US3662778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gate valve structure
Assignee: Mueller Co
•
Filing: 1971-01-05
•
Granted: 1972-05-16
•
Expires: 1991-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A gate valve structure for use in mains carrying a fluid under high pressure, the fluid being of the type which could possibly cause corrosion to the elements of the gate valve structure including the casing. An improved valve gate member is provided which permits operation from closed to open position and vice versa with a minimum of torque and with maximum holding power in the closed position. The valve gate member is designed so that there is unobstructed communication between the ports of the valve casing to thereby reduce turbulence and currents within the valve structure and thus effectively reduce corrosion deposits and collection of debris within the structure. The valve gate member is a flat and hollow chamber for reception of a valve operating stem and means are provided to completely protect the valve gate member and the track in which it operates from corrosion and possible damage.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilbur R Leopold Jr
- 👤 John J Smith
- 👤 Frank C Hackman
- 👤 Lawrence F Luckenbill
- 👤 Joseph L Daghe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K27/00; F16K27/04; F16K3/00; F16K3/28; F16K3/30; F16K3/314; F16K3/316; F16K31/00; F16K31/44; F16K31/50; F16K31/508; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/7036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
329 words
A gate valve structure for use in mains carrying a fluid, said gate valve structure comprising: a valve casing having a through-bore with spaced axially aligned ports and a valve chamber intermediate the ports and providing unobstructed cOmmunication between the ports, said valve chamber being defined by a curved bottom wall providing a continuation of the bottom of the through-bore, oppositely disposed planar side walls diverging upwardly from said curved bottom wall at a predetermined included angle, and an upper open end generally rectangular in crosssection parallel to the axis of the through-bore, said upper open end being defined by upper portions of said divergent side walls and by divergent oppositely disposed walls extending generally transverse of the through-bore, said bottom wall, divergent side walls and at least one of said transversely extending walls providing a continuous surface defining a valve seat; and a generally flat valve gate member movable through the upper open end of said valve chamber to a closed position blocking said through-bore, said gate member having a covering on the exterior thereof made of a deformable material, said gate member having a configuration in elevation substantially similar to the crosssectional configuration of said valve chamber transverse of said through-bore and having a seating surface provided by its covering complementary to the continuous surface defining said valve seat in said casing, said seating surface including at least a bead-like rib on a portion of gate member''s periphery having a curved bottom portion and diverging side portions, the diverging side portions of said bead-like rib having a predetermined included angle slightly less than said predetermined included angle of the side walls of said valve chamber, whereby contact occurs initially between the diverging side portions of said bead-like rib and the planar side walls of said chamber to ensure adequate compression therebetween at least at the time adequate sealing is obtained between the curved bottom portion of said bead-like rib and the curved bottom wall of said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
329 words
A gate valve structure for use in mains carrying a fluid, said gate valve structure comprising: a valve casing having a through-bore with spaced axially aligned ports and a valve chamber intermediate the ports and providing unobstructed cOmmunication between the ports, said valve chamber being defined by a curved bottom wall providing a continuation of the bottom of the through-bore, oppositely disposed planar side walls diverging upwardly from said curved bottom wall at a predetermined included angle, and an upper open end generally rectangular in crosssection parallel to the axis of the through-bore, said upper open end being defined by upper portions of said divergent side walls and by divergent oppositely disposed walls extending generally transverse of the through-bore, said bottom wall, divergent side walls and at least one of said transversely extending walls providing a continuous surface defining a valve seat; and a generally flat valve gate member movable through the upper open end of said valve chamber to a closed position blocking said through-bore, said gate member having a covering on the exterior thereof made of a deformable material, said gate member having a configuration in elevation substantially similar to the crosssectional configuration of said valve chamber transverse of said through-bore and having a seating surface provided by its covering complementary to the continuous surface defining said valve seat in said casing, said seating surface including at least a bead-like rib on a portion of gate member''s periphery having a curved bottom portion and diverging side portions, the diverging side portions of said bead-like rib having a predetermined included angle slightly less than said predetermined included angle of the side walls of said valve chamber, whereby contact occurs initially between the diverging side portions of said bead-like rib and the planar side walls of said chamber to ensure adequate compression therebetween at least at the time adequate sealing is obtained between the curved bottom portion of said bead-like rib and the curved bottom wall of said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said deformable material is elastomeric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said elastomeric material is rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein there are two bead-like ribs on the portion of said gate member''s periphery having the curved bottom portion and diverging side portions, one of said ribs being upstream of the other said ribs, said covering being provided with longitudinally extending ribs interconnecting said two bead-like ribs for transmitting holding power when said gate member is seated from the upstream rib to the downstream rib.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 1 in which the included angle between said oppositely disposed planar side walls of said valve chamber is in the order of 14* and in which the included angle between the diverging side portions of said bead-like rib increases as size of the valve structure increases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said upper portions of said divergent side walls have junctures with said divergent oppositely disposed walls of a predetermined radius and wherein a portion of the complementary seating surface of said valve gate member has a substantially straight surface extending transversely of a plane through the axis of the through-bore for seating with one of the divergent oppositely disposed walls and longitudinally extending surfaces for seating with the upper portions of the divergent side walls of said valve chamber, said transversely extending surface having junctures with said longitudinally extending surfaces which have a radius less than said predetermined radius whereby the deformable material may have areas to flow during seating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said oppositely disposed side walls of said valve chamber are provided with opposed vertically extending guideways and in which said gate member is provided with oppositely disposed ears extending from the sides thereof and arranged to slide in said guideways, said ears having the lower ends thereof eXtending at a back angle to the gate member whereby dirt or sludge in said guideways is scraped therefrom when said gate member is moved towards the closed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 7 in which the interior of the through-bore and the valve chamber including the guideways is coated with a corrosive-resistant coating and including means to protect said corrosive-resistant coating in an area of said guideways whereby the ears of said gate member are prevented from contacting said coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 8 in which said means includes a insert member carried in each of said guideways and defining a track for said ears.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 9 in which said insert member is made from stainless steel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 9 including means to detachably retain each insert member in the respective guideway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 11 in which said valve casing includes a body member having the valve chamber therein and a bonnet detachably connected to said body member and in which said means to retain each insert in the respective guideway includes a tab at one end of the insert extending between said body member and said bonnet and a second tab at the other end of said insert fitting into a hole at the lower end of the respective guideway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 11 in which said valve casing includes a body member having the valve chamber therein and a bonnet detachably connected to said body member and in which said means to retain each insert in the respective guideway includes providing each guideway with oppositely disposed end shoulders and in which each insert has a length substantially equal to a distance between said shoulders of said guideway, the ends of the insert abutting said shoulders.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 7 in which said gate member includes a body made of cast iron and in which said deformable material of said covering is corrosive-resistant; and means for protecting said ears against corrosion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 14 in which said last-mentioned means includes providing detachable corrosive-resistant covers for said ears made from stainless steel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 14 in which said ears of said gate member are detachable from the body of the same, said ears being made from a corrosion-resistant material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 16 in which said corrosive-resistant material of said detachable ears is stainless steel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 16 in which the corrosive resistant material of said detachable ears is bronze.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 16 in which said ears comprise a plurality of pins extending from the sides of the gate member, each of said pins having a roller for riding in the guideways and each of said pins being received in holes provided in the body of said gate member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 14 in which said means for protecting said ears against corrosion includes a covering of corrosive-resistant material thereon, said ears being provided with a plurality of stainless steel pins projecting therefrom and providing bearing surfaces to slide in said guideways.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
115 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said oppositely disposed side walls of said valve chamber are provided with opposed vertically extending guideways and in which said gate member includes a body having oppositely disposed ears extending from its sides and arranged to slide in said guideways, said body having a valve stem receiving chamber therein open to the exterior of the gate member by a bore, an annular bushing having interior threads, said annular bushing being carried in the bore of said gate member, and said gate valve structure further including a non-rising rotatable valve stem having exterior Threads and which is received in the interior threads of said bushing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 21 in which said bushing is provided with a spiral groove extending axially from one end to the other end of said bushing for relieving pressure build-up inside the chamber in said gate member and/or discharge of dirt and sludge from the interior threads of said bushing and the exterior threads of said non-rising valve stem.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 22 in which said body of said gate member is cast and said bushing is positioned in said bore during casting and has means on its exterior to prevent relative rotation between the bushing and the body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 23 in which said bushing is made of brass.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 22 in which said body of said gate member is provided with a blow-out plug between said valve stem receiving chamber and the exterior of the body.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a gate valve structure: a valve casing comprising a body member having a through-bore for the flow of fluid and seat means surrounding the through-bore, a bonnet member fixedly attached to said body member and defining therewith a chamber opening to the through-bore; a valve gate member movable between a blocking position across said through-bore and against said seat means to an open position within said chamber of said valve casing, said gate member having a pair of oppositely disposed ears projecting from its sides to guide the same during movement, a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like guideways within said valve casing and extending from said through-bore into said chamber, said guideways providing a track for receiving said ears; and replaceable means carried in each of said guideways for protecting the same from contact with said ears when said gate member is moved.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a gate valve structure: a valve casing comprising a body member having a through-bore for the flow of fluid and seat means surrounding the through-bore, a bonnet member fixedly attached to said body member and defining therewith a chamber opening to the through-bore; a valve gate member movable between a blocking position across said through-bore and against said seat means to an open position within said chamber of said valve casing, said gate member having a pair of oppositely disposed ears projecting from its sides to guide the same during movement, a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like guideways within said valve casing and extending from said through-bore into said chamber, said guideways providing a track for receiving said ears; and replaceable means carried in each of said guideways for protecting the same from contact with said ears when said gate member is moved.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 26 in which at least said guideways are coated with a corrosive-resistant coating to protect the same from fluid flowing through said valve structure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 27 in which said through-bore and said chamber within said casing are coated with a corrosive-resistant coating.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 27 in which said means to protect said guideways from contact with said ears are insert members carried in said guideways.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
85 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 29 in which said insert members are made from stainless steel and are complementary in shape to said guideways, each of said insert members being provided with a tab at one end thereof extending between said body member and said bonnet member and a second tab at the other end thereof fitting into a hole at the lower end of the respective guideway whereby said insert members are prevented from longitudinal movement with respect to said guideways.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
59 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 29 in which said guideways have a predetermined length with a shoulder at each end thereof and wherein said insert members are made of stainless steel and complementary in shape to said guideways and have substantially the same length whereby they are prevented from moving longitudinally with respect to said guideways.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a gate valve structure having a non-rising valve stem, an improved gate member comprising: a body having a valve stem receiving chamber closed at one end and open at the other end to the exterior of the gate member by a bore, an annular bushing having interior threads for threadedly receiving the non-rising valve stem, said annular bushing being fixedly supported in the bore of said gate member, and a spiral groove co-axial of and extending from one end to the other end of said bushing across said interior threads for relieving pressure build-up inside the chamber and/or for discharging dirt and sludge from said threads.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a gate valve structure having a non-rising valve stem, an improved gate member comprising: a body having a valve stem receiving chamber closed at one end and open at the other end to the exterior of the gate member by a bore, an annular bushing having interior threads for threadedly receiving the non-rising valve stem, said annular bushing being fixedly supported in the bore of said gate member, and a spiral groove co-axial of and extending from one end to the other end of said bushing across said interior threads for relieving pressure build-up inside the chamber and/or for discharging dirt and sludge from said threads.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
An improved gate valve member as claimed in claim 32 in which said body of said gate member is casT and in which said bushing is provided with lug-like elements on its exterior and is positioned in the bore during casting, said lug-like elements preventing relative rotation between the bushing and the body.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved gate valve member as claimed in claim 33 in which said bushing is made of brass.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved gate valve member as claimed in claim 33 in which said closed end of said valve stem receiving chamber is provided with a blow-out plug.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improved gate valve member as claimed in claim 35 in which the exterior of said body is provided with an elastomeric coating.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a gate valve structure: a valve casing comprising a body member having a through-bore for the the flow of fluid and seat means surrounding the through-bore, and a bonnet member fixedly attached to said body member and defining therewith a chamber opening into the through-bore; a valve gate member movable between a blocking position across said through-bore and against said seat means to an open position within said chamber, said gate member having a pair of oppositely disposed ears projecting from its side to guide the same during movement, a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like guideways within said valve casing and extending from said through-bore into said chamber, said guideways providing a track for receiving said ears, said ears having at least their ends facing the through-bore extending at a back angle to the gate member whereby dirt and/or sludge in said guideways is scraped therefrom when said gate member is moved towards the closed position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a gate valve structure: a valve casing comprising a body member having a through-bore for the the flow of fluid and seat means surrounding the through-bore, and a bonnet member fixedly attached to said body member and defining therewith a chamber opening into the through-bore; a valve gate member movable between a blocking position across said through-bore and against said seat means to an open position within said chamber, said gate member having a pair of oppositely disposed ears projecting from its side to guide the same during movement, a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like guideways within said valve casing and extending from said through-bore into said chamber, said guideways providing a track for receiving said ears, said ears having at least their ends facing the through-bore extending at a back angle to the gate member whereby dirt and/or sludge in said guideways is scraped therefrom when said gate member is moved towards the closed position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 37 in which said back angle for each of said ends is in the order of 6* with a plane extending normal to the axis of the gate member.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a gate valve structure: a valve casing comprising a body member having a through-bore for the flow of fluid and seat means surrounding the through-bore, and a bonnet member fixedly attached to said body member and defining therewith a chamber opening into the through-bore; a valve gate member movable between a blocking position across said through-bore and against said seat means to an open position with said chamber, said gate member including a body made of cast iron and covered with a corrosive-resistant deformable material, said body having oppositely disposed ears projecting from its side to guide the same during movement; a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like guideways within said valve casing and extending from said through-bore to said chamber, said guideways providing a track for receiving said ears; and means for protecting said ears against corrosion.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a gate valve structure: a valve casing comprising a body member having a through-bore for the flow of fluid and seat means surrounding the through-bore, and a bonnet member fixedly attached to said body member and defining therewith a chamber opening into the through-bore; a valve gate member movable between a blocking position across said through-bore and against said seat means to an open position with said chamber, said gate member including a body made of cast iron and covered with a corrosive-resistant deformable material, said body having oppositely disposed ears projecting from its side to guide the same during movement; a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like guideways within said valve casing and extending from said through-bore to said chamber, said guideways providing a track for receiving said ears; and means for protecting said ears against corrosion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 39 in which said protecting means includes providing detachable corrosive-resistant covers for said ears made from stainless steel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 39 in which said ears of said gate member are detachable from the body of the same, said ears being made from a corrosive-resistant material.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 41 in which said corrosive-resistant material of said detachable ears is stainless steel.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 41 in which said corrosive-resistant material of said detachable ears is bronze.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
58 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 41 in which said ears comprise a plurality of pins extending from the sides of the body of the gate member, each of said pins having a roller for riding in said guideways and each of said pins being received in holes provided in the body of said gate member.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 39 in which said means for protecting said ears against corrosion includes a covering of corrosive-resistant material thereon, said ears being provided with a plurality of stainless steel pins projecting therefrom and providing bearing surfaces to slide in said guideways.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
A great valve structure as claimed in claim 39 including at least a corrosive-resistant coating provided On said guideways, and detachable means to protect said coating from actual contact with said ears.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 46 in which said coating protecting means includes an insert member carried in each of said guideways and which define the track for said ears.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 47 in which each of said insert members is made from stainless steel.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 47 including means to detachably retain said each of said insert members in their respective guideways.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
83 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 49 in which said valve casing in which seat means to retain each of said inserts in their respective guideways includes a tab at one end of the insert extending between said body member and said bonnet to prevent longitudinal movement within the particular guideway and a second tab at the other end of said insert fitting into a hole at the lower end of the particular guideway to prevent lateral movement of said insert.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
57 words
A gate valve structure as claimed in claim 49 in which said means to retain each insert in the respective guideway includes providing each guideway with oppositely disposed end shoulders and in which each insert has a length substantially equal to a distance between said shoulders of said guideway, the ends of the insert abutting said shoulders.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3349789A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |