Importance

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Abstract

A ball valve having an externally threaded seal carrier, a ball, a seal disposed between the carrier and ball, a tubular valve body internally threaded to engage the external threads of the seal carrier and hold it in the body, an axial clearance between the external and internal threads to permit linear movement of the carrier, a connecting sleeve which contacts the carrier, and a union nut adjustably attached to the valve body and slidably engaging the connecting sleeve for external adjustment of the axial position of the carrier within the body to compensate for seal wear by movement of the sleeve towards the body. The carrier extends beyond the valve body to provide an adjusting space between the connecting sleeve and body to permit movement of the sleeve towards the body. The external and internal threads encircle the circumference of the carrier and the interior wall of the valve body, respectively, one and one-half times and the threads are square in cross-sectional shape and have an axial clearance of one thirty-secondth of one inch. An O-ring is disposed in an annular groove in the carrier located adjacent the external threads and toward the ball for avoiding circumferential stress on the threaded portion of the valve body.

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First Claim