Three way valve and distribution pipe comprising same, both adapted to be cleaned by scraping
First Claim
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1. A three-way ball valve adapted for connection to a liquid distribution pipe with a pipe cleaning device therein, said valve comprising:
- a) a valve body having a straight flow passage with an inner surface defined by a tubular wall for connecting said body to said distribution pipe, an inlet to and an outlet from said straight flow passage, and a branch flow passage intersecting said straight flow passage through an opening in said tubular wall between said inlet and outlet;
b) a valve closure element housing through which the branch flow passage extends; and
c) a ball valve closure element in said housing for controlling flow through said branch flow passage, said closure element having a spherical external surface and a cylindrical bore, said closure element located such that its spherical external surface is substantially tangential to said inner surface of said straight flow passage at said opening when said closure element is in its closed position to minimize deposition and accumulation of residues in said straight flow passage and to facilitate removal of said residues across said spherical external surface at said opening by movement of said pipe cleaning device through said liquid distribution pipe and said straight flow passage.
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Abstract
A three-way ball valve adapted for connection to a liquid distribution pipe with a pipe cleaning device therein, the valve including a spherical closure element that is located with respect to the pipe to minimize deposition and accumulation of residues in said pipe and to facilitate removal of said residues by movement of said cleaning device past said closure element.
29 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A three-way ball valve adapted for connection to a liquid distribution pipe with a pipe cleaning device therein, said valve comprising:
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a) a valve body having a straight flow passage with an inner surface defined by a tubular wall for connecting said body to said distribution pipe, an inlet to and an outlet from said straight flow passage, and a branch flow passage intersecting said straight flow passage through an opening in said tubular wall between said inlet and outlet; b) a valve closure element housing through which the branch flow passage extends; and c) a ball valve closure element in said housing for controlling flow through said branch flow passage, said closure element having a spherical external surface and a cylindrical bore, said closure element located such that its spherical external surface is substantially tangential to said inner surface of said straight flow passage at said opening when said closure element is in its closed position to minimize deposition and accumulation of residues in said straight flow passage and to facilitate removal of said residues across said spherical external surface at said opening by movement of said pipe cleaning device through said liquid distribution pipe and said straight flow passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A piggable pipeline for distributing liquids, said pipeline comprising a liquid distribution pipe structured to accommodate movement of a pipe cleaning device therethrough and at least one three-way ball valve, said valve comprising:
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a) a valve body having a straight flow passage with an inner surface defined by a tubular wall for connecting said body to said distribution pipe, an inlet to and an outlet from said straight flow passage, and a branch flow passage intersecting said straight flow passage through an opening in said tubular wall between said inlet and outlet; b) a valve closure element housing through which the branch flow passage extends; and c) a ball valve closure element in said housing for controlling flow through said branch flow passage, said closure element having a spherical external surface and a cylindrical bore, said closure element located such that its spherical external surface is substantially tangential to said inner surface of said straight flow passage at said opening when said closure element is in its closed position to minimize deposition and accumulation of residues in said straight flow passage and to facilitate removal of said residues across said spherical external surface at said opening by movement of said pipe cleaning device through said liquid distribution pipe and said straight flow passage.
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Specification