Valve actuator
First Claim
1. In combination, a valve, and actuator means for opening and closing said valve, said valve including a valve housing having a passageway for allowing fluid to flow through the valve housing, shiftable stop means carried by said valve housing for selectively allowing or preventing fluid flow through said passageway, said actuator means comprising a tubular housing, a push rod shiftably positioned in said tubular housing, means for shifting said push rod between a retracted position and an extended position, said push rod having a proximal end adjacent said means for shifting and a distal end adjacent said stop means, said means for shifting including a threaded rod rotatably positioned in said tubular housing, a follower nut connected to said threaded rod and said push rod, means for rotating said threaded rod wherein said follower nut reciprocates within said tubular housing in response to rotation of said threaded rod to shift the push rod between said extended and retracted positions, and a control rod pivotally connected to said push rod distal end, said control rod operatively coupled to said stop means wherein said stop means is shifted between open and closed positions in response to shifting of the push rod.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve actuator for opening and closing the shut-off valves on fire trucks. The actuator includes a push rod in communication with an actuator nut and a screw rod. A turn handle fastened to the screw rod allows for delayed opening and closing of the shut-off valves to prevent water shock. The valve actuator also includes magnetic sensors to provide a visual indication of the position of the valve to the operator.
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Citations
23 Claims
- 1. In combination, a valve, and actuator means for opening and closing said valve, said valve including a valve housing having a passageway for allowing fluid to flow through the valve housing, shiftable stop means carried by said valve housing for selectively allowing or preventing fluid flow through said passageway, said actuator means comprising a tubular housing, a push rod shiftably positioned in said tubular housing, means for shifting said push rod between a retracted position and an extended position, said push rod having a proximal end adjacent said means for shifting and a distal end adjacent said stop means, said means for shifting including a threaded rod rotatably positioned in said tubular housing, a follower nut connected to said threaded rod and said push rod, means for rotating said threaded rod wherein said follower nut reciprocates within said tubular housing in response to rotation of said threaded rod to shift the push rod between said extended and retracted positions, and a control rod pivotally connected to said push rod distal end, said control rod operatively coupled to said stop means wherein said stop means is shifted between open and closed positions in response to shifting of the push rod.
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13. A valve actuator comprising:
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a) a tubular housing; b) means for securing said tubular housing to a wall; c) a push rod located in said tubular housing; d) a screw rod located in said push rod and having a terminal end extending through said wall; e) an actuator nut movably connected to said screw rod and fixedly connected to said push rod; f) handle means for effecting rotation of said screw rod and corresponding lineal motion of said actuator nut and push rod; g) means for sensing the position of said actuator nut relative to said screw rod; and h) display means coupled to means for sensing for visually displaying said position; said push rod having a terminal end located adjacent to a valve handle and including for means connecting the push rod to the valve handle, wherein lineal movement of said push rod opens and closes a valve. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 21. In combination, a valve, and actuator means for opening and closing said valve, said valve including a valve housing having a passageway for allowing fluid to flow through the valve housing, shiftable stop means carried by said valve housing for selectively allowing or preventing fluid flow through said passageway, said actuator means comprising a tubular housing, a push rod shiftably positioned in said tubular housing and having a terminal end positioned adjacent to said stop means, means for shifting said push rod between a retracted position and an extended position, said means for shifting including a threaded rod rotatably positioned in said tubular housing, a follower nut connected to said threaded rod and said push rod, means for rotating said threaded rod wherein said follower nut reciprocates within said tubular housing in response to rotation of said threaded rod to shift the push rod between said extended and retracted positions, means for preventing rotation of said push rod relative to said tubular housing positioned adjacent a terminal end of said tubular housing, cap means for securing said means for preventing within said housing, and means for connecting said push rod to said stop means wherein said stop means is shifted between open and closed positions in response to shifting of the push rod.
Specification