The Nupro Company

Other

Oliver L Danko

Earl D Shufflebarger

William C Steiss

Carl R Bork, Jr

Bernard J Gallagher

William P Tobbe

Edward E Kish, Jr

Thomas J Gardner

William H Amor, Jr

Donald A Levengood

David M Simko

A diaphragm valve includes alternative actuator structures. The first actuator arrangement includes an adjustable nut received on a bonnet portion of the valve for adjusting the stroke of an actuating stem. According to a first alternative arrangement, a sleeve is interposed between a biasing spring and an actuating member to limit the closing force imposed on the diaphragm. A stop defined on the bonnet limits axial movement of the actuating stem so that the spring eventually imposes the entire closing force on the diaphragm. In yet another embodiment, actuating pressure is reduced through incorporationh of a dual pistion actuator arrangement.

Diaphragm valve

A diaphragm valve includes a valve body adapted to receive a replaceable diaphragm subassembly. The subassembly includes a sleeve closely received in the valve body. An actuating stem extends through the sleeve and includes a composite diaphragm welded at one end. An intermediate portion of the stem is threadedly received in a closure ring. The closure ring defines a radial gap with a closing cap to permit adjustment of the stem relative to a valve seat. A peripheral portion of the composite diaphragm is clampingly engaged between the valve body and sleeve. The composite diaphragm includes a metal layer having an elastomer bonded to one face to provide superior sealing and strength properties.

A diaphragm valve includes a valve body adapted to receive a replaceable diaphragm subassembly. The subassembly includes a sleeve closely received in the valve body. An actuating stem extends through the sleeve and includes a composite diaphragm welded at one end. An intermediate portion of the stem is threadedly received in a closure ring. The closure ring defines a radial gap with a closing gap to permit adjustment of the stem relative to a valve seat. A peripheral portion of the composite diaphragm is clampingly engaged between the valve body and sleeve. The composite diaphragm includes a metal layer having an elastomer bonded to one face to provide superior sealing and strength properties.

A bellows valve comprises a main body defining a valve chamber including a valve seat having inlet and an outlet passages connected therewith. A vlave element is positioned in the chamber and has an operating stem with a free end extending axially therefrom. An actuating assembly for moving the valve element toward and away from the seat, includes a rotatably mounted actuating shaft having a free end axially aligned with the free end of the operating stem and an operator for selectively producing axial movement of the actuating shaft. The operating stem is joined to the actuating shaft by a connection including a first ball member positioned axially between the free ends of the operating stem and the actuating shaft with a spring engaged with the first ball member and acting to bias the free ends of the operating stem and actuating shaft axially apart. A plurality of second ball members interconnect the stem and shaft for preventing axial separation of the free ends while permitting free relative rotation.

Valves with improved actuators

A bellows valve has inlet and outlet passages in fluid communication with a valve chamber on opposite sides of a valve seat. An elongated valve stem has a first end adapted for selective sealing engagement with the valve seat, and a second end of the stem is operatively connected with an actuator assembly. An expansible bellows has a first end secured to the valve stem and a second end sealingly connected to a closing member so that a portion of the valve stem is surrounded thereby. The closing member engages an open end of the valve body and includes an arcuate or rounded sealing protrusion or bead adapted for mating, sealing contact with a generally planar surface on the valve body. The sealing bead facilitates a reduction in or complete elimination of the use of lubricant between the valve body and a bonnet nut, and this, in turn, promotes clean valve operation by removing a potential contaminant. A tapered surface on the closing member faciitates alignment with the valve body, and clearances between the closing member, valve bonnet, and bonnet nut also facilitate alignment of the assembled valve components.

Inverted bellows valve

An inverted bellows valve has a two-piece stem interconnecting the valve and actuator for reciprocating axial movement of the stem tip. Tapered surfaces are advantageously utilized between cooperating elements for self-centering the valve assembly. An annular gland disposed along the exterior of the valve stem has concentric inner and outer O-rings which permit the stem to float and compensate for misalignment. A wobble collar is also disposed in abutting engagement with the stem to compensate for uneven spring forces which could otherwise cock the stem. The bellows subassembly is removable in one piece to facilitate maintenance and replacement.

High pressure inverted bellows valve

A plug valve having a valve body with a cylindrical plug receiving opening extending therethrough having at least one terminal end thereof outwardly chamfered. Fluid inlet and outlet passageways communicate with the receiving opening and are chamfered at the areas of communication therewith. A plug member includes a cylindrical plug portion closely received in the body receiving opening. This plug portion has a transverse fluid flow passage which is selectively rotatable into and out of alignment with the valve body inlet and outlet passageways. Axially spaced apart circumferential sealing members disposed on both sides of the flow passage prevent fluid flow outwardly of the receiving opening. An inlet passageway sealing means disposed in the plug portion side wall intermediate the opposite flow passage ends sealingly surrounds the passageway in the valve closed position. A fluid relief channel communicating between the flow passage and plug portion side wall relieves fluid pressure through the outlet passageway as the valve is moved to the closed position. The plug portion advantageously includes a thin coating of plastic material for enhancing its fluid sealing relationship with the receiving opening and for improving ease of rotation between the valve opened and closed positions. The plug member is axially retained in position in the receiving opening by a snap ring at one end and by a handle at the other end. The handle is rotatable only between positively defined maximum valve opened and closed positions. Spaced apart circumferential grooves included in the plug portion side wall receive the axially spaced apart sealing members and at least the bottom walls of these grooves are also coated with the plastic material.

Plug valve

A bellows valve construction which facilitates valve use at elevated temperatures and pressures. The valve includes a valve body having a passageway extending thereinto for defining a valve chamber with a valve seat disposed along this passageway and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet communicating therewith on opposite sides of the seat. A bonnet is integrally associated with the valve body and includes a bonnet opening coaxial with the valve body passageway. A valve assembly is receivable as a unit in the bonnet opening with a portion thereof extending into the valve chamber for selectively controlling fluid flow between the fluid inlet and outlet. This valve assembly is removable from the valve body as a unit for repair or replacement purposes and includes an adapter nut threadedly receivable in the bonnet opening, a valve member, an elongated stem, and a hollow bellows passing through the bonnet opening in a surrounding relationship with at least a portion of the stem. One end of the bellow is affixed to the adapter nut with the other end being affixed adjacent the valve member such that fluid passing through the valve exerts a compressive force against the bellows. A first urging means is adapted to selectively move the valve stem and member into a valve opened condition and a second urging means is adapted to move the valve stem and member into a valve closed condition. The valve is adapted for either manual or remote operation.

Growing community of inventors

Chesterland, OH, United States of America

Oliver L Danko