Valve sealed by calking ring anchored in support groove

Claim 2

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having opposite side surfaces which do confront said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular calking corners each defining a transverse interior corner angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness, said groove side surfaces being mutually oriented so that said groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, an annular aNchoring flange of flexible construction integral with said calking ring; said anchoring flange extending away from the top of the groove and having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than the transverse thickness, measured in the same direction, of the calking ring; said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding width of said calking ring thus providing in opposite sides of the groove annular pressure chambers opening into the groove alongside opposite sides of said calking ring and extending to said anchoring flange to allow upstream fluid on either side of the calking ring to enter freely into the groove in pressure contact with the corresponding side and back of the calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange immovably to said other element in a fixed position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15to a transverse reference line tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being swingable with reference to said other element to either side of said groove by the force of upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into a calking position in the downstream one of said calking corners formed by the opposing sealing surface and the downstream side surface of said groove when said second element is in said closed position to effectively seal off leakage of fluid past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 3

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening an closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having on opposite sides thereof two calking ring support surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular calking corners each having a transverse interior corner angle limited so as not to exceed materially 90*, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, an annular anchoring flange integral with said calking ring and extending therefrom away from the top of said groove; said groove having a lateral width, measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove, that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking rings so that the groove and the calking ring together define two annular pressure chambers extending into the groove along opposite sides of the calking ring to the backside of the calking ring to allow upstream fluid on either side of the calking ring to freely enter the groove in pressure contact with the respective sides and back of the calking ring, said anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than said lateral width of the calking ring; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange immovably to said other element in a fixed position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is generally perpendicular to a transverse reference line tangent to the position oCcupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against displacement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction in said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chamber to be jammed by such upstream pressure into a calking position in the downstream annular corner formed by the opposing sealing surface and the downstream side surface of said groove when said second element is in said closed position to effectively seal off leakage of fluid past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 4

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening an closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having on opposite sides thereof two calking ring support surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular calking corners each having a transverse interior corner angle limited so as not to exceed materially 90*, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, an annular anchoring flange integral with said calking ring and extending therefrom away from the top of said groove; said groove having a lateral width, measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove, that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking rings so that the groove and the calking ring together define two annular pressure chambers extending into the groove along opposite sides of the calking ring to the backside of the calking ring to allow upstream fluid on either side of the calking ring to freely enter the groove in pressure contact with the respective sides and back of the calking ring, said anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than said lateral width of the calking ring; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange immovably to said other element in a fixed position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is generally perpendicular to a transverse reference line tangent to the position oCcupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against displacement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction in said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chamber to be jammed by such upstream pressure into a calking position in the downstream annular corner formed by the opposing sealing surface and the downstream side surface of said groove when said second element is in said closed position to effectively seal off leakage of fluid past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 5

A disc valve comprising, in combination, a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a flow control disc movably supported on said body for rotation between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, said flow control disc defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said disc is in said closed position, said sealing surface having a convex curvature in transverse section, said body defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when when said disc is in said closed position; said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface, when said disc is in its closed position, two annular calking corners each defining a transverse interior angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness; an annular calking ring of resilient construction disposed in said groove, a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring extending away from the top of the groove and having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than the corresponding thickness of the calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said valve body in a fixed position thereon in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse reference line tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said disc is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely with reference to said groove to be jammed by the force of upstream fluid pressure into a calking position in the downstream one of said calking corners when said disc is in its closed position to effectively calk the valve against leakage past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 6

A disc valve comprising, in combination, a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a flow control disc movably supported on said body for rotation between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, said flow control disc defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said disc is in said closed position, said sealing surface having a convex curvature in transverse section, said body defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when when said disc is in said closed position; said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface, when said disc is in its closed position, two annular calking corners each defining a transverse interior angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness; an annular calking ring of resilient construction disposed in said groove, a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring extending away from the top of the groove and having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than the corresponding thickness of the calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said valve body in a fixed position thereon in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse reference line tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said disc is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely with reference to said groove to be jammed by the force of upstream fluid pressure into a calking position in the downstream one of said calking corners when said disc is in its closed position to effectively calk the valve against leakage past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 7

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening an closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in said closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular valve seat groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having side surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular corners each defining a transverse interior corner angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness, an O-ring of resilient construction disposed in said groove, an annular sheath of flexible material encasing said O-ring to form an annular calking ring disposed in said groove; said sheath having two marginal edges extending from said calking ring in direct contact with each other to form an anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is decidedly less than the corresponding width, measured in the same direction, of the calking ring; said calking ring having a lateral width, measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove, that is materially less than the corresponding width of said groove, thus providing at opposite sides of the groove annular plenum spaces opening into the groove and extending to the bottom thereof to allow fluid to freely enter the groove in contact with the respective sides of said calking ring up to said anchoring flange; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange immovably to said other element in a fixed position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within15* to a transverse reference line tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said first element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being swingable with reference to said other element to either side of said groove to be jammed, by the pressure of fluid in the upstream one of said plenum spaces, into a calking position in either of said annular corners formed by the opposing sealing surface and the respective side surfaces of said groove when said second element is in said closed position to effectively seal off leakage of fluid in either direction past said sealing surface.

Claim 8

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening an closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in said closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular valve seat groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having side surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular corners each defining a transverse interior corner angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness, an O-ring of resilient construction disposed in said groove, an annular sheath of flexible material encasing said O-ring to form an annular calking ring disposed in said groove; said sheath having two marginal edges extending from said calking ring in direct contact with each other to form an anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is decidedly less than the corresponding width, measured in the same direction, of the calking ring; said calking ring having a lateral width, measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove, that is materially less than the corresponding width of said groove, thus providing at opposite sides of the groove annular plenum spaces opening into the groove and extending to the bottom thereof to allow fluid to freely enter the groove in contact with the respective sides of said calking ring up to said anchoring flange; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange immovably to said other element in a fixed position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within15* to a transverse reference line tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said first element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being swingable with reference to said other element to either side of said groove to be jammed, by the pressure of fluid in the upstream one of said plenum spaces, into a calking position in either of said annular corners formed by the opposing sealing surface and the respective side surfaces of said groove when said second element is in said closed position to effectively seal off leakage of fluid in either direction past said sealing surface.

Claim 9

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passages, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in said closed positions, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having opposite side surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being mutually oriented so that said groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, a flexible annular body of core material disposed in said groove, an annular sheath of flexible material encasing said annular body to form therewith an annular calking ring disposed in said groove; said annular sheath having two marginal edges extending from said calking ring in direct contact with each other to form an anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is decidedly less than the corresponding lateral width, measured in the same direction, of the calking ring; said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring to provide in opposite sides of the groove annular plenum spaces opening into the groove along opposite sides of said calking ring and extending into overlapping relation to said anchoring flange adjacent the calking ring to provide clearance for dynamic deflection of the calking ring in either direction transversely with respect to the groove and to allow upstream fluid on either side of the calking ring to freely enter the plenum space on the upstream side of the calking ring to apply upstream fluid pressure to the upstream side and back of said calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which saiD annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across the groove by the pressure of upstream fluid in either of said plenum spaces to be dynamically forced by upstream fluid pressure into a calking position in the downstream one of said annular calking corners to effectively seal off leakage of fluid past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 10

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passages, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in said closed positions, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having opposite side surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being mutually oriented so that said groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, a flexible annular body of core material disposed in said groove, an annular sheath of flexible material encasing said annular body to form therewith an annular calking ring disposed in said groove; said annular sheath having two marginal edges extending from said calking ring in direct contact with each other to form an anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is decidedly less than the corresponding lateral width, measured in the same direction, of the calking ring; said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring to provide in opposite sides of the groove annular plenum spaces opening into the groove along opposite sides of said calking ring and extending into overlapping relation to said anchoring flange adjacent the calking ring to provide clearance for dynamic deflection of the calking ring in either direction transversely with respect to the groove and to allow upstream fluid on either side of the calking ring to freely enter the plenum space on the upstream side of the calking ring to apply upstream fluid pressure to the upstream side and back of said calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which saiD annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across the groove by the pressure of upstream fluid in either of said plenum spaces to be dynamically forced by upstream fluid pressure into a calking position in the downstream one of said annular calking corners to effectively seal off leakage of fluid past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 11

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having side surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular corners each defining a transverse interior corner angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness; an annular sheath of flexible material having a bulbous, ringlike annular portion encasing an annular core space; said sheath having marginal edges extending from said bulbous portion in mutual contact to form an annular anchoring flange, an annular body of filler material disposed in said core space to sustain the encasing bulbous portion of the sheath against collapse under fluid pressure and to form therewith a flexible calking ring, said calking ring being disposed in said groove and having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially less than the corresponding width of said groove thus providing in opposite sides of the groove annular pressure chambers opening into the groove alongside opposite sides of said calking ring and extending to the groove bottom side of the calking ring to allow upstream fluid on either side of the calking ring to freely enter the groove in pressure contact with the respective sides and back of said calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange extends away from the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into a calking position in the downstream one of said annular corners formed by the opposing sealing surface and the downstream side surface of said groove when said second element is in said closed position to effectively seal off leakage of fluid past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 12

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having side surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular corners each defining a transverse interior corner angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness; an annular sheath of flexible material having a bulbous, ringlike annular portion encasing an annular core space; said sheath having marginal edges extending from said bulbous portion in mutual contact to form an annular anchoring flange, an annular body of filler material disposed in said core space to sustain the encasing bulbous portion of the sheath against collapse under fluid pressure and to form therewith a flexible calking ring, said calking ring being disposed in said groove and having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially less than the corresponding width of said groove thus providing in opposite sides of the groove annular pressure chambers opening into the groove alongside opposite sides of said calking ring and extending to the groove bottom side of the calking ring to allow upstream fluid on either side of the calking ring to freely enter the groove in pressure contact with the respective sides and back of said calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange extends away from the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into a calking position in the downstream one of said annular corners formed by the opposing sealing surface and the downstream side surface of said groove when said second element is in said closed position to effectively seal off leakage of fluid past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 13

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defininG an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, an annular calking ring of resilient construction disposed in said groove, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular anchoring flange integral with said calking ring and extending therefrom into said other element; said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring so that the groove and calking ring together define two annular plenum spaces adjacent opposite sides of the calking ring entering the groove and extending to the backside of the calking ring, said anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than said lateral width of the calking ring; and said anchoring flange having a fixed annular portion secured immovably to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse reference line tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said plenum spaces to be jammed by such upstream pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively caulk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 14

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defininG an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, an annular calking ring of resilient construction disposed in said groove, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular anchoring flange integral with said calking ring and extending therefrom into said other element; said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring so that the groove and calking ring together define two annular plenum spaces adjacent opposite sides of the calking ring entering the groove and extending to the backside of the calking ring, said anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than said lateral width of the calking ring; and said anchoring flange having a fixed annular portion secured immovably to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse reference line tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said plenum spaces to be jammed by such upstream pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively caulk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 15

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove; a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring extending away from the top of said groove and having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than the lateral width, measured in the same direction, of the calking ring; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15 to a transverse tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said Anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction by upstream fluid pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 16

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove; a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring extending away from the top of said groove and having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than the lateral width, measured in the same direction, of the calking ring; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15 to a transverse tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said Anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction by upstream fluid pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 17

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, said groove having on opposite sides thereof two calking ring support surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular anchoring flange integral with said calking ring and extending from the side thereof adjacent the bottom of the groove, said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring so that the groove and calking ring together define two annular pressure chambers extending into the groove along opposite sides of the calking ring, said anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than said lateral width of the calking ring; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange extends away from the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 18

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, said groove having on opposite sides thereof two calking ring support surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular anchoring flange integral with said calking ring and extending from the side thereof adjacent the bottom of the groove, said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring so that the groove and calking ring together define two annular pressure chambers extending into the groove along opposite sides of the calking ring, said anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than said lateral width of the calking ring; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange extends away from the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 19

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having side surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular corners each defining a transverse interior corner angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness; an annular sheath of thin metal having a bulbous, ringlike annular portion encasing an annular core space; said sheath being flexible and having marginal edges extending from said bulbous porTion in mutually overlapping relation to form an annular anchoring flange, an annular body of filler material disposed in said core space to sustain the encasing bulbous portion of the sheath against collapse under fluid pressure and to form therewith a flexible calking ring, said calking ring being disposed in said groove and having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially less than the corresponding width of said groove thus providing in opposite sides of the groove annular pressure chambers extending into the groove alongside opposite sides of said calking ring to allow upstream fluid on either side of the calking ring to freely enter the groove in pressure contact with the respective sides of said calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange extends away from the position occupied by the the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingably transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into a calking position in the downstream one of said annular corners formed by the opposing sealing surface and the downstream side surface of said groove when said second element is in said closed position to effectively seal off leakage of fluid past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 20

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having side surfaces which confront said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position to form with said sealing surface two annular corners each defining a transverse interior corner angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness; an annular sheath of thin metal having a bulbous, ringlike annular portion encasing an annular core space; said sheath being flexible and having marginal edges extending from said bulbous porTion in mutually overlapping relation to form an annular anchoring flange, an annular body of filler material disposed in said core space to sustain the encasing bulbous portion of the sheath against collapse under fluid pressure and to form therewith a flexible calking ring, said calking ring being disposed in said groove and having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially less than the corresponding width of said groove thus providing in opposite sides of the groove annular pressure chambers extending into the groove alongside opposite sides of said calking ring to allow upstream fluid on either side of the calking ring to freely enter the groove in pressure contact with the respective sides of said calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange extends away from the position occupied by the the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingably transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into a calking position in the downstream one of said annular corners formed by the opposing sealing surface and the downstream side surface of said groove when said second element is in said closed position to effectively seal off leakage of fluid past said sealing surface when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 21

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in closed position, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular calking ring disposed in said groove and comprising a flexible metal sheath encasing an annular core space, said calking ring including an annular body of filler material disposed in said core space to sustain the encasing bulbous portion of said metal sheath against collapse under fluid pressure, a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring formed of flexible metal and extending away from the top of said groove; said anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than the lateral width, measured in the same direction, of the calking ring; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction by upstream fluid pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 22

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in closed position, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular calking ring disposed in said groove and comprising a flexible metal sheath encasing an annular core space, said calking ring including an annular body of filler material disposed in said core space to sustain the encasing bulbous portion of said metal sheath against collapse under fluid pressure, a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring formed of flexible metal and extending away from the top of said groove; said anchoring flange having a thickness adjacent said calking ring that is distinctly less than the lateral width, measured in the same direction, of the calking ring; and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction by upstream fluid pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 23

A valve according to claim 11 in which said annular body of filler material disposed in said core space of said calking ring sheath comprises a helically wound annular spring.

Claim 24

A valve according to claim 12 in which a layer of flexible filler material resistant to high temperatures in disposed within said annular core space in surrounding relation to said annular spring.

Claim 25

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having on opposite sides thereof two calking ring support surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners each defining a transverse interior angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring extending away from the top of the groove, said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring so that the groove and calking ring together define two annular pressure chambers extending into the groove along opposite sides of the calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange extends away from the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 26

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having on opposite sides thereof two calking ring support surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners each defining a transverse interior angle that is free of any material degree of obtuseness, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring extending away from the top of the groove, said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring so that the groove and calking ring together define two annular pressure chambers extending into the groove along opposite sides of the calking ring, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange extends away from the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 27

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, an annular anchoring flange on said calking ring and extending away from the top of said groove, said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring so that the groove And calking ring together define two annular pressure chambers entering the groove and occupying the groove alongside opposite sides of the calking ring, and said anchoring flange having a fixed annular portion secured immovably to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse reference line tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingably transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 28

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, an annular anchoring flange on said calking ring and extending away from the top of said groove, said groove having a lateral width measured transversely with respect to the depth of the groove that is materially greater than the corresponding lateral width of said calking ring so that the groove And calking ring together define two annular pressure chambers entering the groove and occupying the groove alongside opposite sides of the calking ring, and said anchoring flange having a fixed annular portion secured immovably to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse reference line tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingably transversely in either direction across said groove by upstream fluid pressure in either of said pressure chambers to be jammed by such upstream pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 29

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring extending away from the top of said groove, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction by upstream fluid pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.

Claim 30

A valve comprising, in combination, a first element constituting a valve body defining a flow passage extending therethrough, a second element constituting a flow control member movably supported on said body for movement relative thereto between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing said flow passage, one of said elements defining an annular sealing surface oriented thereon to be proximate to the periphery of said passage when said second element is in its closed position, the other of said elements defining an annular calking ring support groove oriented to confront said sealing surface in close proximity thereto when said second element is in said closed position, said groove having two opposite side surfaces oriented to define with said sealing surface when said second element is in its closed position two annular calking corners, said groove side surfaces being oriented relative to each other so that the groove has a transverse width that is substantially unnarrowed from the bottom to the top of the groove, an annular calking ring of flexible construction disposed in said groove, a flexible annular anchoring flange on said calking ring extending away from the top of said groove, and means securing an annular portion of said anchoring flange to said other element in a position with respect to said other element in which said annular anchoring flange is perpendicular within 15* to a transverse tangent to the position occupied by the adjacent portion of said sealing surface when said second element is in said closed position thereof so that said calking ring is constrained by said anchoring flange against dislodgement from said groove while being freely swingable transversely in either direction by upstream fluid pressure into the downstream calking corner to effectively calk the valve against leakage in the downstream direction when the valve is subjected to differential pressure in either direction.