Combined seal and actuator support

In a valve having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat between the inlet and outlet, and a valve member carried by an actuator shaft for movement toward and away from the valve seat, the improvement comprising:

• an elongate, combined seal means and actuator support sleeve engaged in said housing between said actuator shaft and the housing for effecting a seal between the shaft and housing and for supporting the actuator shaft for actuation in the housing, said support sleeve having a portion with threads therein engaged with complemental means on the actuator shaft to effect movement of the shaft toward and away from the valve seat when the shaft is turned in the sleeve, and an unthreaded portion slidably and sealably engaged with said shaft to effect a seal and support for said shaft, said sleeve having one end engaged against an end of said body and held clamped thereto by a retaining nut engaged on said end of said body, and said seal means including an annular channel in said one end of the support sleeve, with a resilient ring means engaged therein to impart a residual bias thereto and maintain said one end in sealing engagement with the body and with the actuator shaft when the retaining nut is tightened against said one end of said sleeve.