Valve seal structured to prevent circumferential slippage

A valve comprising:

• a valve housing having an internal annular groove;
• a moveable valve element positioned within the valve housing and adapted for movement between an open position wherein the valve element permits fluid flow through the valve housing and a closed position wherein the valve element prevents fluid flow through the valve housing;
• and
• an annular valve seal having an annular interior surface and an annular exterior surface generally opposite the annular interior surface, at least a portion of the annular exterior surface being received within the internal annular groove of the valve housing, the annular interior surface defining a central opening of the valve seal, the central opening having a center axis, a portion of the annular interior surface being adapted for engagement with the moveable valve element when the valve element is in its closed position to prevent fluid flow through the central opening of the valve seal, the annular exterior surface including a plurality of recesses therein, the recesses being circumferentially spaced about the center axis of the central opening of the valve seal.

A valve comprising:

• a valve housing having an internal annular groove;
• a moveable valve element positioned within the valve housing and adapted for movement between an open position wherein the valve element permits fluid flow through the valve housing and a closed position wherein the valve element prevents fluid flow through the valve housing;
• and
• an annular valve seal having an annular interior surface and an annular exterior surface generally opposite the annular interior surface, at least a portion of the annular exterior surface being received within the internal annular groove of the valve housing, the annular interior surface defining a central opening of the valve seal, the central opening having a center axis, a portion of the annular interior surface being adapted for engagement with the moveable valve element when the valve element is in its closed position to prevent fluid flow through the central opening of the valve seal, the annular exterior surface including a plurality of projections protruding generally outwardly therefrom, the projections being circumferentially spaced about the center axis of the central opening of the valve seal.

A method for preventing circumferential movement of an annular valve seal, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an annular valve seal having an annular interior surface defining a central opening of the valve seal and an annular exterior surface generally opposite the annular interior surface, the central opening having a center axis, the annular exterior surface including a plurality of recesses therein, the recesses being circumferentially spaced about the center axis of the central opening of the valve seal;
• inserting the annular valve seal into an internal annular groove of a valve body so that at least a portion of the annular exterior surface of the seal is received within the internal annular groove to define an annular cavity between the annular exterior surface of the seal and the internal annular groove of the valve body;
• filling at least a part of the annular cavity with a curable polymeric material so that the curable polymeric material engages the internal annular groove of the valve body, engages the annular exterior surface of the seal, and occupies portions of at least some of the circumferentially spaced recesses in the annular exterior surface of the valve seal;
• and
• allowing the curable polymeric material to cure to a solid condition.

A method for preventing circumferential movement of an annular valve seal, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an annular valve seal having an annular interior surface defining a central opening of the valve seal and an annular exterior surface generally opposite the annular interior surface, the central opening having a center axis, the annular exterior surface including a plurality of projections protruding generally outwardly therefrom, the projections being circumferentially spaced about the center axis of the central opening of the valve seal;
• inserting the annular valve seal into an internal annular groove of a valve body so that at least a portion of the annular exterior surface of the seal is received within the internal annular groove to define an annular cavity between the annular exterior surface of the seal and the internal annular groove of the valve body;
• filling at least a part of the annular cavity with a curable polymeric material so that the curable polymeric material engages the internal annular groove of the valve body, engages the annular exterior surface of the seal, and surrounds portions of at least some of the circumferentially spaced projections;
• and
• allowing the curable polymeric material to cure to a solid condition.