Patent Description:
In order to meet consumer and industrial demand for natural resources, companies search for and extract oil, natural gas, and other subterranean resources from the earth. Once a desired subterranean resource is discovered, drilling and production systems are employed to access and extract the resource. These systems may be located onshore or offshore depending on the location of a desired resource. For example, in subsea operations, hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing geologic formation. In various subsea applications and other well applications, ball valve assemblies are used to control fluid flow through a well string. Ball valve assemblies include a ball having a fluid pathway extending through the ball. While the ball valve assembly is in an open state (e.g., open position of the ball), the fluid pathway of the ball is aligned with a fluid passage of the ball valve assembly, thereby enabling fluid to flow through the ball valve assembly. In addition, while the ball valve assembly is in a closed state (e.g., closed position of the ball), the fluid pathway of the ball is oriented generally perpendicularly to the fluid passage of the ball valve assembly, thereby blocking fluid flow through the ball valve assembly.

In certain ball valve assemblies, fluid pressure is used to drive annular seats against the ball to substantially block fluid flow through the fluid passage while the ball is in the closed position and to substantially block fluid from flowing out of the fluid passage/fluid pathway interface while the ball is in the open position. For example, an annular seat may be positioned adjacent to each end of the ball. A ring (e.g., driver, piston, etc.) may be positioned adjacent to each annular seat on an opposite side of the annular seat from the ball. Fluid pressure within the fluid passage may drive the ring to compress the annular seat against the ball. Unfortunately, under operational conditions (e.g., fluid pressures, fluid flow rates, etc.) associated with certain applications, the fluid pressure may not provide a sufficient force to the rings to establish effective seals between the annular seats and the ball. Accordingly, a ball valve assembly, in which the annular seats are compressed against the ball by application of fluid pressure, may not be utilized for such applications.

<CIT> describes a valve mechanism for installation in a pipe line comprising a central body section with end sections connected thereto and forming therewith a valve stopper chamber, the end sections each having an associated annular extension projecting into the valve stopper chamber and having an external sealing surface and an internal fluid-flow passage extending outwardly therefrom. A valve stopper is provided in the chamber having a flow passage extending therethrough and sealing surfaces bounding the flow passage with a structure for moving the stopper to a valve open position substantially aligning the stopper flow passage with the extension flow passages, and to a valve closed position with the stopper sealing surfaces extending beyond the annular inner face of the extension. An annular gasket encircles each end section extension and a thrust structure is operable to compress the gaskets against the sealing surfaces of the extensions and stopper when the stopper is in valve open and valve closed positions.

<CIT> describes a valve assembly wherein a drive platen is non-rotatably coupled to a valve ball and configured to rotate with the ball, comprising an engagement feature configured to engage an engagement feature of a rotatable ring to drive the rotatable ring to rotate in response to rotation of the drive plate.

The present invention resides in a ball valve assembly as defined in claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are defined in the appended claims.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of certain embodiments will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:.

Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Moreover, any use of "top," "bottom," "above," "below," other directional terms, and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ball valve assembly <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the ball valve assembly <NUM> may be disposed along a well string, such as a landing string. For example, the ball valve assembly <NUM> may be used as a retainer valve within a subsea landing string. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball valve assembly <NUM> includes an inlet <NUM> positioned at a first end portion <NUM> of the ball valve assembly <NUM>, and the ball valve assembly <NUM> includes an outlet <NUM> positioned at a second end portion <NUM> of the ball valve assembly <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> is configured to receive fluid (e.g., from a well), and the ball valve assembly <NUM> is configured to control flow of the fluid through the ball valve assembly <NUM> between the inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>. Furthermore, the ball valve assembly <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> (e.g., body) configured to house a ball. The housing <NUM> may be a solid forged block of material (e.g., steel), as illustrated, the housing may be cast from a suitable material (e.g., steel), or the housing may be formed by another suitable technique. In addition, the housing may be formed from a single piece of material, or the housing may be formed from multiple pieces of material coupled to one another.

As discussed in detail below, in certain embodiments, the ball of the ball valve assembly <NUM> has a fluid pathway extending through the ball. The ball is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The fluid pathway is configured to align with a fluid passage of the ball valve assembly <NUM> while the ball is in the open position to enable fluid flow through the ball valve assembly <NUM>. In addition, the fluid pathway is configured to be offset from the fluid passage while the ball is in the closed position to block fluid flow through the ball valve assembly <NUM>. Furthermore, the ball valve assembly includes an annular seat configured to engage the ball. The ball valve assembly also includes a rotatable ring positioned on an opposite side of the annular seat from the ball, and the rotatable ring includes a first engagement feature (e.g., substantially flat surface). In addition, the ball valve assembly includes a non-rotatable ring positioned adjacent to the rotatable ring (e.g., on an opposite side of the rotatable ring from the annular seat). The ball valve also includes a drive plate non-rotatably coupled to the ball. Accordingly, the drive plate is configured to rotate with the ball between the open and closed positions. The drive plate includes a second engagement feature (e.g., substantially flat surface), and the second engagement feature of the drive plate is configured to engage the first engagement feature of the rotatable ring to drive the rotatable ring to rotate in response to rotation of the drive plate. Furthermore, the ball valve assembly includes bearing element(s) (e.g., spherical head pin(s), etc.) configured to drive the rotatable ring and the non-rotatable ring away from one another to compress the annular seat against the ball in response to rotation of the rotatable ring.

By way of example, as the ball rotates toward the open position, the drive plate, which is non-rotatably coupled to the ball, rotates with the ball. As the ball approaches the open position, the second engagement feature of the drive plate engages the first engagement feature of the rotatable ring. Further rotation of the ball causes the drive plate to drive the rotatable ring to rotate via engagement of the first and second engagement features. Rotation of the rotatable ring causes the bearing element(s) to drive the rotatable ring and the non-rotatable ring away from one another, thereby compressing the annular seat against the ball. Alternatively, as the ball rotates toward the closed position, the drive plate, which is non-rotatably coupled to the ball, rotates with the ball. As the ball approaches the closed position, the second engagement feature of the drive plate engages the first engagement feature of the rotatable ring. Further rotation of the ball causes the drive plate to drive the rotatable ring to rotate via engagement of the first and second engagement features. Rotation of the rotatable ring causes the bearing element(s) to drive the rotatable ring and the non-rotatable ring away from one another, thereby compressing the annular seat against the ball. Accordingly, as the ball rotates to the open position or to the closed position, the annular seat is compressed against the ball by mechanical force applied by the drive plate, the rotatable ring, and the bearing element(s) (e.g., alone or in combination with a force applied by pressurized fluid within the ball valve assembly, as discussed in detail below). As a result, the annular seat may be compressed with significantly more force than an annular seat in a ball valve assembly that uses fluid pressure alone to compress the annular seat against the ball. Therefore, the ball valve assembly disclosed herein may be used for applications having operational conditions that are unsuitable for a ball valve assembly in which the annular seat is compressed against the ball by application of fluid pressure alone.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the ball valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing <NUM> (e.g., body) of the ball valve assembly <NUM> has a fluid passage <NUM>. As illustrated, the fluid passage <NUM> extends to the inlet <NUM> and to the outlet <NUM>. The ball valve assembly <NUM> also includes an adapter <NUM> (e.g., bonnet) coupled to the housing <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM> by fasteners <NUM>, such as the illustrated bolts/nuts. However, in other embodiments, the adapter <NUM> may be coupled to the housing <NUM> by any other suitable type of connection or combination of connections (e.g., alone or in combination with the fasteners <NUM>). Furthermore, the ball valve assembly <NUM> includes a ball <NUM> disposed within the housing <NUM> and having a fluid pathway <NUM>. As illustrated, the ball <NUM> is retained within an internal cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> by the adapter <NUM>. The ball <NUM> is configured to rotate about a rotational axis <NUM> between an open position and a closed position. The fluid pathway <NUM> of the ball <NUM> is configured to align with the fluid passage <NUM> of the housing <NUM> while the ball <NUM> is in the open position to enable fluid flow through the fluid passage <NUM>. In addition, the fluid pathway <NUM> of the ball <NUM> is configured to be offset from the fluid passage <NUM> of the housing <NUM> while the ball <NUM> is in the closed position to substantially block fluid flow through the fluid passage <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, a stem <NUM> extends through the adapter <NUM> and non-rotatably couples to the ball <NUM>. Accordingly, rotation of the stem <NUM> about the rotational axis <NUM> drives the ball <NUM> to rotate between the open and closed positions. The stem <NUM> may be driven to rotate by manual input and/or by an actuator, such as a hydraulic actuator, an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, another suitable type of actuator, or a combination thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ball valve assembly <NUM> includes a sealing system <NUM> configured to substantially block fluid flow through the fluid passage <NUM> while the ball <NUM> is in the closed position and to substantially block fluid from flowing out of the fluid passage <NUM>/fluid pathway <NUM> interface while the ball <NUM> is in the open position. The sealing system <NUM> includes a first seat, such as the illustrated first annular seat <NUM>, and a second seat, such as the illustrated second annular seat <NUM>. Each annular seat is configured to engage the ball <NUM>. As discussed in detail below, each annular seat may be compressed against the ball (e.g., energized) while the ball is in the open position and/or while the ball is in the closed position. As illustrated, each annular seat is substantially aligned with the fluid passage <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, each annular seat is substantially coaxial with the fluid passage <NUM> (e.g., the fluid passage <NUM> and each annular seat have a common longitudinal axis <NUM>). Each annular seat may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as rubber, a polymeric material, metal, another suitable material, or a combination thereof. For example, at least one annular seat may include an annular polymeric seal disposed within a metal seal retainer. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the annular seat may include a lip seal (e.g., including a coil spring extending circumferentially about the annular seat).

Furthermore, the sealing system <NUM> includes a first rotatable ring <NUM> and a second rotatable ring <NUM>. As illustrated, the first rotatable ring <NUM> is positioned on an opposite side of the first annular seat <NUM> from the ball <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the fluid passage <NUM>, and the second rotatable ring <NUM> is positioned on an opposite side of the second annular seat <NUM> from the ball <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the fluid passage <NUM>. Each rotatable ring is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the fluid passage <NUM>, and each rotatable ring includes one or more engagement features, as discussed in detail below. As illustrated, each rotatable ring is substantially aligned with the fluid passage <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, each rotatable ring is substantially coaxial with the fluid passage <NUM> (e.g., the fluid passage <NUM> and each rotatable ring have a common longitudinal axis <NUM>).

In addition, the sealing system <NUM> includes a first non-rotatable ring <NUM> and a second non-rotatable ring <NUM>. As illustrated, the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the first rotatable ring <NUM> on an opposite side of the first rotatable ring <NUM> from the first annular seat <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the fluid passage <NUM>, and the second non-rotatable ring <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the second rotatable ring <NUM> on an opposite side of the second rotatable ring <NUM> from the second annular seat <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the fluid passage <NUM>. As discussed in detail below, rotation of each non-rotatable ring about the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the fluid passage <NUM> is blocked. As illustrated, each non-rotatable ring is substantially aligned with the fluid passage <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, each non-rotatable ring is substantially coaxial with the fluid passage <NUM> (e.g., the fluid passage <NUM> and each non-rotatable ring have a common longitudinal axis <NUM>).

The sealing system <NUM> of the ball valve assembly <NUM> also includes a first drive plate <NUM> non-rotatably coupled to the ball <NUM> and a second drive plate <NUM> non-rotatably coupled to the ball <NUM>. Each drive plate is configured to rotate with the ball. For example, in certain embodiments, the ball may have polygonal protrusions, and each drive plate may have a corresponding polygonal recess configured to receive a respective polygonal protrusion of the ball. Engagement of each polygonal protrusion of the ball with the corresponding polygonal recess of the respective drive plate non-rotatably couples the respective drive plate to the ball. As discussed in detail below, each drive plate includes one or more engagement features, and each engagement feature of the drive plate is configured to engage a corresponding engagement feature of a respective rotatable ring (e.g., as the ball approaches the open position and/or the closed position). While an engagement feature of a drive plate is engage with a corresponding engagement feature of a rotatable ring, rotation of the drive plate drives the rotatable ring to rotate.

Furthermore, the sealing system <NUM> includes one or more first bearing elements and one or more second bearing elements. The first bearing element(s) are configured to drive the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another to compress (e.g., energize) the first annular seat <NUM> against the ball <NUM> in response to rotation of the first rotatable ring <NUM>. In addition, the second bearing element(s) are configured to drive the second rotatable ring <NUM> and the second non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another to compress (e.g., energize) the second annular seat <NUM> against the ball <NUM> in response to rotation of the second rotatable ring <NUM>. Accordingly, as the ball <NUM> rotates to the open position and/or to the closed position, each annular seat is compressed against the ball by mechanical force applied by the drive plates, the rotatable rings, and the bearing elements (e.g., alone or in combination with a force applied by pressurized fluid within the ball valve assembly, as discussed in detail below). As a result, each annular seat may be compressed with significantly more force than an annular seat in a ball valve assembly that uses fluid pressure alone to compress the annular seat against the ball. Therefore, the ball valve assembly disclosed herein may be used for applications having operational conditions that are unsuitable for a ball valve assembly in which the annular seats are compressed against the ball by application of fluid pressure alone.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the ball <NUM> and the sealing system <NUM> of the ball valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, in which the ball <NUM> is in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball <NUM> has a recess <NUM> configured to receive a corresponding protrusion of the stem. The recess <NUM> of the ball <NUM> and the protrusion of the stem are shaped to non-rotatably couple the stem to the ball <NUM> while the protrusion is engaged with the recess <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess <NUM> is substantially rectangular. However, in other embodiments, the recess may have any other suitable shape (e.g., elliptical, hexagonal, star-shaped, etc.). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the stem and the ball may be non-rotatably coupled to one another by any other suitable connection (e.g., welded connection, pinned connection, integrally formed as one unit, etc.). Because the stem and the ball <NUM> are non-rotatably coupled to one another, rotation of the stem drives the ball <NUM> to rotate (e.g., between the illustrated closed position and the open position).

In the illustrated embodiment, the ball <NUM> includes a first polygonal protrusion <NUM>, and the first drive plate <NUM> includes a corresponding polygonal recess <NUM> (e.g., opening) configured to receive the first polygonal protrusion <NUM> of the ball <NUM>. Engagement of the first polygonal protrusion <NUM> of the ball <NUM> with the corresponding polygonal recess <NUM> of the first drive plate <NUM> non-rotatably couples the first drive plate <NUM> to the ball <NUM>. While the first protrusion and the corresponding recess are polygonal in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the protrusion and the corresponding recess may have any other suitable shape (e.g., elliptical, star-shaped, etc.). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the first drive plate may be non-rotatably coupled to the ball by another suitable connection (e.g., alone or in combination with the protrusion/recess connection), such as a fastener connection, a welded connection, an adhesive connection, other suitable connection(s), or a combination thereof. Furthermore, while the first drive plate is directly non-rotatably coupled to the ball in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the first drive plate may be non-rotatably coupled to the ball via another suitable structure, such as the stem.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing system <NUM> of the ball valve assembly <NUM> includes anti-rotation plates <NUM> configured to block rotation of the non-rotatable rings. As illustrated, each anti-rotation plate <NUM> has a substantially flat surface <NUM> (e.g., second substantially flat surface, fourth substantially flat surface), the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> has corresponding substantially flat surfaces <NUM> (e.g., first substantially flat surfaces), and the second non-rotatable ring <NUM> has corresponding substantially flat surface <NUM> (e.g., third substantially flat surfaces). The substantially flat surface <NUM> of each anti-rotation plate <NUM> is configured to contact a corresponding substantially flat surface <NUM> of a respective non-rotatable ring to block rotation of the non-rotatable ring about the longitudinal axis <NUM>. While engagement of the substantially flat surfaces blocks rotation of the non-rotatable rings about the longitudinal axis <NUM>, the substantially flat surfaces enable each non-rotatable ring to move along the longitudinal axis <NUM>. As a result, the first rotatable ring and the first non-rotatable ring may move away from one another in response to rotation of the first rotatable ring, and the second rotatable ring and the second non-rotatable ring may move away from one another in response to rotation of the second rotatable ring. In the illustrated embodiment, each anti-rotation plate <NUM> is coupled to the housing by one or more fasteners <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, at least one anti-rotation plate may be coupled to the housing by other suitable type(s) of connection(s) (e.g., alone or in combination with the fastener(s)), such as a welded connection, an adhesive connection, a press-fit connection, other suitable type(s) of connection(s), or a combination thereof. Furthermore, while two anti-rotation plates are used to block rotation of each non-rotatable ring in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, more or fewer anti-rotation plates (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more) may be used to block rotation of at least one non-rotatable ring. For example, in certain embodiments, at least one substantially flat surface may be formed within the housing and configured to engage at least one corresponding substantially flat surface of at least one non-rotatable ring. Furthermore, while substantially flat surfaces are used to block rotation of each non-rotatable ring in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, other suitable surface(s) (e.g., formed on anti-rotation plate(s), formed within the housing, etc.) and/or device(s) (e.g., protrusion(s)/recess(es), pin(s), fastener(s), etc.) may be used to block rotation of at least one non-rotatable ring (e.g., alone or in combination with the substantially flat surface(s)).

In the illustrated embodiment, the first rotatable ring <NUM> includes two engagement features (e.g., first engagement features), the second rotatable ring <NUM> includes two engagement features (e.g., second engagement features), the first drive plate <NUM> includes two engagement features (e.g., second engagement features, third engagement features), and the second drive plate <NUM> includes two engagement features (e.g., fourth engagement features). As illustrated, with the ball <NUM> in the illustrated closed position, one engagement feature <NUM> of the first drive plate <NUM> is in contact with a corresponding engagement feature <NUM> of the first rotatable ring <NUM>, and another engagement feature <NUM> of the first drive plate <NUM> is in contact with a corresponding engagement feature <NUM> of the second rotatable ring <NUM>. The ball <NUM> may rotate in a first rotational direction <NUM> about the rotational axis <NUM> from the open position toward the illustrated closed position. As the ball <NUM> approaches the closed position, the engagement feature <NUM> of the first drive plate <NUM> engages the corresponding engagement feature <NUM> of the first rotatable ring <NUM>, and the engagement feature <NUM> of the first drive plate <NUM> engages the corresponding engagement feature <NUM> of the second rotatable ring <NUM>. Further rotation of the ball <NUM> in the first rotational direction <NUM> causes the first drive plate <NUM> to drive the rotatable rings to rotate about the longitudinal axis <NUM> via engagement of the engagement features of the first drive plate <NUM> and the rotatable rings. Rotation of the first rotatable ring <NUM> from a first position (e.g., in which the engagement features of the first drive plate and the first rotatable ring are not engaged with one another) to a second position (e.g., in which the first rotatable ring is rotated about the longitudinal axis) causes the respective bearing element(s) to drive the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another along the longitudinal axis <NUM>, thereby compressing the first annular seat <NUM> against the ball <NUM>. In addition, rotation of the second rotatable ring <NUM> from a first position (e.g., in which the engagement features of the first drive plate and the second rotatable ring are not engaged with one another) to a second position (e.g., in which the second rotatable ring is rotated about the longitudinal axis) causes the respective bearing element(s) to drive the second rotatable ring <NUM> and the second non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another along the longitudinal axis <NUM>, thereby compressing the second annular seat <NUM> against the ball <NUM>. Accordingly, as the ball rotates to the closed position, each annular seat is compressed against the ball by mechanical force applied by the first drive plate, the rotatable rings, and the bearing elements (e.g., alone or in combination with a force applied by pressurized fluid within the ball valve assembly, as discussed in detail below). As a result, each annular seat may be compressed with significantly more force than an annular seat in a ball valve assembly that uses fluid pressure alone to compress the annular seat against the ball. Therefore, the ball valve assembly disclosed herein may be used for applications having operational conditions that are unsuitable for a ball valve assembly in which the annular seats are compressed against the ball by application of fluid pressure alone.

<FIG> is a bottom view of the ball <NUM> and the sealing system <NUM> of <FIG>, in which the ball <NUM> is in an open position. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball <NUM> includes a second polygonal protrusion <NUM>, and the second drive plate <NUM> includes a corresponding polygonal recess <NUM> (e.g., opening) configure to receive the second polygonal protrusion <NUM> of the ball <NUM>. Engagement of the second polygonal protrusion <NUM> of the ball <NUM> with the corresponding polygonal recess <NUM> of the second drive plate <NUM> non-rotatably couples the second drive plate <NUM> to the ball <NUM>. While the second protrusion and the corresponding recess are polygonal in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the protrusion and the corresponding recess may have any other suitable shape (e.g., elliptical, star-shaped, etc.). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the second drive plate may be non-rotatably coupled to the ball by another suitable connection (e.g., alone or in combination with the protrusion/recess connection), such as a fastener connection, a welded connection, an adhesive connection, other suitable connection(s), or a combination thereof.

As illustrated, with the ball <NUM> in the illustrated open position, one engagement feature <NUM> of the second drive plate <NUM> is in contact with a corresponding engagement feature <NUM> of the first rotatable ring <NUM>, and another engagement feature <NUM> of the second drive plate <NUM> is in contact with a corresponding engagement feature <NUM> of the second rotatable ring <NUM>. The ball <NUM> may rotate in a second rotational direction <NUM> about the rotational axis from the closed position toward the illustrated open position. As the ball <NUM> approaches the open position, the engagement feature <NUM> of the second drive plate <NUM> engages the corresponding engagement feature <NUM> of the first rotatable ring <NUM>, and the engagement feature <NUM> of the second drive plate <NUM> engages the corresponding engagement feature <NUM> of the second rotatable ring <NUM>. Further rotation of the ball <NUM> in the second rotational direction <NUM> causes the second drive plate <NUM> to drive the rotatable rings to rotate about the longitudinal axis <NUM> via engagement of the engagement features of the second drive plate <NUM> and the rotatable rings. Rotation of the first rotatable ring <NUM> from a first position (e.g., in which the engagement features of the second drive plate and the first rotatable ring are not engaged with one another) to a second position (e.g., in which the first rotatable ring is rotated about the longitudinal axis) causes the respective bearing element(s) to drive the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another along the longitudinal axis <NUM>, thereby compressing the first annular seat <NUM> against the ball <NUM>. In addition, rotation of the second rotatable ring <NUM> from a first position (e.g., in which the engagement features of the second drive plate and the second rotatable ring are not engaged with one another) to a second position (e.g., in which the second rotatable ring is rotated about the longitudinal axis) causes the respective bearing element(s) to drive the second rotatable ring <NUM> and the second non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another along the longitudinal axis <NUM>, thereby compressing the second annular seat <NUM> against the ball <NUM>. Accordingly, as the ball rotates to the open position, each annular seat is compressed against the ball by mechanical force applied by the second drive plate, the rotatable rings, and the bearing elements (e.g., alone or in combination with a force applied by pressurized fluid within the ball valve assembly, as discussed in detail below). As a result, each annular seat may be compressed with significantly more force than an annular seat in a ball valve assembly that uses fluid pressure alone to compress the annular seat against the ball. Therefore, the ball valve assembly disclosed herein may be used for applications having operational conditions that are unsuitable for a ball valve assembly in which the annular seats are compressed against the ball by application of fluid pressure alone.

In the illustrated embodiment, each engagement feature includes a substantially flat surface configured to engage the substantially flat surface of a corresponding engagement feature. For example, in certain embodiments, the substantially flat surface of each engagement feature may be angled (e.g., about <NUM> degree to about <NUM> degrees, about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees, or about <NUM> degrees) relative to a radial axis of the respective ring/plate to facilitate engagement of the respective engagement features. While each engagement feature includes a substantially flat surface in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, at least one engagement feature may include another suitable surface and/or device (e.g., rounded surface, protrusion configured to engage a recess, etc.) configured to engage a corresponding engagement feature.

While the non-rotatable rings are configured to move along the longitudinal axis in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, movement of at least one non-rotatable ring along the longitudinal axis may be blocked. In such embodiments, the bearing element(s) may drive the respective rotatable ring(s) away from the respective non-rotatable ring(s) along the longitudinal axis in response to rotation of the rotatable ring(s). Furthermore, while each non-rotatable ring is positioned on an opposite side of the respective rotatable ring from the respective annular seat in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, at least one non-rotatable ring may be positioned between the respective annular seat and the respective rotatable ring. In addition, as previously discussed, in the illustrated embodiment, the first drive plate <NUM> and the rotatable rings are configured such that the first drive plate <NUM> drives the rotatable rings to rotate as the ball <NUM> approaches the closed position, and the second drive plate <NUM> and the rotatable rings are configured such that the second drive plate <NUM> drives the rotatable rings to rotate as the ball <NUM> approaches the open position. However, in other embodiments, the first drive plate and the rotatable rings may be configured such that the first drive plate drives the rotatable rings to rotate as the ball approaches the open position, and the second drive plate and the rotatable rings may be configured such that the second drive plate drives the rotatable rings to rotate as the ball approaches the closed position. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, one of the drive plates may be omitted. In such embodiments, the rotatable rings may only be driven to rotate as the ball approaches the closed position or the open position. In addition, in certain embodiments, the sealing system may include two driving plates that cooperate to drive the rotatable rings to rotate (e.g., as the ball approaches the closed position or the open position). Furthermore, while the sealing system includes two annular seats, two rotatable rings, and two non-rotatable rings in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the sealing system may include a single annular seat, rotatable ring, and non-rotatable ring. In such embodiments, only one annular seat may be compressed against the ball by mechanical force, and each driving plate may only include a single engagement feature.

<FIG> is an exploded view of a portion of the sealing system <NUM> of <FIG>. As previously discussed, the sealing system <NUM> includes bearing element(s) <NUM> configured to drive the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another to compress the first annular seat <NUM> against the ball <NUM> in response to rotation of the first rotatable ring <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing elements <NUM> include spherical head pins <NUM>. Each spherical head pin <NUM> includes a shaft <NUM> and a hemi-spherical head <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> of each spherical head pin <NUM> is configured to be disposed within a corresponding recess <NUM> of the first non-rotatable ring <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, each spherical head pin <NUM> is coupled to the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> via an interference fit between the shaft <NUM> of the spherical head pin <NUM> and the corresponding recess <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, at least one spherical head pin may be coupled to the first non-rotatable ring by another suitable connection (e.g., a threaded connection, a welded connection, a pinned connection, an adhesive connection, a shrink-fit connection, etc.).

Furthermore, as discussed in detail below, the hemi-spherical head <NUM> of each spherical head pin <NUM> is configured to selectively engage a respective recess within the first rotatable ring <NUM>. While the hemi-spherical heads <NUM> of the spherical head pins <NUM> are engaged with the respective recesses of the first rotatable ring <NUM>, the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> may be positioned a minimum distance away from one another along the longitudinal axis <NUM> (e.g., touching one another, separated by a small gap, etc.). In response to rotation of the first rotatable ring <NUM> from the first position to the second position, the hemi-spherical heads <NUM> of the spherical head pins <NUM> disengage the respective recesses of the first rotatable ring <NUM>, thereby driving the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another along the longitudinal axis <NUM>. As used herein, "away from one another" refers to increasing the distance between the rotatable and non-rotatable rings and does not necessarily include movement of both rings (e.g., in embodiments in which movement of the non-rotatable ring along the longitudinal axis is blocked).

As previously discussed, in the illustrated embodiment, each spherical head pin <NUM> is coupled to the first non-rotatable ring <NUM>, and each respective recess is formed within the first rotatable ring <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, at least one spherical head pin may be coupled to the first rotatable ring, and at least one respective recess may be formed within the first non-rotatable ring. In addition, while the bearing elements <NUM> include spherical head pins <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the bearing elements may include any other suitable type(s) of bearing element(s) (e.g., alone or in combination with the spherical head pin(s)), such as ball bearing(s) (e.g., captured by at least one of the rings), wedge(s) (e.g., formed on at least one of the rings), roller(s) (e.g., captured by at least one of the rings), other suitable type(s) of bearing element(s), or a combination thereof. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the sealing system <NUM> includes ten bearing elements <NUM> disposed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis <NUM> (e.g., flow path through the ball valve assembly). However, in other embodiments, the sealing system may include more or fewer bearing elements (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more) arranged in any suitable configuration. While first bearing element(s) configured to drive the first rotatable ring and the first non-rotatable ring away from one another are disclosed above, in certain embodiments, the sealing system may include second bearing element(s) configured to drive the second rotatable ring and the second non-rotatable ring away from one another. Such second bearing element(s) may include any of the features and/or variations disclosed herein with regard to the first bearing element(s). In addition, the first and second bearing elements may be the same as one another or different from one another.

<FIG> is another exploded view of a portion of the sealing system <NUM> of <FIG>. As previously discussed, in the illustrated embodiment, recesses <NUM> are formed within the first rotatable ring <NUM>. Each recess <NUM> is configured to receive a respective bearing element (e.g., spherical head pin). In the illustrated embodiment, each recess <NUM> has a substantially conical shape (e.g., with straight walls, with curved walls, etc.). However, in other embodiments, at least one recess may have another suitable shape (e.g., hemi-spherical, polygonal, etc.). The shape of each recess is configured to receive a respective bearing element while the bearing element is aligned with the recess. Accordingly, while the first rotatable ring <NUM> is in the first position, the bearing elements are engaged with/disposed within the respective recesses <NUM>, thereby establishing the minimum separate distance between the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM>. In addition, the shape of each recess wall <NUM> is configure to drive the rotatable and non-rotatable rings away from one another in response to movement that offsets the recess from the respective bearing element. For example, in response to rotation of the first rotatable ring <NUM> to the second position, each bearing element may disengage the respective recess <NUM> (e.g., while maintaining contact with the wall <NUM> of the recess <NUM>). Accordingly, as the first rotatable ring <NUM> rotates toward the second position, the bearing elements disengage the respective recesses <NUM>, thereby separating the first rotatable ring <NUM> from the first non-rotatable ring <NUM>, which compresses the first annular seat <NUM> against the ball. As used herein with respect to the bearing elements/recesses, "disengage"/"disengaged" refers to a bearing element that is not fully engaged with the respective recess. Accordingly, a disengaged bearing element includes a bearing element that is partially disengaged from the respective recess (e.g., in which the bearing element maintains contact with the wall of the recess) and a bearing element that is fully disengaged from the respective recess (e.g., in which the bearing element is in contact with the surface of the rotatable ring surrounding the recess).

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sealing system <NUM> of <FIG>, in which a spherical head pin <NUM> is engaged with a respective recess <NUM>. While the hemi-spherical head <NUM> of each spherical head pin <NUM> is engaged with a respective recess <NUM> of the first rotatable ring <NUM>, the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> are positioned a minimum distance away from one another along the longitudinal axis (e.g., touching one another, separated by a small gap, etc.). In response to rotation of the first rotatable ring <NUM> from the first position to the second position, the hemi-spherical head <NUM> of each spherical head pin <NUM> disengages the respective recess <NUM> of the first rotatable ring <NUM>, thereby driving the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another along the longitudinal axis.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sealing system <NUM> of <FIG>, in which the spherical head pin <NUM> is disengaged from the respective recess <NUM>. As previously discussed, in response to rotation of the first rotatable ring <NUM> to the second position, each spherical head pin <NUM> disengages the respective recess <NUM>. Accordingly, as the first rotatable ring <NUM> rotates toward the second position, the spherical head pins <NUM> disengage the respective recesses <NUM>, thereby driving the first rotatable ring <NUM> and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from one another, which compresses the first annular seat <NUM> against the ball. Accordingly, as the ball rotates to the open or the closed position, each annular seat is compressed against the ball by mechanical force applied by the first/second drive plate, the rotatable ring(s), and the bearing element(s) (e.g., alone or in combination with a force applied by pressurized fluid within the ball valve assembly, as discussed in detail below). As a result, each annular seat may be compressed with significantly more force than an annular seat in a ball valve assembly that uses fluid pressure alone to compress the annular seat against the ball. Therefore, the ball valve assembly disclosed herein may be used for applications having operational conditions that are unsuitable for a ball valve assembly in which the annular seats are compressed against the ball by application of fluid pressure alone.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the hemi-spherical head <NUM> of each spherical head pin <NUM> maintains contact with the wall <NUM> of the respective recess <NUM> while the first rotatable ring <NUM> is in the second position. Due to the shape of the wall <NUM> of each recess <NUM>, the respective spherical head pin <NUM> may be urged into engagement with the recess <NUM> while the hemi-spherical head <NUM> of the spherical head pin <NUM> is in contact with the wall <NUM> of the recess <NUM>. Accordingly, as the ball <NUM> rotates away from the open position or the closed position and the engagement features disengage one another, contact between the spherical head pins <NUM> and the recesses <NUM> may drive the first rotatable ring <NUM> to rotate from the second position to the first position. However, in other embodiments, the bearing element(s) may contact the surface surrounding the recess(es) while the rotatable ring is in the second position, or the wall of each recess may be shaped to block re-engagement of the respective bearing element with the recess. In such embodiments, the bearing element(s) may remain disengaged from the respective recess(es) as the ball rotates away from the open/closed position and the engagement features disengaged one another.

While utilizing mechanical force to compress each annular seat is disclosed above, in certain embodiments, the ball valve assembly may utilize a combination of mechanical and hydraulic force to compress at least one annular seat against the ball. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, fluid within the fluid passage <NUM> may urge the first annular seat <NUM>, the first rotatable ring <NUM>, and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> away from the ball via application of pressure to a first area <NUM> of the first annular seat <NUM>. As illustrated, the first area <NUM> of the first annular seat <NUM> corresponds to the portion of the first annular seat <NUM> that faces the ball and is positioned radially inward from the portion of the first annular seat <NUM> that contacts the ball. In addition, the fluid within the fluid passage <NUM> may urge the first annular seat <NUM>, the first rotatable ring <NUM>, and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> toward the ball via application of pressure to a second area <NUM> of the first non-rotatable ring <NUM>. As illustrated, the second area <NUM> of the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> corresponds to the portion of the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> that faces away from the ball and is positioned radially inward from the portion of the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> that contacts the housing <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the second area <NUM> is greater than the first area <NUM>. Accordingly, a net force is applied to the first annular seat <NUM>, the first rotatable ring <NUM>, and the first non-rotatable ring <NUM> in a direction toward the ball, thereby further compressing the first annular seat <NUM> against the ball while the ball is in the open or closed position. While the hydraulic force is disclosed above with regard to the first annular seat <NUM>, the hydraulic force may be additionally or alternatively used to compress the second annular seat against the ball.

Additionally or alternatively, the sealing system may include spring(s) (e.g., coil spring(s), leaf spring(s), etc.) configured to urge at least one annular seat/rotatable ring/non-rotatable ring toward the ball. For example, in certain embodiments, one or more springs may be positioned between the housing and at least one respective non-rotatable ring. The spring(s) enable movement of the annular seat(s), the rotatable ring(s), and the non-rotatable ring(s) to facilitate insertion of the ball during assembly of the ball valve assembly. In addition, the spring(s) urge the bearing element(s) into engagement with the respective recess(es). For example, in embodiments including spherical head pin(s), the force of the spring(s) may urge the hemi-spherical head of each spherical head pin to move along the wall of the respective recess until the spherical head pin is engaged (e.g., fully engaged) with the respective recess.

Technical effects of the disclosure include compressing an annular seat of a ball valve assembly with increased force to enable the ball valve assembly to be used for additional applications. For example, as previously discussed, rotation of the rotatable ring causes the bearing element(s) to drive the rotatable ring and the non-rotatable ring away from one another, thereby compressing the annular seat against the ball. Accordingly, as the ball rotates to the open position or to the closed position, the annular seat is compressed against the ball by mechanical force applied by the drive plate, the rotatable ring, and the bearing element(s) (e.g., alone or in combination with a force applied by pressurized fluid within the ball valve assembly). As a result, the annular seat may be compressed with significantly more force than an annular seat in a ball valve assembly that uses fluid pressure alone to compress the annular seat against the ball. Therefore, the ball valve assembly disclosed herein may be used for applications having operational conditions that are unsuitable for a ball valve assembly in which the annular seat is compressed against the ball by application of fluid pressure alone.

Claim 1:
A ball valve assembly, comprising:
a ball (<NUM>) configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position;
an annular seat (<NUM>) configured to engage the ball (<NUM>);
a rotatable ring (<NUM>) positioned on an opposite side of the annular seat (<NUM>) from the ball (<NUM>), wherein the rotatable ring (<NUM>) comprises at least one first engagement feature (<NUM>);
a non-rotatable ring (<NUM>) positioned adjacent to the rotatable ring (<NUM>);
characterized in that the ball valve assembly comprises a drive plate (<NUM>) non-rotatably coupled to the ball (<NUM>), wherein the drive plate (<NUM>) is configured to rotate with the ball (<NUM>), the drive plate (<NUM>) comprises at least one second engagement feature (<NUM>), and the at least one second engagement feature (<NUM>) of the drive plate (<NUM>) is configured to engage the at least one first engagement feature (<NUM>) of the rotatable ring (<NUM>) to drive the rotatable ring (<NUM>) to rotate in response to rotation of the drive plate (<NUM>); and
at least one bearing element (<NUM>) configured to drive the rotatable ring (<NUM>) and the non-rotatable ring (<NUM>) away from one another to compress the annular seat (<NUM>) against the ball (<NUM>) in response to rotation of the rotatable ring (<NUM>), wherein the at least one bearing element (<NUM>) comprises a spherical head pin (<NUM>) configured to selectively engage a respective recess (<NUM>), and the spherical head pin (<NUM>) is configured to disengage the respective recess (<NUM>) in response to rotation of the rotatable ring (<NUM>) to drive the rotatable ring (<NUM>) and the non-rotatable ring (<NUM>) away from one another.