Fireproof structure of a ball valve

Details Fireproof structure of a ball valve Fireproof structure of a ball valve

2001-08-02

2002-12-31

Lee, Kevin (Department: 3754)

Valves and valve actuation

With means to increase head and seat contact pressure

Seat pressed to valve

C251S180000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06499720

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a ball valve, and more particularly to a ball valve comprising a fireproof structure to minimize leak of the ball valve in case of fire.
2. Description of Related Art
As shown in
FIGS. 1
,
1
A,
2
, and
2
A, the prior art ball valves comprise a valve body
10
, a spherical body
12
, and two leakproof rings
13
. The spherical body
12
is provided with a channel
11
. The leakproof rings
13
are susceptible to wear or deformation due to the mechanical friction between the leakproof rings
13
and the spherical body
12
. In light of the damage or deformation of the leakproof rings
13
, leak takes place between the spherical body
12
and the leakproof rings
13
.
As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 3A
, another prior art ball valve comprises a valve body
20
, a spherical body
21
, two leakproof rings
22
, and an urging member
23
. As shown in
FIG. 3A
, the urging member
23
is formed of a movable block
24
, an elastic element
25
, and a locating member
26
. The movable block
24
is provided in two sides thereof with a slot
27
for locating one of the leakproof rings
22
. The movable block
24
is urged by the elastic element
25
so as to keep the spherical body
21
and the leakproof rings
22
in contact with each other. The leakproof rings
22
are made of Teflon and are vulnerable to deformation or meltage in the event of fire. The molten Teflon rings
22
are either attached to the spherical body
21
or carried away by the fluid flow, thereby resulting in the valve leak.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a ball valve with a fireproof structure to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art ball valves described above.
The foregoing objective of the present invention is attained by the ball value comprising a valve body, a spherical valve block, two leakproof rings, and an urging member for keeping the spherical valve block in an intimate contact with the leakproof rings. The urging member is formed of a movable block, an elastic element, and a locating element. The movable black is provided with two slots for locating the leakproof rings, and two annular protruded edges located respectively in proximity of the leakproof rings. In the event of deformation of the leakproof rings, the reaction force of the elastic element pushes the leakproof rings to make contact with the valve block. In the event that the leakproof rings are melted, the valve block is pressed by the annular protruded edges, so as to minimize the valve leak.
The foregoing objective, features and functions of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4318420 (1982-03-01), Calvert
patent: 6302373 (2001-10-01), Lee

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