# US 11,111,953 B2 · Fluid flow control device having a draining body bearing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,111,953 B2 - Document ID: US11111953B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/629,413 - Filed: 2019-07-04 - Published: 2020-05-07 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-05 - Assignees: Emerson Automation Solutions Final; Control Italia S.R.L. - Applicants: Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Italia S.R.L. - Inventors: Luca Vertova; Mauro Amici - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111953B2 ## CPC - F16C 17/026: {with helical grooves in the bearing surface to generate hydrodynamic pressure, e.g. herringbone grooves} - F16C 17/02: for radial load only - F16C 41/00: Other accessories, {e.g. devices integrated in the bearing not relating to the bearing function as such} - F16K 1/224: {Details of bearings for the axis of rotation} - F16C 33/1065: {Grooves on a bearing surface for distributing or collecting the liquid} - F16C 33/107: {Grooves for generating pressure} - F16C 2361/91: Valves - F16K 1/2261: {the sealing being arranged on the valve member} - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract A fluid flow control device includes a valve body forming a channel defining a fluid flow path extending from an inlet to an outlet, a shaft having a first portion and a second portion, a flow control member coupled to the first portion of the shaft, and a bearing comprising an elongated body having a first end, a second end, an inner surface defining an interior volume, and an outer surface. The bearing is dimensioned to accommodate the shaft in the interior volume and includes at least one opening extending between the inner surface and the outer surface and at least one elongated channel formed on the outer surface. The elongated channel extends a length between the first end and the second end of the elongated body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bearing for a fluid flow control device, the bearing comprising: an elongated body having a first end, a second end, an inner surface defining an interior volume of the elongated body, and an outer surface, the elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a shaft abutment region extending at least partially between the first end and the second end along the longitudinal axis; at least one opening extending between the inner surface and the outer surface; and at least one elongated channel formed on the outer surface of the elongated body, the elongated channel extending a length between the first end of the elongated body and the second end of the elongated body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bearing of claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated channel extends in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bearing of claim 1, wherein the shaft abutment region extends inwardly into the interior volume of the elongated body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The bearing of claim 3, wherein the shaft abutment region comprises a tapered region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bearing of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings are arranged radially about the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bearing of claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated channel comprises eight elongated channels. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bearing of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises eight openings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bearing of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises an opening central longitudinal axis and the at least one elongated channel comprises a channel central longitudinal axis, wherein the opening central longitudinal axis is collinear with the channel central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 9 A fluid flow control device comprising: a valve body forming a channel defining a fluid flow path extending from an inlet of the valve body to an outlet of the valve body, the valve body further defining a valve seat disposed in the fluid flow path; a shaft being at least partially disposed within the fluid flow path; a flow control member coupled to the shaft, the flow control member being disposed in the fluid flow path and being adapted to control fluid flow along the fluid flow path of the valve by sealingly engaging the valve seat; a bearing comprising an elongated body having a first end, a second end, an inner surface defining an interior volume of the elongated body, and an outer surface, the elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis, the bearing being dimensioned to accommodate the shaft in the interior volume of the elongated body, the bearing further comprising at least one opening extending between the inner surface and the outer surface and at least one elongated channel formed on the outer surface of the elongated body, the elongated channel extending a length between the first end of the elongated body and the second end of the elongated body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fluid flow control device of claim 9, wherein the at least one elongated channel extends in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The fluid flow control device of claim 9, wherein the inner surface of the elongated body defines a shaft abutment region extending inwardly into an interior volume of the elongated body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fluid flow control device of claim 11, wherein the shaft abutment region comprises a tapered region. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The fluid flow control device of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings are arranged radially about the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The fluid flow control device of claim 9, wherein the at least one opening comprises an opening central longitudinal axis and the at least one elongated channel comprises a channel central longitudinal axis, wherein the opening central longitudinal axis is collinear with the channel central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The fluid flow control device of claim 9, wherein the at least one elongated channel comprises eight elongated channels. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The fluid flow control device of claim 9, wherein the at least one opening comprises eight openings.