Valves

Claim 2

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; valve means comprising main valve closure means and seat means movable in said housing for closing off flow through the flow passage of said housing; valve actuating means movable longitudinally in said housing for moving said valve means for opening and closing said main valve means; equalizing valve means on said housing and said actuating means openable upon longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means without moving said main valve means in said housing and prior to movement of said main valve means between closed and open positions to admit fluid pressures to opposite sides of said main valve means to equalize pressures thereon prior to opening said main valve means and closable upon longitudinal movement of said actuating means without moving said main valve means in said housing and after movement of said main valve means between open and closed positions; said actuating means actuating said equalizing valve means independently of the actuation of said main valve means.

Claim 3

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; valve means comprising main valve closure means and seat means movable in said housing for closing off flow through the flow passage of said housing; valve actuating means movable longitudinally in said housing for moving said valve means for opening and closing said main valve means; equalizing valve means on said housing and said actuating means openable upon longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means without moving said main valve means in said housing and prior to movement of said main valve means between closed and open positions to admit fluid pressures to opposite sides of said main valve means to equalize pressures thereon prior to opening said main valve means and closable upon longitudinal movement of said actuating means without moving said main valve means in said housing and after movement of said main valve means between open and closed positions; said actuating means actuating said equalizing valve means independently of the actuation of said main valve means.

Claim 4

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; valve means comprising main valve closure means and seat means movable in said housing for closing off flow through the flow passage of said housing; valve actuating means movable longitudinally in said housing for moving said valve means for opening and closing said main valve means; equalizing valve means on said housing and said actuating means openable upon longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means without moving said main valve means in said housing and prior to movement of said main valve means between closed and open positions to admit fluid pressures to opposite sides of said main valve means to equalize pressures thereon prior to opening said main valve means and closable upon longitudinal movement of said actuating means without moving said main valve means in said housing and after movement of said main valve means between open and closed positions; said actuating means actuating said equalizing valve means independently of the actuation of said main valve means.

Claim 5

A valve of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein said main valve means comprises a rotary plug closure, movable seat means engageable with said rotary plug closure and having fluid flow conducting communication with the housing whereby said rotary closure controls flow through said seat means and said housing; and means connecting said valve actuating means with said rotary plug closure for rotating said plug closure between open and closed positions.

Claim 6

A valve of the character set forth in claim 2 wherein said rotary plug closure and movable seat means are movable longitudinally of said housing by said valve actuating means between a position in which said main valve closes said housing flow passage and a longitudinally spaced position in which said flow passage is opened; means on said housing and said seat means coengageable to limit movement of said seat means and rotary plug closure in closed position and permitting further limited longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means in said housing; said valve actuating means being operable for opening and closing said equalizing valve means during such further longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means while said rotary plug closure and seat means are held stationary in closed position.

Claim 7

A valve of the character set forth in claim 2 wherein said equalizing valve means comprises valve and seat means and equalizing flow passage means on said valve actuating means and said housing spaced from said rotary plug closure means and seat means and movable into and out of position opening and closing off flow through said equalizing flow passage Means independently of movement of said rotary plug closure means and seat means when said rotary plug closure means and seat means is closed to permit equalizing pressures in the valve flow passage on opposite sides of said rotary plug closure means and seat means in closed position.

Claim 8

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; main valve means comprising valve closure means and seat means movable in said housing for opening and closing off flow through the flow passage of the housing; valve actuating means movable longitudinally in said housing for actuating said main valve means between positions in which said flow passage is open and closed; equalizing valve means on said valve actuating means and said housing openable and closable upon longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means relative to said housing independently of movement of said main valve means by said actuating means to establish or close a flow passage past said main valve means without moving said main valve means in said housing when said main valve means is closed.

Claim 9

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; main valve means comprising valve closure means and seat means movable in said housing for opening and closing off flow through the flow passage of the housing; valve actuating means movable longitudinally in said housing for actuating said main valve means between positions in which said flow passage is open and closed; equalizing valve means on said valve actuating means and said housing openable and closable upon longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means relative to said housing independently of movement of said main valve means by said actuating means to establish or close a flow passage past said main valve means without moving said main valve means in said housing when said main valve means is closed.

Claim 10

A valve of the character set forth in claim 5, including: fluid pressure responsive means on said valve actuating means and said housing forming a cylinder and a piston movable therein having a surface exposed to operating fluid pressure from a source exteriorly of the valve for moving said valve actuating means in response to such pressure acting on said piston; said piston of said pressure responsive means being of an area equal to or slightly greater than the area of the equalizing valve means exposed to pressure in the valve housing flow passage when in closed position.

Claim 11

A valve of the character set forth in claim 5 including: resilient means in said valve housing operatively connected with said valve actuating means for biasing said actuating means to the position in which the flow passage through said tubular sleeve is closed by said main valve means; and means for operatively connecting in said housing a plurality of modules of resilient means with said valve actuating means for applying varied biasing force to said valve actuating means.

Claim 12

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; main valve means comprising closure means and seat means movable in said housing for closing off flow through the flow passage of said housing; valve actuating means movable longitudinally in said housing for moving said main valve means between open and closed positions; equalizing valve means openable and closable upon longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means independently of movement of said main valve means by said actuating means for communicating said flow passage of said valve housing with opposite sides of said main valve means without moving said main valve means longitudinally in said housing while said main valve means is in closed position; and pressure responsive means in said housing and on said valve actuating means operable to move said valve actuating means to open said equalizing valve means without opening said main valve means.

Claim 13

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; main valve means comprising closure means and seat means movable in said housing for closing off flow through the flow passage of said housing; valve actuating means movable longitudinally in said housing for moving said main valve means between open and closed positions; equalizing valve means openable and closable upon longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means independently of movement of said main valve means by said actuating means for communicating said flow passage of said valve housing with opposite sides of said main valve means without moving said main valve means longitudinally in said housing while said main valve means is in closed position; and pressure responsive means in said housing and on said valve actuating means operable to move said valve actuating means to open said equalizing valve means without opening said main valve means.

Claim 14

A valve of the character set forth in claim 8 wherein: the area of said equalizing valve means exposed to pressures on opposite sides thereof in the flow passage of the valve housing is substantially smaller than the area of said main valve means exposed to pressures in said flow passage of said housing, whereby said equalizing valve means may be moved to open position by a relatively small fluid pressure applied to said pressure responsive means for moving said valve actuating means to open said equalizing valve means.

Claim 15

A valve of the character set forth in claim 8 including: resilient means in said valve housing operatively connected with said valve actuating means for biasing said actuating means to the position in which the flow passage is closed by said main valve means; and means for operatively connecting in said housing a plurality of modules of resilient means with said valve actuating means for applying variEd biasing force to said valve actuating means.

Claim 16

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; an internal annular valve seat in said housing surrounding said flow passage; an elongate tubular actuating sleeve movable longitudinally in the valve housing flow passage and having an external annular seat thereon movable therewith into and out of seating engagement with said internal annular valve seat in said housing for controlling flow through said housing exteriorly of said actuating sleeve; main valve means including valve closure means and valve seat means longitudinally movably connected with said tubular sleeve and movable thereby between positions opening and closing off flow through said tubular sleeve; a lateral flow port in said sleeve on the side of the external seat thereon opposite said valve closure means for conducting fluid pressure between the interior and exterior of the sleeve on such side of said external seat; and means for moving said external seat on said sleeve into and out of engagement with said internal seat in said housing longitudinally movable connection of said main valve means to said tubular actuating sleeve permitting such movement of said external seat with respect to said internal annular valve seat in said housing without movement of said main valve means longitudinally in said housing.

Claim 17

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; an internal annular valve seat in said housing surrounding said flow passage; an elongate tubular actuating sleeve movable longitudinally in the valve housing flow passage and having an external annular seat thereon movable therewith into and out of seating engagement with said internal annular valve seat in said housing for controlling flow through said housing exteriorly of said actuating sleeve; main valve means including valve closure means and valve seat means longitudinally movably connected with said tubular sleeve and movable thereby between positions opening and closing off flow through said tubular sleeve; a lateral flow port in said sleeve on the side of the external seat thereon opposite said valve closure means for conducting fluid pressure between the interior and exterior of the sleeve on such side of said external seat; and means for moving said external seat on said sleeve into and out of engagement with said internal seat in said housing longitudinally movable connection of said main valve means to said tubular actuating sleeve permitting such movement of said external seat with respect to said internal annular valve seat in said housing without movement of said main valve means longitudinally in said housing.

Claim 18

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; main valve means movable longitudinally a limited distance in said housing for opening and closing off flow through the flow passage of said housing; valve actuating means operatively connected with said main valve means for limited longitudinal movement with respect to said main valve means and further movable longitudinally in said housing for moving said main valve means between positions opening and closing said passage of said housing; means on said housing and said main valve means co-engageable for limiting movement of said main valve means toward closed position to a position in which said main valve means is closed; said longitudinally movable connection between said actuating means and said main valve means permitting movement of said actuating means a limited distance longitudinally with respect to said housing after said main valve means has been stopped in closed position in said housing; and equalizing valve means openable and closable upon such limited further longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means in said housing for communicating the flow passage of said housing on opposite sides of said main valve means when said main valve means is in closed position for equalizing pressures across said main valve means while the same is closed.

Claim 19

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; main valve means movable longitudinally a limited distance in said housing for opening and closing off flow through the flow passage of said housing; valve actuating means operatively connected with said main valve means for limited longitudinal movement with respect to said main valve means and further movable longitudinally in said housing for moving said main valve means between positions opening and closing said passage of said housing; means on said housing and said main valve means co-engageable for limiting movement of said main valve means toward closed position to a position in which said main valve means is closed; said longitudinally movable connection between said actuating means and said main valve means permitting movement of said actuating means a limited distance longitudinally with respect to said housing after said main valve means has been stopped in closed position in said housing; and equalizing valve means openable and closable upon such limited further longitudinal movement of said valve actuating means in said housing for communicating the flow passage of said housing on opposite sides of said main valve means when said main valve means is in closed position for equalizing pressures across said main valve means while the same is closed.

Claim 20

A valve of the character set forth in claim 12 including: fluid pressure responsive means on said housing and said valve actuating means operable by control fluid pressure applied thereto from a remote source for moving said valve actuating means longitudinally of said housing to open said equalizing valve means before said main valve means is moved longitudinally in said housing whereby fluid pressures on opposite sides of said main valve means are equalized while said main valve is closed and before said main valve means is moved longitudinally of said housing to open the same.

Claim 21

A valve of the character set forth in claim 12 including: resilient means in said valve housing operatively connected with said valve actuating means for biasing said actuating means to the position in which the flow passage is closed by said main valve means; and means for operatively connecting in said housing a plurality of modules of resilient means with said valve actuating means for applying varied biasing force to said valve actuating means.

Claim 22

A valve of the character set forth in claim 12 including: resilient means in said valve housing operatively connected with said valve actuating means for biasing said actuating means to the position in which the flow passage is closed by said main valve means; and means for operatively connecting in said housing a plurality of modules of resilient means with said valve actuating means for applying varied biasing force to said valve actuating means, said resilient means biasing said actuating means through such further longitudinal movement in said housing for biasing said equalizing valve means to closed position.

Claim 23

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; an internal annular valve seat in said housing surrounding said flow passage; an elongate tubular sleeve movable longitudinally in said housing flow passage and having an external annular seating shoulder thereon movable longitudinally therewith into and out of seating engagement with said internal annular valve seat to close off flow through said housing exteriorly of said sleeve; main valve seat means movable longitudinally in said housing and having a longitudinally movable operating connection in sealed flow communication with said tubular sleeve; rotatable main valve closure means engaging said main valve seat means and movable therewith in said housing between positions closing off fluid flow through said tubular sleeve and opening said tubular sleeve to fluid flow therethrough; and an equalizing flow port in the side wall of said tubular sleeve on the side of said external annular seating shoulder thereon opposite said main valve seat means and said rotatable valve closure means; means on said movable main valve seat means engageable with said housing for limiting movement of said movable main valve seat means and main valve closure means in a position in said housing in which they close off flow through said sleeve; said tubular sleeve being further movable longitudinally in said housing with respect to said main valve seat means to engage said annular seating shoulder on said sleeve with said internal annular valve seat in said housing to close off flow through said equalizing valve means after said rotatable main valve closure and movable main valve seat means are stopped in closed position, and said annular seating shoulder being movable out of engagement with said internal annular valve seat in said housing to open said equalizing port for flow therethrough without moving said rotatable main valve closure and main valve seat means longitudinally of the housing from closed to open position.

Claim 24

A valve including: a housing having a flow passage therethrough; an internal annular valve seat in said housing surrounding said flow passage; an elongate tubular sleeve movable longitudinally in said housing flow passage and having an external annular seating shoulder thereon movable longitudinally therewith into and out of seating engagement with said internal annular valve seat to close off flow through said housing exteriorly of said sleeve; main valve seat means movable longitudinally in said housing and having a longitudinally movable operating connection in sealed flow communication with said tubular sleeve; rotatable main valve closure means engaging said main valve seat means and movable therewith in said housing between positions closing off fluid flow through said tubular sleeve and opening said tubular sleeve to fluid flow therethrough; and an equalizing flow port in the side wall of said tubular sleeve on the side of said external annular seating shoulder thereon opposite said main valve seat means and said rotatable valve closure means; means on said movable main valve seat means engageable with said housing for limiting movement of said movable main valve seat means and main valve closure means in a position in said housing in which they close off flow through said sleeve; said tubular sleeve being further movable longitudinally in said housing with respect to said main valve seat means to engage said annular seating shoulder on said sleeve with said internal annular valve seat in said housing to close off flow through said equalizing valve means after said rotatable main valve closure and movable main valve seat means are stopped in closed position, and said annular seating shoulder being movable out of engagement with said internal annular valve seat in said housing to open said equalizing port for flow therethrough without moving said rotatable main valve closure and main valve seat means longitudinally of the housing from closed to open position.

Claim 25

A valve of the character set forth in claim 16 including: resilient means in said valve housing operatively connected with said valve actuating means for biasing said actuating means to the position in which the flow passage is closed by said main valve means; and means for operatively connecting in said housing a plurality of modules of resilient means with said valve actuating means for applying varied biasing force to said valve actuating means.