Means for rotating ball valves between open and closed positions
US5127628A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16K5/0647
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ball valve (10) has a stem (28) to rotate a ball member (20) with a lower key or lug (29) received within a slot or opening (26) forming a keyway in the ball member (20). As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, relieved or cutaway surfaces (52, 54, 56) are provided between lug (29) and the outer spherical surface (24) of ball member (20) so that a torque exerted by rotation of the stem (28) contacts surfaces (34, 36) of the slot (26) along opposed corners (48) which are spaced a distance T1 from the outer spherical surface (24) of ball valve member (20) thereby removing or minimizing any stress concentrations adjacent outer spherical surface (24).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.