US 5,063,954 A · Multiple orifice valve with reduced operator torque

Abstract

To reduce the torque required to turn a movable upstream disk relative to an abutting stationary downstream disk in a multiple orifice valve, particularly when the disks are subjected to high fluid pressures, there is provided a removable sleeve or insert at the outlet side of the stationary downstream disk having a support member formed therein for supporting the downstream or outlet side of the downstream disk. The support member may be provided with a central raised portion for supporting the downstream side of the stationary downstream disk along the central axis thereof which is coaxial with the central rotational axis of the movable upstream disk. The supportive sleeve or insert serves to reduce the torque required to turn the upstream disk irrespective of the diameter of the disks. Such a sleeve further reduces the required turning torque in such valve assemblies wherein the abutting faces of the disks are polished to a high level of surface finish quality. In yet a further embodiment, the instrument for reducing the torque required to turn the upstream disk relative to the downstream disk includes the provision, on at least one of the abutting faces of the disks, of a relatively raised central region and a relatively recessed peripheral region whereby frictional contact between the abutting faces is localized essentially at the central regions thereof.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A valve including the combination of:

a valve body having an internal cavity with an inlet and outlet for fluid;
an upstream disk rotatably supported in the cavity of said valve body and having a fluid passageway for conducting fluid;
means for rotating said upstream disk;
a downstream disk arranged in a face-to-face and confronting relation with said upstream disk in the cavity of said valve body, said downstream disk having a fluid passageway for conducting fluid from the fluid passageway in said upstream disk;
a tubular insert supported in said valve body and having a fluid passageway, said tubular insert being interlocked at a first end thereof with said downstream disk and serving to conduct fluid from the fluid passageway in the downstream disk to said outlet, said tubular insert further having a frusto-conical interior wall tapering radially inwardly from said first end of said tubular insert toward a second end thereof;
support means spanning the fluid passageway of said tubular insert, said support means including a raised portion for contacting a central portion of the downstream face of said downstream disk, said raised portion protruding outwardly from said first end of said tubular member;
and
means for interlocking said tubular insert with said valve body.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multiple orifice valve with reduced operator torque

Life of this patent

Multiple orifice valve with reduced operator torque

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26