GB1567735A - Ball valve - Google Patents

Ball valve Download PDF

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Publication number
GB1567735A
GB1567735A GB1479878A GB1479878A GB1567735A GB 1567735 A GB1567735 A GB 1567735A GB 1479878 A GB1479878 A GB 1479878A GB 1479878 A GB1479878 A GB 1479878A GB 1567735 A GB1567735 A GB 1567735A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ball
sealing members
sealing
members
flow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
GB1479878A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB1479878A priority Critical patent/GB1567735A/en
Publication of GB1567735A publication Critical patent/GB1567735A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K5/00—Plug valves; Taps or cocks comprising only cut-off apparatus having at least one of the sealing faces shaped as a more or less complete surface of a solid of revolution, the opening and closing movement being predominantly rotary
    • F16K5/08—Details
    • F16K5/14—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together
    • F16K5/20—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together for plugs with spherical surfaces
    • F16K5/201—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together for plugs with spherical surfaces with the housing or parts of the housing mechanically pressing the seal against the plug
    • F16K5/202—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together for plugs with spherical surfaces with the housing or parts of the housing mechanically pressing the seal against the plug with conical surfaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K27/00—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor
    • F16K27/06—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor of taps or cocks
    • F16K27/067—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor of taps or cocks with spherical plugs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K5/00—Plug valves; Taps or cocks comprising only cut-off apparatus having at least one of the sealing faces shaped as a more or less complete surface of a solid of revolution, the opening and closing movement being predominantly rotary
    • F16K5/06—Plug valves; Taps or cocks comprising only cut-off apparatus having at least one of the sealing faces shaped as a more or less complete surface of a solid of revolution, the opening and closing movement being predominantly rotary with plugs having spherical surfaces; Packings therefor
    • F16K5/0626—Easy mounting or dismounting means
    • F16K5/0636—Easy mounting or dismounting means the spherical plug being insertable from the top of the housing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K5/00—Plug valves; Taps or cocks comprising only cut-off apparatus having at least one of the sealing faces shaped as a more or less complete surface of a solid of revolution, the opening and closing movement being predominantly rotary
    • F16K5/08—Details
    • F16K5/14—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together
    • F16K5/20—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together for plugs with spherical surfaces
    • F16K5/204—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together for plugs with spherical surfaces with the plugs or parts of the plugs mechanically pressing the seals against the housing

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Taps Or Cocks (AREA)

Description

(54) BALL VALVE (71) I, JAMES DOUGLAS ORR, a Canadian Citizen of 355 Rayette Road, Concord, Ontario, UK IBI, Canada, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a ball valve for controlling the flow of fluids.
A prime purpose of the invention is to provide a valve that can operate without the aid of elastic seats or the like. Ball valves of which I have knowledge employ plastic or rubber seals to provide an elastic pre-load between the ball and the seats, If one attempts to design a ball valve of known construction without elastic parts, the dimensional tolerances for the parts and for their assembly become impractical. Moreover, if accomplished, there is no ability in the assembly to take up wear and maintain a leak tight seal.
The present invention resides in a valve comprising a housing having a flow passage; a flow control ball having a flow passage; a pair of tubular sealing members each having a flow passage and a part-spherical outer wall; the part-spherical outer wall of said tubular sealing members being seated in said flow passage of said housing for rotational movement about the centres of their respective part spherical surfaces and with their flowpassages generally aligned with the flow passage of the housing; said control ball being positioned between said tubular sealing members and having its surface in sealing engagement with an end of the passage of each sealing member, with the centre of the control ball and the centres of the sealing members in triangular relation, whereby a displacement of the control ball towards a line passing through the spherical centres of the sealing members produces a rotational force on said sealing members and tightens the engagement of the ends of the passages of the sealing members with the spherical surface of said ball; a stem keyed to said control ball and extending exteriorly of said housing that is rotatable to align or disalign the flow passage of the control ball with the flow passage of the control ball with the flow passage of the housing and sealing members to control flow; and means for maintaining a force on said control ball through its centre to maintain a rotational force on said sealing members as aforesaid and maintain them in sealing contact with said control ball.
One form of valve in accordance with the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the valve; and Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the valve of Figure 1 showing the ball in the closed position.
In the drawings, the numeral 10 refers to a forged steel housing. It has a first through flow passage with an inlet port 12 and an outlet port 14. Flow through the housing is controlled by a generally spherical ball 16 which also has a second through flow passage 18. The ball 16 has a centre of gyration at 15.
Ball 16 makes a sealing engagement with one end of each of the tubular sealing members 20 and 22. Sealing members 20 and 22 in turn are seated on the side wall of the flow passage through the housing. The outer surfaces of the ball seats are part spherical and they make a fluid tight interference sealing contact fit with tubular lining sleeves 19 of the inner ends of the through opening as at 21 and 23. Shoulders 24 on the through opening locate the sleeve 19 and the tubular sealing members with respect to the through opening.
The tubular sealing members 20 and 22 have centres of gyration located at 11 and 13 respectively, coincident with their centres of spherical curvature.
The ends of the ball sealing members 20 and 22 that engage with the ball engage with the marginal area around the through opening when the through opening is aligned with the opening of the casing to permit full flow as illustrated and serve to form a seal with the ball. The contact between the sealing members 20 and 22 and the ball 16 is preferably a line contact seal.
A stem 26 is carried by the stem mount 28 within which it is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis 27 and for movement in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 27.
A cap 30 on the stem mount holds the stem packing 32 in the stem mount. A spring 24 is compressed to exert a force on the shoulder of the stem with which it engages to urge the stem downwardly against the ball 16.
It will be noted that the axis of the through passages of the tubular members 20 and 22 incline towards each other at an obtuse angle and that because of the interengagement of the ball 16 and tubular members, a downward force in the ball i.e. a force displacing the ball towards a line through the centres 11 and 13, will tend to rotate each of the tubular members about the centre of its spherical surface to increase the size of the obtuse angle and tighten the line contact seal between the ball and the tubular members.
The strength of the spring is designed to maintain an effective sealing relationship between the ball and the tubular sealing members. With this arrangement, wear at the sealing engagement between ball and tubular members is automatically compensated by the spring.
The stem mount 28 is secured to the housing by bolts 36 and is rotatable by manipulation of the handle 38.
A round guide pin 40 is mounted on the bottom of the housing and enters a bore in the bottom of the ball 16 to ensure alignment as the ball is rotated in use.
It will be noted that the flow control ball 16 is not required to achieve a seal between the sealing members 20 and 22 and the casing 10.
The seal between these members is a line contact achieved as at 21 and 23. The shoulders 24 and 25 are locating shoulders and not required to form seals.
The tightness of the seal between the flow control ball 16 and the tubular members 20 and 19 is achieved by the force of spring 34 as it forces the stem 26 axially of itself to depress the flow control ball 16 and increase the size of the obtuse angle formed by the intersection of the axis of the sealing members.
The strength of the spring 34 is adjusted to achieve the appropriate sealing pressure between the sealing members and the flow control valve. It will be apparent that as wear takes place that it will be compensated by the pressure of the spring. Moreover, under conditions of extreme heat, expansion of the parts will take place and the ball 16 is free to back up and reduce the obtuse angle between the axis of the sealing members against the spring pressure. Thus, wear and extreme temperature are automatically compensated for by the spring 34.
The flow control ball 16 and the sealing members 20 and 22 are each preferably made of metal to withstand high temperatures. It will, however, be understood that the component be made from any suitable material such as carbon or the like.
The use of the valve is similar to any other ball valve. By manually rotating stem 26 by means of handle 38, one rotates the ball 16 from the position illustrated in Figure 1 wherein full flow is achieved to a position 90" therefrom where the through opening in the ball 16 is not aligned with the openings in the sealing members 20 and 22 to block flow through the valve. Intermediate positions where partial flow is achievedarealsopossible.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the housing is made of a steel forging. The flow control ball 16 and the sealing members 20 and 22 are machined from stainless steel or bronze balls, the stem is made from stainless steel and the packing and seals and other components are of standard valve materials.
It will be apparent from the drawings that an effective seal can be maintained between the ball 16 and the sealing members 20 and 22 as long as the sum of the distance from the centres of gyration 11, 13 to the centre of gyration 15 is greater than the distance between centres 11 and 13.
Embodiments of the invention other than the one illustrated will be apparent to those in the art. By way of example of modification, it will be noted that one may use means other than the spring 34 for urging the ball 16 in a downward direction to take up the tolerances between the flow control ball and the sealing members. For example, one might have some kind of a vertical adjustment of the stem that could be adjusted exteriorly of the valve with a manual setting. The spring is preferred, but it is not the only means intended for exerting a downward pressure on the ball 16 to achieve the seal between the flow control ball and the sealing members.
Furthermore, the tubular sealing members 2 and 22 need not be of the frustro spherical form shown. They may for example be cylindrical with a spherical seat portion formed as a collar on the exterior surface thereof for engagement with the valve housing.
WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A valve comprising a housing having a flow passage; a flow control ball having a flow passage; a pair of tubular sealing members each having a flow passage and a part spherical outer wall; the part spherical outer wall of said tubular sealing members being seated in said flow passage of said housing for rotational movement about the centres of their respective part-spherical surfaces and with their flow passages generally aligned with the flow passage of the housing; said control ball being positioned between said tubular sealing members and having its surface in sealing engagenemt with an end of the passage of each sealing member with the centre of the control ball and the centres of the sealing members in triangular relation, whereby a displacement of the control ball towards
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. A cap 30 on the stem mount holds the stem packing 32 in the stem mount. A spring 24 is compressed to exert a force on the shoulder of the stem with which it engages to urge the stem downwardly against the ball 16. It will be noted that the axis of the through passages of the tubular members 20 and 22 incline towards each other at an obtuse angle and that because of the interengagement of the ball 16 and tubular members, a downward force in the ball i.e. a force displacing the ball towards a line through the centres 11 and 13, will tend to rotate each of the tubular members about the centre of its spherical surface to increase the size of the obtuse angle and tighten the line contact seal between the ball and the tubular members. The strength of the spring is designed to maintain an effective sealing relationship between the ball and the tubular sealing members. With this arrangement, wear at the sealing engagement between ball and tubular members is automatically compensated by the spring. The stem mount 28 is secured to the housing by bolts 36 and is rotatable by manipulation of the handle 38. A round guide pin 40 is mounted on the bottom of the housing and enters a bore in the bottom of the ball 16 to ensure alignment as the ball is rotated in use. It will be noted that the flow control ball 16 is not required to achieve a seal between the sealing members 20 and 22 and the casing 10. The seal between these members is a line contact achieved as at 21 and 23. The shoulders 24 and 25 are locating shoulders and not required to form seals. The tightness of the seal between the flow control ball 16 and the tubular members 20 and 19 is achieved by the force of spring 34 as it forces the stem 26 axially of itself to depress the flow control ball 16 and increase the size of the obtuse angle formed by the intersection of the axis of the sealing members. The strength of the spring 34 is adjusted to achieve the appropriate sealing pressure between the sealing members and the flow control valve. It will be apparent that as wear takes place that it will be compensated by the pressure of the spring. Moreover, under conditions of extreme heat, expansion of the parts will take place and the ball 16 is free to back up and reduce the obtuse angle between the axis of the sealing members against the spring pressure. Thus, wear and extreme temperature are automatically compensated for by the spring 34. The flow control ball 16 and the sealing members 20 and 22 are each preferably made of metal to withstand high temperatures. It will, however, be understood that the component be made from any suitable material such as carbon or the like. The use of the valve is similar to any other ball valve. By manually rotating stem 26 by means of handle 38, one rotates the ball 16 from the position illustrated in Figure 1 wherein full flow is achieved to a position 90" therefrom where the through opening in the ball 16 is not aligned with the openings in the sealing members 20 and 22 to block flow through the valve. Intermediate positions where partial flow is achievedarealsopossible. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the housing is made of a steel forging. The flow control ball 16 and the sealing members 20 and 22 are machined from stainless steel or bronze balls, the stem is made from stainless steel and the packing and seals and other components are of standard valve materials. It will be apparent from the drawings that an effective seal can be maintained between the ball 16 and the sealing members 20 and 22 as long as the sum of the distance from the centres of gyration 11, 13 to the centre of gyration 15 is greater than the distance between centres 11 and 13. Embodiments of the invention other than the one illustrated will be apparent to those in the art. By way of example of modification, it will be noted that one may use means other than the spring 34 for urging the ball 16 in a downward direction to take up the tolerances between the flow control ball and the sealing members. For example, one might have some kind of a vertical adjustment of the stem that could be adjusted exteriorly of the valve with a manual setting. The spring is preferred, but it is not the only means intended for exerting a downward pressure on the ball 16 to achieve the seal between the flow control ball and the sealing members. Furthermore, the tubular sealing members 2 and 22 need not be of the frustro spherical form shown. They may for example be cylindrical with a spherical seat portion formed as a collar on the exterior surface thereof for engagement with the valve housing. WHAT I CLAIM IS:-
1. A valve comprising a housing having a flow passage; a flow control ball having a flow passage; a pair of tubular sealing members each having a flow passage and a part spherical outer wall; the part spherical outer wall of said tubular sealing members being seated in said flow passage of said housing for rotational movement about the centres of their respective part-spherical surfaces and with their flow passages generally aligned with the flow passage of the housing; said control ball being positioned between said tubular sealing members and having its surface in sealing engagenemt with an end of the passage of each sealing member with the centre of the control ball and the centres of the sealing members in triangular relation, whereby a displacement of the control ball towards
a line passing through the spherical centres of the sealing members produces a rotational force on said sealing members and tightens the engagement of the ends of the passage of the sealing members with the spherical surface of said ball; a stem keyed to said control ball and extending exteriorly of said housing that is rotatable to align or disalign the flow passage of the control ball with the flow passage of the housing and sealing members to control flow; and means for maintaining a force on said control ball through its centre to maintain a rotational force on said sealing members as aforesaid and maintain them in sealing contact with said control ball.
2. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing engagement between said control ball and an end of the passage of each of the sealing members is a line contact.
3. A valve as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said flow control ball and said tubular sealing members and said casing are each made of metal.
4. A valve substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB1479878A 1978-04-14 1978-04-14 Ball valve Expired GB1567735A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1479878A GB1567735A (en) 1978-04-14 1978-04-14 Ball valve

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1479878A GB1567735A (en) 1978-04-14 1978-04-14 Ball valve

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB1567735A true GB1567735A (en) 1980-05-21

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ID=10047677

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1479878A Expired GB1567735A (en) 1978-04-14 1978-04-14 Ball valve

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB1567735A (en)

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PS Patent sealed
732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee