Patent ID: 6016826
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
An automatic center cavity equalizing valve, comprising:a body having a bore therethrough and an upstream port, a downstream port, and a center cavity port, said bore providing fluid communication between said upstream port and said downstream port, and said downstream port and said center cavity port;a ball member disposed within said bore;a downstream seat for said ball member, said ball member being adapted to engage said downstream seat to thereby seal said downstream port from fluid communication with said center cavity port; andfirst and second access plugs for closing opposite ends of said bore, said first and second access plugs being removable to allow access to said bore for maintenance of said downstream seat, said first and second access plugs being positioned apart from and relative to said downstream, upstream and center cavity ports such that said first and second access plugs can be removed as said downstream, upstream and center cavity ports remain in fluid communication with respective upstream, downstream and center cavity flow lines of a second valve.