Surface safety systems actuator operated by electro-magnetic device

• US 20070040135A1
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Weide, Henk, Dyer, Dave, Maatje, Henk
• Application Number:
  US11/350,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20070040135A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/65
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/06 using a magnet , e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/082 using a electromagnet and a permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/1607 Armatures entering the winding

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an electromagnetic valve actuator. The actuator includes a housing, a drive stem extending from the housing, and an electro-magnet in operable communication with the housing and drive stem, the drive stem being responsive to a magnetic field generated by the electromagnet. Further disclosed is an electro-magnetic-mechanical valve actuator. The actuator includes a housing, a drive stem having a stem head extending from the housing, a lead screw supported by the housing a motor in driving communication with the lead screw and a follower in threaded communication with the lead screw, the follower selectively electro-magnetically affixable to the stem head. Yet further disclosed herein is a method for operating a valve actuator. The method includes applying a current to an electromagnet to urge a drive stem against a closure spring to open a valve and maintaining current in the electro-magnet to keep the valve in the open position.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic valve actuator comprising:

a housing;

a drive stem extending from the housing; and

an electro-magnet in operable communication with the housing and drive stem, the drive stem being responsive to a magnetic field generated by the electro-magnet.

2. An electro-magnetic valve actuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the drive stem and the housing carries the electromagnet.

3. An electromagnetic valve actuator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the other of the drive stem and the housing carries a permanent magnet in operable communication with the magnetic field of the electro-magnet when generated.

4. An electro-magnetic valve actuator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the other of the drive stem and the housing also carries an electromagnet.

5. An electro-magnetic valve actuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a hold-open magnet.

6. An electro-magnetic valve actuator as claimed in claim 5 wherein the hold-open magnet is an electro-magnet.

7. An electromagnetic valve actuator as claimed in claim 5 wherein the actuator includes a biasing member to urge the drive stem to a closed position and against which biasing member the hold-open magnet acts.

8. An electro-magnetic-mechanical valve actuator comprising:

a housing;

a drive stem having a stem head extending from the housing;

a lead screw supported by the housing;

a motor in driving communication with the lead screw; and

a follower in threaded communication with the lead screw, the follower selectively electro-magnetically affixable to the stem head.

9. An electro-magnetic-mechanical valve actuator as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one of the stem head and the follower includes an electromagnet and the other of which includes one of a permanent magnet, an electro-magnet and a magnetic material.

10. An electro-magnetic-mechanical valve actuator as claimed in claim 8 wherein the housing further includes a member selectively electro-magnetically affixable to the follower.

11. An electro-magnetic-mechanical valve actuator as claimed in claim 10 wherein the member acts against a biasing member that biases the drive stem toward the closed position.

12. A method for operating a valve actuator comprising:

applying a current to an electro-magnet to urge a drive stem against a closure spring to open the valve; and

maintaining current in the electro-magnet to keep the valve in the open position.

13. A method for operating a valve actuator as claimed in claim 12 wherein the method further includes removing current from the electromagnet to allow the valve to close.

14. A method for operating a valve actuator as claimed in claim 13 wherein removing current includes both intentional and unintentional removal.

15. A method for operating a valve actuator as claimed in claim 12 wherein the method includes engaging a mechanical assembly to open the drive stem.

16. A method for operating a valve actuator as claimed in claim 12 wherein the method further includes applying a current to a hold-open electro-magnet.