Resilient Gasket Patents (Class 137/516.29)
  • Patent number: 7641175
    Abstract: A valve body substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis has at least one internal space and comprises guide means and two separately formed portions joined by at least one cylindrical web. One or more passages spaced apart from the longitudinal axis allow fluid communication between at least one internal space and space external to the valve body. At least one internal space may be substantially filled with a substantially incompressible flowable substance to facilitate pressure equalization across the valve body. Forging or casting valve body portions to near-net-shape prior to joining minimizes machining necessary to achieve a final desired shape. Increased valve durability and reduced metal wear arise from reduced valve body weight and correspondingly reduced impact loading as the valve body moves to seal against a valve seat. Valve sealing may be aided by an elastomeric seal in a peripheral integral seal retention groove of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 7624755
    Abstract: A gas valve may include a valve body and a valve member disposed within the valve body. A resilient sealing ring may be disposed within the valve body such that the valve member achieves a closed position when the valve member contacts the resilient sealing ring. In some instances, a gas valve may include both an upper resilient sealing ring and a lower resilient sealing ring. The upper resilient sealing ring and the lower resilient sealing ring may both permit overtravel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jiri Benda, Pavel Konecny
  • Patent number: 7591450
    Abstract: A valve body and seal assembly comprises a valve body having one or more circumferential seal retention grooves and a dual-durometer elastomeric seal cast-in-place in at least one groove. Each seal comprises first and second sections in contact along a substantially non-planar intra-seal interface. First seal sections typically comprise polyurethane having a higher modulus than the polyurethane typically comprising second seal sections. Residual elastomer shrinkage stress present after curing of a cast-in-place dual-durometer elastomeric seal is redistributed within the seal sections to maintain beneficial preload. Seal configurations described herein are also associated with decreased shear-related elastomer fatigue and extrusion damage associated with repeated valve seat impact. Valve service life is increased by beneficial preload maintained by the synergistic interaction of first and second seal sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 7546849
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for constructing a valve assembly comprising an anti-friction ring. The anti-friction ring allows a closure member in the valve assembly to more freely rotate during operation of the valve assembly. Consequently, the closure member strikes a sealing member in different rotational positions during repetitive cycling of the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark A. Staggs
  • Patent number: 7513483
    Abstract: A valve body and seal assembly comprising a valve body having one or more peripheral integral seal retention grooves and one or more peripheral single-durometer and/or dual-durometer elastomeric seals, each seal being cast-in-place in an integral seal retention groove having adhesion-inhibiting surfaces and offset circular serrations of predetermined height on opposing groove walls. Adhesion-inhibiting surfaces reduce or eliminate internal elastomer stress due to curing of cast-in-place elastomeric seals. Serrations on each of the opposing groove walls are offset to accommodate differing stress concentrations in the walls. Opposing groove walls diverge peripherally. Offset serrations result in decreased metal fatigue from impact and bending stress. Offset serrations also improve valve sealing and increase valve service life by maintaining correct seal position on the valve body while minimizing background stress in the seal elastomer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 7380569
    Abstract: A valve body main unit has a circular step surface facing a circular valve seat surface of a valve chamber formed on a terminal end part of a fuel supply path to a fuel tank and a circular groove with one groove wall extending from the circular step surface, and is normally urged in a direction of closing an inflow port surrounded by the circular valve seat surface. The valve body main unit also has an elastic seal body with a ring shape inserted into the circular groove of the valve body main unit. The elastic seal body has a circular fin-shaped part projecting from an outer perimeter part and pushed against the circular valve seat surface by the urging of the valve body main unit to close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7334603
    Abstract: A check valve has an elastic valve body portion and an inelastic valve body portion and a valve seat. The valve body is fixed to a valve shaft, and a valve body abutment plate for abutting the elastic valve body portion is supported to the valve shaft. The valve body abutment plate includes an elastic valve body portion pressing portion for pressing on an outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body portion and a backflow fluid pressure exerting hole for causing fluid pressure from the fluid outlet side to be exerted on the elastic valve body portion. A spring for urging the valve body into abutment with the valve seat through the valve body abutment plate is interposed between the valve body abutment plate and a shaft support portion provided on the fluid outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Miura Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohisa Takeda
  • Patent number: 7322373
    Abstract: A high pressure valve assembly (10) comprising a valve sleeve (14) and a valve body (16) slidably mounted in the valve sleeve (14) is disclosed, the valve body (16) and valve sleeve (14) each having first ends (18, 56) and second ends (20, 58). A sidewall (22) extends between the valve sleeve first end (18) and second end (20) which sidewall (22) has an inner surface (24) and an outer surface (26) and at least one opening (30) therethrough. The sidewall (22) also includes at least one channel (40) having a first end (42) facing the inner surface (24) at a first location closer to the first valve sleeve end (18) than to the second valve sleeve end (20) and a second end (44) facing the inner surface (24) at a second location closer to the second valve sleeve end (20) than to the first valve sleeve end (18). A method of using the valve assembly (10) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7222837
    Abstract: A valve body having at least one internal hollow or space comprises two separately formed portions joined by at least one cylindrical web. Internal space may communicate with space outside the valve body via a fluid passage, and internal space may be filled with a substantially incompressible flowable substance to facilitate pressure equalization across the valve body. Forging or casting valve body portions to near-net-shape prior to joining minimizes machining necessary to achieve a final desired shape. Increased valve durability and reduced metal wear arise from the reduced valve body weight and correspondingly reduced impact loading as the valve body moves to seal against a valve seat. A single-durometer or dual-durometer elastomeric seal may be cast and cured in place in a peripheral integral seal retention groove, coupled thereto in part through welding flash protruding into the groove and/or through at least one serration in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 7172175
    Abstract: A suction valve including a valve seat and a piston movably joined to the valve seat. The piston has a head for engaging the top surface of the valve seat and a stem extending downwardly from the head through the valve seat. A valve guide is positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the valve seat and slidably receives the stem. A valve keeper is fitted upon the stem such that the valve guide is disposed between the valve seat and the valve keeper. A keeper pin is slidably positioned within a transverse aperture in the stem and abuts the bottom of the valve keeper. A compressed spring is positioned between, and exerts opposing forces upon, the valve guide and the valve keeper so as to normally retain the head of the piston in engagement with the top surface of the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Gardner Denver, Inc.
    Inventor: Berton L. Vicars
  • Patent number: 7168440
    Abstract: A valve body and seal assembly comprising a top-stem-guided valve body having at least one cast-in-place elastomeric seal insert in a peripheral seal retention groove and a cast-in-place top guide stem sleeve is made by pouring and curing liquid elastomer in at least one mold comprising the peripheral seal retention groove and the top guide stem. Mold surfaces contacting the poured elastomer are adhesion-inhibiting surfaces which reduce or eliminate background elastomer stress due to shrinkage during curing of the elastomer, and which allow limited relative movement of cast-in-place elastomer with respect to the valve body. Serrations on each of the opposing walls of the seal retention groove are offset to moderate differing stress concentrations in the groove walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 7004195
    Abstract: A discharge valve including a valve seat and a piston having a head with a bottom surface that is convex across its entirety for engaging the valve seat. The piston has a stem extending upwardly from the head away from the valve seat. A valve guide has a socket for slidably receiving the stem of the piston and a number of apertures intersecting the socket for providing pressure relief thereto. A compressed spring is disposed between the valve guide and the head for normally retaining said the in engagement with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Gardner Denver, Inc.
    Inventor: Berton L. Vicars
  • Patent number: 7000632
    Abstract: A valve apparatus that has a longitudinal axis therethrough comprises a valve seat member, a valve closure member, a fluid flow path, and a screening member. The valve seat member comprises a hollow bore and a first frustoconical contact surface. The valve closure member comprises a body and a second frustoconical contact surface that is adapted to seal against the first frustoconical contact surface. The valve closure member is movable along the longitudinal axis of the valve apparatus. The fluid flow path extends through the bore of the valve seat member and between the valve seat member and the valve closure member. This fluid flow path is closed when the second frustoconical contact surface is sealed against the first frustoconical contact surface. The screening member is attached to at least one of the valve closure member or the valve seat member, and screens particles from fluid passing through the fluid flow path when the valve closure member approaches the valve seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William R. McIntire, Hau N. Pham, Joseph M. Hubenschmidt, Mark E. Upton
  • Publication number: 20040182448
    Abstract: A valve apparatus that has a longitudinal axis therethrough comprises a valve seat member, a valve closure member, a fluid flow path, and a screening member. The valve seat member comprises a hollow bore and a first frustoconical contact surface. The valve closure member comprises a body and a second frustoconical contact surface that is adapted to seal against the first frustoconical contact surface. The valve closure member is movable along the longitudinal axis of the valve apparatus. The fluid flow path extends through the bore of the valve seat member and between the valve seat member and the valve closure member. This fluid flow path is closed when the second frustoconical contact surface is sealed against the first frustoconical contact surface. The screening member is attached to at least one of the valve closure member or the valve seat member, and screens particles from fluid passing through the fluid flow path when the valve closure member approaches the valve seat member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: William R. McIntire, Hau N. Pham, Joseph M. Hubenschmidt, Mark E. Upton
  • Patent number: 6719003
    Abstract: A service valve for a CO2 refrigerant based air conditioning system in a vehicle. The service valve includes a dynamic seal that is opened and closed during servicing of the air conditioning system. The dynamic seal provides for good overall sealing as well as good permeation resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred G. Schroeder, Eric W. Kesler, Zhongping Zeng
  • Patent number: 6701955
    Abstract: A valve apparatus that has a longitudinal axis therethrough comprises a valve seat member, a valve closure member, a fluid flow path, and a screening member. The valve seat member comprises a hollow bore and a first frustoconical contact surface. The valve closure member comprises a body and a second frustoconical contact surface that is adapted to seal against the first frustoconical contact surface. The valve closure member is movable along the longitudinal axis of the valve apparatus. The fluid flow path extends through the bore of the valve seat member and between the valve seat member and the valve closure member. This fluid flow path is closed when the second frustoconical contact surface is sealed against the first frustoconical contact surface. The screening member is attached to at least one of the valve closure member or the valve seat member, and screens particles from fluid passing through the fluid flow path when the valve closure member approaches the valve seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William R. McIntire, Hau N. Pham, Joseph M. Hubenschmidt, Mark E. Upton
  • Patent number: 6698450
    Abstract: A discharge valve including a valve seat and a piston having a head with a bottom surface that is convex across its entirety for engaging the valve seat. The piston has a stem extending upwardly from the head away from the valve seat. A valve guide has a socket for slidably receiving the stem of the piston and a number of apertures intersecting the socket for providing pressure relief thereto. A compressed spring is disposed between the valve guide and the head for normally retaining the piston in engagement with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Gardner Denver, Inc.
    Inventor: Berton L. Vicars
  • Patent number: 6695007
    Abstract: A suction valve including a valve seat and a piston movably joined to the valve seat. The piston has a head for engaging the top surface of the valve seat and a stem extending downwardly from the head through the valve seat. A valve guide is positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the valve seat and slidably receives the stem. A valve keeper is fitted upon the stem such that the valve guide is disposed between the valve seat and the valve keeper. A keeper pin is slidably positioned within a transverse aperture in the stem and abuts the bottom of the valve keeper. A compressed spring is positioned between, and exerts opposing forces upon, the valve guide and the valve keeper so as to normally retain the head of the piston in engagement with the top surface of the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Gardner Denver, Inc.
    Inventor: Berton L. Vicars
  • Patent number: 6659127
    Abstract: A dribble less pressure relief valve for power swivels includes a relief valve body, a valve seat insert for the body, a plunger valve element to seat against the insert, and a biasing means to urge the plunger against the valve seat. The valve is designed to hold pressure drop-tight, and if opened, to reclose drop-tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Larry G. Keast
  • Patent number: 6497248
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure relief valve for attachment to a closed vessel having an opening to vent gas and liquids from the housing should the internal housing pressure rise to unacceptable levels. The pressure relief valve includes a single gasket that seals between a valve disk and a collar disposed about the opening. The gasket is fixed to the collar by a single retaining ring and effects seals with the disk valve in two planes, one seal is in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the opening and a second seal is in a plane generally normal to the plane of the opening. Moreover, the second seal remains in tact for a short time after the first seal is broken to permit the rapid separation of the disk valve from the gasket to vent gas and liquids from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Qualitrol Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua J. Herz
  • Publication number: 20020166588
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve has a gasketed main body fastened to a vessel wall adjacent to a vent port, the body having a recess surrounding the port which receives a plastic insert removably coupled to the body by a retaining ring fastened to the main body. The insert defines a passage communicating with the port and a valve seat engageable by a seal assembly for closing the valve. The seal assembly includes an annular retainer for a seal O-ring and a plug receivable through the retainer and into a socket in a valve stem, which is spring-biased against the retainer and is guided in a guide assembly removably mounted on the main body. The insert is formed of plastic and the retainer and plug may also be formed of plastic and can be readily field-removable by simply unbolting the housing from the vessel and unfastening the retaining ring. The guide and bias assemblies need not be disassembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Robert H. Dean
  • Publication number: 20020092567
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure relief valve for attachment to a closed vessel having an opening to vent gas and liquids from the housing should the internal housing pressure rise to unacceptable levels. The pressure relief valve includes a single gasket that seals between a valve disk and a collar disposed about the opening. The gasket is fixed to the collar by a single retaining ring and effects seals with the disk valve in two planes, one seal is in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the opening and a second seal is in a plane generally normal to the plane of the opening. Moreover, the second seal remains in tact for a short time after the first seal is broken to permit the rapid separation of the disk valve from the gasket to vent gas and liquids from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Joshua J. Herz
  • Publication number: 20020011342
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuator having AND gate logic characteristics is disclosed. The actuator has three chambers each divided into two chamber portions by respective flexible diaphragms. One of the diaphragms acts as a valve closing member and controls the flow of a pressurized fluid through the actuator to actuate an associated device when fluid flow is permitted. The other two diaphragms are in mechanical contact with one another and in hydraulic communication with the one diaphragm and thereby control its motion, keeping it normally closed and preventing fluid flow but allowing it to move into an open position permitting fluid flow and actuation of the associated device only when each of the two diaphragms are subject to separate, concurrent drops in pressure which allows both of them to deflect away from the one diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Willilam J. Reilly
  • Patent number: 6340031
    Abstract: A first spring guide fitting the outer periphery of one end portion of a coil spring is provided at an end wall portion of a valve casing, and a second spring guide fitting the inner periphery of the other end portion of the coil spring is provided at a valve element so that the first and second spring guides do no interfere with each other. Further, a valve element of the check valve is provided with an elastic sealing member having a lip portion to be seated on a valve seat portion of the valve casing. Moreover, the valve element is formed with a bypass hole communicating upstream and downstream sections of the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Matsumoto, Hiroshi Kitamura, Masaaki Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 6227240
    Abstract: A unitized check valve assembly comprises: a valve body having a bore therethrough, the bore having an inlet and an outlet, a valve disk engaging said body at said outlet, a valve retainer engaging the body and surrounding the valve disk and the outlet; a first biasing member in compression between the body and the valve retainer; and a second biasing member in compression between the body and the valve disk. The flow passage between the valve seat and the valve is continuous around the circumference of the valve. In a preferred embodiment, the valve body and the valve disk each have a mating surface, the mating surfaces define an interface therebetween, and the interface comprises a portion of a spherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: National-Oilwell L.P.
    Inventors: Samuel S. Wu, Ronald Trammell