US4296913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball valve
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-06-19
•
Granted: 1981-10-27
•
Expires: 1999-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A ball valve having a floating ball and an actuator for rotating the ball reduces operating torques by imparting an initial movement to the ball other than in the valve opening and closing rotation. This initial movement overcomes the adhesion friction, facilitating opening of the valve. The initial movement may be imparted by an asymmetrical configuration in the actuator or ball or means of a spring interposed between the two.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst H. J. Hoyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K5/00; F16K5/06; F16K5/0647; F16K5/08; F16K5/14; F16K5/20; F16K5/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A ball valve comprising: a housing having inlet and outlet openings for a flow medium; a perforated ball floatingly supported in a pair of rings in the housing for rotation about first and second rotary axes displaced from each other and extending through the center of the ball, said ball being rotatable about said first rotary axis to a first position in which the ball connects the inlet and outlet openings and to a second position in which the ball interrupts the inlet and outlet openings; and an actuator rotatable with the ball and in engagement therewith, said ball and actuator being so formed that their coaction is capable of imparting an initial movement to the ball about said second rotary axis for overcoming adhesion friction of the ball and thereafter imparts a rotation to the ball about said first rotary axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A ball valve comprising: a housing having inlet and outlet openings for a flow medium; a perforated ball floatingly supported in a pair of rings in the housing for rotation about first and second rotary axes displaced from each other and extending through the center of the ball, said ball being rotatable about said first rotary axis to a first position in which the ball connects the inlet and outlet openings and to a second position in which the ball interrupts the inlet and outlet openings; and an actuator rotatable with the ball and in engagement therewith, said ball and actuator being so formed that their coaction is capable of imparting an initial movement to the ball about said second rotary axis for overcoming adhesion friction of the ball and thereafter imparts a rotation to the ball about said first rotary axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ball valve according to claim 1 wherein the ball and actuator are so formed as to impart an initial movement to the ball about a second rotary axis normal to the first rotary axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The ball valve according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the actuator has a part extending into a slit of the ball and wherein one of said part and slit is generally rectilinear in form in a plane normal to the first rotary axis and the other is asymmetrically formed in a plane normal to the first rotary axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The ball valve according to claim 3 wherein said actuator part is asymmetrically formed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ball valve according to claim 4 wherein the part of the actuator is formed as an eccentric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ball valve according to claim 4 wherein the part of the actuator is wedge-shaped in form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ball valve according to claim 3 wherein the slit is asymmetrically formed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ball valve according to claim 7 wherein the slit is wedge shaped in form.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ball valve according to claim 1 wherein a part of the actuator extends into a slit of the ball and wherein a plate-formed spring is arranged between the part and a side of the slit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ball valve according to claim 1 wherein the actuator is formed with a plate having a pair of holes and the ball is formed with two projections extending into said holes, at least one of said holes and projections being arranged asymmetrically about the first rotary axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The ball valve according to claim 1 wherein the actuator has a plate containing a pair of holes arranged symmetrically about the first rotary axis and the ball has a pair of pins inserted in said holes, one of said pins corresponding in dimension to the hole and the other pins being formed smaller than the hole and arranged asymmetrically.
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) | 1984-10-26 | 1985-04-27 | 1985-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-26 | 1989-04-27 | 1989-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-26 | 1993-04-27 | 1993-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |