Low stress stem connection structure for a non-rising stem type gate valve

A gate valve comprising:

• a valve body in which is formed an open ended valve chamber and inlet and outlet fluid passages communicating with the valve chamber, a valve seat positioned about each said inlet and outlet fluid passages adjacent said valve chamber, a bonnet assembly forming a closure for said valve chamber, an axially rotatable non-rising valve stem carried by said bonnet assembly and having a threaded inner end section;
• a gate member disposed in said valve chamber and movable between open and closed positions relative to said fluid passages to control fluid flow through said valve, said gate member having an externally threaded extension with a longitudinal bore in which the inner end section of said stem is received, said longitudinal bore having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the stem to provide a clearance between the stem and the gate member, the upper end of the gate extension having a pair of opposed slots aligned in a direction parallel to the direction of fluid flow through said flow passages;
• a stem nut threaded on an end of said stem and having a pair of ears fitting within said opposed slots whereby rotation of said stem effects movement of said gate member between open and closed positions;
• and interfitting ears and slots, and the clearance between the stem and gate member, permitting movement of said gate member relative to the longitudinal axis of said stem in the direction of fluid flow through said fluid passages;
• and,
• an inverted cup-shaped gate nut threaded onto the externally threaded extension of said gate member and enclosing said stem nut, said gate nut having an opening in its upper end receiving said stem and providing a clearance between said gate nut and said stem to permit said movement of said gate member relative to the longitudinal axis of said stem in the direction of fluid flow through said flow passages whereby a low stress connection is formed between said stem and said gate member to facilitate opening and closing of the gate valve.