GB2172063A - Ball valve sealing assembly - Google Patents

Ball valve sealing assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2172063A
GB2172063A GB08605098A GB8605098A GB2172063A GB 2172063 A GB2172063 A GB 2172063A GB 08605098 A GB08605098 A GB 08605098A GB 8605098 A GB8605098 A GB 8605098A GB 2172063 A GB2172063 A GB 2172063A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ball
assembly
sections
sealing
section
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08605098A
Other versions
GB8605098D0 (en
GB2172063B (en
Inventor
David Alan Brookes
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.)
BP PLC
Original Assignee
BP PLC
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
Priority claimed from GB858505606A external-priority patent/GB8505606D0/en
Application filed by BP PLC filed Critical BP PLC
Priority to GB08605098A priority Critical patent/GB2172063B/en
Publication of GB8605098D0 publication Critical patent/GB8605098D0/en
Publication of GB2172063A publication Critical patent/GB2172063A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2172063B publication Critical patent/GB2172063B/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
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J15/00—Sealings
    • F16J15/16—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces
    • F16J15/34—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with slip-ring pressed against a more or less radial face on one member
    • F16J15/3436—Pressing means
    • F16J15/3448—Pressing means the pressing force resulting from fluid pressure
    • 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
    • F16K5/0663—Packings
    • F16K5/0673—Composite packings

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Taps Or Cocks (AREA)

Abstract

A sealing assembly comprises: (a) a composite seal housing comprising first and second sections 5,6 spaced apart in telescopic relationship, (b) a hydraulically operated sealing element 10 located in a recess in the first of said sections so that when hydraulic pressure is applied the sealing element expands out of the recess to bear against another surface 3 and thereby form a seal, and (c) a hydraulically operated piston 16 located between the two sections of the housing in such manner that when hydraulic pressure is applied the piston moves the two sections together thereby reducing the overall length of the housing. The seal is particularly suitable for use in ball valves and, when telescoped, can be removed for maintenance or replacement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ball valve sealing assembly This invention relates to a sealing assembly, more particularly to a sealing assembly for ball valves suitable for installation in oil and gas pipelines and to ball valves including same.
Ball valves are known and have been previously used in oil and gas pipelines. A ball valve comprises a body within which is a steel seal housing which compresses a sealing element of compressible material into engagement with the ball to effect the sealing. The compressible material and the surface of the ball tend to erode, possibly in the case of a crude oil pipeline by produced solids such as sand, and as a result develop leaks. If a leak develops it is frequently necessary to replace the entire valve.
Top entry to ball valves simplifies maintenance and replacement, but because of the design of ball valves, this is difficult to achieve.
We have now devised an improved telescopic sealing assembly for a ball valve which permits top entry by reducig the length of the assembly when desired so that the assembly can be removed through the top of the valve.
According to the present invention there is provided a sealing assembly comprising: (a) a composite seal housing comprising first and second sections spaced apart in telescopic relationship, (b) a hydraulically operated sealing element located in a recess in the first of said sections so that when hydraulic pressure is applied the sealing element expands out of the recess to bear against another surface and thereby form a seal, and (c) a hydraulically operated piston located between the two sections of the housing in such a manner that when hydraulic pressure is applied the piston moves the two sections together thereby reducing the overall length of the housing.
Preferably the two sections of the housing are normally biassed apart, most preferably by means of a spring which can be overcome by the action of the piston.
Preferably the piston bears against a face of an elongated portion of the second section which extends beyond the adjacent portion of the first section.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ball valve comprising a sealing assembly as hereinbefore described.
The invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic elevation of a ball valve sealing assembly.
In order to depict the sealing elements more clearly, the scale and shape of the ball have necessarily been distorted.
The ball valve includes a body 1, a sealing assembly 2 and a ball 3. The relative curvature of the ball is slight where it meets the seal and the curvature is almost vertical. The sealing assembly is retained in position by a collar 4.
It contains a first section 5 and a second section 6 telescoping at 7. The two sections are normally biassed apart by a spring 8 leaving a gap 9.
The first section 5 contains a sealing element 10 fitted in a recess 11. The element is hydraulically operated through a hydraulic connection 12. When actuated, the element 10 is forced out of the recess 11 so that its surface bears against that of the ball 3 to form a tight seal. Details of the sealing element per se are given in our copending European patent application No 0135285.
A second seal is provided in the form of a rubber ring 13.
The second section 6 is mostly positioned on that side of the section 5 remote from the ball 3 but a cylindrical tube 14 extends alongside and beyond the innermost region of section 1 and terminates in an annular face 15. A hydraulically operated piston 16 bears against the face 15 and is located in a recess 17 in section 5. The piston is supplied with hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic connection 18.
The assembly 2 is sealed against the valve body 1 by means of a sealing ring 1 9.
The assembly is shown in the hydraulic failure-neutral position with piston 16 deactivated.
The drawing shows a seal assembly positioned around the upper part of the ball 3. A similar assembly is symmetrically positioned around the lower part of the ball.
When it is desired to remove the seal assembly, the retaining collar 4 is removed and hydraulic pressure is applied through connection 18. This has the effect of moving piston 16 to the right, and hence tube 14 and the remainder of section 5 in the same direction.
Movement is continued until the gap 9 is closed and no further contraction can occur.
The shortened assembly can then be removed through the top of the valve since shortening it enables the lower seal assembly to clear the ball.
1. A sealing assembly comprising: (a) a composite seal housing comprising first and second sections spaced apart in telescopic relationship, (b) a hydraulically operated sealing element located in a recess in the first of said sections so that when hydraulic pressure is applied the sealing element expands out of the recess to bear against another surface and thereby form a seal, and (c) a hydraulically operated piston located between the two sections of the housing in such a manner that when hydraulic pressure is
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ball valve sealing assembly This invention relates to a sealing assembly, more particularly to a sealing assembly for ball valves suitable for installation in oil and gas pipelines and to ball valves including same. Ball valves are known and have been previously used in oil and gas pipelines. A ball valve comprises a body within which is a steel seal housing which compresses a sealing element of compressible material into engagement with the ball to effect the sealing. The compressible material and the surface of the ball tend to erode, possibly in the case of a crude oil pipeline by produced solids such as sand, and as a result develop leaks. If a leak develops it is frequently necessary to replace the entire valve. Top entry to ball valves simplifies maintenance and replacement, but because of the design of ball valves, this is difficult to achieve. We have now devised an improved telescopic sealing assembly for a ball valve which permits top entry by reducig the length of the assembly when desired so that the assembly can be removed through the top of the valve. According to the present invention there is provided a sealing assembly comprising: (a) a composite seal housing comprising first and second sections spaced apart in telescopic relationship, (b) a hydraulically operated sealing element located in a recess in the first of said sections so that when hydraulic pressure is applied the sealing element expands out of the recess to bear against another surface and thereby form a seal, and (c) a hydraulically operated piston located between the two sections of the housing in such a manner that when hydraulic pressure is applied the piston moves the two sections together thereby reducing the overall length of the housing. Preferably the two sections of the housing are normally biassed apart, most preferably by means of a spring which can be overcome by the action of the piston. Preferably the piston bears against a face of an elongated portion of the second section which extends beyond the adjacent portion of the first section. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ball valve comprising a sealing assembly as hereinbefore described. The invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic elevation of a ball valve sealing assembly. In order to depict the sealing elements more clearly, the scale and shape of the ball have necessarily been distorted. The ball valve includes a body 1, a sealing assembly 2 and a ball 3. The relative curvature of the ball is slight where it meets the seal and the curvature is almost vertical. The sealing assembly is retained in position by a collar 4. It contains a first section 5 and a second section 6 telescoping at 7. The two sections are normally biassed apart by a spring 8 leaving a gap 9. The first section 5 contains a sealing element 10 fitted in a recess 11. The element is hydraulically operated through a hydraulic connection 12. When actuated, the element 10 is forced out of the recess 11 so that its surface bears against that of the ball 3 to form a tight seal. Details of the sealing element per se are given in our copending European patent application No 0135285. A second seal is provided in the form of a rubber ring 13. The second section 6 is mostly positioned on that side of the section 5 remote from the ball 3 but a cylindrical tube 14 extends alongside and beyond the innermost region of section 1 and terminates in an annular face 15. A hydraulically operated piston 16 bears against the face 15 and is located in a recess 17 in section 5. The piston is supplied with hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic connection 18. The assembly 2 is sealed against the valve body 1 by means of a sealing ring 1 9. The assembly is shown in the hydraulic failure-neutral position with piston 16 deactivated. The drawing shows a seal assembly positioned around the upper part of the ball 3. A similar assembly is symmetrically positioned around the lower part of the ball. When it is desired to remove the seal assembly, the retaining collar 4 is removed and hydraulic pressure is applied through connection 18. This has the effect of moving piston 16 to the right, and hence tube 14 and the remainder of section 5 in the same direction. Movement is continued until the gap 9 is closed and no further contraction can occur. The shortened assembly can then be removed through the top of the valve since shortening it enables the lower seal assembly to clear the ball. CLAIMS
1. A sealing assembly comprising: (a) a composite seal housing comprising first and second sections spaced apart in telescopic relationship, (b) a hydraulically operated sealing element located in a recess in the first of said sections so that when hydraulic pressure is applied the sealing element expands out of the recess to bear against another surface and thereby form a seal, and (c) a hydraulically operated piston located between the two sections of the housing in such a manner that when hydraulic pressure is applied the piston moves the two sections together thereby reducing the overall length of the housing.
2. A sealing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the two sections of the housing are normally biassed apart.
3. A sealing assembly according to claim 2 wherein the two sections of the housing are normally biassed apart by means of a spring which can be overcome by the action of the piston.
4. A sealing assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the piston bears against a face of an elongated portion of the second section which extends beyond the adjacent portion of the first section.
5. A ball valve 1 comprising a sealing assembly according to any of the preceding claims.
6. A sealing assembly as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB08605098A 1985-03-05 1986-02-28 Ball valve sealing assembly Expired GB2172063B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08605098A GB2172063B (en) 1985-03-05 1986-02-28 Ball valve sealing assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB858505606A GB8505606D0 (en) 1985-03-05 1985-03-05 Ball valve sealing assembly
GB08605098A GB2172063B (en) 1985-03-05 1986-02-28 Ball valve sealing assembly

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8605098D0 GB8605098D0 (en) 1986-04-09
GB2172063A true GB2172063A (en) 1986-09-10
GB2172063B GB2172063B (en) 1988-01-27

Family

ID=26288906

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08605098A Expired GB2172063B (en) 1985-03-05 1986-02-28 Ball valve sealing assembly

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2172063B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2229778A (en) * 1989-03-30 1990-10-03 Gkn Technology Ltd Sealing arrangement and torsional actuator incorporating same
US7234480B2 (en) 2004-09-17 2007-06-26 Atlantic Plastics Of Florida, Inc. Telescopic snap valve
CN102979929A (en) * 2012-12-11 2013-03-20 四川精控阀门制造有限公司 Forced sealing ball valve

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111911669A (en) * 2020-09-18 2020-11-10 华北电力大学 Valve with composite axial and rotary actions

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2229778A (en) * 1989-03-30 1990-10-03 Gkn Technology Ltd Sealing arrangement and torsional actuator incorporating same
US7234480B2 (en) 2004-09-17 2007-06-26 Atlantic Plastics Of Florida, Inc. Telescopic snap valve
CN102979929A (en) * 2012-12-11 2013-03-20 四川精控阀门制造有限公司 Forced sealing ball valve

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8605098D0 (en) 1986-04-09
GB2172063B (en) 1988-01-27

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19930228