Patent ID: 7493912
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve comprising a conduit, a gate, and a shut-off member, the conduit and the shut-off member being fixed in position relative to each other, the conduit having a fluid passageway extending therethrough, the gate having a fluid passageway bound by an inner surface of the gate and extending therethrough and the gate being movable relative to the shut-off member between opened and closed positions, at least a portion of the conduit being slidably received within the fluid passageway of the gate, the fluid passageway of the conduit being in fluid communication with the fluid passageway of the gate when the gate is in the opened position and when the gate is in the closed position, the gate being engaged with the shut-off member when the gate is in the closed position in a manner preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passageway of the gate, the opened position of the gate allowing fluid to flow through the fluid passageway of the gate, the valve being devoid of any structure within the fluid passageway of the gate attaching the shut-off member to the conduit, the fluid passageway of the gate having a center axis along which that gate moves linearly between the opened and closed positions, the gate having an intermediate position that is between the opened and closed positions, the valve further comprising guide members that extend from the shut off member toward the conduit, each of the guide members being configured and adapted to limit radial movement of the gate relative to the center axis by engaging the inner surface of the gate from within the fluid passageway of the pate when the pate is between the closed position and the intermediate position, the guide members being spaced from each other in a manner allowing fluid to flow through the fluid passageway of the gate when the gate is in any position other than the closed position.