US4018247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Springless ball valve for high speed compressors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-01-12
•
Granted: 1977-04-19
•
Expires: 1996-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A valve body is provided with a plurality of spaced parallel gas passageways which permit flow through the valve body from one face to the other. Each passage is controlled by a ball valve member which permits unidirectional flow only and which unseats and reseats without requiring springs. The balls seat on seats in the form of frusto-conical surfaces having an included angle of approximately 60°, the preferred range being between 55° and 65°. The ratio of ball diameter to the smallest end of the frusto-conical surface is 1.11 to 1. The balls are guided for substantially linear movement on the axis of the conical surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford H. Carr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/02; F16K15/04; F16K15/042; F16K2200/00; F16K2200/20; F16K2200/203; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7838; Y10T137/7839; Y10T137/7904; Y10T137/7908; Y10T137/7909; Y10T137/791; Y10T137/7922; Y10T137/7927
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A unidirectional flow control valve for high speed gas compressors, said valve including a plurality of loose balls arranged in gas passages through the valve and operable to seat and unseat in response to pressure reversal relative to the balls, each said ball operably supported to be lifted from and return to a seated sealing position in a seat, each said ball further being free from any mechanical constraints against upward movement, other than its own weight, when in the seated position, each said seat comprising a frusto-conical surface with respect to which the ball is centered, the included angle of said frusto-conical surface falling within a range of from about 55° to about 65°, the ratio of the diameter of the ball to the smallest end of the frusto-conical surface being about 1.11 to 1, each said passage further including a chamber above the seat having a diameter greater than the ball, and guide means within the chamber for confining movement of the ball to a substantially vertical path of movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A unidirectional flow control valve for high speed gas compressors, said valve including a plurality of loose balls arranged in gas passages through the valve and operable to seat and unseat in response to pressure reversal relative to the balls, each said ball operably supported to be lifted from and return to a seated sealing position in a seat, each said ball further being free from any mechanical constraints against upward movement, other than its own weight, when in the seated position, each said seat comprising a frusto-conical surface with respect to which the ball is centered, the included angle of said frusto-conical surface falling within a range of from about 55° to about 65°, the ratio of the diameter of the ball to the smallest end of the frusto-conical surface being about 1.11 to 1, each said passage further including a chamber above the seat having a diameter greater than the ball, and guide means within the chamber for confining movement of the ball to a substantially vertical path of movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flow control valve as in claim 1, in which said included angle is substantially 60°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flow control valve as in claim 1, in which the center of each ball is in substantially the same plane as the largest end of the seat.
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) | 1980-04-18 | 1980-10-18 | 1981-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-18 | 1984-10-18 | 1985-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-18 | 1988-10-18 | 1989-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |