BACKGROUND ART A valve is most commonly a mechanical device that regulates the flow of gases, liquids, or loose materials by blocking and uncovering openings. Typically a valve is used to regulate or control fluid flowing across a device or juncture. A valve may be positioned such that the flow across the openings is wide open, completely closed or any position in between. In fact, an important development in valves was the invention of a valve that could be selectively opened in a plurality of positions from wide open to closed.

This variety of valves has been used for controlling the throttle of a flow of fluid. Most throttle control valves are operated by a sliding stem or a rotary action. These sliding stem or rotary valves have been actuated by mechanical, electrical or pneumatic means. However, the maj ority of presently available rotary valves employ many components. These many components are often subject to time consuming, labor intensive and expensive repair. Examples of some of the components are rotary link arms, rotary shafts, and diaphragm rods.

Further, and common in the art is a right angle gear or a rack and pinion gear. These gears have been used for a long time in the prior art for purported conversion of a rotational force into a linear force. Prior art devices such as U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,265,173; 4,018,097; 4,046,210; 4,050,534; 4,263,834; and 4,651,587 utilize a pinion gear for right angle drive trains and for heavy duty drive axles. These different gears are configured for different gear ratios and may have different number of teeth for different required torque. However, these gears do not truly convert a rotational motion into a linear motion.

Other examples of the prior art include U.S. Pat No. 4,611,630 which discloses a choke valve with an internal cylinder and an external sleeve. The sleeve is controlled by a hydraulic control mechanism for opening and closing the ports. However, the valve is not opened and closed with the translation of rotational motion to linear motion. A drive shaft is fixed with a pin that is off center and is positioned within a slot of a carrier plate.. When the drive shaft is rotated the carrier plate is rotatably moved back and forth.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,623,966 discloses a choke for controlling the flow of fluid through a body having a fluid outlet. A rotatable handle is attached to a rotatable inner sleeve that moves from a position obscuring an opening to a position not obscuring the opening. The valve does not translate rotary motion to linear motion.

Accordingly the art does not have a valve that translates a rotational force into a linear force for selective operation of a valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein: Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. la is an illustration of an embodiment of a valve for Fig. 1.

Fig. lb is an illustration of flow across a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention when the embodiment is in an open position.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a valve in an in-line arrangement.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention from a perspective at a 90 degree rotation from that in Fig. 1.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Various embodiments of the invention will be described in the following paragraphs.

Different reference numerals have been used in each illustration in an effort to more clearly define the invention. However, the different reference numerals when applied to common parts in the different illustrations do not indicate that the parts are not the same and not describing a common invention. The different reference numerals represent the scope of the invention and are not meant to limit the embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, in particular Fig. 1. Fig. 1, a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention, is illustrative of a general construction of an embodiment of the valve. Generally, a valve of an embodiment of this invention is formed from the interaction of a cage 3 and sleeve 4 within a housing 1..

In an embodiment, housing 1 surrounds the valve and provides a cavity 21 or an interior portion around at least a portion of the exterior surface of the cage 3. In a preferred embodiment, housing 1 is composed of a material such as tungsten carbide, steel, iron, aluminum or plastic.

However, any other material common in the art may be used such as copper, lead, silver or ceramics. Housing 1 generally has at least one opening. In a preferred embodiment, housing 1 provides a cavity 21 that is sealed around an opening la and an opening lb.

In a preferred embodiment, housing 1 is composed of separate pieces. In a most preferred embodiment, housing 1 has a bonnet 2. A bonnet 2 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally circular in shape with a sufficient thickness to withstand a pressure of a substance that the valve will handle such as petroleum products, water, steam, natural gas, and other gases, emulsions and liquids. Preferably, but not necessarily, the bonnet 2 is composed of a material such as steel, tungsten carbide, aluminum, iron or plastic. Bonnet 2 may be secured to housing 1 by bolts or fasteners common in the art. In a preferred embodiment, bonnet 2 is bolted to housing 1 with bolts 14 and nuts 15. In an embodiment, the bolts 14 and nuts 15 are positioned around the edge of bonnet 2 and assisting in forming a seal between housing 1 and bonnet 2. In another embodiment, a bonnet seal 16 may used between the housing 1 and the bonnet 2 to effectuate a seal that may prevent a substance from passing out of cavity 21 between the housing 1 and bonnet 2. Bonnet seal 16 may be composed of any material common in the art. In a preferred embodiment, bonnet seal 16 is a metal gasket. A preferred metal to use is stainless steal, however various other metals such as tungsten carbide, iron or aluminum also work. Other preferred materials include rubber, plastic and like compounds and substances.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a stem 9 extends through the housing 1 into cavity 21. In a most preferred embodiment, stem 9 extends through bonnet 2 via a hole or passageway, generally the size of stem 9, and engages sleeve 4 along a lower end 9b of stem 9.

In a preferred embodiment, the manner of engagement of lower end 9b with sleeve 4 is through a rack 23, secured to sleeve 4, and pinion (not shown in this figure) gear along sleeve 4. In the preferred embodiment the rack 23 is fixedly connected to sleeve 4. As the stem 9 is rotated the pinion is rotated causing linear movement of the rack 23 and general corresponding movement of sleeve 4. In a preferred embodiment, sleeve 4 is connected to rack 23 such that rotation of pinion (not shown) causes the movement of both rack 23 and sleeve 4. In a most preferred embodiment rack 23 is removably attached to sleeve 4 to allow different sized racks with different numbers of teeth to be inserted. Further, the present invention envisions a pinion that may be fixedly connected to stem 9 or removably attached to stem 9 to allow different sized pinions with different numbers of teeth to be inserted.

In a preferred embodiment, stem 9 may utilize bearings 10, stem packing 18, and bushing 17 positioned on or around the stem to more easily allow rotation of stem 9. In a most preferred embodiment bushing 17 is positioned circumferentially around the stem 9 between stem 9 and bonnet 2 as stem 9 extends from cavity 21 into bonnet 2 and bushing 17 may be positioned circumferentially around stem 9 between stem 9 and bonnet 2 where stem 9 extends above bonnet 2. Further, stem packing 18 may be positioned between bonnet 2 and stem 9. In a preferred embodiment, stem packing 18 is positioned between bonnet 2 and stem 9, as stem 9 passes through bonnet 2. In a most preferred embodiment, stem 9 utilizes a circumferentially surrounding bearing 10 between stem 9 and indicatorhead 12 to facilitate a movement of stem 9. In a most preferred embodiment, the movement of stem 9 is rotation.

Referring to Fig. la, an illustration of an embodiment of a valve for Fig. 1, in which a rack and pinion gear is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, Cage 61 is circumferentially surrounded by sleeve 63. However, other embodiments of the present invention contemplate a sleeve not circumferentially surrounding the cage. In a preferred embodiment, sleeve 63 has a rack 64 in communication with a pinion 62 such that as the pinion is rotated the rack 64 is moved in a linear manner selectively obscuring or revealing port 65 dependent upon the rotation of pinion 62 and selected movement of rack 64. In a most preferred embodiment, cage 61 has an flared end 66 having closed end 61 a to limit the linear motion of sleeve 63. It may be noted that as the pinion 62 is rotated the cams 62a applies force along cams 64a such that sleeve 63 is translated linearly. A rack 64 with a plurality of teeth and a pinion 62 has a plurality of offsetting teeth such that the teeth of rack 64 and pinion 62 may interact and convert the rotational motion of the pinion to linear motion of the rack. A most preferred embodiment utilizes a rack with five teeth and a pinion with four teeth for meshing engagement ; however, the exact number of teeth on either the rack or pinion is discretionary.

Further, other embodiments of the gearing system are contemplated such as a right angle gear. In this embodiment, not illustrated, the right angle gear is applied to sleeve 63 to obtain the linear translational motion. Further embodiments include gears operated with the assistance of cams. Generally, the rack 64 and pinion 62 are constructed such that a 90 degree rotation of stem 9 (not shown in this figure) will move sleeve 63 from a position where port 65 is obscured to a position where port 65 is not obscured. In a most preferred embodiment, a 90 degree rotation of a stem moves the rack and sleeve opening and closing the valve such that fluid may flow across port 65 in one position but not flow in another position. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, port 65 or ports may be any shape and remain within the principles of the present invention, for instance circular, trapezoidal, quadrangular, and triangular.

Referring back to Fig. 1, in the preferred embodiment, upper end 9a of stem 9 extends above the bonnet 2. In a more preferred embodiment a handle 13 is attached to the upper end 9a of stem 9. Handle 13 may be used to rotate stem 9. Circumscribing a portion of stem 9 may also be an indicatorhead 12. Indicatorhead 12 may be calibrated with markings to indicate a plurality of positions handle 13 may be rotated. In a most preferred embodiment indicatorhead 12 is marked to indicate an open and a closed position. In another most preferred embodiment, a bearing 10 may used to facilitate rotation of handle 13. A preferred placement of bearing 10 is in circumferential contact with stem 9. Bearing 10 facilitates the rotation of stem 9 thereby reducing the force required on handle 13 to move sleeve 4. l. Referring further to Fig. 1, cage 3 is generally of a tubular structure. In a preferred embodiment, cage 3 has a closed end 3a and an open end 3c. Cage 3 is generally secured within cavity 21 of housing 1 such that the open end 3c of cage 3 is in communication with an opening 22 in housing 1. Cage 3 may be secured to housing 1 by any means common in the art. Preferred embodiments utilize threads, pins sleeves, or shoulders to attach cage 3 to housing 1. In a preferred embodiment, cage 3 is sealedly connected to housing 1 about opening lb. In a most preferred embodiment, cage 3 is removably attached to housing 1 about opening lb by threads.

However, the manner of attachment may be by any means common in the art such as by bolts, adhesive or the like. In this preferred embodiment, a portion of housing 1 near opening lb is threaded and a retainernut 8 is attached to sleeve 4 along an end proximate to opening lb by any means common in the art, for example, threads, welds, bolts, glue, and others. Additionally, retainernut 8 may be threaded along a portion of retainernut 8, preferably along an outer surface such that retainernut 8 may be threadedly engaged with housing 1 near opening lb. The engagement is such that a seal is preferably formed between cage 3 and housing 1.

Referring further to Fig. 1, sleeve 4 circumferentially surrounds cage 3 such that sleeve 4 translates linearly along the cage 3 to a plurality of positions in such a manner that sleeve 4 in a first position will obscure port or ports 20 either totally or partially and in a second position will totally obscure port 20 and sealingly prevent flow of a substance across port 20. In the preferred embodiment, the method of translation is linear movement along cage 3. Sleeve 4 may include a seal 19 extending between sleeve 4 and cage 3 in a circumferential manner or seal 4 may be located about cage 3 at areas where a substance may pass. In a preferred embodiment, a notch 4a may be cut or formed into sleeve 4 and a ring-seal 19 may be placed in notch 4a. In a most preferred embodiment, ring-seal 19 extends circumferentially in contact with sleeve 4 and cage 3 to form a seal. However, ring-seal 19 is not necessary for the present invention to function.

Additionally, the preferred embodiment has an insert 5 along sleeve 4. In a most preferred embodiment, insert 5 is removably attached to sleeve 4 and positioned in circumferential contact with cage 3 and sleeve 4 at a portion of sleeve 4 proximate to port 20. Insert 5 may be constructed of any material common in the art. In a preferred embodiment, insert 5 is constructed of metal, such as iron, steel, tungsten carbide or aluminum. However, other embodiments incorporate plastic and rubber as insert 5.

Referring now to Fig. lb, then is illustrated a flow across a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention when the valve is in an open position. It may be seen that the placement of port 25 is critical in the longevity of the cage 24 and housing 26 because a proper placement of port or ports 20 will reduce impingement on the valve and valve body's surfaces.

In a most preferred embodiment, a plurality of ports 20, for example, four ports 25 are arranged circumferentially around a periphery of cage 24 to reduce impingement on housing 26 and cage 24. In a most preferred embodiment, at least one group of four ports 25 is arranged around a circumferential line equidistant from each other such that the flow across the ports 25 is directed substantially across the lateral external surface of cage 24 and into ports 25, thereby reducing the impingement of the flow upon the rounded-off end 3a of cage 24 and housing 26. In a most preferred embodiment, there is more than one group of four ports 25 in adjacent circumferential alignment allowing 360 degree fill of housing 26 about cage 24. Placement of ports 25 can be done selectively, but is preferrably directly related to the contemplated amount of impingement on cage 24 and housing 26.

An embodiment of the present invention further reduces impingement of the cage 24 and housing 26 by placement of sleeve 27, in Fig. lb. In a preferred embodiment, a substance, most commonly a fluid, may enter an embodiment of the valve assembly at opening 29 and generally flow as shown by the flowpath 28 through housing 26, across port 25, into cage 24 and out opening 3 0. A most preferred embodiment reduces impingement of the valve by both placement of four ports 25, as described above, and placement of sleeve 27. Sleeve 27 may be positioned along an exterior surface and/or an interior surface (not shown) of cage 24 such that flowpath 28 of the substance may enter port 25 before flowing across sleeve 27. Placement of sleeve 27 such that the flowpath 28 of the fluid may enter port 25 before flowing across sleeve 27 reduces the impingement on sleeve 27, thereby reducing the wear and tear of a fluid flowing across sleeve 27. This reduction of impingement on a sleeve 27 will allow for increased valve life because the necessary components of embodiments of the present invention will not be prematurely destroyed from impingement. The placement of the ports as herein described best allows for an equal, uninterrupted, non-turbulent flow of the substance across the ports and reduces impingement on the valve.

Referring again to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, in the closed position, sleeve 4 forms a seal with cage 3 that will not allow a substance to pass across port 20 and into cage 3. In a preferred embodiment, the seal may be a metal to metal seal. However, in another preferred embodiment, an insert 5 may be used to form a seal. Generally, cage 3 may be shaped in a tubular fashion. A preferred embodiment of cage 3 is in a generally tubular shape. In a most preferred embodiment, the generally tubular shape of cage 3 has a flared end 3b located near the closed end 3a of cage 3.

. The flared end 3b may be a small sharp rise in the circumferential surface of cage 3 such that sleeve 4 is restricted from translational motion towards closed end 3 a after abutting the flared end 3b on cage 3. Further, a flared end 3b may help to seal cage 3 and sleeve 4 when sleeve 4 is abutting flared end 3b and aid in preventing a substance from crossing port 20 from cavity 21 of housing 1. In a most preferred embodiment, flared end 3b may operate as a mechanical stop for the linear motion of sleeve 4.

Preferably, an embodiment of the invention is connected at opening la and opening lb to a fluid supply and delivery system such that the new and improved valve may be used as a control valve. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid in the open position flows from opening 1 a into cavity 21. A selected amount of fluid may be allowed to flow into and out the cavity within the interior of the cage 24 merely by rotating the handle 13. Movement of handle 13 may cause rotation of stem 9 and a pinion (not shown in Fig. 1) along a rack (not shown in Fig. 1) connected to a sleeve 4 thereby moving the sleeve 4 to selectively obscure port 20.

Referring now to Fig. 2, there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of a valve in an in- line arrangement, it may be noted that embodiments of the present invention contemplate different configurations. It may also be noted that handle 44 of this embodiment is a bar extending from a stem 35. Other embodiments of a handle envision circular plates or circular frames. As well, the stem or gear may be operated by any mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic means common in the art. A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes an electric motor to rotate the stem 35 or gear to a plurality of positions.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 is especially suited for industrial applications where an operator may desire to control the flow of a substance across a valve. A substance most commonly will enter opening 31 a and flow into cavity 50. An operator may selectively allow a certain amount of the substance to pass through port or ports 51 by turning stem 35. In a preferred embodiment, stem 35 is in communication with cage 37 via a sleeve carrier 36 and passes through a bonnet 32 attached to body 31 with bonnet bolting 45. The sleeve carrier 36 is most commonly fitted with a pinion with teeth. However, the specific number of teeth is unimportant and varying numbers are within embodiments of this invention. The pinion located on sleeve carrier 36 is in further communication with a rack or cam (not shown) along cage 37 whereas the rotating of stem 35 rotates the pinion and translates the sleeve in a generally linear fashion. The rotating of stem 35 is facilitated by the handle 44 attached to stem 35 by indicatorhead or bolt 43. To further facilitate the rotation of stem 35 a stem packing 34 may be utilized and a thrust bearing 49. As the sleeve cage 37 is translated along sleeve 40, port or ports 51 are exposed and the substance may flow through port or ports 51 into an interior portion of sleeve 40 and out opening 3 lb.

To improve a seal between stem 35, bonnet 32, sleeve 37 and body 31 various seals may be utilized. A bonnet seal 32 may be positioned along an edge of the connection of bonnet 32 and body 31. The seal along stem 35 and bonnet 32 may be effectuated by the thrust bearing 49 and/or sleeve carrier 36. The seal between cage 37, sleeve 40 and sleeve carrier 36 may be improved by a sleeve seal 41. Sleeve seal 41 is most commonly a gasket positioned circumferentially around cage 37 between sleeve carrier 36 and cage 37.

To facilitate the connection of cage 37 to body 31 a cage retainer 42 may be used. The cage 37 is typically threadedly connected to the cage retainer 42, but may be bolted or attached in another manner. To assist in the maintenance of a seal between cage retainer 42 and body 31 a split ring 39 and spacer 38.

Various other embodiments of this valve include in Fig. 2 include such features as indicator plates 47, to indicate the position of the valve or handle; spacer 48 spacing the handle 44; retaining ring 46 for assisting to attach the handle 44 and spacer 48.

Referring now to Fig. 3, in a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention from a perspective 90 degrees different than Fig. 1, cavity 46 is more easily shown and depicted. It may be observed that as a substance, most commonly a fluid, enters at opening 44 it will substantially fill cavity 46 and enter port 47 and flow towards outlet 45. It may be observed that as sleeve 42 is moved further away from a closed end of cage 40, port 47 will be larger and allow more fluid to pass into the interior of cage 40.

The present invention further encompasses a method of translating a rotational force into a linear force to cause a sleeve to selectively open and close a port along a valve. The method comprising : obtaining a valve, the valve having a housing, the housing having an interior cavity, an exterior portion and an entry point; a cage; the cage having an open end and a closed end; the open end in communication with the exterior portion of the housing, at least one port, an interior portion, an exterior surface and an interior surface, the port positioned about a periphery of the exterior surface such that the port allows communication from the housing to the interior portion of the cage whereby impingement of the interior surface of the cage is minimized, and a sleeve disposed about the cage; flowing a fluid to the valve; and, translating a rotational force into a linear force to cause the sleeve to move along the cage, the sleeve selectively moving from a position exposing at least a portion of the port to a position not exposing the at least a portion of the port The invention and method associated with this invention fully contemplates all gears capable of a translating rotational force into a linear force such as a rack and pinion whereby as the pinion is rotated the rack is translated to a plurality of positions. Further, the invention and method associated with this patent contemplate the fluid or substance flowed across the valve to be any liquid or gaseous substance with a viscosity low enough to move across the ports such as a petroleum product, resin, liquid and colloidal fluid.

While a single embodiment has been shown and described, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made and will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the embodiments described above were for in-line valves while the present invention operates in conjunction with all angles of connection and is specifically contemplated for such operations.