US3563512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamperproof rotary valve assembly
Assignee: Mueller Co
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Filing: 1969-12-08
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1989-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A rotary valve assembly having a valve housing member with a flow passage therethrough and a key member which includes a valve member for coacting with valve seat means in the housing member. The key member is rotatable in a key seat in the housing member and means are provided to prevent unauthorized disassembly of the key member from the valve housing member. Additionally, means are provided to protect against corrosion at least between the key member and the key seat of said housing member whereby easy turning of the key member is insured throughout the life of the valve assembly. The means for making the valve assembly tamperproof against unauthorized disassembly includes utilization of a split snapring for preventing axial movement of the key member relative to the housing member and inaccessible from the exterior once the key member is assembled in the valve. A seal and anticorrosive coatings on pertinent parts of the valve assembly protect the split snapring and insure easy turning of the key member in its key seat.
Inventors
- 👤 William L Hauffe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K5/00; F16K5/04; F16K5/0457; F16K5/0478; F16K35/00; F16K5/045; F16K5/0464; F16K5/0492
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A rotary valve assembly comprising: a valve housing member having a low passage therethrough with ends defining an inlet and an outlet, said valve housing member further having a generally cylindrical key seat with an opening at one end to the exterior of the housing member and an opening at the other end to the flow passage within the interior of the valve housing member, seat means in said housing member; a key member rotatable in said key seat of said housing member and including a valve member for coacting with said valve seat means to open and close said flow passage; means to retain said key member against axial movement relative to said housing member and to prevent said key member from being removed from said housing member, said last-mentioned means including an annular groove in said key seat, an annular groove in said key member opposing said annular groove in said key seat, and a split retaining ring having its inner peripheral edge seated in the annular groove in said key member and its outer peripheral edge seated in the annular groove in said key seat; and means outwardly of said key member retaining means and inwardly of the opening of said key seat to the exterior of said housing member for providing a seal against egress of fluid from the interior to the exterior of the housing member and the ingress of fluid and/or abrasive material from without said housing member to said split retaining ring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A rotary valve assembly comprising: a valve housing member having a low passage therethrough with ends defining an inlet and an outlet, said valve housing member further having a generally cylindrical key seat with an opening at one end to the exterior of the housing member and an opening at the other end to the flow passage within the interior of the valve housing member, seat means in said housing member; a key member rotatable in said key seat of said housing member and including a valve member for coacting with said valve seat means to open and close said flow passage; means to retain said key member against axial movement relative to said housing member and to prevent said key member from being removed from said housing member, said last-mentioned means including an annular groove in said key seat, an annular groove in said key member opposing said annular groove in said key seat, and a split retaining ring having its inner peripheral edge seated in the annular groove in said key member and its outer peripheral edge seated in the annular groove in said key seat; and means outwardly of said key member retaining means and inwardly of the opening of said key seat to the exterior of said housing member for providing a seal against egress of fluid from the interior to the exterior of the housing member and the ingress of fluid and/or abrasive material from without said housing member to said split retaining ring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A rotary valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said sealing means outwardly of said key member retaining means includes an annular packing groove in one of said key seat and said key member, and an O-ring positioned in said groove and of sufficient size in radial section to form a seal between said key seat and said key member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rotary plug valve assembly as claimed in claim 2, including means at least outwardly of said O-ring for preventing corrosion between said key seat and said key member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A rotary valve assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which said last-mentioned means includes an anticorrosive coating on the surface of at least one of said key seat and said key member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rotary valve assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which said split retaining ring is metallic and in which said O-ring seal protects said retaining ring from corrosion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A rotary valve assembly as claimed in claim 4 in which said anticorrosive coating is a galvanized coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A valve assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which said anticorrosive coating is an epoxy resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A rotary valve assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which said anticorrosive coating is a dry film lubricant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rotary valve assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which said valve member is a plug member having a flow-way therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A rotary valve assembled as claimed in claim 9, in which said key member includes a cap member rotatable in said key seat and having a noncircular recess in its inner end and in which said plug member has a reduced portion of noncircular cross section received in said cap member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
A valve assembly as claimed in claim 9, in which the flow-way through said plug member is elongated in cross section and in which said flow passage in said housing member is also elongated in cross section at least in an area where it cooperates with said flow-way through said plug member, and in which said valve seat means includes an elliptical groove in said housing member surrounding the outlet of said flow passage and an O-ring in said elliptical gRoove of sufficient size to seal with said plug.
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) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |