Fluid flow control valves

Claim 2

A fluid flow control valve comprising: a valve casing; an operating mechanism including an axially movable stem extending outwardly of the valve casing; a first annular member coupled to the valve casing and including a part extending from said casing co-axially with the stem outwardly beyond where said stem enters said casing; a second annular member coaxial with the stem and coupled to the stem, the first and second annular members being of such length as to axially overlap in all normal working positions of the stem; and the first annular member being of an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the stem with its outwardly extending part defining a lubricant reservoir surrounding the stem where it enters the casing; and seal means located between the first annular member and the second annular member to form a seal therebetween.

Claim 3

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein said seal means is a lip seal formed on one of said annular members.

Claim 4

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 2 wherein the annular member on which the lip seal is formed is of plastics material, the lip seal also being of plastics material and being formed integrally with the member.

Claim 5

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein a washer closes said reservoir and is positioned to wipe the stem as it passes the washer.

Claim 6

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein the inner one of the annular members is of visual appearance which contrasts with that of the other of the annular members.

Claim 7

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 5 wherein the inner one of the annular members is formed of a plastics material the colour of which contrasts with that of the other of the annular members.

Claim 8

A diaphragm valve comprising a valve body; a bonnet; a diaphragm clamped at its periphery between the valve body and the bonnet; an operating mechanism for moving said diaphragm, the operating mechanism including a stem screw-threadingly engaged with the bonnet and extending outwardly therefrom; a first tubular sleeve surrounding the stem and secured to the bonnet; a second tubular sleeve secured to the stem co-axially with the first tubular sleeve; and seal means providing a sliding seal between said first sleeve and said second sleeve, said first sleeve being of colour which contrasts with that of the second sleeve and being so positioned that when the valve is closed the second sleeve at least substantially completely covers the first sleeve, and said first sleeve being spaced from the stem to define a reservoir which is filled with lubricant.

Claim 9

A diaphragm valve comprising a valve body; a bonnet; a diaphragm clamped at its periphery between the valve body and the bonnet; an operating mechanism for moving said diaphragm, the operating mechanism including a stem screw-threadingly engaged with the bonnet and extending outwardly therefrom; a first tubular sleeve surrounding the stem and secured to the bonnet; a second tubular sleeve secured to the stem co-axially with the first tubular sleeve; and seal means providing a sliding seal between said first sleeve and said second sleeve, said first sleeve being of colour which contrasts with that of the second sleeve and being so positioned that when the valve is closed the second sleeve at least substantially completely covers the first sleeve, and said first sleeve being spaced from the stem to define a reservoir which is filled with lubricant.