Bidirectional knife gate valve with a perimeter seat
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the invention include a knife gate valve. The knife gate valve can include: a valve body that defines a center aperture, the valve body configured to be coupled to a conduit; a gate disposed at least partially within the valve body, the gate configured to move vertically in relation to the valve body; a seat disposed in a portion of the valve body, the seat comprising a first end and a second end; and a packing area disposed within the valve body, wherein the packing area comprises a packing element is disposed around a portion of the gate; wherein the first end of the seat and the second end of the seat terminate within the valve body between a middle of the center aperture and the packing area. Other embodiments are also included herein.
1. A knife gate valve, comprising:
a valve body that defines a center aperture, the valve body configured to be coupled to a conduit;
a gate disposed at least partially within the valve body, the gate configured to move vertically in relation to the valve body;
a seat disposed in a portion of the valve body, the seat comprising a first end and a second end; and
a packing area disposed within the valve body, wherein the packing area comprises a packing element disposed around a portion of the gate;
wherein the first end of the seat and the second end of the seat terminate within the valve body between a middle of the center aperture and the packing area;
an outer surface extending at least partially between the first end and the second end, wherein the outer surface comprises a rib extending along the center of the outer surface,
wherein the seat comprises a first end cap on the first end and a second end cap on the second end; and
wherein the first end cap and the second end cap are disposed adjacent to the packing element.
2. The knife gate valve of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the seat and the second end of the seat terminate adjacent to the packing area.
3. The knife gate valve of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the seat and the second end of the seat terminate on opposite sides of the gate.
4. The knife gate valve of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the seat and the second end of the seat terminate above the center aperture.
5. The knife gate valve of claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises a metal reinforcement member.
6. The knife gate valve of claim 1 , wherein the packing element encircles a portion of the gate.
7. A seat for use in a knife gate valve having a gate and a packing element encircling at least a portion of the gate, the seat comprising:
a first end having a first end cap, the first end cap having a top portion contacting the packing element;
a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a second end cap, the second end cap having a top portion contacting the packing element;
an inner surface facing the gate extending at least partially between the first end and the second end, wherein the inner surface comprises a non-linear surface and one or more ribs extending along the inner surface in a direction from the first end to the second end;
an outer surface facing away from the gate extending at least partially between the first end and the second end, wherein the outer surface comprises a non-linear surface and an outer surface rib extending along the outer surface in a direction from the first end to the second end;
the outer surface rib extending along the center of the outer surface.
8. The seat for use in a knife gate valve of claim 7 , wherein the outer surface defines a relief on either side of the outer surface rib.
9. The seat for use in a knife gate valve of claim 7 , further comprising a metal reinforcement member disposed within the seat.
10. A knife gate valve, comprising:
a valve body that defines a center aperture, the valve body configured to be coupled to a conduit;
a gate disposed at least partially within the valve body, the gate configured to move vertically in relation to the valve body from an open position to a closed position, and from a closed position to an open position;
a seat disposed in a portion of the valve body, the seat comprising a first end having a first end cap and a second end having a second end cap;
a packing element disposed adjacent to the first end cap and the second end cap;
wherein the gate comprises an non-linear outer surface configured to match with the seat;
wherein the seat comprises an inner surface facing toward the gate extending at least partially between the first end and the second end, wherein the inner surface comprises a non-linear surface configured to match with the non-linear outer surface of the gate.
11. The knife gate valve of claim 10 , wherein the inner surface comprises a non-linear surface and one or more ribs extending along the inner surface in a direction from the first end to the second end.
12. The knife gate valve of claim 10 , wherein the seat comprises an outer surface facing away from the gate extending at least partially between the first end and the second end, wherein the outer surface comprises a non-linear surface and an outer surface rib extending along the outer surface in a direction from the first end to the second end.
13. The knife gate valve of claim 12 , wherein the outer surface defines a relief on either side of the outer surface rib.
14. The knife gate valve of claim 12 , wherein when the gate is in a closed position the outer surface and the valve body define a void on each side of the outer surface rib.
15. The knife gate valve of claim 10 , wherein the seat comprises a metal reinforcement member.
16. The knife gate valve of claim 10 , wherein the seat comprises at least one non-linear section and two linear sections.
17. The knife gate valve of claim 10 , wherein the seat comprises at least two different cross-sections.