Deformable Material Patents (Class 251/317)
  • Patent number: 11788662
    Abstract: A fluid control device has a partition body formed by a wall portion that is provided with a through hole communicating with an opening portion in a valve seat, the wall portion being mounted on the valve seat body in a sealed manner, and a lid portion which is provided continuously to the wall portion, the lid portion covering an opening side of the casing, the partition body including a seal component that seals a gap between an inner surface of a casing and the partition body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Satoshi Tamada
  • Patent number: 11578806
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a seal and a regulating valve having the seal. The seal is used for sealing a flow channel between a pipe orifice of a housing and a valve body in the regulating valve. The seal includes an elastic member and an embedded member. The elastic member is ring-shaped, the embedded member is at least partially embedded in the elastic member, and the hardness of the embedded member is greater than that of the elastic member. The seal of the present disclosure has a simple structure, which not only enables miniaturization of the structure of the regulating valve, but also can simplify assembly steps of the regulating valve, thus facilitating assembly automation of the regulating valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Yue Ma, Michael Henker, Ziteng Zheng
  • Patent number: 11554259
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Huibin Liu, Bryan Fred Bihlmaier, Janice Lin
  • Patent number: 11497588
    Abstract: A dental valve device has a valve body having a tip receiving end having a flexible tubing extending outwardly from the tip receiving end with the flexible tubing having a flexible tubing opening, a hose receiving end, a lumen formed between the flexible tubing opening and the hose receiving end, and a partial opening formed in the valve body, and a rotatable valve sealing body adapted to be inserted into the partial opening, the rotatable valve sealing body having a bore for alignment with the lumen formed between the flexible tubing opening and the hose receiving end, the bore having a tip receiving opening and a hose receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Stoma Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Thomas, Edward Arguello
  • Patent number: 10844964
    Abstract: A top cap for a valve includes an upper surface; and a lower surface distal from the upper surface; wherein the upper surface and the lower surface of the top cap define a bore and a bore axis, the bore extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the top cap defining: a minor bore of the bore, the minor bore intersecting the upper surface and defining a minor bore diameter; and a major bore of the bore, the major bore intersecting the lower surface and defining a major bore diameter, the major bore diameter greater than the minor bore diameter, the top cap including a bore shoulder, the bore shoulder defining a bore shoulder surface extending from the minor bore to the major bore, the bore shoulder surface angled with respect to the bore axis of the top cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Ashraf Abouelleil, Vadim Lorman
  • Patent number: 10495245
    Abstract: A probe seal for a female hydraulic coupling member has both internal and external pressure-energized seals. The outer wall or opposing ends of the seal have one or more pressure-energized seals for sealing between the body of the probe seal and the body of a coupling member in which the probe seal is installed. Annular, L-shaped, T-shaped or angled grooves in the inner wall of the seal form cavities and sealing projections that can be urged in an inward, radial direction by fluid pressure within an associated cavity to increase the sealing effectiveness between the body of the seal and the probe of a male hydraulic coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber of the female coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 10378656
    Abstract: A valve includes: a valve body defining a shaft bore therethrough, the shaft bore defining an axis extending through the valve body; a valve shaft positioned within and configured to rotate within the shaft bore of the valve body, the valve shaft including a shaft shoulder defining a shaft shoulder surface facing upward; a top cap secured to the valve body, the top cap including a bore shoulder defining a bore shoulder surface facing downward, the bore shoulder surface facing the shaft shoulder surface; and a seal positioned between the top cap and the valve body, the seal configured to seal against leakage from between the valve body and the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Ashraf Abouelleil, Vadim Lorman
  • Patent number: 10077844
    Abstract: A gate valve and a seat insert for a gate valve having a valve body, which may be used for hydrocarbon well fracturing operations with a fracturing fluid, or “frac fluid”, includes a seat pocket for receipt of the seat insert and a seat, which seat insert may include a tubular member having a first and a second seat insert end face, the first and second seat insert end faces each include at least one annular seal, and the seat insert is disposed in the seat pocket with the first seat insert end face sealed against the valve body and the second seat insert end face sealed against the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Cactus Wellhead, LLC
    Inventor: Glenn C. Parks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9556960
    Abstract: A seal ring for a mechanical seal, comprising a base body, a first layer applied to a first face side of a base body, and a second layer applied to a second face side of the base body. At least one of the layers is configured as a slide surface of the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: EagleBurgmann Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Fraunhofergesellschaft Zur Forderung Der angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Jörg Thelke, Rudolf Schicktanz, Joachim Otschik, Peter Droscher, Ferdinand Werdecker, Klaus Lang, Thomas Keller, Berthold Schulten, Peter Haselbacher, Rolf Johannes, Sven Meier, Stefan Schnakenberg
  • Patent number: 9518664
    Abstract: A rotary ball valve with an improved sealing arrangement, comprising of a valve body and a rotary ball, the rotary ball valve has a plurality of combination sealing arrangement comprising of a polarized combination cavity having a non-parallel slot and an extended groove, an add-on sealing ring and a compatible seat ring having a plurality of non-parallel concentric surfaces, when assembled. The compatible seat ring has a compatible profile so as to create a positive isolation by a surface contact between the add-on sealing ring and the extended groove and create another positive isolation by a surface contact between the add-on sealing ring and the compatible seat ring. The positive isolation prevents leakage during thermal cycling, pressure variations. The non-parallel slot and the compatible sealing ring therein prevents dislodgement of the seat ring; even in double block and bleed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Rotex Manufacturers and Engineers Private Limited
    Inventors: Ajit Kothadia, Amit Shah
  • Patent number: 9400061
    Abstract: Fluid valve apparatus having enclosed seals are disclosed. An example fluid valve includes a movable flow control member positioned between an inlet and an outlet of a fluid flow passageway of the fluid valve. A retainer is removably coupled to the flow control member such that the retainer and the flow control member define a sealing cavity when the retainer is coupled to the flow control member. A seal is positioned within the sealing cavity to define a sealing surface of the flow control member. The seal has an inner core composed of a first material, where the core is substantially encased with a sheath composed of a second material different than the first material. The retainer clamps the seal to the flow control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: David John Koester
  • Patent number: 9004450
    Abstract: Described herein is a fluid valve assembly includes a body that defines a fluid cavity. The body includes an inlet through which fluid enters the fluid cavity and an outlet from which fluid exits the fluid cavity. The fluid valve assembly includes at least one arm rotatably coupled to the body and positioned within the fluid cavity. Additionally, the fluid valve assembly includes a flap coupled to the at least one arm. The flap includes a domed portion and a flat portion extending radially outwardly away from the domed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Onkarappa Bolanahalli, J. Victor Perr, Parashuram Kapase, Rohini U. Deutkar, Ankur V. Garg
  • Patent number: 8857792
    Abstract: Seal ring assemblies for use with rotary valves and methods to manufacture the same are disclosed. A seal ring assembly is described that includes a ring-shaped seal to be fixed within the rotary valve, where the seal enables the sealing engagement of a control member with a flow control aperture. The seal is compressed between a first seal clamp and a second seal clamp by a compressive force maintained by a plurality of fasteners extending through the seal and fixed to the first and second seal clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Randall Parrie, Wilbur Dean Hutchens, Steven Douglas Cherry
  • Publication number: 20140203203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing system particularly for industrial safety valves, more particularly for industrial ball valves. Thus, the present invention relates both to a sealing system and to a ball valve comprising said sealing system. The sealing system according to the present invention is of the type comprising an elastomeric element (500) and a thermoplastic element (600), and is characterized in that the elastomeric element (500) that provides fluid sealing is held in its seating exclusively by a thermoplastic element (600) and by the particular shape of the seating (400) of said elements within the seat (200), and is held stably in position by these.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GASKET INTERNATIONAL S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Scattini
  • Patent number: 8783656
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body and a bonnet. The valve body has a cylindrical access channel with adjoining at least one radial keyway. At least one coupling cavity adjoins and is out of register with the at least one radial keyway. The bonnet has a cylindrical body with at least one radially extending lug. The at least one lug is configured and sized to be accepted by the at least one radial keyway and to be housed within the at least one coupling cavity when the cylindrical body is twisted so that the at least one lug is out of register with the at least one radial keyway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kings Energy Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian Allison
  • Publication number: 20140190575
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM Renewable Technologies
    Inventor: Alain MATHIEU
  • 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: 8695635
    Abstract: A mixing valve device includes a stationary valve piece attached to a cover of an outer housing and having two inlet passages for receiving cold water and hot water and having two outlet passages, a movable valve piece movably and rotatably engaged in the housing and having an outlet pathway for selectively aligning with either of the outlet passages of the stationary valve piece and for controlling the mixed water to flow out through either of the outlet passages of the stationary valve piece, the movable valve piece includes an inlet pathway adjustable to different communication area with the inlet passages of the stationary valve piece for adjusting the water temperature of the mixed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Hsiang Hung Wang
  • Patent number: 8500090
    Abstract: A ball valve sealing ring is provided for sealing between a ball valve member a valve body. The sealing ring may comprise a ring body having a ball valve member-contacting surface and one or more valve body-contacting shoulders for contacting the valve seat. The sealing ring may comprise a resilient ring core for providing bending resistance. The resilient ring core may be at least partially conical and may have a curved cross-section with a convex side oriented towards the member-contacting surface. The cross section may be of a geometry corresponding to the outer contour of the ring body or shoulders and may have ends bent towards the member-contacting surface. The ring core may also have a plurality of apertures spaced about its circumference. The sealing ring may be elastically deflected upon contact with the valve member. Also provided is a ball valve seating arrangement comprising the aforementioned sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Velan, Inc.
    Inventors: Miroslav Hubacek, Luc Vernhes, Jocelyn Deslandes
  • Patent number: 8286940
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an injection molding valve configured to prevent the leaking or stringing of injected thermoplastic from the valve. The valve includes a housing having a first bore along a length thereof and a second bore intersecting the first bore. A rotatable member is inserted through the second bore and is in communication with a lever for the actuation thereof. The rotatable member includes a hole therethrough such that when the hole is aligned with the first bore, thermoplastic may travel freely through the first bore. The second bore further includes at least one groove in communication with a port for receiving injected thermoplastic. The injected thermoplastic is hardened to form an seal therein and configured to prevent thermoplastic from leaking out of the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: MGS Mfg. Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Hahn, Larry A. Schmitt
  • 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: 20110284784
    Abstract: Seals, ball valve assemblies, and methods of operating ball valves assemblies are provided. The seal includes an annular jacket, a restrictor, and a spring energizer. The annular jacket includes a first annular pocket and a second annular pocket. The restrictor is disposed in the first annular pocket and is capable of restricting shrinkage of the first annular pocket to a predetermined diameter range, if the seal is exposed to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. The spring energizer is disposed in the second annular pocket and is configured to supply a force against the annular jacket to maintain the seal against a contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Micah S. Abel, Jeff Scott, Don Christensen
  • Patent number: 8061687
    Abstract: A plug valve assembly having an inlet and an outlet comprises a housing including a bore extending through the housing between the inlet and the outlet and a cavity intersecting the bore, a plug mounted in the cavity for rotation between first and second positions. In the first position an orifice extending through the plug is aligned axially with the bore of housing to allow fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet and in the second position fluid is prevented from flowing from the inlet to the outlet. Seals are located in the cavity between the plug and an inner surface of said cavity and a plug retaining member is releasably attachable to the housing. A surface of the plug retaining member limits upward movement of the plug in the housing. The housing includes a reinforcement collar extending around the inner surface of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Richard James Robert Anderson
  • Patent number: 8002237
    Abstract: A ball valve seat arrangement is provided that permits relief of cavity pressure. The arrangement includes a valve body for receiving a resilient annular seat. First passages in the seat provide communication between the valve cavity, and a space formed between the seat and the valve body. When the cavity pressure reaches a certain level, a sealing point between the seat and the valve body is lost. Communication is thereby provided between the space and the valve passage to achieve cavity pressure relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Velan Inc.
    Inventors: Mirek Hubacek, Luc Vernhes, Jocelyn Deslandes
  • Patent number: 7963503
    Abstract: A rotary valve includes a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a rotating control element disposed within the valve body for selectively opening and closing the flow passage. The valve also includes a retainer ring mountable to the valve body which holds in place a seal carrier ring having an annular mounting flange mounted between the valve body and the retainer ring. The seal carrier ring also includes a seal carrier cartridge and a flexible portion coupling the seal carrier cartridge to the mounting flange to provide an improved seal and greater ease of assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Day
  • Patent number: 7900653
    Abstract: A two-way ball valve (10) for liquid and/or gas flowing media, essentially comprises a valve fitting (12) made up of two connected housing parts (22, 28), in which a ball (18) with a drilling (20) for the media flow and an operating shaft (68) running perpendicular to the drilling (20) is mounted such as to be able to rotate. Furthermore, sealing shells (40, 42) are arranged to both sides of the ball (18) respectively, coaxial to the longitudinal axis (L) of the valve fitting (12), which enclose the ball (18) and completely fill the dead volume (38) between the valve fitting (12) and the ball (18). Said sealing half-shells (40, 42) have a front opening for the operating shaft (38) in the axial direction (L), corresponding to the cross section of the drilling (20) in the ball (18). The sealing half-shells (40, 42) only contact the ball (18) in the region of the front openings thereof, between which a narrow sickle-shaped annular gap is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Belimo Holding AG
    Inventors: Urs Zambonin, Reto Hobi
  • 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: 20090278069
    Abstract: A multiple piece valve plug insert is disclosed. The valve plug insert has an insert body and an insert cover. The valve plug insert may be used with a valve having a valve seat and a valve plug that is movable into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat. The valve plug insert along with a valve plug body comprise the valve plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Ivan L. Blanco, Kenneth G. Neal
  • Patent number: 7510167
    Abstract: An isolation damper capable of forming an airtight or zero-leakage seal. The damper includes an annular frame or frame and a flexible seal member that extends around an inner surface of the frame. The seal member is at least partially embedded or integrated into the frame and includes an exposed surface. The seal member can be a single or multi-component seal member. A rotatable shaft extends across the interior annular aperture of the annular frame, and a blade is coupled to the shaft. The blade that is attached to the shaft is rotatable between closed and open positions. An outer circumferential edge of the blade engages the exposed surface of the seal member when the blade is rotated to a closed position thereby forming an air tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Daniel Environmental, Co. LLC
    Inventors: Timothy E. Malki, Daniel R. Olson
  • Patent number: 7497415
    Abstract: A water-distributing control valve includes a valve body, a valve shaft, at least one stop ring, a water-stop pad, a pressure distributing plate and a bolt element. The valve body includes a watering pipe extended from the outer periphery thereof and having an outlet defined therein. The valve body further includes a bore formed therein. The valve shaft inserted into the valve body includes a rotary lever disposed at the front end thereof. An arcuate slot and at least one annular groove are mounted at the intermediate section of the valve shaft. A plurality of through apertures and a receiving recess are arranged at the rear end of the valve shaft. The valve shaft includes an inlet attached on the bottom thereof. The pressure distributing plate is matingly engaged in the water-stop pad and then placed into the receiving recess together with the water-stop pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Plumart Int'l Corp.
    Inventor: Chiao-Jung Chang
  • Patent number: 7490627
    Abstract: A butterfly valve having a pair of disk tails provided at the back of a valve body in the rotation direction in an opening operation, a water flow hole formed in each disk tails, and a steady region found in relationship between loss factor and opening degree of the valve body where the loss factor becomes substantially constant with a change in opening degree of the valve body when water is filled from the water flow hole. Water filling velocity in an upstream pipe of the butterfly valve from the water flow hole, and pressure head upstream of the butterfly valve are set. Optimal value of the loss factor is determined based on the set water filling velocity and pressure head, and a total opening area of the water flow holes is set so that the loss factor equals the optimal value in the steady region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Akinobu Hourai
  • Patent number: 7451959
    Abstract: A fluid control valve utilizes a rotatable plug valve member mounted in a fluid passage to control the flow of fluids. Two segments are placed on each side of the plug valve member within a recess located between the plug valve member and the body of the fluid passage. The outer surface of the segments includes an elastomeric seal and metal annular boss, which acts as a stop to limit deformation of the seal when the valve is closed and under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: S.P.M. Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Matzner
  • Patent number: 7409966
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a valve seat having a chamber therein and bores communicated with the chamber, a ball, which has a plurality of channels, received in the chamber, a shaft connected to the ball, and a plurality of lids connected to the valve seat to close the bores. The ball valve further includes two plugs received in the chamber, each of which has a through hole and a concave portion fitting the ball to completely cover the ball therein when the first plug is combined with the second plug, a first recess, two second recesses at opposite sides of the first recess and two slot around the second recesses respectively, wherein the slots form two receiving slots when the first plug is combined with the second plug, and two pads, each of which has a through hole, received in the receiving slots respectively to cover the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Hung-Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 7108243
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a housing, a valve member, and a grip. The housing has a valve chamber in the center portion for containing a valve portion of the valve member consisting of the valve portion and a shaft portion extending up from the valve portion and out of the housing to combine with the grip able to rotate the valve member to open or close a passageway formed by the cavity of the valve portion, an inlet portion and an outlet portion at two sides of the housing. An anti-leak gasket is fixed around the lower end of the shaft for preventing liquid in the valve assembly from leaking out. Further, a soft auxiliary gasket is fixed around the shaft portion under the anti-leak gasket for lessening friction between the shaft portion and the shaft hole of the housing to permit the ball valve manually handled to open or close smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Chi-Lung Tsai
  • Patent number: 6988708
    Abstract: A ball has a valve body defining an inner cavity and a fluid inlet and fluid outlet, a control ball element rotatably mounted in the inner cavity, and having a segment defining a ball face, and a flexible valve seat positioned in the valve body. The seat comprises a base portion, a cantilevered portion with a sealing face disposed toward the ball face, and a connecting portion between the base portion and the cantilevered portion that is lesser in width than are the base portion and the cantilevered portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Caprera
  • Patent number: 6983922
    Abstract: An electrically powered rotary solenoid drives a hydraulic pilot valve to actuate a hydraulic main valve. The pilot valve includes a seal carrier rotatable with respect to a seal plate. A carrier supply port and a plate supply port are centered about an axis of rotation to remain in fluid communication during rotation. A carrier function port and plate function port are spaced from the axis of rotation, such that they may be selectively placed in fluid communication to pass fluid to actuate the main valve. When actuated, the main valve passes fluid pressure to one or more hydraulically actuated components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6908072
    Abstract: A variable flow control valve (1) includes a valve member (4) and a valve body (2). A seal member (5) is mounted on the peripheral portion of the valve member and has end portions (5a) in a circumferential direction of the valve member. The valve body may define a flow channel (2) and the valve member is rotatably disposed within the flow channel. A seat surface (2b) is disposed on an inner wall of the flow channel and has end portions in a circumferential direction of the inner wall. The seal member of the valve member opposes to the seat surface when the valve member is in a close position. Projections (2c) are disposed adjacent to the end portions of the seat surface and serves to engage the respective end portions of the seal member when the valve member is in the close position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Hattori
  • Patent number: 6796545
    Abstract: A poppet valve seal mechanism has a groove to which a seal member is mounted such that a width of an opening of the groove is smaller than a maximum width inside of the groove and a cross section area of the groove is smaller than that of the seal member. A maximum width of a portion of the seal member accommodated in the groove is greater than a width of the opening of the groove. A width of the opening is constant over its entire peripheral. An inner wall forming the inside of the groove is formed with communication holes and which bring the inside of the groove and the outside of the groove into communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Enzaki, Toyonobu Sakurai, Mamoru Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20030062500
    Abstract: A reduced component wear valve is comprised of a valve body having a passage therethrough and a disc attached to a rotatable shaft. The disc is utilized with a seal forming a gap between the disc and the seal proximate to the rotational axis of the disc. When the disc is in the open position, the seal major axis is greater then the disc diameter and they do not touch. As the disc rotates to near closure, the disc perimeter engages the minor axis of the seal (which is smaller than the disc diameter), and the disc stretches the seal in the minor axis direction thus decreasing the major axis such that the gap is closed. The seal can be pre-formed in an elliptical shape or it can be formed into an elliptical shape by a retaining mechanism. The seal may be a single-piece or a multi-piece assembly press-fit into the valve body. Zero or light disc to seal contact during the majority of the valve disc rotation minimizes valve seal wear and rotational friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Philip W. Eggleston, James LeRoy Lounsberry, Wilbur Dean Hutchens
  • Publication number: 20020084437
    Abstract: A valve member for use in a medical manifold valve assembly, wherein the valve member comprises a valve stem having a handle formed thereon for rotating the valve stem within the bore of a manifold. The valve stem has at least one pathway therethrough that can be aligned with channels through the manifold to allow fluid to flow through the valve stem pathway. The valve stem comprises at least two grooves circumscribing the valve stem, one groove above and one groove below each pathway opening. These grooves are preferably fitted or molded with a flexible material to form seals. The diameter of the valve stem above and below the area between the grooves is less than the diameter of the valve stem between the grooves such that the valve stem wall above and below the area between the grooves does not contact the bore wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Todd S. Nitsche, Michael C. Hamlin, Rick Foster, William R. Woods
  • Patent number: 6371444
    Abstract: A multi-shot, injection molded valve has at least two independent elements which are rotatably and non-detachably connected together. The valve includes a stationary housing and a pitcock rotatably mounted therein. The stationary housing is molded in a first shot with at least one inlet projecting from one side of the housing and at least one outlet projecting from another side of the housing. The housing has a substantially cylindrical upper portion defining a first bearing surface, and a substantially cylindrical lower portion defining a second bearing surface, the upper and lower portions being divided by a substantially cylindrical rib. The pitcock is molded in a second shot with an external grip portion, an upper cylindrical segment beneath the grip portion and a lower cylindrical segment separated from the upper cylindrical segment by a substantially cylindrical undercut which is engageable with the rib on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: MGS Mfg. Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Hahn, Dennis J. Payette
  • Patent number: 6361051
    Abstract: A cylindrically curved rectangular face seal is provided for a cross-ported barrel type rotary valve member. The seal has a central flow orifice therethrough with an annular raised rib formed about the orifice and extending in a radial direction from the concave inner face of the seal. The opposite edges of the seal extending in an axial direction each have a notch or rib thereon for axial sliding engagement in grooves provided in the valve body. The annular rib about the orifice accommodates dimensional variation in the valve parts to ensure a rotary sliding seal on the rotary valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Coporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Babin
  • Patent number: 6293517
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve ball and a convex metal valve seat ring that abut along a circle in a metal-to-metal seal. At very high contact forces, the valve ball and/or the valve seat elastically deform to increase the contact area between them and thereby lower the contact pressures applied to the valve ball and valve seat. The valve ball and valve seat are made of materials that do not pressure weld under a wide range of contact pressures. In one embodiment, the valve ball is a stainless steel alloy having a hardness of at least Rockwell 44C and the valve seat is Stellite having a hardness of at least Rockwell 50C. In another embodiment, the valve ball and seat ring are steel alloys having hardnesses above Rockwell 50C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: James A. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6213141
    Abstract: A rotary valve is provided with an elliptical valve disc that seats against a seal element operatively mounted in an elliptically shaped depression formed in the rigid annular portion of a seal cartridge structure carried by the valve body. Due to the elliptical shapes of the disc and corresponding seating structure, and a conical configuration of the disc periphery, sealing of the valve disc, the integrity of the seal, and the ability of the seal to completely stop the flow of fluid through the valve body are desirably improved. The centering of valve disc relative to the seal cartridge is facilitated by a specially designed disc mounting structure that eliminates any necessity of adjusting the disc along its rotational axis, and a one-piece actuator bracket is removably mounted to the valve body to substantially simplify and reduce the expense of operatively associating an actuator with the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Philip W. Eggleston
  • Patent number: 6186476
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shut-off valve 1 for pipelines and/or for tanks that hold liquids. The shut-off valve 1 has two-part valve housing 3 with a passage opening 4. In the passage opening 4, there is likewise a sliding and/or rotatably supported, spherical closure element 5 that likewise has a passage opening 4′. The closure element 5 is surrounded by two half-shell shaped sealing shells 6, 7. The sealing shells 6, 7 form a passage opening 4″ that corresponds to the passage opening 4′ of the closure element 5 and consist of a softer or more elastic material in comparison to the closure element 5. Each of the sealing shells 6, 7, at least on their opposite faces 8, has a ring-shaped device 9, 9′ for purposes of securing between the housing halves, the valve housing 3, 3′ or between the flange 28 of the valve housing 3, 3′.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventors: Karl Wilhelm Goldsweer, Mario Enrico Brueggemann
  • Patent number: 6161569
    Abstract: A valve including a housing, a rotatable body which can turn inside the housing, and two sealing rings made of sealing material, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene or a similar plastic. The sealing rings are arranged in an axially spaced manner in the housing and rest against the spherical outer surface of the rotatable body and provide a sealing function. The valve is designed with at least one sealing ring having a sealing lip which lies essentially tangential to an outer surface of the rotatable body at a contact surface, and a junction region of the sealing lip is located on a radial interior of the valve housing and is attached to a base body of the sealing ring. The valve is designed such that increased pressure causes the tangential contact surface of the sealing lip to be urged radially inwardly against the rotatable body so that the rotatable body is supported by the junction region in cases of high stress. In this way the rotatable body can be operated with reduced and reproducible torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: XOMOX International GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gonsior
  • Patent number: 6047952
    Abstract: An improved ball valve assembly is provided for use on firefighting equipment and other applications. The ball valve assembly includes an improved seal assembly which includes both a load bearing seal element and a soft elastomeric seal element. Both seal elements are held in place by a seat member which is accommodated in a recess provided on the inside surface of the seat housing or valve body. The load bearing seal member provides support for the ball element and serves to wipe or remove debris from the ball element before the ball element engages the soft elastomer seal. As a result, the load bearing seal member removes the stress normally imparted to soft elastomer seals utilized in ball valve assemblies. Further, a lubrication fitting and passageways are provided which enable lubricant to be communicated through the housing and through the seal assembly to the ball element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Jeffrey B. Sadler
  • Patent number: 5988265
    Abstract: A fuel cooler and coolant filter assembly for the filtering of coolant and the cooling of a fuel flow for use in connection with a cylinder head of a vehicle engine includes three primary components which are assembled to one another in a stacked configuration and which in turn are assembled to the cylinder head. These three primary components include a fuel cooler core which is assembled directly to the cylinder head and which includes a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a heat exchanger. The interior of the fuel cooler core is designed for the incoming fuel to flow and circulate across the exterior of the heat exchanger prior to exiting. The second primary component includes a filter head assembly with various inlets, outlets, and passageways. The filter head assembly is attached directly to the fuel cooler core so as to deliver coolant into the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Marthaler
  • Patent number: 5941266
    Abstract: Straight line flow rotary valves with the valve member flow passage (21) turned away from the pipeline flow axis (22), to dispose the valve internals to an access port (50) located downstream on the same flow axis of the valve member (11). Another embodiment is used in place of pipe elbows where the rotary valve internals are accessed through a port (50) on the same flow axis (22) as the upstream pipe. In both valve body embodiments, the flow is turned again, downstream of the valve member (11), to communicate with the connecting downstream piping which, in the first embodiment is along the same axis as the upstream pipe (22), and in the second embodiment, is on a different axis (39), and, is generally 45 or 90 degrees turned from the upstream pipe.In both embodiments the flow turns in a component (12) installed, through the body access port (50). In all embodiments the turning component also services as the pressure boundary access cover over the body opening (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Newport Technologies Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard S. Henwood
  • Patent number: 5904337
    Abstract: A resilient cylindrical seat ring and pocket apparatus for supporting and sealing a valve ball in a valve body.A method for creating and energizing a seal between an annular valve seat and a valve ball during the assembly of a valve apparatus. The valve body of the valve apparatus includes an annular valve body seat pocket. The annular valve seat is seated within the annular valve body seat pocket as the valve ball is positioned on an inner diameter corner of the annular valve seat. Next, the valve ball is forced on the inner diameter corner causing the inner diameter surface of annular valve seat to contact and conform to the valve ball. As a result, the inner diameter surface of the annular valve seat is sealed to the valve ball. The seal is energized from the resiliency of the annular valve seat. The seal is further energized from the interaction between the annular valve seat and the annular valve body seat pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Prolon Inc.
    Inventors: LeRoy VanKirk, William Eugene Ralstin