Patent ID: 11873915
Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 0:
1. A self-aligning poppet valve apparatus comprising
a valve body having an aperture comprising a first sealing surface,
a rigid valve stem having a first spherical surface of a first external diameter at its tip,
a plate comprising
a perimeter which is a second sealing surface registerable with said first sealing surface,
a central cavity with a portion having an internal surface of a second diameter greater than said first diameter such that an annular clearance is created between said first spherical surface and said internal surface, and
a collar having a central aperture of a third diameter less than said first diameter, such that with

said valve stem passing through said central aperture of said collar,
said first spherical surface received within said plate cavity, and
said collar attached to said plate,
said plate is pivotably coupled to said valve stem while allowing radial excursion of said plate with respect to said first spherical surface.