A method is provided of custom manufacturing a valve body having an initial valve body configuration having a first end connection and a second end connection. The method includes adding material to the first end connection using a first additive manufacturing process to create at least a portion of a custom first end connection configuration, and the custom first end connection configuration is different than an initial first end connection configuration. The method further includes adding material to the second end connection using a second additive manufacturing process to create at least a portion of a custom second end connection configuration, and the custom second end connection configuration is different than an initial second end connection configuration.

A method is provided of custom manufacturing a valve body having an initial valve body configuration having a first end connection and a second end connection. The method includes adding material to the first end connection using a first additive manufacturing process to create at least a portion of a custom first end connection configuration, and the custom first end connection configuration is different than an initial first end connection configuration. The method further includes adding material to the second end connection using a second additive manufacturing process to create at least a portion of a custom second end connection configuration, and the custom second end connection configuration is different than an initial second end connection configuration.

A reversing valve, and an assembly method of the reversing valve. The reversing valve includes: a main valve including a first valve body and an adapter tube, the first valve body having a first valve cavity, and one end of the adapter tube being in communication with the first valve cavity; a pilot valve including a second valve body and a capillary tube, the second valve body having a second valve cavity, a first end of the capillary tube being in communication with the adapter tube or the first valve cavity, and a second end of the capillary tube being in communication with the second valve cavity; and a sleeve, wherein a side wall of the adapter tube is provided with a first mounting hole in communication with an inner hole of the adapter tube; the first valve body is provided with a second mounting hole in communication with the first valve cavity; the sleeve passes through the first mounting hole or the second mounting hole; and the first end of the capillary tube passes through the sleeve.

A reversing valve, and an assembly method of the reversing valve. The reversing valve includes: a main valve including a first valve body and an adapter tube, the first valve body having a first valve cavity, and one end of the adapter tube being in communication with the first valve cavity; a pilot valve including a second valve body and a capillary tube, the second valve body having a second valve cavity, a first end of the capillary tube being in communication with the adapter tube or the first valve cavity, and a second end of the capillary tube being in communication with the second valve cavity; and a sleeve, wherein a side wall of the adapter tube is provided with a first mounting hole in communication with an inner hole of the adapter tube; the first valve body is provided with a second mounting hole in communication with the first valve cavity; the sleeve passes through the first mounting hole or the second mounting hole; and the first end of the capillary tube passes through the sleeve.

A plumbing fitting that includes: a fitting body having a plurality of ends; and a cover element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium. The body and the cover element are fabricated from a lead-free or low lead, copper or copper-silicon alloy having a thermal conductivity of 45 W/(m*K). Further, the weld has a centerline that is 6.4 mm from the interface and/or a heat affected zone that has an average width 400 m and is spaced from the interface. The plumbing fittings include but are not limited to ball valves, gate valves, elbows, check valves and other fittings without stems.

A method of manufacturing a body of a fluid control apparatus using additive manufacturing, the method including forming an inner wall having an outside surface and an inside surface, an area surrounding an inlet, an area surrounding an outlet, and an area surrounding a fluid flow path, wherein the inner wall provides a fluid boundary and connects the inlet and the outlet. The method further including forming a portion of the inner wall that receives a valve seat, forming a portion of the inner wall that receives a control stem and a control element, and forming a lattice structure by depositing a solidifiable material onto the inner wall in a predetermined pattern, wherein the lattice structure is three-dimensional and includes a plurality of connected lattice members.

A plumbing fitting that includes: a fitting body having a plurality of ends; and a cover element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium. The body and the cover element are fabricated from a lead-free or low lead, copper or copper-silicon alloy having a thermal conductivity of 45 W/(m*K). Further, the weld has a centerline that is 6.4 mm from the interface and/or a heat affected zone that has an average width 400 m and is spaced from the interface. The plumbing fittings include but are not limited to ball valves, gate valves, elbows, check valves and other fittings without stems.

A flange assembly comprises an annular mounting ring and a gate. The annular mounting ring is configured to be welded to the equipment and to connect an air cannon thereto. The mounting ring comprises threaded bolt holes and a slot and encircles a fluid passageway. The gate comprises a blocking portion that is frangibly connected to a flange portion. The gate is at least partially insertable through the slot such that the blocking portion is able to at least partially prevent fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The flange portion is configured to be securely attached to the annular mounting ring after the blocking portion of the gate has been frangibly disconnected from the flange portion.

The sliding parts, the guides and interlocking portions of the interlocking guides and slides of a slide valve are all disposed away from a flow path through the valve. Additionally, the portions of the interlocking guide on the slide or disc of the valve that interlock with the guide on an orifice plate are connected to the slide or disc by welds instead of bolts, greatly increasing durability. As the slide or disc moves in and out to control the flow rate precisely, the guides of the slide or disc move with it. Because the sliding surfaces of the orifice plate and the slide or disc are outside of the flow path, they are consequently not subjected to erosion from the flow through the valve. Accordingly, all critical sliding surfaces are not exposed to the flow path and are greatly increased in durability.

The invention provides a control valve which makes the downsizing and the weight reduction possible and a method of manufacturing the same. The control valve is provided with a valve main body in which a valve chamber is formed in its inner portion, a connection member which is firmly fixed to the valve main body, and a can which is firmly fixed to the valve main body. The valve main body and the can include the same metal material. The connection member is made of a resin. The connection member is provided with a fastening portion for connecting piping parts.