SELF-RELIEVING BALL VALVE SEAT ASSEMBLY

A ball valve includes a housing, a ball disposed within a cavity of the housing and configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The ball valve also includes an annular seat assembly positioned between the housing and the ball, and the annular seat assembly has an annular seat body having a ball-contacting surface configured to contact the ball and having an annular groove. The annular seat assembly also has an annular seal positioned within the annular groove, and the annular seal is configured to contact and to form a seal between the annular seat body and the housing and enables the annular seat body to move relative to the housing to automatically relieve a cavity pressure within the cavity across the annular seat assembly into an upstream bore of the housing.

BACKGROUND

Ball valves are employed to open or close to enable or block a flow of fluid in a variety of applications. Typical ball valves may include a body, an adapter, a rotatable ball disposed within a body cavity defined between the body and the adapter, and a stem coupled to the ball. However, when the ball rotates to a closed position to block the flow of fluid, some of the fluid may become trapped in the body cavity of the ball valve. The pressure of the trapped fluid within the body cavity may increase, such as due to temperature variations, for example. If not vented, the pressure may adversely affect surrounding parts, result in leakage or release of the fluid to the atmosphere, and/or increase torque needed to move the ball toward the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to self-relieving seat assemblies for use within a floating ball valve. The seat assemblies may be positioned between a ball and a housing of the ball valve, and the seat assemblies may be annular seat assemblies having a seat body and a seal that supports a biasing member. During operation of the ball valve, the seat assemblies and the ball are configured to move (e.g., float) relative to the housing of the ball valve in response to a pressure differential between a cavity located between an upstream seat assembly and a downstream seat assembly, a bore upstream of the ball, and/or a bore downstream of the ball. As discussed in more detail below, when the ball valve is in a closed position, the seat assemblies may move relative to the housing and/or relative to the ball to relieve pressure (e.g., pressure within the cavity), while blocking fluid flow across the ball valve (e.g., between the bore upstream of the ball and the bore downstream of the ball). In the disclosed embodiments, the seat body and the seal may be physically separate structures, which may enable use of different materials for these components, thereby improving the sealing capabilities and/or the overall life cycle of the seat assemblies, for example. Furthermore, such a configuration may facilitate manufacturing of the seat assemblies, maintenance operations, and/or repair operations, for example.

Turning now to the figures,FIG. 1is a cross-sectional side view of a ball valve10, in accordance with an embodiment. The ball valve10includes a housing11, which may be formed by an annular upstream housing12(e.g., body) and an annular downstream housing14(e.g., adapter) that are configured to mate with each other such that a seal is created between the upstream housing12and the downstream housing14. The ball valve10includes a ball16configured to rotate between the illustrated closed position24and an open position about a rotational axis18, as shown by arrow22. As shown, the ball16is coupled to a stem20such that rotation of the stem20(e.g., via a hydraulic or pneumatic or electronic actuator or via a handle that may be operated manually) causes the ball16to rotate.

In the closed position24, the ball16blocks fluid flow through the ball valve10. As shown, in the closed position24, a bore30of the ball16is generally perpendicular to an upstream bore32defined by the upstream housing12and a downstream bore34defined by the downstream housing14, such that fluid is blocked from flowing through the ball valve10(e.g., from the upstream bore32to the downstream bore34). In an open position, the bore30of the ball16is aligned with the bores32,34to enable fluid flow through the ball valve10. Thus, when the ball valve10is in the open position, a fluid36may enter through the upstream housing12and exit through the downstream housing14. As used herein, the terms upstream and downstream are defined with respect to a flow path of the fluid36. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the upstream housing12is upstream from the downstream housing14of the ball valve10, because the fluid36flows from the upstream housing12toward the downstream housing14. It should be understood that in certain embodiments the flow path of the fluid36may be in an opposite direction such that the structural features of the upstream housing12and the downstream housing14are exchanged (e.g., the fluid36flows from an adapter to a body of the housing11).

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the ball valve10also includes an upstream seat assembly38(e.g., an upstream annular seat assembly or a first annular seat assembly) positioned between the ball16and the upstream housing12, and a downstream seat assembly40(e.g., a downstream annular seat assembly or a second annular seat assembly) positioned between the ball16and the downstream housing14. In certain embodiments, the seat assemblies38,40may have the same configuration and may be used interchangeably. As discussed in more detail below, the upstream seat assembly38may include a seat body42(e.g., annular seat body) and a seal44(e.g., annular seal or lip seal), the downstream seat assembly40may include a seat body48(e.g., annular seat body) and a seal50(e.g., annular seal or lip seal). In certain embodiments, the seal44supports or is coupled to a biasing member46(e.g., annular biasing member or spring), and the seal50supports or is coupled to a biasing member52(e.g., annular biasing member or spring).

During operation of the ball valve10, the seat assemblies38,40may create respective seals between the ball16and the upstream housing12and between the ball16and the downstream housing14. The seat assemblies38,40may be configured to move (e.g., axially) relative to the housing11and/or the ball16and may enable the ball16to move (e.g., axially) relative to the housing11in response to pressure differentials across various components within the ball valve10. As discussed in more detail below, such a configuration may enable the seat assemblies38,40to automatically relieve pressure within a cavity60defined by the housing11and located between the seat assemblies38,40.

In some embodiments, when the ball16of the ball valve10moves from the open position to the closed position24, fluid may be trapped within the cavity60of the ball valve10, and a cavity pressure, Pcavity, may be approximately the same as an upstream pressure, Pupstream, for at least some period of time after reaching the closed position24. In certain embodiments, a downstream pressure, Pdownstream, within the downstream housing14is relieved or released after the ball valve10is moved from an open position to the closed position24. Thus, in the closed positioned24, the upstream pressure, Pupstream, exceeds the downstream pressure, Pdownstream, and the ball16and the downstream seat assembly40may be driven to move in an axial direction62relative to the housing11and may form a seal (e.g., annular seal) between the ball16and the downstream housing14that blocks fluid flow across the ball valve10.

As discussed in more detail below, the seat assemblies38,40may include features that enable the ball valve to self-relieve (e.g., automatically relieve) the cavity pressure, Pcavity, while blocking fluid flow across the ball valve10from the upstream bore32of the upstream housing12to the downstream bore34of the downstream housing14. For example, while the ball valve10is in the closed position24, if the cavity pressure, Pcavity, exceeds a threshold pressure (e.g., the upstream pressure, Pupstream), the cavity pressure, Pcavity, may drive the upstream seat assembly38axially relative to the ball16and the upstream housing12, thereby causing the upstream seat assembly38to separate from the ball16and enabling the cavity pressure, Pcavity, to release into the upstream bore32of the upstream housing12. While the cavity pressure, Pcavity, is released into the upstream bore32, the downstream seat assembly40may maintain the seal between the ball16and the downstream housing14to block fluid flow across the ball valve10. To facilitate discussion, the ball valve10and the components therein may be described with reference to the axial axis or direction62, a radial axis or direction66, and/or a circumferential axis or direction68.

With the foregoing in mind,FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the upstream seat assembly38in an undeformed position71(e.g., prior to assembly within the ball valve10). In certain embodiments, the downstream seat assembly40may have the same configuration and features. As shown, the upstream seat assembly38includes the body42and the seal44, which are physically separate components. Such a configuration may enable the use of different materials in the body42and the seal44. For example, in some embodiments, the body42may be formed from a metal or metal alloy material (e.g., steel, aluminum, nickel, or the like) and the seal44may be formed from a plastic or polymeric material (e.g., Polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], rubber, or the like) or a composite material. In some embodiments, the body42may be formed from a first type of plastic or polymeric material, and the seal44may be formed from a second, different type of plastic or polymeric material. In certain embodiments, the body42may be formed from a harder, less elastic, and/or more rigid material as compared to the seal44, which may enable the body42to withstand the forces applied to the body42during operation of the ball valve10and enable the seal44to provide a flexible seal between the body42and the upstream housing12. For example, a hardness (e.g., Shore scale, Rockwell scale, Brinnell scale, etc.) of the seal44may be between approximately 10 to 90, 20 to 50, or 30 to 40 percent less than a hardness of the body42. In some embodiments, an elasticity (e.g., Young's modulus) of the body42may be between 0.1 and 50, 0.2 and 10, or 1 to 5 percent less than an elasticity of the seal44. Such a configuration may also facilitate manufacturing of the body42and/or the seal44. For example, in some embodiments, the seal44may be manufactured in a first manufacturing process or step and/or at a first manufacturing facility, and the body42may be manufactured in a second, separate manufacturing process or step and/or at a second manufacturing facility. Furthermore, the body42and the seal44may be separately installed or assembled (e.g., in separate steps) within the ball valve10. Such a configuration may also facilitate inspection, maintenance, and/or repair of the body42and/or the seal44. For example, during maintenance or repair operations, an operator may determine that the body42is intact but that the seal44is damaged. Accordingly, the damaged seal44may be discarded, and a new seal44may be used with the same body42.

As shown, the body42includes a ball-contacting surface70(e.g., annular surface) configured to directly contact the ball16of the ball valve10and a seal-receiving groove72(e.g., annular groove) configured to receive and/or to support the seal44. The seal44may have a grooved annular wall43, which has a c-shaped, u-shaped, or v-shaped cross-section45extending circumferentially68about a central axis95. The grooved annular wall43may include a first radially-extending arm74(e.g., annular arm or portion) and a second radially-extending arm76(e.g., annular arm or portion), which may be joined together at respective radially-inner portions and/or by a bend78(e.g., annular bend or bend portion) at a radially-inner portion80of the seal44. In the undeformed position71, the radially-extending arms74,76may be generally parallel to one another or angled in a first direction or at a first angle along the central axis95of the seal44. In the illustrated embodiment, the first radially-extending arm74is configured to directly contact the body42, and the second radially-extending arm76is configured to directly contact the upstream housing12when the upstream seat assembly38is assembled within the ball valve10. Thus, in operation, the upstream seat assembly38may extend axially between and form a seal between the body42and the upstream housing12.

As shown, the biasing member46is a cantilever spring having a grooved annular wall47, which has a c-shaped, u-shaped, or v-shaped cross-section49extending circumferentially68about the central axis95and is positioned within a cavity82(e.g., annular cavity) defined between the first radially-extending arm74and the second radially-extending arm76of the seal44. The grooved annular wall47of the biasing member46may include a first radially-extending arm81(e.g., annular arm or portion) and a second radially-extending arm83(e.g., annular arm or portion), which may be joined together at respective radially-inner portions and/or by a bend87(e.g., annular bend or bend portion) at a radially-inner portion89of the biasing member46. In the undeformed position71, the radially-extending arms81,83may be generally parallel to one another or angled in a first direction or at a first angle along the central axis95of the seal44. The biasing member46may be held in place within the cavity82via protrusions91,93(e.g., inwardly extending annular protrusions) at the respective radially-outer ends of the radially-extending arms74,76of the seal44. As shown, the radially-inner portion89of the biasing member46may directly contact and may be supported by an annular surface84of the radially-inner portion80of the seal44. The biasing member46may be formed from any suitable material, such as metal or metal alloy material, a plastic or polymeric material, or a composite material, for example. In some embodiments, the biasing member46is formed from a material that is different from a respective material of the body42and/or the seal44.

The biasing member46may be configured to resist axial compression and may bias the first radially-extending arm74and the second radially-extending arm76of the seal44away from one another along the axial axis62. As shown, in the undeformed position71, respective radially-outer ends of the first radially-extending arm74and the second radially-extending arm76are separated by an initial distance86(e.g., a first distance). In the illustrated embodiment, the seal44is a one-piece structure and may be formed from a single material, and together the seal44and the biasing member46form a seal assembly85that is configured to form an annular seal between the body42and the upstream housing12without additional components in the seal assembly85and/or without other components or structures positioned in the groove72between the body42and the upstream housing12. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the body42may be a one-piece structure and/or may be formed from a single material. The body42may have any suitable configuration or geometry, including an alternative cross-sectional shape shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of the upstream seat assembly38positioned within the ball valve10and in a first position100relative to the upstream housing12, andFIG. 4is a cross-sectional view of the downstream seat assembly40positioned within the ball valve10and in a first position130relative to the downstream housing14. The upstream seat assembly38may be in the first position100and the downstream seat assembly40may be in the first position130when the ball valve10is closed and the upstream pressure, Pupstream, is approximately equal to the cavity pressure, Pcavity, and greater than the downstream pressure, Pdownstream. As discussed in more detail below, under such conditions, the ball16and the downstream seat assembly40may be driven in the axial direction62, and the biasing member46of the upstream seat assembly38may relax such that the body42of the upstream seat assembly40moves in the axial direction62away from the upstream housing12and maintains contact with the ball16, while the seal44maintains the seal between the body42and the upstream housing12.

As shown inFIG. 3, in the first position100, a first axially-facing surface102(e.g., annular surface or upstream surface) of the body42may be separated from an axially-facing surface104of the upstream housing12by a first distance106and/or the respective radially-outer ends of the radially-extending arms74,76of the seal44may be separated by a first distance105. The first distance105may be less than the initial distance86shown inFIG. 2as the seal44is slightly deformed (e.g., elastically deformed) and the biasing member46is slightly compressed in the axial direction60(e.g., as compared to the undeformed position71prior to installation within the ball valve10) when positioned between the ball16and the upstream housing12. As shown, both radially-extending arms74,76of the seal44and/or both radially-extending arms81,83of the biasing member46may move toward one another along the axial axis62such that the seal44and/or the biasing member46are generally symmetrical about the central axis95when deformed or compressed. In certain embodiments, both radially-extending arms74,76of the seal44and/or both radially-extending arms81,83of the biasing member46may be angled in a second direction or at a second angle along the central axis95when deformed or compressed.

As shown, the body42includes the first axially-facing surface102, a second axially-facing surface108(e.g., annular surface, axially downstream surface), a radially-inner surface110(e.g., annular surface), and a radially-outer surface112(e.g., annular surface). As shown, the ball-contacting surface70is a tapered or angled surface (e.g., relative to the axial axis62) and extends generally between the radially-inner surface110and the second-axially facing surface108. As shown, in certain embodiments, the ball-contacting surface70includes a first portion114proximate to the radially-inner surface110and that is configured to seal against the ball16, and the first portion114is joined to a second portion116of the ball-contacting surface70via a radially-extending portion118. Such a configuration may limit the contact surface area between the ball-contacting surface70and the ball16, which in turn may increase a contact pressure between the body42and the ball16and form a more effective annular seal between the body42and the ball16. In certain embodiments, the body42includes a tapered or angled surface120(e.g., beveled edge, annular surface) that extends from the radially-inner surface110and the first axially-facing surface102. As shown, the body42is positioned within a recess113(e.g., annular recess) of the upstream housing12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the seal44is positioned within the seal groove72of the body42and is configured to form a seal (e.g., annular seal) between the body42and the upstream housing12. In particular, the first radially-extending arm74is configured to directly contact and to seal against an axially-facing surface122(e.g., annular surface) of the groove72of the body42, and the second radially-extending arm76is configured to directly contact and to seal against the axially-facing surface104of the upstream housing12. As shown, the radially-inner portion80of the seal44is supported by and/or directly contacts an axially-extending surface124(e.g., annular surface) of the groove72of the body42. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing member46is positioned within the cavity82defined between the first radially-extending arm74and the second radially-extending arm76of the seal44, and the biasing member46may be configured to bias the first radially-extending arm74and the second radially-extending arm76of the seal44away from one another along the axial axis62to drive the first radially-extending arm74against the axially-facing surface122of the groove72of the body42and to drive the second radially-extending arm76against the axially-facing surface104of the upstream housing12. As shown, together the seal44and the biasing member46form an annular seal between the body42and the upstream housing12without additional components or structures positioned in the groove72between the body42and the upstream housing12.

As shown inFIG. 3, when the ball valve10is in the closed position24and the upstream pressure, Pupstream, is approximately equal to the cavity pressure, Pcavity, and greater than the downstream pressure, Pdownstream, the upstream seat assembly38may provide a first seal126(e.g., annular seal) between the ball-contacting surface70of the body42and the ball16and a second seal128(e.g., annular seal) between the seal44and the upstream housing12. Thus, fluid may not flow across the upstream seat assembly38between the bore32of the upstream housing12and the cavity60.

With reference toFIG. 4, the downstream seat assembly40may be in the first position130due to the upstream pressure, Pupstream, driving the ball16and the downstream seat assembly40in the axial direction62. As shown, in the first position130, a first axially-facing surface132(e.g., annular surface or downstream surface) of the body48may contact an axially-facing surface134of the downstream housing14and/or the seal50may be deformed such that a first radially-extending arm136and a second radially-extending arm138are separated by a second distance140. The second distance140may be less than an initial distance (e.g., the initial distance86shown inFIG. 2), because the seal50is deformed and the biasing member52is compressed in the axial direction60(e.g., as compared to the undeformed position71prior to installation within the ball valve10) when the downstream seat assembly40is in the first position130. As shown, both radially-extending arms136,138of the seal44and/or both radially-extending arms137,139of the biasing member46may move toward one another along the axial axis62, such that the seal44and/or the biasing member52are generally symmetrical about a central axis141of the seal50when deformed or compressed. In certain embodiments, both radially-extending arms136,138of the seal50and/or both radially-extending arms137,139of the biasing member52may be angled in a second direction or at a second angle along the central axis141when deformed or compressed. In the illustrated embodiment, the body48is positioned within a recess143(e.g., annular recess) of the downstream housing14. As shown, the body48, the seal50, and the biasing member52of the downstream sealing assembly40have the same structural configuration as the body42, the seal44, and the biasing member46of the upstream sealing assembly38. Although different numerical reference numbers are used for clarity, it should be understood that the body48, the seal50, and the biasing member52may include some or all of features discussed above with respect to the body42, the seal44, and the biasing member46.

As shown, the seal50is positioned within a seal groove142(e.g., annular groove) of the body48and is configured to form a seal (e.g., annular seal) between the body48and the downstream housing14. In particular, the first radially-extending arm136is configured to contact and to seal against an axially-facing surface144of the seal groove142of the body48, and the second radially-extending arm138is configured to contact and to seal against the axially-facing surface134of the downstream housing14. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing member52is positioned within a cavity146defined between the first radially-extending arm136and the second radially-extending arm138of the seal50, and the biasing member52may be configured to bias the first radially-extending arm136and the second radially-extending arm138of the seal50away from one another along the axial axis62to drive the first radially-extending arm136against the axially-facing surface144of the seal groove132of the body46and to drive the second radially-extending arm138against the axially-facing surface134of the downstream housing14, while enabling movement of the ball16and the body50along the axial axis62.

As shown inFIG. 4, when the ball valve10is in the closed position24and the upstream pressure, Pupstream, is approximately equal to the cavity pressure, Pcavity, and greater than the downstream pressure, Pdownstream, the ball16and the downstream seat assembly40are driven in the axial direction62, thereby deforming the seal50and enabling the downstream seat assembly40to move toward the first position130relative to the downstream housing14(e.g., to enable contact between the surfaces132,134). In the first position130, a first seal150(e.g., annular seal) may be formed between a ball-contacting surface152of the body48and the ball16, a second seal154(e.g., annular seal) may be formed between the seal50and the axially-facing surface134of the downstream housing14, and/or a third seal156may be formed between the axially-facing surfaces132,134. Thus, fluid may not flow across the downstream seat assembly40between the cavity60and the downstream bore34of the downstream housing14while the ball valve10is in the closed position24.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of the upstream seat assembly38positioned within the ball valve10and in a second position160relative to the upstream housing12. The upstream seat assembly38may be in the second position160when the ball valve10is in the closed position24and the cavity pressure, Pcavity, exceeds a threshold pressure (e.g., the upstream pressure, Pupstream). In the second position160, fluid within the cavity60may exert a force161on the body42that drives the body42away from the ball16and creates a gap163(e.g., annular gap) between the body42and the ball16(e.g., between the ball-contacting surface70and the ball16, thereby breaking the seal126) to enable fluid flow across the seal126to relieve the cavity pressure, Pcavity. In the second position160, the first axially-facing surface102of the body42may contact the axially-facing surface104of the upstream housing12or the surfaces102,104may be separated by a second axial distance162that is less than the first axial distance106shown inFIG. 3. In some embodiments, in the second position160, the surfaces102,104may contact one another. As the body42is driven away from the ball16, the seal44may be deformed and the biasing member46may be compressed such that an axial distance164between the respective ends of the radially-extending arms74,76is less than the initial distance86shown inFIG. 2and/or the first distance105shown inFIG. 3. As shown, both radially-extending arms74,76of the seal44and/or both radially-extending arms81,83of the biasing member46may move toward one another along the axial axis62, such that the seal44and/or the biasing member46are generally symmetrical about the central axis95when deformed or compressed. In certain embodiments, both radially-extending arms74,76of the seal44and/or both radially-extending arms81,83of the biasing member46may be angled in a second direction or at a second angle along the central axis95when deformed or compressed in the second position160. Thus, the upstream seat assembly38may be configured to move relative to the upstream housing12to relieve the cavity pressure, Pcavity, and/or to substantially balance pressure across the upstream seat assembly38. The upstream pressure, Pupstream, may continue to drive the ball16in the axial direction62, and the downstream seat assembly40may remain in the first position130shown inFIG. 4and/or may maintain the seal between the ball16and the downstream housing14while the upstream seat assembly38is in the second position160and/or while the upstream seat assembly38moves to relieve the cavity pressure, Pcavity, into the upstream bore32.

As shown inFIG. 5, the first seal126between the body42and the ball16may have a first diameter172and the second seal128between the seal44and the upstream housing128may have a second diameter174that is greater than the first diameter172. For clarity, the first diameter172and the second diameter174are also illustrated inFIG. 1. Such a configuration may enable the trapped fluid within the cavity60to exert the force161across a surface area165(e.g., annular surface area) of the upstream seat assembly38to drive the body42away from the ball16, and may enable the trapped fluid to drive the body42away from the ball16when the cavity pressure, Pcavity, exceeds the upstream pressure, Pupstream.

In some embodiments, if the upstream pressure Pupstreamexceeds the cavity pressure, Pcavity, the upstream pressure, Pupstream, may drive the seal44and/or the body42away from the axially-facing surface104of the upstream housing12, thereby breaking the seal128and enabling fluid flow between the upstream seat assembly38and the upstream housing12to balance pressure across the upstream seat assembly38. In operation, the upstream pressure, Pupstream, may increase or decrease due to upstream conditions, fluid supply, temperature, or the like. Similarly, the cavity pressure, Pcavity, may increase or decrease due to cavity conditions, such as temperature or the like. Thus, the disclosed embodiments are configured to automatically relieve the cavity pressure, Pcavity, and/or to maintain a balance between the upstream pressure, Pupstream, and the cavity pressure, Pcavity, even during periods of fluctuating upstream pressure, Pupstream, and/or cavity pressure, Pcavity.

As noted the body42may have any suitable geometry or configuration that enables facilitates automatically relieving the cavity pressure, Pcavity, as well enabling the ball valve10to block fluid flow when in the closed position24, as disclosed herein. For example,FIG. 6is another embodiment of a seat assembly200that may be utilized in the ball valve10ofFIG. 1. As shown, the seat assembly200includes a seat body202(e.g., annular seat body), which may be used with the seal44and the biasing member46.

Advantageously, in the disclosed embodiments, the seals44,48and their respective bodies42,46may be physically separate components. For example, each of the seals44,48may be a one-piece (e.g., unitary) structure and each of the bodies42,46may be a separate one-piece structure. When installed in the ball valve10, the seals44,48and the bodies42,46may not be physically attached or fastened together (e.g., by fasteners or adhesives). Such a configuration may enable the seals44,48and the bodies42,46to be formed from different materials. For example, the bodies42,46may be formed from a harder, less elastic, and/or more rigid material as compared to the seals44,48, which may enable the bodies42,46to withstand the forces applied to the bodies42,46during operation of the ball valve10and enable the seals44,48to provide a flexible seal between the bodies42,46and the housing11. The disclosed embodiments also enable the seals44,48and the biasing members46,52to deform more than the respective bodies42,48of the seat assemblies38,40during assembly and/or during operation of the ball valve10. Indeed, in some embodiments, the respective bodies42,48may not substantially deform during assembly and/or during operation of the ball valve10. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the only substantial deformation of the seat assemblies38,40during assembly and/or operation of the ball valve10are to the seals44,48and the biasing members46,52. The disclosed embodiments may also facilitate manufacturing of the bodies42,46and/or the seals44,48. Additionally, the disclosed embodiments may also facilitate installation, inspection, maintenance, and/or repair of the seat assemblies38,40and their components.