Valve assembly
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsAnatoly Gosis, Terrence P. Meier, James S. Zielinski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve assembly including a valve body having an elongated passage through which product flows and a valve element which rotates about an axis extending generally normal to an axis defined by the passage in the valve body is disclosed. The valve element is mounted in the valve body passage to control product flow through the passage as a function of the position of the valve element. The diameter of a valve body bore within which the valve element rotates is equal to or greater than the passage it seals. A seal structure cooperates with the valve element to selectively seal the passage.
Claims18
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body having a passage defining a first axis, and a bore defining a second axis disposed in crossing relation to the first axis, the bore having an inner surface defined by an inner periphery thereof, a first open end, and a second spaced apart open end;
- and
- a valve structure including a pair of radial flanges disposed at opposed ends with a solid web member extending therebetween, the radial flanges being configured to mount the valve structure within the bore for rotation about the second axis between a closed position, wherein the valve structure cooperates with the inner surface of the bore to obstruct movement of product through the passage, and an open position, wherein the valve structure is positioned relative to the inner surface of the bore so as to permit product movement through the passage, the radial flanges being structured and arranged so as to close the first and second open ends of the bore, wherein the valve structure includes a seal structure having a first seal portion extending lengthwise on one side of the web member and generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the valve structure, a second seal portion extending lengthwise on an opposite side of the web member and generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the valve structure, a third seal portion extending around one of the radial flanges, and a fourth seal portion extending around the other radial flange, thereby creating a seal between the valve structure and the bore to prevent movement of product therepast when the valve structure is in the closed position.
A valve assembly for use with a product holding container, the valve assembly comprising:
- a one-piece valve body having a generally cylindrical passage defining a first axis, a smooth inner surface, an inlet end, and an outlet end, and a generally cylindrical bore defining a second axis arranged generally coplanar with and normal to the first axis and between the inlet and outlet end of the passage, the bore having an inner surface defined by an inner periphery, a first open end, and a second spaced apart open end, the valve body further having a pair of spaced apart cylindrical seats axially aligned relative to each other and which open to opposed sides of the valve body;
- a valve structure including a pair of radial flanges disposed at opposite ends with a generally rectangular solid web member extending therebetween, and a seal structure extending lengthwise of and generally parallel to opposite sides of the web member, the radial flanges being configured to mount the valve structure within the bore so as to close the first and second open ends of the bore and to cooperate with the cylindrical seats on the valve body to support the valve structure for rotation about the second axis between a closed position, wherein the seal structure cooperates with the bore to obstruct movement of product through the passage, and an open position, wherein the valve structure cooperates with the bore to permit product movement through the passage;
- and
- wherein a diameter of the bore, as well as the distance between the cylindrical seats, is equal to or greater than a distance measured between any two diametrically opposed locations on a marginal edge of the passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.