The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 26, 1996
Filed:
Oct. 17, 1995
Zbigniew H Gugala, Spring Grove, IL (US);
Lawrence J Loman, Oak Lawn, IL (US);
John N Scapes, Schaumburg, IL (US);
Henry Valve Company, Melrose Park, IL (US);
Abstract
When the O-rings of ball valves used in the fluid circuits of refrigeration systems are exposed to new EPA-correct refrigerants and blends, the lubrication covering the O-rings tends to wash away. This results in failure of the ball valves. A quarter turn ball valve with a valve stem seal configuration for use under such conditions is disclosed. The valve stem seal configuration protects the ball valve O-ring from contact with the refrigerant fluid flowing through the ball valve. The ball valve has a valve stem receiving passageway with annular recesses in the upper and bottom portions of the passageway. The recesses are spaced apart from one another and a primary seal washer is seated within the bottom recess while an O-ring is seated within the upper recess. Both embrace the valve stem. An annular spring and valve stem guide are supported above the O-ring. In order to minimize wear, the O-ring is maintained in a state of 'controlled squeeze' where it is subjected only to radial compression. The stem guide limits the rotation of the valve stem between the open and closed positions. The annular spring means maintains an upward thrust on the valve stem so that a flange on the bottom of the valve stem compresses the primary seal washer against the top of the bottom recess and the radial portion of the recess so as to form a seal.