US4303223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve facing for sliding valve elements or the like
Assignee: Mueller Co
•
Filing: 1978-08-03
•
Granted: 1981-12-01
•
Expires: 1998-08-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved valve facing for one member of relatively sliding gate valve members. More specifically, the improved valve facing has foamed polymeric core and an impervious and solid polymeric outer surface. This combination provides the necessary resilient and deformable characteristics for effecting a long-life seal between the sliding members of the gate valve. When the valve is a drain valve of a fire hydrant most unexpected results are obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred S. Whisenhunt
- 👤 Lloyd J. Street
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:43
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03B; E03B9/00; E03B9/02; E03B9/04; F; F16; F16K; F16K3/00; F16K3/22; F16K3/24; F16K3/26; F16K3/267; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/5327; Y10T137/5392
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
In a valve assembly subject to liquid under high pressures, said valve assembly having valve members including a valve seat and a valve element which is slidably movable relative to the valve seat to open and close the valve assembly and a resilient and deformable valve facing on one of the said valve members whereby the valve facing contacts the other valve member when the valve assembly is closed to tightly wedge and seal the closed valve assembly against liquid leakage, the improvement wherein the valve facing comprises a resilient and deformable foamed polymeric core and an impervious, abrasion resistant solid polymeric outer surface which overlays the foamed core at every point where the valve facing contacts the other valve member and the ratio of the thickness of the foamed core to the thickness of the outer surface is about 0.5:1 up to about 5:1.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a valve assembly subject to liquid under high pressures, said valve assembly having valve members including a valve seat and a valve element which is slidably movable relative to the valve seat to open and close the valve assembly and a resilient and deformable valve facing on one of the said valve members whereby the valve facing contacts the other valve member when the valve assembly is closed to tightly wedge and seal the closed valve assembly against liquid leakage, the improvement wherein the valve facing comprises a resilient and deformable foamed polymeric core and an impervious, abrasion resistant solid polymeric outer surface which overlays the foamed core at every point where the valve facing contacts the other valve member and the ratio of the thickness of the foamed core to the thickness of the outer surface is about 0.5:1 up to about 5:1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer surface overlays the foamed core at every point where the valve facing contacts the valve member carrying the valve facing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The valve assembly of claim 2 wherein the valve facing has at least one attaching device receiving aperture which extends from the side of the valve facing contacting one valve member to the side of the valve facing contacting the other valve member and the outer surface overlays the foamed core at every point except at the said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve assembly of claim 3 wherein the outer surface also overlays the said aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve assembly of claim 4 wherein there is a plurality of the said apertures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer surface comprises substantially unfoamed polymeric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve assembly of claim 6 wherein the outer surface comprises foamed polymeric material which has been collapsed to a non-foamed state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The valve assembly of claim 6 wherein the outer surface comprises foamable but unfoamed polymeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The valve assembly of claim 8 wherein the outer surface contains a blowing agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The valve assembly of claim 6 wherein the outer surface contains no blowing agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the said ratio is about 1:1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The valve assembly of claim 11 wherein the said ratio is about 1.5:1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material of the core is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, natural and synthetic rubbers and polyester.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The valve assembly of claim 13 wherein the core material and the outer surface material are the same polymeric material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material of the outer surface is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluroethylene and polyesters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the core material is a material different from the outer surface material and the outer surface material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyesters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve assembly of claim 16, wherein the outer surface comprises foamed polymeric material which has been collapsed to a non-foamed state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The valve assembly of claim 16, wherein the polymeric material of the core is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, natural and synthetic rubbers and polyester.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a valve assembly subject to liquid under high pressures, said valve assembly having valve members including a valve seat and a valve element which is slidably movable relative to the valve seat to open and close the valve assembly and a resilient and deformable valve facing on one of the said valve members whereby the valve facing contacts the other valve member when the valve assembly is closed to tightly wedge and seal the closed valve assembly against liquid leakage, the improvement wherein the valve facing comprises a resilient and deformable foamed polymeric core and an impervious, abrasion resistant solid polymeric outer surface which overlays the foamed core at every point where the valve facing contacts the other valve member, the ratio of the thickness of the foamed core to the thickness of the outer surface is about 0.5:1 up to about 5:1 and thus providing sufficient compressiveness and sufficient outer space material to allow for loss thereof by abrasion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a valve assembly subject to liquid under high pressures, said valve assembly having valve members including a valve seat and a valve element which is slidably movable relative to the valve seat to open and close the valve assembly and a resilient and deformable valve facing on one of the said valve members whereby the valve facing contacts the other valve member when the valve assembly is closed to tightly wedge and seal the closed valve assembly against liquid leakage, the improvement wherein the valve facing comprises a resilient and deformable foamed polymeric core and an impervious, abrasion resistant solid polymeric outer surface which overlays the foamed core at every point where the valve facing contacts the other valve member, the ratio of the thickness of the foamed core to the thickness of the outer surface is about 0.5:1 up to about 5:1 and thus providing sufficient compressiveness and sufficient outer space material to allow for loss thereof by abrasion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The valve assembly of claim 19, wherein said valve facing contacts the outer of said valve members and is removably attached to the inner of the other of said valve members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The valve assembly of claim 19, wherein said valve facing is corrosion resistant.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve assembly of claim 19, wherein said foamed polymeric core is closed cell core.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The valve assembly of claim 19, wherein said foamed polymeric core is an open cell core.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve assembly of claim 19, wherein the outer surface comprises substantially unfoamed polymeric material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The valve assembly of claim 19, wherein the core material and the outer surface material are the same polymeric material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2082348A
Cited
US2686747A
Cited
FR1064972A
Cited
US3148895A
Cited
US3911502A
Cited
US3980096A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-30 | 1985-06-01 | 1985-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-30 | 1989-06-01 | 1989-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-30 | 1993-06-01 | 1993-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |