Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~2424Z~
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VALV~
Back~round o the InYention
This application relates to the art of valves
and, ~ore particularl~, to ~alves having means for
indicating ~arious operating conditions ~hereof, and to
diaphrago ~alYes of the ~ype havin~ a diaphragm ela~ped
betwee~ body and bonnet ~embers. Although the
invention will be described with particular reference
to diaphrag~ valves and rota~ably operable valve
~embers, it will be appreciated that the invention has
broader applications, and that certain individual
features thereof may be used with other types o~ valves
and~or in other environ~ents.
Diaphrag~ valves of known types include a
~; circular diaphra~ clamped in a circu~ferential area
: between body and bonnet ~embers. The diaphrag~ fails
after a certain nu~ber o~ cycles and may also ~ail due
to the ~anner in which it is cla~ped. It has been
considered desirable to develop a diaphragm valve which
: included a diaphrag~ of increased strength capable of
withstanding a ~reater nu~ber o~ cycles before
failure. Such a valve would include oeans for clamping
the diaphrago in a ~anner insuring good diaphrag~
sealin3 whilo oini~izin~ stress failures.
~alves com~only include indicating ~eans for
indicatins various flow positions of the valve oember.
In ~any applicatisns where ~etal seal psckless valves
~; ar~ used, indication of flow position is critical from
;~ 30 a sa~ety standpoint. In previous arrangements~
~z~z~
ind~cation of flow position was designated by a simple
marking or required the operator to recognize handle
orientation relatiYe to ~he valve body. In the latter
case, so~ types of ~ountings prohibit this type of
recogniti~n.
In previous ~rrangements, the rotatable
opera~lng ~ember is restricted fro~ being moved beyond
the set, off position of the valve. If overtravel
beyond the off position without adjustment of the valve
is not possible, two problems will result after seal
wear has occurred. First, the valve cannot be shut
off, and second, the handle could be broken by an
operator attempting to forcedly close the valYe.
When there is no stop means for stopping the
lS operating member in its off position, the operating
member ~ay inherently overtravel beyond the off
position due to seal wear. Only a highly skilled
person would be aware that at some point such
overtra~el would signify that replacement of the seal
was nec~ssary, and there was no associated means for
indicatlng the point at which such seal replacement was
nccessary. Therefore, it would ~e desirable to have an
alarming indicating ~eans for clearly indicating to an
operator that a seal is worn beyond its normal, useful
li~e and that replacement is necessary.
The subject invention ~eets the foregoing
needs and others, and provides a new and improved valve
construction.
Summary of the Invention
A diaphrag~ valve of the type described
includes a circular diaphrag~ of austenitic stainless
steel having a hardness not less than 38 on the
Roc~well C scal~. The austenitic stainless steel is
pr~f~rably of AISI type 316.
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In accordance with the present application,
tha diaphrag~ is axiall~ clamped in a circumferential
area in~ardly of i~s outer periphery between opposed
flat and parallel clamping surfaces. It has been found
~hat diaphrag~ discs normally hav@ a burr on the outer
peripheral edge ~hereof due to stamping of same from a
sheet. When attempts are ~ade to clamp the outer
periphery of the diaphrag~ between opposed surfaces,
the burr prevents high pressure squeezing on mating
14 flat surfaces of the diaphragm.
ln a preferred arrange~ent, the diaphragm is
clamped in axiallr and radially spaced circumferential
areas connected wi~h one another by an axially bent
diaphrag~ portion. The maximu~ squeeze or clamping
force is applied to the diaphra~o ae the inner
circumferential area and the diaphragm is bent across
relaeively sharp corners.
The diaphr~g~ is clamped between body and
bonnet ~e~bers, one of which includes an axially
extending outer circumferential flange for protecting
the clampin~ surfacc o the me~ber on which it is
pro~ided. The other ~eober includes a circumferential
recess opposite fro~ the circuoferential flange for
acco~modating the outer periphery of the diaphrago in
~reo and uncla~ped relationship.
The diaphrag~ Yalvc includes a valve member on
on~ side of the diaphr~g~ having a ~on-circular head
~lidably guided in a cylindrical bore. The
non~circular a~ran8e~ent of the enlarg2d head is such
that fluld flow can occur therepast for purging. The
Yal~e ~ber includes a cylindrical ste~ axially guided
~n the boro through a guide washer having a
non-clrcular inn~r surfac~ to acco~odate fluid 10w
therepas~ ~or purging purposes.
Th~ diaphrag~ val~e construc~ed in accordance
~Z~24~3
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with the present application can be actuated in a
plur~ y of ~anners, including manual and remote
sctuating means. Tho arrangement specifically shown in
the present application includes a manually operated
S rotatable operating ~ember. However, it will be
appreclated that the ~anually rotatable operating
~e~ber of the present application is not re~uired for
operating the diaphrag~ valve, and that it can be used
with val~es of other types,
The inYention also relates to a valve which
includes a bonnet havin~ a rotatable operating me~ber
for ~o~ing a valve ~e~ber between open and closed
positions. The ~alYe ~ember carries a wearable seal
cooperable with a valYe seat in the ~alve member closed
lS position. The valvs ~ember is rotatable be~een open
and closod positionst and the closed position includes
angular ranges over whioh the seal is effective. One
rango includes à nor~al angular range over which the
seal 1~ in sa~isfactory condition, and a second ran8e
includes an overtravel or abnormal angular range over
which tho seal is still functional bu~ should b~
replaced.
In accordance with the present application,
indicatin~ means is provided between the valve
operating ~eober and the valve bonn~t for indicating
over~raYel o~ the operating member beyond the nor~al
elosed position thereof to indicate that replace~ent of
the seal is necessary.
In a preferred arrangement, the indicating
~eans o~ the present application includes means for
i~dicating a ran8~ of nor~al angular closed positions
and a ran8e o~ abnor~al closed angular positions for
th~ op~rating ~ember. When tho operating me~ber
oYer~rarsls beyond the nor~al closed position, the
operator will be roadily aware tha~ ~eplace~ent of the
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seal ls necessary.
In a preferred arrangemene, the indicia for
indicating o~ertraYel of the operating ~ember takes the
for~ of adjaoent arcua~e bands of different color on
the bonnet fo~ cooperation with an indicator on the
operating ~e~ber. When the seal is satisfactory, the
indicator on the operating member is aligned wi~h the
color band indicating normal valve closure. When the
seal is worn and requires replace~en~, the indicator on
the operating ~e~bsr ~s aligned with the color band
indicating overtraYel or that replacement of the seal
is required,
In one arrangement, ehe indicating means
lncludes an indicating ring member ~ouneed on eh~ Yalve
lS bonnet beneath ~he operating ~ember. Specificallr, the
indicating rin8 ~ember is ~ounted on an outer
cylindrical end portion o the valve bonnet, and is
held thereto by frictional engage0ent. The indicating
ring ~e~ber includes a central opening or hole
receiving an o~ter cylindrical end portion oE the valve
bonnee, and has axially extending ~lange means
surrounding the opening for frictionally gripping the
outer end portion of the valve bonnet.
Locating ~eans is provided between the
locatin~ ring ~e~ber and ~he Yalv~ bonne~ ~or locating
the rin~ ~e~ber in a d~sired rotated position ~or
locating the indicia thereo~ at ~he desired angular
location. The locating ~eans ~ay take ~any for~s and,
in one arrangement, includes a longitudinal groove in
the outer end portion of the bonnet receiving an
inwardly ~xtending tab on the indicating ring member.
Th~ tab on tha indicating ring ~e~bor is located a
prodoter~ined distancs ~ro~ the indicia ~hereon, and
th~ grooY~ in tho bonnet is loc~ed a predeter~ined
dis~ance fro~ a stop surface which nor~ally cooperates
~2~2~2
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wlth a stop pro~ectlon on the operating ~ember tO 3top
sa~o ln the valYe opon po~ition.
~ h~ ~nd~catin~ rlng ~e~bor lncludes an
lnclin~d sur~c~ ha~in~ tha indicia ~hereon and being
v~ibl0 in dlrect~on both parall01 and perpendic~la~
eO ~h~ long~tudinal ~xi~ o~ the operating oe~ber. Thc
indicat~ng rlng oe~b~r ~lso inclu~¢s an outer 1ange
~or concealln~ ~ panel ~ountin~ nut threaded on tho
bon~t.
1~ Th~ princ~pal ob~ec~ of th~ presen~ invention
tha provlsion of an i~provet diaphrag~ valve ~hich
ls vo~y ocono~lcal to ~anufacturo and a~se~blo, and
v~ry reliablo in opo~ation.
~notho~ adYantag~ o~ tho ~nventlon i5 tha
provl~ion of an i~pro~od dlaphra~o valve having ~n
i~proved dlaphrag~ ~st~rial.
A furthor ~dYantag~ is tho provision of an
l~prov~d dlaphra~ Yalvo having an ~proved a~range~ent
for clrcu~for~ntially claoping tho di~phrag~.
Anoth~r adYantage resid~s in th~ provision of
an i~provot diaphrag- valv~ havin~ an axially ~ovable
Yalvo ~b~r wlth cooporatln~ hoxagonal and circular
guid~ ~urf~ces ~or allowing purgln~.
Still ~no~or advanta~o o~ the in~ention is
found in th~ provi~on of a valY~ haYing a ro~atable
operating ~e~ber and lncludin~ lndicating ~eans ~or
lndicatin8 operatin~ ~e~b~r ovortra~el which requires
roplace~en~ o~ a ~al~ seal.
urthor ~dYantage of ~h~ invention is the
pro~lslon of indica~in~ ~eans f5r lndicatin~ vsrious
posltlon~ o ~ rot~tablo op~r~ting ~eob~.
~ot a furtbsr advan~ago ~3 th~ pro~ision of an
lQproYod rln~ bor ~eur~d to ~ ~al~e bonnet in a
un~quo ~nnor for p~rfor~ing div~rso ~unctions such a~
coneo~ling ~ panol ~ounting.nu~ or prsYiding in~cating
~L2~Z~28
^7-
positions for the valve operating member.
Other adYantages and benef its of the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a
reading and understanding of the followin~ de~ailed
description.
Descri tion of Preferred Embodiments
The invention ~ay take for~ in certain parts
and arrange~ents of parts, preferred embodiments of
which will be described in de~ail and illustra~ed in
the accompanying drawings which ~or~ a part hereof and
wherein:
PIGUR~ 1 is a cross~sectional elevat~onal YieW
of an improYed valve having the features of the present
inven~ion incorporated ~herein;
FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial
cross-sectional elevational view o~ a peripheral ed8e
portion of the diaphrag~ in the Yalv~ of FIGURE 1
showing the speci~ic arrangement of the diaphragu and
the cla~ping surfaces between the val~e body and Yalve
bonn~t;
FIGURB 3 is a partial cross-sectional
elevational view showing the enlarged head of an
axially ~ovable valvo ~ember being guided in a
cylindrical bore;
PIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional elevational ~iew
taken generally along lines 4-4 of FIGURE 1 showing a
cylindrical portion of the valve ~ember bejng axially
guided through a non-circular opening in a guide washer
recei~ed in a cylindrical bore;
PlGURE 5 is a partial cros~-sectional ~iew
~aken general~y along lines 5-5 of FIGURB 1 with the
indicating ring member and panel nut removed for
clari~y of lllustration in showin~ the top end portion
o~ the Yalve bonnet;
.
~ 2 ~%~ ~
PIGURE 6 is a view si~ilar ts FIGUR~ 5 fur
showin~ a tab on th~ indicating rin~ member cooperating
with a long~tudinal ~roo~e in th~ valYe bonnet ~o
pre~ent r~lative rotation ~herebetween;
PIGURE 7 is a side el0vational cross-sectional
vi~w taken generally along lines 7-7 of FIGURE 6;
FIGURE 8 is a view si~ilar to FIGURE 7 for
showing an alternati~e arran8e~ent; and,
PIGURE 9 is a plan view of the valve handle
shown in PIGURE l.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the
showings ar~ for purposes o~ illustrating certain
pre~erred embodiments oÇ the in~ention only and not for
purposes o~ iting sa~e, FIGURE l shows a valve body
A and a valve bonnet B axially cla~ped together by a
bonnet nut C in a known manner, and ha~ing a circular
~etal diaphragm D circumferentially clamped
therebetween. YalYe body A and bonnet nut C have
cooperatln~ threads therebetween generally indicated at
nu~eral 12 ~or proYiding axial moveoent o~ bonnet nut C
relatlvo to body A upon rotational ~ove~ent of bonnet
nut C. Bonnct ~e~ber B and bonnet nut C have
cooperating generallr radial should~rs 14 which abut
one another for ~oving bonnet ~ember ~ toward a body
~e~ber A upon rotaeion of bonnet nut C in the
appropriate d~rection to securely clamp diaphrag~ D
therebet~een.
An axially ~ovable ~alve ~e~ber E has an
enlarged head portion l8 slidably guided in a large
diaoeter port~on of a cylindrical bore 20. The outer
~nd portlon of enlarged head 18 facing tuward diaphragm
D is generally sph~rical and thc outer p~riphery of
enlarged head portion 18 is gen~rally hexagonal so that
%~2~
g
only ~h~ corn~rs ther~o~ are guided ln the cylindrical
boro 20, while tha flats th~reof p~ovide fluid passages
~o acco~odate ~alY~ purging. A cylindrical ste~
portlon 24 o valv~ ~e~ber E is slldably guided through
a guide washer 26 having a cylindrlcal outer surface
closely receiYed in a cylindrical s~all diameter bore
portlon 28, and haY~ng a hexagonal lnner surface ~o
provide passages to accon~odate purging.
Inl~t and outlet ports 32,34 in valve body A
co~unicate with the Yalre body bore on opposite sides
of ~ circumferential upstandin~ seat 36. Fluid inlet
and outl~t lines tno~ shown) may be connected to inlet
and outlet 32,34, respectively, by convenient known
~eans. A plastic, ~lasto~eric or metal circumferential
seal ring 3B is secured to an end portion of valve
member ~ for selective cooperation with seat ~6 to
prevent or allow fluid flow through the valve. In the
"standard" version of the subject new valYe, seal ring
~8 is constructed ~roo polytetrafluoroethylene.
Seal ~8 is attached to valve member E in the
~ann~r dlsclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,699 issued
No~eober ~0, 1971, to Matousek, et al., the disclosure
of which is herebr ~ncorporated herein by reference.
8riefly, the end portion o~ ~alve ~ember E includes a
circu~ferentlal recess receiving seal ring 38, and
inner and ou~er ri~s on valYe ~e~ber E are defor~ed
toward one another over the outer end face of the seal
rlng for holding sa~e in position. This seal
arran~en~ its cold flow of the seal mater~al which
produco~ better control of ~he stroke of the Yalve.
Thl~ consequently ylelds ~etter control 4f diaphrag~
l~fo whlch is related to stroke.
~ coil sprin~ 40 under co~prossion between
guido washer 26 and enlarge~ head 18 nor~ally urges the
Yalv~ ~e~bsr E, i.o., seal ring 38, away fro~ seat 36
~z~
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to proYido fluid co~munication between inlet 32 and
outlet ~4~ In the open position of valYe ~e~ber ~,
fluid en~ers th~ entir~ cylindrical bore de~ined by
largo and small dia~eter portions 20,28. Upon closing
of Yslv~ ~e~ber ~ by ~o~ement of seal 38 back into
en8a~e~ent with seat 36~ purging o~ fluid pressure
within the bore is possible becaus~ o~ the hexagonal
shape of enlarged head 18 and o the interior sur~ace
of gu~de washer 26.
~onnet ~ includes a stem G rotatabl~ guided
therein. Cooperating external and internal threads
between stem ~ember G and bonnet ~e~ber B are generall~
indic~ted by num~ral 44 to impart axial ~ovenent to
st~ oe~ber ~ upon rotational move~ent thereof relati~e
to the bonnet. Instcad of using threads, it will be
recognized that ~any different axial operators can be
pro~ided ~or i~part~ng axial move~ent to valve ~e~ber E
to effect move~ent between its open and clased
positions, ~nd that the ~anually operated rotatable
operatlng member shown is only illuserative. An
enlarged head 48 on valve stem G has a flae surfac~
engaging a corresponding flat surface on a bu~eon 50
which, ~n turn, has a convex surfac~ enga8ing diaphrag~
D on th8 opposita side thereof fro~ enlarged head 18 of
Yalve ee~ber B. The steo head and button ~re
coopera~ivel~ ~ounted so as to facilitate relatiYe
rotation therebetween around the longitudinal a~i~ of
the s~e~. Button 50 ~ay be o~ plastic or other
suitabl~ ~aterials, and the interface bet~een ste~ head
48 and the button is lubricated to assist allowing
rslatiY~ rotation between the st~ and button instead
of haYing the button rotate relati~s to diapbrag~ D.
: A rotatabl~ operating ~eober ~ener~lly
indicated at H is pro~ided for ~oving Yalve ~e~ber E
~etw~en i~s open and closed positions. Enlarged head
z~
60 15 splined onto ste~ G as at 62 for preventing
relative rotation between the head a~d ste~. An
operating handle 62 is suitably connected to head 60,
and oay oYen b~ integral therewith. A nut 64 and lock
S ~asher 66 secure head 60 to ste~ G, and a CoYer plate
61 snaps into a circular recess in the top of head 60
in a known manner. It will be recognized that ~alve
opera~ing ~ember H includes head 60, handle 62, and
ste~ G, ~nd tha~ operating member H is rotatabl~ for
~0 ooY~ng valYe ~ember B axiall~ between its open and
closed positions. Howe~er, it will be appreciated that
other operators oay be provided if so desired for
cooperating with diaphrago D to ~ove the valYe ~e~ber
bet~een i~s open and closed positions.
~IGUR~ 2 shows an enlarged peripheral edBe
portion of body A and bonnet B having diaphrago D
~xially cla~ped therebetween. As shown in FlGURE 1,
bonnet oe~ber ~ has a generally conical surface portion
70 cxtendlng away ~ro~ diaphragm D opposite fro~ large
diaooter cylindrical bore portion 20 in the valve
body. Con~cal portion 70 and cylindrical bor~ portion
20 ara al50 ~enerally shown in PIGURfi 2 for reference
purpos~. Body oe~ber ~ and bonnet ~e~ber B have
spaced-apart opposito flat and parall~l circu~ferential
areas 76,73 bet~een which an inner or pri~ary
circu~ferential area of diaphrag~ D is axially clamped
o~er an inner circu~ferential area. Tightening of
bonnet nut C in FIGURE 1 ~oves cla~ping surfaces 76,78
toward one anoeher for squeezin~ diaphragm D
therebetween~ ~s will be noted in PIGURE 2, the
circu~erential area claD~ped between cla~ping surfaces
76,78 i~ spac~d well inwardly froo tho diaphrag~ outer
porl phery .
Body ~e~ber A and bonnet ~e~ber ~ also include
secondary flat and parallel cla~ping urfaces 80,82
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spaced axially and radially from primary clamping
urfaces 76,78. Prl~ary surfaces 76,78 are separated
fro~ s~condary surfaces 80,~2 by rolatiYelr sharp
corners 84,86 across whlch diaphrag~ D is bent axially
S as cl~arly shown in ~IGURE 2. The axial spacing
between corners 84,86 i5 less than the nor~al axial
thickn~ss of diaphrag~ D and less than the axial
spacing between cla~ping suraces 76,78. As a result~
corners 84,86 provide e~cellent seals against the
opposite face surfaces of the diaphrag~. Flat and
parall~l circu~ferential surfaces 80,82 are
spaced-apart from one another no less than, and
preferably slightly 8raater than, the spacing between
primary cl ampin8 surf aces 76,78. The ~achining
toleranc~s for body ~e~ber A and bonnet member B are
chosen such that the spacing between surfaces 76,78
will always pro~ide 3axi~u~ squeeze or clamping action
as compared to th~ a~ount of squeeze or clamping action
between surfaces 80,8~. Such action insures that
prioary diaphragm sealing occurs at areas 76,78 to
bottor acco~odato valv~ purgin~.
Coneinuing wlth referenco to FIGUR 2, an
outor clrcu~f~rential flange 90 ~xtends axially from
secondary clamping sur~ac~ 80 on body ~ember A for
25 protect~ng lnner or pri~ary cla~ping surfac~ 76 ag~inst
knicks and other da~age during proc~ssing and assembly
o~ th~ ~al~lre. The axlal projectior of Çlange 90 is
substant~ally greater than the axial spacing ~etween
prioary and secondary surfaces 76,80. ~irectly
3~ opposit~ froo protectlve flange 30, bonnet member B is
pro~id~d with an enlar~0d recess 94 for receivin~ a
ter~inal ~nd portion 96 of diaphragaa D in a frea and
unclaslped col~dition. Secondary corners generally
indicated as 102,104 are axially spaced fro~ one
35 anoth~r a distance substantially l~ss than ~he axial
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spaclng between corners 84,86 so that the outer 0nd
portion 96 of diaphrag~ D is axially deformed to a
8roa~er de8ree than th~ axial ~eformation thereof
between corners 84,86.
As a result of the foregoing relationships,
opposed pairs of flat cla~ping surfaces 76,78 and 80,82
define axially and radially spaced clamping surfaces
for axially clamping diaphrag~ D at radially-spaced
circumferential areas. Between the inner and outer
circu~feren~ial clampin~ areas, diaphragm D is axially
bent between corners 84, B6.
Diaphrag~ D is shown as comprising three discs
or lay~rs Dl, D2, and D3 of equal thickness, although a
great~r or lesser number o~ such discs could be
suitably employed in so~e instances. It has been found
that such an arran8e~ent provides enhanced flexibility
without substantially reducing the strenKth or life of
the composite d~aphrag~ construction. In the preferred
arrangem~nt, each disc d~aphrag~ for~ing disc comprises
a flat circular ~ember of austenitic type 316 stainless
steel heat treated to a hardness of not loss than 38 on
th~ Rockwoll C scale. Such hardnoss is consid~red to
bo a "~lly hardened" condition for the pareicular
~aterial involved, and effectiv~ly onhances the overall
cycle liE0 of diaphrag~ D. Normall~, stainless steel
diaphragos are constructed fro~ ~at~rial having a
hardness of approxi~ately 27 o~ the Rockwell C scale,
i.c, "quarter hard". It has been found tha~ an
increaso in diaphrag~ hardness increases ats strength
which, ~n turn, increases its cycle life in a generally
linear r~la~îonship. Thus, an increase in hardness
fro~ approxi~ately 27 to ~pproxi~atelr 38 on the
Rockw~ll C scale increases the diaphrag~ cycle life by
~ factor of ~bout two. This result indeed comprises a
slgniicant improve~ent oYer prior ar~ stainless steel
~ 2 ~ ~ ~2 ~
diaphrag~ construetions. While ~16 stainless steel is
o~ployed in the preferred construction, it will ~e
approclst~d ~hat other ~aterials and hardness
r01stionships could bo used for dif~rent types of
S serYiCo.
~ ypicall~, discs Dl, D2, and D3 are stamped
fro~ sheet for~ and thus include a burr around the
outsr periphery th~reof. The l~prov~d arrange~ent of
the present invention, however, securely cla~ps the
diaphra~ a~ circu~ferential areas spaced radially
inward ro~ the outer periphery, so any burrs cannot
possibly interfere w~th obtaining secure clamping and
sealing. Discs ~1, D2, and D3 ars physicallr separate
and ara not bonded together in any way. The discs are
: 15 held together simply by the cla~ping ~orce exerted
be~ween th~ valYe body and bonnet as described aboYe.
The la~inated or layered diaphragm construction
requires less force to flex, but has a strength which
is about as 8reat as a single layer diaphrago having
2n ehe sa~o thickness as th~ combined thlckness o discs
Dl, D~, and D~.
PIGURE 3 sho~s enlarg~d hexagonal head 14 on
~al~c ~ember B as ha~ng its corners axially guided in
large dia~eter boro portion 20. The flae areas of the
head are spaced fro~ the wall of tho bore to
acco~odat~ valYe purging. ~IGUR 4 shows cylindrical
ste~ portion 24 of ~al~e member E as bsing axially
guided by flats deined by the internal hexagonal
opening in guide washer 26. Spacos are advantageously
defined bstween c~lindrical steo 24 and the corners of
th~ non-circular ln~rior surface nf washer 26 to
; ~aci1~tat~ purgin~.
Bonnet B ls illustratod in ~IGURE 1 as
~ lncluding an external thr~aded portion 108 r~ceiving a
: 35 panel nut llO. Thraaded port ion 108 is closel~
~2~2~
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receivable ~hrough an opening in a panel (not sho~n),
~nd tho panel is clamped between the pa~el nut 110 and
bonn~t nu~ C to secur~lr oount the valYe thereto.
Shl~s may be provided on the underside o the panel
against bonnet nut C for desired location of panel nut
110 adjacent the outer end portion o~ bonnet B when the
valv~ ~ in a ~ounted ~osition.
As shown wi~h primary reference to FIGURE 5
and wlth secondary referenc~ to PIGURE 1, the outer end
portion o~ bonnet 8 includes a generally cylindrical
sur~ce 114 spaced radially inward fro~ threadsd
portion 108 and separated therefro~ by a
circu~fererltial radlal shoulder 116. Cylindrical end
portion 114 ~s cut-away as generally indicated at 120
oY~r an axial extent less than ~he dis~ance fro~ its
outer ~er~lnal end to shoulder 116. Cut-away portion
; 120 has opposite axiallr extending end surfaces
122,124, and the axial bottom o cut-away por~ion 120
ls axlally spac~d slightly fro~ radial shoulder 116 so
that a substantially co~plete circu~ferential surface
still exlsts around ehe outer end portion of the
bonnet. End surfaces 122,124 ~ay bo angularly spaced
fro~ one another substantially 8reater than 90 and
: less ~han 180.
: 25 At least on~ end surfac~, i.e., end surface
124 defines a stop surface for stopping ro~ation of
operating me~ber H in its open position. A locating
~ean~ in th~ for~ o~ an axial groo~ 130 is provided in
the outer end poreion of bonnet B. Groove 130 is
angularly spaced app~oxi~ately 90D fro~ stop surface
124 as ~enerally indicated by angle 134, and is used
~ ~or p~rpo . es ~o be describet.
: Wi~h continued ~eferenc~ to FI~URES 1 and 5,
an indica~ing ring ~e~ber J has a central opening or
: 35 hol~ ~herethrough and i 5 ~rictionally receiv~d on ou~er
~Z9L2~
-16-
cylindrisal end portlon 114 of ste~ B. The central
opcnl~ or holo includes generally ~xially extending
flang~ ~ans 138 for frictionall~ gripping bonnet outer
cylindrical portion 114, It will bo recognized that
axially ~xtending inner flange ~eans 13B ~ay be
çircu~ferentially continuous or ~ay comprise a
plural~ty of clrcu~feren~ially-spa~d flanges for
rict~onally or resili~ntly ~ripping th~ bonnet outer
cylindrical portion.
Inner flange 138 includes a ~erminal end 140
which nor~ally abut~ shoulder 116 (PIGURE 5). Ring
~e~b~r J ~ncludes a generally axially extending outer
circu~erential flang~ 142 having a termin~l end 144
axially spaced a substantial distanc~ away fro~ the
lS ter~inal end 140 of inner flange ~ean~ 138. Outer
flange 142 surrounds, CoYers, ~nd conceals panel nut
110 when the val~e ls mounted to a psnel. A
circu~f~rential inclinad surfac~ 150 extends fro~ outer
flango 142 toward the central opening in the ring
meD~ber. In the arran8eoent shown, inclined surface 15û
i~ inclined at an angle of approxioately 45 to
longitudinal axis 152 of bonne~ B, steo G and operating
~e~ber H. ~ s~all circu~ferential horizontal portion
156 ~xtend~ between inclined surfaco 150 and th~
central op~ning in ring member J. Inclined surface 150
is located relativ0 to head 60 and positioned such that
it is visi~le in dir~ctions both parallel and
perpendicular to longitudinal axis lS2.
: A~ shown in FIGURE 6, axlally extending inner
flan~ 138 on ring ~e~ber J includes a radially inward
~tendin8 ~ab 160 for close reception in groove 130 of
bonn~t ~e~ber ~ Tab 160 ~ay tak~ 3any forms,
including an inclined inwardly extending portion of
~lango 1~8, or a perpendicularly ~xtending tab fro~ the
boteo~ ~dge of the flange. G~oo~ 130 and tab 160
~24%4Z8
-17-
cooperat~ with on~ another to properly locate
~ndicat~n~ ring ~e~ber J r~lative ~o bonnet B for
posltion1ng c~rtaln lnd~cia on ring ~e~ber J in the
proper locatlon.
As shown in PIGURE 7, tab 160 is shown as
si~ply co~prising an inwardly inclin~d slit portion
fro~ ircu~ferential flange 138. ~lGURE 8 shows tab
160a as comprising a generally rad~ally inward
~xtendin~ ~xtension fro~ the botto~ end o~ inner flange
1~ 138.
Reerrin8 to FI~URES 1 and 9, operating means
H ~ncludes a pointer or indicator ~eans 180 and a stop
pin 182. Upon rotation of operating me~ber H to its
full open position, pointer or indicator ~eans 180 will
be align~d with an indicator line 184 on inclined
sur~ace 150 of indlca~ng ring me~ber J. In this
posit1On, stop pin 182 carried by head 60 will en8a8e
stop sur~ace 124 (PlGURh 5) for stopping rotation of
the valve operating ~eober in its full open position.
In this position, coil spring 40 ~o~es valve mem~er E
axially upward in the Yiew of PIGURE 1 to its full open
position whercin seal 38 is axially displaced fro~ seat
~6.
When th~ valv~ is closed, handle 6~, i.e.,
operating ~eober H, i~ rotated clockwise in the view of
PIGURfi 9 un~il pointer 180 is located in a closed
nor~al angular rang~ 202. This range is defined
batwe~n radial lin~s 204,tO6 arcuatoly spaced apart
fro~ each other by an angle of approxioately 27.5,
wi~h li~ 204 bei~g loc~ted sligh~ ss than 90 from
l~nc 184 and lin~ 206 bein~ locat~d ~reater than 99
thsr~fro~. A~ abnor~al angular range genorally
indlcatbd by nu~eral 208 ext~nds be~ween ~adial lines
206,210 o~r an anglo of approxi~atolr 22.5 adjacent
rang~ 202. In th~ pr~ferred arrang~aent, area 202 is
-18-
colored gre~n bot~oan lines 204,206 to provide an
arcll~te ~n~ of on~ color for lndicating A nor~al
c1Oscd po~l~ion for ~be valY~ ~hen pointer 180 is
a1ignod thsrewl~h. ~Ihsn seal ~a i~ unduly ~orn so that
5 roplaco;~ent ~h~reof 15 or soon ~ay b~ necessary,
polnter 183 wîl1 oYortravel b~yond noroa1 closed ran8e
202 lnto abnor~al angu1ar rango 208. Range 208 is
colored red fo3r indlca~lng and a1ar~1ng an operator
that replace~ent of seal 38 is necessary~ In the event
lO soal 38 ~ substantial1y ~orn and a replace~ent seal ls
not i~oediatoly aYail~b1~, it is possible to
tes~porarl1r read~ust operatlng ~ber H on ste~ G for
por~3itS1ng tho ~al to sea1ing1y en8age seat ~6 ln the
va1v~ closed cond 1 t ion.
Cut-out end surface 122 (PIGURE 5) is
angu1ar1r spaccd 9~011 bayond warnlng band 20B so tha~
stop pin 182 (~IGUR~ 1) on operatlng ~e~ber H will not
ongag~ surfac~ 122, ovan though poin~er 180 ls
~pproachlng ~ravol b~yond ~arnlng ar~a 208. Ad~acen~
20 contrastin~ color bands 202,208 are locsted on lnclin~d
3urf~co 150 so th~y are road11y ~ lble ln directions
both parsllel and perpondicular to longltudinal axi~
152.
It will bo r~scognized thae va1ve open position
25 lndlci~ 1E14 on ring ~obcr J ha~ a pr~d~t~r~ined
angu1sr ro1atlonship ~lth locatlng ~an 160 ~nd with
lndicatlng oean~ 202,208. Thie ~elationship is such
thst as~e~bly or disas~læbly of th~ ~ralve al~ays
insur~ that lndicatlng ring l~e~b3~r J is ins~alled in
30 prop~r posit~on becaus~ o~ ~ha neee~ary a1ign~ent of
loca~ing ~ean~ 130,160. This proper13~ locates color
band~ 202, 208 in tho c1Osed posltlon o~ the ~a1~r~
~o~b~r ~lth rosp~ct to a rotatab1~ ~alv~ operating
~e~bor .
It w~11 al~o b~ r~co~niz~d tha~ th~ i~proYad
~z~
- 19-
arran8e~en~ of the pr~sent application provides
coopera~ing indicatin~ ~eans between operating ~ember H
~nd bo~net B ~or ind~cating overtravel of operating
~e~ber H in i~s closed position to thereby indic~te
thae replace~en~ o~ seal 38 is required. In the
arrange~ent shown and described, the indicating means
tak~s the for~ of an lndicator 180 on ope~ating member
H and indicatln~ bands 202,208 o~ an indicating rin8
~e~bsr J attached ~o bonnet ~. Howe~er, it will be
recognized ~ha~ many other arrange~ents are possible
without departing fro~ the o~erall inten~ or scope of
the invention, Furthermore, instead of ~erely
indicating open and oYertravel positions of an
operating ~e~ber, it will be appreciated that
indicating rin8 member J can be used for many other
purposes, including concealment of panel nut 110 and
the perforMancQ of other ~ndicating functions havin~
appropriate lndlcia thereon.
Tho i~proved indici~ arranBement of the
pres~nt application indlcates the open position of the
valvo, a nor~al angular range of closed position5, and
an abnor-al rangc of closed positions. Thus, the user
of tbo valY~ can readily deter~ine Yisually whether the
Yalvo is open, clos~d, or that ~ho seal requires
r~p1scè~ent. Th~ i~plified manner o attaching the
lndicator ring ~e~b~r to the valve bonnet oakes it
possiblo to easily remove and replace the va1ve, or ~o
rencw i~s co~ponents. The indicaein~ rin~ me~ber
acco~odat~s this capability ~r having locating means
def~ned by cooper~ting groo~e 130 and tab 160 for
properly positioning ring member J with its indicating
band 202,208 in th~ desired circu~ferential 1Ocation.
: Although th~ inY~ntion has been shown and
d~cribed with resp~ct to certain preferred
e~bodi~en~3, ~odifications and alterations will occur
~Z~Z~8
- ~ o -
to others skilled in ~he art upon a reading and
undorstanding of this specificatlon. It is intended to
includ~ all such oodifica~ions and alterations insofar
as ~h~y co~ within the scope of ~he claims or the
equivalenes ~hereof.
