Fluid handling – Processes – Cleaning – repairing – or assembling
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-14
2001-10-02
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
C137S341000, C219S201000, C219S535000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296007
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a valve for operation in freezing conditions and in particular for a butterfly valve which can have a heated capability for handling cold fluids or product from which moisture emanates under vacuum conditions, i.e. sublimation, and a method for modification of existing butterfly valves so as to provide heated capability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known in the art to provide fluid control valves comprising a valve body structure having a fluid flow passage therethrough and a first sealing surface means and a closure structure for controlling fluid flow through the passage with the closure structure having a second sealing surface means adapted to engage the first sealing surface means to shut off fluid flow through the associated valve.
In many situations, fluid control valves are often used to control the flow of fluids wherein the fluid is at a particular temperature which tends to disrupt or interfere with the normal operation and sealing of the valve. This disruption or interference oftentimes occurs when the fluids passing therethrough are of an extremely low temperature. It also occurs in instances where moisture containing product gives off the moisture under vacuum conditions resulting in sublimation preventing its normal operation such that the valve cannot be closed complete so as to shut off or cease the fluid flow therethrough.
This problem has been addressed in that there are designs for valves which will prevent a sublimation and the concomitant disruption or interference of the valve operation. However, such valves are more expensive by a factor of 10 over a normal valve.
There is therefore a need for a relatively inexpensive valve which is not subject to sublimation and a need for a manner of modification of existing valves to provide for a heating element so as to prevent sublimation. Applicant's invention addresses both of these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A fluid control valve which comprises a valve body structure having a fluid flow passage therethrough and a first sealing surface means and a closure structure for controlling the fluid flow through the passage with the closure structure having a second sealing means adapted to engage the first sealing means to shut off fluid flow through the valve wherein there is formed in the valve body structure, an annular groove proximate the first sealing means for the positioning therein of an electrical heater cable overlaid with a heat conductive layer, the heated cable extending into and out of the valve bodies so as not to interfere with the operation of the valve, the electrical heater cable in communication with a source of electrical energy.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel and inexpensive fluid control valve having a heating means.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel fluid control valve which has a heating means adapted thereto to prevent sublimation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel fluid control valve for use with fluids in the minus 40 to minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit range.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel method for modifying existing fluid control valves so as to provide for a heating element therein so as to prevent sublimation in the valve.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1472246 (1923-10-01), Daniel
patent: 3714960 (1973-02-01), Yamada
patent: 5413139 (1995-05-01), Kusumoto et al.
patent: 5485542 (1996-01-01), Ericson
patent: 6060691 (2000-05-01), Minami et al.
patent: 837426 (1949-07-01), None
patent: 1164777 (1964-03-01), None
patent: 0080571 (1984-05-01), None
Chambers A. Michael
Frayne Clifford G.
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