High pressure ball valve

Abstract

A ball valve comprises a cylindrical casing having an axial bore therethrough for passage of fluids. The ball is mounted between annular upper and lower seats, the latter being compressible and supported by an annular shoulder within the casing. The ball has diametrically opposed slots that receive a pin and a wrench plug, respectively, which are rotatably mounted within diametrically opposed longitudinal apertures in the casing. The ball has a large central bore therethrough whose axis is perpendicular to the ball's rotational axis, so that the fluid path may be opened and closed by rotating the ball. Prior to loading the valve, the ball is in its closed position in which the slots are parallel to the axis of the casing, thereby permitting the ball to float axially between the seats. In order to load the valve under compression, the wrench plug is manually rotated with a wrench until the ball is turned to its open position. This rotation cams the ball downward against the lower seat, compressing the seat. With the lower seat under compression, the upper seat is locked in place. A cone is positioned above the upper seat to direct the fluid flow through the valve. The head of the wrench, which mates with the plug, is machined so that the wrench handle extends at a forty-five degree angle from the axis of the casing when the ball is fully opened or closed. This permits the wrench to be rotated through a ninety-degree angle with maximum leverage for the operator when opening or closing the valve so that detachment and reinsertion of the wrench is not required.