Patent ID: 7363935
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A kit of parts for configuring and assembling a shut-off valve in the field, the kit of parts comprising: a) at least one valve body, a plurality of connection fittings, and a plurality of annular elastomeric gaskets; b) the at least one valve body including a housing having first, second, and third ports and a closure member disposed in the housing, the valve body defining internal flow oaths between the first and second, first and third, and second and third ports, respectively, each of said internal flow paths extending through the closure member, the closure member being movable between open and closed positions; c) each port having a first common configuration and a first seal surface; d) the connection fittings having first ends with a second common configuration including a second seal surface for assembly with the first common configuration of any one of the plurality of ports; e) each of the gaskets adapted to be inserted between the first seal surface and the second seal surface of a respective port and connection fitting for providing a leak-proof seal therebetween; and, f) the connection fittings having a variety of different adaptor ends disposed generally opposite the respective first ends for attachment to any of a variety of field-encountered conduit configurations; and g) wherein the at least one valve body further comprises a plurality of valve closure member sealing structures to provide leak-proof operation of said valve closure member when in and moving between said open and closed positions, said plurality of valve closure member sealing structures adapted to operably seal said closure member independently of said connection fittings received in said ports, and wherein at least one of said plurality of sealing structures comprises an annular seal disposed adjacent the closure member, and a retaining element fixed in a respective port to retain said annular seal adjacent the closure member, said retaining element comprising a sleeve having an annular outer contact surface which engages said inner surface of said respective port in sealing press-fit engagement, and wherein said retaining element comprises a plurality of radially outwardly extending annular ribs, at least a portion of said outer contact surface of said sleeve being provided adjacent the outer diameter of at least one of said plurality of annular ribs.