Abstract: An electric valve and an assembly method therefor. The provision of multilayered sealing of a first sealing element, a second sealing element, and a sealing medium located between the first sealing element and the second sealing element along the axial direction of a valve stem is conducive to restricting outward leakage of a fluid along the axial direction of the valve stem.

Abstract: A seal (1) is provided, in particular for a rotary ball valve fitting (2). The seal (1) has an annular body (4) that is resilient, flexible and provided with a radial lip (4?) and a rigid sealing ring (5) that are made in one piece. A valve, such as a rotary ball valve may include such a seal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostat valve for a combustion engine, comprising a housing which comprises several connections, and comprising a hollow valve body which comprises a shell surface which is ball-shaped at least sectionally, which valve body is mounted in the housing rotatable about a rotational axis by a rotational drive, wherein the valve body comprises at least one main opening and at least one control opening, wherein at least the control opening is limited by the shell surface and can be selectively brought into overlap with one of the connections of the housing by rotating the valve body, wherein the shell surface comprises at least one deepening in relation to the surrounding surface of the shell surface adjacent to the at least one control opening limited by the shell surface, wherein the deepening is provided such that upon rotation of the valve body, in order to bring the at least one control opening into overlap with one of the connections of the housing, fluid can flow through the deep

Abstract: In the specification and drawings, a valve is described and shown having a first and second valve seat carrier, a valve seat associated with each valve seat carrier, and a valve ball between the valve seats. The valve further includes a stop mechanism operatively connected to at least a first valve seat, the stop mechanism limiting travel of the first valve seat towards the valve ball such that the valve ball may be push away from a sealing engagement with the first valve seat.

Abstract: A draining device for a machine tool, which is assembled in a drain hole of a base of the machine tool, includes a ball, an outer shell, a sealing member and a flat head screw. The ball has a through hole defined therein. The outer shell has a receiving hole and the ball is received in the receiving hole of the outer shell. The sealing member has a guiding hole defined therethrough. The sealing member is inserted in the receiving hole of the outer shell and abutting against the ball with one end. The flat head screw is screwed in the base and a head portion of the flat head screw presses a top end of the outer shell. Under this arrangement, the ball is rotatable relative to the outer shell so as to adjust an angle of the through hole of the ball.

Abstract: A ball valve having a valve stem assembly disposed within a valve body through-hole. The valve body through-hole is encircled with secondary bores to accommodate components of the valve stem assembly. The valve stem assembly includes an upper bearing and lower bearing, which are seated into corresponding secondary bores and a stem seal that seats within a stem seal gland. The upper bearing further includes a step that interdigitates with the stem seal gland to form a stem seal groove when the valve stem assembly is disposed within the through-hole.

Abstract: A ball valve having a valve stem assembly disposed within a valve body through-hole. The valve body through-hole is encircled with secondary bores to accommodate components of the valve stem assembly. The valve stem assembly includes an upper bearing and lower bearing, which are seated into corresponding secondary bores and a stem seal that seats within a stem seal gland. The upper bearing further includes a step that interdigitates with the stem seal gland to form a stem seal groove when the valve stem assembly is disposed within the through-hole.

Abstract: A seal carrier for a ball valve includes a carrier body to be located between a ball and a portion of a valve body. The carrier body may have an annular channel for carrying a ring seal in a side to be located proximate the ball. A spring is located at a peripheral portion of the carrier body. An end portion of the spring is configured to abut against the portion of the valve body, and the spring is configured to provide a compressive force between the portion of the valve body and the ball in a direction parallel with the direction of fluid flow through the ball valve assembly. A ball valve assembly may include such seal carriers. Methods of forming such seal carriers are also included.

Abstract: In the specification and drawings, a valve is described and shown having a first and second valve seat carrier, a valve seat associated with each valve seat carrier, and a valve ball between the valve seats. The valve further includes a stop mechanism operatively connected to at least a first valve seat, the stop mechanism limiting travel of the first valve seat towards the valve ball such that the valve ball may be push away from a sealing engagement with the first valve seat.

Abstract: In the specification and drawings a valve is described and shown with a lower valve seat; an upper valve seat; a bracket, the bracket having a first tongue engaged with the upper valve seat; a valve ball located between the lower valve seat and the upper valve seat, the lower valve seat, the valve ball, and the upper valve seat being located within the bracket; and a ring located about the upper valve seat, the ring having a first recessed portion and a first extended portion, the ring having a first ring position in which the first tongue is unobstructed by the first recessed portion and a second ring position in which the first tongue is obstructed by the first extended portion, the ring being rotatable between the first ring position and the second ring position.

Abstract: In the specification and drawings a valve is described and shown with a lower valve seat; an upper valve seat; a bracket, the bracket having a first tongue engaged with the upper valve seat; a valve ball located between the lower valve seat and the upper valve seat, the lower valve seat, the valve ball, and the upper valve seat being located within the bracket; and a ring located about the upper valve seat, the ring having a first recessed portion and a first extended portion, the ring having a first ring position in which the first tongue is unobstructed by the first recessed portion and a second ring position in which the first tongue is obstructed by the first extended portion, the ring being rotatable between the first ring position and the second ring position.

Abstract: A valve seat arrangement (4) in a hydraulic valve (1) provided with a bidirectional secondary barrier (5) including a first, upstream seal (51) and a second, downstream seal (52) and an intermediate, axially movable seal-supporting element (53), the seal-supporting element (53) including, at a first end, an annular first seal abutment (531) surrounded by a second supporting abutment surface (534) displaced in the axial direction towards a valve seat (42); and the seal-supporting element (53) including, at a second end, an annular second seal abutment (532) surrounding a first supporting abutment surface (532) displaced in the axial direction away from the valve seat (42).

Abstract: This valve is integrated into a fluid distribution network and enables selective interruption or authorization of the circulation of a fluid. The valve includes a fluid blocking member driven in rotation by an actuator device of the valve and at least one journal, a hollow body inside which the blocking member is mobile and which defines at least one bore for receiving the journal, and a bearing disposed around each journal and inside the bore of the body enabling support of the journal and guidance thereof in rotation relative to the bore, thereby centering the journal. The valve further includes a device for immobilizing and sealing for maintenance the journal relative to the body of the valve. This immobilization device is disposed on the same side of the bearing as the internal volume of the hollow body and is maneuverable via the bearing to go from a non-clamped first configuration to a clamped second configuration in which it immobilizes the journal in the bore and vice versa.

Abstract: A device for conveying and/or distributing fluids comprises a housing with connection portions, one or more threaded ring nuts which can be screwed to the connection portions for joining them, and a tightening seat formed in the housing. The device further comprises a first adapter with a portion for coupling with the tightening seat, a driving portion for engagement with an engagement portion of the ring nut and a first key seat shaped to receive a portion for coupling a tightening tool.

Abstract: Fluid valves having adjustable sealing characteristics are described. An example fluid valve includes a valve body having a flow aperture to enable the flow of fluid therethrough. Additionally, the fluid valve includes a seal surrounding the flow aperture and a sealing member having a shaft extending therefrom. The sealing member is movable relative to the seal and the flow aperture to control the flow of fluid through the flow aperture. Further, the fluid valve includes a support body movably coupled to the valve body and having a passage to receive the shaft. The support body holds the shaft and the sealing member to enable rotation of the shaft and the sealing member relative to the valve body and the seal, and at least one of the support body or the valve body includes at least one elongated opening to enable movement of the support body relative to the valve body to change an amount of engagement between the sealing member and the seal when the fluid valve is in a closed position.

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.

Abstract: A pig launching and retrieval valve, which is adapted to be mounted within a pipeline for fluid flow control and for inserting and retrieving pig devices, such as round nosed cylinders, balls, scrapers and the like, for pipeline cleaning, for separation of fluids within the pipeline and for other pipeline inspection and servicing activities. The pig valve is of universal nature, having sub flanges for adaptation of special flange mounting and/or API standard flange mounting. The pig valve has a trunnion supported valve ball and pressure energized seat members that are enabled to shift laterally within respective seat recesses and thus establish self-centering with the valve ball.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing, a rotational body, two seat rings, a shaft integrally linked to the rotational body, and a sealing element. The rotational body is arranged rotatably in the housing and has a through-opening. The seat rings are spaced apart in the housing, each positioned against an outer surface of the rotational body to seal against leakage. The shaft extends outwardly through a housing opening. Part of the shaft has a spherical outer surface. The sealing element is positioned against the spherical outer surface, and includes a sealing lip and a support ring. The support ring has a spherical inner surface with a curvature corresponding to the spherical outer surface. The shaft is supported on the support ring at the shaft part's spherical outer surface. A flow path is defined by a housing through-opening and a rotational body through-opening, and is closed or at least partially open as determined by a rotational angle position of the rotational body about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A ball valve having a valve stem assembly disposed within a valve body through-hole. The valve body through-hole is encircled with secondary bores to accommodate components of the valve stem assembly. The valve stem assembly includes an upper bearing and lower bearing, which are seated into corresponding secondary bores and a stem seal that seats within a stem seal gland. The upper bearing further includes a step that interdigitates with the stem seal gland to form a stem seal groove when the valve stem assembly is disposed within the through-hole.

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.

Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising a first flange, second flange, ball, inner magnetic cartridge, outer magnetic cartridge, and planetary gear assembly. The inner magnetic cartridge is situated inside of the outer magnetic cartridge, and the inner and outer magnetic cartridges actuate the valve. The planetary gear assembly is situated between the inner magnetic cartridge and the ball. The planetary gear assembly comprises one or more planetary gear phases, each planetary gear phase comprising a step-down gear. Each planetary gear phase comprises one or more planetary gears that engage with the inner teeth of the outer ring of the planetary gear assembly and with a step-down gear. The invention further comprises a pressure equalization system comprising inner and outer equalization tubes, a piston situated between the inner and outer equalization tubes, and either a piston spring or spring washer stack that biases the piston in the direction of the clean oil.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for a rotary ball valve having a top-mounted bonnet, thereby allowing the seal assembly to be installed and removed without removing the valve from the pipeline. In an embodiment, the seal assembly may include a seal ring disposed within the valve interior and biased toward the ball element of the valve. A seal carrier may be disposed between the seal ring and the valve body, and the seal carrier may be removably secured to the valve body by a plurality of bolts disposed in the valve interior. A primary leak path may exist between the seal ring and the seal carrier and a secondary leak path may exist between the seal carrier and the valve body. A bellows seal may prevent fluid flow through the primary leak path, and an auxiliary seal may prevent fluid flow through the secondary leak path.

Abstract: The valve is switchable between metering, full flow and shut off configurations. The preferred embodiments of the inventions include a metering-full flow, a metering-shut off and metering-shut off-full flow valves.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve body, a valve element to selectively control flow through the valve, and a seal member and seat member together providing a fluid-tight seal between a valve cavity and a fluid passage in the valve body. A live-loaded biasing member is adapted to apply a live-loaded sealing force to the seat member to bias the seat member toward sealing engagement with the valve element. When the pressure in the fluid passage exceeds the pressure in the valve cavity, an unbalanced passage pressure load biases the seat member toward sealing engagement with the valve element. When the pressure in the valve cavity exceeds the pressure in the fluid passage, an unbalanced cavity pressure load biases the seat member toward sealing engagement with the valve element. The live-loaded sealing force is in parallel with each of the unbalanced passage pressure load and the unbalanced cavity pressure load.

Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising a first flange, second flange, ball, inner magnetic cartridge, outer magnetic cartridge, and planetary gear assembly. The inner magnetic cartridge is situated inside of the outer magnetic cartridge, and the inner and outer magnetic cartridges actuate the valve. The planetary gear assembly is situated between the inner magnetic cartridge and the ball. The planetary gear assembly comprises one or more planetary gear phases, each planetary gear phase comprising a step-down gear. Each planetary gear phase comprises one or more planetary gears that engage with the inner teeth of the outer ring of the planetary gear assembly and with a step-down gear.

Abstract: A ball valve is provided for threaded connection to a separable component 72 having male threads 74. A housing 10 contains a ball 12 selectively rotatable for passing fluid through the housing, and a flange member 20 threadably secured to the valve housing. A stop ring 16 is positioned outward of the valve housing and engages the flange member. A coupling 20 is threadably secured to the stop ring and includes female threads for engagement with male threads on the separable component.

Abstract: Shut-off valve of a fluid having a valve body (20), an obturator (5) housed in the valve body and rotatable around a rotation axis (X), and a command organ (2) connected to the obturator (5) by means of a command stem (12) which extends in an aperture made in a cylindrical projection (21) of the valve body (20).

Abstract: A floating ball valve has a metal multiple component seat installed in the seat pocket. The multiple component seat further includes a support ring and at least one seal element. The support ring and the seal element are juxtaposed and both are adjacent to the ball when the floating ball valve is in a closed position. The support ring is in a overlapping complimentary position with respect to the seal element, the seal element having greater elasticity than the support ring and the support ring having a greater load bearing strength than the seal element.

Abstract: A ball valve operative in a cryogenic temperature range, includes a housing having a fluid passage therethrough, a ball rotatably positioned in the fluid passage and including a fluid passage therethough, the fluid passages of the housing and the ball allowing fluid through the ball valve when the ball is in an open position and block the fluid when the ball is rotated into a closed position. The housing includes at least two sealing rings disposed therein, sealingly contacting the ball and positioned for rotatably holding the ball between the two sealing rings which include at least a surface layer of thermoplastic material contacting the ball surface and having an annular, circumferential groove in a contacting surface where the rings sealingly engage the ball and an annular recess in the sealing ring opposite to the circumferential groove for providing a spring lip for biasing the sealing ring against the ball.

Abstract: A system includes a ball valve with a housing having a fluid passage, a ball disposed within the housing along the fluid passage, and a stem coupled to the ball. The stem is configured to move the ball between an open position and a closed position relative to the fluid passage. The stem is disposed in a first opening on a first side of the housing. The stem is removable from the first opening, through at least one opening in the ball, and out through a second opening on a second side of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ball valve having a housing made of plastic in which a carrier structure is disposed that is encased in plastic in which a valve ball having a through opening is pivotally supported between an opening and closing position, said carrier structure comprising two carrier rings positioned opposite each other, and a connecting element connecting said carrier rings. In order to create a ball valve made of plastic that is characterized by a simple construction and improved impermeability, the invention provides for the carrier structure to separate the valve ball completely from the plastic of the housing.

Abstract: A metal seated floating ball valve for in-line repair has a valve body, a ball mounted in the valve body, a stem connected to the ball, and a bonnet connected to the valve body. The floating ball valve further has a first seat and a second seat adjacent the ball mounted in the valve body, an energizing ring mounted in the valve body proximate the first seat and in series with the first seat and the second seat, and a valve seat bias mounted in the valve body proximate the energizing ring and in series with the energizing ring. The energizing ring may have a slot near the upper end and a wedge surface along the lower end.

Abstract: A seal assembly in a rotary ball valve is installable and replaceable through a bonnet opening in a valve body of the rotary ball valve. The seal assembly includes an anchor ring located in an internal recess in the valve body and one or more seal assembly components, such as a flexible seal member, a seal carrier, a seal retainer, and a rigid seal ring, are secured to the anchor ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve assembly that can be provided of a length to meet conventional fitting dimensions and requirements. The valve assembly includes a valve body housing, at least first and second valve balls. Between the first and second valve balls are provided first and second valve seats. The valve seats are biased towards their respective valve balls by common biasing means. The valve seats, that lie between the valve balls, are typically provided as part of a common valve seat assembly that includes the biasing means.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to ball valves and associated methods that include a valve body, a ball disposed inside the valve body, a seat retainer, a seat, a stem and a stem bearing. The exemplary seat retainer includes an outer surface with a first outer diameter, a second outer diameter and a transition region connecting the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter in a ramped manner. The exemplary seat includes an annular groove on a seat face to provide two distinct contact points between the seat and the ball. The exemplary stem passes through a valve body opening and is in mechanical communication with the ball. The exemplary stem bearing includes a bore extending therethrough, a first inner diameter, a second inner diameter and a stem bearing transition region connecting the first inner diameter and the second inner diameter in a tapered manner.

Abstract: A device for conveying and/or distributing fluids comprises a housing with connection portions, one or more threaded ring nuts that can be screwed to the connection portions in order to join them, a control handle and a tightening seat formed in the housing and adapted to support the control handle in a tightening position, rotatable around a tightening axis. The control handle comprises a drive portion which, in the tightening position, engages with a coupling portion of the ring nut, in a manner such that a rotation of the control handle around the tightening axis leads to a screwing or an unscrewing of the ring nut.

Abstract: A ball valve and ball valve actuator including a unique valve stem seal and mounting connection between the ball valve and actuator. The stem seal design reduces leakage issues and significantly lengthens the life span of the ball valve and actuator and the mounting connection between the actuator. The ball valve maintains the centrality of the valve stem in connection with the actuator pinion and minimizes torque and shear forces transferred to the valve stem and hence the stem seal itself.

Abstract: A ball valve includes a valve housing, which includes a housing body having opposite first and second sides, and an inner surface formed with a ball socket. The valve housing also includes a first cap mounted to the first side of the housing body, and a valve ball disposed in the ball socket and formed with an outer surface and a ball channel. The valve ball is drivable to move between an open position and a closed position to respectively permit or block fluid flow between the first cap opening and the ball channel. The ball valve also includes a first sealing mechanism mounted in the ball socket and formed with a first passage. The first sealing mechanism includes components made of metal, and cooperates with the housing body and the valve ball to form a fluid-tight seal around the first passage between the valve ball and the first cap.

Abstract: A valve assembly uses an O ring contained within a void such that the outer edges of the valve assembly reach the outer mid section of the O ring. A kettle for brewing beer or heating other fluid is drilled so as to accommodate the disclosed valve. The O ring is pressed and held against the outside surface of the kettle wall. A retaining nut placed within the kettle further secures the valve to the kettle. As the surface of the kettle heats during use, the contained O ring retains sufficient contact with the valve and kettle so as to prevent leakage.

Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising: a right flange; left flange; ball with an axis pin and two travel pins; ball seal on either side of the ball; guide sleeve with inner walls comprising two channels; cartridge guide holder; inner magnetic cartridge; and outer magnetic cartridge. The ball is situated inside of the guide sleeve, and a travel pin is located in each of the two channels. The guide sleeve is situated inside of the cartridge guide holder, which is located adjacent to and outside of the inner magnetic cartridge and secured to the inner magnetic cartridge such that when the inner magnetic cartridge rotates, the cartridge guide holder also rotates. The cartridge guide holder is secured to the guide sleeve such that when the cartridge guide holder rotates, the travel pins move within the channels in the inner walls of the guide sleeve, thereby causing the ball to rotate.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for providing a fluid seal of an annulus between two conforming surfaces such as a stem and a bore. The seal arrangement may include a pair of packing support rings. Preferably, two pairs of the packing support rings are used in order to provide double ended or two sided axial support for the packing. The first and second support rings support a load on the packing during normal or rated temperature use, with preferably an interference fit with the stem to resist extrusion of the packing along the stem. The support rings may be nested together and comprises different materials. For example, one support ring may comprise metal and the other support ring comprise a softer material such as a polymer or elastomer. An example of a packing material is a fire resistant material. The metal support ring may be used to maintain load on the fire resistant packing in the event that the other support ring has been destroyed by fire or other cataclysmic event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball plug for taps or valves for controlling the flow of a fluid, comprising at least one main passage (15) adapted for placing inlet and outlet ducts in communication, and at least two secondary holes or passages (19, 20) adapted for placing the main passage (15) in fluid communication with the plug seat (13) in the valve body so that part of the inlet fluid is sucked towards the outlet duct passing through said seat.

Abstract: A stem shoulder seal with double rings is composed of a sealing ring, a clamping ring and a spherical or conical stem shoulder, and the sealing ring is of a self-energized seal designed to its ultimate allowable strength and automatically free of any load beyond its ultimate strength. An assembly of independent dual stem seals, consisting of a stem shoulder seal with double rings, a stem cylinder seal with triangular sections and an isolating mating, can ensure that a stem has three seals which get well seated automatically at the same time to bear an identical ultimate medium pressure independently or without any mutual interference in service when assembled to the extent that the stem operating torque is just definitely increased, thereby ensuring that a stem sealing has a triple safety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball valve isolator (5) that includes a housing (15), a ball valve (60), a first isolator (40), and a second isolator (41). The housing (15) is provided with a first flow passage (29) located between an inlet (30) and an outlet (31). The ball valve (60) that includes a ball portion (63) that is located in the first flow passage (29). The ball portion (63) defines a second flow passage (65) that is aligned with the first flow passage (29) when the ball valve (60) is actuated to an open position. The first isolator (40) is located, at least in part, within the housing (15) and substantially blocks the inlet (30) when the first isolator (40) is actuated to a closed position. The second isolator (41) is located, at least in part, within the housing (15) and substantially blocks the outlet (31) when the second isolator (41) is actuated to a closed position.

Abstract: A sealing microsawtooth ring joint, made between a toothed seating surface and a full plain seated surface by a microsawtooth ring with its tooth crest on the seating surface being a cutting edge whose corner or whose crest angle is about 90°˜120°, with its tooth height Zt being about 10˜20 times the roughness Ra of the seated surface, and with the ratio of its tooth pitch Xs to its tooth height Zt being 20˜500 to ensure that the tight joint has a microcosmic line contact followed by a surface contact or to ensure that the tight joint has both such a line contact as to be able to provide a necessary seating stress locally and such a surface contact as to be able to protect the line contact from being excessively pressed to get blunt or disappeared, can be used either as a pressure-tight joint or as a self-energizing tight joint of any two surfaces such as flats to flats, cones to cones or spheres, spheres to spheres or cones etc.

Abstract: A seal assembly in a rotary ball valve is installable and replaceable through a bonnet opening in a valve body of the rotary ball valve. The seal assembly includes an anchor ring located in an internal recess in the valve body and one or more seal assembly components, such as a flexible seal member, a seal carrier, a seal retainer, and a rigid seal ring, are secured to the anchor ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ball valve having a housing made of plastic in which a carrier structure is disposed that is encased in plastic in which a valve ball having a through opening is pivotally supported between an opening and closing position, said carrier structure comprising two carrier rings positioned opposite each other, and a connecting element connecting said carrier rings. In order to create a ball valve made of plastic that is characterized by a simple construction and improved impermeability, the invention provides for the carrier structure to separate the valve ball completely from the plastic of the housing.

Abstract: A ball valve has a first half and second half coupled to form a valve body. The first half has an outlet passage, a single ball seat at an opening of the outlet, a first aperture receiving a first stem, and a first flange oriented about 45 degrees from the outlet. The second half has an inlet passage, a second aperture receiving a second stem, and a second flange oriented about 45 degrees from the inlet. A half ball is coupled to a first stem and a second stem disposed in the first and second apertures such that the half ball rotates about an axis of the first and second stems. The half ball rotates between a closed position in which a sealing side of the half ball is sealed against the single ball seat to prevent fluid flow, and an open position that permits fluid flow.

Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising two flanges and a ball with a channel, two axis pins and two travel pins. One end of each axis and travel pin is fixedly attached to the ball, and the other end of each axis pin is lodged into a notch in the first or second flange such that the axis pin is allowed to rotate in the notch. The guide sleeve comprises two channels, and one end of each travel pin is situated within one of the two channels in the guide sleeve. An outer magnetic cartridge causes the inner magnetic cartridge and guide sleeve to rotate, and when the guide sleeve rotates, the travel pins move up and down within the channels in the guide sleeve. The movement of the travel pins within the channels in the guide sleeve causes the ball to rotate, thereby opening and closing the ball valve.

Abstract: A ball valve having a valve stem assembly disposed within a valve body through-hole. The valve body through-hole is encircled with secondary bores to accommodate components of the valve stem assembly. The valve stem assembly includes an upper bearing and lower bearing, which are seated into corresponding secondary bores and a stem seal that seats within a stem seal gland. The upper bearing further includes a step that interdigitates with the stem seal gland to form a stem seal groove when the valve stem assembly is disposed within the through-hole.