Ball valve

• US 5,588,638 A
• Filed: 09/05/1995
• Issued: 12/31/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bryce T. Bunting, Lalan W. Cook
• Original Assignee: Bryce T. Bunting, Lalan W. Cook
• Inventors: Bunting, Bryce T., Cook, Lalan W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fox, John C.
• Application Number:
  US08/523,690
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 251/315.08, 251/315.16, 251/315.05, 137/238, 137/239
• US Class Current: 251/315.05
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0605 with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means

Abstract

The present invention is a ball valve that prevents scale formation on the exterior surface of the ball element, and therefore extends the life and efficiency of the ball valve. The ball valve comprises a ball element, a housing, and a jacket. The ball element has three ports formed therein and is seated within the jacket in the housing. The first and second ports of the ball element form a fluid conduit and the third port intersects the fluid conduit perpendicularly. In the open position, fluid flows through the housing into the first port of the ball element, through the fluid conduit, and out the third port. In the closed position, the fluid flows into the third port and into the fluid conduit but does not continue to flow through the housing. The design of the ball element does allow the exterior surface of the ball element to be exposed to the fluid, and thus prevents scale formation from occurring on this surface. Additionally, the ball may be impregnated with a substance to reduce scale formation and to reduce the amount of friction between the jacket and the exterior of the ball element. The jacket is also constructed from a material that will reduce the amount of friction between the exterior surface of the ball element and the jacket.

Claims

1. A ball valve for controlling fluid flow, said ball valve having an open position that allows the fluid to flow through said ball valve and a closed position that prevents fluid from flowing through said ball valve, said ball valve comprising:

a housing having an inside surface, and an upstream channel and a downstream channel, said upstream channel having a size and shape;

a ball element dimensioned to fit inside said housing so that said ball element can rotate within said housing, said ball element having

an exterior surface,

a first port,

a second port forming a fluid conduit through said ball element with said first port, and

a third port intersecting said fluid conduit,

said ball valve being in the open position when said first and said second ports of said bail element are aligned with said upstream and downstream channels and being in the closed position when said third port is aligned with said upstream channel and said first and second ports are not aligned with said upstream and downstream channels,

said third port being dimensioned to be no smaller than the upstream channel so that, when said ball valve is in said closed position, said ball element provides no portion of its exterior surface on which scale from said fluid can build up to affect the rotation of said ball element, wherein said exterior surface of said ball element is impregnated with a fluoropolymer; and

a fluoropolymer jacket carried by said inside surface of said housing to match said exterior surface of said ball element to facilitate rotation of said ball element within said housing.

2. A ball valve for controlling fluid flow, said ball valve having an open position that allows the fluid to flow through said ball valve and a closed position that prevents fluid from flowing through said ball valve, said ball valve comprising:

a housing having an inside surface, and an upstream channel and a downstream channel, said upstream channel having a size and shape;

a ball element dimensioned to fit inside said housing so that said ball element can rotate within said housing, said ball element having

an exterior surface,

a first port,

a second port forming a fluid conduit through said ball element, and

a third port intersecting said fluid conduit,

said ball valve being in the open position when said first and said second ports of said ball element are aligned with said upstream and down stream channels, respectively, and being in the closed position when said third port is aligned with said upstream channel and said first and second ports are not aligned with said upstream and down stream channels,

said third port being dimensioned to be no smaller than the upstream channel so that, when said ball valve is in said closed position, said ball element provides no portion of its exterior surface on which scale from said fluid can build up to affect the rotation of said ball element; and

a fluoropolymer impregnated on said exterior surface of said ball element to facilitate rotation of said ball element.

3. The ball valve as recited in claim 2, further comprising a jacket carried by said inside surface of said housing and matching said impregnated exterior surface of said ball element, said jacket being made of a material that facilitates rotation of said ball element.