US 11,306,829 B2 · Low torque residential water shutoff valve

Abstract

A low pressure, low operating force valve, for applications where automated valves are used, having reduced power requirements for an associated actuator. A low torque ball valve of a fixed ball valve configuration for low to medium pressure applications, such as for an electric motor actuated residential shutoff valve where pressures are typically below 100 psi, and commonly less than 60 psi, for example. The valve can be open or shut using a smaller electric motor than would be required for a conventional residential floating ball shutoff valve of a similar size. As such, the power requirements of the electric motor or other actuator are reduced allowing for the use of smaller motors, smaller power supplies and overall more efficient operation.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A valve comprising:

a valve body having an inlet and an outlet;
a ball supported in the valve body for rotation between open and closed positions, the ball having a passageway for fluidly connecting the inlet of the valve body to the outlet of the valve body when in the open position;
and
a valve stem extending from the valve body, the valve stem coupled to the ball for rotating the ball between the open and closed positions;
wherein the ball is fixed for rotation about an axis perpendicular to a flow direction of the valve by at least one resilient pin received in a bore of the valve stem;
and
an outlet valve seat against which the ball seals when in the closed position, wherein the at least one resilient pin allows limited movement of the valve in a direction parallel to flow of fluid through the valve when the valve is in the closed position thereby increasing a sealing force applied to the valve seat by the ball.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Low torque residential water shutoff valve

Life of this patent

Low torque residential water shutoff valve

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11