Trip Operated On Failure Of Electric Power Patents (Class 251/69)
  • Patent number: 11149871
    Abstract: Provided is a flow rate adjustment valve of a motor-operated valve type, which overcomes the problems that flow rate adjustment valves of a manual valve type have, while making full use of compactness the manual valves have. The flow rate adjustment valve includes a rotation device that rotates a rotation member to cause a vertically movable body to move vertically. The rotation device includes: a driven gear disposed at an upper end portion of the rotation member; and a motor that rotates a driving gear engaged with the driven gear. The motor, which is a stepping servo motor, is disposed below the driving gear and has a rotary shaft extending upward. The driving gear is fixed to an upper end portion of the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ryousuke Dohi, Taiji Chiba, Kazunari Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10948330
    Abstract: A flood sensor apparatus configured to send a signal to a computing device causing the computing device to turn off a utility at a site experiencing a flood. The flood sensor apparatus may include a housing and a back cover which, when coupled together, form gaps along a perimeter of the flood sensor apparatus such that fluid (e.g., water) may quickly fill and drain an interior of the housing. These gaps may be large enough such that the fluid may quickly fill and drain the interior of the housing but small enough that debris may not clog the gap or enter the interior of the housing. The back cover may include a rib extending from an inner face of the back cover and that that runs along a perimeter of the inner face. The rib may prevent tampering of a flood sensor located in the interior of the housing by blocking any object that may be inserted into the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Breitenfeldt, Matt Jordison
  • Patent number: 10851905
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body and a valve member configured to translate between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly also includes a bonnet coupled to the valve body and a valve stem coupled to the valve member. The valve assembly also includes an actuator coupled to the bonnet. The actuator includes a first drive mechanism positioned to translate a first driving force to the valve stem, the first drive mechanism being in operation during a normal operating condition. The actuator also includes a second drive mechanism positioned to translate a second driving force to the valve stem, the second drive mechanism being in operation during a fail-safe operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Jeremy Choate, Guy Mitelman, Paul Cody
  • Publication number: 20150097128
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solenoid valve (100), which has a valve rod (141), an electromagnetic actuation device (131, 135, 139) for deflecting the valve rod (141) starting from a first switching position into a second switching position, and a support device (110, 210, 310, 410) for supporting the valve rod (141). The support device (110, 210, 310, 410) has a different form depending upon the deflection of the valve rod (141). The solenoid valve (100) further comprises a locking device (121, 122, 123, 125), which is designed to move a moveable holding element (121) into a locking position upon activation of the electromagnetic actuation device (131, 135, 139) in order to deflect the valve rod (141) into the second switching position, in which locking position the holding element (121) lies against the support device (110, 210, 310, 410), and is designed to move the holding element (121) away from the locking position upon deactivation of the electromagnetic actuation device (131, 135, 139).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Ralf Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8979063
    Abstract: Failsafe apparatus for use with linear actuators are disclosed. A failsafe apparatus for use with a linear actuator includes a spring to urge a first stem of a device to be operated by the linear actuator toward a failsafe position and a clutch to operatively couple a second stem of the linear actuator to the first stem. The clutch includes a frame coupled to one of the first stem or the second stem and jaws moveably coupled to the frame. The jaws are to engage the other one of the first stem or the second stem to enable the linear actuator to operate the device and to disengage the other one of the first stem or the second stem to enable the spring to move the first stem toward the failsafe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Ross Arthur Schade
  • Patent number: 8973451
    Abstract: A subsea electric actuator comprises an electric motor and a telescopic drive connection (8) from the motor to a drive unit (10, 11, 12) which can be moved to and fro and converts rotary motion of the connection to linear motion of an actuating stem (5). A return spring (14) is operable on the drive unit to urge the actuating stem towards a datum state. An electromagnetic latch (15) is operative when set to maintain the drive unit in a predetermined position so as to decouple the action of the return spring whereby the stem can be advanced and retracted relative to the drive unit free from the action of the return spring. De-energization of the latch allows the return spring to operate on the drive unit to return the actuating stem to the datum state. Various forms of electromagnetic latch are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Limited
    Inventor: Walter Oswald
  • Publication number: 20150048266
    Abstract: An electronic expansion valve includes a valve component for adjusting the flow of fluid. The valve component includes a valve body, a valve seat provided in the valve body, a valve needle able to open and close the valve seat, an actuating mechanism driving the axial movement of the valve needle and a drive mechanism supplying the actuating mechanism with motive power. The actuating mechanism includes a spindle able to move axially. The electronic expansion valve further includes an electromagnetic retaining mechanism for retaining the spindle. The valve is constructed such that when electricity is supplied to the electromagnetic retaining mechanism, the spindle is retained in a first axial position where the valve needle can adjust the opening degree of the valve seat; when the electricity to the electromagnetic retaining mechanism is cut, the spindle is released into a second axial position where the valve needle closes the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ke Shen, Jingxi Liu, Rongyao Han, Feixue Hu
  • Patent number: 8881762
    Abstract: An engine air shutoff valve system with an improved sensor that facilitates a position detection of the shutoff valve is disclosed. The air shutoff valve system may include a shutoff valve, an indicator, and at least one solid-state proximity sensor. The shutoff valve is moveable between an open and closed position. The indicator is operatively coupled to the shutoff valve. The indicator is movable between a normal state and a tripped state in respective correspondence with the open and closed positions of the shutoff valve. At least one solid-state proximity sensor can be configured to detect when the indicator is in the tripped state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Travis S. Johnson, Matthew J. Miller, Michael E. Kenning, Jason M. Brown, Dale E. Koekenberg
  • Patent number: 8864103
    Abstract: The invention concerns a valve actuator (1) comprising a housing (2) and a nut and screw arrangement. A first portion (5) of the nut and screw arrangement is operated by an electric motor (7), which is fixed to the housing (2). A means (8) is in contact with a second portion (6) of the nut and screw arrangement, and a resilient means (9) is acting between the means (8) and the housing (2). A relative rotation between the threaded nut (3) and the threaded screw (4) leads to a translation of the means (8) and an energizing or de-energizing of the resilient means (9). A locking means (10) locks the resilient means (9) in an energized state by locking the relative rotation of the nut and screw arrangement. When the locking means (10) are released, the resilient means (9), when de-energizing, acts on the means (8), leading to a translation of the means (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Torbjörn Lövgren, Pontus Louis Claesson
  • Patent number: 8783648
    Abstract: A system and method for testing a valve actuator is provided, where an electrical motor is operatively connected to the valve actuator operatively connected to the valve. The system can include a main motor driver connecting the electrical motor to a primary power source, a first sensor to monitor the primary power source, a second sensor to monitor the flow of current to the electrical motor, a third sensor to monitor the angular rotation of the valve, and an emergency shut down (“ESD”) controller to operate the main motor driver in the event of an alarm condition to actuate the valve to a fail-safe position. The method includes the steps of providing the system, actuating the valve, monitoring the rotation of the valve and generating an alarm if the valve does not rotate in response to the step to actuate it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Cal-Scan Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Garth Steven Hanson, Thomas Joseph MacArthur, Henri Richard Tessier
  • Patent number: 8763983
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Safoco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8678023
    Abstract: A damage detection system includes an electromagnetic valve that is provided at a first end of a pressure vessel and operated by supplied electric power, a harness that is disposed so as to at least partially extend along at least a part of a bottom surface of the pressure vessel and that serves to supply electric power to the electromagnetic valve, and a damage detector for detecting damage of the pressure vessel based on an input of a pressing force from the bottom surface side of the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Yahashi, Tsukuo Ishitoya
  • Publication number: 20140008556
    Abstract: A valve device for electrically regulating a pressure in a hydraulic fluid flow through the valve device in response to an actuating force during a normal operation and mechanically regulating said pressure during a fail-safe operation when no actuating force is present is disclosed. The valve device has a valve chamber. A first valve member is movable within the valve chamber in an axial direction to interact with a first valve seat in response to the actuating force in order to restrict the hydraulic fluid flow into the valve chamber during normal operation. The first valve member is spring-loaded away from the second seat in a direction opposite that of the actuating force such that the first valve member is movable in the axial direction. A second valve member forms a movable chamber wall portion defining a part of the valve chamber. The second valve member is spring-loaded in the direction of the actuating force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: ÖHLINS RACING AB
    Inventors: Benny Ewers, Lars Sonsterod
  • Patent number: 8596608
    Abstract: A sub sea valve actuator system including a piston and cylinder assembly and a return spring arranged in an actuator housing, a hydraulic pump and electric motor assembly associated with the piston and cylinder assembly, and hydraulic flow lines for hydraulic medium driving the piston and cylinder in relative displacement against a force of the return spring. The valve actuator system includes a detector configured to detect an end-of-stroke position of the piston and cylinder assembly. The detector includes at least one of: a motor current monitoring circuit unit, a hydraulic medium pressure sensor unit, a position sensor unit, and a linear variable differential transformer unit. An electromechanical arresting mechanism is arranged to be energized for releasably arresting the return spring in a compressed state in result of the detected end-of-stroke position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Veteo Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Tom Grimseth, Christian Borchgrevink, Jon Flidh, Jan Olav Pettersen
  • Publication number: 20130306889
    Abstract: A switching fitting arrangement includes two switching fittings actuated by a switching drive. A switching drive is implemented with an additional energy accumulator, for example a part stroke spring, which permits a part stroke test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Froehlich, Richard Tauber
  • Patent number: 8585009
    Abstract: A flow control valve including a linear electric actuator for controlling flow through the valve, and a closure device operable to close the valve independently of the linear electric actuator if the linear actuator is disabled when the valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventors: Xiangzhen Zhu, Richard Timothy Hopson
  • Patent number: 8544818
    Abstract: An electronic adapter and a method for controlling a bistable valve for liquid or gaseous media is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Diener Precision Pumps Ltd
    Inventor: Raimond Walter
  • Patent number: 8523142
    Abstract: An actuator with a predetermined failure mode includes two carriers which are each moveable in a common direction. A detent is engageable to couple the carriers to move in unison. An electrically operated actuating device causes extension of the toggle linkage to operate the detent and collapse of the toggle linkage when de-energized. There is a prime mover for the first carrier and a return mover for causing return movement of the second carrier on the release of the detent. In an example, the detent includes a pivoted arm disposed on the first carrier and positioned to engage a part of the second carrier; and the toggle linkage includes a pair of relatively pivoted links connected between a pivot on the first carrier and a pivot on the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Limited
    Inventor: Anthony W Mann
  • Patent number: 8398051
    Abstract: A gate valve actuator including a stem that is movable linearly in an actuator housing connectable to the gate valve. The stem acts on the gate valve to shift the gate valve between open and closed positions, respectively. The stem is driven by a motor in a first direction into a steady state operation position. In the position the stem is biased in a second opposite direction towards a shutdown position by a spring member acting on the stem. A trigger mechanism is arranged for holding the spring member in a compressed state. The trigger mechanism includes an electrically controllable trigger that is arranged for release of the spring member in result of de-energizing the electrically controlled trigger. A method for shifting a gate valve between a steady state operation mode and a shutdown mode utilizing the gate valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Tom Grimseth, Tom Kjønigsen, Christian Borchgrevink, Jon Flidh
  • Publication number: 20120298894
    Abstract: An actuating drive for safety valves has a high actuating torque. The actuating drive can be driven by a motor by means of a gear train. When the safety valve is opened, the motor simultaneously preloads a mechanical energy store that is connected to the input shaft of the safety valve and that can be locked. After the lock has been released, the mechanical energy store outputs the stored energy and closes the safety valve in the process. The output of the motor is connected to a planetary gear train, the output rotor of which is connected to the input shaft of the safety valve. The mechanical energy store consists of a number of leg springs that corresponds to the number of planet gears. The leg springs are connected at one end to one of the planet gears and at the opposite end to the housing of the actuating drive in a rotationally fixed manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicants: PRAEMAB PRAEZISIONSMASCHINEN- UND ANLAGENBAU GMBH, FUEHRER ENGINEERING KG
    Inventor: Michael Fuehrer
  • Patent number: 8313083
    Abstract: An electropneumatic position regulator for controlling a pressure-medium-operated actuating drive to which compressed air can be applied via a working connection of the actuating drive. Compressed air is made available to the position regulator via a feed pressure connection, and the pressure regulator includes an electronic control unit configured to assume a safety position in the event of a fault. When the electronic control unit assumes a safety position, a downstream signal output unit, which acts as a driver stage, generates at least one binary fault signal which is indicated in an externally perceptible manner (e.g., visually and/or audibly) by at least one signaling device fitted externally to a housing of the position regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Stefan Tabelander
  • Patent number: 8308129
    Abstract: A fail-safe electromagnetic linkage has a support device for a valve head, and an actuator component actuable by an actuator. The support device is coupled to the actuator component while power is supplied to the electromagnet and decoupled from the actuator component while power is not supplied to the electromagnet. The assembly further comprises a return mechanism configured to drive the support device relative to the actuator component if power is not supplied to the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Matthew L Strange, Frank R Watson, Robert A Barker, Neil R Horn, Adrian J Miller
  • Patent number: 8292261
    Abstract: A water and/or air dispenser for snowmaking system includes water and/or air supplying ducts and is equipped with at least one valve (9) associated with an electric actuator (10), the actuator (10) being connected to an electric power source (12, 19) and associated with its own management unit (11) to ensure the operation of the valve (9) between the open and closed configurations thereof. The dispenser is associated with security elements able to cause the valve (9) to be positioned in a known security configuration, for example tightly closed, in case of voltage cut-off at the electric source (12, 19), the security elements being integrated and including a capacitor-type electric unit (16), connected to the electric power source and to the actuator (10), the capacitor unit being able to store, and then return, a quantity of energy necessary for complete actuation of the valve, to implement the security elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Neige SAS
    Inventors: Damien Landreau, Eric David, Pierrick Jouneau, Michel Galvin
  • Patent number: 8286935
    Abstract: An actuator for use with valves in a subsea wellhead assembly. The actuator includes a shaft with an alternating polarity along its length and windings spaced around the shaft that create a magnetic field around the shaft. The shaft is connectable to a valve stem so that flowing current through the windings creates a magnetic field for linearly moving the shaft and operating the valve. A fail safe mechanism can be included that pushes the shaft back to its original position thereby also moving the valve into its original, or fail safe, position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. White
  • Patent number: 8172198
    Abstract: A valve assembly (20) for an aircraft water supply system. The valve assembly (20) comprises a valve member (40), an electrical motor (64), and a mechanical returning mechanism (80). When electrical power is provided, the motor (64) can be controlled to move the valve member (40) from a first position and to a second position. The mechanism (80) is operably connected to the valve member (40) and mechanically biases it towards the first position. If a power loss occurs when the valve member (40) is in the second position, the returning mechanism (80) non-electrically (e.g., mechanically) returns the valve member (40) to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Dorsey, George F. Owens, Richard B. Yori, Robert W. Hyde
  • Patent number: 8047504
    Abstract: A valve actuator has a set of sensors (2) for detection of the internal parameters of the actuator, a controller (3) for recording and storing the parameters and the operations performed by the actuator, a wireless module (5) to temporarily and omnidirectionally connect the actuator with a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) or a PC (pocket PC) (6) which controls the actuation thereof. The wireless module (5) further allows to download the collected data for analysis and to achieve an early diagnosis of any failure and/or inefficiency of the actuator. The wireless module (5) includes a transceiver operating at the frequency of 2.4 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Biffi Italia
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giordano Alfieri
  • Publication number: 20110155937
    Abstract: Apparatus to increase a force of an actuator having an override apparatus are described herein. An example fluid control system includes a first fluid control apparatus to fluidly couple a control fluid supply source to a control actuator via a first passageway. The control fluid supply source provides a control fluid to move a control actuator member of the control actuator in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction when the control actuator is in the operational state. A second fluid control apparatus is in fluid communication with the first fluid control apparatus and is configured to fluidly couple an override actuator to the control actuator via a second passageway when the control actuator is in a non-operational state. The override actuator is operatively coupled to the control actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: David Anthony Arnold
  • Patent number: 7967074
    Abstract: Methods and devices for utilizing an electrically-actuated wireline insert safety valve (WLSV) within a wellbore. Power is delivered to an electrically actuated WLSV to actuate the WLSV via inductive charging and without the use of wired contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary B. Lake, Richard Patterson, Thad Andrews
  • Publication number: 20110114860
    Abstract: Coupling apparatus for use with electric actuators are described herein. An example coupling apparatus described herein includes a coupling assembly to operatively couple a fluid flow control member of a fluid valve and a drive system of the electric actuator. Rotation of the drive system in a first rotational direction causes the coupling assembly to move in a first rectilinear direction and rotation of the drive system in a second rotational direction causes the coupling assembly to move in a second rectilinear direction opposite the first direction. The coupling assembly includes a biasing element that is to be deflected to provide a seat load to the fluid flow control member when the fluid flow control member is in sealing engagement with a valve seat of the fluid valve and electric power to the electric actuator is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Ross Arthur Schade, Thomas Pesek, Galen Wilke
  • Patent number: 7810344
    Abstract: Disclosed are a water tank and a refrigerator having the same. The water tank includes a tank main body provided with a water storage space formed therein and a discharge hole; a tank cover connected to the tank main body for opening and closing the water storage space; a valve movably installed in the tank main body for opening and closing the discharge hole; and a valve driving unit moving the valve using magnetic force so as to cause the valve to open and close the discharge hole. The water tank is opened and closed by the magnetic force of magnets and the restoring force of elastic members, and thus it is possible to prevent water stored in the water tank from leaking out in a process of attaching or detaching the water tank to or from the rear surface of a door or a refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Seok Yoon, Byeong Gyu Kang, Jae Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 7665714
    Abstract: A fail safe mechanism having a return member, valve stem extension, energy storage member, and locking assembly. The valve stem extension is driven by an electrical actuator and configured to drive the return member in a first direction and to be driven by the return member in a second direction. The energy storage member is configured to store energy when the electrical actuator causes the valve stem extension to drive the return member in the first direction and to release the energy stored therein when a disruption of power causes the return member to drive the valve stem extension in the second direction. The locking assembly is configured to hold the return member in a cocked position such that the valve stem extension rotates with the valve independently of the return member and free of influence from the energy storage member while the power is applied to the electrical actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Stumbo, Doyle Kent Stewart, Jerry Kaminski
  • Patent number: 7556238
    Abstract: An emergency shutdown system includes an emergency shutdown valve, a control line to carry a signal determinative of positioning of the emergency shutdown valve, a solenoid assembly coupled to the control line to effectuate the positioning of the emergency shutdown valve, and a junction device coupled to the control line and the solenoid assembly. In some embodiments, the junction device includes a switch, such as a relay, responsive to the signal to control whether the solenoid assembly is coupled to the control line and, therefore, energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Stephen G. Seberger
  • Publication number: 20090127485
    Abstract: The present invention describes a valve actuator having a first motor (30) for moving a valve element and a second motor (30?) for energizing a failsafe spring (130). The second motor is operated independently from the first, thus allowing the valve element to be moved between its open and closed positions while the spring is energized. In an emergency, the spring will be de-energized and move the valve element to its failsafe position no matter the position of the valve element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: FMC KONGSBERG SUBSEA AS
    Inventors: Jorgen Wessel, Vidar Sten-Halvorsen, Torstein Kasin, John A. Johansen
  • Patent number: 7469717
    Abstract: A fail-safe shutter (13) for a “cross-stack” monitor, comprises a body member (14) having an aperture (1) through which, in use, an associated monitoring instrument is adapted to sight. A gate (3) is movable between a retracted, open position in which the aperture (1) is exposed, and a closed position in which the aperture (1) is closed-off by a portion of the gate (3), and means are provided to bias the gate (3) towards its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Land Instruments International Ltd.
    Inventor: David E. Leadley
  • Patent number: 7377479
    Abstract: A position restoring apparatus for an open and close device includes a casing base, a first actuating member, a second actuating member, a first end cover, a second end cover, an output shaft and a motor. The casing base has main member with a hollow seat. The first actuating member has a first disk part with a first block and a first rack at a lateral side of the first block. The second actuating member has a second disk part with a second block and a second rack. The first end cover provides a plurality of first elastic components. The second end cover provides a plurality of second elastic components. The output shaft provides a joining part to mesh with the first and second racks. The motor shaft extends upward a rod part with an electromagnet, a stationary disk member and a movable disk member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Shui-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 7210665
    Abstract: An actuator includes: a rotor assembly including an output shaft having a male screw portion and having a pin attached thereto, and a sleeve having a female screw portion and threadedly engaged with the male screw portion of the output shaft so as to convert a rotary motion of the sleeve into a linear motion of the output shaft; a stator assembly disposed around the rotor assembly; a housing attached to the stator assembly; a coil spring; and a spring holder having slits to guide the pin into an axial direction. In the actuator, the coil spring and the spring holder constitute a fail-safe mechanism and are contained inside the housing, and the coil spring is arranged at such a location that the output shaft is caused to move in a direction to achieve a fail-safe operation. Thus, the actuator incorporates a fail-safe mechanism as an integral unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7182310
    Abstract: A position return device for an open and close apparatus includes a casing base, a first actuating member, a second actuating member, a first end cover, a second end cover, an output shaft and a motor. The casing base has a main member with a hollow seat at the top thereof. The first actuating member has a first disk part with a first block member extending from a lateral side thereof to form a first rack. The second actuating member has a second disk part with a second block extending from the right end thereof to form a second rack. The first end cover provides a plurality of first elastic members at the left end thereof. The second end cover provides a plurality of second elastic members at the right end thereof. The output shaft has a pinion joining part to mesh with the first and second racks. The motor shaft of the motor extends upward a rod part and the rod part is attached to an electric magnet, a stationary disk member and a movable disk member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Shui-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 7168677
    Abstract: When a fluid flow channel is interrupted while an electronic circuit unit 50 including a microcomputer 51 and the like receives electric source power, a flow control valve is displaced to a predetermined position closer to a first end of both ends of a motion range of the flow control valve in the fluid flow channel by a stepping motor 29. When the supply of electric source power is restarted after the supply of electric source power to the electronic circuit unit 50 is stopped, a predetermined number of pulses capable of displacing the flow control valve from the first end to a home position are supplied to the stepping motor 29 to displace the flow control valve to the home position with a second end of both ends of the motion range of the flow control valve being the home position of the flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Rinnai Corpoartion
    Inventors: Atsuhito Gama, Shinichiro Hata, Hiroyuki Yamada, Kazuya Hirota
  • Patent number: 7007923
    Abstract: A valve unit for controlling the delivery of a fuel gas through a delivery duct (3) comprises a valve seat (6) in the duct, a closure member (5) associated with the seat, a motor-driven actuator (7) acting on the closure member in order to control it so as to open/close the valve seat, as well as an electromagnetic unit (22) with a first portion (23) carrying a magnetizing winding (24) and a second portion (25) which can be fixed firmly to the first position by magnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sit La Precisa S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Dorigo, Massimo Giacomelli, Stefano Zanella
  • Patent number: 6913241
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuating device with an electromotive rotary drive, via which an actuating element can be driven rotatably about an axis of rotation between a first end position and a second end position and can be acted upon out of the first end position by a spring. The electromotive actuating drive includes a reversing drive and the spring action upon the actuating element is effective between the first end position and an intermediate position. The spring action is ineffective between the intermediate position and the second end position. The intermediate position lies between the first end position and the second end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eugen Bernarding, Rajko Colic, Thomas Mann
  • Patent number: 6848474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising at least one safety shut-off control valve. A safety valve is optionally connected to said safety shut-off control valve, connected in series in the fluid flow path. In the safety shut-off control valve, a sealing valve is returned to a sealing position against a seat by means of a return spring, and is controlled by a linear actuator and a connecting rod for continuous adjustment of the valve opening. The connecting rod comprises two independent segments which are at least partially made from a ferromagnetic material and which are magnetically coupled to a magnetic coupling circuit that is activated by a coil. While electric power is being supplied to the coil, the magnetic field that said coil creates maintains the linking rod segments coupled to one another, such that the linear actuator can control the sealing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: G. Cartier Technologies
    Inventor: Ghislain Sollier
  • Patent number: 6745994
    Abstract: A device for restoring a rotary member into a defined normal position, with a spatially stationary fixed catch, which predetermines the normal position, and a driver catch, which is coupled to the rotary member and can be moved past the fixed catch, each of which has stop surfaces embodied on each of its opposing sides, and with a clamping spring, which encompasses the catches in a prestressed fashion with two bent spring legs, in order to prevent a rotary play between the clamping spring and the catches in the normal position, and an elastic spring element in at least one leg section of the spring legs extending across the stop surfaces of the catches, which spring element is supported against the associated stop surface with a spring force that is less powerful than the prestressing force of the clamping spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Klug, Alexander Braun, Friedrich Wendel, Claudio Pupo, Reiner Schweinfurth, Klaus Kaiser, Johannes Meiwes, Michael Brozio, Uwe Hammer, Stefan Josten
  • Patent number: 6651952
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a ventilation damper unit utilizing a direct coupled two-position rotary damper actuator with a DC solenoid is disclosed. The actuator acts to rotate the output coupling, and in turn, the damper shaft to open the damper. After approximately 95 degrees +/−3 degrees of output coupling rotation, a limit switch is activated and a DC solenoid equipped with a full way bridge rectifier extends to a brake rotor to lock the damper into position. Simultaneously power is shut-off to the actuator motor assembly to reduce electrical consumption. Upon complete power failure to the actuator unit, such as during a fire and smoke emergency, the DC solenoid is spring returned allowing the damper to be spring returned to a closed position, thus preventing flow of air and smoke through a building and starving a fire of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Barber Colman Company
    Inventors: Peter C. Hightower, Hung-Sun Oh, Gary B. Burwell
  • Publication number: 20030116734
    Abstract: In a needle valve (1) for a high-pressure gas conduit system consisting of two units (2, 3) which are joined and one of which encloses a stepping motor (8) and the other includes gas flow passages and a gas flow control bore (17), a valve needle (10) is supported in the housing unit which includes the stepping motor so as to be movable by the stepping motor and extends into the gas flow control bore (17) in the other housing unit through a guide passage (18) provided with sealing means to prevent gas from flowing to the housing unit including the stepping motor (18). The needle valve is particularly suitable as an expansion valve in an automotive CO2 air conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Roland Casar, Jan Gartner, Frank Obrist, Jurgen Wertenbach
  • Patent number: 6575427
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control system having a housing and cover member with a throttle valve, gear mechanism, motor, and failsafe mechanism. A spring member positioned between the housing and sector gear member which is attached to the throttle valve shaft, biases the throttle valve plate member toward the closed position. A spring-biased plunger member biases the throttle plate member from its closed position to a default or “limp-home” position. A stop shoulder on the sector gear is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the plunger mechanism midway through the default range of travel of the sector gear and plunger member. This reduces stresses on the components and minimizes friction and wear on the gear train mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Richard Rauch, Mark Warner Semeyn, Jr., Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 6572075
    Abstract: A valve has a valve body having a passage including a hole in which gas flows. A valve disc is provided for closing the hole, and an actuator is provided for operating the valve disc. An emergency cutoff device is provided so that the valve disc closes the hole in an emergency when electric power supply is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Kitz SCT Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 6572076
    Abstract: A valve actuator (1) is provided which comprises an actuator stem (4) extending from a housing (2) which contains a sleeve (17). The actuator stem (4) is driven so as to cause the sleeve to compress a stack of springs (22) within the housing until bolts (25) engage the sleeve, locking the springs in a compressed state. At the same time an armature (28) on the actuator stem is attracted to an electromagnet (29) within the housing. The actuator stem can then be driven to open or close a valve in a controlled manner without first compressing or releasing the springs. In an emergency, the electromagnet is switched off, releasing the armature thus unlocking the stack of springs. The released springs push the piston which partially retracts the actuator stem into the housing causing the valve to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Alpha Thames Ltd.
    Inventors: David Eric Appleford, Brian William Lane, Benjamin McGeever
  • Patent number: 6568652
    Abstract: In a device for restoring a throttle valve, which is for controlling combustion air of an internal combustion engine, into a definite limp-home air position, having a throttle valve shaft, which supports a drivable driver and is rotatably supported in a housing, and having a prestressed clamping spring, whose spring ends, by simultaneously embracing a housing catch and a driver catch on opposing catch surfaces, fix a limp-home air position of the throttle valve, from which the throttle valve can be moved through rotation of the driver , a compensation spring, which has a definite initial stress force directed counter to the spring force of the clamping spring, is disposed between one spring end of the clamping spring and a catch surface on one of the catches in order to produce a rotary play-free state of the driver in the limp-home air position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Kaiser, Uwe Hammer
  • Publication number: 20020162982
    Abstract: In a device for restoring a throttle valve, which is for controlling combustion air of an internal combustion engine, into a definite limp-home air position, having a throttle valve shaft (11), which supports a drivable driver (12) and is rotatably supported in a housing (10), and having a prestressed clamping spring (13), whose spring ends (131, 132), by simultaneously embracing a housing catch (14) and a driver catch (15) on opposing catch surfaces (16, 17), fix a limp-home air position of the throttle valve (30), from which the throttle valve (30) can be moved through rotation of the driver (15), a compensation spring (18), which has a definite initial stress force directed counter to the spring force of the clamping spring (13), is disposed between one spring end (131) of the clamping spring (13) and a catch surface (16) on one of the catches (14) in order to produce a rotary play-free state of the driver (12) in the limp-home air position (FIG. 4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Klaus Kaiser, Uwe Hammer
  • Patent number: 6446519
    Abstract: An actuator for actuating a control mechanism by axially moving an actuating member against a force comprises a housing in which a reversible drive is arranged with a first rotatable part and a second rotatable part engagable with one another and acting on the actuating member for axially moving it in feed direction to the control mechanism upon rotation in one direction. An electric motor rotates the first rotatable part and the second rotatable part by engagement with the first rotatable part. A rotation prevention member prevents rotation of at least one of the rotatable parts in a second direction. A release releases the rotation prevention member to permit rotation of at least one of the rotatable parts to permit the actuating member to be axially moved in a direction opposite to the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventor: Klaus Biester