain-proof mechanism comprises a body; inner side of the body being formed as a chamber and a through hole communicated to the chamber; an annular seat received in an annular trench of a wall of the through hole; a drain-proof unit; a valve unit installed to the inner side of the annular seat; the valve unit having an axial hole for receiving the stem; and a cover having a size corresponding to that of the through hole of the body; the cover being locked to an outer side of the through hole. The drain-proof unit has three different structures. The elements of the structures are replaceable with each other for being installed to the valve. Each mode is suitable for different environments. In the present invention, the cover can be detached easily for repairing or maintaining the elements therein. It is easy and convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: JDV Control Valves Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi-Ming Fan
  • Patent number: 8708307
    Abstract: A ball valve comprises a ball rotatably disposed within a housing, and a trunnion plate supporting the ball. The trunnion plate comprises a trunnion plate hole, and a trunnion plate shoulder disposed on a surface of the trunnion plate about the trunnion plate hole, where the trunnion plate shoulder has a length in the axial direction of the ball valve that is greater than a width in the radial direction of the ball valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Derek Walter Inglis
  • Publication number: 20140102575
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dual packing retainer and dual sealing ball valve for use generally in high pressure applications. Further disclosed herein are methods of detecting seal failure before the ball valve must be taken offline due to the presence of secondary or backup seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Array Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane M. Eagen
  • Publication number: 20130306898
    Abstract: A ball valve comprises a ball rotatably disposed within a housing, and a trunnion plate supporting the ball. The trunnion plate comprises a trunnion plate hole, and a trunnion plate shoulder disposed on a surface of the trunnion plate about the trunnion plate hole, where the trunnion plate shoulder has a length in the axial direction of the ball valve that is greater than a width in the radial direction of the ball valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Derek Walter INGLIS
  • Publication number: 20130292595
    Abstract: A valve body defines a valve stem opening. A valve stem comprises an enlarged portion greater than the valve stem opening to thereby secure the valve stem within the valve body by limiting radially outward movement of the valve stem with respect to the valve body. A rotary member comprise upper and lower bosses. Upper and lower split trunnions, with split components that can be inserted from opposite sides of the valve body, are used to rotationally support the upper and lower bosses to permit rotation of the rotary member while preventing axial movement of the axial flow path of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: WORLDWIDE OILFIELD MACHINE, INC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM W. LANNING, ROBERT EARL MAKI
  • Publication number: 20130214189
    Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes an enclosure for supporting the ball valve during actuation. In one embodiment, the enclosure can be a split enclosure, and can have trunnion support apertures for engaging trunnions on the ball valve. In one embodiment, a pair of link arms are used to transfer force from a pair of actuation members to the ball valve. The link arms can be located in a recess on the actuation members, such the actuation members and the face of the trunnions define a cavity to enclose and protect the link arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Sivakumar Natarajan, Robert Samuel Buchan, Thirupathi Dommati
  • Publication number: 20130200286
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved ball valve with trunnions connected to impact turn wheels. The trunnions are affixed to the ball of the ball valve mechanism. The improved ball valve impact turn wheels will generate increased torque which will allow improved operation of a ball valve in high pressure applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Duane M. Eagen
  • Patent number: 8413620
    Abstract: A hydraulic orifice which is mounted at a head oil journal formed in a cylinder head and supplies an oil to a supply line after reducing pulsation of the oil supplied to the head oil journal, may include a body pressed on the head oil journal so as to form a chamber with the cylinder head, a joining line formed along a longitudinal axis of the body therein and fluid-communicating with the supply line, and at least two hydraulic lines formed in the body and connecting the chamber with an end of the joining line in the body to supply the oil through the other end thereof to the supply line, wherein the oils passing through the at least two hydraulic lines are joined at the end of the joining line with different phases such that the pulsation of the oil in the joining line is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Gee Wook Shin, Yoonsik Woo, Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo
  • Patent number: 8398055
    Abstract: A ball segment valve for controlling fluid flow in a piping, includes a valve housing with a valve seat disposed therein, a tubular bearing body fitted to an upper axial opening of the valve housing, a rotating spindle inserted through the bearing body into the valve housing, a tightening sleeve unit sleeved on the spindle to ensure full engagement of the spindle with the bearing body, a journal member inserted through a lower axial opening into the valve housing, and a valve body having upper and lower lugs coaxially fitted to the spindle and the journal member, and a spherical segment having a convex outer spherical surface and rotated with the spindle between a fully closed position, where the spherical surface is in sealing contact with the valve seat, and a fully opened position to permit a full fluid communication of the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: J-Flow Controls, LLC
    Inventor: Chih-Chien Yin
  • Patent number: 8398053
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a ball valve structure which provide for an improved seal in a trunnion mounted, double piston ball valve, which is especially useful in applications requiring a seal against high pressures, such as in the oil, gas and chemical process industries. Higher pressures on an inlet side of the valve are used, while the valve moves toward and is maintained in a valve closed position, to create movement of a ball element of the valve so as to bias the ball element against both piston seat elements (or rings) used to create the seals. This movement of the ball element thereby effectively uses such upstream pressure to create and enhance a seal between the ball element and both piston seat elements while in the valve closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Ezekiel
  • Patent number: 8186371
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a valve element and a single piece packing that seals the valve element within a valve cavity. The single piece packing is installed over the valve element at room temperature or may be molded thereon. The valve element may include a flow control element such as a ball and upper and lower trunnions. The various dimensions of the valve element and packing are selected to facilitate room temperature assembly and to substantially reduce the volume of packing material, thereby improving the performance of the valve over wider temperature ranges and pressure ratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Jared S. Timko, Thomas A. Lippucci, Eric M. Kvarda, Brandon J. Fry, James E. Gotch
  • Publication number: 20110147635
    Abstract: A trunnion-mounted ball valve, comprising a valve body including a central body and two opposite tubular sections, the central body having a body cavity and the tubular sections having respective ducts with a common longitudinal axis (A) and respective inner ends facing said body cavity, a trunnion-mounted ball rotatably connected to the valve body and rotatable about an axis of rotation orthogonal to said longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position, the ball having a through hole which is aligned to said ducts in the open position and transversal to said ducts in the closed position, a first and a second seat ring each of which has a guide portion slidably engaging a respective tubular section in the direction of said longitudinal axis and a head portion, wherein one of said seat rings has a ball-side seal provided on said head portion, which establishes a sealing contact between the seat ring and the ball along a ball-side sealing diameter, and a body-side seal, provided on said guide p
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Alberto Seveso, Gabriel Ivanescu
  • Publication number: 20110049408
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a ball valve including a body and a ball disposed within the body. The ball valve also includes a stem disposed within an opening in the ball. The stem is removable by passage through the opening into a bore of the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul M. Gutmann, John M. Saldivar
  • Patent number: 7887024
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a valve element and a single piece packing that seals the valve element within a valve cavity. The single piece packing is pulled over the valve element at room temperature or may be molded on. The valve element may include a flow control element such as a ball and upper and lower trunnions. The lower trunnion may extend past a lower end of the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Jared S. Timko, Thomas A. Lippucci, Eric M. Kvarda, Brandon J. Fry, James E. Gotch
  • Publication number: 20110024662
    Abstract: A trunnion-mounted ball valve, comprising, a valve body including a central body and two opposite tubular sections, the central body having a body cavity and the tubular sections having respective ducts with a common longitudinal axis and respective inner ends facing said body cavity, a trunnion mounted ball rotatably connected to the valve body and rotatable about an axis of rotation orthogonal to said longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position, the ball having a through hole which is aligned to said ducts in the open position and transversal to said ducts in the closed position, a first and a second seat ring each of which has a guide portion slidably engaging a respective tubular section in the direction of said longitudinal axis and a head portion having a valve seat, the valve seats of the first and second seat rings abutting on opposite sides of said ball, wherein the head portion of at least one of said seat rings has at least one annular groove directed radially with respect to s
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Alberto Seveso, Gabriel Ivanescu
  • Patent number: 7836909
    Abstract: A rotatable wedge valve mechanism has a valve body or valve cartridge defining a valve chamber and flow ports in fluid communication with the valve chamber. A valve seat is located within the valve chamber in registry with one of the flow ports. A non-rotatable core member having a convex external surface portion is supported within said valve chamber. A wedge member is mounted for rotation within the valve chamber and has a range of rotary motion between open and closed positions of said valve and a non-uniform wall thickness throughout said range of rotary motion. An actuator upon rotary movement achieves opening and closing rotation of said wedge member. A method is provided for machining concave and convex wedge member surfaces from selected center-points to achieve relative thicknesses of wall sections of the wedge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hemiwedge Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Kris L. Church
  • Patent number: 7690626
    Abstract: A trunnion type ball valve having valve seats that are laterally moveable within seat recesses of the valve and establish sealing engagement with a valve ball member that is trunnion supported for rotational movement between open and closed positions. The valve seat members are self-centering for optimum sealing engagement with the spherical sealing surface of the ball member. The internal geometry of the seat assemblies are designed to permit optimum flow through the valve mechanism even under circumstances where the seat members are located in laterally off-center relation with respect to the centerline of the flow passages due to self-centering seat movement. The ball valve is readily adapted for fire-safe application via the use of heat resistant seals and metal-to-metal sealing of components to prevent or minimize leakage in the event of seal destruction or degradation by excess heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Gerald A. Stunkard
  • Patent number: 7347408
    Abstract: A high differential pressure, low torque precision temperature control valve is disclosed herein. This valve is trunnionated with stem components that are separable from the plug for ease of maintenance and manufacturability and thus reducing the need to remove the entire plug and sealing assemblies in the field. Field repair of stem sealing devices can be accomplished inline . The stem design can be smaller in diameter with smaller bearing surfaces than would be anticipated creating a lower requirement of torque to rotationally transposition the plug within the fluid chamber while under high pressure. This valve's lower trunnionated stem is stationery reducing the problems associated with o-ring failure and leakage problems with objects that rotate. Due to the design of the orifices in the plug, this valve is capable of repeatability at lower opening ranges than prior art valves and reduces jetting, caviation and erosion often associated with lower opening ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Griswold Controls Inc
    Inventor: David Burton Keiser
  • Patent number: 6874757
    Abstract: A pigging ball valve with a ball core mounted on an improved trunnion mounting. The pigging ball valve has a valve housing with a longitudinal axis. A side entry port on the valve housing is provided for entry of pigs into the valve housing. The ball core has an interior bore and is mounted on a trunnion in the valve housing for rotation about a transverse axis to the longitudinal axis of the ball core. The trunnion is a rotating stem journalled in the valve housing and connected to the ball core by a non-cylindrical portion and a cylindrical portion extending from the non-cylindrical portion towards the interior bore of the ball core. Preferably, the cylindrical portion terminates inwardly in a curved portion fitting the interior bore of the ball core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas A. M. Hallett
  • Patent number: 6669171
    Abstract: A compact manifold ball valve having a valve body defining a valve chamber and having first and second ends and a first flow passage intersecting the valve chamber a cylindrical sealing surface defining a bonnet and valve stem passage also intersecting the valve chamber. A seat and ball retainer is threaded into the second end of the valve body and provides for support and positioning of a pair of trunnion support elements and a pair of seat assemblies. A valve ball having opposed trunnions is rotatable between open and closed positions within the valve chamber and is supported by the trunnion supports. A valve stem and bonnet assembly is secured and sealed to said valve body and is actuated to rotate the valve ball for opening and closing thereof. The valve seats are capable of metal-to-metal sealing with the valve ball in the event of heat destruction of said face seals to provide the valve with a fire-safe character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Aceco Valve, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald A. Stunkard
  • Patent number: 6631882
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing an emergency shutdown valve without disrupting the flow of the process during a testing procedure. The apparatus includes an emergency shutdown valve capable of moving about 25% beyond a fully opened position to a fully closed position. The emergency shutdown valve has a coefficient of flow which is equal to or greater than the normal coefficient of flow for the process when the valve is moved about 25% beyond its fully opened position which provides a means for moving the shutdown valve 50% of its total movement without affecting the coefficient of flow for the process. The apparatus also includes a programmable logic controller including a timer and counter, a valve actuator, valve positioner, and an alarm device for controlling the positioning and movement of the shutdown valve during a timed and scheduled shutdown valve testing process without affecting the flow of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Mack