General Signal Corporation

LaVern Allen Lawrence

Steven K Neu

James E Barker

A seating ring having a unique surface designed to engage with the convex outer surface of a valve disc, thereby providing a uniquely tight and bi-directional seal. The seating ring has a first, free end, an angled contact point adjacent to the free end, a convex sealing surface adjacent to the angled contact point, a hairpin curve adjacent to the convex sealing surface, and a second, mounting end.

Bi-directional valve seal mechanism

A valve including a valve body having a centrally disposed aperture, a rotatable shaft, and a valve disc. The disc has a circumference with an outer edge and is disposed about the shaft such that the disc rotates to an open position and a closed position within the aperture. The valve body further includes a body moment arm about the circumference of the aperture, a body annular recess about the body moment arm and an annular seating ring retainer also about the circumference of the aperture. The seating ring retainer includes a retainer moment arm opposing the body moment arm and a retainer annular recess, a portion of which adjoins the body annular recess. An annular seating ring, also disposed about the circumference of the aperture, has a first end including a tip and a sealing surface adapted to contact the outer edge of the disc when the disc is in the closed position. The seating ring, having a serpentine configuration, is disposed partially between the body moment arm and the retainer moment arm, and partially in a space bounded by the body annular recess and the retainer annular recess. A second end of the seating ring is secured between the seating ring retainer and the body. The seating ring compresses in a radial direction when the disc is in the closed position. Compression of the seating ring causes the tip of the seating ring to move laterally along the retainer moment arm. The retainer moment arm includes a stop to limit the compression of the seating ring.

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Sartell, MN, United States of America

LaVern Allen Lawrence