Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A plug valve comprising: a body with a cavity of generally circular horizontal cross-sections therein; flow passages in said body terminating in body ports at said cavity; a complementary plug in said cavity for rotational movement therein; and a flow passageway through said plug; a pre-formed liner of yieldable material in said cavity receiving said plug; said body having complete annular, top and bottom surfaces within and around said cavity; and said top surface being larger in diameter than said bottom surface; a pair of generally parallel, substantially axial ribs extending between said top and bottom surfaces on each side of each body port; opposing sides of each pair of said ribs forming between them an axial dovetail groove; the inner surface of said cavity intermediate said ribs merging with said top and bottom surfaces; said liner having annular top and bottom sealing bands received in said top and bottom surfaces of the body; and complementary axial dovetail seal strips received between each of said pairs of ribs to form a radially retained positive interlock therewith, said seal strips interconnecting said sealing bands with the outer surfaces thereof merging therewith; said grooves and said ribs being vertically disposed so that said liner may be inserted axially into said cavity with said seal strips and said ribs interlocked; and spaces between said pairs of seal strips defining port openings; the inner surfaces of said sealing bands and seal strips engaging said plug.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A plug valve comprising: a body with a cavity of generally circular horizontal cross-sections therein; flow passages in said body terminating in body ports at said cavity; a complementary plug in said cavity for rotational movement therein; and a flow passageway through said plug; a pre-formed liner of yieldable material in said cavity receiving said plug; said body having complete annular, top and bottom surfaces within and around said cavity; and said top surface being larger in diameter than said bottom surface; a pair of generally parallel, substantially axial ribs extending between said top and bottom surfaces on each side of each body port; opposing sides of each pair of said ribs forming between them an axial dovetail groove; the inner surface of said cavity intermediate said ribs merging with said top and bottom surfaces; said liner having annular top and bottom sealing bands received in said top and bottom surfaces of the body; and complementary axial dovetail seal strips received between each of said pairs of ribs to form a radially retained positive interlock therewith, said seal strips interconnecting said sealing bands with the outer surfaces thereof merging therewith; said grooves and said ribs being vertically disposed so that said liner may be inserted axially into said cavity with said seal strips and said ribs interlocked; and spaces between said pairs of seal strips defining port openings; the inner surfaces of said sealing bands and seal strips engaging said plug.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The plug valve defined by claim 1 wherein: said ribs increase in radial thickness from said top sealing surface to a level near the bottoms of said port opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The plug valve defined by claim 2 wherein: said plug is of frusto-conical configuration; and said plug flow passageway has generally planar side walls parallel to the axis of said plug. the opening of said flow passageway encompassing a maximum circumference angle of the plug at about said level so that the covering of said flow passageway by a seal strip during rotation of said plug is progressive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The plug valve defined by claim 2 wherein: the inner surface of said cavity intermediate said ribs is approximately cylindrical from said top sealing surface down to said level and then tapers in to merge with said bottom surface; and the inner surfaces of said ribs are frusto conical from said top sealing surface down to about said level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The plug valve defined by claim 1 wherein: said liner is substantially continuous between said seal strips on each side of each of said port openings; and including; vertical depressions adjacent said seal strips received on said body ribs, each forming one side of a dovetail seal strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The plug valve defined by claim 5 wherein: said continuous portion between said depressions on each side of said port openings is thinner than said seal strips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The plug defined by claim 1 wherein: said liner is of a material which is sufficiently rigid that assembly is facilitated by axial insertion thereof into said cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The plug valve defined by claim 1 wherein: said plug is of frusto-conical configuration; and said plug flow passageway and said body ports are complementary and encompass a greater circumferential angle of the plug at the lower end of the flow passageway than at the upper end thereof; and said ribs increase in radial thickness from said upper end of the flow passageway to a level near said lower end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The plug valve defined by claim 1 wherein: said plug and the inner surfaces of said ribs are frusto-conical; and said body ports and flow passageway are generally rectangular.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plug valve defined by claim 1 wherein: all said opposing sides of the ribs are situated on vertical planes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The plug valve defined by claim 10 wherein said vertical planes are parallel to the axis of said cavity.