Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly and method of making the same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a valve body structure and a closure structure and is provided with a new device for locking, in its closed position, a shaft assembly which is used to operate the closure structure. In accordance with another feature of the invention a new butterfly valve and method of making same are provided wherein such butterfly valve has new heat exchange devices comprising same for controlling the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid-containing tank and method of making same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a flow passage therethrough and such flow passage has a central rectilinear flow axis and an inlet and an outlet which have central axes common with such axis. the valve assembly has a device which is operable from the bottom of its tank and is movable between open and closed positions thereof and once moved to its open position enables substantially free unobstructed flow of fluid through the valve assembly parallel to the axis and with minimum pressure drop to thereby enable a maximum rate of fluid transfer through such valve assembly, and the inlet is adapted to provide complete drainage of fluid within the tank.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly and method of making the same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a valve body structure and a closure structure and is provided with a new device for locking, in its closed position, a shaft assembly which is used to operate the closure structure. In accordance with another feature of the invention a new butterfly valve and method of making same are provided wherein such butterfly valve has new heat exchange devices comprising same for controlling the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A manually actuated fluid flow control valve assembly and method of making same are provided wherein the valve assembly has an associated support structure and has a manually operated handle operatively connected to a closure device for the valve assembly and the handle is manually movable between an open and closed position thereof which define corresponding open and closed positions of the closure device and wherein the valve assembly has a manually releasable means which includes automatic lock means for automatically locking the handle once the handle and its closure device are in a closed position. In accordance with another embodiment of this invention an improved manually operated handle is provided for such valve assembly, and such handle has a weakened portion which assures easy shearing thereof under certain conditions.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly and method of making the same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a valve body structure and a closure structure and is provided with an improved device for locking, in its closed position, a shaft assembly which is used to operate the closure structure. In accordance with another feature of the invention an improved butterfly valve and method of making same are provided wherein such butterfly valve has improved heat exchange means disposed in the outer periphery of its valve body structure for controlling the temperature thereof.