Fluid And Non-fluid Actuators Patents (Class 251/14)
  • Patent number: 4460154
    Abstract: A mechanical override is provided for use with electromechanical linear actuators used in the control of lever operated valves. A pair of telescoping tubes are supported in a fixed relationship to the valve. One tube provides a mounting location for the linear actuator while the other tube is stationary. A lead screw will be manually rotated to move one tube relative to the other. The linear actuator will travel with the moving tube to adjust the valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Calvin S. Kunkle
  • Patent number: 4453697
    Abstract: A remote air operator for an air valve which includes a manual override and indicator means. The remote air operator includes a piston having an overtravel push pin which is adapted to be operated by an air pressure signal from a remote location. The push pin is adapted to directly engage the end of a valve spool and move the same from a first position to a second position. The push pin is slidably mounted in a remote control piston operated by the air pressure signal, and it is normally biased to an operative position by an overtravel spring. A second manual operator piston is slidably mounted in the remote operator piston and it is retained therein, and engages one end of the overtravel spring. A manual operator rod is attached to the manual operator piston to permit manual operation of the push pin to operate a valve spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Neff
  • Patent number: 4442859
    Abstract: A valve which controls either the injection of fluid from an exterior source into the interior of the valve housing or the exhausting of fluid pressure from the valve housing. The valve is especially adapted for controlling the injection of fluid into a wireline lubricator assembly. Alternative means are provided for opening and closing the valve. Preferably a metal-to-metal seal is used to control fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest B. Gentry
  • Patent number: 4436279
    Abstract: A reciprocating gate valve having an adjustable low stress stem connection structure (70) for connecting an operating stem (42) to a gate member (24). The connection structure includes a stem extension (78) formed on the bottom end of the operating stem (42) threadably receiving a collar (84) having an axial bore (86) coaxial with the stem (42) and extending therethrough receiving a gate extension (72) formed on the top end of the gate member (24). The collar (84) has a slot (96) extending generally perpendicular to the axial bore (86) in the direction of fluid flow through the valve. An adjusting nut (106) fits into the slot (96) and threadably engages the gate extension (72). The slot (96) permits movement of the nut (106) and gate member (24) relative to the longitudinal axis of the stem (42) in a direction generally parallel to the direction of fluid flow through to the gate valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: James V. Bonds, Paul R. Orum
  • Patent number: 4436280
    Abstract: A valve actuator mechanism for a lift-turn type valve having a valve element that is operated by first linear unseating movement, rotational repositioning movement and linear reseating movement. First and second actuator stems are supported by an actuator housing for both linear and rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Daniel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard H. Geisow
  • Patent number: 4429592
    Abstract: A valve operator (10) which includes a ball screw (28) in constant engagement with the output shaft (24) of an air cylinder for automatic operation of the valve, and which includes a manual drive means (20) engageable with the ball screw (28) in any position thereof. The manual drive means (20) includes a ball nut (30) engaged with the ball screw (28), a clutch output member (34) attached to the ball nut (30), a clutch input member (38) which is rotatable by a handwheel (56) through a worm gear train (49, 52), and a manually actuatable clutch actuating assembly (42) which is operable to engage the clutch input member (38) with the clutch output member (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Thomas E. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 4414995
    Abstract: A controller comprises a body having a first port, a second port and a third port. A valve element is disposed in the body for movement between a first position which blocks fluid flow through the first port while permitting fluid communication between the second and third ports and a second position to permit fluid communication between the first and second ports while blocking fluid flow through the third port. A device is disposed in the body for urging the valve element to the second position. A mechanism is connected to the body for moving the valve element to the second position and this moving apparatus includes a member which when heated permits the urging device to move the valve member to the first position. Indicator means are provided to indicate position of the valve element. Safety means is provided to avoid accidental movement of the valve element to the second position during manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Inventor: Larry K. Spencer
  • Patent number: 4412670
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved fail-safe actuator and hydraulic system incorporating the same. The actuator includes energy storage means in the form of a spring adapted to set a control device in a predetermined condition, illustratively in the closed condition, responsive to a failure situation, illustratively, a power failure. The actuator includes a coupling which permits normal operation of the control device without cycling the spring energy storage means, thus increasing the life of the spring and eliminating energy wastage inherent in cocking the spring during each operative cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Inventors: Lorin P. Card, Otto W. Borsting
  • Patent number: 4391296
    Abstract: An electriclly actuated, spring biased closed solenoid valve comprising a valve actuating coil, a valve bias spring, a valve plug and a valve seat is adapted to be mechanically actuated by an hydraulic actuated piston actuated by hydraulic fluid in a second fluid channel and having means for cushioning release of the piston from the solenoid valve to prevent hydraulic hammer when the solenoid valve plug stops the flow fluid in the main fluid flow channel. The solenoid valve is also adapted to open under hydraulic back-pressure against the valve seat when the back-pressure exceeds the pressure of the normally closed spring bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Inventor: John D. Abbott
  • Patent number: 4381099
    Abstract: An FCB-making machine is provided with an adjustable faucet that is energized by a pressurized fluid such as carbon dioxide or air, which is controlled by a momentary-contact switch-actuated three-way solenoid valve. Dispensing is started by depressing the switch and terminated by releasing the switch (or automatically). By using this valve many conventional liquid drink dispensers, milkshake freezers and similar machines may be converted to the production of FCB's. A provision is made for performing faucet seal repairs without affecting the pressure or contents of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Assignee: The Penmont Company
    Inventor: Omar S. Knedlik
  • Patent number: 4380325
    Abstract: A gas-operated valve actuator having a gas operated motor, a mechanism for disengaging the valve's manual operation apparatus, and a device for quickly shutting off the actuator when the valve's drive shaft reaches its travel limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Inventor: Thomas W. Palmer
  • Patent number: 4351353
    Abstract: A control valve with balanced plug for fluid flow control having a cylindrical guide barrel provided with discharge ports, and a coaxial plug which slides in the plug. The plug is balanced through bores which cause the pressure to be the same on opposing faces of the plug and upstream and downstream of the plug. The plug is rigidly connected by a control lever to an operating stem of the valve, in such a manner that the plug and the stem move rigidly in the same direction along non-coinciding parallel axes.The lever is resilient to compensate for errors of parallelism between the operating stem and the barrel caused by constructional defects or severe operating conditions.Preferably the lever is of the gooseneck type to limit weight and overall size, and the neck of the valve body is of elliptical cross-section.The valve is of the universal type, and operates independently of the direction in which the fluid flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Filidoro, Nicola Di Sciascio
  • Patent number: 4344497
    Abstract: A pair of hydraulic locking cylinders for a vertically oscillatable wheel axle on the carrier frame of a mobile crane are interconnected and controlled by a hydraulic double-locking valve which is responsive to the centered or off-centered rotary position of the boom-carrying rotatable upper section of the crane. The double-locking valve comprises a pair of normally closed ball-type check valves which are operated by a valve stem comprising independently movable upper and lower sections. The upper valve stem section is positioned by a cam on the crane upper section and the lower valve stem section is positioned by a pneumatic actuator which is controlled by a solenoid valve selectively actuatable by an electric override switch in the crane operator's cab. The upper valve stem is moved to down (valve open-axle unlocked) position by the cam when the crane upper is centered on the carrier frame. The upper valve stem moves to up (valve closed-axle locked) position when the crane upper is rotated off-center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Corporation
    Inventors: Ram N. Rathi, Ronald E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4331315
    Abstract: An actuatable safety valve for the production tubing of wells and/or fluid flowlines includes a valve element having both linear and rotary components of movement within a valve body and is actuated by a lost-motion rack and pinion gear actuating mechanism. The clam-shell pinion gear is moved linearly within the valve body by a hydraulic sleeve piston actuator for causing control valve movement responsive to hydraulic control of the sleeve piston. The sleeve piston is also responsive to upstream pressure for pressure actuation of the valve to its closed position. The valve element is also mechanically movable to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Daniel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard H. Geisow
  • Patent number: 4325534
    Abstract: A blowout preventer having a body with a bore and opposing guideways intersecting the bore, a ram in each of the guideways, a cap closing the outer end of each of the guideways, an operating stem connecting to each of said rams, extending through its cap in threaded engagement and having means for engagement by a handle, such as flats on its outer end, a pair of hydraulic motors each having a housing and a rotating shaft, means for securing said motor housings to the body surrounding said guideways, means for connecting said drive shafts with the operating stems to rotate said stems, and means supplying hydraulic fluid to said motors for selective rotation of said shafts and said stems in preselected directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Roark, Steven R. Hayter
  • Patent number: 4316482
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve comprises a valve sub-assembly including a diaphragm secured to a valve body by a clamping member. The clamping member is provided with screw threads on to which a drive assembly is screwed to complete the valve. The drive assembly may be a piston and cylinder drive assembly or a handwheel drive assembly. An indicator module to provide an indication of whether the valve is open or closed can be incorporated between the clamping member and the drive assembly. The drive assembly can be removed for service or interchanged without disturbing the fluid seal between the diaphragm and the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: Saunders Valve Company Limited
    Inventors: Michael I. Pearce, Glyn Cocking
  • Patent number: 4306586
    Abstract: A three way relay valve has a body defining a bore and first and second chambers, a supply port in fluid communication with the first chamber, and valve and exhaust ports in fluid communication with the second chamber. A plunger is moveably disposed within the bore and extends from the third chamber into the second chamber and a passageway being provided in the plunger for placing the valve port in fluid communication within the body to selectively block fluid communication between the first and second chambers or to block fluid flow through the passageway in the plunger and thereby block fluid communication between the valve and exhaust ports. The valve has a manual reset apparatus and a lock-out device to facilitate actuation of the valve after pilot pressure has been lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Inventor: Larry K. Spencer
  • Patent number: 4295630
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved fail-safe actuator and hydraulic system incorporating the same. The actuator includes energy storage means in the form of a spring adapted to set a control device in a predetermined condition, illustratively in the closed condition, responsive to a failure situation, illustratively, a power failure. The actuator includes a coupling which permits normal operation of the control device without cycling the spring energy storage means, thus increasing the life of the spring and eliminating energy wastage inherent in cocking the spring during each operative cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Greer Hydraulics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Lorin P. Card, Otto W. Borsting
  • Patent number: 4289294
    Abstract: The device includes a main flow control valve and associated packings designed for effective operation under extreme conditions associated with the pumping of high viscosity asphaltic crude wherein the formation includes toxic gases, and where the formation is produced using steam flooding techniques. The main valve seat and the associated valve closure, consisting of a reciprocating ram and packing plug, are coaxial with the pump polished rod. The valve seat includes tapered walls defining a shoulder which partially confronts the ram plug; and the ram plug is formed of a compressible material formed to the shape of the valve seat. The packing plug is retained on the end of the ram by axial tie rods and a retaining ring, which ring may engage the valve seat shoulder to effect axial compression of the packing plug between the retaining ring and ram face, and consequent radial expansion into sealing engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Double-E, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas K. McLean
  • Patent number: 4285493
    Abstract: A fail-safe-open actuator for actuating valves and the like which comprises a pair of opposed cylinders joined to define piston chambers, the axes of which are generally perpendicular to a valve stem. Pistons in the cylinders are connected to the valve stem by toggle links, the pistons being resiliently urged toward the ends of the assembly which corresponds to an open-valve position. To close the valve, a pressurized fluid, such as air, is introduced into the piston chambers and to the pistons at sufficient pressure to counter the resilient means so as to move the pistons away from their rest, valve-open positions, and thus move the valve stem perpendicularly to the axis of the piston chamber. A handwheel is provided to manually close the valve by moving the pistons from their rest positions.A solenoid controlled pneumatic valve may be used to control the supply of pressurized fluid, such as air, to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon A. Willis
  • Patent number: 4284098
    Abstract: A valve for controlling or preventing fluid flow has a shut-off element controllably movable in an axial direction between a first position corresponding to a fully open condition of the valve and a second position corresponding to a fully closed condition of the valve,a valve seat with which the shut-off element is capable of fluid-tight sealing engagement when in the said second position,drive means operatively connected to the shut-off element and capable of controllably transmitting a drive to the shut-off element to effect the said controlled movement thereof towards one of either of the said first and second positions thereof,said drive means including a connecting member transmitting the drive to the shut-off element, the shut-off element moving relatively to said connecting member in said axial direction when driven by said drive means, and furthermore being moved axially when said connecting member is moved axially,a housing defining a chamber,a diaphragm within said chamber and having a central regi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: Klinger AG
    Inventor: Julius Kruschik
  • Patent number: 4280373
    Abstract: A portable drive unit for a valve actuator includes a portable two-cycle or four-cycle gasoline engine and a gear reducer. The gasoline engine is bolted, through vibration damper means, to the housing or gear box of the gear reducer. The gear box is clamped to the valve actuator through an annular clamp and clamp-receiving adapter structure which also includes vibration damper means. A flexible sleeve coupling in the bore of the annular clamp and clamp-receiving adapter couples the output shaft of the gear reducer to the handwheel input shaft of the valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Philadelphia Gear Corporation
    Inventors: Walter J. Denkowski, Daniel S. Warsing
  • Patent number: 4240455
    Abstract: A valve operator for a normally open valve is maintained in a cocked, ready to close mode by an arrangement which includes a radially contracted, self-expansible split retainer ring backed by a body of fusible material. Should the vicinity of the associated valve be subjected to the heat of a fire, the fusible body will melt out of blocking relation, permitting the split ring to expand free of the operator stem. A cocked spring recovers, axially moving the stem both to shut the valve and to engage a metal-to-metal back seat between the valve stem and valve bonnet. The latter event ensures against leakage even if the fire or wear has ruined the integrity of the usual valve stem packing. The valve operator is further provided with a manual override which permits the valve to be closed and opened, e.g. using a remotely actuated pneumatic operator even while the body of fusible material remains intact and in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. McGee
  • Patent number: 4239178
    Abstract: A manual actuator for a motor driven control valve has a fork-shaped lever-type actuating means pivotally mounted on a single valve motor support stud passing between the legs of the fork-shaped actuating means. One end of the legs of the fork-shaped actuating means is formed as a cam surface to transmit a valve actuating force to a cam support attached to a valve stem driven by the valve motor. The other end of the legs of the actuating means are each rotatably attached to respective external trunnions on an internally threaded nut threaded on a threaded control rod. One end of the control rod is attached to a handwheel while the other end of the control rod is held in a ball and socket connection supported on the valve stud and spaced from the pivot for the actuating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Hans O. Engel, Wolfgang Lueneburg
  • Patent number: 4237934
    Abstract: A vacuum flush water closet having a bowl and rim which are made from steel stampings covered with chemical resistant porcelain. The water closet has a self-contained flushing water and sewage valve discharge control system which is operatively mounted around the bowl and enclosed by an outer shroud made of a molded high impact plastic material. The water closet is shock proof and is mounted on a base plate that may be fixedly secured to a mounting surface, such as a floor or ship's deck. The bowl is mounted on a sewage discharge valve which is spring closed and vacuum opened. Flushing water is supplied through a spray ring mounted around the upper end of the bowl. The flushing water is controlled by a vacuum operated valve. The operation of the flushing water valve and the sewage discharge valve is controlled by a vacuum-gravity timer which is activated by a push button switch mounted at the rear of the bowl rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Jered Brown Brothers, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Gregory, Michael Brian, Jerald F. Thomas, James F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 4231384
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns apparatus for draining coolant from the liquid cooling system of a locomotive. The apparatus includes an automatic control which is armed upon shut-down of the engine and drains the cooling system upon the occurrence of freezing temperature conditions. The apparatus must be reset manually, and this requires two distinct manipulations, one of which effects override of the automatic control. Such override action is limited in duration to prevent inadvertent, prolonged disabling of the automatic control. The drain valve is a pilot operated, rotary plug valve. Preferably, the apparatus includes provisions for manually draining the cooling system, for effecting automatic draining by the combined effects of gravity and compressed air, and for providing visual indications of its operating state. Moreover, as far as practical, it is desirable to package the components in a unitary assembly which can be replaced easily and bench serviced and tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Inventor: Fredrich M. Christensen
  • Patent number: 4230299
    Abstract: A pressure balanced gate valve mechanism wherein a closed loop fluid interchange system interconnects the valve actuator stem area of the valve mechanism with the pressure balancing stem area and functions to accomodate volumetric changes to prevent the development of a hydraulic lock that might otherwise prevent or retard opening and closing movement of the valve mechanism. Internal back-face seating arrangements with combination metal-to-metal and elastomeric sealing elements establish seals between the valve stem and bonnet at one gate position and between the pressure balancing stem and valve body structure at the opposite gate position. An externally threaded portion of the valve bonnet is receivable within internally threaded receiver openings of a plurality of different actuator systems, including manual, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic actuator systems. The actuator systems are field interchangeable with the valve in service and under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: Petroleum Designers, Inc.
    Inventor: Elwood K. Pierce, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4227380
    Abstract: A single casing valve is especially adapted for the inlet of a rotary screw type compressor, the valve having provision for both a manual and an automatic shut-off, the latter responsive to discharge pressure for closing the inlet, and having a strainer in the suction line which is downstream from the valve seat in order that the strainer may be changed with the compressor isolated from the inlet source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Frick Company
    Inventors: F. Michael Laucks, Rudolph Stegmann
  • Patent number: 4217814
    Abstract: A dual action trip and control valve is herein described which generally consists of a three way control valve which may be used to control the flow of fluid to and from a power piston. The valve is provided with a trip feature to cause the rapid dumping of the fluid from the power piston cylinder in response to the sensing of an emergency condition or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: DeLaval Turbine, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard F. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4213480
    Abstract: A double acting manual override mechanism for the hydraulic actuator of a subsea gate valve, and a visual indicator device for indicating the gate position. The gate is normally held open by hydraulic pressure and is moved by a spring to a fail closed position in the event of a malfunction. The override includes a drive nut threaded onto the valve stem and a drive sleeve which is telescoped on the drive nut and connected therewith by a series of splines. Spaced apart abutment surfaces are provided on the sleeve to limit axial movement of the drive nut on the valve stem in both directions. Rotation of the sleeve by means of an adapter is translated into rotation of the drive nut which contacts one of the abutment surfaces and thereafter effects axial movement of the valve stem to open or close the gate. The indicator device includes a watertight, transparent housing within which an indicator disc moves in response to movement of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul R. Orum, Larry A. Vyvial
  • Patent number: 4206900
    Abstract: An actuator for actuating valves and the like which comprises a pair of opposed cylinders, the axes of which are generally perpendicular to a valve stem. Pistons in the cylinders are connected to the valve stem by toggle links, the pistons being resiliently urged toward the center of the assembly which corresponds to a closed valve position. To open the valve, a fluid, such as air, is introduced between the pistons, so as to move them away from their rest (valve closed) positions. A handwheel is provided to manually open the valve by moving the pistons from their rest positions.A solenoid controlled pneumatic valve may be used to control the supply of air to the actuator. Either a failure in air pressure or an electrical failure will result in the pistons being urged to the rest positions and also result in closing the connected valve, i.e., the failure mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon A. Willis
  • Patent number: 4203570
    Abstract: A loading gate assembly for a heavy cyclical centrifugal machine used for separating liquid from solids includes a hollow body forming a spout outlet, a face surrounding the end of the outlet and a gate slidable on the face between a fully closed position covering the outlet and a position opening the outlet to flow of material therethrough. A gate operating mechanism includes a power drive device secured between a relatively fixed support and a cross head, connected with the gate, for moving the gate between closed and open positions. The loading gate assembly further comprises a mount for the support normally positioning it in a fixed location relative to the outlet yet being operable to displace the support in the direction of closing movement of the gate. A secondary drive device operates the mount to move the gate to the closed position by displacement of the support in the event of failure of power supplied to the power drive device while the gate is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: The Western States Machine Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Hurley, Francis H. Wessel, Joseph B. Bange
  • Patent number: 4194718
    Abstract: A choke suitable for use in the wellhead of a production well including a body having an inlet, an outlet and a seat, a valve member or gate adapted to move relative to said seat to restrict flow therethrough, a pressure responsive operator connected to move the gate with respect to the seat, a manual operator connected to said pressure responsive operator, means releasably connecting said manual operator to said gate to manually move said gate and for releasing said manual operator from said gate to allou said pressure responsive operator to move said gate and a control on the exterior of said manual operator connected to said releasable connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald S. Baker, Guerry L. Hahn
  • Patent number: 4180234
    Abstract: A flow control valve for controlling the flow of heat-exchange medium in a circuit of a heat-exchanger is actuated into its open position by air at subatmospheric pressure derived from the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle the climate in the interior of which is to be controlled. An auxiliary mechanism is provided which, in the event of malfunction of the pneumatically operated actuator of the flow-through valve, can be manually displaced into an end position in which it holds the valve member in its open position, thus permitting the climate-controlling arrangement to work despite the failure of the pneumatically operated actuator. The auxiliary mechanism includes a bracket-shaped rocker-arm lever tiltably mounted on the housing of the flow-through valve, and a leaf spring which, in each of the end positions of the lever, acts on the latter in such a way as to keep it in its then assumed end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Hertfelder
  • Patent number: 4169405
    Abstract: A control apparatus comprising a cylinder including therein a piston non-stepwise controllable in terms of the amount of piston portion protruded and the speed of its protruding movement. The amount of piston portion protruded is controlled by an attachment position at which the cylinder is attached to an adaptor for fastening the control apparatus to a device desired to be controlled and the position of a bar extended into the cylinder through one end portion thereof to abut against a piston head. The speed of protruding movement of the piston is controlled by a control fluid fed into and discharged from a cylinder chamber divided by the piston head into two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: Fuji Plastic Co.
    Inventors: Shiro Tsunemoto, Teruki Mizuguchi, Eiichi Hirayama
  • Patent number: 4100816
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention may comprise a housing or other stationary member which may have a chamber therein. A drive member is disposed in the chamber for movement therein. An elongate torque transmission member is rotatably mounted in the housing so as to extend into the chamber toward the drive member. Means are provided to prevent the torque transmission member from moving longitudinally with respect to the housing. An annular connector is disposed between the torque transmission member and the drive member. The connector is connected to the torque transmission member for longitudinal but non-rotating relative movement and threadedly connected to the drive member. Thus the connector can be moved longitudinally along the torque transmission member during normal or automatic operation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Inventor: Malcolm D. Clark
  • Patent number: 4092877
    Abstract: The disclosure is of a selective-mode valve operator comprising a handwheel adapted to be mounted on a valve body with an output sleeve keyed onto the input shaft or stem of the valve. A motor may be mounted directly onto the handwheel, and locking means selectively lock the handwheel to the output sleeve or to a stationary member. When the handwheel is locked to the output sleeve, shift means prevent motor operation, and when it is locked against rotation the shift means enable motor operation. The shift means pass through a neutral condition whereby one mode is inactivated before the other mode is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Ledeen Flow Control Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Howard L. Ledeen, Franz Schmon, Willem E. Tupker
  • Patent number: 4088064
    Abstract: A control apparatus comprising a cylinder including therein a piston non-stepwise controllable in terms of the amount of piston portion protruded and the speed of its protruding movement. The amount of piston portion protruded is controlled by an attachment position at which the cylinder is attached to an adaptor for fastening the control apparatus to a device desired to be controlled and the position of a bar extended into the cylinder through one end portion thereof to abut against a piston head. The speed of protruding movement of the piston is controlled by a control fluid fed into and discharged from a cylinder chamber divided by the piston head into two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: Fuji Plastic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Tsunemoto, Teruki Mizuguchi, Eiichi Hirayama
  • Patent number: 4082115
    Abstract: A valve operator for steam turbine inlet control valves, each of the control valves being set by a corresponding valve cam. The operator comprises pilot operated hydraulic means for positioning the valve cams in a normal or power mode of operation, mechanical means for positioning the valve cams in a back-up or manual mode of operation and manual actuation means for actuating the hydraulic means in a normal mode of operation and, in the event of failure of the hydraulic means, for automatically actuating the mechanical means in a back-up mode of operation. The hydraulic actuator positions the valve cams through a rack and pinion assembly. Both the hydraulic means and the mechanical means are actuated from an input shaft driving a reduction gear box. The mechanical means comprises a dog connected to the output of the gear box and a pin on the cam shaft driven by the dog in the manual mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George H. Gibb, Henry A. Rabeau
  • Patent number: 4052035
    Abstract: A remotely-controlled valve is disclosed having a faucet-attachable control valve member and a foot-control member for generating air or water pressure which is communicated to the control valve member by means of a flexible tube or conduit. The air or water pressure urges a piston and a rigidly attached rod within the control valve member against a control ball valve away from an aperture connecting a first water chamber connected to the water supply from the faucet and a second water chamber connected via an exit passage to a spray head. Manual override means are provided to force the control ball valve in an open position regardless of the operation of the foot-control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Assignee: Conservocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun S. Kenny, Leonard J. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 4050670
    Abstract: An actuator for reciprocating stem control valves having a linkage system affording variable force, reversible action, and adaptability to different valve strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: Masoneilan International, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl S. Borg, Gareth A. Keith
  • Patent number: 4036467
    Abstract: A valve which may be manually operated between an on and off position and in addition includes a high pressure shut-off mechanism which is responsive to an external pressure. The valve comprises a housing having a through bore, a transverse fluid inlet bore which intersects the through bore, and a transverse fluid outlet bore which intersects the through bore and is axially displaced from the fluid inlet bore. A control shuttle is disposed in the through bore and is manually movable between a first position and a second position in the through bore so that in the first position the control shuttle permits fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet bore whereas in the second position the control shuttle obstructs fluid communication between the inlet and outlet bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: Westran Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas B. Dalton
  • Patent number: 3982725
    Abstract: A low profile fluid powered actuator particularly for valves of the type in which the valve element is rotated to open and close the flow passageway through the valve body, the actuator having a novel internal porting system, means for direct attachment of the valve stem to the shaft of the actuator, and a novel manual override for manually operating the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Assignee: Keystone International, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm D. Clark
  • Patent number: 3980270
    Abstract: Valve for controlling the flow of gases under high pressure from storage vessels such as cylinders comprising a solenoid operated pilot valve built into the valve body and operable to cause a floating piston to actuate a main valve stem by moving against a shoulder on said stem, there being a clearance between a seat for said piston and said shoulder to permit the introduction of a safety pin or fork to lift and immobilize the piston to avoid its acting under pressure and causing accidental discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Inventor: Morgan Carlos Thomas
  • Patent number: RE29322
    Abstract: A valve and actuator assembly having a mechanism adapting such assembly for remote actuation by a pressure medium such as hydraulic or pneumatic fluid and including means for controlling the development of resultant forces acting upon the valve stem of the valve. The valve and actuator assembly includes safety means for rendering the valve safe in response to the development of predetermined unsafe conditions and is adapted with a manual override system allowing the valve to be manually opened or closed regardless of the condition of the safety means. Mechanical or fluid actuated interlock means is provided to render fluid actuating means inoperative and is also provided with means for rendering the mechanical override inoperative. The assembly is adapted to lock out the fluid actuator system to allow the assembly to be serviced without risk of inadvertent actuation by automatic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Assignee: Teledyne Merla, div. of Teledyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman A. Nelson