Butterfly valve structure and a sleeve therefor
AssigneePont-A-Mousson S.A.
InventorsJean G. Sutter, Alain A. P. Pereebois
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In this butterfly valve structure having an elastic sleeve, an outer projection of the sleeve in the free state has the same sectional shape as a groove in the body of the valve. The radial thickness of the seat is at least equal to ten times the depth to which the valve member, when closed, penetrates into the seat. The depth of the groove is at least equal to 4/10 of the minimum radial thickness of the seat. The axial length of the bottom of the groove is of the same order of magnitude as that of the seat. The corners of the groove are rounded. This valve structure is of particular advantage for high temperature and/or when the valve member remains closed for a prolonged period.
Claims14
A butterfly valve structure comprising means defining a valve body having a longitudinal axis and defining a rigid inner wall having an annular groove, a recess in each opposite end of the body, means defining a butterfly valve member having a median plane, means mounting the valve member in the valve body to pivot about an axis extending transversely of said longitudinal axis, an elastically yieldable sealing sleeve mounted within the valve body, the sleeve being entirely of a flexible elastomer and in one piece and having a U-shaped radial cross-section, the U-shaped defining a web and two branches extending radially outwardly from the web, said branches pertaining to two thin annular end flanges of the sleeve which respectively comprise a sealing bead at an end of the flanges remote from the web, the flanges being respectively located in the recesses and the sealing beads projecting axially beyond the opposite ends of the body, the web being cylindrical and comprising an annular thick portion, the thick portion being located in the vicinity of the median plane of the valve member in a valve-closing position of the valve member substantially between two radial planes which are substantially parallel to and disposed on opposite sides of and at substantially equal distances from said median plane, the thick portion being connected to the flanges by annular thin portions of the web and projecting radially inwardly and outwardly from said annular thin portions, the thick portion defining a seat extending between said two radial planes for the valve member and further defining an annular outer projection which extends substantially between said two radial planes and is disposed in the groove of the valve body, the projection having, in the free state thereof, the same cross-sectional shape and size as the groove and consequently being in an uncompressed state in said groove when the valve member is in a position for fully opening the valve, and the depth of the groove being equal to at least 4/10 of the minimum radial thickness of the thick portion in one of said two radial planes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.