Patent ID: 6488265
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of lubricating a ball valve comprising the following steps:providing a ball valve comprising a valve body comprising two open ends and a ball disposed within the valve body, one end of the body comprising a seat housing, the seat housing comprising an inner surface with a recess for accommodating a seal assembly between the seat housing and the ball, the seal assembly comprising a seat member, a load bearing seal and a soft seal, the seat member comprising a cylindrical body extending along the inner surface of the seat housing, the cylindrical body comprising an inner end directed at the ball and an outer end directed away from the ball, the cylindrical body being connected to a radially outwardly extending flange disposed between the inner and outer ends thereof that extends into the recess of the seat housing, the flange supporting the load bearing seal and the soft seal between the flange and the ball, the seat housing further comprising an outer surface and a passageway that provides communication between the recess and the outer surface, the valve further comprising a lubrication fitting connected to the passageway at the outer surface of the seat housing, the flange of the seat member comprising an aperture extending through the flange of the seat member and between the soft seal and the load bearing seal, the aperture providing communication between the recess and the soft seal, the load bearing seal and the ball; and injecting lubricating fluid into the lubricating fitting and through the passageway and aperture of the flange.