With Mechanical Movement Between Actuator And Valve Patents (Class 251/58)
  • Patent number: 6086038
    Abstract: Apparatus primarily for use in seating and unseating a valve by turning the valve stem between a fully opened and fully closed position. In one form of the invention, a lever arm attached to the valve stem is connected at one corner of a triangular shaped crank arm by a link. A second corner of the crank arm is rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft and the third corner is connected to an actuator. The shaft, the link and a pivot point on the distal end of the lever arm and are all brought into alignment along a common axis when the valve is in a fully closed position. Moving the actuator in the opposite direction breaks the alignment between the link and the crank arm and pulls the lever arm toward a valve opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Young & Franklin, Inc.
    Inventor: Weijian Ma
  • Patent number: 6076799
    Abstract: A rotary valve actuator and linkage include an actuator having a tubular housing with end caps and a piston that is moved by fluid pressure against a compression spring. A rolling diaphragm is used to bias the piston. A pair of ports are provided on opposite sides of the housing, and a linkage having two arms is interconnected with the piston through the ports. The linkage is coupled to a rotary valve shaft and linear movement of the piston causes rotational movement of the shaft. The linkage includes two separate arms and a centerpiece. In one embodiment, the arms and the centerpiece interengage each other at angled surfaces that force the centerpiece and the arms into radial engagement with the shaft when axial compression is provided to the arms and centerpiece to force them toward each other. In another embodiment, each of the linkage arms is provided with a collet having radially movable portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
  • Patent number: 6062534
    Abstract: A rotary valve actuator with movable actuator linkage maintained in a constant "pull-pull" tension, includes a sliding canister, rotatable lever, and a return spring substantially aligned in-line with each other. The linear motion of the canister in response to an expanding and contracting pressurized bladder is converted through chain linkage into rotary lever motion. The return spring is connected through respective chain linkage to the lever so the pulling tension of the spring/lever linkage rotates the lever and maintains tension on both chain linkages. Adjustable travel stops are provided. In an alternate embodiment the return spring chain linkage is configured at right angles to the linear movement of the canister. A double acting rotary valve actuator with pressurized bladders on opposite sides of a rotatable lever. One bladder is oval shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International
    Inventor: Philip Wayne Eggleston
  • Patent number: 6059259
    Abstract: A force multiplication mechanism utilizing one or more upwardly open slotted conical disc springs to impart a highly amplified biasing force substantially at the center of the spring upon a force receiving member when the springs are oriented in an unrelieved, but loaded configuration. Two fulcrums are positioned, one each, proximate to upper and lower surfaces of the slotted disc springs. One fulcrum, a high amplification fulcrum, engages the upper surface of the disc spring in the unrelieved configuration causing the downwardly biasing force to be a multiple of the spring's rated force, exemplarily on the order of five times that rated force. A second fulcrum, a low amplification fulcrum, engages the lower surface of the disc spring and acts as a pivot point about which the spring transitions into the relieved configuration causing the downwardly biasing force to be relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Pressure Technology
    Inventors: Roger J. Gregoire, John C. Kaufman, Peter P. Szyperski
  • Patent number: 6053251
    Abstract: A reduced travel operating mechanism for downhole tools is provided. The reduced travel operating mechanism (57) includes a load ratio system (59) which may include compression ring (102) disposed within circumferential guide pocket (123) and a linkage system (61) disposed within mechanism pocket (125). The linkage system (61) may include first link (112), master link (114), and second link (116) coupled between compression ring (102) and connecting member (118). A loading system (63), which may include a hydraulic piston (100), acts on compression ring (102) to move compression ring (102) a first distance. Connecting member (118) moves a second distance in response to the movement of compression ring (102) a first distance. The linkage system (61) may operate such that the second distance is greater than the first distance or operate such that the first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Deaton
  • Patent number: 6032920
    Abstract: The objection of the present invention is to provide an actuator possible to transmit an output from a power rod of the actuator as rotary motion, and to provide an exhaust brake unit using the actuator, easy to assemble, a small space necessary for installation, able to place the actuator in such a manner that an axis of a power rod of the actuator and an axis of a valve shaft are aligned in a line, and heat transfer from an exhaust channel to the actuator is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Takahashi, Masahiro Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 6024115
    Abstract: The instant invention consists of an inner cannula of hosing amenable to transport of a liquid coupled with an outer cannula or cannulae of hosing amenable to transport of a gas. As respects one embodiment, affixed to outer walling of the inner cannula and to inner walling of the outer cannula are rigid struts, typically three or four, at 120.degree. or rights angles with respect to one another at various points along the respective lengths of the cannulae that serve to maintain separation of the cannulae from one another at times when the inner cannula is filled with a liquid and the outer cannula is filled with a gas. A second embodiment is strut free. Each cannula has an ingress end whereat a liquid is introduced into the inner cannula and whereat a gas is introduced into the outer cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: John F. Freed
  • Patent number: 6003605
    Abstract: A tubing retrievable surface controlled subsurface safety valve 106 is adapted to be positioned in a well tubing string 102 to control the flow through the tubing string. The safety valve includes an annular housing or body 200 defining a fluid passageway through which fluids and/or gasses may flow to the surface. The safety valve is equipped with a valve closure member such as flapper 252, positioned in the fluid passageway which is moveable between an open and closed position. The valve closure member is engaged and actuated by a longitudinally extending operator 242 that engages the valve closure member 252. In one embodiment, the longitudinally extending operator 242 may be a tubular member longitudinally moveable within the valve body. The longitudinally extending member 242 is operatively coupled to a spring guide 226. A biasing spring 222 is positioned in a spring chamber 120 defined by a spring housing 228 and the spring guide 226. A spring 256 biases the closure member 252 in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Halliburton Enery Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rennie L. Dickson, Nam Van Le
  • Patent number: 6000675
    Abstract: A rotary valve actuator with movable actuator linkage maintained in a constant "pull-pull" tension, includes a sliding canister, rotatable lever, and a return spring substantially aligned in-line with each other. The linear motion of the canister in response to an expanding and contracting pressurized bladder is converted through chain linkage into rotary lever motion. The return spring is connected through respective chain linkage to the lever so the pulling tension of the spring/lever linkage rotates the lever and maintains tension on both chain linkages. Adjustable travel stops are provided. In an alternate embodiment the return spring chain linkage is configured at right angles to the linear movement of the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Wayne Eggleston
  • Patent number: 5988205
    Abstract: A rotary valve actuator with movable actuator linkage maintained in a constant "pull-pull" tension, includes a sliding canister, rotatable lever, and a return spring substantially aligned in-line with each other. The linear motion of the canister in response to an expanding and contracting pressurized bladder is converted through chain linkage into rotary lever motion. The return spring is connected through respective chain linkage to the lever so the pulling tension of the spring/lever linkage rotates the lever and maintains tension on both chain linkages. Adjustable travel stops are provided. In an alternate embodiment the return spring chain linkage is configured at right angles to the linear movement of the canister. A zero lost motion universal connection includes a splined sleeve matching the splined valve shaft and inserted into a lever bore. A set screw with a flat front end is threaded into the lever and tightened against a flat surface on the splined sleeve exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Wayne Eggleston
  • Patent number: 5983919
    Abstract: An automatic drain valve for discharging accumulations of fluids and foreign materials from a fluid handling system. The drain valve (10) comprises a reservoir (14) defining a reservoir volume (15) and a thru-port (28), in fluid communication with the reservoir volume (15), that defines an inlet (30) and terminates in a drainage valve (82) for flowthrough communications with a fluid handling system. An actuating mechanism selectively actuates a valve operator. In the preferred embodiment, a pilot valve (41) is mounted in the reservoir (14) for selectively communicating pressurized air to a valve operator (57), such that the valve operator selectively opens and closes the drainage valve (82) communicating with the outlet (88) of the reservoir (14) for selectively draining the reservoir. The pilot valve (41) includes a sensor tube (42) which defines a valve seat (44) and includes a magnetized valve plug (46) for selectively engaging the valve seat (44), the valve plug (46) having a selected magnetic polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Drain-All, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester V. Ottinger, Dennis E. Collins
  • Patent number: 5979864
    Abstract: A rotary valve actuator with movable actuator linkage maintained in a constant "pull-pull" tension, includes a sliding canister, rotatable lever, and a return spring substantially aligned in-line with each other. The linear motion of the canister in response to an expanding and contracting pressurized bladder is converted through chain linkage into rotary lever motion. The return spring is connected through respective chain linkage to the lever so the pulling tension of the spring/lever linkage rotates the lever and maintains tension on both chain linkages. Adjustable travel stops are provided. In an alternate embodiment the return spring chain linkage is configured at right angles to the linear movement of the canister. A double acting rotary valve actuator with pressurized bladders on opposite sides of a rotatable lever. One bladder is oval shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Wayne Eggleston
  • Patent number: 5975487
    Abstract: A rotary valve actuator for fluid control valves having improved actuator linkage matching the torque requirements of most rotary shaft valves. A link member is pivotally interconnected to a linear movable actuating member and to a rotatable lever. The link member enables a high actuator torque to be developed and provided during the times when the valve requires a high torque, and a low actuator torque during other times when the valve only requires a lower torque. A high-low-high actuator torque is provided matching the high-low-high torque requirements of most rotary valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Wayne Eggleston
  • Patent number: 5967486
    Abstract: A valve actuator having a pivotal cam-lever driven push-pull mechanical linkage system. A power mechanism moves a cam-lever member which then moves a connecting rod to move a push-pull member to lift out or push in a conventional valve stem. This then opens or closes the valve. In an alternative embodiment, the actuator includes an adjustable block member to which the cam-lever is pivotally attached. This provides a separate adjustability for the ultimate maximum movement of the push-pull member and thereby also of the valve stem in order to ensure a proper closing force is imparted to the valve. Also in this embodiment, it is preferred that the push-pull member includes at least one spring washer disposed therein. This provides a desirable compressibility in the system during the imposition of the force that the push-pull member exerts on the valve stem during the opening and/or closing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventors: Gene A. McCrory, David L. Rehder
  • Patent number: 5954088
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a hollow valve body for mounting a valve ball therein. A drive transmitting stem has a proximate end coupled to the valve ball, and a distal end extending outwardly of the valve body for coupling with an output drive shaft of a valve control device. A hollow bearing housing of a single-piece construction is sleeved spacedly on the stem, and has a mounting end inserted into the valve body, and a support end for supporting securely the valve control device. An annular packing member, a tensioning member and a bearing member are mounted sealingly on the stem and are completely received in the bearing housing. As such, the ball valve can be connected directly to the valve control device through the bearing housing without the need for a connecting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Transworld Steel Enterprise Corp.
    Inventor: Michael Huang
  • Patent number: 5931188
    Abstract: A gas regulator valve (14) for maintaining a preset low gas pressure in a storage tank (10). A fluid balanced piston valve member (32) is seated in a closed position on seat (40). A diaphragm actuator (70) has a diaphragm (76). A linkage including opposed link arms (106, 108) is positioned between the diaphragm (76) and the piston valve member (32) and a roller (104) supported on link arms (106, 108) contacts the valve member (32) for controlling the movement of the valve member (32) between open and closed positions. The inner upper ends of link arms (106, 108) are pivotally mounted on bracket (94) secured to the housing and the lower outer ends of the link arms (106, 108) are pivotally mounted on opposed brackets (88, 90) secured to the diaphragm (76). An axial movement of the diaphragm (76) of about two inches results in an axial movement of roller (104) and piston valve member (32) of about 0.20 inch to provide a ratio of about ten to one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Groth Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. Sprague
  • Patent number: 5924671
    Abstract: A rotary valve actuator and linkage provide an actuator having a tubular housing with end caps and a piston that is moved by fluid pressure against a compression spring. A rolling diaphragm is used to bias the piston. A pair of ports are provided on opposite sides of the housing and a linkage having two arms is interconnected with the piston through the ports. The linkage is coupled to a rotary valve shaft and linear movement of the piston causes rotational movement of the shaft. The linkage includes two separate arms and a centerpiece. The arms and the centerpiece interengage each other at angled surfaces that force the centerpiece and the arms into radial engagement with the shaft when axial compression is provided to the arms and centerpiece to force them toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
  • Patent number: 5924442
    Abstract: A countertorque arm assembly mounts onto a pressure cylinder valve body for cradling an actuator that operates to rotate the valve stem in response to a sensed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Capital Controls Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James Vorosmarti
  • Patent number: 5924453
    Abstract: A valve for introducing polymer into a moving water stream prior to flowing he water stream, with the polymer therein, onto a hull surface of an underwater vehicle. The valve comprises a venturi block having therethrough a venturi passageway for flowing water therethrough, a polymer inlet tube extending through the venturi block and into the venturi passageway for introducing the polymer into the water flowing through the venturi passageway. A shut-off plunger extends through a bore in the venturi block and is axially aligned with the polymer inlet tube, the plunger being reciprocally movable in the bore between a first position in which a head portion of the plunger extends into and seals closed the polymer inlet tube, and a second position in which the head portion of the plunger is spaced from sealing engagement with said polymer inlet tube. A piston and cylinder assembly moves the plunger between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William H. Nedderman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5906353
    Abstract: A toggle valve includes a valve stem which moves a valve body towards and away from a valve seat, an operation member separate from the valve stem, valve stem rollers which are supported by the valve stem and which have shafts whose axes extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the sliding movement of the valve stem without intersecting the same, a tapered surface provided on the end of the operation member adjacent to the valve stem, and intermediate rollers which are provided between the tapered surface of the operation member and the valve stem rollers to come into contact with the tapered surface and the valve stem rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Fujikura Rubber Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Someya, Takashi Ejiri
  • Patent number: 5875807
    Abstract: Fitting, especially for a continuous flow water heater.The submitted invention takes as its basis the problem of developing a fitting of the named type by which the formation of calcareous deposits on the rod protruding from the water control housing is lessened and the influence of such calcareous deposits on the controller action is completely eliminated.The problem is solved in that within water control housing (2), the control motion of membrane (24) is transmitted to a lever (3) whose center of rotation forms a shaft (4), rigidly connected to this lever (3) and whose pivot is sealed, leading to the exterior of water control housing (2). At the same time, shaft (4) is also the center of rotation for a second lever (5) which is likewise rigidly connected to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mertik Maxitrol GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Klaus Schulze
  • Patent number: 5865419
    Abstract: This invention features a device for controlling the operation of a pneumatic actuator and a pneumatic actuator having such a control device. More particularly, the actuator control device of the instant invention includes a housing mounted to an actuator end cap, a solenoid valve disposed within the housing and a gas control valve that controls the pressurized gas admitted to and exhausted from the actuator for valve actuation. The gas control valve is responsive to the solenoid valve and is mounted to the housing. Preferably, the control device includes a position indication mechanism, disposed within the housing, that determines a prespecified position of the valve responsive to the movement of at least one and preferably two moveable actuator probes extending from the actuator end cap into the housing. The gas control valve is a spool valve that is pneumatically controlled by the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Worcestor Controls Licenseco, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Nelson, Richard R. Marchesseault
  • Patent number: 5823748
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for opening and closing a closure cap (16) fitted over a cleaning aperture (10) in the floor of the discharge container (12) of a pump (14) for thick-bodies fluids. The cap (16) is linked to a hydraulic drive unit (20) and can be swung out hydraulically, when a control valve (48) is actuated, into the open position in which the discharge outlet is left open. The cap (16) is swung back into the closed position by means of a hand-operated lever (23), the hydraulic drive unit (20) being returned at the same time to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Putzmeister-Werk Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Benckert, Hellmut Hurr, Paul Baeumen
  • Patent number: 5810326
    Abstract: A refrigerant powered actuated ball valve for use in the fluid circuit of a refrigeration or air conditioning system which can be remotely controlled by a low amperage control signal is disclosed. The actuated ball valve harnesses the pressurized refrigerant from the fluid circuit in which it is installed as the primary power medium to actuate the valve. The valve includes actuation means with a manifold having an inlet port which is in constant fluid communication with a high-pressure side of the fluid circuit. Pressurized refrigerant supplied to the manifold is branched to a series of fluid channels running through the manifold. Exhaust port operators are mounted in conjunction with the manifold to connect the actuation means to the low-pressure side of the fluid circuit and to direct the flow of pressurized refrigerant to either an exhaust port or the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent Alan Miller
  • Patent number: 5779217
    Abstract: An actuated air valve includes a valve body in line with a flow passage for admitting a flow of fluid. A valve member is pivotally mounted about the centerline of the valve body and is pivoted between high flow and low flow positions. A diaphragm and linkage is in mechanical connection to the valve member. A pressure tap from the flow of fluid provides an impulse to the diaphragm which displaces the linkage, thus varying the position of the valve member. A three-way solenoid valve is used to selectively admit the impulse to the diaphragm, thus governing the displacement of the linkage, and thereby varying the position of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: North American Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Clive D. Lucas, Jeffrey C. Armour, Ahmed I. Sabet
  • Patent number: 5762098
    Abstract: An automatic fluid mixing device wherein a cylindrical supporting structure supports a first number of valves angularly spaced along a first circumference, and a second number of valves angularly spaced along a second circumference concentric with and inside the first; the valves are three-way types, and present a control rod extending axially from one end; and the mixing device presents a blade type selecting device movable angularly about an axis through the center of the circumferences, and which singly engages an end portion of the control rod to move the rod axially and so open the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Dromont s.r.l.
    Inventors: Michele Manzone, Luca Drocco
  • Patent number: 5749517
    Abstract: A snow making system which includes a snow making device adapted to produce a spray of artificially manufactured snow from a combination of compressed air and water supplied under pressure to the device from remote compressed air and water supplies. A control system is provided at each snow making device which includes air and water valves that are operatively connected between the snow making device and respective supplies of compressed air and water for controlling the supply of air and water to the snow making device. The air and water valves are ganged together for simultaneously valving of the air and water supply and these valves are further adapted for draining water from the connected snow making device when the valves are in their off position. An air operated drive is connected for actuating the ganged valves simultaneously and is connected to the air supplied under pressure for maintaining the ganged valves on when the pressure of the supplied air is above a predetermined minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Herman K. Dupre
  • Patent number: 5718378
    Abstract: A snow making system which includes a snow making device adapted to produce a spray of artificially manufactured snow from a combination of compressed air and water supplied under pressure to the device from remote compressed air and water supplies. A control system is provided at each snow making device which includes air and water valves that are operatively connected between the snow making device and respective supplies of compressed air and water for controlling the supply of air and water to the snow making device. The air and water valves are ganged together for simultaneously valving of the air and water supply and these valves are further adapted for draining water from the connected snow making device when the valves are in their off position. An air operated drive is connected for actuating the ganged valves simultaneously and is connected to the air supplied under pressure for maintaining the ganged valves on when the pressure of the supplied air is above a predetermined minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Inventor: Herman K. Dupre
  • Patent number: 5697596
    Abstract: A flap valve, particularly used for a conductor of large cross section, includes a valve housing and a flap member mounted in the housing for pivoting movement about a first axis through an angle of approximately 90.degree. between two extreme positions. A drive shaft is mounted in the housing for rotation about a second axis, and a tension lever is fixed to the drive shaft and rotatable therewith about the second axis. A joint rod is pivoted at a first end thereof to the tension lever and at a second end thereof to the flap member at a position substantially centrally thereof. Rotation of the drive shaft and the tension lever about the second axis moves the joint rod and thereby pivots the flap member about the first axis from one extreme position to the other. The second axis is positioned relative to the first axis to ensure that an angle of rotation of the tension lever to move the flap member between the two extreme positions thereof is approximately 90.degree. to 150.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Hermann Rappold & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Josef Kremers, Bernd Ormanns, Wolfgang Schawag
  • Patent number: 5653419
    Abstract: The invention has its object to provide a diaphragm type high pressure shut-off valve which is simple in external shape, can realize miniaturization and is convenient in handling.The shut-off valve comprises a cylindrical housing (10) having a supply unit for compressed air at its end in an axial direction (Q), a piston (19) provided in the housing (10) and adapted to reciprocate in response to the compressed air, a return spring (20) provided in the housing (10) so as to permit the piston (19) to return, a rack portion (19A) provided to extend from the piston (19), a cam pinion (17) having a pinion portion (17B) provided integrally with the pinion portion (17B) and a rotating shaft (18) supported by the housing (10), and a diaphragm (7) adapted for movement in response to displacements of stems (9,13) and abutting against the cam face portion (17A) of the cam pinion (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Motoyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Osamu Uchisawa, Jun Yamashima
  • Patent number: 5634486
    Abstract: A coupling member between a valve driver and a valve has a pin extending into the valve driver shaft and a head with a groove receiving the shaft of the valve and a recess accommodating the packing nut thereof. A spring braced between the coupling member and the valve driver allows the coupling member to be lifted from the nut for tightening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: ITT Richter Chemie-Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Hatting, Gunter Naasner
  • Patent number: 5626324
    Abstract: A non-sliding vacuum gate valve has a valve housing with a valve opening therethrough which is opened and closed by a gate valve body moved by a valve rod. The valve rod moves with linear and tilting movement so that the valve body tilts against the valve seat surrounding the valve opening. The valve rod is moved linearly by cylinder rods extending from a pair of cylinders attached to the valve housing on either side of the valve rod. A cam body having an angular cam slot is attached to a connecting member which spans between the end portions of the cylinder rods above the valve rod. The valve rod has a cam follower engaging the angular cam slot to provide the tilting movement of the valve rod and valve body responsive to the alternate reciprocal vertical movement of the cylinder rods, to open and close the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Irie Koken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Nakamura, Yuzo Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5622202
    Abstract: A tamper proof fire hydrant which may only be operated by the application of pressurized fluid. The pressurized fluid engages the fire hydrant and travels through a pathway in the upper portion of the fire hydrant. The pressurized fluid engages a turbinelike impeller and then the pressurized fluid pressure rotates the impeller, the impeller is connected to a worm gear and turns the worm gear which then operates to open the hydrant's water main valve. Later the flow of fluid is then reversed in order to turn the turbinelike impeller in the opposite direction thereby causing the worm gear to operate to close the hydrant's water main valve. A cylinder and piston may be used in place if the impeller and worm gear, to open and close a water main valve in response to the application of pressurized fluid to the fire hydrant from an external source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventors: Mitchell K. Etter, Leonard F. Gropper, III
  • Patent number: 5601110
    Abstract: A device used in an actuator for locking in place a spring module while under load, the device including a spring return cylinder carrying a spring under compression when under load, a spring guide, a pull rod linked to a piston in a power cylinder, and a connection linking the pull rod and the spring guide, the connection being disengageable when said spring is not under compression, but not so when under compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Bettis Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Rembert, Robert W. Milner
  • Patent number: 5598864
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve has a tubular valve housing, a valve closure member movable between an open and a closed position, an axially shiftable flow tube for opening the valve closure member, a spring for biasing the flow tube to a closed position, a piston and cylinder assembly to move the flow tube to an open position, and a plug inserted within an opening in the valve housing. This opening is in fluid communication with the piston and cylinder assembly. The plug is adapted to be displaced from the opening to lock out the safety valve, and to establish secondary hydraulic fluid communication with an interior of the safety valve in order to operate secondary tools, such as wireline set secondary valves, inserted into the locked out safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventors: Russell A. Johnston, David A. Bilberry
  • Patent number: 5579801
    Abstract: A valve closing mechanism comprises a stand-off arm (18) adapted for attachment to the valve body, a lever arm (22) incorporating a fitting (24) for connection to the valve spindle (16), and an actuator (26) acting between the stand-off arm (18) and the lever arm (22) for effecting angular oscillatory movement of the lever arm, said fitting comprising a one-way drive transmitting arrangement whereby the spindle is rotated when the lever arm is displaced in one direction but remains stationary when the lever arm is displaced in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Jack Pye, Michael A. Stewart, James Barwise
  • Patent number: 5570581
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve operator includes a pair of reversible, variable speed hydraulic motors mounted on a swivel housing which is in turn mounted to an extendable frame assembly. The motors are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of a bull gear cavity formed on the swivel housing into which is placed a bull gear. The bull gear is meshed with pinion gears driven by the respective hydraulic motors. The bull gear has a vertically extending swivel bore formed thereon into which nests a drive swivel, the drive swivel being free to rotate about its vertical axis therein. The drive swivel has a vertical drive socket formed thereon for telescopical receipt of an elongated valve drive rod therein. The drive rod has connected at the bottom end thereof a drive head to engage and act upon the drive coupling of the valve stem which is to be rotated to either open or close the respective valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Pacific Technical Equipment and Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk H. Preston
  • Patent number: 5564461
    Abstract: There is disclosed an assembly for connecting an rotary valve and actuator wherein the actuator has a circle of holes in its mounting face and the valve has a circle of bolt holes in its flange adapted to receive bolts intended for make up with the threaded holes of the mounting face of the actuator, but wherein, due to circumstances of the manufacture of the valve and actuator, or otherwise, the circles are of different diameter so as to prevent connection of the valve and actuator in conventional manner. Thus, connection is instead made by an assembly including a spacer plate disposed between a mounting face of the actuator and a flange, and connected by studs made up with threaded holes in the mounting face and bolts extended through the bolt holes in the flange of the valve for make up with threaded holes in the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Bray International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Raymond, Jr., Frank W. Johnston, Lawrence F. Boyd
  • Patent number: 5556072
    Abstract: A controller comprises a valve body having a valve element and a valve seat defining therebetween a fluid channel openable and closable with reciprocating upward and downward movement of a valve stem, a casing fixed to an upper portion of the valve body, an operating rod provided in an upper inside portion of the casing and movable upward and downward, a drive device for moving the operating rod upward and downward, and a force transmission device provided in a lower inside portion of the casing for transmitting force acting on the operating rod to the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Shigeru Itoi, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5551665
    Abstract: A ball valve having the capability of cutting coiled tubing extending therethrough. The valve includes a ball rotatably disposed within a housing and adjacent to a seat. Control arms prevent relative longitudinal movement between the ball and seat. The ball defines a pair of slots therein, each slot having a bearing surface. A pair of control pins are disposed on opposite sides of the ball and rotatably disposed in corresponding control frames disposed on opposite sides of the ball. Each control pin has an end with a bearing surface thereon extending into a corresponding slot in the ball so that flat contact is provided between the control pin and the ball. This greater area of contact between the pins and the slots allows a greater load to be transmitted to the ball to provide the shearing load necessary to shear relatively large diameters of coiled tubing which extend through the open valve. The valve is opened and closed by pressure actuation of a piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Timothy Noack, Wesley R. Allred
  • Patent number: 5549793
    Abstract: Pinch valves having a flexible, constrictable sleeve are used to control a dilution headbox for a paper making machine. A variety of pinch valves may be used in the present invention with the pinch valves being actuated by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure or by mechanically pinching the valves' sleeves by means of rams driven by stepper or linear drive motors. For pneumatic control, dynamic differential pressure drops are measured across the valves to determine flow rate through the valves. A pinch valve, referred to herein as a torsional pinch valve, is disclosed for dilution headbox control. In one form, a first end of a sleeve is fixedly mounted in a support frame and the second end of the sleeve is mounted for rotation in the frame. A driver rotates the second end of the sleeve such that a flow path through the sleeve is controlled. The flow path is a maximum when no torsion is placed on the sleeve and is reduced to substantially zero by sufficient rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Industrial Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ake A. Hellstrom, Alexsey Goldshdeyn
  • Patent number: 5535514
    Abstract: A method for making a hydraulic door closer includes the steps of molding material to form an elongated single-piece housing having a longitudinal cylindrical bore extending from a first open end thereof to a closed second end, a transverse intersecting bore, and mounting feet; installing a spring within the cylindrical bore at the closed end of the housing; installing a piston within the cylindrical bore in contact with the spring, the piston having a toothed rack thereon and an opening in each end to permit passage of fluid therethrough; installing a pinion gear in the transverse intersecting bore in meshed engagement with the toothed rack; installing an endplug with a port in the first end of the longitudinal cylindrical bore; and inserting a valve device through the port, for controlling flow of fluid through the piston, and for thereby controlling closing speed of the door. The single-piece housing as well as other components may be molded from metal or polymeric materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventor: Craig L. Lucas
  • Patent number: 5516075
    Abstract: A controller comprises a valve body having a valve element and a valve seat defining a fluid cannel openable and closable with a reciprocating upward and downward movement of a valve stem, a casing fixed to an upper portion of the valve body, an operating rod provided in an upper inside portion of the casing upwardly and downwardly movably, a drive device for moving the rod upward and downward, and a transmission device provided in a lower inside portion of the casing for transmitting a force acting on the rod to the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Shigeru Itoi, Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5507467
    Abstract: A remotely operated actuator for a drill string internal blowout preventer is disclosed. It includes an annular cylinder for mounting on the preventer housing to rotate with the housing and the kelly. An annular piston in the cylinder moves a link pivotally connected to the piston and a crank arm to open and close the preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventor: Keith C. Mott
  • Patent number: 5494254
    Abstract: A rotary flow control valve including a valve spool which is rotated back and forth to move a port in the valve spool into and out of alignment with the main fluid passageway of the valve to selectively open and close the valve. The spool has a pinion gear at each end of the spool and each pinion gear is engaged by a pair of racks with the racks in a pair moving at any given time in opposite directions. Each rack is constituted by spaced rack teeth formed in the side wall of a piston slidably mounted in a cylinder bore in the valve body, and the rotation of the valve spool is achieved by selective routing of pressurized fluid to the cylinder bores containing the pistons defining the racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: JDL Enterprises
    Inventor: John Dominka
  • Patent number: 5458148
    Abstract: A fluid flow control damper assembly and associated method are characterized by a self-contained unit comprising a support base for external mounting to a side of a duct, a damper vane mounted to the support base for movement between open and closed positions, the damper vane being located inwardly of the inner side of the support base for positioning interiorly of the duct when the support base is mounted to the duct, and an actuator mounted to the support base and operatively connected to the damper vane for moving the damper between the open and closed positions, and wherein the support base functions to close an access opening in a side wall of the duct of sufficient size to permit insertion of the damper vane therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventors: Alex Zelczer, Ruth Zelczer
  • Patent number: 5454421
    Abstract: The device is designed for a valve with or without a residual-pressure valve element and is intended to fill the bottle and to create a vacuum therein, optionally through the residual-pressure valve element.It includes a rotary axial shaft (56) with an eccentric tip (58) intended to lift the residual-pressure valve element by rotation of the shaft (56). The rotation of the shaft (56) is brought about by a pneumatic piston (72) which is automatically actuated by connecting the device to a vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Luxembourg Patent Company S.A.
    Inventors: Leon Kerger, Paul Kremer
  • Patent number: 5452747
    Abstract: A device for distributing pressurized water to a plurality of sprinkler lines is provided. The valve and valve control portions are centralized, and thus no electrical connection to remote locations is required. The valve system is modular so as to permit addition or deletion of modules for adding or removing control of sprinkler lines. A stepper motor and cam shaft system permits expenditure of energy only during change-of-state events, so that no electrical energy need be consumed to maintain a watering state. A generator which produces electrical energy from the pressure head of a pressurized water source provides electrical energy for operating a motor and a motor controller, such as a device including a microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Heiko De Man
  • Patent number: 5447285
    Abstract: The invention relates to safety device for a cylinder valve automatic switching unit, wherein said valve is automatically closed when some abnormality such as down of an air pressure takes place. A first air-operated selector valve 8 is installed which causes air flowing out of a reservoir tank 10 to flow into a second supply line 3 when air pressure is reduced, whereby a cylinder valve automatic switching unit 1 in the opening situation is caused to make a closing motion for closing a cylinder valve in the opened situation. And, a second air-operated selector valve 9 is further installed which discharges air flowing out of a first supply line 2 to the atmosphere when the air pressure is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Teisan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Yokogi
  • Patent number: 5440969
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cylinder-operated driving mechanism for a ball valve, and more particularly to a cylinder-operated driving mechanism for a ball valve in which a plurality of guided compression springs are loaded between the cylinder caps at two ends of the cylinder and the two horizontally opposite pistons of the cylinder such that when there is no air supplied to the cylinder for driving the closing of the ball valve, the compressed spring force stored in the guided compression springs can push the two pistons to move toward each other and thereby turn the driving shaft connected to the pistons via links and driving shaft seat and further stably and reliably drives the ball valve to turn close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Wan-Sheng Shin