Abstract: A failsafe module comprising an input member (310), an output member (312), and a coupling mechanism for coupling the input member to the output member. The coupling mechanism comprises an intermediate member (316a) movable relative to the output member to energise an energy storage device and a latch mechanism (318, 320) to hold the energy storage device in an energised state. When the latch mechanism is engaged, the input and output members are coupled together and the energy storage device is held in an energised state and isolated from the coupling between the input and output members. When the latch mechanism is released, the energy storage device can release its energy to drive the output member to a predetermined position.

Abstract: An actuator (1) comprising a motor (2) assembly, a drive coupling (113, 13, 313) assembly and an actuator shaft (114, 14). The motor (2) assembly comprising a motor housing (120, 20), having a cover (122, 22) and a base (123, 23); an electric motor (111, 11, 211, 2), comprising an external stator (111, 11, 211) and an internal rotor (112, 12); and a hollow output shaft (130, 30, 330) that is connected co-axially with the internal rotor (112, 12) such that rotation of the internal rotor (112, 12) causes a corresponding rotation of the hollow output shaft (130, 30, 330). The drive coupling (113, 13, 313) assembly comprises a drive coupling housing (115, 15, 315) containing a drive coupling (113, 13, 313), wherein the drive coupling (113, 13, 313) engages the hollow output shaft (130, 30, 330) such that rotation of the hollow output shaft (130, 30, 330) causes a corresponding rotation of the drive coupling (113, 13, 313).

Abstract: A motor-driven actuator device includes an enclosure (1) in which a motor, control module (3) and a drive (4) are housed. The drive (4) is coupled between a motor and a device being actuated. The device also includes an input for receiving a renewable or harvested energy power supply and a battery pack (6) housed within said enclosure (1). The battery pack (8) is electrically connected to selectively drive the motor and drive system (4) and is electrically connectable to the renewable or harvested energy power supply for charging. The control module is configured to cause the battery pack (6) to selectively drive the motor and cause the actuator to move.

Abstract: A valve actuator torque limiter (103) includes a moveable shaft (208) moveable two ways in an axial direction and, in use, rotatable to cause rotation of a valve actuator drive shaft (202). The limiter further includes a brake disc (214) mounted on the moveable shaft; a first friction device (216A) located to a first side of the brake disc, and a second friction device (216B) located to a second side. In use, contact between the brake disc and the first or the second friction device stops a motor (302) rotating the moveable shaft. The limiter also includes a casing (102) housing at least the brake disc, the first friction device and the second friction device, and an adjusting arrangement (224A, 224B) for adjusting a position of the first friction device and/or the second friction device relative to the brake disc. The adjusting arrangement is operable from outside the casing.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) adapted to provide an indication of an angular position of an input member (106) over multiple turns includes at least two rotatable members (104A-104D) configured, in use, to rotate in accordance with rotation of an input member (106), and at least one sensing device (114A) configured to measure and output an angular position of at least one of the rotatable members. The rotatable members are configured to rotate simultaneously but at different rates. The apparatus further includes a device (114) configured to use the angular position measurements from the at least one sensing device to produce an cation of an angular position of the input member over multiple turns.

Abstract: An anti back-drive coupling (5) comprises an input (20) driveable about an axis A in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction in torque transmitting communication, via a mechanism, with an output (40) driveable about the axis by the input in either of the rotational directions, the mechanism including: a tube (29), driveable by the input, carrying two cages (21) and (23) spaced along the axis A, each cage housing rollers (26) and (28) respectively; an output member 48 for driving the output (40), including two flattened formations (42) and (44) adjacent each cage in use, for engagement with the rollers (26) and (28) respectively; and a back-torque reaction freewheels (30) and (32) engageable with the rollers, for reacting back-torque transmitted through said output member (48) and into the rollers.

Abstract: An anti back-drive coupling (5) comprises an input (20) driveable about an axis A in a clockwise and anticlock-wise direction in torque transmitting communication, via a mechanism, with an output (40) driveable about the axis by the input in either of the rotational directions, the mechanism including: a tube (29), driveable by the input, carrying two cages (21) and (23) spaced along the axis A, each cage housing rollers (26) and (28) respectively; an output member 48 for driving the output (40), including two flattened formations (42) and (44) adjacent each cage in use, for engagement with the rollers (26) and (28) respectively; and a back-torque reaction freewheels (30) and (32) engageable with the rollers, for reacting back-torque transmitted through said output member (48) and into the rollers.

Abstract: A valve actuator having an electric drive motor with a motor shaft and having an output shaft linked to the motor shaft to drive movement of a valve, the actuator further having a control system arranged to provide a first closed loop control of the actuator output shaft and including a controller coupled to a first position sensor to sense the position of the actuator output shaft, and to a second position sensor to sense the position of the motor shaft and to enable determination of the speed of the motor shaft, the control system being configured to respond to sensed signals from the first and second sensors and adjust the motor speed/position accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absolute shaft encoder to measure both the angular position of a shaft from a given radial axis and simultaneously or in sequence to record the number of completed rotations of the shaft passing through a given radial datum axis, the encoder consisting of a first wheel and signal pick up means generating unique incremental signals such that the radial position of the shaft can be recorded and displayed and actions initiated; at least a second wheel providing unique position signals from a further signal pick up; an indexing mechanism operating between the first and second wheels such that the indexing device rotates the second wheel through an angle equal to the angle subtended by each sector at the wheel center wherein, the first wheel is arranged to operate the indexing mechanism whereby for every completed turn of the first wheel the second wheel is indexed two or more times providing two or more position signals to the second wheel's pick up device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motorized valve actuator wherein the drive from the motor to the output shaft of the actuator is via a worm and worm wheel or other gear mesh which is incapable of being back driven, the actuator having an alternative manual drive, the manual drive comprising a hand wheel and a clutch and lever to change from motor power drive to hand drive mode, the actuator further having an intermediate shaft between the motor and output shaft, the hand wheel being carried by or at least operatively linked to the intermediate shaft to drive the intermediate shaft, the clutch mechanism being associated with/mounted on the intermediate shaft, the intermediate shaft being positioned between the motor and the worm/worm wheel drive whereby the clutch mechanism associated with/mounted on the intermediate shaft operates substantially freely when the lever is operated to bring the actuator into hand drive mode, the output shaft torque generated by the previous motor powered run and locked into the

Abstract: A thrust sensor assembly suitable for use with an actuator of the type wherein motive power is applied to an actuator shaft and wherein the thrust sensor assembly comprises a first compression plate means and a second compression plate means, at least one of said compression plate means being on or adapted to engage directly or indirectly with a said shaft to move axially with the shaft and the second compression plate means being arranged to oppose the first compression plate means with resiliently compressible pad(s) sandwiched there between, a pressure transducer being mounted on one of the first or second compression plate means, whereby movement of the first compression plate means toward the second compression plate mans compresses the compressible pad(s) between the two compression plate means and against the pressure transducer and thereby inducing a signal from the pressure transducer that corresponds to the thrust of the actuator shaft.

Abstract: A linear actuator having an output shaft having a pair of driven wheels mounted thereon. One of the driven wheels is rotatably mounted in a fixed plane and has a drive nut for an associated thread on the output shaft. The other drive wheel is rotatably fixed to the output shaft. An input shaft is in side-by-side relationship with the output shaft and adapted to be rotated by a suitable power source. The input shaft provides a drive wheel for each of the driven wheels, with the ratio between each drive and driven wheel set being chosen to rotate the driven wheels at different speeds in the same rotational direction and thereby produce a controlled axial movement of the output shaft in a direction depending upon the relative rotation of the driven wheels. The other driven wheel and the drive wheel of its set are in the form of meshing helical gear wheels.

Abstract: An actuator driven by an electric motor of the polyphase or single phase induction type has a stator with power windings as well as a rotor. At least one fixed fluxed sensor independent of the power windings is provided. The at least one sensor is arranged in an air gap between the stator and the rotor of the induction type motor such that the voltages induced in the at least one sensor represent a measure of the magnetic flux existing in the air gap. The flux sensor which is a preferably sensing winding provides a flux signal. An output signal representing the instantaneous output torque of the motor is generated by multiplying the flux signal by the electric current flowing through one or more of the stator power windings.

Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed which comprises only two housings, namely a first housing defining a single enclosure for a reversible electric motor, electrical control gear associated with the motor and torque control means and travel limit switch mechanism, and a second housing comprising a gear box containing reduction gearing.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for example for an electric switch comprises a driving member, a driven shaft and a transmission gearing through which the driven shaft is driven by the driving member through a certain angle of rotation after a predetermined number of revolutions of the driving member. An actuator carried by the driven shaft is operative at a predetermined angular position of the driven shaft. An adjustment shaft is provided which can be rotated to rotate the driven shaft through the transmission gearing, a clutch being connected between the driving member and the transmission gearing to permit by disengagement of the clutch the adjustment shaft to rotate the driven shaft relatively to the driving member. A radial projection, e.g.

Abstract: A valve actuator has an electric driving motor for driving an output shaft through reduction gearing and a manual operator for driving the output shaft manually. A drive transfer device for transferring the drive from the electric motor to the manual operating means incorporates an electric switch which is operated by the initial movement of a manual operator of the drive transfer device to cause the motor if rotating to be brought to a stop. Continued movement of the manual operator causes the drive transfer device to transfer the drive to the output shaft from the electric motor to the manual operator. The drive transfer device advantageously includes a clutch between the motor shaft and a worm shaft forming part of the reduction gear. The driven clutch member may form an integral part of a unit which is slidable as a sleeve along the worm shaft but is keyed for rotation to the worm shaft, the unit also having a pinion for meshing with a drive gear forming part of the hand drive.

Abstract: A valve actuator comprises a variable speed motor, a speed control circuit for controlling the motor speed including speed selector means by means of which the desired motor speed can be set to different values by adjustment means. A torque limit control circuit is arranged to stop said motor when a pre-set torque limit has been exceeded. The torque limit control includes a torque sensor arranged to provide a measure of torque from one or more torque-related electrical parameters of the motor for example a torque related current flowing in the motor, and adjustment means for setting torque limit control circuit to different torque limits.