Apparatus and method for replacing existing actuator zone valves in an HVAC system with a ball valve
AssigneeInvensys Building Systems, Inc.
InventorMichael Oh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for replacing existing actuator driven zone valves in an HVAC system, and particularly valves of the rubber paddle type having actuators providing less than 90 degrees of rotation, with a ball valve including a skewed seat bearing that blocks flow through the flowpath when a valve member of the ball valve is rotated through an angle of substantially less than 90 degrees from a fully open position of the valve at which a bore in the valve member is substantially fully aligned with the flowpath. The actuator from the existing zone valve being replaced may be used with the provided ball valve apparatus and method.
Claims29
A valve apparatus comprising, a ball valve having a valve housing, a valve member, and a skewed seat bearing, the housing defining a flowpath, the valve member being mounted in the flowpath for selective rotation about an axis of rotation and having a through bore therein defining a fully open position of the ball valve when the valve member is rotated to substantially align the bore with the flowpath, the skewed seat bearing being disposed between the valve member and the valve housing and extending partially across the flowpath for blocking fluid flow through the bore and defining a closed position of the ball valve when the valve member is rotated away from the fully open position through an angle of rotation of substantially less than 90 degrees.
A method for replacing an existing actuator driven zone valve, the method comprising, replacing the existing zone valve with a valve apparatus including, a ball valve having a valve housing, a valve member, and a skewed seat bearing, the housing defining a flowpath, the valve member being mounted in the flowpath for selective rotation about an axis of rotation and having a through bore therein defining a fully open position of the ball valve when the valve member is rotated to substantially align the bore with the flowpath, the skewed seat bearing being disposed between the valve member and the valve housing, and extending partially across the flowpath, for blocking fluid flow through the bore and defining a closed position of the ball valve when the valve member is rotated away from the fully open position through an angle of rotation of substantially less than 90 degrees.
A valve apparatus comprising:
- a ball valve having a valve housing, a valve member, and a skewed seat bearing, with the housing defining a flowpath;
- the valve member being mounted in the flowpath for selective rotation about an axis of rotation and having a through bore therein defining a fully open position of the ball valve when the valve member is rotated to substantially align the bore with the flowpath;
- the skewed seat bearing being disposed between the valve member and the valve housing and extending partially across the flowpath, for blocking fluid flow through the bore and defining a closed position of the ball valve when the valve member is rotated away from the fully open position through an angle of rotation of substantially less than 90 degrees.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.