FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the Invention:
“SPHERICAL JOINT ARRANGEMENT FOR VALVES”
2. APPLICANT (S) -
(a) Name : UNI KLINGER LIMITED
(b) Nationality : Indian
(c) Address : Liberty Building, 3rd Floor, New Marine Lines,
Mumbai - 400020, Maharashtra, India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a spherical joint arrangement between an actuating element and a closure element for different types of valves used on pipelines in industries where steam, gas and liquids are involved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Valves are used in various types of industries depending upon the nature of application. Depending on the criticality of application, valves such as piston valves, globe valves and gate valves are used on pipelines. Irrespective of the type of valve, every valve has a conventional (collar) type of joint between the actuating element of the valve and the closure element of the valve. The actuating element of a valve is commonly known as a spindle, stem or a shaft. The closure element differs for different kinds of valves. For instance, the closure element for a piston valve is a piston, for a globe valve is a plug and for a gate valve is a gate or a wedge.
When the actuating element of the valve is rotated to engage with the closure element in order to provide complete shut-off, certain misalignments may occur when the vertical X-axis of the actuating element does not coincide with the vertical Y-axis of the closure element. In a conventional joint, these misalignments may result in increased friction between the actuating and closure elements. It would also cause the valve to require a higher torque for operation and would also result in wear and tear of the components in direct contact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The summary is provided herein to introduce concepts related to a spherical joint arrangement for valves and concepts are further described below in the detailed description of the instant invention. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In one implementation, a valve is disclosed. The valve comprises an actuating element. The actuating element is provided with a handwheel. The valve further comprises a closure element. The actuating element and the closure element are removably joint together in a spherical joint arrangement such that a ball provided with the actuating element is removably engaged within a socket provided with the closure element. Further, when the actuating element is rotated, upon rotation of the handwheel, it removably engages with the closure element. Such

engagement of the actuating element and the closure element optimizes error caused due to a vertical misalignment of a vertical X-axis of the actuating element and a vertical Y-axis of the closure element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Some embodiments of apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying figures.
Figure 1 illustrates the problems associated with a conventional joint arrangement between an
actuating element 101 and a closure element 102 of a valve 100;
Figure 2 illustrates spherical joint arrangement for a valve 200;
Figure 3 illustrates a piston valve 300 with a conventional joint arrangement;
Figure 4 illustrates a piston valve 400 with spherical joint arrangement;
Figure 5 illustrates a bellow seal globe valve 500 with a conventional joint arrangement;
Figure 6 shows a bellow seal globe valve 600 with a spherical joint arrangement;
Figure 7 shows a bellow seal gate valve 700A with a conventional joint arrangement;
Figure 8 shows a bellow seal gate valve 800 with a spherical joint arrangement;
Figure 9 shows a high-pressure globe valve 900 with a conventional joint arrangement;
Figure 10 shows a high-pressure globe valve 1000 with a spherical joint arrangement;
Figure 11 shows a high-pressure gate valve 1100 with a conventional joint arrangement;
Figure 12 shows a high-pressure gate valve 1200 with a spherical joint arrangement;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment in the instant invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in

places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments in the present invention.
The present invention describes a spherical joint arrangement between an actuating element (spindle, stem or shaft) and a closure element (piston, plug, gate or wedge) in different types of valves. The spherical joint arrangement described in the present invention overcomes the problems associated with the conventional collar type arrangement.
Figure 1 depicts a valve 100 with conventional joint arrangement. Figure 1(A) depicts a situation where the vertical X-axis of the actuating element 101 coincide with the vertical Y-axis of the closure element 102. However, it may so happen that during the operation of the valve, coincidence between the vertical X-axis of the actuating element 101 and the vertical Y-axis of the closure element 102 gets hampered as shown in figure 1(B). This leads to a misalignment between the actuating element 101 and the closure element 102. As a result, the components in direct contact with the actuating element 101 and the closure element 102 get affected. This misalignment also increases friction between different components and results in large wear and tear of the components in direct contact with each other. The life of the valve is thus reduced appreciably. Also, over time the torque requirement of the valve for its operation also increases.
Figure 2(A) illustrates a valve 200 with spherical joint arrangement designed to overcome the issues arising as a result of misalignment between the vertical X-axis of the actuating element 202 and the vertical Y-axis of the closure element 202. Spherical joints overcome this issue as even if the Axis-X and Axis-Y do not coincide completely, as shown in figure 2(B), the force applied on the closure element 202 will push it straight downward without line contact between mating components. Hence, smooth operation will be achieved and the wear and tear of the components in direct components will be greatly reduced because of reduced friction between components. For example: for a pipe of size 15 NB, the torque requirement for operation of a valve with a conventional joint is 4 Nm, whereas with a Spherical joint arrangement torque required for operation of the valve reduces to 3 Nm. Similarly, for a pipe size of 20 NB torque requirement for operation of a valve with a conventional joint is 5 Nm, whereas with a Spherical joint arrangement torque requirement reduces to 4 Nm. Also, friction force value for a pipe of size15NB with conventional joint is 3.76 N and with Spherical joint, the value of

frictional force reduces considerably to 0.5 N. Similarly, the friction force value for a pipe of size 20 NB with conventional joint is 6.7 N and with Spherical joint is 0.92 N.
Referring now to Figure 3, a piston valve 300 with a conventional joint arrangement is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shut-off assembly of the piston valve comprises of a stainless-steel piston 304, two resilient valve rings – the upper valve ring 308 and the lower valve ring 307 and a ferrous metal lantern bush 305. Sealing of the piston valve 300 occurs at the cylindrical surface of the piston 304 and the corresponding inner surface area of the valve rings 307 and 308. The piston valve 300 further comprises a handwheel 303, that rotates the actuating element (spindle) 306 and provides linear motion to the piston 304. When the piston 304 is completely engaged in the lower valve ring 307, valve 300 provides tight shut-off and no fluid can flow across the valve 300. Also, during the open condition of the valve 300, fluid cannot enter into the bonnet 302 of the valve due to upper valve ring 308. The conventional joint arrangement as zoomed in the view 300A of figure 3 shows the misalignment of the spindle 306 and the piston 304 that occurs during the operation of the valve 300 as it is a rigid arrangement. The misalignment results in increased friction between the mating components, thus increasing the wear and tear of the valve.
This issue is tackled by introducing spherical joint arrangement between the piston 404 and the spindle 406 as shown in figure 4. Due to this arrangement, any error in the vertical alignment of the spindle 406 and the piston 404 can be compensated as seen in the zoomed in view 400A of figure 4 and the spindle 406 can tilt vertically without imparting any stress on the piston 404 sockets. Friction between the mating components is greatly reduced which in turn increases the life of the valve by reducing the wear and tear of the components of the valve 400.
Referring now to Figure 5, a bellow seal globe valve 500 with a conventional joint arrangement is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shut-off assembly of the bellow seal globe valve comprises of a plug 503 and a seat 504. The sealing of the valve 500 takes place due to edge contact between the plug 503 and the seat 504. The bellow seal globe valve 500 further comprises a hand wheel 512. On rotating the hand wheel 512, the yoke sleeve 511 rotates and provides linear motion to the actuating element (stem) 506 and the plug 503. When the plug 503 touches the seat ring 504 completely, valve

500 provides tight shut-off and no fluid can flow across the valve 500. Also, during the open condition of the valve 500, fluid cannot enter into the bonnet 502 of the valve due to the bellow 518 and gland packing 515. The conventional joint arrangement as zoomed in the view 500A of figure 5 shows the misalignment of the stem 506 and the plug 503 that occurs during the operation of the valve 500 as it is a rigid arrangement. The misalignment results in increased friction between the mating components, thus increasing the wear and tear of the valve.
This issue is tackled by introducing spherical joint arrangement between the plug 603 and the stem 606 as shown in figure 6. Due to this arrangement, any error in the vertical alignment of the stem 606 and the plug 603 can be compensated as seen in the zoomed in view 600A of figure 6 and the stem 606 can tilt vertically without imparting any stress on the plug 603 sockets. Friction between the mating components is greatly reduced which in turn increases the life of the valve by reducing the wear and tear of the components of the valve 600.
Referring now to Figure 7, a bellow seal gate valve 700 with a conventional joint arrangement is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shut-off assembly of the bellow seal gate valve comprises of a wedge 707 and a seat 706. The sealing of the valve 700 takes place due to edge contact between the wedge 707 and the seat 706. The bellow seal gate valve 700 further comprises a hand wheel 718. On rotating the hand wheel 718, the actuating element (stem) 708 and the wedge 707 are set in linear motion. When the wedge 707 touches the seat ring 706 completely, valve 700 provides tight shut-off and no fluid can flow across the valve 700. Also, during the open condition of the valve 700, fluid cannot enter into the bonnet 702 of the valve due to the bellow 714 and gland packing 715. The conventional joint arrangement as zoomed in the view 700A of figure 7 shows the misalignment of the stem 708 and the wedge 707 that occurs during the operation of the valve 700 as it is a rigid arrangement. The misalignment results in increased friction between the mating components, thus increasing the wear and tear of the valve.
This issue is tackled by introducing spherical joint arrangement between the stem 808 and the wedge 807 as shown in figure 8. Due to this arrangement, any error in the vertical alignment of the stem 808 and the wedge 807 can be compensated as seen in the zoomed in view 800A of figure 8 and the stem 808 can tilt vertically without imparting any stress on the wedge 807 sockets. Friction between the mating components is greatly reduced which in turn

increases the life of the valve by reducing the wear and tear of the components of the valve 800.
Referring now to Figure 9, a high-pressure globe valve 900 with a conventional joint arrangement is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shut-off assembly of the bellow seal globe valve comprises of a plug 903 and integral seat. The sealing of the valve 900 takes place due to contact between the plug 903 and the seat. The high-pressure globe valve 900 further comprises a hand wheel 918. On rotating the hand wheel 918, the yoke sleeve 915 rotates and provides linear motion to the actuating element (stem) 905 and the plug 903. When the plug 903 touches the seat completely, valve 900 provides tight shut-off and no fluid can flow across the valve 900. Also, during the open condition of the valve 900, fluid cannot enter into the bonnet 902 of the valve due to the gland packing 910. The conventional joint arrangement as zoomed in the view 900A of figure 9 shows the misalignment of the stem 905 and the plug 903 that occurs during the operation of the valve 900 as it is a rigid arrangement. The misalignment results in increased friction between the mating components, thus increasing the wear and tear of the valve.
This issue is tackled by introducing spherical joint arrangement between the plug 1003 and the stem 1005 as shown in figure 10. Due to this arrangement, any error in the vertical alignment of the stem 1005 and the plug 1003 can be compensated as seen in the zoomed in view 1000A of figure 10 and the stem 1004 can tilt vertically without imparting any stress on the plug 1003 sockets. Friction between the mating components is greatly reduced which in turn increases the life of the valve by reducing the wear and tear of the components of the valve 1000.
Referring now to Figure 11, a high-pressure gate valve 1100 with a conventional joint arrangement is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shut-off assembly of the bellow seal gate valve comprises of a wedge 1104 and a seat 1103. The sealing of the valve 1100 takes place due to contact between the wedge 1104 and the seat 1103. The high-pressure gate valve 1100 further comprises a hand wheel 1118. On rotating the hand wheel 1118, the yoke sleeve 1114 rotates. Rotation of the yoke sleeve 1114 provides linear motion to the actuating element (stem) 1105 and the wedge 1104. When the wedge 1104 touches the seat ring 1103 completely, valve 1100 provides tight shut-off and no fluid can flow across the valve 1100. Also, during the open condition of the valve 1100, fluid cannot enter

into the bonnet 1102 of the valve due to the gland packing 1110. The conventional joint arrangement as zoomed in the view 1100A of figure 11 shows the misalignment of the stem 1105 and the wedge 1104 that occurs during the operation of the valve 1100 as it is a rigid arrangement. The misalignment results in increased friction between the mating components, thus increasing the wear and tear of the valve.
This issue is tackled by introducing spherical joint arrangement between the stem 1205 and the wedge 1204 as shown in figure 12. Due to this arrangement, any error in the vertical alignment of the stem 1205 and the wedge 1204 can be compensated as seen in the zoomed in view 1200A of figure 12 and the stem 1205 can tilt vertically without imparting any stress on the wedge 1204. Friction between the mating components is greatly reduced which in turn increases the life of the valve by reducing the wear and tear of the components of the valve 1200.
Although implementations for spherical joint arrangement has been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations of the spherical joint arrangement for different valves.

We Claim:
1. A valve comprises:
an actuating element provided with a handwheel; and a closure element;
wherein the actuating element and the closure element are removably joint together in a spherical joint arrangement such that a ball provided with the actuating element is removably engaged within a socket provided with the closure element,
and wherein when the actuating element, upon rotation of the handwheel, removably engages with the closure element, such engagement optimizes error caused due to a vertical misalignment of a vertical X-axis of the actuating element and a vertical Y-axis of the closure element.
2. The valve as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one of a piston valve, a bellow seal globe valve, a below seal gate valve, a high-pressure globe valve and a high-pressure gate valve.
3. The valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating element comprises at least one of a stem, a spindle or a shaft.
4. The valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure element comprises at least one of a piston of the piston valve, a plug of the bellow seal globe valve, a wedge of the bellow seal gate valve, a plug of the high pressure globe valve and a wedge of the high-pressure gate valve.
5. The valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spherical joint arrangement between the actuating element and the closure element optimizes torque requirement for operation of the valve.
6. The valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spherical joint arrangement between the actuating element and the closure element optimizes friction between the actuating element and the closure element.