Knifegate valve

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved knifegate valve 1, comprising a body 3, a knifegate 2, a gland box 4, an actuator 9, 10, 11 for inserting the knifegate 2 through the gland box 4 into the valve body 3 and retracting it therefrom, a support 5,6 for supporting the actuator 9, 10, 11 in spaced relation to the gland box 4 and the body 3 and a securing device 20 for securing the gland box 4 in such a way that it is capable of retaining packing material 17 contained therein in a compressed state, wherein the improvement comprises connecting the securing device 6 to the support 5. The support may comprise a bridge 5 supported in spaced relation to the body 3 by pillars 6 connected to the body 3, in which case the securing device may comprise nuts 20 that are capable of cooperating with corresponding external threads on the pillars 6 to secure the gland box lid 14 to its base 13. The actuator may comprise a hand wheel 9 having a central threaded bore 10 and a corresponding spindle 11 connected to the knifegate 2. The knifegate 2 may also be pneumatically actuated or actuated by a solenoid. Alternatively the knifegate may be connected to a piston that is lever operated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.