Patent ID: 8220778
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
1. A sleeve for sealing a gate valve, the sleeve comprising: a body of unitary construction defining a flange portion configured to engage a valve housing and a sealing portion configured to engage a gate portion of said valve, said body having a generally circular shape defining an axially extending passage therethrough, said body having an inner wall and an outer wall; a first curved surface of said inner wall extending around said sealing portion, said first curved surface configured to engage said gate portion of said valve; a second curved surface of said inner wall contiguous with said first curved surface, said second curved surface extending around said inner wall, said second curved surface being concave relative to said body; at least one support member encapsulated in the body between the inner surface and the outer surface, the support member having a surface radially extending in a direction from the inner surface to the outer surface so as to substantially support said sealing portion in an axial direction; and a tapered lip portion disposed along said sealing portion, said tapered lip portion having first and second flat tapering portions, said first flat tapering portion configured to engage a body portion of said valve, said second flat tapering portion continuous with said first curved surface, said first flat tapering portion angled with respect to an axis of said axially extending passage.