Field configurable shut-off valve

A method of assembling a valve body for field assembly of a shut-off valve with field-selectable connection fittings, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a valve housing having first, second, and third ports for receiving connection fittings, and a cylindrical bore for receiving a spindle portion of a valve handle, wherein said first port is disposed opposite said third port, and said second port is disposed opposite said cylindrical bore, and wherein said first port has an inner surface and a fixed annular retaining lip extending radially inwardly from said inner surface, said retaining lip defining a first retaining element, and said retaining lip being provided with a seal seat along the radial surface facing said third port,
• b) providing a spindle portion of a valve handle having a first end, a sealing portion, and a second end, said second end having a flange and a tab;
• c) providing a valve closure member having a slot, and providing first and second annular seals, and a second retaining element having an outer contact surface for sealingly engaging the inner surface of said second port in press-fit engagement;
• d) inserting said first end of said spindle portion of said handle into said cylindrical bore through said second port, so that said sealing portion sealingly engages said cylindrical bore and said flange abuts said cylindrical bore;
• e) inserting said first annular seal into said seal seat;
• f) after steps (d) and (e), aligning said slot of said valve closure member and said tab of said spindle, and positioning said valve closure member against said first annular seal;
• g) aligning said second retaining element with said second port;
• and then
• h) pressing said second retaining element into said second port for pre-loading said annular seals and for engaging said contact surface of said second retaining element with the inner surface of said second port in sealing press-fit engagement.

A method of assembling a valve body for field assembly of a shut-off valve with field-selectable connection fittings, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a valve housing having first, second, and third ports for receiving connection fittings, and a cylindrical bore for receiving a spindle portion of a valve handle, wherein said first port is disposed opposite said third port, and said second port is disposed opposite said cylindrical bore, and wherein said first port has an inner surface and a fixed annular retaining lip extending radially inwardly from said inner surface, said retaining lip being provided with a seal seat along the radial surface facing said third port, and wherein said third port has an inner surface with an annular groove;
• b) providing a spindle portion of a valve handle having a first end, a sealing portion, and a second end, said second end having a flange;
• c) providing a valve closure member, first and second annular seals, an o-ring, a sealing ring, and a retaining clip;
• d) inserting said first end of said spindle portion of said handle into said cylindrical bore through said second port, so that said sealing portion sealingly engages said cylindrical bore and said flange abuts said cylindrical bore;
• e) inserting said first annular seal into said seal seat;
• f) after steps (d) and (e), positioning said valve closure member against said first annular seal;
• g) inserting said second annular seal through said third port and positioning said second annular seal against said closure member;
• h) inserting said o-ring through said third port and positioning said o-ring against said second annular seal;
• i) inserting said sealing ring through said third port and positioning said sealing ring so that said o-ring is disposed about said sealing ring;
• j) applying axial force against said sealing ring in the direction of said first port for pre-loading said annular seals;
• and then
• k) installing said retaining clip in said groove of said third port to retain said annular seals in said pre-loaded condition.

A kit of parts for field assembly of a shut-off valve with field selectable connection fittings, said kit of parts comprising:

• a) a valve body having a housing with three ports, a valve closure member mounted within said housing, said valve closure member being movable between open and closed positions, a handle for moving said valve closure member between said open and closed positions, internal flow passageways for permitting the flow of fluid among said three ports through said valve closure member, and a plurality of valve closure member sealing structures for providing leak-proof operation of said valve closure member when in and moving between said open and closed positions, wherein each port has a first connector end for receiving a connection fitting, and wherein said valve closure member sealing structures operably seal said closure member independently of said connection fittings received in said ports;
• b) a plurality of connection fittings having second connector ends;
• and
• c) a connection structure for providing a leak proof seal between said first connector ends of said ports and said second connector ends of said connection fittings when said fittings are received in said ports.

A method of creating a field-customized valve assembly for attachment to a configuration of fluid conduits, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a kit of parts containing a valve body and a plurality of connection fittings, wherein said valve body has a sealingly assembled closure member disposed between three ports, each port having a first connector end with a first common configuration for receiving a connection fitting, and each connection fitting having a second connector end with a second common configuration and a different adaptor end;
• b) identifying the desired configuration of fluid conduits to which the valve is to be attached;
• c) selecting from said kit of parts for each of said three ports a connection fitting having an adaptor end to match said desired configuration of fluid conduits to which the valve is to be attached;
• and
• d) attaching said second ends of said selected connection fittings to said first connection ends of said selected ports of said valve body.

A connection structure providing a sealed joint between first and second parts, wherein at least one of said parts is for conducting fluid, said connection structure comprising:

• a) a first seal surface on said first part;
• b) a second seal surface on said second part;
• and
• c) an annular elastomeric gasket positioned between said first and second seal surfaces;
• wherein said first and second seal surfaces interact upon assembly of said first and second parts to provide an enclosed annular cavity which traps and is filled with at least a portion of said elastomeric gasket.

A connection structure providing a sealed joint between first and second parts, wherein at least one of said parts is for conducting fluid, said connection structure comprising:

• a) a first seal surface on said first part;
• b) a second seal surface on said second part;
• and
• c) an annular gasket of deformable metal positioned between said first and second seal surfaces, said annular gasket having axially opposed first and second face surfaces adjacent said first and second seal surfaces, respectively,
• wherein at least one of said first face surface, second face surface, first seal surface, and second seal surface is bevelled relative to the one of said first face surface, second face surface, first seal surface, and second seal surface adjacent said bevelled surface.