Patent ID: 7887024
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve comprising: a valve body having a valve cavity therein; a valve element for controlling flow through the valve based on a rotational position of the valve element about an axis of rotation, and a single piece packing that surrounds said valve element; and seals said valve element within said valve cavity; wherein said valve element comprises a ball and adjacent upper and lower cylindrical trunnions extending from the ball; a lower end of said single piece packing seals directly against said lower cylindrical trunnion; said lower cylindrical trunnion extending along said axis of rotation past a lowermost end of said packing; said valve cavity including a counterbore that receives said lower cylindrical trunnion of said valve element, so that said valve element is free to shift in two opposite directions along said axis of rotation of the valve element.