Patent ID: 8398055
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
1. A ball segment valve comprising: a valve housing having two flow openings opposite to each other along a centerline, a flow duct disposed between said flow openings, and upper and lower axial openings disposed opposite to each other along a rotating axis that intersects the centerline, and in communication with said flow duct; an annular valve seat disposed in said valve housing to surround the centerline, and between said flow duct and one of said flow openings to control fluid communication therebetween; a tubular bearing body having a bushing segment which is configured to be fittingly inserted into said upper axial opening, which defines a bushing bore in communication with said flow duct, and which extends axially and toward said flow duct to terminate at a lower bushing end, and a bearing segment axially opposite to said bushing segment; a rotating spindle which has coupling and actuated segments opposite to each other along a spindle axis, and a spindle segment which is disposed between said coupling and actuated segments, and which is configured to be insertable through said bushing bore so as to allow for said coupling segment to extend into said flow duct with the spindle axis oriented in line with the rotating axis; a tightening sleeve unit which is disposed to sleeve on said spindle segment, and which has pressed and pressing sleeve ends opposite to each other axially, said tightening sleeve unit being configured such that when a tightening force is applied to said pressed sleeve end, said pressing sleeve end is forced to urge said lower bushing end toward said coupling segment so as to ensure locating said coupling segment in a fully engaging position; a journal member having a journal portion which is inserted into said flow duct from said lower axial opening and which extends along a journal axis that is oriented in line with the rotating axis; a valve body having upper and lower lugs which are configured to be respectively and coaxially fitted to said coupling segment and said journal portion, and a spherical segment which is interposed between said upper and lower lugs, said spherical segment having a convex outer spherical surface which defines a center of sphere that is located at the intersection of the rotating axis and the centerline, said spherical segment being rotatable with said upper and lower lugs about the rotating axis between a fully closed position, where a spherical apex of said outer spherical surface is located at the centerline, and where said outer spherical surface is in sealing contact with an entire circumference of said valve seat so as to interrupt fluid communication between said flow duct and said flow opening, and a fully opened position, where the spherical apex of said outer spherical surface is at an angle from the centerline to permit full fluid communication between said flow opening and said flow duct; and a spline assembly which is disposed between said upper lug and said coupling segment to axially guide said coupling segment to the fully engaging position where a torque exerted on said actuated segment is transmitted through said spline assembly to rotate said valve body about the rotating axis.