CA1242428A - Valve - Google Patents

Abstract

VALVE

Abstract of the Disclosure A valve including indicating means for indicating overtravel of an operating member beyond its normally closed position for warning that replacement of a seal is necessary. A diaphragm valve has a diaphragm of a material which withstands repeated flexing and is clamped in a unique manner.

Description

~2424Z~

VALV~

Back~round o the InYention This application relates to the art of valves and, ~ore particularl~, to ~alves having means for indicating ~arious operating conditions ~hereof, and to diaphrago ~alYes of the ~ype havin~ a diaphragm ela~ped betwee~ body and bonnet ~embers. Although the invention will be described with particular reference to diaphrag~ valves and rota~ably operable valve ~embers, it will be appreciated that the invention has broader applications, and that certain individual features thereof may be used with other types o~ valves and~or in other environ~ents.
Diaphrag~ valves of known types include a ~; circular diaphra~ clamped in a circu~ferential area : between body and bonnet ~embers. The diaphrag~ fails after a certain nu~ber o~ cycles and may also ~ail due to the ~anner in which it is cla~ped. It has been considered desirable to develop a diaphragm valve which : included a diaphrag~ of increased strength capable of withstanding a ~reater nu~ber o~ cycles before failure. Such a valve would include oeans for clamping the diaphrago in a ~anner insuring good diaphrag~
sealin3 whilo oini~izin~ stress failures.
~alves com~only include indicating ~eans for indicatins various flow positions of the valve oember.
In ~any applicatisns where ~etal seal psckless valves ~; ar~ used, indication of flow position is critical from ;~ 30 a sa~ety standpoint. In previous arrangements~

~z~z~

ind~cation of flow position was designated by a simple marking or required the operator to recognize handle orientation relatiYe to ~he valve body. In the latter case, so~ types of ~ountings prohibit this type of recogniti~n.
In previous ~rrangements, the rotatable opera~lng ~ember is restricted fro~ being moved beyond the set, off position of the valve. If overtravel beyond the off position without adjustment of the valve is not possible, two problems will result after seal wear has occurred. First, the valve cannot be shut off, and second, the handle could be broken by an operator attempting to forcedly close the valYe.
When there is no stop means for stopping the lS operating member in its off position, the operating member ~ay inherently overtravel beyond the off position due to seal wear. Only a highly skilled person would be aware that at some point such overtra~el would signify that replacement of the seal was nec~ssary, and there was no associated means for indicatlng the point at which such seal replacement was nccessary. Therefore, it would ~e desirable to have an alarming indicating ~eans for clearly indicating to an operator that a seal is worn beyond its normal, useful li~e and that replacement is necessary.
The subject invention ~eets the foregoing needs and others, and provides a new and improved valve construction.

Summary of the Invention A diaphrag~ valve of the type described includes a circular diaphrag~ of austenitic stainless steel having a hardness not less than 38 on the Roc~well C scal~. The austenitic stainless steel is pr~f~rably of AISI type 316.

In accordance with the present application, tha diaphrag~ is axiall~ clamped in a circumferential area in~ardly of i~s outer periphery between opposed flat and parallel clamping surfaces. It has been found ~hat diaphrag~ discs normally hav@ a burr on the outer peripheral edge ~hereof due to stamping of same from a sheet. When attempts are ~ade to clamp the outer periphery of the diaphrag~ between opposed surfaces, the burr prevents high pressure squeezing on mating 14 flat surfaces of the diaphragm.
ln a preferred arrange~ent, the diaphragm is clamped in axiallr and radially spaced circumferential areas connected wi~h one another by an axially bent diaphrag~ portion. The maximu~ squeeze or clamping force is applied to the diaphra~o ae the inner circumferential area and the diaphragm is bent across relaeively sharp corners.
The diaphr~g~ is clamped between body and bonnet ~e~bers, one of which includes an axially extending outer circumferential flange for protecting the clampin~ surfacc o the me~ber on which it is pro~ided. The other ~eober includes a circumferential recess opposite fro~ the circuoferential flange for acco~modating the outer periphery of the diaphrago in ~reo and uncla~ped relationship.
The diaphrag~ Yalvc includes a valve member on on~ side of the diaphr~g~ having a ~on-circular head ~lidably guided in a cylindrical bore. The non~circular a~ran8e~ent of the enlarg2d head is such that fluld flow can occur therepast for purging. The Yal~e ~ber includes a cylindrical ste~ axially guided ~n the boro through a guide washer having a non-clrcular inn~r surfac~ to acco~odate fluid 10w therepas~ ~or purging purposes.
Th~ diaphrag~ val~e construc~ed in accordance ~Z~24~3 with the present application can be actuated in a plur~ y of ~anners, including manual and remote sctuating means. Tho arrangement specifically shown in the present application includes a manually operated S rotatable operating ~ember. However, it will be appreclated that the ~anually rotatable operating ~e~ber of the present application is not re~uired for operating the diaphrag~ valve, and that it can be used with val~es of other types, The inYention also relates to a valve which includes a bonnet havin~ a rotatable operating me~ber for ~o~ing a valve ~e~ber between open and closed positions. The ~alYe ~ember carries a wearable seal cooperable with a valYe seat in the ~alve member closed lS position. The valvs ~ember is rotatable be~een open and closod positionst and the closed position includes angular ranges over whioh the seal is effective. One rango includes à nor~al angular range over which the seal 1~ in sa~isfactory condition, and a second ran8e includes an overtravel or abnormal angular range over which tho seal is still functional bu~ should b~
replaced.
In accordance with the present application, indicatin~ means is provided between the valve operating ~eober and the valve bonn~t for indicating over~raYel o~ the operating member beyond the nor~al elosed position thereof to indicate that replace~ent of the seal is necessary.
In a preferred arrangement, the indicating ~eans o~ the present application includes means for i~dicating a ran8~ of nor~al angular closed positions and a ran8e o~ abnor~al closed angular positions for th~ op~rating ~ember. When tho operating me~ber oYer~rarsls beyond the nor~al closed position, the operator will be roadily aware tha~ ~eplace~ent of the seal ls necessary.
In a preferred arrangemene, the indicia for indicating o~ertraYel of the operating ~ember takes the for~ of adjaoent arcua~e bands of different color on the bonnet fo~ cooperation with an indicator on the operating ~e~ber. When the seal is satisfactory, the indicator on the operating member is aligned wi~h the color band indicating normal valve closure. When the seal is worn and requires replace~en~, the indicator on the operating ~e~bsr ~s aligned with the color band indicating overtraYel or that replacement of the seal is required, In one arrangement, ehe indicating means lncludes an indicating ring member ~ouneed on eh~ Yalve lS bonnet beneath ~he operating ~ember. Specificallr, the indicating rin8 ~ember is ~ounted on an outer cylindrical end portion o the valve bonnet, and is held thereto by frictional engage0ent. The indicating ring ~e~ber includes a central opening or hole receiving an o~ter cylindrical end portion oE the valve bonnee, and has axially extending ~lange means surrounding the opening for frictionally gripping the outer end portion of the valve bonnet.
Locating ~eans is provided between the locatin~ ring ~e~ber and ~he Yalv~ bonne~ ~or locating the rin~ ~e~ber in a d~sired rotated position ~or locating the indicia thereo~ at ~he desired angular location. The locating ~eans ~ay take ~any for~s and, in one arrangement, includes a longitudinal groove in the outer end portion of the bonnet receiving an inwardly ~xtending tab on the indicating ring member.
Th~ tab on tha indicating ring ~e~bor is located a prodoter~ined distancs ~ro~ the indicia ~hereon, and th~ grooY~ in tho bonnet is loc~ed a predeter~ined dis~ance fro~ a stop surface which nor~ally cooperates ~2~2~2 wlth a stop pro~ectlon on the operating ~ember tO 3top sa~o ln the valYe opon po~ition.
~ h~ ~nd~catin~ rlng ~e~bor lncludes an lnclin~d sur~c~ ha~in~ tha indicia ~hereon and being v~ibl0 in dlrect~on both parall01 and perpendic~la~
eO ~h~ long~tudinal ~xi~ o~ the operating oe~ber. Thc indicat~ng rlng oe~b~r ~lso inclu~¢s an outer 1ange ~or concealln~ ~ panel ~ountin~ nut threaded on tho bon~t.
1~ Th~ princ~pal ob~ec~ of th~ presen~ invention tha provlsion of an i~provet diaphrag~ valve ~hich ls vo~y ocono~lcal to ~anufacturo and a~se~blo, and v~ry reliablo in opo~ation.
~notho~ adYantag~ o~ tho ~nventlon i5 tha provl~ion of an i~pro~od dlaphra~o valve having ~n i~proved dlaphrag~ ~st~rial.
A furthor ~dYantag~ is tho provision of an l~prov~d dlaphra~ Yalvo having an ~proved a~range~ent for clrcu~for~ntially claoping tho di~phrag~.
Anoth~r adYantage resid~s in th~ provision of an i~provot diaphrag- valv~ havin~ an axially ~ovable Yalvo ~b~r wlth cooporatln~ hoxagonal and circular guid~ ~urf~ces ~or allowing purgln~.
Still ~no~or advanta~o o~ the in~ention is found in th~ provi~on of a valY~ haYing a ro~atable operating ~e~ber and lncludin~ lndicating ~eans ~or lndicatin8 operatin~ ~e~b~r ovortra~el which requires roplace~en~ o~ a ~al~ seal.
urthor ~dYantage of ~h~ invention is the pro~lslon of indica~in~ ~eans f5r lndicatin~ vsrious posltlon~ o ~ rot~tablo op~r~ting ~eob~.
~ot a furtbsr advan~ago ~3 th~ pro~ision of an lQproYod rln~ bor ~eur~d to ~ ~al~e bonnet in a un~quo ~nnor for p~rfor~ing div~rso ~unctions such a~
coneo~ling ~ panol ~ounting.nu~ or prsYiding in~cating ~L2~Z~28 ^7-positions for the valve operating member.
Other adYantages and benef its of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the followin~ de~ailed description.

Descri tion of Preferred Embodiments The invention ~ay take for~ in certain parts and arrange~ents of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in de~ail and illustra~ed in the accompanying drawings which ~or~ a part hereof and wherein:
PIGUR~ 1 is a cross~sectional elevat~onal YieW
of an improYed valve having the features of the present inven~ion incorporated ~herein;
FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional elevational view o~ a peripheral ed8e portion of the diaphrag~ in the Yalv~ of FIGURE 1 showing the speci~ic arrangement of the diaphragu and the cla~ping surfaces between the val~e body and Yalve bonn~t;
FIGURB 3 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view showing the enlarged head of an axially ~ovable valvo ~ember being guided in a cylindrical bore;
PIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional elevational ~iew taken generally along lines 4-4 of FIGURE 1 showing a cylindrical portion of the valve ~ember bejng axially guided through a non-circular opening in a guide washer recei~ed in a cylindrical bore;
PlGURE 5 is a partial cros~-sectional ~iew ~aken general~y along lines 5-5 of FIGURB 1 with the indicating ring member and panel nut removed for clari~y of lllustration in showin~ the top end portion o~ the Yalve bonnet;

.

~ 2 ~%~ ~

PIGURE 6 is a view si~ilar ts FIGUR~ 5 fur showin~ a tab on th~ indicating rin~ member cooperating with a long~tudinal ~roo~e in th~ valYe bonnet ~o pre~ent r~lative rotation ~herebetween;
PIGURE 7 is a side el0vational cross-sectional vi~w taken generally along lines 7-7 of FIGURE 6;
FIGURE 8 is a view si~ilar to FIGURE 7 for showing an alternati~e arran8e~ent; and, PIGURE 9 is a plan view of the valve handle shown in PIGURE l.

Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings ar~ for purposes o~ illustrating certain pre~erred embodiments oÇ the in~ention only and not for purposes o~ iting sa~e, FIGURE l shows a valve body A and a valve bonnet B axially cla~ped together by a bonnet nut C in a known manner, and ha~ing a circular ~etal diaphragm D circumferentially clamped therebetween. YalYe body A and bonnet nut C have cooperatln~ threads therebetween generally indicated at nu~eral 12 ~or proYiding axial moveoent o~ bonnet nut C
relatlvo to body A upon rotational ~ove~ent of bonnet nut C. Bonnct ~e~ber B and bonnet nut C have cooperating generallr radial should~rs 14 which abut one another for ~oving bonnet ~ember ~ toward a body ~e~ber A upon rotaeion of bonnet nut C in the appropriate d~rection to securely clamp diaphrag~ D
therebet~een.
An axially ~ovable ~alve ~e~ber E has an enlarged head portion l8 slidably guided in a large diaoeter port~on of a cylindrical bore 20. The outer ~nd portlon of enlarged head 18 facing tuward diaphragm D is generally sph~rical and thc outer p~riphery of enlarged head portion 18 is gen~rally hexagonal so that %~2~

g only ~h~ corn~rs ther~o~ are guided ln the cylindrical boro 20, while tha flats th~reof p~ovide fluid passages ~o acco~odate ~alY~ purging. A cylindrical ste~
portlon 24 o valv~ ~e~ber E is slldably guided through a guide washer 26 having a cylindrlcal outer surface closely receiYed in a cylindrical s~all diameter bore portlon 28, and haY~ng a hexagonal lnner surface ~o provide passages to accon~odate purging.
Inl~t and outlet ports 32,34 in valve body A
co~unicate with the Yalre body bore on opposite sides of ~ circumferential upstandin~ seat 36. Fluid inlet and outl~t lines tno~ shown) may be connected to inlet and outlet 32,34, respectively, by convenient known ~eans. A plastic, ~lasto~eric or metal circumferential seal ring 3B is secured to an end portion of valve member ~ for selective cooperation with seat ~6 to prevent or allow fluid flow through the valve. In the "standard" version of the subject new valYe, seal ring ~8 is constructed ~roo polytetrafluoroethylene.
Seal ~8 is attached to valve member E in the ~ann~r dlsclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,699 issued No~eober ~0, 1971, to Matousek, et al., the disclosure of which is herebr ~ncorporated herein by reference.
8riefly, the end portion o~ ~alve ~ember E includes a circu~ferentlal recess receiving seal ring 38, and inner and ou~er ri~s on valYe ~e~ber E are defor~ed toward one another over the outer end face of the seal rlng for holding sa~e in position. This seal arran~en~ its cold flow of the seal mater~al which produco~ better control of ~he stroke of the Yalve.
Thl~ consequently ylelds ~etter control 4f diaphrag~
l~fo whlch is related to stroke.
~ coil sprin~ 40 under co~prossion between guido washer 26 and enlarge~ head 18 nor~ally urges the Yalv~ ~e~bsr E, i.o., seal ring 38, away fro~ seat 36 ~z~
-10~

to proYido fluid co~munication between inlet 32 and outlet ~4~ In the open position of valYe ~e~ber ~, fluid en~ers th~ entir~ cylindrical bore de~ined by largo and small dia~eter portions 20,28. Upon closing of Yslv~ ~e~ber ~ by ~o~ement of seal 38 back into en8a~e~ent with seat 36~ purging o~ fluid pressure within the bore is possible becaus~ o~ the hexagonal shape of enlarged head 18 and o the interior sur~ace of gu~de washer 26.
~onnet ~ includes a stem G rotatabl~ guided therein. Cooperating external and internal threads between stem ~ember G and bonnet ~e~ber B are generall~
indic~ted by num~ral 44 to impart axial ~ovenent to st~ oe~ber ~ upon rotational move~ent thereof relati~e to the bonnet. Instcad of using threads, it will be recognized that ~any different axial operators can be pro~ided ~or i~part~ng axial move~ent to valve ~e~ber E
to effect move~ent between its open and clased positions, ~nd that the ~anually operated rotatable operatlng member shown is only illuserative. An enlarged head 48 on valve stem G has a flae surfac~
engaging a corresponding flat surface on a bu~eon 50 which, ~n turn, has a convex surfac~ enga8ing diaphrag~
D on th8 opposita side thereof fro~ enlarged head 18 of Yalve ee~ber B. The steo head and button ~re coopera~ivel~ ~ounted so as to facilitate relatiYe rotation therebetween around the longitudinal a~i~ of the s~e~. Button 50 ~ay be o~ plastic or other suitabl~ ~aterials, and the interface bet~een ste~ head 48 and the button is lubricated to assist allowing rslatiY~ rotation between the st~ and button instead of haYing the button rotate relati~s to diapbrag~ D.
: A rotatabl~ operating ~eober ~ener~lly indicated at H is pro~ided for ~oving Yalve ~e~ber E
~etw~en i~s open and closed positions. Enlarged head z~

60 15 splined onto ste~ G as at 62 for preventing relative rotation between the head a~d ste~. An operating handle 62 is suitably connected to head 60, and oay oYen b~ integral therewith. A nut 64 and lock S ~asher 66 secure head 60 to ste~ G, and a CoYer plate 61 snaps into a circular recess in the top of head 60 in a known manner. It will be recognized that ~alve opera~ing ~ember H includes head 60, handle 62, and ste~ G, ~nd tha~ operating member H is rotatabl~ for ~0 ooY~ng valYe ~ember B axiall~ between its open and closed positions. Howe~er, it will be appreciated that other operators oay be provided if so desired for cooperating with diaphrago D to ~ove the valYe ~e~ber bet~een i~s open and closed positions.
~IGUR~ 2 shows an enlarged peripheral edBe portion of body A and bonnet B having diaphrago D
~xially cla~ped therebetween. As shown in FlGURE 1, bonnet oe~ber ~ has a generally conical surface portion 70 cxtendlng away ~ro~ diaphragm D opposite fro~ large diaooter cylindrical bore portion 20 in the valve body. Con~cal portion 70 and cylindrical bor~ portion 20 ara al50 ~enerally shown in PIGURfi 2 for reference purpos~. Body oe~ber ~ and bonnet ~e~ber B have spaced-apart opposito flat and parall~l circu~ferential areas 76,73 bet~een which an inner or pri~ary circu~ferential area of diaphrag~ D is axially clamped o~er an inner circu~ferential area. Tightening of bonnet nut C in FIGURE 1 ~oves cla~ping surfaces 76,78 toward one anoeher for squeezin~ diaphragm D
therebetween~ ~s will be noted in PIGURE 2, the circu~erential area claD~ped between cla~ping surfaces 76,78 i~ spac~d well inwardly froo tho diaphrag~ outer porl phery .
Body ~e~ber A and bonnet ~e~ber ~ also include secondary flat and parallel cla~ping urfaces 80,82 spaced axially and radially from primary clamping urfaces 76,78. Prl~ary surfaces 76,78 are separated fro~ s~condary surfaces 80,~2 by rolatiYelr sharp corners 84,86 across whlch diaphrag~ D is bent axially S as cl~arly shown in ~IGURE 2. The axial spacing between corners 84,86 i5 less than the nor~al axial thickn~ss of diaphrag~ D and less than the axial spacing between cla~ping suraces 76,78. As a result~
corners 84,86 provide e~cellent seals against the opposite face surfaces of the diaphrag~. Flat and parall~l circu~ferential surfaces 80,82 are spaced-apart from one another no less than, and preferably slightly 8raater than, the spacing between primary cl ampin8 surf aces 76,78. The ~achining toleranc~s for body ~e~ber A and bonnet member B are chosen such that the spacing between surfaces 76,78 will always pro~ide 3axi~u~ squeeze or clamping action as compared to th~ a~ount of squeeze or clamping action between surfaces 80,8~. Such action insures that prioary diaphragm sealing occurs at areas 76,78 to bottor acco~odato valv~ purgin~.
Coneinuing wlth referenco to FIGUR 2, an outor clrcu~f~rential flange 90 ~xtends axially from secondary clamping sur~ac~ 80 on body ~ember A for 25 protect~ng lnner or pri~ary cla~ping surfac~ 76 ag~inst knicks and other da~age during proc~ssing and assembly o~ th~ ~al~lre. The axlal projectior of Çlange 90 is substant~ally greater than the axial spacing ~etween prioary and secondary surfaces 76,80. ~irectly 3~ opposit~ froo protectlve flange 30, bonnet member B is pro~id~d with an enlar~0d recess 94 for receivin~ a ter~inal ~nd portion 96 of diaphragaa D in a frea and unclaslped col~dition. Secondary corners generally indicated as 102,104 are axially spaced fro~ one 35 anoth~r a distance substantially l~ss than ~he axial spaclng between corners 84,86 so that the outer 0nd portion 96 of diaphrag~ D is axially deformed to a 8roa~er de8ree than th~ axial ~eformation thereof between corners 84,86.
As a result of the foregoing relationships, opposed pairs of flat cla~ping surfaces 76,78 and 80,82 define axially and radially spaced clamping surfaces for axially clamping diaphrag~ D at radially-spaced circumferential areas. Between the inner and outer circu~feren~ial clampin~ areas, diaphragm D is axially bent between corners 84, B6.
Diaphrag~ D is shown as comprising three discs or lay~rs Dl, D2, and D3 of equal thickness, although a great~r or lesser number o~ such discs could be suitably employed in so~e instances. It has been found that such an arran8e~ent provides enhanced flexibility without substantially reducing the strenKth or life of the composite d~aphrag~ construction. In the preferred arrangem~nt, each disc d~aphrag~ for~ing disc comprises a flat circular ~ember of austenitic type 316 stainless steel heat treated to a hardness of not loss than 38 on th~ Rockwoll C scale. Such hardnoss is consid~red to bo a "~lly hardened" condition for the pareicular ~aterial involved, and effectiv~ly onhances the overall cycle liE0 of diaphrag~ D. Normall~, stainless steel diaphragos are constructed fro~ ~at~rial having a hardness of approxi~ately 27 o~ the Rockwell C scale, i.c, "quarter hard". It has been found tha~ an increaso in diaphrag~ hardness increases ats strength which, ~n turn, increases its cycle life in a generally linear r~la~îonship. Thus, an increase in hardness fro~ approxi~ately 27 to ~pproxi~atelr 38 on the Rockw~ll C scale increases the diaphrag~ cycle life by ~ factor of ~bout two. This result indeed comprises a slgniicant improve~ent oYer prior ar~ stainless steel ~ 2 ~ ~ ~2 ~

diaphrag~ construetions. While ~16 stainless steel is o~ployed in the preferred construction, it will ~e approclst~d ~hat other ~aterials and hardness r01stionships could bo used for dif~rent types of S serYiCo.
~ ypicall~, discs Dl, D2, and D3 are stamped fro~ sheet for~ and thus include a burr around the outsr periphery th~reof. The l~prov~d arrange~ent of the present invention, however, securely cla~ps the diaphra~ a~ circu~ferential areas spaced radially inward ro~ the outer periphery, so any burrs cannot possibly interfere w~th obtaining secure clamping and sealing. Discs ~1, D2, and D3 ars physicallr separate and ara not bonded together in any way. The discs are : 15 held together simply by the cla~ping ~orce exerted be~ween th~ valYe body and bonnet as described aboYe.
The la~inated or layered diaphragm construction requires less force to flex, but has a strength which is about as 8reat as a single layer diaphrago having 2n ehe sa~o thickness as th~ combined thlckness o discs Dl, D~, and D~.
PIGURE 3 sho~s enlarg~d hexagonal head 14 on ~al~c ~ember B as ha~ng its corners axially guided in large dia~eter boro portion 20. The flae areas of the head are spaced fro~ the wall of tho bore to acco~odat~ valYe purging. ~IGUR 4 shows cylindrical ste~ portion 24 of ~al~e member E as bsing axially guided by flats deined by the internal hexagonal opening in guide washer 26. Spacos are advantageously defined bstween c~lindrical steo 24 and the corners of th~ non-circular ln~rior surface nf washer 26 to ; ~aci1~tat~ purgin~.
Bonnet B ls illustratod in ~IGURE 1 as ~ lncluding an external thr~aded portion 108 r~ceiving a : 35 panel nut llO. Thraaded port ion 108 is closel~

~2~2~

receivable ~hrough an opening in a panel (not sho~n), ~nd tho panel is clamped between the pa~el nut 110 and bonn~t nu~ C to secur~lr oount the valYe thereto.
Shl~s may be provided on the underside o the panel against bonnet nut C for desired location of panel nut 110 adjacent the outer end portion o~ bonnet B when the valv~ ~ in a ~ounted ~osition.
As shown wi~h primary reference to FIGURE 5 and wlth secondary referenc~ to PIGURE 1, the outer end portion o~ bonnet 8 includes a generally cylindrical sur~ce 114 spaced radially inward fro~ threadsd portion 108 and separated therefro~ by a circu~fererltial radlal shoulder 116. Cylindrical end portion 114 ~s cut-away as generally indicated at 120 oY~r an axial extent less than ~he dis~ance fro~ its outer ~er~lnal end to shoulder 116. Cut-away portion ; 120 has opposite axiallr extending end surfaces 122,124, and the axial bottom o cut-away por~ion 120 ls axlally spac~d slightly fro~ radial shoulder 116 so that a substantially co~plete circu~ferential surface still exlsts around ehe outer end portion of the bonnet. End surfaces 122,124 ~ay bo angularly spaced fro~ one another substantially 8reater than 90 and : less ~han 180.
: 25 At least on~ end surfac~, i.e., end surface 124 defines a stop surface for stopping ro~ation of operating me~ber H in its open position. A locating ~ean~ in th~ for~ o~ an axial groo~ 130 is provided in the outer end poreion of bonnet B. Groove 130 is angularly spaced app~oxi~ately 90D fro~ stop surface 124 as ~enerally indicated by angle 134, and is used ~ ~or p~rpo . es ~o be describet.
: Wi~h continued ~eferenc~ to FI~URES 1 and 5, an indica~ing ring ~e~ber J has a central opening or : 35 hol~ ~herethrough and i 5 ~rictionally receiv~d on ou~er ~Z9L2~

cylindrisal end portlon 114 of ste~ B. The central opcnl~ or holo includes generally ~xially extending flang~ ~ans 138 for frictionall~ gripping bonnet outer cylindrical portion 114, It will bo recognized that axially ~xtending inner flange ~eans 13B ~ay be çircu~ferentially continuous or ~ay comprise a plural~ty of clrcu~feren~ially-spa~d flanges for rict~onally or resili~ntly ~ripping th~ bonnet outer cylindrical portion.
Inner flange 138 includes a ~erminal end 140 which nor~ally abut~ shoulder 116 (PIGURE 5). Ring ~e~b~r J ~ncludes a generally axially extending outer circu~erential flang~ 142 having a termin~l end 144 axially spaced a substantial distanc~ away fro~ the lS ter~inal end 140 of inner flange ~ean~ 138. Outer flange 142 surrounds, CoYers, ~nd conceals panel nut 110 when the val~e ls mounted to a psnel. A
circu~f~rential inclinad surfac~ 150 extends fro~ outer flango 142 toward the central opening in the ring meD~ber. In the arran8eoent shown, inclined surface 15û
i~ inclined at an angle of approxioately 45 to longitudinal axis 152 of bonne~ B, steo G and operating ~e~ber H. ~ s~all circu~ferential horizontal portion 156 ~xtend~ between inclined surfaco 150 and th~
central op~ning in ring member J. Inclined surface 150 is located relativ0 to head 60 and positioned such that it is visi~le in dir~ctions both parallel and perpendicular to longitudinal axis lS2.
: A~ shown in FIGURE 6, axlally extending inner flan~ 138 on ring ~e~ber J includes a radially inward ~tendin8 ~ab 160 for close reception in groove 130 of bonn~t ~e~ber ~ Tab 160 ~ay tak~ 3any forms, including an inclined inwardly extending portion of ~lango 1~8, or a perpendicularly ~xtending tab fro~ the boteo~ ~dge of the flange. G~oo~ 130 and tab 160 ~24%4Z8 cooperat~ with on~ another to properly locate ~ndicat~n~ ring ~e~ber J r~lative ~o bonnet B for posltion1ng c~rtaln lnd~cia on ring ~e~ber J in the proper locatlon.
As shown in PIGURE 7, tab 160 is shown as si~ply co~prising an inwardly inclin~d slit portion fro~ ircu~ferential flange 138. ~lGURE 8 shows tab 160a as comprising a generally rad~ally inward ~xtendin~ ~xtension fro~ the botto~ end o~ inner flange 1~ 138.
Reerrin8 to FI~URES 1 and 9, operating means H ~ncludes a pointer or indicator ~eans 180 and a stop pin 182. Upon rotation of operating me~ber H to its full open position, pointer or indicator ~eans 180 will be align~d with an indicator line 184 on inclined sur~ace 150 of indlca~ng ring me~ber J. In this posit1On, stop pin 182 carried by head 60 will en8a8e stop sur~ace 124 (PlGURh 5) for stopping rotation of the valve operating ~eober in its full open position.
In this position, coil spring 40 ~o~es valve mem~er E
axially upward in the Yiew of PIGURE 1 to its full open position whercin seal 38 is axially displaced fro~ seat ~6.
When th~ valv~ is closed, handle 6~, i.e., operating ~eober H, i~ rotated clockwise in the view of PIGURfi 9 un~il pointer 180 is located in a closed nor~al angular rang~ 202. This range is defined batwe~n radial lin~s 204,tO6 arcuatoly spaced apart fro~ each other by an angle of approxioately 27.5, wi~h li~ 204 bei~g loc~ted sligh~ ss than 90 from l~nc 184 and lin~ 206 bein~ locat~d ~reater than 99 thsr~fro~. A~ abnor~al angular range genorally indlcatbd by nu~eral 208 ext~nds be~ween ~adial lines 206,210 o~r an anglo of approxi~atolr 22.5 adjacent rang~ 202. In th~ pr~ferred arrang~aent, area 202 is colored gre~n bot~oan lines 204,206 to provide an arcll~te ~n~ of on~ color for lndicating A nor~al c1Oscd po~l~ion for ~be valY~ ~hen pointer 180 is a1ignod thsrewl~h. ~Ihsn seal ~a i~ unduly ~orn so that 5 roplaco;~ent ~h~reof 15 or soon ~ay b~ necessary, polnter 183 wîl1 oYortravel b~yond noroa1 closed ran8e 202 lnto abnor~al angu1ar rango 208. Range 208 is colored red fo3r indlca~lng and a1ar~1ng an operator that replace~ent of seal 38 is necessary~ In the event lO soal 38 ~ substantial1y ~orn and a replace~ent seal ls not i~oediatoly aYail~b1~, it is possible to tes~porarl1r read~ust operatlng ~ber H on ste~ G for por~3itS1ng tho ~al to sea1ing1y en8age seat ~6 ln the va1v~ closed cond 1 t ion.
Cut-out end surface 122 (PIGURE 5) is angu1ar1r spaccd 9~011 bayond warnlng band 20B so tha~
stop pin 182 (~IGUR~ 1) on operatlng ~e~ber H will not ongag~ surfac~ 122, ovan though poin~er 180 ls ~pproachlng ~ravol b~yond ~arnlng ar~a 208. Ad~acen~
20 contrastin~ color bands 202,208 are locsted on lnclin~d 3urf~co 150 so th~y are road11y ~ lble ln directions both parsllel and perpondicular to longltudinal axi~
152.
It will bo r~scognized thae va1ve open position 25 lndlci~ 1E14 on ring ~obcr J ha~ a pr~d~t~r~ined angu1sr ro1atlonship ~lth locatlng ~an 160 ~nd with lndicatlng oean~ 202,208. Thie ~elationship is such thst as~e~bly or disas~læbly of th~ ~ralve al~ays insur~ that lndicatlng ring l~e~b3~r J is ins~alled in 30 prop~r posit~on becaus~ o~ ~ha neee~ary a1ign~ent of loca~ing ~ean~ 130,160. This proper13~ locates color band~ 202, 208 in tho c1Osed posltlon o~ the ~a1~r~
~o~b~r ~lth rosp~ct to a rotatab1~ ~alv~ operating ~e~bor .
It w~11 al~o b~ r~co~niz~d tha~ th~ i~proYad ~z~

arran8e~en~ of the pr~sent application provides coopera~ing indicatin~ ~eans between operating ~ember H
~nd bo~net B ~or ind~cating overtravel of operating ~e~ber H in i~s closed position to thereby indic~te thae replace~en~ o~ seal 38 is required. In the arrange~ent shown and described, the indicating means tak~s the for~ of an lndicator 180 on ope~ating member H and indicatln~ bands 202,208 o~ an indicating rin8 ~e~bsr J attached ~o bonnet ~. Howe~er, it will be recognized ~ha~ many other arrange~ents are possible without departing fro~ the o~erall inten~ or scope of the invention, Furthermore, instead of ~erely indicating open and oYertravel positions of an operating ~e~ber, it will be appreciated that indicating rin8 member J can be used for many other purposes, including concealment of panel nut 110 and the perforMancQ of other ~ndicating functions havin~
appropriate lndlcia thereon.
Tho i~proved indici~ arranBement of the pres~nt application indlcates the open position of the valvo, a nor~al angular range of closed position5, and an abnor-al rangc of closed positions. Thus, the user of tbo valY~ can readily deter~ine Yisually whether the Yalvo is open, clos~d, or that ~ho seal requires r~p1scè~ent. Th~ i~plified manner o attaching the lndicator ring ~e~b~r to the valve bonnet oakes it possiblo to easily remove and replace the va1ve, or ~o rencw i~s co~ponents. The indicaein~ rin~ me~ber acco~odat~s this capability ~r having locating means def~ned by cooper~ting groo~e 130 and tab 160 for properly positioning ring member J with its indicating band 202,208 in th~ desired circu~ferential 1Ocation.
: Although th~ inY~ntion has been shown and d~cribed with resp~ct to certain preferred e~bodi~en~3, ~odifications and alterations will occur ~Z~Z~8 - ~ o -to others skilled in ~he art upon a reading and undorstanding of this specificatlon. It is intended to includ~ all such oodifica~ions and alterations insofar as ~h~y co~ within the scope of ~he claims or the equivalenes ~hereof.

Claims (11)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An arrangement for providing a fluid tight seal between mating body components of a fluid control device comprising:
a first body component having an axis and an annular end face located radially outwardly of said axis;
a second body component having an annular end face positioned in axially aligned face-to-face relationship with the end face on said first body component;
a relatively thin circular metal seal member having a peripheral edge portion positioned between said end faces;
means for axially clamping said first and second end faces into sealing engagement with said seal member;
said end face on said first body component having a first generally flat annular clamping surface lying axially inward of an outwardly extending corner which extends circum-ferentially about said clamping surface;
said end face on said second body component having a first generally flat annular clamping surface which opposes and is parallel to the first clamping surface on said first body component and terminates in a corner lying in the plane of said first clamping surface on said second body component at a location radially inwardly of the corner on said first body component, said corners on said first and second body components being radially spaced a distance greater than the thickness of said seal member and axially spaced a distance less than the thickness of said seal member, said first body component further including a second generally flat annular clamping surface lying in the plane of said first corner of said first body member radially outward thereof, said second body member including a second generally flat annular clamping surface lying radially outwardly of said first corner on said second body member for cooperation with said second clamping surface on said first body member, and said peripheral edge portion of said seal member extending between and bent across said corners and clampingly engaged by said first and second clamping surfaces on said first and second body members to provide circumferentially continuous axially offset primary and secondary seal areas respectively located radially inwardly and radially outwardly of said corners.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said clamping surfaces on said first and second body components are generally perpendicular to the axis of said first body components.

3. In a fluid flow control device including first and second mating body components having axially aligned annular end faces engaged with the opposite sides of the periphery of a thin circular metal diaphragm the improvement wherein each end face of each body component comprises a pair of substantially flat circumferentially extending clamping sur-faces formed at axially spaced locations lying in parallel planes and cooperating with the pair of clamping surfaces on the end face of the other body components to clampingly engage said diaphragm in a pair of radially spaced and axially offset continuous circumferential bands, each pair of clamping sur-faces on each end face being separated by a corner which lies in a plane which includes one of said clamping surfaces, the corner on the end face of said first body component lying in the plane of the radially innermost clamping surface and the corner of the end face of the second body component lying in the plane of the radially outermost clamping surface, said corners on said first and second body portions being radially spaced a distance at least slightly greater than the thickness of said diaphragm such that said diaphragm is bent across and between said corners intermediate said continuous circum-ferential bands.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein the outer periphery of said diaphragm lies radially outwardly of the outermost clamping surface.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein said clamping surfaces lie in planes perpendicular to the axis of said annular end faces.

6. First and second body members each having a generally annular end face, means for clamping said body members together with said annular end faces in axially aligned face-to-face relationship, a relatively thin circular metal seal member having a continuous peripheral edge portion clamped between said end faces, said end faces each defining a separate corner with the corner on said first end face located radially inward of the corner on the second end face and axially offset relative thereto, said peripheral edge portion of said metal seal member extending over and being bent across each of said corners, said end faces further defining first and second pairs of substan-tially flat and parallel clamping surfaces which respectively engage said metal seal member in radially spaced circum-ferentially continuous first and second seal areas, said first seal area lying radially inward of said first corner generally coplanar therewith, and said second seal area lying radially outward of said second corner generally coplanar therewith.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein first and second clamping surfaces lie in parallel planes.

8. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said first pair of clamping surfaces extend generally perpendicular to the axis of said end faces.

9. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said second pair of clamping surfaces extend generally perpendicular to the axis of said end faces.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said first pair of clamping surfaces extend generally perpendicular to the axis of said end faces.

11. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said corners are radially spaced from one another a distance substantially greater than the thickness of said seal member.