US3784155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball and seat arrangement for ball valve
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1973-04-13
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1993-04-13
Abstract
Abstract The purpose of the invention is to eliminate or minimize seat seal damage which occurs when opening a ball valve under full differential pressure. The seat seals are angularly displaced from the conventional position of 45* to the valve axis, to a position closer to the axis. The spherical seating surfaces of the ball extend equally on either side of the 45* lines. As the ball rotates to open the valve or to close the valve, the seal is first uncovered where the ball and seat form a metal to metal back-up downstream of the seal, which protects the seal against blowout or damage.
Inventors
- 👤 J Tomlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:35
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K5/00; F16K5/06; F16K5/0663; F16K5/0673; F16K5/08; F16K5/14; F16K5/20; F16K5/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A spherical plug valve comprising a body having coaxial cylindrical inlet and outlet passages, a rotatable generally spherical plug having an axial flow passage adapted to be aligned with the inlet and outlet passages, said body having opposed upstream and downstream annular seats about the inlet and outlet passage and adapted to engage the spherical plug, said plug having a pair of opposed annular surfaces of spherical contour extending about the flow passage and adapted to engage said seats in the fully open position of the spherical plug, a separate pair of opposed annular surfaces of spherical contour on the plug positioned at right angles to said first mentioned pair of opposed annular surfaces and adapted to engage said seats in the fully closed position of the spherical plug, each seat having a ring seal thereon for engaging the annular surface, said annular spherical surfaces each having an innermost peripheral nose portion and an outermost peripheral nose portion, the innermost nose portion in the seated position of the plug at fully open and fully closed positions being closer to the ring seal than the outermost nose portion whereby the plug first uncovers a portion of the upstream seal upon movement of the plug from fully open and fully closed positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A spherical plug valve comprising a body having coaxial cylindrical inlet and outlet passages, a rotatable generally spherical plug having an axial flow passage adapted to be aligned with the inlet and outlet passages, said body having opposed upstream and downstream annular seats about the inlet and outlet passage and adapted to engage the spherical plug, said plug having a pair of opposed annular surfaces of spherical contour extending about the flow passage and adapted to engage said seats in the fully open position of the spherical plug, a separate pair of opposed annular surfaces of spherical contour on the plug positioned at right angles to said first mentioned pair of opposed annular surfaces and adapted to engage said seats in the fully closed position of the spherical plug, each seat having a ring seal thereon for engaging the annular surface, said annular spherical surfaces each having an innermost peripheral nose portion and an outermost peripheral nose portion, the innermost nose portion in the seated position of the plug at fully open and fully closed positions being closer to the ring seal than the outermost nose portion whereby the plug first uncovers a portion of the upstream seal upon movement of the plug from fully open and fully closed positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A spherical plug valve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seats are annular members axially slidable in said body, and spring means are mounted between the body and seats for urging the seats into engagement with said plug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
A spherical plug valve comprising a body having coaxial cylindrical inlet and outlet passages, a rotatable generally spherical plug having an axial flow passage adapted to be aligned with the inlet and outlet passages, said body having opposed upstream and downstream annular seats about the inlet and outlet passages and adapted to engage the spherical plug, said plug having a pair oF opposed annular surfaces of spherical contour extending about the flow passage and adapted to engage said seats in the fully open position of the spherical plug, a separate pair of opposed annular surfaces of spherical contour on the plug positioned on the closed sides of the plug at right angles to said first mentioned pair of opposed annular surfaces and adapted to engage said seats in the fully closed position of the spherical plug, each seat having a ring seal thereon for engaging the annular surface, said annular spherical surfaces each having an innermost peripheral nose portion and an outermost peripheral nose portion, the innermost nose portion in the seated position of the plug at fully open and fully closed position being closer to the ring seal than the outermost nose portion, said plug being truncated on the closed sides of the plug and defining the innermost peripheral nose portions on said separate pair of opposed annular surfaces whereby the plug upon movement from the fully closed position toward open position first uncovers a portion of the upstream seal and fluid pressure is communicated past the associated nose portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
251 words
A spherical plug valve comprising a body having coaxial cylindrical inlet and outlet passages, a rotatable generally spherical plug having an axial flow passage adapted to be aligned with the inlet and outlet passages, said body having opposed upstream and downstream annular seats about the inlet and outlet passages and adapted to engage the spherical plug, said plug having a pair oF opposed annular surfaces of spherical contour extending about the flow passage and adapted to engage said seats in the fully open position of the spherical plug, a separate pair of opposed annular surfaces of spherical contour on the plug positioned on the closed sides of the plug at right angles to said first mentioned pair of opposed annular surfaces and adapted to engage said seats in the fully closed position of the spherical plug, each seat having a ring seal thereon for engaging the annular surface, said annular spherical surfaces each having an innermost peripheral nose portion and an outermost peripheral nose portion, the innermost nose portion in the seated position of the plug at fully open and fully closed position being closer to the ring seal than the outermost nose portion, said plug being truncated on the closed sides of the plug and defining the innermost peripheral nose portions on said separate pair of opposed annular surfaces whereby the plug upon movement from the fully closed position toward open position first uncovers a portion of the upstream seal and fluid pressure is communicated past the associated nose portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A spherical plug valve as set forth in claim 3 wherein the outermost nose portions at the annular surfaces about the flow passage are defined by annular grooves.
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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |