Bidirectional ball valve particularly for ecological frigorific gases

• US 6,540,206 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fratelli Guerra Kmp SRL
• Original Assignee: Fratelli Guerra Kmp SRL
• Inventors: Guerra, Daniela
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Henry C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bastianelli, John
• Application Number:
  US09/864,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20020008223A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 251/315.16, 251/288, 251/315.01, 251/315-2-3, 137/270, 137/556.3, 137/556, 137/625.32, 137/625.31
• US Class Current: 251/288
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0605 with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0642 the spherical plug being insertable from one and only one side of the housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5196 Unit orientable in a single location between plural positions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8292 Movable indicator element is a pointer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86751 Plug

Abstract

The present finding relates to a bidirectional ball valve usable particularly for ecological frigorific gases, which has a valve body housing a ball shutter connected to a control rod sealingly protruding from said valve body.

The peculiarity of the finding is in that the ball shutter is turnable by 180° and is provided with a through hole on the side surface, and in the closing step can be arranged in the incoming flow direction.

Claims

1. A bidirectional ball valve for frigorific gases, comprising:

a valve body having respective fittings connectable to pipes traversed by a frigorific gas, a housing formed in said valve body between said fittings, and respective seals in said housing having openings communicating with said fittings; and

a ball shutter rotatable in said housing between an open position and a closed position, said ball shutter having a bore interconnecting said openings in said open position and forming an interior of said ball shutter, said ball shutter further having side surfaces on an exterior of said ball shutter closing said openings and engaging said seals in said closed position, said ball shutter being rotatable in said housing to dispose either of said side surfaces adjacent either of said seals in said closed position, one of said side surfaces having a single through hole extending from the exterior of said ball shutter to said interior of said ball shutter and adapted to be turned toward an inlet one of said fittings to communicate pressure from said inlet one of said fittings to said interior of said ball shutter and pressing said ball shutter against one of said seals.

2. The ball valve defined in claim 1, further comprising a control rod connected to said ball shutter for rotating same and an arrow pointer rotatable with said control rod and pointing in a direction in which said through hole is turned for displaying outside said valve and the flow incoming direction.

3. The ball valve defined in claim 2 wherein said control rod has a flange bearing against a plane sealing gasket sealing said control rod relative to said body, annular gaskets surrounding said control rod, said control rod having flattened portions for application of said arrow pointer.

4. The ball valve defined in claim 3, further comprising a covering gap for covering a portion of said control rod projecting from said valve body, said cap having a female thread engaging a male thread provided on said valve body.

5. The ball valve defined in claim 4, further comprising a gasket between said cap and said body, said female thread having discharge outlets for venting of gas pressure from within said cap.

6. The ball valve defined in claim 5, further comprising a tongue formed on said cap with a perforation for receiving a lead seal.

7. The ball valve defined in claim 6 wherein said body has a base with a thread for fastening of said valve to prevent movement of said body.