Patent ID: 6217002
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
A valve assembly comprising:a.) a valve housing having a fluid passageway extending therethrough, said fluid passageway having an inlet portion, a cross-section of which is defined by an inlet surface, an outlet portion, a cross-section of which is defined by an outlet surface, and an inner chamber portion positioned between and adjacent to said inlet and outlet portions, said inner chamber surface having a first and second end, said inner chamber portion being defined by a substantially annular inner chamber surface, an inner wall, and an outer wall, said inner wall extending inwardly from said inner chamber surface to said inlet surface, and said outer wall extending inwardly from said inner chamber surface to said outlet surface, said valve housing having a first coefficient of thermal expansion;b.) a valve member located within said inner chamber portion of said fluid passageway, said valve member being movable between a closed position wherein said fluid passageway is blocked, and an open position wherein said fluid passageway is not blocked; andc.) first and second substantially annular retainer ring assemblies located within said inner chamber portion of said fluid passageway, said first retainer ring assembly providing a first fluid seal between said valve member and said inner chamber surface at said first end of said inner chamber portion, and said second retainer ring assembly providing a second fluid seal between said valve member and said inner chamber surface at said second end of said inner chamber portion of said fluid passageway;said first and second retainer ring assemblies each having a floating retainer ring and a plurality of sealing members, said floating retainer rings being movable both laterally and perpendicularly relative to said valve member, said inner chamber surface, and said inner and outer walls, and having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than that of said valve housing;each of said sealing members being compressible and sized to maintain said first and second fluid seals during operation of said valve assembly, said sealing members of each retainer ring assembly positioned adjacent said respective floating retainer rings to accommodate movement of said valve member both laterally and perpendicularly relative to said valve housing;said sealing members protruding from said retainer ring assemblies to accommodate compression of said sealing members in order to maintain said first and second fluid seals during operation of the valve assembly.