Patent ID: 6929245
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly comprising: a valve body; a fluid passage through the valve body having an inlet end and an outlet end; a valve seat defined within the fluid passage; a sleeve axially slidable within the fluid passage and having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axial flow passage in communication with the inlet end and the outlet end of the fluid passage; and a valve stem pivotally mounted at a stem pivot spaced radially from the fluid passage and having one end coupled at a joint to the sleeve, the valve stem being actuable to slide the sleeve between an open position with the downstream end spaced from the valve seat and a closed position with the downstream end borne against the valve seat to selectively control fluid flow through the flow passage to the outlet end, wherein the stem pivot accommodates relative axial movement of the valve stem as the sleeve slides within the fluid passage, and wherein the joint includes a clevis attached to the sleeve and a pin pivotally coupling the valve stem and the clevis.