Patent ID: 11971113
Assignee: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 0:
1. An equalization valve comprising:
a valve body defining an inlet body, an outlet body, and a gate slot, the inlet body defining an inlet passage and the outlet body defining an outlet passage;
a gate defining an equalization chamber, a first equalization channel, and a second equalization channel, the equalization chamber and the first and second equalization channels defining an equalization pathway across the gate; and
an actuation stem slidable within the equalization chamber between a first chamber position, wherein the actuation stem blocks the equalization pathway, and a second chamber position, wherein the actuation stem unblocks the equalization pathway;
wherein the actuation stem is further slidable within the gate slot of the valve body between a first valve position, wherein the gate is seated with the valve body, and
a second valve position, wherein the gate is unseated from the valve body; and wherein:
the actuation stem defines a free distal end disposed within the equalization chamber;
the equalization chamber extends into a sidewall of the gate;
a chamber opening of the equalization chamber is formed at the sidewall;
in the second chamber position, the free distal end of the actuation stem is disposed longitudinally between the chamber opening and the first and second equalization channels;
the first equalization channel is radially offset from the second equalization channel, such that the first equalization channel is oriented at a first height along a length of the gate and the second equalization channel is oriented at a second height along the length of the gate; and
the second height is different from the first height.