GB406660A - Improvements in or relating to ball valve members for use with rotary ball valves - Google Patents

Abstract

406,660. Hollow balls for rotary valves &c. ALLEN, R., 23, Berwick Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex. Aug. 29, 1932, No. 24114. [Class 135.] A composite spherical ball, particularly the ball of a rotary ball valve, is formed by applying pressure in a die to the surfaces around the edges of two slightly over-sized semi - spherical metal shells, whereby the excess material is caused to flow between the surfaces and interlock to form a tight joint. The ball may be made of copper, brass, soft mild steel, or like ductile metal, and it may be given a chromium or other plating to form a hard outer skin. The ball may be fitted internally with a supporting collar or disc and/or a central tube forming a support and/or a fluid passage, the outer periphery of the collar or disc being engaged between the shells during the formation of the ball and the ends of the tube being interlocked with the edges of holes bored centrally in the ball by applying pressure in a die or by means of screw threads. The two pressing operations may be performed in one die or in separate dies. The collar or disc may be parallel to or at right angles to the central tube, and the latter may be parallel to or at right angles to the interlocking surfaces of the shells. In the form shown in Figs. 4A and 4C the shell 1 is grooved at 13, the shell 2 is formed with an upturned lip 12, and the collar 14 surrounding the central tube is tapered at 15. As shown in Figs. 8B and 8C, the shells may be provided with flanges 19, 20 adapted to be bent inwardly or outwardly into corresponding recesses 21, 22 in the collar 14. Other forms of interlocking joints described and illustrated in the Specification include V-shaped flanges and grooves and concaveconvex engaging surfaces. For connecting the ball to the operating spindle of the valve, the ball may be bored at right angles to the tube to receive the end of the spindle, the tongue of an intermediate coupler as described in Specification 403,389, or a complementary connecting member as described in Specification 407,010. In the form shown in Fig. 4A the ball is provided with four holes to receive pins 9 on a complementary connecting member 10 which is secured to the ball by a screw 11 (not shown). According to Fig. 8C the collar 14 is formed with a tongue 23 to be received in a groove on the connecting member or on the separate coupling member. Fig. 12 shows the lower end of the spindle passing with end play in the ball and provided with a sleeve 30 which slidably embraces the tube 3. In other forms the tube and the connecting member of the coupling device may be formed in one piece, or the stem of the complementary connecting member may be grooved to receive the edges of the bore in the ball by pressure in a die.