IP Library Granted Patent US 10,253,887
Granted Patent B1
US 10,253,887 · App. 15/863,323 · Granted Apr 9, 2019

Stem assembly for a valve

Inventors: James Kloss (Tampa, FL); Doug Hunter (Valreco, FL); Ryan Sheldon (Lutz, FL)
Assignee: CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL, INC.
F16K1/12F16K1/36F16K31/048F16K31/0655
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,253,887
App. No.
15/863,323
Granted
Apr 9, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

A stem assembly for a valve including a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a first end having a cross section less than a cross section of the shaft, and a protrusion near the first end extending away from the axis. In response to the first end and the protrusion being positionable inside a compartment of a valve plug having an opening in fluid communication with a fluid of a valve during operation of the valve, the first end and the protrusion being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the valve plug. In the first position, the first end blocking the opening for preventing fluid flow therethrough, and in the second position, the first end being movable away from the compartment opening for permitting fluid flow through the opening.

Claims (43)

1. A stem assembly for a valve comprising:

a shaft having a cross section and a longitudinal axis and extending to a first end, the shaft having an inwardly extending circumferential shoulder formed near the first end, a segment of the shaft between the shoulder and the first end having a reduced cross section relative to a cross section of a remaining portion of the shaft;

at least one washer positioned surrounding the segment;

a protrusion near the first end extending away from the axis;

wherein in response to the first end and the protrusion being positionable inside a compartment of a valve plug having an opening in fluid communication with a fluid of a valve during operation of the valve, the first end and the protrusion being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the valve plug;

wherein in the first position, the first end blocking the opening for preventing fluid flow therethrough, the at least one washer being spring biased and subjected to a preload between the shoulder and a surface of the valve plug near the opening;

wherein in the second position, the first end being movable away from the opening for permitting fluid flow through the opening.

2. The stem assembly of claim 1 , wherein the shaft and the first end are of one piece construction.

3. The stem assembly of claim 1 , wherein the shaft, the first end, and the protrusion are of one piece construction.

4. The stem assembly of claim 1 , wherein in the second position, the first end being movable parallel to the axis away from the opening, permitting fluid flow through the opening.

5. The stem assembly of claim 1 , wherein in the second position, in response to application of a sufficient force parallel to the axis away from the opening, the protrusion abutting a portion of the compartment for urging the valve plug into movement thereby.

6. The stem assembly of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is a pin at least partially inserted in a second opening formed in the shaft.

7. The stem assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one washer is a Belleville washer.

8. A plug assembly for a valve comprising:

a stem assembly comprising:

a shaft having a cross section and a longitudinal axis and extending to a first end, the shaft having an inwardly extending circumferential shoulder formed near the first end, a segment of the shaft between the shoulder and the first end having a reduced cross section relative to a cross section of a remaining portion of the shaft;

at least one washer positioned surrounding the segment; and

a protrusion near the first end extending away from the axis; and

a valve plug having a compartment having an opening formed therein;

wherein in response to the first end and the protrusion being positionable inside the compartment, and the valve plug being positionable inside of a valve, the opening in fluid communication with a fluid of a valve during operation of the valve, the first end and the protrusion of the stem assembly being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the valve plug;

wherein in the first position, the first end blocking the opening for preventing fluid flow therethrough, the at least one washer being spring biased and subjected to a preload between the shoulder and a surface of the valve plug near the opening;

wherein in the second position, the first end being movable away from the opening, permitting fluid flow through the opening.

9. The plug assembly of claim 8 , wherein the shaft and the first end are of one piece construction.

10. The plug assembly of claim 8 , wherein the shaft, the first end, and the protrusion are of one piece construction.

11. The plug assembly of claim 8 , wherein in the second position, the first end being movable parallel to the axis away from the opening, permitting fluid flow through the opening.

12. The plug assembly of claim 8 , wherein in the second position, in response to application of a sufficient force parallel to the axis away from the opening, the protrusion abutting a portion of the compartment for urging the valve plug into movement thereby.

13. The plug assembly of claim 8 , wherein the protrusion is a pin at least partially inserted in a second opening formed in the shaft.

14. The plug assembly of claim 8 , wherein the at least one washer is a Belleville washer.

15. A valve comprising:

a stem assembly comprising:

a shaft having a cross section and a longitudinal axis and extending to a first end, the shaft having an inwardly extending circumferential shoulder formed near the first end, a segment of the shaft between the shoulder and the first end having a reduced cross section relative to a cross section of a remaining portion of the shaft;

at least one washer positioned surrounding the segment; and

a protrusion near the first end extending away from the axis; and

a valve plug having a compartment having an opening formed therein; and

a valve body;

wherein in response to the first end and the protrusion being positionable inside the compartment, and the valve plug being positionable inside of the valve body, the opening in fluid communication with a fluid of a valve during operation of the valve, the first end and the protrusion of the stem assembly being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the valve plug;

wherein in the first position, the first end blocking the opening for preventing fluid flow therethrough, the at least one washer being spring biased and subjected to a preload between the shoulder and a surface of the valve plug near the opening;

wherein in the second position, the first end being movable away from the opening, permitting fluid flow through the opening.

16. The valve of claim 15 , wherein the shaft and the first end are of one piece construction.

17. The valve of claim 15 , wherein the shaft, the first end, and the protrusion are of one piece construction.

18. The valve of claim 15 , wherein in the second position, the first end being movable parallel to the axis away from the opening, permitting fluid flow through the opening.

19. The valve of claim 15 , wherein in the second position, in response to application of a sufficient force parallel to the axis away from the opening, the protrusion abutting a portion of the compartment for urging the valve plug into movement thereby.

20. The valve of claim 15 , wherein the protrusion is a pin at least partially inserted in a second opening formed in the shaft.

Assignments (6)
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 4, 2024
From: CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CIRCOR PUMPS NORTH AMERICA, LLC; SPENCE ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.; CIRCOR AEROSPACE, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069292/0137 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS, RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 065300/0544 Recorded Oct 22, 2024
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: CIRCOR AEROSPACE, INC.; CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CIRCOR PUMPS NORTH AMERICA, LLC; SPENCE ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 069227/0202 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2023
From: CIRCOR AEROSPACE, INC.; CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CIRCOR PUMPS NORTH AMERICA, LLC; DELTAVALVE, LLC; SPENCE ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.; TAPCOENPRO, LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065300/0544 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2023
From: TRUIST BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: CIRCOR AEROSPACE, INC.; CIRCOR PRECISION METERING, LL; DELTAVALVE, LLC; TAPCOENPRO, LLC; CIRCOR PUMPS NORTH AMERICA, LLC; CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 065300/0645 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 21, 2021
From: CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CIRCOR AEROSPACE, INC.; CIRCOR PRECISION METERING, LLC; TAPCOENPRO, LLC; DELTAVALVE, LLC; CIRCOR PUMPS NORTH AMERICA, LLC
To: TRUIST BANK
Reel/Frame 058552/0318 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2018
From: KLOSS, JAMES; HUNTER, DOUG; SHELDON, RYAN
To: CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 044546/0614 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,460,745