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US 6,598,849 B2Granted
Pressure compensation/control for fail-safe gate valve
AssigneeCooper Cameron Corporation
InventorsLoc C. Hoang, Jim E. Kilmoyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fail-safe gate valve for sub-sea use features a floating, pressure biased compensating piston whose movement prevents internal pressure buildup from opening movement of the gate. A pre-charged fluid chamber provides the bias on the balancing piston. Using unequal piston diameters reduces the charge pressure. The balancing piston is not connected to the gate so that internal pressures can be employed to act on a net area, which biases the gate toward its fail-safe position.
Claims16
A gate valve, comprising:
- a body defining a cavity therein and having an inlet and an outlet;
- a gate reciprocally movable in said cavity between an open position where an opening in said gate is substantially aligned with said inlet and outlet and a closed position where a solid portion of said gate is substantially aligned with said inlet and said outlet;
- said body further comprising seats in contact with said gate on opposite sides thereof to selectively seal said cavity at said inlet and outlet when said gate is in said closed position;
- and
- a pressure compensation system for pressure which increases in said cavity as a result of movement of said gate from it said closed position towards its open position said system movable independently of said gate.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.