US3576309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Top entry ball valve
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1969-02-19
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Granted: 1971-04-27
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Expires: 1989-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A rotary-type top entry ball valve, with a ball closure element and a seat assembly that are installed in the valve body and removed therefrom as a unit. The seat assembly includes annular ball element seats, retainers for supporting the seats and ball element, springs for biasing the seats into sealing engagement with the ball element, seat inserts supporting the springs and assisting in sealing the assembly to the valve body, and an assembly retainer sleeve with a dual function of holding the seat assembly together as a unit and providing a seal between it and the valve.
Inventors
- 👤 John P Zawacki
- 👤 Ervin A Buchta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:35
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K5/00; F16K5/06; F16K5/0626; F16K5/0636; F16K5/0663; F16K5/0689; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/598; Y10T137/6154
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
In a rotary ball valve comprising a valve bonnet, a valve body having a valve chamber and a pair of flow openings communicating with said chamber, and a ball closure element having a diametrical bore, a seat assembly surrounding said ball closure element and positioned in said valve chamber, said seat assembly comprising: a. annular seats for providing a fluidtight seal between said assembly and said ball closure element; b. seat retainers surrounding said ball closure element having bores for slidably supporting said annular seats; c. spring means in said seat retainer bores biasing said seats against said ball closure element; d. annular seat inserts in said seat retainer bores axially supporting said springs; and e. an assembly retainer sleeve slidably surrounding said seat retainers and having lateral bores coaxial with said seat retainer bores and registrable with said valve body flow openings, said seat inserts extending into said lateral bores, said assembly retainer sleeve holding said seat assembly together as a self-supporting unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a rotary ball valve comprising a valve bonnet, a valve body having a valve chamber and a pair of flow openings communicating with said chamber, and a ball closure element having a diametrical bore, a seat assembly surrounding said ball closure element and positioned in said valve chamber, said seat assembly comprising: a. annular seats for providing a fluidtight seal between said assembly and said ball closure element; b. seat retainers surrounding said ball closure element having bores for slidably supporting said annular seats; c. spring means in said seat retainer bores biasing said seats against said ball closure element; d. annular seat inserts in said seat retainer bores axially supporting said springs; and e. an assembly retainer sleeve slidably surrounding said seat retainers and having lateral bores coaxial with said seat retainer bores and registrable with said valve body flow openings, said seat inserts extending into said lateral bores, said assembly retainer sleeve holding said seat assembly together as a self-supporting unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A valve according to claim 1 wherein said assembly retainer sleeve establishes a seal between said assembly, said valve body, and said bonnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A valve according to claim 2 wherein said valve bonnet has means for exerting a compressive force on said assembly retainer sleeve to urge said sleeve into tight contact with said valve body, said heat inserts, and said seat retainers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A valve according to claim 2 wherein said valve chamber and said assembly retainer sleeve are cylindrical, and said seat assembly is slidable axially into and out of said valve chamber as a unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A valve according to claim 4 wherein said seat retainers are of semicylindrical configuration with flat side surfaces that are relieved to accommodate yet not contact said ball closure element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A valve according to claim 1 wherein said valve body and said seat retainers have cooperating means for orienting said seat assembly in said valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A valve according to claim 1 wherein said seat retainers have means for securing seat assembly manipulation means thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
174 words
A seat assembly for a ball valve, said valve comprising a valve bonnet, a body having a valve chamber and a pair of flow openings communicating with said chamber, and a ball closure element with a diametrical bore, said assembly comprising: a. annular seats for providing a fluidtight seal between said assembly and said ball closure element; b. seat retainers for surrounding said ball closure element and having bores for Slidably supporting said annular seats; c. spring means in said seat retainer bores for biasing said seats against said ball closure element; d. annular seat inserts in said seat retainer bores for providing support between said springs and the valve body; and e. an assembly retainer sleeve slidably surrounding said seat retainers and having lateral bores coaxial with said seat retainer bores and registrable with said valve body flow openings, said seat inserts extending into said lateral bores, and said assembly retainer sleeve holding said seat assembly together whereby said assembly is insertable into and removable from said valve chamber as a self-supporting unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
174 words
A seat assembly for a ball valve, said valve comprising a valve bonnet, a body having a valve chamber and a pair of flow openings communicating with said chamber, and a ball closure element with a diametrical bore, said assembly comprising: a. annular seats for providing a fluidtight seal between said assembly and said ball closure element; b. seat retainers for surrounding said ball closure element and having bores for Slidably supporting said annular seats; c. spring means in said seat retainer bores for biasing said seats against said ball closure element; d. annular seat inserts in said seat retainer bores for providing support between said springs and the valve body; and e. an assembly retainer sleeve slidably surrounding said seat retainers and having lateral bores coaxial with said seat retainer bores and registrable with said valve body flow openings, said seat inserts extending into said lateral bores, and said assembly retainer sleeve holding said seat assembly together whereby said assembly is insertable into and removable from said valve chamber as a self-supporting unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A seat assembly according to claim 8 wherein said retainer sleeve establishes a seal between said assembly, valve body, and bonnet.
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) | 1974-04-26 | 1974-10-26 | 1975-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-26 | 1978-10-26 | 1979-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-26 | 1982-10-26 | 1983-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |