US 12,486,905 B2
Cryogenic valves with modular extended stems
Daniel Richard Hutchinson, Bethlehem, PA (US); and David Michael Rakos, Lehighton, PA (US)
Assigned to Acme Cryogenics, Inc., Allentown, PA (US)
Filed by Acme Cryogenics, Inc., Allentown, PA (US)
Filed on Feb. 2, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/431,322.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/482,931, filed on Feb. 2, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0263708 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. F16K 3/24 (2006.01); F16K 1/02 (2006.01); F16K 3/30 (2006.01); F16K 27/02 (2006.01); F16K 31/46 (2006.01); F16K 31/60 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 3/246 (2013.01) [F16K 1/02 (2013.01); F16K 3/30 (2013.01); F16K 27/02 (2013.01); F16K 31/46 (2013.01); F16K 31/60 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cryogenic valve, comprising:
a valve body;
a bonnet coupled to the valve body and including an inner bonnet surface;
a plug;
a handle;
a plurality of stem assemblies stacked axially between and operatively connecting the handle and the plug, wherein the plurality of stem assemblies include:
an upper stem assembly operatively connected to the handle and including a first downward-facing connector;
a lower stem assembly connected to the plug and including a first upward-facing connector; and
one or more modular stem assemblies extending between the upper and lower stem assemblies, each of the one or more modular stem assemblies includes:
a stem including an upper end and a lower end;
an upper disk connector coupled to the upper end of the stem, wherein the upper disk connector defines a modular upward-facing connector for securely coupling to another of the plurality of stem assemblies, wherein the upper disk connector has a first outer radial surface defined by an outer diameter to slidably engage the inner bonnet surface; and
a lower disk connector coupled to the lower end of the stem, wherein the lower disk connector includes a modular downward-facing connector for securely coupling to another of the plurality of stem assemblies, wherein the lower disk connector has a second outer radial surface defined by the outer diameter to slidably engage the inner bonnet surface,
wherein the first downward-facing connector of the upper stem assembly is identical to the modular downward-facing connector of each of the one or more modular stem assemblies.