Valve and stem sealing assembly

Abstract

A valve and stem sealing assembly capable of preventing leakage under demanding environmental and operating conditions. The valve comprises a body and bonnet secured together to house a flow-element, stem, and stem sealing assembly. The body may contain a body joint encapsulated within its liner. The flow-element is positioned between a first port and second port on the valve. The body and bonnet may be configured to eliminate rotational forces from being translated to the bonnet. The stem sealing assembly comprises a primary seal, primary shaft insert, spacer, and force transmitting member. The stem sealing assembly may also comprise a secondary seal and secondary shaft insert. The stem seal assembly is substantially adjacent to the stem, and configured to fit within an annular space or cavity between the stem and the first body half, second body half, and bonnet. The valve may also include a leak detection port.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A valve comprising:
 a. a body having a first port and a second port with a passage configured to flow a media extending between said first port and said second port, wherein said body has a flow-element positioned between said first port and said second port; 
 b. a stem secured to said flow-element and an actuator, wherein said stem extends through a stem port located on said body and is configured to actuate said flow-element; 
 c. a bonnet secured to said body; and, 
 d. a sealing assembly substantially adjacent to said stem and configured to fit within an annular space between said stem, said body, and said bonnet, said sealing assembly comprising:
 i. a primary seal having a cavity between its inner and outer circumference, wherein said cavity comprises at least two sidewalls that are substantially orthogonal to a bottom wall; 
 ii. a primary shaft insert configured to fit within said cavity of said primary seal; 
 iii. a sealing element located above said primary seal; 
 iv. a bottom gasket; 
 v. a spacer seated on said sealing element; and, 
 vi. a force transmitting member configured to transfer an axial load to said primary shaft insert, wherein said primary shaft insert is configured to transfer said axial load radially to said primary seal creating at least one seal with the walls of said annular space. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said primary seal has a plurality of ribs located on the inner and outer circumference of said primary seal, wherein said ribs are configured to enact at least one seal with the walls of said annular space. 
     
     
       3. The valve of  claim 2 , wherein said cavity is a U-cup shape extending between the inner and outer circumference of the primary seal and from the top to the bottom of the primary seal. 
     
     
       4. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said valve has a resistant liner secured to the surface of the valve. 
     
     
       5. The valve of  claim 4 , wherein said liner is secured to the surface of said valve by a series of dovetail groves and interlocking holes. 
     
     
       6. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said body further comprises a first body half secured to a second body half, wherein a body joint is encapsulated within a liner on said body and located where said first body half is secured to said second body half. 
     
     
       7. The valve of  claim 6 , wherein said body joint has several ridges extending between the inner and outer circumference of said body joint capable of energizing when subject to a force. 
     
     
       8. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing assembly further comprises:
 a. a secondary seal seated above said spacer, wherein said secondary seal has a cavity between its inner circumference and outer circumference and a plurality of ribs located on its inner and outer circumference, wherein said ribs are configured to enact at east one seal with the walls of said annular space; and, 
 b. a secondary shaft insert seated above said spacer, wherein said secondary shaft insert is configured to fit within said cavity of said secondary seal and to transfer said axial load from said force transmitting radially to said secondary seal creating at least one seal with the walls of said annular space. 
 
     
     
       9. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein a notched interface is provided between said bonnet and said body, said interface configured to eliminate rotational forces from being translated to the bonnet. 
     
     
       10. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said spacer has an aperture and aligns with a leakoff connection on said valve. 
     
     
       11. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said primary shaft insert substantially fills said cavity of said primary seal. 
     
     
       12. The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said primary shaft insert completely fills said cavity of said primary seal. 
     
     
       13. A stem seal assembly for a valve configured to fit within an annular space surrounding a valve stem, said stem seal assembly comprising:
 a. a primary seal, wherein said primary seal has a cavity between its inner circumference and outer circumference, wherein said cavity comprises at least two sidewalls that are substantially orthogonal to a bottom wall; 
 b. a primary shaft insert configured to fit into said primary seal cavity; 
 c. a sealing element located above said primary seal; 
 d. a bottom gasket; 
 e. a spacer seated on said sealing element; and, 
 f. a force transmitting member seated above said primary seal and configured to transfer an axial load to said primary shaft insert, wherein said primary shaft insert is configured to transfer said axial load radially to said primary seal creating a seal with the walls of said annular space. 
 
     
     
       14. The stem seal assembly of  claim 13  wherein said primary seal has a plurality of ribs located on the inner and outer circumference of said primary seal, wherein said ribs are configured to enact a seal with the walls of said annular space. 
     
     
       15. The stem seal assembly of  claim 14  wherein said spacer has an aperture configured to align with a leakoff connection on said valve. 
     
     
       16. A stem seal assembly for a valve configured to fit within an annular space surrounding a valve stem, said stem seal assembly comprising:
 a. a primary seal, wherein said primary seal has a U-cup shaped cavity between its inner circumference and outer circumference, wherein said cavity extends between the inner and outer circumference of the primary seal and from the top to the bottom of the primary seal; 
 b. a primary shaft insert configured to fit into said primary seal cavity; 
 c. a sealing element located above said primary seal; 
 d. a bottom gasket; 
 e. a secondary seal seated above said primary seal, wherein said secondary seal has a U-cup shaped cavity between its inner circumference and outer circumference, wherein said cavity extends between the inner and outer circumference of said secondary seal and from the top to the bottom of said secondary seal; 
 f. a secondary shaft insert seated above said primary seal and configured to fit into said secondary seal cavity; 
 g. a spacer located between said primary seal and said secondary seal; and, 
 h. a force transmitting member seated above said secondary seal and configured to transfer an axial load to said primary shaft insert and said secondary shaft insert, wherein said primary shaft insert is configured to transfer said axial load radially to said primary seal creating a seal with the walls of said annular space, wherein said secondary shaft insert is configured to transfer said axial load radially to said secondary seal creating a seal with the walls of said annular space. 
 
     
     
       17. The stem seal assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of ribs are located on the inner and outer circumference of said primary seal and secondary seal, wherein said ribs are configured to enact a seal with the walls of said annular space. 
     
     
       18. The stem seal assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said spacer has an aperture configured to align with a leakoff connection on said valve. 
     
     
       19. A valve comprising:
 a. a body having:
 i. a first port and a second port with a passage configured to flow a media extending between said first port and said second port, wherein said body has a flow-element positioned between said first port and said second port; and 
 ii. a first body half secured to a second body half, wherein a body joint is encapsulated in a liner on said body and located where said first body half is secured to said second body half; wherein said body joint has several ridges extending between the inner and outer circumference of said body joint and capable of energizing when subject to a force; 
 
 b. a stem secured to said flow-element and an actuator, wherein said stem extends through a stem port located on said body and is configured to actuate said flow-element; 
 c. a bonnet secured to said body; and, 
 d. a sealing assembly substantially adjacent to said stem and configured to fit within an annular space, said sealing assembly comprising:
 i. a primary seal having a U-cup shaped cavity between its inner and outer circumference, wherein said primary seal has a plurality of ribs located on its inner and outer circumference that are configured to enact a seal with the walls of said annular space; 
 ii. a primary shaft insert configured to fit within said cavity of said primary seal; 
 iii. a sealing element located above said primary seal; 
 iv. a bottom gasket; 
 v. a spacer seated on said sealing element; and, 
 vi. a force transmitting member configured to transfer an axial load to said primary shaft insert, wherein said primary shaft insert is configured to transfer said axial load radially to said primary seal creating a seal with the walls of said annular space. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The valve of  claim 19 , wherein said sealing assembly further comprises:
 a. a secondary seal seated above said spacer, wherein said secondary seal has a cavity between its inner circumference and outer circumference and a plurality of ribs located on its inner and outer circumference, wherein said ribs are configured to enact a seal with the walls of said annular space; and, 
 b. a secondary shaft insert seated above said spacer, wherein said secondary shaft insert is configured to fit within said cavity of said secondary seal and to transfer said axial load from said force transmitting radially to said secondary seal creating a seal with the walls of said annular space. 
 
     
     
       21. The valve of  claim 19 , wherein a notched interface is provided between said bonnet and said body, said interface configured to eliminate the translation of rotational forces to the bonnet. 
     
     
       22. A valve comprising:
 a. a body having:
 i. a first port and a second port with a passage configured to flow a media extending between said first port and said second port, wherein said body has a flow-element positioned between said first port and said second port; and 
 ii. a first body half secured to a second body half, wherein a body joint is encapsulated in a liner on said body and located where said first body half is secured to said second body half; wherein said body joint has several ridges extending between the inner and outer circumference of said body joint and capable of energizing when subject to a force; 
   b. a stem secured to said flow-element and an actuator, wherein said stem extends through a stem port located on said body and is configured to actuate said flow-element;   c. a bonnet secured to said body; and   d. a sealing assembly substantially adjacent to said stem and configured to fit within an annular space, said sealing assembly comprising:
 i. a primary seal having a U-cup shaped cavity between its inner and outer circumference, wherein said primary seal has a plurality of ribs located on its inner and outer circumference that are configured to enact a seal with the walls of said annular space; 
 ii. a primary shaft insert configured to fit within said cavity of said primary seal; 
 iii. a spacer located above said primary seal; and 
 iv. a force transmitting member configure to transfer an axial load to said primary shaft insert, wherein said primary shaft insert is configured to transfer said axial load radially to said primary seal creating a seal with the walls of said annular space, wherein a notched interface is provided between said bonnet and said body, said interface configured to eliminate the translation of rotational forces to the bonnet. 
   
     
     
       23. The valve of claim 22, wherein said sealing assembly further comprises:
 a. a secondary seal seated above said spacer, wherein said secondary seal has a cavity between its inner circumference and outer circumference configured to receive said secondary shaft insert and a plurality of ribs located on its inner and outer circumference, wherein said ribs are configured to enact a seal with the wall of said annular space; and   b. a secondary shaft insert seated above said spacer, wherein said secondary shaft is configured to fit within said cavity of said secondary seal and to transfer said axial load from said force transmitting radially to said secondary seal creating a seal with the walls of said annular space.