A combination control and check valve assembly for a wet piping system includes a control valve in the form of a ball valve and a one-way check valve mounted within the flow pathway of the ball valve. A valve actuation assembly is mounted to the valve assembly to selectively rotate the ball valve between the open and closed positions thereof. The valve actuation assembly is mounted to a first side of the valve assembly and rotationally fixed to the ball, whereby rotation of the valve actuation assembly rotates the ball between the open and closed positions. A side opening is formed in a second side of the valve assembly that is angularly spaced from the first side. The side opening is positioned to align with the fluid flow pathway of the ball valve in the closed position thereof to provide access to the check valve.

A ball valve that includes a ball comprising an integrally formed single-component body that defines an external surface; a fluid passage extending through the body, the fluid passage defining an internal surface; and a plurality of internal chambers formed within the body, each internal chamber of the plurality of internal chambers being spaced from the external surface and being spaced from the internal surface; wherein when the ball is subjected to one or more stresses, a stress concentration is created within a release-by-milling zone of the single-component body, the release-by-milling zone being adjacent to the plurality of internal chambers. The ball is at least partially manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

Process for the production of a component of valves, of fittings or of tap assemblies, including steps of providing a metal substrate, (electro-)depositing a first layer of copper on at least a portion of the metal substrate, and (electro-)depositing, on at least a portion of the first layer of copper and in direct contact therewith, a second shiny layer of chrome to obtain said component. A valve or tap assembly component made according to the aforesaid method.

A ball for use within a ball valve includes an outer wall, an inner wall that defines a central bore, and a lattice structure positioned within an interior space defined between the outer wall and the inner wall. The ball may include one or more flow conditioners positioned within the central bore. The ball may be formed via an additive manufacturing process.

A ball installed in a ball valve is provided. The ball includes: a ball main body including a penetrating hole penetrating from a front portion to a rear portion thereof and having a predetermined diameter, and a concave recess formed on an upper portion thereof to be coupled to a stem of the ball valve; and insert members coupled to a left side and a right side of the ball main body, wherein the insert members are coupled to the ball main body, such that, when the ball is installed in the ball valve and is placed in a position for closing the ball valve, each of the insert members covers a region of the ball contacting a seat of the ball valve, wherein the insert members are formed of a super hardness material.

A method of sealing a metal retainer to a metal valve body that includes the steps of applying a soldering paste in a predetermined amount to the threads of a threaded retainer and threading the retainer into the threads of a threaded opening in the valve. The retainer is heated to a temperature sufficient to liquefy and disperse the soldering paste into spaces between the threads of the retainer and the threads of the opening in the valve to thereby achieve an adhesive seal.

Bearings and valves are provided that include diamond engagement surfaces that are engaged with opposing, metal engagement surfaces that include diamond solvent-catalyst. Also provided are methods of making and using the bearings and valves.

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 wastegate actuator assembly includes a regulating rod, an arm, and a shaft. The regulating rod includes a proximate end region and a distal end region wherein the proximate end region of the regulating rod may be connected to an actuator. The arm includes a first end region and a second end region. The first end region is pivotally coupled to the distal end region of the regulating rod via a crank pin, a first cup spring, and a second cup spring wherein the first and second cup springs retain a solid lubricant substantially around the crank pin. The regulating rod may move in a linear fashion causing the arm and the shaft to rotate so as to move a wastegate cover connected to the shaft from a closed wastegate duct position (toward the wastegate duct) to an open wastegate duct position (away from the wastegate duct).

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.