VALVE WITH FAIL-SAFE DEVICE

• US 20170219114A1
• Filed: 04/17/2017
• Published: 08/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler MIRA Limited (Kohler Company)
• Original Assignee: Kohler MIRA Limited (Kohler Company)
• Inventors: Conway, Sean P., Peel, Kevin T.
• Granted Patent: US 10,443,751 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/04 comprising only lift valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/36 actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/0624 Lift valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/10 with additional mechanism between armature and closure member
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1842 Ambient condition change responsive

Abstract

A power operated valve for controlling fluid flow is provided with a fail-safe device responsive to failure of the power supply to the valve to shut-off fluid flow. A valve member is coupled to linear actuator for movement towards and away from a closed position for controlling fluid flow through the valve. The linear actuator is held in a control position by the fail-safe device for normal operation of the valve with the power supply on. The fail-safe device responds to failure of the power supply to release the linear actuator. When the linear actuator is released, energy stored n a spring while the linear actuator was held in the control position is released and biases the linear actuator away from the control position causing the valve member to move to the closed position to shut-off fluid flow.

Claims

1. A valve for controlling fluid flow and a fail-safe device responsive to failure of a power supply to the valve, the valve including a valve member coupled to an actuator for movement towards and away from a closed position for controlling fluid flow through the valve, wherein the actuator is held in a control position by the fail-safe device for normal operation of the valve with the power supply on and is released in response to failure of the power supply for movement of the actuator and valve member towards the closed position.