Adolphe W Kalbfleisch

US Patent:

41755804, Nov 27, 1979

Filed:

Nov 21, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/853120

Inventors:

Adolphe W. Kalbfleisch - Jeannette PA

International Classification:

F16k 4300
F16k 500

US Classification:

137315

Abstract:

A valve assembly having a housing which includes a central, substantially cylindrical body part and a pair of end connector parts is provided in which the body part defines a through-flow fluid passageway, the end connector parts define upstream and downstream fluid flow passages, and each connector part is adapted to position an annular, ball-seating-sealing gasket. A ball is operatively carried within the passageway of the body part for opening and closing movement in operating engagement with the seating-sealing gaskets. A bottom entry stem is utilized in positive latching engagement with the ball, as effected by at least three cooperating pairs of complementary, side-engaging, depthwise extending wall surfaces which substantially preclude endwise float of the ball between the seating gaskets, permit pivotal insertion and removal of the ball from the body, and permit radial, in-latching float of the ball with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stem.

US Patent:

42708494, Jun 2, 1981

Filed:

Apr 12, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/029319

Inventors:

Adolphe W. Kalbfleisch - Jeannette PA

International Classification:

F16K 3100

US Classification:

251292

Abstract:

A valve actuator unit is adapted to be removably mounted in a fixed operating relation with respect to the housing of a valve unit having a rotatable valve element by the utilization of an angle-shaped mounting bracket that is adapted to fit over a pair of bolts or studs of the valve housing that are used to maintain it in an assembled relation. The actuator has a rotatable bottom part that is adapted to be secured on the stem of the valve in place of its ordinary manual operating means or handle, and without disturbing its operating mechanism. Turning a handle of the actuator unit to move the valve to an open or closed position builds up spring tension which is employed to provide a smooth spring-actuated return movement. The actuator utilizes a helical return spring within its housing. Convolutions of the spring are positioned about a bearing sleeve and, in such a manner, that they do not interfere with each other when the spring is, in effect, wound-up or tensioned between a stationary housing upper end wall of the actuator and a lower disc-like rotative end wall.