Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)

&

THE PATENTS RULE, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10, Rule 13]

A VALVE ASSEMBLY

THE SUPREME INDUSTRIES LTD., A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT, 1913, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 4TH FLOOR, “ANTARIKSHA SIGNATURES”, BEHIND NYATI BULILDING, RADHA CHOWK, NEAR RADHA HOTEL 105/1/1/4, BANER, PUNE- 411045, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED
 
A VALVE ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, in an assembled type of uPVC/cPVC ball valve assembly, exact position of seal with ball is very importance for better performance. As this is assembly type of valve, it can be disassembled easily just by rotating seal carrier in anticlockwise direction. Once it is opened and not re-assembled properly, it may leak if seal carrier tightened less, or excess tightening may lead to rotation of handle very difficult. Performance of the ball valve assembly depends on the compression of the seal with ball. If compression is less then valve may leak, if compression is very high then ball rotation will be very difficult. Therefore, compression between the seal and ball should be optimum for good performance. It is being made optimum by applying pre-determined torque using torque tightening machine by manufacturer. However, the seal carrier can be easily removed by rotating in anticlockwise direction by end user. If end user removes seal carrier and then aging fixes it, the exact torque may not be applied which can cause high or low compression between seal and ball.
Presently adhesive is being used at the joint of a valve body and a seal carrier during assembly. Seal carrier and valve body of ball valve assembly need to be joined perfectly to avoid issue of leakage which hampers ball valve reliability and performance. Issue with use of adhesives is expensive need extra process which increases time for assembly. Also using solvent can create aesthetic issues, as solvent may come out during assembly.
Therefore, to avoid reverse rotation of the seal carrier, a positive mechanical locking design needs to be incorporated between body and seal carries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve body having an axis passing therethrough. The valve body includes an internal threading extending along the axis. The valve body also includes a face having a plurality of notches in radial direction of the valve body and extending inwards along the axis. The valve assembly also includes a seal carrier. The seal carrier includes an external threading corresponding to the internal threading of the valve body for rotational engagement with the valve body in a first direction. The seal carrier also includes a collar having at least one tooth in radial direction of the seal carrier and extending outwards along the axis. and the tooth of the seal carrier is corresponding to the notch of the valve body such that engagement of the tooth with the notch prevents rotation of the seal carrier in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
According to the present invention, the notches are uniformly distributed on entire circumference of the vertical face of the valve body.
According to the present invention, the collar of the seal carrier has at least one sector having a plurality of teeth.
According to the present invention, the collar has a pair of sectors positioned diametrically opposite.
According to the present invention, each sector has five teeth.
According to the present invention, adjacent teeth are angularly spaced apart at an angle ranging between 5o to 15o.
According to the present invention, the notch has a trapezoidal shaped profile with one perpendicular edge and another slant edge having slant angle ranging between 10o to 20o.
According to the present invention, the tooth has a trapezoidal shaped profile with one perpendicular edge and another slant edge having a slant angle ranging between 35o to 40o.
According to the present invention, a top land of the tooth is greater than a top land of the notch.
According to the present invention, the valve assembly is a ball valve assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a ball valve assembly, according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve body of the ball valve assembly of FIG. 1, according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 2B illustrates a magnified view of a notch on a vertical face of the valve body, according to the present disclosure
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a seal carrier of the ball valve assembly of FIG. 1, according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the seal carrier, according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 4B illustrates a magnified view of a tooth on a collar of the seal carrier, according to the present disclosure; and
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled valve body and the seal carrier, according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments are provided to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to a person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth relating to specific components to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment” or “in an implementation” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or implementation.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “consists,” “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 illustrates a valve assembly (100), specifically a ball valve assembly (100). The valve assembly (100) includes a valve body (1) having an axis (X1) passing therethrough. The valve body (1) has substantially cylindrical stepped structure. The valve body (1) has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. On upper side of the valve assembly (100), a protrusion is provided for a ball (2) and a stem (3). The ball is seated within the valve body (1) using two seats (6) and O-ring (7) to avoid leakage therethrough. A handle (5) is positioned on top of the stem (3) for selectively operating the valve assembly (100). O-rings (8, 9) are incorporated between the handle (5) and stem (3) to avoid leakage through the stem (3).
The valve body (1) includes an internal threading (10) extending along direction of the axis (X1). The internal threading (10) is disposed proximate the first end. The valve body (1) also includes a face (12) having a plurality of notches (11) in a radial direction of the valve body (1) and extending inwards along the axis (X1). The notches (11) are disposed adjacent to the internal threading (10). Further, the notches (11) are uniformly distributed on entire circumference of the vertical face (12) of the valve body (1).
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the notch (11) has trapezoidal shaped profile with one perpendicular edge and another slant edge opposite to the perpendicular edge. The slant edge has a slant angle (A1) ranging between 10o to 20o. In the illustrated embodiment, the slant edge has the slant angle (A1) of 14o. Range of angle (A1) was calculated by performing various physical trails.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the valve assembly (100) also includes a seal carrier (4). The seal carrier (4) includes an external threading (13) corresponding to the internal threading (10) of the valve body (1) for rotational engagement with the valve body (1) in a first direction (D1). In the illustrated embodiment, the seal carrier (4) has substantially cylindrical shape with an integral collar (14) adjacent to the external threading (13). The seal carrier (4) also includes the collar (14) having at least one tooth (15) in a radial direction of the seal carrier (4) and extending outwards along the axis (X1).
Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a plurality of teeth (15) are positioned on at least one sector of the collar (14) of the seal carrier (4). In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of sectors are positioned diametrically opposite. Each sector of teeth (15) has five teeth (15). It should be noted that the seal carrier (4) may have any number of teeth (15) with any other orientation on the collar (14), without limiting the scope of the present invention.
The tooth (15) has trapezoidal shaped profile with one perpendicular edge and another slant edge opposite to the perpendicular edge. The slant edge has a slant angle (A2) ranging between 35o to 40o. In the illustrated embodiment, the slant edge has the slant angle (A2) of 37o. The adjacent teeth (15) are angularly spaced apart at an angle (A3) ranging between 5o to 15o. In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent teeth (15) are angularly spaced apart at an angle (A3) of 11o. Range of angle (A2) was calculated by performing various physical trails. Value of angle (A2) should be less than 40o, so as to provide easy engagement between tooth (15) and the notch (11). Value of angle (A2) should be more than 35o to provide sufficient top land (L2) for engagement.
Referring to FIG. 5, the engagement of the tooth (15) of the seal carrier (4) with the notch (11) of the valve body (1) prevents rotation of the seal carrier (4) in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction (D1). The profile of tooth (15) is corresponding to the profile of the notch (11). Further, the top land (L2) of the tooth (15) is greater than a top land (L1) of the notch (11), thereby providing an interference fit between the tooth (15) and the notch (11). Moreover, notches (11) being on entire circumference of the vertical face (12), engagement of the teeth (15) and the notches (11) can be done randomly between teeth (15) and notches (11).
This invention provides positive mechanical locking feature between the valve body and the seal carrier to avoid any tempering of the valve assembly at user end. This feature doesn’t allow rotation in anticlockwise of the seal carrier once assembled with the valve body. In present invention, the teeth are provided on seal carrier which engages firmly with the notches provided on the valve body for intact performance. Further, this invention completely eliminates the requirement of any adhesive, thereby saving cost and time for additional processes.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
Any discussion of devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
, Claims:
1. A valve assembly (100) comprising:
a valve body (1) having an axis (X1) passing therethrough, the valve body (1) having:
an internal threading (10) extending along the axis (X1); and
a face (12) having a plurality of notches (11) in radial direction of the valve body (1) and extending inwards along the axis (X1); and
a seal carrier (4) including:
an external threading (13) corresponding to the internal threading (10) of the valve body (1) for rotational engagement with the valve body (1) in a first direction (D1); and
a collar (14) having at least one tooth (15) in radial direction of the seal carrier (4) and extending outwards along the axis (X1), the tooth (15) of the seal carrier (4) is corresponding to the notch (11) of the valve body (1) such that engagement of the tooth (15) with the notch (11)prevents rotation of the seal carrier (4) in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction (D1).

2. The valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notches (11) are uniformly distributed on entire circumference of the vertical face (12) of the valve body (1).

3. The valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the collar (14) of the seal carrier (4) has at least one sector having a plurality of teeth (15).

4. The valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the collar (4) has a pair of sectors positioned diametrically opposite.

5. The valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each sector has five teeth (15).

6. The valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein adjacent teeth (15) are angularly spaced apart at an angle (A3) ranging between 5o to 15o.

7. The valve assembly (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the notch (11) has a trapezoidal shaped profile with one perpendicular edge and another slant edge having a slant angle (A1) ranging between 10o to 20o.

8. The valve assembly (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tooth (15) has a trapezoidal shaped profile with one perpendicular edge and another slant edge having a slant angle (A2) ranging between 35o to 40o.

9. The valve assembly (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a top land (L2) of the tooth (15) is greater than a top land (L1) of the notch (11).

10. The valve assembly (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the valve assembly (100) is a ball valve assembly (100).