초록 ▼

A variable orifice ball valve includes an external housing with a longitudinal fluid bore formed therethrough. A ball member is rotatably positioned within the external housing. The ball member can include first and second ball portions, with the longitudinal fluid bore formed through the ball membe

A variable orifice ball valve includes an external housing with a longitudinal fluid bore formed therethrough. A ball member is rotatably positioned within the external housing. The ball member can include first and second ball portions, with the longitudinal fluid bore formed through the ball member and a pressure port formed through the ball member. An elastically expansible sleeve member is secured to an inner wall of the ball member, the elastically expansible sleeve member including opposing end portions and a middle section. The end portions are secured to an inner wall of the ball member, the elastically expansible sleeve member defining an expansible chamber between the inner wall of the ball member and the elastically expansible sleeve member, such that a variable sized fluid port is formed on the inner surface of the elastically expansible sleeve member for restricting fluid flow by expanding the sleeve member upon introduction of a pressurized fluid through the fluid bore and pressure port.

대표청구항 ▼

A variable orifice ball valve comprising: an external housing having a longitudinal fluid bore formed through the external housing; a ball member rotatably positioned within said external housing having a longitudinal fluid bore formed through said ball member and defining an inner wall therethrough

A variable orifice ball valve comprising: an external housing having a longitudinal fluid bore formed through the external housing; a ball member rotatably positioned within said external housing having a longitudinal fluid bore formed through said ball member and defining an inner wall therethrough, said ball member having a pressure port formed therein in communication between an outer surface of said ball member and said ball member fluid bore; an elastically expansible sleeve member secured to said inner wall of said ball member, said elastically expansible sleeve member including opposing end portions and a middle section, the middle section being relatively thinner than the opposing end portions, only the opposing end portions being secured to the inner wall of said ball member, said elastically expansible sleeve member further defining a variable sized fluid port on a surface of said elastically expansible sleeve member facing an interior of said ball member; means for securing said elastically expansible sleeve member to the inner wall of said ball member, said elastically expansible sleeve member defining an expansible chamber at a location between the inner wall of said ball member and the elastically expansible sleeve member as defined by said means for securing; and a valve stem extending from said ball member and through said external housing, said valve stem including a valve stem port formed therethrough and positioned in communication with said pressure port for supplying pressurization to the expansible chamber.