US3412751A

US3412751A - Stem and disc assembly for globe and angle valves

Info

Publication number: US3412751A
Application number: US547210A
Authority: US
Inventors: James S Hanson; Alexander F Walluk
Original assignee: Fairbanks Co
Current assignee: Fairbanks Co
Priority date: 1966-05-03
Filing date: 1966-05-03
Publication date: 1968-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 1985-11-26

Description

Nov. 26, 1968 J. 5. HANSON ET STEM AND DISC ASSEMBLY FOR GLOBE AND ANGLE VALVES Filed May 5. 1966 k 0 7 mm f m/ T04 QJE m y N V mg m 0 Jr a a Z. M

United States Patent Ofice 3,412,751 Patented Nov. 26, 1968 3,412,751 STEM AND DISC ASSEMBLY FOR GLOBE AND ANGLE VALVES James S. Hanson, Binghamton, and Alexander F. Walluk,

Johnson City, N.Y., assignors to The Fairbanks Company, Binghamton, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 3, 1966, Ser. No. 547,210 6 Claims. (Cl. 137-331) This invention relates to globe and angle type valves. More particularly, it relates to novel and improved stem and disc assemblies for valves of these types which provide advantageously relatively silent operation.

In the construction of globe and angle valves, their design requires that the discs thereof be permitted to spin as the disc becomes seated during closing of the valve. Such requirement results from several operational needs. Thus the spinning is required to insure that the valves will close at different positions on the respective seats, and to utilize the spinning action of the discs at the moments of final closure for cleaning off any foreign material accumulated on the seating surfaces to prevent improper closure or damage to such surfaces. In globe and angle valves, therefore, the valve disc is invariably mounted for free rotation on the valve stem.

Because of the rotatable mounting of the valve discs, when globe valves and angle valves are open, the fluid or gas flowing therethrough causes the discs to spin constantly. This spinning action results in excessive wear on the end of the stern. In the presence of normally-existing turbulence, the discs spin eccentrically causing loud clanking noises which are submitted through the piping system. The problem is accentuated progressively as the valve size increases. Since globe valves and angle valves are used for controlling flow, they are often operated in partially open position, where the spinning and clanking of the valve disc also occurs.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a valve in which the spinning of the disc and the clanking noise resulting therefrom are prevented during the operation of the valve at all times except during the final moment of closure.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided in a valve comprising a stern, a disc located at one end of the stem, a seat ring which the disc engages when the valve is in the fully closed position, and a bonnet through which the stem extends, the base of the bonnet being spaced from the disc whereby the bonnet and disc comprise a pair of structures defining a space therebetween; the improvement which comprises a conically wound spring disposed in the aforesaid space with its largest diameter end coil adjacent the disc and its smallest diameter end coil adjacent the base of the bonnet. Each coil of the spring has a larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the next smaller coil adjacent thereto, the spring being attached at one end to one of the structures, whereby, upon the opening of the valve, the resulting tensioning action of the spring upon the disc prevents any spinning of the disc.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a globe valve incorporating the spring according to the invention, the valve being shown in the closed position; and

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and showing the valve in a partially opened position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, there is shown a globe valve 10 comprising a valve body 12 in the form of a substantially cylindrical casting having an interior wall or seat diaphragm 14 dividing the valve interior into two chambers communicating with respective pipe-receiving openings 12a and 12b. Valve operation is achieved by controlling the fiow of liquid between the two chambers by closing or opening a control aperture 16 formed in a horizontal portion of the seat diaphragm 14.

For opening and closing the control aperture 16, there is provided a stem assembly 18 including a threaded stem 20 meshing with the interior threading of a yoke bushing 22 mounted in valve bonnet 24 by lock nut 26. The stem 20 extends through a gland 28 and through an aperture 30 at the bottom of bonnet 24 into the interior of the valve body 12. At its lower end, the stem 20 has a flange 32 received in a correspondingly shaped slot 34 of valve disc 36. Conventionally, by such structure, the valve disc 36 may spin freely upon stem 20.

The valve disc 36 is provided with an annular facing 38 which registers with a seat ring 40 mounted on the seat diaphragm 14 and bordering the control aperture 16. A hand wheel 42, secured to the top of stem 20 by nut 44, is employed for turning the threaded stem 20 to raise and lower the valve disc into and out of seating engagement with the seat ring 40.

In the valve shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprising the structures as so far described, when the valve is in open or partially-open condition, the force of the liquid flowing through aperture 16 causes disc 36 to spin constantly with the attendant excessive wear on the end of stem 20'. Since turbulence is almost invariable present, the disc is caused to spin eccentrically, producing very loud clanking noises.

To overcome the spinning disc :problem, and in accordance with the invention, there is provided a conicallywound spring 46 which brakes the spinning action of the disc 36 when the valve is in open condition, but permits the disc to spin freely when the latter is close to its seated position, thus obtaining the aforementioned advantages of proper seating and valve seat Wiping. The spring 46 increases in diameter from top to bottom, and its upper turn 46a embraces and is secured to a circular projection 48 on the lower surface of bonnet 24, which projection is concentric with the valve stem aperture 30. The large bottom turn 46b of spring 46 is sized to seat in an annular groove 50 on the top surface of disc 36.

Spring 46 is made of such a length that when the disc 36 is in its seated position of FIG. 1, its bottom turn 46b is spaced above and out of contact with the groove 50 of said disc 36. Specifically, the spring 46 is so sized that its length is about three-fourths or more of the total lift of disc 36.

When the valve is in the closed position of FIG. 1, the

{stem 20 has brought the valve disc 36 into firm engagement with the seat ring 40, thereby closing off the control aperture 16 .to the flow of water therethrough. In this closed position, the lowermost coil 46b of spring 46 is spaced above and out of contact with disc 36. When the valve is opened by turning hand wheel 42, the stem 20 lifts the disc 36 off the seat ring 40 permitting water to flow through the valve, and the flow of water will cause disc 36 to begin to spin on the end of the stem 20. When the valve disc 36 has been raised a distance of about a quarter of its total travel, it will engage the lowermost coil 46b, the latter entering and seating within groove 50 in the upper -surface of disc 36. The spring 46b will then retard and stop the spinning action of the disc. As the disc is continued to be lifted toward its fully-open position, the spring 46 is further compressed, increasing its braking action.

When the valve is brought from open position toward closed position, the disc 36 is held against spinning by spring 46 until the disc in approaching the valve ring 40, has approximately one quarter of its total displacement still to travel. At this point, the disc is lowered out of engagement with spring 46 and is free to rotate. The flowing fluid will then cause the disc to spin on the end of valve stem 20, so that it engages seat ring 40 to close the valve while spinning rapidly. This spinning engagement at the moment of final closure beneficially allows the disc to clean off any foreign materials accumulated on the seating areas, thereby preventing improper closure or damage to the seating areas.

As is conventional in valves of this type, the gland 28 holds a quantity of packing 52 which provides a seal about the top of bonnet aperture 30 and normally prevents liquid, gas or steam from leaking out therethrough. In addition, the stem 20 is provided with a backseating collar 54 which fits tightly within a bevelled seat 56 at the lower end of bonnet aperture 30 when the valve is in fully open position, to provide a seal at the bottom of said aperture 30. Globe valve standards require this backseat sealing feature so that the packing 52 may be removed and replaced while the valve is in fully open position without leakage.

The spring 46 is so constructed that it will not interfere with the backseating collar 54 engaging when the valve is in fully open position. For this purpose, the spring is so sized that the inner diameter of each coil is greater than the outer diameter of the coil immediately above it. When the valve disc is raised, the spring thus compresses to a flattened condition to permit the collar 54 to reach seat 56.

Alternatively the lowest coil of spring 46 can be rigidly attached to the top of valve disc 56 and the uppermost coil of spring 46 can be then arranged to engage the base of bonnet 24 when the valve is being opened to effect prevention of disc spinning when the coil is opened. It is also contemplated that a coupling in the nature of rubber or other elastomer may be used in place of the spring 46, but the latter is preferred because of its ability to operate efiectively under all temperatures.

The providing of the spring in accordance with the invention presents the added advantages of durability and wide applicability of use. Thus, since the spring is of metal, it can be employed in valves used at very high and very low temperatures.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous additions, changes and omissions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and, scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a valve comprising a body having a fluid passageway therethrough, a stem extending through a portion of said body and mounted for longitudinal movement therein, a disc rotatably mounted on one end of said stem and responsive to fluid flow to rotate relative to said stem, a seat engageable by said disc in the closed position of said valve to arrest fiuid flow, said seat and said body portion defining a space of a given length therebetween along which said disc can be moved by the longitudinal movement of said stem; the improvement which comprises a flexible member disposed between said body portion and a portion of said disc, said flexible member being secured at one of its ends to one of said portions and having a length such that its other end engages the other of said portions within said space when said disc is a selected distance from said closed position and is spaced from said other portion as said disc approaches the closed position whereby said disc is prevented from rotating when said other portion is engaged by said member and is free to rotate as it approaches said closed position.

2. In a valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible member comprises a coiled spring.

3. In a valve as defined in claim 2 wherein said spring has an axial length which is about three-fourths the length of said space.

4. In a valve as defined in claim 2 wherein said spring is conically wound and disposed with its largest diameter end coil adjacent said disc portion and its smallest diameter end coil adjacent said body portion, each coil of said spring having a larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the next smaller coil adjacent thereto.

5. In a valve as defined in claim 4 wherein said largest diameter end coil is attached to said disc portion.

6. In a valve as defined in claim 4 wherein said smallest diameter end coil is attached to said body portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 411,254 9/1889 McNeil 137332 937,773 10/1909 Cunning 137-332 2,780,240 2/1957 Madak 137-332 X WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

R. GERARD, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A VALVE COMPRISING A BODY HAVING A FLUID PASSAGEWAY THERETHROUGH, A STEM EXTENDING THROUGH A PORTION OF SAID BODY AND MOUNTED FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT THEREIN, A DISC ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON ONE END OF SAID STEM AND RESPONSIVE TO FLUID FLOW TO ROTATE RELATIVE TO SAID STEM, A SEAT ENGAGEABLE BY SAID DISC IN THE CLOSED POSITION OF SAID VALVE TO ARREST FLUID FLOW, SAID SEAT AND SAID BODY PORTION DEFINING A SPACE OF A GIVEN LENGTH THEREBETWEEN ALONG WHICH SAID DISC CAN BE MOVED BY THE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID STEM; THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES A FLEXIBLE MEMBER DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID BODY PORTION AND A PORTION OF SAID DISC, SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBER BEING SECURED AT ONE OF ITS ENDS TO ONE OF SAID PORTIONS AND HAVING A LENGTH SUCH THAT ITS OTHER END ENGAGES THE OTHER OF SAID PORTIONS WITHIN SAID SPACE WHEN SAID DISC IS A SELECTED DISTANCE FROM SAID CLOSED POSITION AND IS SPACED FROM SAID OTHER PORTION AS SAID DISC APPROACHES THE CLOSED POSITION WHEREBY SAID DISC IS PREVENTED FROM ROTATING WHEN SAID OTHER PORTION IS ENGAGED BY SAID MEMBER AND IS FREE TO ROTATE AS IT APPROACHES SAID CLOSED POSITION.