Patent US3599991A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3599991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Auxiliary valve stem seal
Assignee: Grove Valve and Regulator Co
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Filing: 1969-10-31
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1989-10-31
Abstract
Abstract An auxiliary valve stem seal which permits removal and replacement of the main stem packing. An elastomeric ring around the stem inward of the main packing is normally of an inner diameter larger than the stem so that it is ineffective as a seal. A pressure fluid is selectively introduced around the seal ring, causing it to deform to a smaller diameter and seal around the stem. When the main stem packing is repaired and replaced, the sealing pressure fluid is relieved to render the auxiliary seal ineffective.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin G Combes
- 👤 Roger L Ripert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K41/00; F16K41/003; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/002; F16J15/008; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/91; Y10S277/929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a valve structure comprising: a valve body housing having a bonnet with a generally cylindrical opening therein, a complementary, generally cylindrical valve stem extending through said opening, and main packing means sealing off said opening around said valve stem, An auxiliary valve stem seal comprising: a recess in said bonnet around said valve stem inward of said main packing means, a seal ring in said recess normally free of engagement with said valve stem but deformable under pressure differential in a given direction thereacross into sealing engagement around said valve stem; duct means connecting said recess to said valve body housing for introducing relatively high pressure fluid to said recess in said given direction to produce said pressure differential, and valve means selectively operated to block or free said duct means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a valve structure comprising: a valve body housing having a bonnet with a generally cylindrical opening therein, a complementary, generally cylindrical valve stem extending through said opening, and main packing means sealing off said opening around said valve stem, An auxiliary valve stem seal comprising: a recess in said bonnet around said valve stem inward of said main packing means, a seal ring in said recess normally free of engagement with said valve stem but deformable under pressure differential in a given direction thereacross into sealing engagement around said valve stem; duct means connecting said recess to said valve body housing for introducing relatively high pressure fluid to said recess in said given direction to produce said pressure differential, and valve means selectively operated to block or free said duct means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination defined by claim 1 wherein said recess has generally parallel annular sidewalls and a bottom wall concentric with said valve stem, and said seal ring comprises: an elastomeric ring contained in said recess, said seal ring having an undeformed inner diameter larger than that of said valve stem, and said pressure fluid introducing means is selectively operated to bring the bottom of said recess into communication with a source of high pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination defined by claim 1 including: second duct means connecting said recess to atmosphere, said valve means being operable to open said second duct means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination defined by claim 2 wherein: said seal ring normally seals between and against said recess sidewalls to prevent passage of pressure fluid introduced to the bottom of said recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination defined by claim 4 wherein: said seal ring is normally of a cross-sectional dimension axially thereof greater than the distance between said recess sidewalls.
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) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |