US 2022/0010889 A1Published application

Ball Valve

AssigneeHayward Industries, Inc.

InventorsJoshua Lee Hoots, Jon Terence Stone, Paul M. Gutmann

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Abstract

Improved flow control assemblies for fluid systems (e.g., industrial and/or commercial systems) are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for advantageous ball valve assemblies for fluid systems. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for improved ball valve assemblies and related features, systems and methods of use. Exemplary ball valve assemblies of the present disclosure offer advantages over conventional assemblies including, without limitation, advantages in the sealing mechanisms of the ball valve assemblies, and advantages with the user interfaces of the ball valve assemblies (e.g., advantages with the lockout mechanisms). Improved, convenient and effective systems and methods for utilizing improved ball valve assemblies in fluid systems are provided.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A ball valve assembly comprising:

a body member extending from a first end to a second end and defining a body bore and a neck bore, the body bore having a central longitudinal axis;
a first seat carrier housing a first seat, the first seat carrier disposed in the first end of the body member;
a second seat carrier housing a second seat, the second seat carrier disposed in the second end of the body member;
a ball member disposed in the body bore of the body member between the first and second seat carriers, with the first and second seats engaging the ball member;
a stem member disposed in the neck bore and coupled to the ball member;
and
a seal retainer mounted to the second end of the body member, the seal retainer configured to retain the ball member, the first and second seat carriers and the first and second seats in the body member;
wherein when the ball member is rotated to a fully closed position via the stem member, the ball member, the first and second seat carriers and the first and second seats are configured to move along the central longitudinal axis in a downstream direction in reaction to an upstream load or applied pressure.

5 more elements

A ball valve assembly comprising:

a body member defining a body bore and a neck bore, the body bore having a central longitudinal axis and a first inner surface defining a first inner diameter;
a first seat carrier housing a first seat, the first seat carrier disposed in the body member;
a second seat carrier housing a second seat and having an outer surface defining an outer diameter, the second seat carrier disposed in the body member;
a ball member disposed in the body bore of the body member between the first and second seat carriers, with the first and second seats engaging the ball member;
a stem member disposed in the neck bore and coupled to the ball member;
a seal retainer having a second inner surface defining a second inner diameter, the seal retainer configured to retain the ball member, the first and second seat carriers, and the first and second seats in the body member;
a first seal between the outer surface of the second seat carrier and the first inner surface of the body bore;
and
a second seal between the outer surface of the second seat carrier and the second inner surface of the seal retainer,
wherein when the ball member is rotated to a fully closed position and when the downstream direction is configured to flow from the first end to the second end of the body member, then the first seat carrier and the first seat are configured to move along the central longitudinal axis in the downstream direction and apply a first downstream load against the ball member in reaction to the upstream load or applied pressure, the first downstream load increasing sealing contact stress between the ball member and the first seat, and
wherein when the ball member is rotated to a fully closed position and when the downstream direction is configured to flow from the second end to the first end of the body member, then the second seat carrier, the second seat, the first seal, and the second seal are configured to move along the central longitudinal axis in the downstream direction and apply a second downstream load against the ball member in reaction to the upstream load or applied pressure, the second downstream load increasing sealing contact stress between the ball member and the second seat.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/486,565Filed 27 Sep 2021
Priority: 16 Nov 2015
Published: 13 Jan 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

F16K 5/0642
Easy mounting or dismounting means: the spherical plug being insertable from one and only one side of the housing
F16K 5/0626
With plugs having spherical surfaces; Packings therefor: easy mounting or dismounting means
F16K 5/0647
With plugs having spherical surfaces; Packings therefor: spindles or actuating means
F16K 5/0689
Packings: between housing and plug

Family

Application62/255,849Us provisional application · filed 16 Nov 2015
Application15/349,183Continuation · filed 11 Nov 2016
Application17/486,565Continuation
US 11,131,404 B2Related patent
US 11,649,899 B2Related patent
US 2017/0138504 A1Published application
US 2022/0010889 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.