Ball valve

Claim 2

Sealing assembly for a rotary ball valve, comprising: an annular seal having a first surface conformingly contacting the ball and a second surface facing oppositely thereto; and a resilient annular retainer having a peripheral edge and an inner edge, said retainer compressingly engaging the second surface of said seal and said retainer inner edge lying in a plane closer to the ball than the plane of said outer edge.

Claim 3

Sealing assembly for a rotary ball within a generally cylindrical housing, comprising: a ring seal having a first surface for contacting the ball, a second surface for bearing against the inner housing wall and a third surface generally opposite said first surface; and a resilient annular retainer received within said housing and compressingly engaging the third seal surface in such a direction as to provide a first force component on the seal in a direction toward the ball and a second force component on the seal toward the housing wall.

Claim 4

Sealing assembly for a rotary ball within a generally cylindrical housing, comprising: a ring seal having a first surface for contacting the ball, a second surface for bearing against the inner housing wall and a third surface generally opposite said first surface; and a resilient annular retainer received within said housing and compressingly engaging the third seal surface in such a direction as to provide a first force component on the seal in a direction toward the ball and a second force component on the seal toward the housing wall.

Claim 5

Sealing assembly as in claim 2, in which the retainer width dimension exceeds the housing inner dimension such that said retainer is placed in compression on installation against the seal.

Claim 6

Sealing assembly as in claim 2, in which the retainer is edge secured within the housing when bearing against the seal.

Claim 7

Sealing assembly as in claim 2, in which the retainer and seal are integrally related prior to installation and are assembled as a unit.

Claim 8

Ball valve apparatus, comprising: hollow cylindrical housing having a relatively constant bore and a pair of spaced recesses on the inner wall; a ball having an opening passing therethrough received within said housing and located between said recesses; means connected to said ball and extending outwardly of said housing for selectively rotating said ball; and first and second sealing means arranged at each side of the ball for preventing fluid flow past said ball except through the baLl opening, each of said sealing means including an annular seal contacting the ball and housing inner wall, and a ringlike seal retainer received within said housing bore with the retainer edge lodged within the recess the dimensions of said retainer exceeding the internal housing bore dimensions whereby said retainer is placed in compression on being installed in said housing.

Claim 9

Ball valve apparatus, comprising: hollow cylindrical housing having a relatively constant bore and a pair of spaced recesses on the inner wall; a ball having an opening passing therethrough received within said housing and located between said recesses; means connected to said ball and extending outwardly of said housing for selectively rotating said ball; and first and second sealing means arranged at each side of the ball for preventing fluid flow past said ball except through the baLl opening, each of said sealing means including an annular seal contacting the ball and housing inner wall, and a ringlike seal retainer received within said housing bore with the retainer edge lodged within the recess the dimensions of said retainer exceeding the internal housing bore dimensions whereby said retainer is placed in compression on being installed in said housing.

Claim 10

Ball valve apparatus as in claim 6, in which said retainer includes a thin annular bandlike body which in the unseated condition is flat and on being compressed during installation said bandlike body cants from the flat condition.

Claim 11

Ball valve apparatus as in claim 6, in which said retainer is encased within said seal.

Claim 12

Ball valve apparatus as in claim 6, in which the housing inner wall surface includes a projecting ridge lying outwardly of each recess.