Means and method for removal of seat rings in ball valves.

摘要

A ball valve structure has a removable upper cover plate (16) to permit the ball (34) to be removed from the valve body. A separate cam tool (90, Figs. 8-10) after removal of the cover plate is positioned within the bore of the ball which has been partially rotated from the full open position, and upon a return rotation of the ball with the cam tool therein to a full open position an adjacent spring urged seat ring (58) is cammed away from the ball to a retracted position. A seat ring retainer (82) is then actuated to hold the seat ring in the retracted position. The cam tool is then utilized in a similar manner to cam the other opposite seat ring in retracted position. The ball may then be removed with the seat rings for replacement or repair as desired. The seat rings and seals (70) thereon may be removed and replaced in such a manner without removal of the valve from the flowline in which the valve is positioned.