Abstract:
A ball check valve controls the flow of fluid with a sphere. A body has a fluid path and a recess for receiving the sphere in alignment with the fluid path. The sphere has a retainer which secures a ball check within it. When the valve is in a “Run” position and the rate of fluid flow increases excessively, the ball check seats in a narrow opening of the sphere, thus restricting the flow of fluid.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to valves. In particular, the invention relates to ball check valves. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In the petroleum and some other industries, it is sometimes necessary to store large quantities of heavy fluids in a large container and keep an accurate measurement of the amount of fluid within the container. In order to accomplish this task, a sight gage is often used. The level of the fluid is measured by an upper inlet passageway and lower outlet passageway which may be connected to a cylinder which may have a glass wall or window which may be calibrated to indicate the level of the fluid within the container. The glass is susceptible to breakage and leakage especially in an industrial situation. This could lead to a serious leakage of the fluid if left unchecked. It is desired to stop the leak because the fluid may be hazardous, expensive or for cleanliness generally. 
         [0003]    A ball check valve has conventionally been employed in the upper and lower passageway of a sight gage which will seat in the passageway when there is breakage or other significant leakage. If the fluid begins to excessively flow towards the sight gage, the ball check valve obstructs the flow of the fluid and thus prevents the leakage of the fluid. 
         [0004]    An early example of a ball check valve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,113,587 issued on Dec. 10, 1963 to L.A. Hendley. The ball check is normally in a resting position that permits free flow of fluid as shown in  FIG. 2  of the patent. If there is excessive flow, the ball check has to be moved to a seated position as shown in  FIG. 2A  of the patent that should block the flow. The ball should move from the resting position to the blocking position at a situation of excess flow. When the ball is in the blocking position, the inlet pressure maintains the ball check in that position. 
         [0005]    Ball check valves are susceptible to leakage, breakage and jamming after repeated use. Ball check valves can also be unreliable in operation, particularly for certain fluids such as petroleum. There may be a buildup on interior surfaces of the valve or a contaminant can become lodged between an interior surface and the ball. In severe cases, the valve may become inoperative due to the ball check not seating properly, allowing fluid to flow past the ball check. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    It is an objective of the preferred embodiments of the invention to provide a ball check valve for controlling the excess flow of fluid that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. A sphere in the valve has a flow passage, and there is a ball check within the flow passage. The valve body has a fluid path and a recess in the body receiving the sphere such that it is aligned with the fluid path of the body. A rotating stem mounted on the body of the valve has a tab sized to fit a slot on the top of the sphere and to rotate the sphere in conjunction with the stem. One preferred embodiment of the invention has a unique locking end piece to enable the valve to withstand higher pressures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    A complete understanding of the preferred embodiments will be obtained from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals identify the same parts throughout. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a valve according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in the “Run” position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the valve along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1  with the valve in the “Run” position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded side cross-sectional view of the valve in  FIG. 2  showing the resting position of the ball in solid outline and the position of the ball when seated to block fluid flow in dashed outline. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the valve in  FIG. 1  with the valve in the “Bypass” position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the sphere of the valve in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a view showing one opening of the sphere shown in  FIG. 5A  in solid lines, the offset concave slot on the top of the sphere in dashed line, and the other opening and parts in dashed lines. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a top view of the sphere shown in  FIG. 4A  with the concave slot offset from the pivot point in solid line, and the valve cavity of the sphere in dashed lines. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the sphere in  FIG. 4B  along the line  5 D- 5 D shown in  FIG. 4B . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  is an end view of the retainer  3  in the valve shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the retainer in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is an end view of the retainer clip  4  in the valve shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the retainer clip in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  is a cross-section view of the downstream seat  6  shown in the valve in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8B  is an end view of the downstream seat  6  in  FIG. 8A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9A  is a cross-section view of the guide seat  7  in the valve shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9B  is an end view of the guide seat  7  in  FIG. 9A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of body  9  according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of end  11  according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12A  is a view of a guide post  23  in the first preferred embodiment of the valve in  FIG. 1  which shows a guide tip  23 - 1  of guide post  23 , a hole  23 - 2  for a possible lock or locking pin and hole  23 - 3  for a stop pin  25 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 12B  is a view of guide post  23  in which guide post  23  is turned  90  degrees from the view shown in  FIG. 12A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 13A  is at top view of a locking plate  24  in the first preferred embodiment of the valve shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the locking plate  24  shown in  FIG. 13A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 14A  is a top view of the stem  15  in the first preferred embodiment of the valve shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 14B  is a side view of stem  15  in  FIG. 14A  showing the end of a tab  15   b  that engages with the top slot of sphere  2  and that is offset with respect to the center of stem  15 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 14C  is a side view of stem  15  in  FIG. 14A  showing the side of the tab  15   b  that engages with the top slot of sphere  2  and that is offset with respect to the center of stem  15 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 15A  is an end view of the handle  22  in the first preferred embodiment of the valve shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 15B  is a side view of the handle  22  in the first preferred embodiment of the valve shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 15C  is a bottom view of the handle  22  in the first preferred embodiment of the valve shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 16A  is a view of the hub  25  for handle  22  in the first preferred embodiment of the valve shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 16B  is a cross-sectional view of hub  25  along line  16 B- 16 B shown in  FIG. 16D . 
           [0038]      FIG. 16C  is a cross-sectional view of hub  25  along line  16 C- 16 C shown in  FIG. 16E . 
           [0039]      FIG. 16D  is a bottom view of hub  25  shown in  FIG. 16A . 
           [0040]      FIG. 16E  is a bottom view of hub  25  at a  90  degree rotation from the bottom view of hub  25  shown in  FIG. 16D . 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is a side cross-sectional view of a right angle ball check valve  200  according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, with the valve shown in the “Run” position. 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is a top view of the ball check valve  200  according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 19  is a side view of two ball check valves  200 , in a system with a fluid tank and sight gage. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    A first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-16  with reference to the following listing of constituent parts:
     100  valve     1  ball check     2  sphere     3  retainer     4  retainer clip     5  seat gasket     6  downstream seat     7  guide seat     8  disc spring     9  body     10  body gasket     11  end     12  nut     13  stud     14  thrust washer     15  stem     16  stem packing     17  gland ring     18  gland follower     19  belleville washer     22  handle     23  guide post     24  locking plate     25  stop pin   
 
         [0069]    The first preferred embodiment of the valve according to the invention utilizes a body  9  and end part  11 , with aligned fluid paths as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 . Body  9  and end  11  are of materials commensurate with the application, for example stainless steel or black oxide coated carbon steel. The valve is assembled by placing sphere  2  into a recess in body  9 . The recess is formed so that the sphere  2  fluid path aligns with the fluid path  9 A of body  9  and fluid path  11 A of end  11 . 
         [0070]    Preferably, a guide seat  7  is provided to align and fit the sphere  2  to body  9 , and a disc spring  8  biases the guide seat against sphere  2 . The curved surface of guide seat  7  mates the curved surface of sphere  2 . A downstream seat  6  and seat gasket  5  fit and align the sphere  2  to end  11 . The curved surface of downstream seat  6  mates the outer curve of sphere  2 . The seat materials may be commensurate with the application, for example, metal or soft-seated. As shown in  FIGS. 2, 2A, 3 and 10 , there may be a notch, undercut or indentation  26  in the body cavity to facilitate the assembly of the stem into the body. It is preferably as narrow as necessary to accommodate the stem Body  9  and end  11  can be joined in any suitable manner, but preferably with nuts  12  and  13  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0071]    The sphere  2  is operated by stem  15  in conjunction with thrust washer  14 , stem packing  16 , gland ring  17 , gland follower  18 , Belleville washers  19 , packing nuts  20  and packing studs  21 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , sphere  2  has a concave slot at the top which receives the lower portion  15   b  of stem  15 . The stem  15  preferably uses “ultra-low emission” packing and is rotated using handle  22  to rotate sphere  2 . As best seen in  FIG. 13A , the valve provides a “Run”, “Bypass” and two “Closed” positions. The “Bypass” position shown in  FIG. 3  allows the fluid to flow freely around the ball check in order to evaluate for blockage, flushing and proper operation of the fluid system. The handle  22 , stem  15  and sphere  2  can be rotated substantially 180 degrees to the “Run” position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . If the sight gage or piping to which the valve is connected downstream should be compromised or leaking, the resulting fluid dynamics of the outflow will cause the ball check  1  in sphere  2  to move from the resting position (shown by solid lines in  FIGS. 2 and 2A ) to the blocking position (shown by dashed lines in  FIG. 2A ). If handle  22  is rotated 90 degrees (in either direction), then the valve is in a “Closed” position (not shown in the drawings) in which the sphere  2  does not align with the fluid paths in body  9  and end  11 , and the valve thus isolates fluid flow on either side of the valve. The geometry allows for two opposed “Closed” positions and the non-symmetrical pattern of holes  24 - 2  prevents improper assembly of the locking plate  24 . 
         [0072]    The preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  uses a a locking plate  24  as shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . Notches  24 - 1  on the periphery of guide plate  24  correspond to the “Bypass”, “Run” and “Closed” positions. A guide post  23  on the opposite side from handle  22  slides vertically so that tip  23 - 1  can engage one of the notches on the periphery of guide plate  24 . Thus, in order to change the valve position, it is not sufficient to merely rotate handle  22 ; guide post  23  must first be lifted to clear the corresponding notch. A hole  23 - 2  is provided through guide post  23  and aligns with hole  22 - 1  in handle  22 . A lockpin or padlock can be provided in hole  23 - 2  and through hole  22 - 1  in handle  22  to prevent the guide post  23  from being lifted to clear the notch on locking plate  24 . An exemplary guide post is shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B . 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 and 14B-14C , the slot  2 - 1  in sphere  2  and the tab  15   b  at the bottom of stem  15  are equally offset from center. The amount of offset may be relatively slight or not. The asymmetric alignment of locking plate mounting holes  24 - 2  align locking plate  24 , and the engraved lettering correctly with respect to the sphere  2 , stem  15  and handle  22 . The flat  15   a , likewise locates on flat  25   a,  which aligns the stem to the handle. These prevent the valve from being assembled incorrectly with the handle in an incorrect orientation. The sphere can be rotated freely about the axis of the stem but the positions thereof are preferably determined by the notches in the locking plate  24 . The exploded view of  FIG. 2A  shows the valve in the “Run” position. The interior space of sphere  2  is configured so that the resting position of the ball is shown by a solid outline. The ball check  1  is confined within one end of sphere  2  while fluid is allowed to pass by a retainer  3  secured by a retainer clip  4 . Preferably, retainer  3  is in circular form and nests into a counter bore, and retainer clip  4  is located in an adjacent groove, in sphere  2 . Preferred embodiments of the retainer  3 , with a member across its face to provide two “D” shaped passages, and retainer clip  4  are shown in  FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B , but other embodiments may be utilized as well. Although retainer  3  is shown in a horizontal position in the drawings, the retainer  3  preferably can rotate within the groove in sphere  2 . 
         [0074]    When the fluid flow rate is excessive fluid dynamics will cause ball check  1  to be moved from its resting position and become seated in the narrow opening of sphere  2  at the position indicated by the dashed outline in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0075]    The seat gasket  5 , downstream seat  6 , guide seat  7  and disc spring  8  are used for sealing and securing the position of sphere  2  and supporting it during rotation between different positions. They play no part in restraining the ball check  1  within sphere  2 . Both the ball check  1  and the sphere  2  are preferably comprised of smooth finished material to reduce resistance to movement of the ball and clogging of the valve by viscous fluids. A ball check valve according to this first preferred embodiment thus overcomes the disadvantages of previously know valves, and is especially useful for controlling the flow of a heavy fluid, such as petroleum, in a system with a site gage. 
         [0076]    A ball check valve  200  according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 17-19 . (Although the second preferred embodiment also has a handle, the handle is not shown in  FIGS. 17-19  for clarity of illustration.) The ball check valve  200  of the second preferred embodiment has a few differences compared to the ball check valve  100  of the first preferred embodiment, but utilizes the same sphere  2  and other constituent parts as the ball check valve of the first preferred embodiment. 
         [0077]    The ball check valve  200  has aligned fluid paths into and out of sphere  2 . However, unlike the first preferred embodiment, fluid path  209 A in ball check valve  200  is blocked at the end of body  209  by blocker  202  and has a fluid connection  201  that allows fluid to flow at a right angle to the fluid path  211 A on the other side of sphere  2 .  FIG. 18  shows connection  210  at the exterior of the ball check valve  200  for the right angle fluid connection  201 . Connection  210  is at right angles to fluid connection  220  out of ball check valve  200 . Connections  210  and  220  may be union connections. Such a configuration enables two ball check valves  200  to directly connect a fluid tank and a vertical site gage as shown in  FIG. 19  without additional piping required therebetween. 
         [0078]    As seen in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , body  209  of ball check valve  200  differs from body  9  of ball check valve  100 . Preferably, body  209  generally provides a rectangular or other substantially uniform exterior of ball check valve  200  that extends to the connections  210  and  220  rather than utilizing flanges as shown in  FIGS. 1-3, 10 and 11  of the first preferred embodiment. Stem  215  in ball check valve  200  may have a greater length as compared to stem  15  in ball check valve  100  of the first embodiment so as to accommodate the larger dimension of body  209 . But even in a ball check valve embodiment where the external fluid connections are aligned rather than at right angles, body  209  differs from body  9  in that it preferably engages with a unique locking end piece  211  so as to be better suited for high pressure or high temperature applications of ball check valve  200 . 
         [0079]    While right angle fluid connection  210  is preferably, but not necessarily, integrated with body  209 , fluid connection  220  has a unique configuration. As shown in  FIG. 17 , locking end piece  211  contains the straight fluid path and is sized and dimensioned so as to securely fit within body  209 . Two tabs  211 - 1  extend from the top and bottom of locking end piece  211 . The tabs  211 - 1  have flat tops and bottoms so as to prevent rotation of locking end piece  211  relative to body  209 . Tabs  211 - 1  and  211 - 2  are thus restrained from rotation in body  209 . A locking nut  212  moves locking end piece  211  so that tabs  211 - 1  are compressed tightly against washers or other sealing  213  on body  209 . Thus, ball check valve  200  in the second preferred embodiment does not have the nuts  12  and studs  13  within body  9  and end piece  11  of the first embodiment. Thus, the second preferred embodiment provides greater structural integrity for body  209  and end piece  211  and enables the ball check valve  200  to be used for high pressure or high temperature applications.