Double offset ball member usable in ball valves and other flow control applications

A ball member usable in a ball valve, the ball member comprising:

• a first partial sphere having a first surface and a first center of a sphere;
• a second partial sphere having a second surface and a second center of a sphere, wherein the first and second partial spheres are integrated with one another forming the ball member having a generally spherical outer shape, and wherein the first center of the sphere and the second center of the sphere are located a distance from one another;
• a first shoulder defined by a portion of the first partial sphere extending past the second partial sphere;
• a second shoulder defined by a portion of the second partial sphere extending past the first partial sphere, wherein the first shoulder encircles a substantial part of the first end of the bore, and wherein the second shoulder encircles a substantial part of the second end of the bore;
• and
• a bore having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the bore extends through the ball member transverse to an axis of rotation of the ball member, wherein the ball valve is opened and closed to fluid flow by rotating the ball member about the axis of rotation.

A ball member usable in a ball valve, the ball member comprising:

• a body segment having a generally rounded shape and an axis of rotation, wherein the body segment comprises:
• a bore having a longitudinal axis, wherein the bore extends through the body segment transverse to the axis of rotation;
• a first sloped surface;
• and
• a second sloped surface, wherein the first and second sloped surfaces comprise a progressively changing radius with respect to the axis of rotation;
• a first shoulder defined by an area located between the first and second sloped surfaces, wherein the first sloped surface extends past the second sloped surface;
• and
• a second shoulder defined by an area located between the first and second sloped surfaces, wherein the second sloped surface extends past the first sloped surface,
• wherein the first and second shoulders are oriented generally parallel relative to each other, and
• wherein the ball valve is opened and closed to fluid flow by rotating the body segment about the axis of rotation.