Valves and valve actuation – With means to increase head and seat contact pressure – With positive reduction
Patent
1994-01-11
1995-05-09
Fox, John C.
Valves and valve actuation
With means to increase head and seat contact pressure
With positive reduction
251 94, 251172, F16K 506
Patent
active
054133106
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a valve, in particular a large ball valve for use in oil and gas installations for offshore production. Valves of actual interest here are valves of the kind comprising a movable valve member with a through flow passage, a movable seat or seal holder and means for moving the holder in direction towards and from cooperating parts of the valve member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention can be regarded as a further development or modification of a valve design being proposed in International Patent Application, Publication No. WO 91/19921. Reference is also made to Norwegian Patent No. 159,681 which shows a valve structure having in principle some resemblance with the valve according to the patent application just mentioned above. The present invention is directed to improving certain functions in such valves, including the protection and securing of vital parts in the valve structures against wear and corrosion, which can be caused by, inter alia, the media with which the valves shall operate.
Closer statements of the valve according to the invention as well as the novel and specific features thereof, are found in the claims.
Substantial advantages being attained by use of the invention consist in a good protection of the sealing elements in the valve. This protective effect has particular interest in relation to all media and contaminants which can flow through the valve in its open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following description the invention shall be more closely explained with reference to drawings, which by way of examples illustrate various valve embodiments according to the invention in the form of a ball valve. As will appear from the following description it is obvious that the invention is not limited to ball valves, but can also be employed in other types of valves, for example gate valves.
In the drawings:
FIGS. 1A and 1B show axial sections through a ball valve in two different operative positions,
FIG. 2 at an enlarged scale shows parts of the valve in FIG. 1 in open position (FIG. 1B),
FIGS. 3A and 3B show axial sections through a second embodiment of the ball valve in two different operative positions,
FIG. 4 at an enlarged scale shows parts of the valve in FIG. 3 in open position (FIG. 3B) in a somewhat modified embodiment, and
FIG. 5 also shows an enlarged section as in FIG. 4, but of a second modified embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown a valve housing 1 with a spherical valve member or ball 2 mounted therein, the valve ball having a central through flow passage 6.
FIG. 1A shows the valve ball 2 in its closed position, i.e. with the axis 10 of the flow passage extending vertically in the figure. FIGS. 1B and 1BC show the valve in its open position, i.e. with the axis 10 horizontally. FIGS. 1A and 1B show seat or seal holders 8 and 9 respectively in retracted positions, whereas these holders are moved forward to positions cooperating with and sealing against the valve ball.
Thus, as in the case of the above mentioned, previously proposed designs, the holders 8 and 9 are adapted to be moved in a direction towards and away from the valve ball 2 respectively, which can take place for example by means of hydraulic pressure against piston areas 11 and 12 respectively on the two holders, as far as pressing of the holders against the valve ball is concerned. Corresponding opposite piston areas can serve for an opposed sliding movement. Conduits for supplying hydraulic pressure are not shown in the drawing. As in previously known structures there can also be provided springs for permanently exerting a press force on the seat or seal holders. The term seat or seal holders is employed here because these holders as the case may be can be formed without any actual seal or gasket elements, since such elements according to the circumstances can be mounted on cooperating surfaces or portions of the actual valve member, for example a valve ball as sho
REFERENCES:
patent: 3350055 (1967-10-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 3565392 (1971-02-01), Bryant et al.
patent: 4575045 (1986-03-01), Martin et al.
patent: 5247964 (1993-07-01), De Lange
Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S
Fox John C.
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