US3794291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball valve apparatus
Assignee: Kitamura Valve Mfg Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-08-17
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1992-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A ball valve apparatus having a hollow housing in which a spherical valve member is rotatably received. The housing has fluid passages in each of which is axially movably disposed a retainer sleeve having its inner end face formed therein with an annular groove into which a seal ring is fitted for sealing engagement with the valve member. The retainer sleeve has an axially inwardly and radially outwardly inclined outer peripheral surface which cooperates with an inner surface portion of the housing to define an annular space which communicates with the corresponding fluid passage and in which an O-ring is received. The O-ring is radially outwardly and axially inwardly displaceable along the inclined outer surface of the retainer sleeve by the pressure within the fluid passage whereby the Oring is expanded to exert an increased axial inward biasing pressure force to the retainer sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 R Suyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:13
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K5/00; F16K5/06; F16K5/0663; F16K5/0673
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A ball valve apparatus comprising: a. a valve housing having fluid passages formed thereon, said housing having a substantially spherical chamber and defining a generally radially outwardly and axially inwardly inclined annular inner surface extending to each of said fluid passages; b. a rotatable spherical valve member for opening and closing said fluid passages; c. an annular retainer member disposed within each of said fluid passages for axial movement with respect thereto; each of said fluid passages and said corresponding retainer members defining a slight gap therebetween, said retainer member having a radially outwardly and axially inwardly extending inclined peripheral outer surface disposed so as to define an annular space between said retaining member and said inner surface of said housing, and a sealing means at the axial inner end thereof; d. a resilient annular packing member disposed in said annular space between said outer peripheral surface of said retainer member and said inner surface of said housing may be displaced by pressure changes in said fluid passage such that the diameter of said resilient member is increased thereby, creating a force which urges said sealing means of said retainer member against said valve; wherein said radially outwardly and axially inwardly extending inclined annular inner surface of said housing is substantially parallel to said radially outwardly and axially inwardly extending inclined peripheral outer surface of said retainer member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A ball valve apparatus comprising: a. a valve housing having fluid passages formed thereon, said housing having a substantially spherical chamber and defining a generally radially outwardly and axially inwardly inclined annular inner surface extending to each of said fluid passages; b. a rotatable spherical valve member for opening and closing said fluid passages; c. an annular retainer member disposed within each of said fluid passages for axial movement with respect thereto; each of said fluid passages and said corresponding retainer members defining a slight gap therebetween, said retainer member having a radially outwardly and axially inwardly extending inclined peripheral outer surface disposed so as to define an annular space between said retaining member and said inner surface of said housing, and a sealing means at the axial inner end thereof; d. a resilient annular packing member disposed in said annular space between said outer peripheral surface of said retainer member and said inner surface of said housing may be displaced by pressure changes in said fluid passage such that the diameter of said resilient member is increased thereby, creating a force which urges said sealing means of said retainer member against said valve; wherein said radially outwardly and axially inwardly extending inclined annular inner surface of said housing is substantially parallel to said radially outwardly and axially inwardly extending inclined peripheral outer surface of said retainer member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radially outwardly and axially inwardly extending inclined peripheral outer surface of said retainer member has at least three annular shoulders, and said radially outwardly and axially inwardly extending annular inner surface of said valve housing has at least three annular shoulders disposed in relation to said annular shoulders of said retainer member such that said resilient annular member, when disposed between said shoulders, will have a limited range within which said diameter may be expanded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an annular spring for resiliently axially inwardly biasing said sealing means of said retainer member against said valve member is disposed so as To engage said radially outwardly and axially inwardly inclined annular surface of said inner surface of said housing with said radially outwardly and axially inwardly inclined peripheral outer surface of said retainer member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |