Abstract: An elastomeric sleeve is placed under axial compression in a pinch valve assembly. The axial compression of the sleeve eliminates any crevices with end members that engage opposed end walls of the valve body. Further, axial compression extends cycle life of the valve by maintaining the sleeve in a non-tensile relationship. Mechanical gripping of enlarged flanges defined at opposed ends of the sleeve is also enhanced through axial compression of the sleeve. A positive, visual indication of valve open and closed positions is provided by an indicator stem extending outwardly from an actuator body. In an alternate embodiment, the flanges are reinforced. Additionally, a casting member is interposed between the valve body and sleeve for ease of replacement and maintenance. In still another embodiment, a vent opening in the valve body eliminates pneumatic closure forces on the elastomeric sleeve that can arise when the pinch valve is heated.

Abstract: An elastomeric sleeve is placed under axial compression in a pinch valve assembly. The axial compression of the sleeve eliminates any crevices with end members that engage opposed end walls of the valve body. Further, axial compression extends cycle life of the valve by maintaining the sleeve in a non-tensile relationship. Mechanical gripping of enlarged flanges defined at opposed ends of the sleeve is also enhanced through axial compression of the sleeve. A positive, visual indication of valve open and closed positions is provided by an indicator stem extending outwardly from an actuator body. In an alternate embodiment, the flanges are reinforced. Additionally, a casing member is interposed between the valve body and sleeve for ease of replacement and maintenance. In still another embodiment, a vent opening in the valve body eliminates pneumatic closure forces on the elastomeric sleeve that can arise when the pinch valve is heated.

Abstract: A new packing arrangement is provided for improved sealing and limiting potential for extrusion of one packing member relative to another. The stem packing arrangement is disclosed with particular reference to a ball valve assembly having a body housing a selectively rotatable valve member. An actuating stem extends from the body through a stem passage and the packing assembly is received in the passage around a portion of the stem. First, second, third, and fourth members progressively increase in hardness to limit extrusion of one member relative to another. A predetermined compression is also applied to the packing assembly and is independent of the actuating stem so that bearing member life is increased. The second member includes a tapered external surface that cooperates with the stem passage to provide a wedging action along the inner and outer diameter portions thereof.

Abstract: An elastomeric sleeve is placed under axial compression in a pinch valve assembly. The axial compression of the sleeve eliminates any crevices with end members that engage opposed end walls of the valve body. Further, axial compression extends cycle life of the valve by maintaining the sleeve in a non-tensile relationship. Mechanical gripping of enlarged flanges defined at opposed ends of the sleeve is also enhanced through axial compression of the sleeve. A positive, visual indication of valve open and closed positions is provided by an indicator stem extending outwardly from an actuator body. In an alternate embodiment, the flanges are reinforced. Additionally, a casing member is interposed between the valve body and sleeve for ease of replacement and maintenance. In still another embodiment, a vent opening in the valve body eliminates pneumatic closure forces on the elastomeric sleeve that can arise when the pinch valve is heated.

Abstract: An elastomeric sleeve is placed under axial compression in a pinch valve assembly. The axial compression of the sleeve eliminates any crevices with end members that engage opposed end walls of the valve body. Further, axial compression extends cycle life of the valve by maintaining the sleeve in a non-tensile relationship. Mechanical gripping between enlarged flanges defined at opposed ends of the sleeve is also enhanced through axial compression of the sleeve. A positive, visual indication of valve open and closed positions is provided by an indicator stem extending outwardly from an actuator body.

Abstract: A ball valve includes a ball member rotatable in a valve chamber and cooperating with a pair of opposed seal assemblies. Each seal assembly comprises a support ring and disc spring having a resilient seal member interposed therebetween. A normally occuring void in the valve chamber is filled through use of a pair of dead space rings. These dead space rings are formed of a rigid, low friction material that does not substantially increase the torque required to rotate the ball member. In addition, the rigid material prevents cold flow of the material into the fluid passageway.

Abstract: A ball valve for low and high pressure applications including a metallic seat member that toroidally deflects into sealing engagement with a ball member outer surface upon valve assembly. The seat member includes an outer circumferential rim portion and a radially inward extending frusto-conical portion. The rim portion is radially interposed between an annular, resilient flange member and an annular support member. The rim portion and resilient flange member define a behind-the-seat seal while the frusto-conical portion and support member abuttingly engage during extreme pressure conditions for added structural support. The radially innermost edge of the frusto-conical portion has an arcuate conformation to inhibit scoring of the ball member surface.

Abstract: A valve body has a stem passage rotatably receiving a valve stem. A packing surrounds the stem in the passage and a packing nut threaded on the stem applies axial force to radially expand the packing into sealing engagement with the stem and passage wall. The packing comprises cooperating first and second packing members engaging at an angularly disposed slippage surface for translation of compressive axial forces into radial expansion and sealing engagement with the stem and passage wall. A packing support ring engages the end face of the packing adjacent the packing nut. A gland engages the support ring and a pair of reversely positioned spring washers are interposed between the gland and packing nut. A handle is attached to the stem by a handle nut, and a spring washer interposed between the handle and handle nut prevents loosening of the handle nut. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, opposed packing support rings engage the opposed end faces of the first and second packing members.

Abstract: A valve body has a stem passage rotatably receiving a valve stem. A packing surrounds the stem in the passage and a packing nut threaded on the stem applies axial force to radially expand the packing into sealing engagement with the stem and passage wall. Controlled slippage components interposed between the packing and packing nut allow rotation of the stem and packing nut without any rotational sliding movement against an end face of the packing. A packing support ring engages the end face of the packing adjacent the packing nut and includes a chevron surface for radially expanding the packing. A gland engages the support ring and a pair of reversely positioned spring washers are interposed between the gland and packing nut. During rotation of the stem, packing nut and spring washers, the gland rotates against the packing support ring. The chevron surface of the support ring includes notches for gripping the packing to prevent relative sliding movement therebetween.