# US 11,898,643 B1 · Dual union ball drain valve with T-flow adjustability > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,898,643 B1 - Document ID: US11898643B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/090,139 - Filed: 2022-12-28 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-28 - Assignees: NIBCO Inc. - Applicants: NIBCO Inc. - Inventors: Christopher W. Mason - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898643B1 ## CPC - F16K 11/087: with spherical plug - F16K 11/0873: {the plug being only rotatable around one spindle} - F16K 5/0605: {with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means} - F16K 27/067: {with spherical plugs} - F16K 31/44: Mechanical actuating means - F16K 31/602: {Pivoting levers, e.g. single-sided (F16K31/605 takes precedence)} - F16K 37/00: Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given - 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 dual union drain valve has union couplings to permit a variety of fitting ends. The dual union drain valve has a T-valve member at the intersection of the tee-shaped valve body that can be rotated within the fluid passageway to provide a variety of options for selectively closing sections of the fluid passageway. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dual union drain valve, comprising: a tee-shaped valve body having a fluid passageway between a first port, a second port disposed opposite said first port, and a third port, said third port disposed perpendicular to said first and second ports; a first valve assembly disposed at the intersection in said tee-shaped valve body, said first valve assembly including a ball with three openings that can be positioned within the fluid passageway, said ball coupled to a stem having a T symbol that corresponds to the three openings such that the side of the ball that has no fluid passageway opening is in alignment with the flat top of the T symbol; a removable handle coupled to said stem; at least one handle stop located on said valve body; a second valve assembly disposed adjacent to said third port; a first fitting with a first union coupling having an internal threaded surface that couples with an external threaded surface on said first port; and a second fitting with a second union coupling having an internal threaded surface that couples with an external threaded surface on said second port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dual union drain valve of claim 1, wherein the first fitting and second fitting are the same type of fitting. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The dual union drain valve of claim 1, wherein the first fitting and second fitting are different types of fittings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The dual union drain valve of claim 1, wherein the first union coupling is integrally formed with the first fitting and the second union coupling is integrally formed with the second fitting. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The dual union drain valve of claim 1, wherein the first union coupling is a separate piece from the first fitting. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The dual union drain valve of claim 1, wherein the second union coupling is a separate piece from the second fitting. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The dual union drain valve of claim 1, wherein said side of said ball that has no fluid passageway opening is aligned with the third port and can be rotated toward the first port when the handle is rotated. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The dual union drain valve of claim 1, wherein said side of said ball that has no fluid passageway opening is aligned with the sidewall of the valve body opposite the third port and can be rotated toward the second port when the handle is rotated. ### Claim 9 A dual union valve, comprising: a tee-shaped valve body having a fluid passageway between a first port, a second port disposed opposite said first port, and a third port, said third port disposed perpendicular to said first and second ports; a first valve assembly disposed at the intersection in said tee-shaped valve body, said first valve assembly including a ball with three openings that can be positioned within the fluid passageway, said ball coupled to a stem having a T symbol that corresponds to the three openings such that the side of the ball that has no fluid passageway opening is in alignment with the flat top of the T symbol; a removable handle coupled to said stem; at least one handle stop located on said valve body, permitting the handle to rotate within a 90 degree range; a first fitting with a first union coupling having an internal threaded surface that couples with an external threaded surface on said first port; and a second fitting with a second union coupling having an internal threaded surface that couples with an external threaded surface on said second port. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The dual union valve of claim 9, wherein the first fitting and second fitting are the same type of fitting. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The dual union valve of claim 9, wherein the first fitting and second fitting are different types of fittings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The dual union valve of claim 9, wherein the first union coupling is a separate piece from the first fitting. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The dual union valve of claim 9, wherein the second union coupling is a separate piece from the second fitting. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The dual union valve of claim 9, wherein said side of said ball that has no fluid passageway opening is aligned with the third port and can be rotated toward the first port when the handle is rotated. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The dual union valve of claim 9, wherein said side of said ball that has no fluid passageway opening is aligned with the sidewall of the valve body opposite the third port and can be rotated toward the second port when the handle is rotated. ### Claim 16 A dual union drain valve, comprising: a tee-shaped valve body having a fluid passageway between a first port, a second port disposed opposite said first port, and a third port, said third port with a threaded external surface disposed perpendicular to said first and second ports; a first valve assembly disposed at the intersection in said tee-shaped valve body, said first valve assembly including a ball with three openings that can be positioned within the fluid passageway, said ball coupled to a stem having a T symbol that corresponds to the three openings such that the side of the ball that has no fluid passageway opening is in alignment with the flat top of the T symbol; a removable handle coupled to said ball, said removable handle permitting the rotation of said ball and said stem within said intersection when said handle is removed; a second valve assembly disposed adjacent to said third port; a first fitting with a first union coupling having an internal threaded surface that couples with an external threaded surface on said first port; and a second fitting with a second union coupling having an internal threaded surface that couples with an external threaded surface on said second port. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The dual union drain valve of claim 16, wherein the first fitting and second fitting are the same type of fitting. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The dual union drain valve of claim 16, wherein the first union coupling is integrally formed with the first fitting and the second union coupling is integrally formed with the second fitting. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The dual union drain valve of claim 16, wherein said side of said ball that has no fluid passageway opening is aligned with the third port, when the third port is in a generally horizontal position, and can be rotated toward the first port when the handle is rotated. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The dual union drain valve of claim 16, wherein said side of said ball that has no fluid passageway opening is aligned with the sidewall of the valve body opposite the third port, when the third port is in a generally horizontal position, and can be rotated toward the second port when the handle is rotated.