US4856758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Silicon carbide valve elements
Assignee: Masco Corp
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Filing: 1983-06-30
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Granted: 1989-08-15
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Expires: 2003-06-30
Abstract
Abstract At least one of a pair of valve members which control the flow in a valve is composed substantially of silicon carbide (SiC). Preferably, the silicon carbide valve member is produced by the Lagan SiC process. It is possible to use a single silicon carbide valve member cooperating with a valve member of conventional ceramic material, or both cooperating valve members may be made of silicon carbide. Preferably, materials of different surface hardness are used for the cooperating valve members. In addition, one of the cooperating valve members preferably is softer and has a less smoothly polished surface than the other valve member. The silicon carbide material has a low friction coefficient even in the absence of lubrication and does not give rise to excessive adhesion between pieces of high surface finish and thus ensures the maintenance and the smoothness of operation for long periods of time with respect to the known ceramics.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfons Knapp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:40
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K25/00; F16K25/005; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/06; F16K11/078; F16K11/0782; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86815; Y10T137/86823
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A valve comprising a first valve member and a second valve member slidably mounted against each other under compressive force for movement to a closed position and an open position, one said first and second valve members being composed substantially of silicon carbide; said other of said first and second valve members being made of a ceramic material of lower hardness than said one valve member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A valve comprising a first valve member and a second valve member slidably mounted against each other under compressive force for movement to a closed position and an open position, one said first and second valve members being composed substantially of silicon carbide; said other of said first and second valve members being made of a ceramic material of lower hardness than said one valve member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A valve as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the valve member having higher hardness has a fine surface finish and the valve member of lower hardness has a less smooth surface comprising a plurality of microscopic cavities so as to considerably reduce the bearing surface between the two cooperating valve members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
A valve comprising: a first and second flow control valve member having abutting surfaces and slidably mounted against each other under a compressive force; said first flow control valve member being composed substantially of silicon carbide; said second valve member being composed substantially of silicon carbide; and the two valve members composed substantially of silicon carbide having different hardnesses with the silicon carbide in said valve members having different crystalline structures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A valve comprising: a first and second flow control valve member having abutting surfaces and slidably mounted against each other under a compressive force; said first flow control valve member being composed substantially of silicon carbide; said second valve member being composed substantially of silicon carbide; and the two valve members composed substantially of silicon carbide having different hardnesses with the silicon carbide in said valve members having different crystalline structures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A valve as defined in claim 3, characterized in that the valve member having higher hardness has a fine surface finish and the valve member of lower hardness has a less smooth surface comprising a plurality of microscopic cavities such as to considerably reduce the bearing surface between the two cooperating valve members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A valve as defined in claim 4 characterized by said abutting surfaces of mutual contact being planar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve, as defined in claim 4 characterized by said abutting surfaces of mutual contact being complementarily convex and concave in shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A valve, as claimed in claim 6, characterized by said abutting surfaces forming part of a sphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A valve as defined in claim 3, characterized by said abutting surfaces of mutual contact being planar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve, as defined in claim 3 characterized by said abutting surfaces of mutual contact being complementarily convex and concave in shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A valve comprising: a first valve member: a second valve member mounted for sliding movement against said first valve member under a compressive force to a closed and open position; said first and second member being composed of differing ceramic materials having a hardness difference greater or approximately equal to 1,000 N/mm 2 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A valve comprising: a first valve member: a second valve member mounted for sliding movement against said first valve member under a compressive force to a closed and open position; said first and second member being composed of differing ceramic materials having a hardness difference greater or approximately equal to 1,000 N/mm 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A valve as defined in claim 10 wherein: the valve member having the higher hardness has a fine surface finish and the valve member of lower hardness has a less smooth surface comprising a plurality of microscopic cavities so as to considerably reduce the bearing surface between said two valve members.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-14 | 1993-02-13 | 1993-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-14 | 1997-02-13 | 1997-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-14 | 2001-02-13 | 2001-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |