Abstract: Fitting, especially for a continuous flow water heater.The submitted invention takes as its basis the problem of developing a fitting of the named type by which the formation of calcareous deposits on the rod protruding from the water control housing is lessened and the influence of such calcareous deposits on the controller action is completely eliminated.The problem is solved in that within water control housing (2), the control motion of membrane (24) is transmitted to a lever (3) whose center of rotation forms a shaft (4), rigidly connected to this lever (3) and whose pivot is sealed, leading to the exterior of water control housing (2). At the same time, shaft (4) is also the center of rotation for a second lever (5) which is likewise rigidly connected to it.

Abstract: A two-piece valve stem guide allows the guide to be reamed in-place without damaging an installed valve seal. A first section of the guide is press fitted into an axially extending bore of an internal combustion engine component. Next, a multi-piece seal comprising a metallic retainer, elastomeric seal element and optional spring is inserted into the bore. Then a second section of the stem guide is partially installed into the bore. The two sections are reamed to create a common inner radial diameter that is adapted to receive a valve stem. Finally, the second section is pressed axially downward, engaging the seal and forcing the elastomeric seal element radially inwardly until it comes into contact with an installed valve stem.

Abstract: A valve assembly configured to maintain a seal during thermal cycling includes a valve body defining a flow passage, and a fluid control member disposed in the flow passage for controlling the flow of fluid. An actuating shaft is interconnected with the fluid control member for moving the fluid control member. A housing including an internal wall defining a shaft bore is connected to the valve body, and the actuating shaft extends through the shaft bore with the internal wall of the housing radially spaced from the actuating shaft to define a sealing cavity. A seal is located within the sealing cavity for inhibiting fluid flow between the actuating shaft and the housing. The seal includes a plurality of first surfaces and the housing defines a plurality of opposed surfaces such that sealing contact of the seal with the actuating shaft and the housing is maintained during thermal cycling.

Abstract: A direct contact steam injection heater allows shear to be adjusted without taking the process off-line to relieve pressure within the heater. A stud is mounted to an adjustable combining tube within the heater. The stud extends through an opening in the heater body into a sealed housing. An adjusting mechanism exerts force on the combining tube stud within the sealed housing to move the combining tube longitudinally within the body to adjust the shear within the heater. The position of the combining tube is indicated by an analog revolution counter. The adjusting mechanism can be driven manually or by a motor. The motorized embodiment of the invention can be used with feedback control to automatically optimize shear.

Abstract: A valve for introducing particulate materials into a high pressure gas stream and for preventing said particulate materials from invading those interior regions of the valve having moving parts.

Abstract: A ball valve for controlling fluid flow comprises a housing with a chamber therein and a fluid flow passage therethrough having an inlet and outlet portion to and from the chamber adjacent the lower end of the housing, and generally annular recesses extending about the inlet and outlet ends of its inlet and outlet portions. An opening in the upper end of the housing communicates with the chamber and is sealed by a bonnet which is removably fastened to the housing and has a passage seating a stem which will rotate. A valve member is rotatably seated in the chamber. Body seats are removably seated in the annular recesses of the chamber about the inlet and outlet portions of the flow passage. Valve seats are removably seated in the body seats and have concave surfaces which seat the ball member and seal about the flow passage therethrough. The bonnet has a shoulder about the passage and the stem has a collar thereabout which bears upon a sealing member disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A fluid control valve in which the usual metal stem guide bushings have been eliminated. A fluid control valve includes a valve bonnet and a packing nut threadably engaging the valve bonnet. A valve stem passes through the valve bonnet and the packing nut in a clearance fit so that there is no engagement therebetween. Two packing sets of V-type PTFE packing are included with each set having a middle virgin PTFE sealing ring, a carbon or glass filled PTFE male packing ring on one side and a carbon or glass filled PTFE female ring on the other side. Belleville disk springs are provided intermediate the packing nut and the two packing sets, for supplying live loading to the packing. In an unloaded condition, initially the packing sets both are in a clearance fit with the valve stem.

Abstract: Valves having a stem packing of alternating layers of perfluoroelastomer and high temperature polymer provide outstanding sealing performance against corrosive fluids and high temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball valve with a shear stem which can be utilized in combination with a conventional ball valve or vented ball valve.The ball valve with a shear stem is utilized with a conventional ball valve or a vented valve assembly including a valve body having a vent hole therein. The ball valve defines a body having first and second flow-through ends with a valve member receiving chamber thereinbetween, and a collar defining a stem receiving passage communicating with the chamber. A valve member such as a ball or cylindrical plug is disposed within the chamber. The valve member has a throughbore therein in operable alignment with the first end second flow-through ends. The vented ball valve embodiment has at least one valve member vent hole through the wall of the valve member in flow communication with the throughbore.

Abstract: A turbine fuel valve packing assembly including two sets of packing rings in which at least one packing ring is a V-shaped packing ring, a compression member, lantern ring, and packing gland with a sealing ring is disclosed which effectively seals turbine fuel valves against leaking. Further disclosed is a valve packing replacement method utilizing a bifurcated valve shaft allowing part of the shaft to be removed, thereby providing enough space for the valve packing assembly to be removed from the fuel valve and replaced without disassembling the entire fuel valve.

Abstract: A valve, having provision for replacing stem packing while the valve is under pressure, has a valve body with a flow passageway through it, a gate that is vertically positioned to open and close the passageway, a stem extending upwardly from the valve body, the lower end being attached to the gate, a bonnet secured to the valve body by which the valve body open top is closed, the stem extending through an opening in the bonnet, a packing box slidably positioned in an opening in the top of the bonnet and receiving the stem, a back seat ring is positioned within the opening of the bonnet below the packing box and having a circumferential sealing surface surrounding the valve stem, the valve stem having an integral enlarged diameter shoulder so that when the stem is in the full upward position the packing box can be moved downwardly in the direction towards valve body forcing the back seat ring sealing surface to seal against the stem shoulder formed on the valve stem to permit packing retained within the packin

Abstract: A four-way change-over valve for an air conditioner has first to fourth piping holes sequentially arranged on a concentric circle at a predetermined pitch in a planar portion of a valve seat formed in a thick disk shape as one portion of a valve case. The change-over valve also has a rotary valve rotatably arranged on an upper face of this valve seat and having at least one communicating groove for independently connecting two adjacent piping holes of the four piping holes to each other. Cooling and heating operations of the air conditioner are switched by rotating the rotary valve. A service valve with a four-way change-over valve for an air conditioner is characterized in that both service valves on liquid and gas sides of a refrigerant circuit are integrated with each other and are further integrated with the four-way change-over valve as one valve unit with one valve seat as a common valve seat.

Abstract: In combination with a gate valve comprising a valve body having an internal cavity extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, a bonnet mounted to the valve body and having an internal passageway in communication with the cavity, a valve stem rotationally supported in the passageway, a handle connected to one end of the valve stem and a gate threadedly connected to the other end of the valve stem, the improvement comprising a first packing for sealing between the bonnet and the valve stem to prevent pressure within the cavity from escaping through the passageway, a second packing for sealing between the bonnet and the valve stem to prevent pressure within the cavity from escaping through the passageway, the second packing being located between the first packing and the cavity, a bypass port extending between a first portion of the passageway below the second packing and a second portion of the passageway above the second packing, and a bypass valve for selectively closing the bypass port such that the

Abstract: A toilet flushing device has a body with an inlet and an outlet. There is a valve seat in the body in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet and a valve in the body movable toward and away from the valve seat to control water flow through the toilet flushing device. A handle assembly for causing movement of the valve toward and away from the valve seat includes a socket attached to the body and a handle mounted in the socket for pivotal movement. A plunger is positioned in part within the socket and is in contact with the handle. Pivotal movement of the handle causes axial movement of the plunger with a portion of the plunger being positioned for contact with valve for causing movement thereof. There is a spring for biasing the plunger toward the handle. A bushing is attached to the socket and has a central bore within which the plunger moves. A seal member is attached to the bushing and forms a seal therewith.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dual backseat valve assembly comprising a valve body having an interior valve chamber and a generally horizontal flow passage; a valve gate adapted to reciprocate vertically within said valve chamber; a valve stem adapted to be received in threaded engagement with a gate lift nut mounted in said gate such that rotation of said stem causes vertical movement of said gate and a valve bonnet fixed to said valve body receiving said stem therethrough; wherein the valve stem comprises a radially extending portion defining a downward facing surface, a first enlarged diameter portion proximate the radially extending portion and a reduced diameter portion adjacent the first enlarged diameter portion; a first backseat seal comprising a radially energized seal ring fixed relative to said bonnet and having a first sealing portion for sealing against said bonnet and a second sealing portion which is adapted to be spaced apart from said reduced diameter portion when said valve is in no

Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for preventing unauthorized actuation of the hydrant nut of a fire hydrant by causing any lateral pounding or upward forces applied to the tamper resistant construction to be transmitted directly to the hydrant body cover of the fire hydrant including a packing nut threaded into the hydrant body cover proximate the hydrant nut, a hydrant nut actuating body located within the packing nut and mounted on the hydrant nut in turning relationship therewith, a shroud permanently or removably rotatably mounted on the packing nut in closely spaced relationship to a cap rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body, and a configuration on the hydrant nut actuating body between the cap and the shroud for receiving a special wrench.

Abstract: A needle valve in which the needle is moved with respect to its valve seat. The distal end of the needle has a length of a constant, uniform diameter that allows the flow to reach a maximum flow and not change while that finite length is moving within the valve seat. This allows a less critical placement of a stop that prevents further movement of the needle away from its valve seat.

Abstract: A pipeline valve is provided which includes a valve body having a spherical bore with a cylindrical valve seat. The cylindrical valve seat is positioned along the centerline of the spherical valve body and can be machined in the valve body. Alternatively, the valve seat can be an elastomeric material which is inserted into the valve body. The butterfly valve disk is conical in shape. In one embodiment, the disk is constructed from two halves, fastened together, having a movable T-seal perimetrical surface. The T-seal is received by a groove recessed within the disk. Behind the T-seal, an elastomer or linear expander biasing member can be disposed to force the T-seal in a direction towards the valve seat. The valve disk is connected to a control shaft by a attachment assembly which allows for self-alignment of the disk. The control shaft terminates in a forked end having two legs which define an aperture corresponding to coupling pads on either side of the disk.

Abstract: A butterfly valve for controlling the flow of high temperature fluids includes a valve body defining a flow path and having opposed portals. Cover plates are mounted over each of the portals and have a conical shaped wall extending inward to a bearing support member. A flow modulator is disposed between the cover plates and is mounted to the bearing support members by ceramic bearings. The modulator has a plate disposed in said flow path which is bounded by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and two disk flanges. Each of the disk flanges has a labyrinth seal in sealing engagement with an inner wall of said valve body. Nozzles are mounted to said cover plate to deliver cooling air flow to the bearings. A constant cooling flow rate is maintained by appropriately sized circumferential chambers adjacent each of the labyrinth seals.

Abstract: A valve/actuator combination to operate off of low pneumatic pressures for use on tanker railcars including a valve having a valve body with a tank end, a valve seat near the tank end of the valve body, the valve seat having a valve sealing surface; a stem chamber extending through the valve body, the stem chamber having an actuator port, a seat port, and an outlet port; a valve stem slidably positioned in the stem chamber, the valve stem having a plug end and a plug attached to the plug end, the plug having a plug sealing surface to sealingly contact the valve sealing surface; an actuator having a hollow housing with a valve end, the valve end attached to the valve body; a plurality of piston assemblies, each having a piston slidable in the housing and a partition fixed in the housing, the piston and the partition defining an actuator chamber; piston spacers joining the pistons so that each piston is fixed in position with respect to the others; the pistons being operatively joined to the valve stem; a helic

Abstract: A turbine fuel valve packing assembly including two sets of packing rings in which at least one packing ring is a V-shaped packing ring, a compression member, lantern ring, and packing gland with a sealing ring is disclosed which effectively seals turbine fuel valves against leaking. Further disclosed is a valve packing replacement method utilizing a bifurcated valve shaft allowing part of the shaft to be removed, thereby providing enough space for the valve packing assembly to be removed from the fuel valve and replaced without disassembling the entire fuel valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a valve assembly for granular and/or abrasive materials. The valves comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet wherein the ratio of the outlet diameter to inlet diameter is no less than 1:1 for unrestricted flow of materials through the valve assembly. There is an annular recess in the housing adjacent the valve seat containing a resilient inflatable sealing ring, the ring being dimensioned so as to sealably contact the closure member when the closure member is in the first position upon inflation of the ring. A fluid inlet supplies a fluid under pressure to the sealing ring to inflate the sealing ring. A shaft channel and contains an external hub disposed on the outer end of the shaft which hub is dimensioned and arranged so as to engage the housing to restrict longitudinal movement of the shaft in the channel.

Abstract: A coupling member between a valve driver and a valve has a pin extending into the valve driver shaft and a head with a groove receiving the shaft of the valve and a recess accommodating the packing nut thereof. A spring braced between the coupling member and the valve driver allows the coupling member to be lifted from the nut for tightening thereof.

Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for preventing unauthorized actuation of the hydrant nut of a fire hydrant by causing any lateral pounding or upward forces applied to the tamper resistant construction to be transmitted directly to the hydrant body cover of the fire hydrant including a packing nut threaded into the hydrant body cover proximate the hydrant nut, a hydrant nut actuating body located within the packing nut and mounted on the hydrant nut in turning relationship therewith, a groove in the packing nut, a plurality of studs extending between the hydrant nut actuating body and the groove in the packing nut, a shroud rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body in closely spaced relationship to a cap rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body, and a limited space between the cap and the shroud for receiving a special wrench.

Abstract: An exhaust flow control valve operable over high temperature ranges, comprising: a cylindrical flow housing having a cylinder axis and defining a flow passage; a valve plate pivotably mounted within the cylindrical flow housing, wherein the valve plate has a first facing surface, a second facing surface and a perimeter surface and wherein the valve plate has a pivot axis perpendicular to cylinder axis; a first seat extending radially inward from a first approximate 180 degree portion of an inner perimeter of the cylindrical flow housing, wherein the first seat forms a first partial annular surface having a substantially constant width in a radial direction over an entire arcuate length of the first seat and wherein the first seat faces a first direction parallel to the cylinder axis; a second seat extending radially inward from a second approximate 180 degree portion of the inner perimeter of the cylindrical flow housing, wherein the second seat forms a second partial annular surface having a substantially co

Abstract: A retrofit valve stem seal assembly, which can be retrofitted to existing quarter-turn valves already in service, is provided. The retrofit valve stem seal assembly is added to the valve stem by inserting a valve stem adaptor onto the valve stem and firmly attaching the adaptor to the valve stem. The inner surface of the valve stem adaptor fits on the valve stem. To prevent leaks between the valve stem adaptor and the valve stem, "O" rings are installed in the valve stem adaptor to bear against the valve stem. A rotatable valve stem adaptor includes a sliding tractrix surface for sliding contact with a stem packing. The stem packing includes a complementary tractrix surface for contacting the sliding tractrix surface on the valve stem. Wear between the contacting surfaces is uniform at all points of contact between the sliding tractrix surface and the complementary tractrix surface, creating and maintaining a dynamic seal.

Abstract: An external valve operating means that forms a seal around the rotating valve stem of a valve operating under internal pressure is disclosed. This seal prevents the escape of fluids should the valve's primary seals fail. The external valve operating means allows for rotation of the valve stem without removal or compromise of the seal. A stationary operating seal cap is in threaded and sealed engagement with the valve body. Upon partial disengagement of the stationary operating seal cap, the pressure within the external valve operating means is vented. An external valve stem drive protrudes through the top of the stationary operating seal cap. An O-ring forms a seal between the two. The bottom of the external stem drive mates with the rotating valve stem while the top of the external stem drive is shaped so as to allow gripping by a tool. Rotation of the external stem drive via the tool effects rotation of the valve stem while the seal surrounding it is maintained.

Abstract: When the O-rings of ball valves used in the fluid circuits of refrigeration systems are exposed to new EPA-correct refrigerants and blends, the lubrication covering the O-rings tends to wash away. This results in failure of the ball valves. A quarter turn ball valve with a valve stem seal configuration for use under such conditions is disclosed. The valve stem seal configuration protects the ball valve O-ring from contact with the refrigerant fluid flowing through the ball valve. The ball valve has a valve stem receiving passageway with annular recesses in the upper and bottom portions of the passageway. The recesses are spaced apart from one another and a primary seal washer is seated within the bottom recess while an O-ring is seated within the upper recess. Both embrace the valve stem. An annular spring and valve stem guide are supported above the O-ring. In order to minimize wear, the O-ring is maintained in a state of "controlled squeeze" where it is subjected only to radial compression.

Abstract: A pipeline valve is provided which includes a valve body having a spherical bore with a cylindrical valve seat. The cylindrical valve seat is positioned along the centerline of the spherical valve body and can be machined in the valve body. Alternatively, the valve seat can be an elastomeric material which is inserted into the valve body. The butterfly valve disk is conical in shape. In one embodiment, the disk is constructed from two halves, fastened together, having a movable T-seal perimetrial surface.The T-seal is received by a groove recessed within the disk. Behind the T-seal, an elastomer or linear expander biasing member can be disposed to force the T-seal in a direction towards the valve seat. The valve disk is connected to a control shaft by a attachment assembly which allows for self-alignment of the disk. The control shaft terminates in a forked end having two legs which define an aperture corresponding to coupling pads on either side of the disk.

Abstract: Valves having a stem packing of alternating layers of perfluoroelastomer and high temperature polymer provide outstanding sealing performance against corrosive fluids and high temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plug valve adapted to be placed in a chamber or vessel containing fluidized particles to control flow of the fluidized particles between the chamber or vessel and the open end of a conduit which has a contained purging system in a sealed space between the valve stem and guide tube effective to keep the fluidized particles out of the space. A purging medium is provided under pressure to the sealed space as a backup and only purges the space of fluidized particles which enter it due to leakage of one or both of the stuffing boxes. Other features of the plug valve are described.

Abstract: A ball valve for controlling fluid flow comprises a housing with a chamber therein and a fluid flow passage therethrough having an inlet and outlet portion to and from the chamber adjacent the lower end of the housing. An opening in the upper end of the housing communicates with the chamber and is sealed by a bonnet which is removably fastened to the housing and has a passage therethrough. A ball member is rotatably seated in the chamber and has a spheroidal lower portion with an anticlinal shaped fluid flow passage therethrough which intersects its axis of rotation. Valve seats are removably seated in the chamber about the inlet and outlet portions of the flow passage and have concave surfaces which seat the ball member and seal about the flow passage therethrough. The opening in the housing is cooperatively dimensioned with respect to the ball member and the valve seats to permit their removal therethrough.

Abstract: A packing system, for providing a seal around a valve stem, including a packing cartridge and a bushing. The packing cartridge includes a sleeve which has a tapered central passage. The sleeve also has external male threads and a hex head. Packing material is attached to the tapered central passage of the sleeve using an adhesive. The sleeve together with the packing material form the packing cartridge. The bushing also has a tapered central passage. The packing of the present invention is applied by sliding the bushing around the valve stem, and then sliding the packing cartridge around the valve stem. Once the bushing is seated in the stuffing-box of the valve, the sleeve is tightened down into the stuffing-box, thus squeezing the packing material and creating a seal around the valve stem.

Abstract: A toilet flushing device includes a body which has an inlet and an outlet. There is a valve seat in the body in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet and there is a valve member movable within the body toward and away from the valve seat to control water flow through the flushing device. A handle assembly is mounted on the body for causing movement of the valve member. The handle assembly includes a socket attached to the body and a handle mounted in the socket for pivotal movement relative thereto. A plunger is positioned in part within the socket and is in contact with the handle. Pivotal movement of the handle causes axial movement of the plunger, with a portion of the plunger being positioned for contact with the valve member. There is a spring biasing the plunger toward the handle and there is a bushing attached to the socket and having a central bore within which the plunger moves. A seal slide is mounted on the plunger and is in sliding engagement with the bushing as it moves relative thereto.

Abstract: An exhaust gas obturator comprises a tubular housing (11a) having a butterfly valve (14a,15) journalled in the wall thereof. The butterfly valve spindle (14a) passes through a chamber (24,25) on one side of the housing and carries a sealing ring (26) thereon and located in the chamber (24,25). The sealing ring (26) is a close sliding fit on the butterfly valve spindle (14a) when the obturator is closed, exhaust gas pressure on the upstream side enters the chamber (24,25) and urges the seal (26) against a cover plate (23a) thereby to prevent the escape of exhaust gas to atmosphere. The chamber (24,25) is preferably vented to the downstream side. The seal may alternatively be biased by resilient means (not shown).

Abstract: A valve has a seat that is replaceable without disassembly of the bonnet from the body or removal of the stem and closure member. The seat is maintained in a fixed position within the body of the valve by a single retainer member that is readily separable from the body. The seat and closure member are formed of hard, wear- and corrosion resistant materials and the valve has internally disposed seal members to prevent leakage around the seat and retainer. The valve is particularly useful for controllably conveying high pressure and high temperature fluids such as steam.

Abstract: A non-planar flexible graphite sealing ring is used to control leakage in a fluid handling device where a shaft extends through the wall of the device. The flexible graphite sealing ring comprises a chevron-shaped cross section having approximately complementary inner and outer end faces that are made by laminating sheets of flexible graphite foil in layers transverse to the ring's axis. A plurality of flexible graphite rings are inserted over the shaft and into the stuffing box, occupying the space between the shaft and the stuffing box. The flexible graphite sealing rings are oriented so that each ring's inner end face adjoins the outer end face of another ring. Upon application of a compressive force the interaction between the dissimilar end faces causes an enhanced interference fit between the shaft and the stuffing box forming a seal. An asymmetrical chevron cross section of a sealing ring, and W- and V-shaped end rings are used in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A retrofit second packing chamber for quarter-turn valves that permits existing valves to be modified so as to meet modern emission standards without requiring replacement of the valves, and which can be assembled to existing valves in a simple, efficient manner at reasonable cost.The retrofit second packing chamber comprises an assembly which defines a second packing chamber to be assembled to the existing first packing chamber of a valve in series therewith so as to substantially increase the protection against undesired emissions from the valve.

Abstract: The invention provides a valve stem locking assembly for releasably locking a threaded fastener relative to a valve stem of a quarter-turn valve such as a ball valve. The assembly includes a handle defining an opening shaped to engage a corresponding shape of the valve stem to preclude relative rotation therebetween while allowing relative motion therebetween along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem. A standard nut engages the handle and is threaded onto the valve stem for movement relative to the valve stem along the axis. A spring biases the nut and the handle into relative rotation resisting engagement with each other. A camming mechanism, defined by the handle and the chamfer of the nut, is biased by the spring to prevent relative rotation therebetween until a desired torque about the axis is applied to the nut relative to the handle.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve stem 2 surrounded in part by a packing material 3, and compression means arranged to bring the packing material into sealing engagement with the valve stem. The compression means includes a spring assembly comprising resilient springs 21 enclosed within a housing member 22 having a closure member 23 slidably mounted within it. The housing member 22 and the closure member 23 are provided with engagement means 27,28 acting to retain the closure member 23 captive within the housing member 22.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sleeved seal, as well as the method of installing and machining said sleeved seal. The seal comprises a unitary configuration of a backseat and a sleeve for a stuffing box area, comprising a valve stem bore in communication with a stuffing box area internal to the sleeve seal and a machined backseat and sleeve along the outer diameter of the sleeved seal.

Abstract: An inline valve includes a glass body having an upwardly open bore with a tapered seating surface, and colinear inlet and outlet ports having passages intersecting the seating surface. Fluid flow between the ports is regulated by a valve member whose stem has a tapered tip conforming substantially in shape to that of the seating surface. The tip has a relatively soft surface which can conform to irregularities in the seating surface when the valve is closed. An annular seal or an extensible boot prevents fluid leakage along the valve stem.

Abstract: A rotary valve assembly comprising a valve body having a stem passageway in communication with the valve body cavity which contains a closure member for selectively closing or opening the fluid flow passageway intersecting the valve body cavity. A valve operator consisting of a reciprocatable and rotatable stem passing through the stem passageway is connected to the closure member so that when the stem rotates, the closure member rotates together with the stem. The stem is provided with a back-seat and the valve operator reciprocates the stem to unseat and reseat the stem onto the stem seat located on the valve body surrounding the stem passageway in order to seal the stem passageway from the valve body cavity. Sealing of the stem passageway isolates the stem packing from the fluid in the valve body cavity, prevents fugitive emissions related to stem leakage and prolongs the useful life of the stem packing.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a gas in a gas burning torch comprises a housing having a flow passageway therethrough, a valve seat in the passageway, and a valve stem carrying a ball valve element for engaging and disengaging the valve seat to respectively close and open said passageway. A rotatable operating knob for displacing the valve stem is isolated therefrom by a ball thrust bearing, and the valve stem is supported in the housing for rocking movement transverse to the stem axis.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a valve with a rotary actuating shaft includes a top seal formed of a plastic diaphragm and a metal diaphragm, both of which are in sealing relationship with the actuating shaft. The metal diaphragm has a cantilever supported lip that is spring fitted into resiliently biased relationship with the actuating shaft. The sealing surface of the metal diaphragm provides a fire-tested seal in the event that the seal of the plastic seal is destroyed by fire.

Abstract: A two stage seal for a shut-off valve having a bonnet with a rotatable valve stem therethrough. The first seal is conventional packing material axially compressible to adjust its sealing force against the valve stem. The second is a cartridge seal gland with inner and outer "O" rings axially biased against the packing material by a packing nut threaded in the bonnet.

Abstract: A metal stem seal for sealing between a movable stem and a stem opening in a valve body has an annular seal body through which the stem extends. The seal has a flexible annular seal leg depending from the seal body for sealing against the stem. The inner surface of the seal leg has at least one groove defining a plurality of sealing lands, including at least a lower sealing land and upper sealing land. The undeflected inner diameter of the lower sealing land is selected so that upon insertion of the stem through the seal, the seal leg deflects outward. The undeflected diameter of the upper sealing land is selected so that it is larger than the undeflected inner diameter of the lower sealing land. The undeflected diameters of additional sealing lands are selected so that they are successively larger than the undeflected inner diameters of the sealing lands below them. Increased fluid pressure in the stem opening causes the seal leg to flex inward causing additional sealing lands to contact the stem.

Abstract: A safety structure for detecting fluid leakage from a valve having an exposed end of a rotatable valve stem connected to a valve element within the valve for rotating the valve element between an open and a closed position. The safety structure comprises a jacket, and an elongated handle extension disposed within the jacket for rotation about its axis. The handle extension includes an end which extends outward from the jacket for turning the handle extension. The jacket terminates in an annular flange which is attached to the valve in an isolating configuration having the exposed end of the valve stem covered, and the handle extension connected to valve stem via a slot on the lower end of the handle extension and a pair of opposed flats on the covered end of the rotatable valve stem over which the slot extends for transferring the rotation of the handle extension to the valve stem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for injecting sealant into a packing assembly chamber surrounding a valve stem 11 of a valve 2 without venting the pressure within the valve 2. A cylindrical body 60 is frictionally welded to the exterior of the valve 2 adjacent the packing assembly chamber. A drill bit is passed into the body 60 and through a set of packing seals 87. An opening is completed into the packing chamber. As the drill bit is withdrawn from the body 60, a second valve 70 is manually "closed" to isolate the packing chamber from the drill bit and prevent the escape of pressurized fluid when the drill bit is removed from the seals 87. Thereafter, a device for injecting sealant is attached to the body 60 and the valve 70 is "opened" to allow the sealant to flow into the packing chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plug valve adapted to be placed in a chamber or vessel containing fluidized particles to control flow of the fluidized particles between the chamber or vessel and the open end of a conduit which has a contained purging system in a sealed space between the valve stem and guide tube effective to keep the fluidized particles out of the space. A purging medium is provided under pressure to the sealed space as a backup and only purges the space of fluidized particles which enter it due to leakage of one or both of the stuffing boxes. Other features of the plug valve are described.