Handle insert for valve
View Patent ↗Exemplary embodiments are directed to valves, generally including a body assembly and handle assembly. The body assembly generally includes a body and a stem passing through the body. The handle assembly generally includes a handle body and an insert. The insert provides an interface between the stem and the handle body. The insert includes protrusions extending therefrom configured to distribute stress resulting from a moment load applied to the handle assembly through the handle body to reduce failure of the handle body. Methods of positioning a valve are also provided.
1. A valve, comprising:
a body assembly, the body assembly including a body and a stem passing through the body, and
a handle assembly, the handle assembly including a handle body and an insert,
wherein the insert includes an inner surface, which provides an interface between the stem and the handle body,
wherein the insert includes an outer surface having chamfered corners, and protrusions extending from the outer surface and circumferentially displaced relative to corners of the stem, and
wherein the chamfered corners and protrusions are configured to distribute stress resulting from a moment load applied to the handle assembly through the handle body to reduce failure of the handle body.
2. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the handle body includes a cavity configured and dimensioned to receive the insert.
3. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the handle body is over-molded over the insert.
4. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a bore configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the stem.
5. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions extend an entire length of the insert.
6. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions define a uniform cross-section along a length of the protrusions.
7. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a first bore partially extending an entire length of the insert from a bottom surface of the insert to a first inner step.
8. The valve according to claim 7 , wherein the insert comprises a second bore partially extending the entire length of the insert from the first inner step to a second inner step.
9. The valve according to claim 8 , wherein the insert comprises a third bore partially extending the entire length of the insert from the second inner step to an upper surface of the insert.
10. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are circumferentially positioned along an outer surface of the insert at 90 degrees around a central vertical axis of the insert.
11. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are circumferentially positioned along an outer surface of the insert and are circumferentially displaced from corners of the stem.
12. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are circumferentially positioned along an outer surface of the insert and oriented at 45 degrees relative to corners of the stem.
13. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are circumferentially positioned in pairs along an outer surface of the insert at 90 degrees around a central vertical axis of the insert.
14. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are circumferentially positioned in pairs along an outer surface of the insert and are circumferentially displaced from corners of the stem.
15. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are circumferentially positioned in pairs along an outer surface of the insert and oriented at 45 degrees relative to corners of the stem.
16. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are circumferentially positioned in pairs along an outer surface of the insert at 180 degree around a central vertical axis of the insert.
17. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions create a reaction force normal to the protrusions in response to the moment load.
18. The valve according to claim 1 , comprising a liner disposed within an opening of the body.
19. The valve according to claim 18 , comprising a disc rotationally disposed within the opening of the body.
20. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the body assembly comprises a cog and the handle assembly comprises a force ring engaged with the cog to rotationally secure the handle assembly relative to the body assembly.
21. A method of positioning a valve, comprising:
providing a body assembly, the body assembly including a body and a stem passing through the body,
providing a handle assembly, the handle assembly including a handle body and an insert, the insert including an outer surface having protrusions extending therefrom and circumferentially displaced relative to corners of the stem, and the outer surface having chamfered corners,
engaging the insert with the handle body,
rotationally interlocking the stem relative to an inner surface of the insert, and
providing a moment load applied to the handle assembly to rotate the stem,
wherein the protrusions and the chamfered corners of the insert distribute stress resulting from the moment load through the handle body to reduce failure of the handle body.
22. The method according to claim 21 , comprising creating a reaction force normal to the protrusions in response to the moment load applied to the handle assembly.