Patents by Inventor Ritchie W. Whitaker

Ritchie W. Whitaker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4394003
    Abstract: A valve seal for a cryogenic butterfly valve comprising a reclining U-shaped resilient seal with the annular edge of the longer radially outer leg being gripped in the valve body to form a static seal. Pressure in one direction acts around the outer surface of the seal to pivot it about the static seal against the valve disc. Pressure in the other direction acts between the legs of the seal ring and, because the seal is restrained by the valve body against pivoting away from the valve disc, the pressure separates the legs to bias the radially inner leg inwardly against the valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: The Walworth Company
    Inventor: Ritchie W. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 4130285
    Abstract: A sealing mechanism particularly for a rotary valve wherein a recess around the valve body carries a resilient seal ring engageable with a sealing surface on the valve closure member. The resilient seal has a narrow sealing portion which extends through the narrow opening of the recess and a wider body portion which normally seats on shoulders within the recess. A pair of flexible lips extend radially from the body portion to engage and seat against converging recess walls. In closed position of the valve the body portion of the seal ring is forced away from the recess shoulders and the radial lips are forced into firm engagement with the converging walls to provide static seals on the valve body. Fluid on the high pressure side of the seal ring deflects the upstream lip away from the tapered walls and enters the recess cavity to force the downstream lip against the tapered wall and biases the seal ring into firmer sealing engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignees: Walworth Company, Kryoflo, Inc.
    Inventor: Ritchie W. Whitaker