Self-aligning valve seal

Abstract

A valve includes a valve body, a valve seat, and a poppet assembled with the valve body. The poppet includes an axially extending poppet stem and a radially extending poppet sealing surface. The poppet is axially movable between a closed position and an open position. The poppet sealing surface is defined by a sealing member disposed on the poppet stem. The sealing member is laterally movable on the poppet stem. When the poppet is moved from the open position to the closed position, the sealing member is laterally moved to align the sealing surface with the seating surface.

1 . A valve, comprising:
 a valve body comprising a fluid flow path between an inlet port and an outlet port;   a valve seat retained within the valve body, the valve seat surrounding an axially extending portion of the flow path; and   a poppet assembled with the valve body, the poppet including an axially extending poppet stem and a radially extending poppet sealing surface, the poppet being axially movable between a closed position in which the poppet sealing surface seals against a seating surface of the valve seat to prevent fluid flow through the longitudinally extending portion of the flow path, and an open position in which the poppet sealing surface axially separates from the valve seat to permit fluid flow through the axially extending portion of the flow path;   wherein the valve seat is laterally movable within the valve body, wherein when the poppet is moved from the open position to the closed position, the valve seat is laterally moved to align the seating surface with the poppet sealing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the valve seat comprises an annular member disposed within an annular cavity of the valve body, the annular sealing member having an outer diameter that is sized to permit lateral movement of the sealing member with respect to the annular cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The valve of  claim 2 , further comprising a gasket seal disposed between the valve seat and the annular cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The valve of  claim 3 , wherein the gasket seal is disposed in an annular groove in the valve seat. 
     
     
         5 . The valve of  claim 2 , wherein the annular cavity is partially defined by a radially inward extending cuff. 
     
     
         6 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the poppet sealing surface has a continuous circumferential profile along an outer diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The valve of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator assembled with the valve body to control axial movement of the poppet between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
         8 . The valve of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator comprises a poppet driving mechanism assembled with the poppet stem and a biasing mechanism that applies a biasing force to an upper surface of the poppet driving mechanism to bias the poppet toward one of the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         9 . The valve of  claim 8 , wherein the poppet biasing mechanism is configured to be biased toward the other of the open and closed positions by fluid pressure applied to a lower surface of the poppet driving mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The valve of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid pressure applied to the lower surface of the poppet driving mechanism is downstream from the poppet. 
     
     
         11 . The valve of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing mechanism biases the poppet toward the open position. 
     
     
         12 . The valve of  claim 8 , wherein the poppet driving mechanism comprises at least one of a diaphragm and a piston. 
     
     
         13 . The valve of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises at least one of a spring and a pressurized chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the poppet sealing surface is frustoconical. 
     
     
         15 . A valve, comprising:
 a valve body comprising a fluid flow path between an inlet port and an outlet port;   a valve seat surrounding an axially extending portion of the flow path; and   a poppet assembled with the valve body, the poppet including upper and lower portions laterally fixed in the valve body, and a radially extending poppet sealing surface disposed on a central portion of the poppet between the laterally fixed upper and lower portions, the poppet being axially movable between a closed position in which the poppet sealing surface seals against a seating surface of the valve seat to prevent fluid flow through the longitudinally extending portion of the flow path, and an open position in which the poppet sealing surface axially separates from the seating surface of the valve seat to permit fluid flow through the axially extending portion of the flow path;   wherein the valve seat is laterally movable with respect to the poppet sealing surface, and wherein when the poppet is moved from the open position to the closed position, the valve seat is laterally moved to align the poppet sealing surface with the valve seating surface.   
     
     
         16 . The valve of  claim 15 , wherein the valve seat comprises an annular member disposed within an annular cavity of the valve body, the annular sealing member having an outer diameter that is sized to permit lateral movement of the sealing member with respect to the annular cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The valve of  claim 16 , further comprising a gasket seal disposed between the valve seat and the annular cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The valve of  claim 17 , wherein the gasket seal is disposed in an annular groove in the valve seat. 
     
     
         19 . The valve of  claim 16 , wherein the annular cavity is partially defined by a radially inward extending cuff. 
     
     
         20 . The valve of  claim 15 , wherein the poppet sealing surface has a continuous circumferential profile along an outer diameter.