A -- TRACTRIX PLUG VALVE TECHNOLOGIES

Notice Date

March 23, 2001

Contracting Office

Bechtel BWXT Idaho,LLC, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3521

ZIP Code

83415-3521

Solicitation Number

Cbd026

Response Due

April 23, 2001

Point of Contact

Julius Lassiter

E-Mail Address

Julius Lassiter (lassjp@inel.gov)

Description

Tractrix Plug Valve Technologies -- High Leak Resistant Plug Valve. This is a licensing opportunity with Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (BBWI), the prime operating contractor for the Department of Energy at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). BBWI seeks a Licensee for its Tractrix Plug Valve Technologies consisting of Patents: US4878652, US5044606, US5311907, and US5353652. The Tractrix Plug Valve Technology was recognized by R&D Magazine as one of the top 100 technologies of 1999. This technology employs a valve shaped after the tractrix curve which enables even and uniform wear over the mating surfaces of the plug and body. The tractrix curve is unique in that work done along its surface is uniform because the normal forces to the surface are large where the diameter is small, and small where the diameter is large. Frictional wear is proportional to the work done. Thus, the tractrix shape allows the plug and seal of the valve to wear evenly along their surfaces, seating better with age, while preventing leakage. The spring force needed to hold the plug in place is just large enough to prevent leaks around the seat -- no extra spring force is needed to balance internal pressure forces, since this is done by the geometric design. The net result is a very low torque required to open and close the valve -- even lower than a soft seated ball valve of the same size. This technology has been previously licensed resulting in the development and testing of a proto-type valve. The proto-type valve was specifically targeted to the Oil and Gas market, however, it is anticipated this technology is equally applicable to any industry which can benefit from leak resistant plug valves. This is not an opportunity to provide goods or services to BBWI or the Department of Energy. Request for Interest (RFI) will close to response 30 days after publication. Interested parties should send e-mail to lassjp@inel.gov (Julius Lassiter, Senior Account Executive, Technology Transfer & Commercialization, BBWI). If you do not have e-mail access, send regular mail to Julius Lassiter, Senior Account Executive, Technology Transfer & Commercialization, BBWI, P. O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805.

Web Link

Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory (http://www.inel.gov/procurement/litco/index.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010327/ASOL005.HTM (W-082 SN50H206)