US3763880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gate valve structure
Assignee: Mueller Co
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Filing: 1971-06-24
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1991-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A gate valve structure for use in mains carrying fluid under high pressure, the gate valve structure utilizing a non-rising stem type actuating mechanism. The non-rising actuating stem type mechanism includes telescoping stems threadedly engaging one another and in which the threads of the telescoping stems are protected or sealed from the main fluid at all positions of the gate valve. Additionally, the gate valve structure is provided with means for wiping at least the exterior surface of one stem which telescopes into the gate valve member to further protect the threads of the stems from foreign material, such as dirt, abrasives or the like. The top construction of the gate valve structure permits replacement of the upper stem seal in any position of the gate member, the construction also providing for a positive control of the positioning of the upper valve stem irregardless of normal manufacturing tolerances. Compensating spacer means insures a load being placed on the upper stem seal.
Inventors
- 👤 F Hackman
- 👤 L Luckenbill
- 👤 W Leopold
- 👤 J Smith
- 👤 J Daghe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/44; F16K31/50; F16K31/508; F16K3/00; F16K3/28; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/598; Y10T137/6116
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
In a valve assembly having a non-rising valve stem for actuating a valve element in a valve casing, the non-rising stem extending from within the valve casing through a bore in the valve casing to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising an annular shoulder on said stem for operatively and continuously abutting against the interior of the valve casing, retaining means carried on an end portion of said stem exterior of the valve casing for holding said stem against axial movement but permitting rotative movement in the bore in said valve casing, said stem having a circumferential groove on a portion thereof in said bore, first sealing means between said bore and the portion of the valve stem in said bore at a location adjacent where said stem extends from the bore to the exterior of said valve casing, said first sealing means having a predetermined load exerted thereon by said retaining means; a second sealing means between said bore and the portion of the valve stem in said bore providing a continuous seal at all positions of said valve, said second sealing means being spaced beneath said first sealing means, and means carried by said valve casing and cooperating with the circumferential groove to permit said valve stem to be rotated but preventing axial movement of said valve stem when said retaining means is removed to replace said first sealing means, said second sealing means permitting replacement of said first sealing means in full open, full closed and any intermediate position of said valve assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
In a valve assembly having a non-rising valve stem for actuating a valve element in a valve casing, the non-rising stem extending from within the valve casing through a bore in the valve casing to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising an annular shoulder on said stem for operatively and continuously abutting against the interior of the valve casing, retaining means carried on an end portion of said stem exterior of the valve casing for holding said stem against axial movement but permitting rotative movement in the bore in said valve casing, said stem having a circumferential groove on a portion thereof in said bore, first sealing means between said bore and the portion of the valve stem in said bore at a location adjacent where said stem extends from the bore to the exterior of said valve casing, said first sealing means having a predetermined load exerted thereon by said retaining means; a second sealing means between said bore and the portion of the valve stem in said bore providing a continuous seal at all positions of said valve, said second sealing means being spaced beneath said first sealing means, and means carried by said valve casing and cooperating with the circumferential groove to permit said valve stem to be rotated but preventing axial movement of said valve stem when said retaining means is removed to replace said first sealing means, said second sealing means permitting replacement of said first sealing means in full open, full closed and any intermediate position of said valve assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
293 words
In a valve assembly having a non-rising valve stem for actuating a valve element in a valve casing, the non-rising stem extending from within the valve casing through a bore in the valve casing to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising an annular shoulder on said stem for operatively abutting against the interior of the valve casing, retaining means carried on an end portion of said stem exterior of the valve casing for holding said stem against axial movement but permitting rotative movement in the bore in said valve casing, said stem having a circumferential groove on the bore in said valve casing, sealing means between said bore and the portion of the valve stem in said bore, said sealing means having a predetermined load exerted thereon by said retaining means; and means carried by said valve casing and cooperating with the circumferential groove on the portion of said valve stem in the bore of said valve casing, said last mentioned means permitting said valve stem to be rotated but preventing axial movement of said valve stem when said retaining means is removed to replace said sealing means, and said last mentioned means including a hold plug member extending through a threaded bore in said valve casing, and in which said sealing means includes an annular groove in the valve casing surrounding said bore at its end opening to the exterior of the valve casing and an O-ring seal positioned in said groove, said O-ring seal having a radial thickness less than the axial extent of said annular groove, an annular spacer element at least partially positioned in said annular groove against said O-ring seal, said spacer element being urged by said retaining means against said O-ring to apply a predetermined load thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
293 words
In a valve assembly having a non-rising valve stem for actuating a valve element in a valve casing, the non-rising stem extending from within the valve casing through a bore in the valve casing to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising an annular shoulder on said stem for operatively abutting against the interior of the valve casing, retaining means carried on an end portion of said stem exterior of the valve casing for holding said stem against axial movement but permitting rotative movement in the bore in said valve casing, said stem having a circumferential groove on the bore in said valve casing, sealing means between said bore and the portion of the valve stem in said bore, said sealing means having a predetermined load exerted thereon by said retaining means; and means carried by said valve casing and cooperating with the circumferential groove on the portion of said valve stem in the bore of said valve casing, said last mentioned means permitting said valve stem to be rotated but preventing axial movement of said valve stem when said retaining means is removed to replace said sealing means, and said last mentioned means including a hold plug member extending through a threaded bore in said valve casing, and in which said sealing means includes an annular groove in the valve casing surrounding said bore at its end opening to the exterior of the valve casing and an O-ring seal positioned in said groove, said O-ring seal having a radial thickness less than the axial extent of said annular groove, an annular spacer element at least partially positioned in said annular groove against said O-ring seal, said spacer element being urged by said retaining means against said O-ring to apply a predetermined load thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a valve assembly having a non-rising valve stem for actuating a valve element in a valve casing, the non-rising stem extending from within the valve casing through a bore in the valve casing to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising an annular shoulder on said stem for operatively abutting against the interior of the valve casing, retaining means carried on an end portion of said stem exterior of the valve casing for holding said stem against axial movement but permitting rotative movement in the bore in said valve casing, saiD stem having a circumferential groove on the bore in said valve casing, sealing means between said bore and the portion of the valve stem in said bore, said sealing means having a predetermined load exerted thereon by said retaining means; and means carried by said valve casing and cooperating with the circumferential groove on the portion of said valve stem in the bore of said valve casing, said last mentioned means permitting said valve stem to be rotated but preventing axial movement of said valve stem when said retaining means is removed to replace said sealing means, and said retaining means including an adjusting collar threadedly received on the end portion of said stem extending from said valve casing and a lock nut also threadedly received on the end portion of said stem and jammed against said adjusting collar to lock the same in a predetermined position and including an operating nut carried on the end portion of said valve stem outwardly of said lock nut, said operating nut being utilized for rotating said valve stem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a valve assembly having a non-rising valve stem for actuating a valve element in a valve casing, the non-rising stem extending from within the valve casing through a bore in the valve casing to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising an annular shoulder on said stem for operatively abutting against the interior of the valve casing, retaining means carried on an end portion of said stem exterior of the valve casing for holding said stem against axial movement but permitting rotative movement in the bore in said valve casing, saiD stem having a circumferential groove on the bore in said valve casing, sealing means between said bore and the portion of the valve stem in said bore, said sealing means having a predetermined load exerted thereon by said retaining means; and means carried by said valve casing and cooperating with the circumferential groove on the portion of said valve stem in the bore of said valve casing, said last mentioned means permitting said valve stem to be rotated but preventing axial movement of said valve stem when said retaining means is removed to replace said sealing means, and said retaining means including an adjusting collar threadedly received on the end portion of said stem extending from said valve casing and a lock nut also threadedly received on the end portion of said stem and jammed against said adjusting collar to lock the same in a predetermined position and including an operating nut carried on the end portion of said valve stem outwardly of said lock nut, said operating nut being utilized for rotating said valve stem.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A valve assembly as claimed in claim 3, including an anti-friction washer inserted between said adjusting collar and said valve casing, and in which said sealing means comprises an annular groove extending about the bore in said valve casing at its end opening to the exterior thereof, an O-ring seal in said groove, and a compensating spacer element at least partially in said groove and urged against said O-ring by said anti-friction washer so as to apply a predetermined load to said O-ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US178492A
Cited
US3412750A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |