Importance

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Abstract

An improved ball valve assembly is provided for use on firefighting equipment and other applications. The ball valve assembly includes an improved seal assembly which includes both a load bearing seal element and a soft elastomeric seal element. Both seal elements are held in place by a seat member which is accommodated in a recess provided on the inside surface of the seat housing or valve body. The load bearing seal member provides support for the ball element and serves to wipe or remove debris from the ball element before the ball element engages the soft elastomer seal. As a result, the load bearing seal member removes the stress normally imparted to soft elastomer seals utilized in ball valve assemblies. Further, a lubrication fitting and passageways are provided which enable lubricant to be communicated through the housing and through the seal assembly to the ball element. The ball valve assembly may also be connected in-line between conduits using circular clamps thereby enabling the ball valve to be rotated about the central axis of the conduit for versatility in installation and positioning. The lubricant fitting may be incorporated into an overall lubrication system for lubricating other ball valves on the firefighting equipment. The ball valve assembly may also be connected to a relief valve and disposed between a firefighting pump and behind a protective panel or housing thereby disposing both the ball valve and relief valve behind a protective housing as opposed to outside of the housing or the truck body in an exposed position.

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First Claim