Valve Body Having Primary and Secondary Stem Guides

An internal valve for connection to a fluid container, the fluid container having an opening surrounded by a mounting flange, the internal valve comprising:

• a valve body having an upper portion having a diameter and sized to extend through the opening in the fluid container, the valve body including an inlet and an outlet;
• the valve body including a flange arranged to permit the valve body to be mounted to the mounting flange of the container via flange fasteners;
• a valve stem slidably disposed in the valve body;
• a primary stem guide supported by primary stem struts connected to an inner side of the valve body at a first axial location along an axis of the valve body, and
• a secondary stem guide supported by secondary stem struts connected to the inner side of the valve body at a second axial location along the axis of the valve body that is an axial distance from the first axial location,
• a poppet valve including a poppet body, the poppet body operatively coupled to the valve stem by a first spring and including a poppet inlet and a poppet outlet, the poppet valve arranged to open and close the inlet of the valve body;
• a bleed valve operatively coupled to the valve stem and arranged to open and close the poppet inlet;
• wherein the valve body further includes thickened portions extending inwardly toward the axis of the valve body, each of the secondary stem struts connected to one of the thickened portions, and
• wherein the thickened portions curve relative to the axis of the valve body.

A valve body for an internal valve for use with a fluid container, the fluid container having an opening surrounded by a mounting flange, the valve body comprising:

• an upper portion having a diameter and sized to extend through the opening in the fluid container;
• an inlet and an outlet;
• a flange arranged to permit the valve body to be mounted to the mounting flange of the container via flange fasteners;
• a primary stem guide supported by only two primary stem struts connected to an inner side of the valve body at a first axial location along an axis of the valve body, and
• a secondary stem guide supported by only two secondary stem struts connected to the inner side of the valve body at a second axial location along the axis of the valve body that is an axial distance from the first axial location,
• wherein the valve body further includes thickened portions extending inwardly toward the axis of the valve body, each of the two secondary stem struts connected to one of the thickened portions.