Top Entry Soft Seats Floating Ball Valve

• US 20180023711A1
• Filed: 05/25/2017
• Published: 01/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hawa Valves (India) Private Limited
• Original Assignee: Hawa Valves (India) Private Limited
• Inventors: Hawa, Javed Anwar
• Granted Patent: US 10,145,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0636 the spherical plug being insertable from the top of the housing
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0663 Packings
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0678 in which only one of the components of the composite packing is contacting the plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0508 Ball valve or rotary ball valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6045 With top entry valve

Abstract

A top entry ball valve comprises a housing with a central cavity communicating with two bores which define a flow path through the housing. A ball valve element is provided and comprises a through bore. The ball valve element is rotatably mounted within the central cavity for rotation about an axis for selectively aligning the through bore with the housing bores. The ball valve element further comprises first and second flat surfaces on opposite sides of the ball valve element. The flat surfaces are perpendicular to the axis. The top entry ball valve further comprises first and second seats which are configured to provide a seal between the ball valve element and the central cavity. First and second protective rings are provided for receiving and supporting at least a portion of the first and second seats.

Claims

1. A top entry ball valve comprising:

a housing with a central cavity communicating with two bores which define a flow path through the housing;

a ball valve element comprising a through bore, rotatably mounted within the central cavity for rotation about an axis for selectively aligning the through bore with the housing bores, the valve element further comprising first and second flat surfaces on opposite sides of the element, the surfaces being perpendicular to the axis;

first and second seats, configured to provide a seal between the ball valve element and the central cavity; and

first and second protective rings for receiving and supporting at least a portion of the first and second seats.

2. A top entry ball valve according to claim 1, wherein the first and second seats are made of a thermoplastic.

3. A top entry ball valve according to claim 1, wherein the first and second protective rings are made of a metal.

4. A top entry ball valve according to claim 1, wherein the ball valve element further comprises an engagement slot on the first flat surface.

5. A top entry ball valve according to claim 4, wherein the ball valve further comprises a second engagement slot on the second flat surface.

6. A top entry ball valve according to claim 4, wherein the engagement slot extends from the flat surface to the through bore.

7. A top entry ball valve according to claim 5, wherein the engagement slot extends from the flat surface to the through bore.

8. A method of assembling the top entry ball valve, comprising:

providing;

a housing with a central cavity communicating with two bores which define a flow path through the housing;

a ball valve element with a central bore and first and second flat surfaces on opposite sides of the element;

first and second seats; and

first and second protective rings for receiving and supporting at least a portion of the first and second seats, inserting at least a portion the first and second seats into the first and second protective rings respectively;

inserting the first and second seats and rings into the central cavity, aligned with the bores of the housing;

inserting the ball element into the central cavity, with the central bore transverse to the flow path and the first and second flat surfaces extending transverse to the flow path;

rotating the ball element until the central bore is substantially aligned with the flow path.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

inserting a valve stem into an engagement slot of the ball valve element; and

attaching a valve lid over the cavity to seal the valve assembly.