Gate valve with delayed retraction of counter plate
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A valve comprising:
- a valve housing having a fluid conduit and defining a valve seat and a support surface;
a seal plate;
a counter plate;
an actuator for moving said seal plate and said counter plate between an open position and a closed position, wherein said seal plate is in sealed engagement with the valve seat and said counter plate is in engagement with the support surface in the closed position; and
a coupling mechanism operatively coupled between said seal plate, said counter plate and said actuator for retracting said counter plate from the support surface subsequent to retraction of said seal plate from the valve seat as the valve is opened and before said counter plate and said seal plate are moved in a direction of movement of said actuator as the valve is opened.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valve, such as a gate valve, includes a housing having a fluid conduit and defining a valve seat and a support surface, a seal plate, a counter plate, an actuator for moving the seal plate and the counter plate between an open position and a closed position, and a coupling mechanism operatively coupled between the seal plate, the counter plate, and the actuator. The seal plate is in sealed engagement with the valve seat, and the counter plate is in engagement with the support surface in the closed position. The coupling mechanism retracts the counter plate from the support surface subsequent to retraction of the seal plate from the valve seat as the valve is opened.
53 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A valve comprising:
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a valve housing having a fluid conduit and defining a valve seat and a support surface;
a seal plate;
a counter plate;
an actuator for moving said seal plate and said counter plate between an open position and a closed position, wherein said seal plate is in sealed engagement with the valve seat and said counter plate is in engagement with the support surface in the closed position; and
a coupling mechanism operatively coupled between said seal plate, said counter plate and said actuator for retracting said counter plate from the support surface subsequent to retraction of said seal plate from the valve seat as the valve is opened and before said counter plate and said seal plate are moved in a direction of movement of said actuator as the valve is opened. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for operating a gate valve wherein a seal plate engages a valve seat and a counter plate engages a support surface in a closed position, comprising the steps of:
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providing a coupling mechanism operatively coupled between the seal plate, the counter plate, and an actuator for retracting the seal plate and the counter plate retracting the seal plate from the valve seat;
retracting the counter plate from the support surface subsequent to retraction of the seal plate from the valve seat; and
moving the seal plate and the counter plate toward an open position subsequent to retraction of the counter plate from the support surface. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A gate valve comprising:
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a valve housing having a fluid conduit and defining a valve seat and a support surface;
a seal plate;
a counter plate;
an actuator for moving said seal plate and said counter plate between an open position and a closed position, wherein said seal plate is in sealed engagement with the valve seat and before said counter plate and said seal plate are moved in a direction of movement of said actuator as the valve is opened and said counter plate is in engagement with the support surface in the closed position; and
means for retracting said counter plate from the support surface after said seal plate is retracted from the valve seat. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification