US3580539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve seal and system
Assignee: MALONEY PIPELINE SYSTEMS Inc HOUSTON TEXAS A CORP OF DELAWARE
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Filing: 1968-01-15
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A hydraulically retractable valve seal comprising a sleeve seat member mounted for limited sliding movement in a counterbored flow passage of a valve. The seat member is biased toward the closure member of the valve by springs mounted between an outwardly flaring flange portion of the seat member and the valve body. A resilient sealing member is mounted on the inner face of the seat member for sealing contact with the valve closure member. An annular chamber is formed between the counterbore of the valve body and the cylindrical exterior of the seat member. This chamber is sealed at one end by a stationary ring seal connected to the valve body and at the other end by a ring seal connected to the seat member flange for sliding contact with the counterbore. The annular chamber is connected to a pressure source for selectively overcoming the spring bias to retract the seat member and consequently the sealing member from sealing contact with the valve closure member. Also, a system employing a valve equipped with the seal described comprising an electrical power source for energizing relay and time delay devices to first activate a pump for retracting the seal then second activate an operator for rotating the valve closure member only after the seal is completely disengaged therefrom. A limit switch attached to the operator deenergizes the electrical circuits, after complete rotation of the closure member, to stop the pump and relieve pressure from the annular chamber of the valve seal. The seal once again engages the closure member under spring bias.
Inventors
- 👤 Davis A Van Scoy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:02
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/26; F16L55/46; F16K; F16K5/00; F16K5/08; F16K5/14; F16K5/20; F16K5/205; G; G01; G01F; G01F25/00; G01F25/10; G01F25/11; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/4891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
In a valve having a body with flow ports and a member positionable within said body to direct or block flow through said body, sealing apparatus for sealing between said body and said positionable member comprising, sealing means mounted in at least one of said flow ports in sealing contact with said positionable member comprising a longitudinally sliding sleeve seat member having an annular extending lip member at one end thereof and a resilient seal ring at the opposite end thereof, no external diameter of said sleeve member between said lip member and said seal ring being greater than the diameter of said annular lip or less than the sealing diameter of said seal ring an isolated annular pressure chamber being at least partially defined by the exterior of said sleeve member, one side of said lip member and the bore of said flow port, the opposite side of said lip member being subjected to the pressure in said valve port within which said seat member is mounted, and remotely operable means hydraulically connected to said isolated chamber for retracting said sealing means within said port from engagement with said positionable member without moving said positionable member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a valve having a body with flow ports and a member positionable within said body to direct or block flow through said body, sealing apparatus for sealing between said body and said positionable member comprising, sealing means mounted in at least one of said flow ports in sealing contact with said positionable member comprising a longitudinally sliding sleeve seat member having an annular extending lip member at one end thereof and a resilient seal ring at the opposite end thereof, no external diameter of said sleeve member between said lip member and said seal ring being greater than the diameter of said annular lip or less than the sealing diameter of said seal ring an isolated annular pressure chamber being at least partially defined by the exterior of said sleeve member, one side of said lip member and the bore of said flow port, the opposite side of said lip member being subjected to the pressure in said valve port within which said seat member is mounted, and remotely operable means hydraulically connected to said isolated chamber for retracting said sealing means within said port from engagement with said positionable member without moving said positionable member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sealing apparatus of claim 1 in which said sealing means comprises resilient means biasing said seat member toward said positionable member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
211 words
In a valve having a body with flow ports and a member within said body positionable to direct or block flow through said body, sealing apparatus for sealing between said body and said positionable member comprising, a sleevelike seat member mounted in at least one of said flow ports for limited longitudinal movement therein and having an annular extension thereon the diameter of which is greater than the remaining exterior of said seat member, an annular sealing member mounted on said seat member confronting said positionable member in sealing contact therewith, the sealing diameter of said sealing member being less than any exterior diameter of said seat member, resilient means between said seat member and said body urging said sealing member into said sealing contact, pressure chamber means at least partially defined by said body, one annular surface of said annular extension and the exterior of said seat member, annular seals surrounding said exterior aNd larger diameter annular extension providing sliding seals between said exterior and annular extension and cooperating cylindrical surfaces adjacent thereto, and conduit means providing pressure communication between said chamber means and an external pressure source whereby pressure may be selectively introduced to said chamber to retract said sealing member from said sealing contact with said positionable member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
211 words
In a valve having a body with flow ports and a member within said body positionable to direct or block flow through said body, sealing apparatus for sealing between said body and said positionable member comprising, a sleevelike seat member mounted in at least one of said flow ports for limited longitudinal movement therein and having an annular extension thereon the diameter of which is greater than the remaining exterior of said seat member, an annular sealing member mounted on said seat member confronting said positionable member in sealing contact therewith, the sealing diameter of said sealing member being less than any exterior diameter of said seat member, resilient means between said seat member and said body urging said sealing member into said sealing contact, pressure chamber means at least partially defined by said body, one annular surface of said annular extension and the exterior of said seat member, annular seals surrounding said exterior aNd larger diameter annular extension providing sliding seals between said exterior and annular extension and cooperating cylindrical surfaces adjacent thereto, and conduit means providing pressure communication between said chamber means and an external pressure source whereby pressure may be selectively introduced to said chamber to retract said sealing member from said sealing contact with said positionable member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sealing apparatus of claim 3 in which said seating member has opposed annular surfaces, one subjected to the pressure in said chamber means and another subjected to the pressure in said port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The sealing apparatus of claim 3 in which said positionable member has a ball-shaped exterior and a generally cylindrical passageway into its interior, said passageway and said ball-shaped exterior being joined by an annular rounded lip, said sealing member having a plurality of annular rounded surfaces confluently joined and confronting said lip in sealing engagement therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
Automatically operable apparatus for use with a valve having a movable flow control member therein and operator means for moving said flow control member, said apparatus comprising; hydraulically retractable seal means in sealing contact with said flow control member; pressure producing means hydraulically connected to said seal means; and power apparatus connected to said pressure producing means, said power apparatus being adapted, on a signal, to start said pressure producing means for retracting said seal means, then after predetermined movement of said flow control member to stop said pressure producing means to allow said seal means to reengage said flow control member, characterized in that said power apparatus includes a switch associated with said flow control member so that, after movement of said control member, said switch is caused to interrupt power supplied to said pressure producing means to allow said reengagement of said seal means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
146 words
Automatically operable apparatus for use with a valve having a movable flow control member therein and operator means for moving said flow control member, said apparatus comprising; hydraulically retractable seal means in sealing contact with said flow control member; pressure producing means hydraulically connected to said seal means; and power apparatus connected to said pressure producing means, said power apparatus being adapted, on a signal, to start said pressure producing means for retracting said seal means, then after predetermined movement of said flow control member to stop said pressure producing means to allow said seal means to reengage said flow control member, characterized in that said power apparatus includes a switch associated with said flow control member so that, after movement of said control member, said switch is caused to interrupt power supplied to said pressure producing means to allow said reengagement of said seal means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
Automatically operable apparatus for use with a valve having a movable flow control member therein and operator means for moving said flow control member, said apparatus comprising; hydraulically retractable seal means in sealing contact with said flow control member; pressure producing means hydraulically connected to said seal means; and power apparatus connected to said pressure producing means, said power apparatus being adapted, on a signal, to start said pressure producing means for retracting said seal means, then after predetermined movement of said flow control member to stop said pressure producing means to allow said seal means to reengage said flow control member, characterized in that said power apparatus comprises timer means which is adapted to prevent movement of said flow control means until said seal means has been retracted from said flow control member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
Automatically operable apparatus for use with a valve having a movable flow control member therein and operator means for moving said flow control member, said apparatus comprising; hydraulically retractable seal means in sealing contact with said flow control member; pressure producing means hydraulically connected to said seal means; and power apparatus connected to said pressure producing means, said power apparatus being adapted, on a signal, to start said pressure producing means for retracting said seal means, then after predetermined movement of said flow control member to stop said pressure producing means to allow said seal means to reengage said flow control member, characterized in that said power apparatus comprises timer means which is adapted to prevent movement of said flow control means until said seal means has been retracted from said flow control member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
Automatically operable apparatus for use with a valve having a movable flow control member therein and operator means for moving said flow control member, said apparatus comprising; hydraulically retractable seal means in sealing contact with said flow control member; pressure producing means hydraulically connected to said seal means; and electrical apparatus connected to said pressure producing means and said operator means, said electrical apparatus being adapted, on a signal, to i. start said pressure producing means for retracting said seal means, ii. after a time delay, energize said operator means for moving said flow control member, and iii. after movement of said flow control member, stop said pressure producing means to allow said seal means to reengage said flow control member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
121 words
Automatically operable apparatus for use with a valve having a movable flow control member therein and operator means for moving said flow control member, said apparatus comprising; hydraulically retractable seal means in sealing contact with said flow control member; pressure producing means hydraulically connected to said seal means; and electrical apparatus connected to said pressure producing means and said operator means, said electrical apparatus being adapted, on a signal, to i. start said pressure producing means for retracting said seal means, ii. after a time delay, energize said operator means for moving said flow control member, and iii. after movement of said flow control member, stop said pressure producing means to allow said seal means to reengage said flow control member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
196 words
A meter prover having a sphere transfer valve therein, said valve comprising: a body with ports, at least one of said ports opening to the atmosphere and the other ports being in areas of substantially equal pressure; a closure member within said body movable to posiTions of either blocking or allowing flow through said ports, sealing means surrounding at least one of said other ports for sealingly engaging said body and said closure member in both said flow blocking or allowing positions under conditions of no pressure differential across said valve and under conditions of substantial pressure differential across said valve, said sealing means comprising an intermediate cylindrical sleeve portion with an annular head portion at one end and a resilient seal portion at the opposite end, the diameter of said intermediate portion being less than the diameter of said head portion but no less than the sealing diameter of said seal portion, said portions presenting lateral areas substantially perpendicular to the axis of the port which it surrounds, and means for moving the sealing means out of sealing engagement with said closure member without changing the relative positions of said body and said closure member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
196 words
A meter prover having a sphere transfer valve therein, said valve comprising: a body with ports, at least one of said ports opening to the atmosphere and the other ports being in areas of substantially equal pressure; a closure member within said body movable to posiTions of either blocking or allowing flow through said ports, sealing means surrounding at least one of said other ports for sealingly engaging said body and said closure member in both said flow blocking or allowing positions under conditions of no pressure differential across said valve and under conditions of substantial pressure differential across said valve, said sealing means comprising an intermediate cylindrical sleeve portion with an annular head portion at one end and a resilient seal portion at the opposite end, the diameter of said intermediate portion being less than the diameter of said head portion but no less than the sealing diameter of said seal portion, said portions presenting lateral areas substantially perpendicular to the axis of the port which it surrounds, and means for moving the sealing means out of sealing engagement with said closure member without changing the relative positions of said body and said closure member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
The meter prover of claim 9 in which the lateral area of said sealing means exposed to the pressure in said port is greater facing away from said closure member than the lateral area so exposed and facing toward said closure member when said sealing means is in the nonengaging position biasing said sealing member toward said closure member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The meter prover of claim 10 in which said biasing is further aided by resilient means disposed in said valve.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a valve having a body with ports and a movable flow control member therein, sealing means for sealing engagement with said body and said flow control member comprising: a sleevelike seat member mounted for sliding longitudinal movement in at least one of said ports and having an annular seal ring at one end thereof confronting said flow control member for sealing engagement therewith. A larger diameter annular head portion at the opposite end thereof and an intermediate portion of a smaller diameter, a removable annular body ring sealingly attached to said body, said intermediate and head portions of said seat member being in sliding sealing contact with said port and said body ring, respectively, forming a variable volume annular pressure chamber at least partially defined by an annular surface on said body ring, a first annular surface on said head portion, the wall of said port and the exterior of said intermediate portion, and means for introducing an external pressure source to said pressure chamber for retracting said seat member from sealing engagement with said flow control member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a valve having a body with ports and a movable flow control member therein, sealing means for sealing engagement with said body and said flow control member comprising: a sleevelike seat member mounted for sliding longitudinal movement in at least one of said ports and having an annular seal ring at one end thereof confronting said flow control member for sealing engagement therewith. A larger diameter annular head portion at the opposite end thereof and an intermediate portion of a smaller diameter, a removable annular body ring sealingly attached to said body, said intermediate and head portions of said seat member being in sliding sealing contact with said port and said body ring, respectively, forming a variable volume annular pressure chamber at least partially defined by an annular surface on said body ring, a first annular surface on said head portion, the wall of said port and the exterior of said intermediate portion, and means for introducing an external pressure source to said pressure chamber for retracting said seat member from sealing engagement with said flow control member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The valve of claim 12 characterized in that the head end of said seat member is exposed to the pressure within said valve port, the lateral area exposed to said port pressure at said head end being greater than the opposing lateral areas exposed to said port pressure at the seal end of said seat member when said seat member is retracted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve of claim 13 characterized by resilient means adjacent said seat member head end biasing said seat member toward sealing engagement with said flow control member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |