US3617025A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball valve with retractable seat rings
Assignee: Grove Valve and Regulator Co
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Filing: 1970-07-06
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1990-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A valve seat ring seals against a valve closure on a main sealing diameter. A trailing seal ring and an intermediate seal ring seal between the seat ring and the body on diameters respectively smaller than and larger than the main seal diameter. The annular area between these seal diameters is opposed, at least in part, at the front of the seat ring by body space pressure at a level intermediate the upstream and downstream pressure. This provides a force differential that biases the seat ring forward to seal or rearward to retract, depending upon whether upstream or downstream pressure is introduced between the seal rings.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles C Gerbic
- 👤 Terrence V Molloy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:52
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K5/00; F16K5/08; F16K5/14; F16K5/20; F16K5/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
In a valve construction including: a valve body having inlet and outlet flow passages therethrough, a flow-blocking member movable in said body through a range of movements to block said flow passages in varying degrees, a seat ring assembly in said body around one of said flow passages movable axially into engagement with said flowblocking member, and a sealing ring on said seat ring operative to engage said blocking member on an effective sealing diameter. the improvement comprising: an external trailing cylindrical surface on said seat ring of a diameter less than said effective sealing diameter, a complementary trailing surface on said body slidably receiving said trailing external surface, an axially intermediate external cylindrical surface on said seat ring of a diameter larger than said effective sealing diameter, a complementary intermediate surface on said body slidably receiving said intermediate external surface, means sealing between each of said external surfaces and its complementary surface forming a fluidtight chamber between said intermediate external surface and said trailing complementary surfaces, and fluid duct means for connecting said chamber to a source of pressure lower than that in said inlet flow passage during movement of said flow-blocking member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a valve construction including: a valve body having inlet and outlet flow passages therethrough, a flow-blocking member movable in said body through a range of movements to block said flow passages in varying degrees, a seat ring assembly in said body around one of said flow passages movable axially into engagement with said flowblocking member, and a sealing ring on said seat ring operative to engage said blocking member on an effective sealing diameter. the improvement comprising: an external trailing cylindrical surface on said seat ring of a diameter less than said effective sealing diameter, a complementary trailing surface on said body slidably receiving said trailing external surface, an axially intermediate external cylindrical surface on said seat ring of a diameter larger than said effective sealing diameter, a complementary intermediate surface on said body slidably receiving said intermediate external surface, means sealing between each of said external surfaces and its complementary surface forming a fluidtight chamber between said intermediate external surface and said trailing complementary surfaces, and fluid duct means for connecting said chamber to a source of pressure lower than that in said inlet flow passage during movement of said flow-blocking member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The valve construction defined by claim 1 wherein said last-named means comprises: a first line connected to said outlet passage, and valve means for connecting said first line to said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve construction defined by claim 2 including: a second line connected to said inlet passage, and valve means for connecting said second line to said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The valve construction defined by claim 2 including: a second seat ring assembly of like construction around the other of said flow passages whereby the pressure of fluid in said body between said seat rings is asserted against the fronts of said seat ring assemblies inward to a main seal diameter less than that of the complementary intermediate surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve construction defined by claim 4 including: a second line connected to said inlet passage, and valve means for connecting said second line to said chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The valve construction defined by claim 2 including: a second line connected to said inlet passage, said valve means comprising a three-way valve movable into first and second positions connecting said chambEr with said first and second lines, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The valve construction defined by claim 6 including: a control device for producing a range of signals varying in magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of a fluid characteristic. means connected to said three-way valve for moving said valve into said second position only when said signal is at one predetermined end of said range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The valve construction defined by claim 1 including: stop means on said body for restricting movement of said seat ring assembly away from said flow-blocking member.
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) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |