Pendulum valve assemblies and seal rings

Abstract

Valve assemblies are disclosed including a housing having a flow channel and an annular surface surrounding the flow channel, a slide plate movable to a closed position, and a seal ring positioned between the annular surface and the slide plate. The seal ring can include first and second sides, a first surface extending between the sides and facing towards the annular surface of the housing, and a second surface axially spaced from the first surface and extending between the first and the second sides and facing towards the slide plate. The second surface can include a continuous annular sealing portion for contacting the slide plate when the seal ring is biased against the slide plate so that a fluid-tight seal can be formed between the continuous annular sealing portion and the slide plate, and at least one passageway positioned between the annular sealing portion and the second side.

1 . A valve assembly comprising: 
 a housing having a flow channel having an inlet and an outlet;    a seal ring positioned between the inlet and the outlet and including, 
 opposing first and second sides,  
 a first surface extending between the first and the second sides and facing towards the inlet of the housing,  
 a second surface axially spaced from the first surface and extending between the first and the second sides and facing towards the outlet of the housing, wherein the second surface includes a continuous annular sealing portion and at least one passageway positioned between the annular sealing portion and the second side.  
   
   
   
       2 . A valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second surface of the seal ring includes a plurality of the passageways positioned between the annular sealing portion and the second side.  
   
   
       3 . A valve assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the passageways are of equal size and are successively spaced in an annular pattern about the second surface of the seal ring.  
   
   
       4 . A valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the passageway of the seal ring extends between the second surface of the seal ring and the second side of the seal ring.  
   
   
       5 . A valve assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the passageway of the seal ring comprises a depression in the second surface of the seal ring that extends to the second side of the seal ring.  
   
   
       6 . A valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the passageway of the seal ring comprises a depression in the second surface of the seal ring positioned between the second side of the seal ring and the annular sealing portion of the second surface.  
   
   
       7 . A valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the passageway of the seal ring extends between the second surface of the seal ring and the first surface of the seal ring.  
   
   
       8 . A valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal ring has a nipple extending from the first surface of the seal ring.  
   
   
       9 . A valve assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the nipple has an annular groove in an outer surface of the nipple, and an o-ring is located in the groove, and wherein the annular sealing portion of the second surface of the seal ring has an annular groove, and an o-ring is located in the groove.  
   
   
       10 . A valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the annular sealing portion of the second surface of the seal ring has an annular groove, and an o-ring is located in the groove.  
   
   
       11 . A seal ring comprising: 
 opposing first and second sides,    a first surface extending between the first and the second sides,    a second surface axially spaced from the first surface and extending between the first and the second sides, wherein the second surface includes a continuous annular sealing portion and at least one passageway positioned between the annular sealing portion and the second side.    
   
   
       12 . A seal ring according to  claim 11 , wherein the second surface includes a plurality of the passageways positioned between the annular sealing portion and the second side.  
   
   
       13 . A seal ring according to  claim 12 , wherein the passageways are of equal size and are successively spaced in an annular pattern about the second surface.  
   
   
       14 . A seal ring according to  claim 11 , wherein the passageway extends between the second surface and the second side.  
   
   
       15 . A seal ring according to  claim 14 , wherein the passageway comprises a depression in the second surface that extends to the second side.  
   
   
       16 . A seal ring according to  claim 11 , wherein the passageway comprises a depression in the second surface of the seal ring positioned between the second side and the annular sealing portion.  
   
   
       17 . A seal ring according to  claim 11 , wherein the passageway extends between the second surface and the first surface.  
   
   
       18 . A seal ring according to  claim 11 , further comprising a nipple extending from the first surface.  
   
   
       19 . A seal ring according to  claim 18 , wherein the nipple has an annular groove receiving an o-ring, and the annular sealing portion of the second surface has an annular groove receiving an o-ring.