Abstract: A rotary actuator defining a first arcuate chamber and a second chamber, the housing having an inwardly projecting, peripherally extending rib which defines an aperture in open communication with the arcuate chamber, a peripherally extending groove being formed in the rib in surrounding relationship to the aperture, the groove having first and second peripherally extending spaced side surfaces, an arcuate shaped piston being disposed in the housing for reciprocable movement in the arcuate chamber, a shaft rotatably journaled in the housing and connected to the piston and being rotatable in response to movement of the piston, a floating seal disposed in the groove for effecting sealing between the piston and the housing, the seal being in sealing engagement with the first and second side surfaces forming the groove, a fluid pressure inlet to introduce fluid pressure into at least one of the arcuate chamber or the second chamber to provide a pressurized chamber and effect movement of the piston in a first direc

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for manufacturing a toroidal arc segment piston for use in a fluid pressure responsive rotary actuator, and for forming an actuator housing defining an arcuate chamber for receiving a rotary actuator piston. A moldable polymeric material is positioned within an arcuate master chamber in a piston-forming fixture, and a metal piston core is rotatably mounted to the fixture. The piston core is rotated to displace the polymeric material and form a sheath about the piston core. After curing, the piston core and sheath are rotated out of the arcuate master chamber, and are installed in a rotary actuator housing. A master piston may similarly be used to form a polymeric lining which defines the chamber for receiving the piston in the actuator housing.

Abstract: A rotary actuator comprising a housing which defines an arcuate chamber, the housing including a first monolithic portion in which the arcuate chamber is completely contained, a piston disposed in the housing for reciprocable movement in the arcuate chamber, a shaft journaled in the housing and connected to the piston and being rotated in response to movement of the piston, a floating seal assembly carried by one of the piston or the housing for effecting sealing between the piston and the housing, a fluid pressure port to introduce fluid into the housing to effect movement of the piston in the first direction and a means such as fluid pressure or a spring return to effect movement of the piston in an opposite second direction, the actuator in one preferred embodiment employing a spring return which provides a substantially constant torque acting upon the shaft as the spring moves from a compressed first position to an uncompressed second position such that the torque acting upon the shaft in both rotational

Abstract: A method of installing a valve seat in a valve body wherein the valve body is provided with an annular, radially inwardly extending rib defining a circular opening through the valve body and the seat member is an annular member having an annular extending web, a first annular flange extending radially outwardly from a first end of the web and a second annular flange extending radially outwardly from a second end of the annular web to thereby define an annular extending, outwardly opening channel which receives the rib in the body, the method comprising rigidly positioning the valve body forming a loop of flexible cord around the seat, the loop being at least partially received in the channel to produce first and second segments of the cord, positioning the seat partially in the body such that a portion of the rib which is received in a portion of the channel, extending the first and second segments of the cord through the valve body out of the second end of the valve body, simultaneously pulling the first and

Abstract: A transmission assembly for operating a double block and bleed valve system having a first block valve with a first valve shaft, a second block valve with a second valve shaft and a bleed valve disposed between the first and second block valves, the transmission assembly comprising a cam assembly having a cam plate journaled for rotation about a fixed axis, a first link member interconnecting the cam assembly and the first shaft for effecting rotation of the first shaft in response to rotation of the cam plate, a second link member interconnecting the cam assembly and the second shaft for effecting rotation of the second shaft in response to rotation of the cam plate, said first link member being operative to effect initial rotation of the first shaft from a first position in response to rotation of said cam plate, said second link member being operative to effect initial rotation of said second shaft from a first position in response to further rotation of said cam plate after said initial rotation of said f

Abstract: A bleed valve assembly for use in a double block and bleed valve system having first and second block valves comprising a body which is disposed between the block valves which forms a chamber, a flowway having a generally smooth flowway surface defined by the body and partially defining the chamber, the body having a cavity which is in open communication with the chamber and a drain outlet in open communication with the cavity, there being disposed a valve assembly in the cavity which has a rotatable valve element which can be moved between a first open position permitting flow through the drain outlet and a second closed position preventing flow through the drain outlet, the valve assembly having a portion which partially defines the flowway surface when the valve element is in the second or closed position.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for adjusting the axial position of a rotatable valve closure element carrying an elastomeric annular seal with respect to a metallic valve body. An adjustable nut is threaded to the valve body and includes a recess for receiving a lower stem of the valve closure member. One or more interference members are spaced radially between the nut and the lower stem, and permit axial movement of the lower stem and thus the annular seals with respect to the valve body, while enabling the valve closure member to freely rotate during normal use of the valve.

Abstract: An improved rotary valve assembly having a valve body, a valve element rotatably disposed in the body and having a first bore which is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the valve element and a shaft member rotatably mounted in the valve body and extending into the first bore into the valve element, the valve element further having a second bore which is transverse to and intersects the first bore, a threaded torque transmission member being threadedly received in the second bore and having an end face which abuts the shaft member whereby the torque transmission member can be compressively urged against the shaft member, the first bore in the valve element having an abutment surface which is generally opposite the second bore, the shaft member having an outer surface defining an engagement portion which is engageable with the abutment surface, either the abutment surface or the engagement portion of the outer surface of the shaft being provided with friction-inducing formations such that when the torque tra

Abstract: A method of forming a finished torus of precise dimension which can be used to form piston segments for use in a rotary actuator in which a torus workpiece is rigidly mounted on a support in such a manner as to leave a first hemi-toroidal surface of the torus workpiece exposed, the support being mounted on a suitable means to rotate the torus workpiece about a fixed axis passing through the center of the torus workpiece, the first hemi-toroidal surface of the torus workpiece being turned with a circular cutting tool by moving the cutting tool in a semi-circular path across the first hemi-toroidal surface of the torus workpiece, then flipping over the torus workpiece and mounting it on the support while leaving a second hemi-toroidal surface of the torus workpiece exposed and once against moving the cutting tool in a semi-circular path across the second hemi-toroidal surface of the torus workpiece while the torus workpiece and support are rotated about the center axis of the torus to thereby produce a finished

Abstract: A butterfly valve having a composite, reinforced seat, the valve having a one piece body defining a radially inwardly extending annular rib, the valve seat being a U-shaped annular member of a generally resilient material and having a radially outwardly opening channel which engages the rib of the valve body to provide an interlocking engagement between the valve seat and the valve body, the seat including a series of generally U-shaped structural members made of a material more rigid than the resilient material of the seat, the U-shaped member being bonded to the seat, the U-shaped members being spaced sufficiently to permit distortion of the seat so that it can be inserted in the valve body.

Abstract: A means for adjusting the relative positioning of a valve closure element with respect to a valve seat is formed by a hub on the closure element having a valve stem receiving bore and at least two generally opposed threaded passages intersecting the bore. Threaded members are received in each bore to engage the valve stem from generally opposite sides thereof. Movement of the threaded members adjusts the relative positioning of the closure element with respect to the valve seat and valve stems while securing the closure element to the latter.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing the longitudinal position of a shaft, e.g., a valve stem, within the bore of a body, e.g., a valve body comprising a shaft having a plurality of peripherally extending, generally equally spaced, discrete grooves, the grooved portion of the shaft being received in the bore, a stop being provided internally of the bore, a washer having an inwardly tapered abutment surface engaging the stop, a split ring received on the shaft and engaging the inwardly tapered abutment surface, the apparatus further including a gland assembly including a second washer for engagement with the first washer, the gland assembly urging the second washer against the first washer, the split ring being forced into engagement with the abutment surface and into a groove adjacent the abutment surface.

Abstract: A means and method for assuring a tight sealing closure of a valve in a high temperature condition, such as fire, is provided by an expendable link on the downstream side of the valve stem and an intumescent material and piston on the upstream side of the valve stem so that, at an elevated temperature condition, the expendable link gives way to create a tolerance allowing the piston driven by the expanding intumescent material to shift the valve closure element in the direction of the valve seat to accommodate for any deterioration of the valve seal.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve housing defining an internal valve cavity and a fluid flow passageway, a valve element rotatably received in the valve cavity to control flow through the passageway, one of the valve housing or the valve element defining a seating surface, the other defining a seal member carrying surface, and a seal member carried on the seal member carrying surface on either the valve housing or the valve element for engaging the seating surface and effecting a seal between the valve using the valve element, the seal member being comprised of an intumescent material.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve housing defining an internal valve cavity and a fluid flow passageway, a valve element rotatably received in the valve cavity to control flow through the passageway, one of the valve housing or the valve element defining a seating surface, the other defining a seal member carrying surface, a coating of intumescent material disposed on at least a portion of either the seating surface or the seal member carrying surface, and a seal member carried on the seal member carrying surface on either the valve housing or the valve element for engaging the seating surface and effecting a seal between the valve using and the valve element.

Abstract: A seating assembly for use in a rotary valve comprising a metallic seat ring having a radially inner metallic sealing section and a polymeric seat ring having a polymeric sealing section for sealing engagement with a valve element, each of said rings having a radially outer retaining section for mounting the respective rings in a valve body, both of said rings having an intermediate spacer section interconnecting the radially inner sealing and radially outer retaining sections. The spacer sections have convoluted runs forming interlocking formations to prevent relative radial movement of the seat rings, and there are a multiplicity of circumferential windings of strands in surrounding relation to the metallic sealing section.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining valve element/valve seat alignment in valve assemblies employing trunnion mounted valve elements, the apparatus including a shaft or trunnion attached to the valve element and provided with an axially extending bore which receives an expandable plug, axially fixed relative to the shaft, there being means provided to laterally expand the plug to effect frictional engagement between the plug and the bore of the shaft.

Abstract: A valve seat for use in a fluid control valve employing a pivotable valve closure element to open and close the valve, the seat comprising an annular polymeric member provided with a seating surface which sealingly engages the valve element when the valve is in the closed position, the seat further including a multiplicity of circumferential windings of strands of material wrapped around said annular member.

Abstract: A stuffing box assembly comprises a housing including a main body, a tubular neck extending outwardly from the main body, and a housing flange extending generally radially outwardly from the neck and longitudinally spaced from the main body. A bore extends longitudinally through the neck and the adjacent part of the main body, and a slot communicating with the bore opens radially outwardly through the neck on the opposite side of the housing flange from the main body. A shaft is received in the bore for movement with respect to the housing, and an annular seal within the bore surrounds the shaft. The gland has a compression formation disposed at least partially within the bore adjacent one end of the seal and a flange joining the compression portion and extending laterally outwardly through the slot in the housing. The gland is movable toward the seal to compress it.

Abstract: A seat ring for a rotary valve assembly comprising a radially inner seal section for sealing engagement with a valve element, a radially outer retaining section for mounting the seat ring in a valve body, and an intermediate spacer section interconnecting the sealing and retaining sections. The spacer section has a convoluted radial run, and the sealing section has a multiplicity of circumferential windings of strands in surrounding relation thereto.