Axelson, Inc.

U.S. Industries, Inc.

Ralph W Vanderburg

Jerome E Corneillie

Disclosed is an in-service test valve and system. The in-service test valve includes a body having a first chamber with a relatively small diameter bore and second chamber axially spaced apart from the first chamber and having a relatively large diameter bore. An imperforate shuttle is slidingly mounted in the valve body and includes a first piston slidingly sealingly mounted in the first chamber bore and a second piston slidingly sealingly mounted in the second chamber bore. An in-service inlet is provided in the valve body for introducing in-service pressure into the first chamber to apply sensing pressure to the first piston and urge the shuttle toward the second chamber. A test inlet is provided for introducing test pressure into the second chamber to apply test pressure to the second piston to urge the shuttle in the direction of the first chamber. A check valve is provided in the valve body for allowing communication of test pressure to the first chamber when test pressure is greater than first chamber pressure. A valve operated by the shuttle is provided for isolating the in-service inlet from the first chamber when test pressure is applied. An outlet is provided in the valve body for communicating pressure within the first chamber exterior of the valve.

In-service test valve

A gate valve having an inlet and an outlet flow-way with a chamber having a gate inbetween and with counterbores at the end of the flow way adjacent the chamber is disclosed. Each counterbore telescopically receives a seat member. A sealing system for each of the gate seat members which permit certain liquid communication to the valve body cavity is disclosed. Each seal system includes seals on all sides of the gate seat member except the inwardly facing cylindrical walls. Each seal is disposed on an annular groove cut in the outer periphery surface of the end of the gate seat member. The seal on the upstream side of the valve body is located adjacent to the inwardly facing cylindrical wall. The seal between the gate seat and the gate is located near the valve body cavity. The seal on the outwardly facing cylindrical wall is adjacent to the valve body flow-way counterbores.

Valve self-relieving seats

A gate valve is provided having a recess formed in the upstream portion of the gate and in intersecting relation with the gate port. The gate recess cooperates with a registering recess formed in the downstream portion of the upstream seat to develop a large flow passage as compared to a small flow passage defined by the interrelationship of the gate port with the downstream seat. Fluid laden with erosive material will flow through the larger dimension gate/seat opening between the gate and upstream seat at low velocity, as compared to high velocity flow through the opening defined between the gate and the downstream seat. This low velocity flow, impinging upon the downstream seat, results in minimized erosion of the downstream seat during opening and closing movement of the valve.

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Longview, TX, United States of America

Ralph W Vanderburg