US3561730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball valve construction
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-05-02
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1988-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A ball valve seal comprises a metallic ring having an annular plastic inset engaging the ball. The ring is biased toward the ball by a Belleville washer or the like which is backed by an end cap. Surrounding the metallic ring is a stationary outer ring, which may be of chevron construction and permits sliding of the metallic ring to accomplish a tight seal despite movements of the ball under pressure changes. Both an upstream and downstream seal is effected. Pressure relief from volitalization of liquids trapped within the body around the ball is provided by momentary deflection of the plastic inset on the upstream side.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon F Hurst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K5/00; F16K5/06; F16K5/0626; F16K5/0631
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A ball valve comprising a generally tubular body, a ported ball rotatable within said body, a stem projecting outside said body and turnable to turn said ball between open and closed positions, and at least one ball seal within said body to seal against said ball, said ball seal comprising an annular outer seal fixed relative to said body and sealing thereagainst, an annular inner seal slidable axially relative to said outer seal, said inner seal comprising a metal ring formed with a rabbet at the corner of said ring nearest said ball and a groove in said rabbet extending away from said ball in a substantially axial direction and a flexible annular insert formed to fill said rabbet and said groove and to extend beyond said ring to fit against said ball, said insert being surrounded by said ring on the outside of said insert and also on the edge of said insert opposite said ball, resilient means biasing said ring toward said ball and sealing said insert against said ball, and abutment means against which said resilient means and said outer seal abut, said outer seal having a compressible resilient portion which, when said outer seal is compressed by said abutment means, seals said inner and outer seals together while permitting axial movement of said inner seal unDer influence of said resilient means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A ball valve comprising a generally tubular body, a ported ball rotatable within said body, a stem projecting outside said body and turnable to turn said ball between open and closed positions, and at least one ball seal within said body to seal against said ball, said ball seal comprising an annular outer seal fixed relative to said body and sealing thereagainst, an annular inner seal slidable axially relative to said outer seal, said inner seal comprising a metal ring formed with a rabbet at the corner of said ring nearest said ball and a groove in said rabbet extending away from said ball in a substantially axial direction and a flexible annular insert formed to fill said rabbet and said groove and to extend beyond said ring to fit against said ball, said insert being surrounded by said ring on the outside of said insert and also on the edge of said insert opposite said ball, resilient means biasing said ring toward said ball and sealing said insert against said ball, and abutment means against which said resilient means and said outer seal abut, said outer seal having a compressible resilient portion which, when said outer seal is compressed by said abutment means, seals said inner and outer seals together while permitting axial movement of said inner seal unDer influence of said resilient means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A valve according to claim 1, in which said ball is movable longitudinally of said body under influence of pressure differential on opposite sides of said valve when said valve is closed, said valve having ball seals on both sides of said ball, said inner seal on the downstream side engaging said ball, said inner seal on the upstream side flexing inward to maintain circumferential annular sealing contact with said ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A valve according to claim 2, wherein a space is pressure-isolated within said body between said insets outside said ball, at least one said inset being flexible to vent said space to the upstream side of said ball when pressure in said space substantially exceeds upstream pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A ball valve according to claim 1, in which said inner seal comprises a metallic ring formed with a rabbet at its corner nearest said ball, said inset fitting in said rabbet and having a spheroidal surface engaging said ball, said ring and inset having mutually cooperable tongue and groove portions to maintain said inner seal as a unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A ball valve according to claim 1, in which said outer seal has at least three abutting members, the center member being flexible deformable under axial pressure to distort radially to seal against both said body and said inner seal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A ball valve according to claim 1, in which said resilient means is a Belleville washer of an outside diameter less than the inner diameter of said outer seal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
A valve according to claim 1, in which said body is formed with a stepped aperture for said stem, a sealing ring in said aperture, said stem formed with an enlargement outward of said sealing ring to apply compression to said sealing ring to seal said stem relative to said body, an apertured compression member on the exterior of said body receiving said stem and bearing against said enlargement and adjustable means for moving said compression member relative to said body to vary compression of said enlargement on said sealing ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve according to claim 7, in which said adjustable means comprises threaded members engaging said abutment means and said compression member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A valve according to claim 8, which further comprises means for drawing said abutment means inward of said body, comprising longitudinal bolts external of said body, whereby upon disconnecting said bolts and said threaded members said body may be removed from between said abutment means to obtain access to said stem sealing ring without disturbing the position of said abutment means relative to piping attached to said abutments means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A valve according to claim 1, in which said body is formed with a stepped aperture for said stem, a sealing ring in said recess, said stem formed with an enlargement, said enlargement formed with an annular, V cross section projection engaging said sealing ring, means on the exterior of said body engaging said stem to move said stem axially to adjust the sealing force of said projecting against said sealing ring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
201 words
A ball valve comprising a generally tubular body, a ported ball rotatable within said body, a stem projecting outside said body and turntable to turn said ball between open and closed positions, and at least one ball seal within said body to seal against said ball, said ball seal comprising an annular outer seal fixed relative to said body and sealing thereagainst, an annular inner seal slidable axially relative to said outer seal, said inner seal having a flexible insert positioned to seal against said ball, resilient means biasing said inner seal against said ball, and abutment means against which said resilient means and said outer seal abut, said outer seal having a compressible resilient portion which, when said outer seal is compressed by said abutment means, seals said inner and outer seals together while permitting axial movement of said inner seal under influence of said resilient means, said inner seal comprising a metallic ring taperinG inward on both its outside and inside diameters, said insert having its outside diameter abutting and complimentary to the inside diameter of said metallic ring, said outer seal being a ring of substantially uniform thickness tapering parallel to the outside diameter of said metallic ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
201 words
A ball valve comprising a generally tubular body, a ported ball rotatable within said body, a stem projecting outside said body and turntable to turn said ball between open and closed positions, and at least one ball seal within said body to seal against said ball, said ball seal comprising an annular outer seal fixed relative to said body and sealing thereagainst, an annular inner seal slidable axially relative to said outer seal, said inner seal having a flexible insert positioned to seal against said ball, resilient means biasing said inner seal against said ball, and abutment means against which said resilient means and said outer seal abut, said outer seal having a compressible resilient portion which, when said outer seal is compressed by said abutment means, seals said inner and outer seals together while permitting axial movement of said inner seal under influence of said resilient means, said inner seal comprising a metallic ring taperinG inward on both its outside and inside diameters, said insert having its outside diameter abutting and complimentary to the inside diameter of said metallic ring, said outer seal being a ring of substantially uniform thickness tapering parallel to the outside diameter of said metallic ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
A valve according to claim 11, in which said abutment means is formed with at least one aperture opposite the broad end of said metallic ring and which further comprises resilient means in said aperture bearing against said metallic ring to force said insert toward said ball.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |