Basic Ball Valve Designs

The advantages of quarter-turn ball valves are well established.  Straight-through flow, minimum turbulence, low torque, tight closure and compactness are only a few of many reasons for their wide popularity among users.  Reliable operation, easy maintenance and long-life economy justify their extensive application.  Industrial, chemical, petrochemical, refinery, pulp and paper, gas transmission, water works and sewage, and power plants are utilizing ball valves where other types of valves have proven inadequate.  manufactures a broad line of ball valves for practically any service requirement;  listed below are basic designs.

Capsule types

Both the Hydro Gem and the Gem Valve feature a top-entry capsule design providing easy "in-line" maintenance, if ever required.

The "GEM" ball valve can be readily and practically adapted to a variety of installations on gas, water, and oil lines where fluid temperature is reasonably constant. The nature of its construction together with the replaceable capsule assembly make this valve ideal for tight spot installations. The Buna N two-piece capsule encasing the ball can be replaced without removing the valve from the line with only a screwdriver or small wrench. This inexpensive bronze valve is available in small sizes with screwed or solder-joint ends. It is designed without a packing nut in sizes 3/4-inch and smaller, and with a packing nut in larger sizes.

HYDRO GEM valves offer many of the same fine features as the Gem valve. However, to better meet the demands of "fluctuating temperature" applications, Hydro Gem valves feature a synthetic elastomer capsule compounded especially for water service. This elastoer...ethylene-propylene-terpolymer (commonly known as "EPT")...retains its resiliency and stability over a broad temperature range. All sizes have a bonnet gasket and packing box. Hydro Gem valves are an ideal choice for almost any water application within their pressure-temperature range. They are particularly suitable in water services subject to temperature fluctuations...and are unexcelled for use in hydronic heating/cooling systems.

End entry type

ball valves are the low-cost dependable choice for tough applications in chemical, petroleum, and industrial installations. One-piece body coupled with end entry design virtually eliminates all potential leakage to atmosphere. Internally-loaded TFE (tetrafluoroethylene) seats, one on each side of the ball, are securely retained in the body by one or two threaded ferrules, depending on size. Unique stuffing box design utilizes a packing nut, spring washers, and a gland to maintain a sustained pressure on the packing...assures a tight stem seal. Available in a wide range of sizes in stainless steel, carbon steel or bronze...and with screwed, 150-pound flanged, or 300-pound flanged ends.

Cartridge type

ball valves are excellent shutoff valves for steam, water, and oil, as well as for a wide variety of flammable and hazardous liquids and gases. They control the flow of a multitude of products in industrial and process piping in chemical plants, petroleum lines, utility installations, power plants and general industrial plants. They feature cartridge type seating assemblies which simplify fast-in-line maintenance service. Furnished with screwed ends in stainless steel, carbon steel or bronze in sizes 1/4 through 2-inch.