Automatic position-control valve assembly

• US 6,354,327 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Henry Pratt Company, LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Virginia Valve Company
• Inventors: Mayhew, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Michalsky, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US09/629,101
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 137/596, 251/26, 91/32
• US Class Current: 137/596
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/10 Special arrangements for operating the actuated device with or without using fluid pressure, e.g. for emergency use
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 20/00 Safety arrangements for fluid actuator systems; Applications of safety devices in fluid actuator systems; Emergency measures for fluid actuator systems
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 9/09 with electrical control means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/16 with a mechanism, other than pulling-or pushing-rod, between fluid motor and closure member with float F16K31/18
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87169 Supply and exhaust

Abstract

According to principles of this invention, an override controller is structured for being placed in pressurized fluid lines between a valve position transducer and a valve position actuator of an automatic position-controlled valve assembly, with the override controller receiving uncontrolled supply pressurized fluid and having an exhaust. The override controller receives pressurized fluid at first and second inlet ports from the valve position transducer and furnishes this pressurized fluid to the valve position actuator through first and second outlet ports for controlling the position of the valve during normal operation. However, valve mechanisms of the override controller can also be placed in positions for stopping flow of pressurized fluid through the first and second inlet ports and providing fluid flow from the uncontrolled pressurized fluid to the first and second outlet ports for controlling the position of an industrial valve during override operation.

Claims

1. An override controller for an automatic position-control valve assembly comprising:

first and second inlet ports, each for receiving pressurized fluid controlled by a valve-position transducer for moving a valve to a position determined by the valve-position transducer;

first and second outlet ports for being attached to a valve-position actuator, each for furnishing the pressurized fluid controlled by the valve-position transducer to the valve-position actuator for moving a valve in either of opposite directions;

an override exhaust port for exhausting fluid from an outlet port when the other outlet port is pressurized;

an auxiliary air-supply port for receiving pressurized supply fluid uncontrolled by the valve-position transducer;

first and second inlet valves respectively for each of said first and second inlet ports, said first and second inlet valves each having a normal position for allowing flow of pressurized fluid through the respective first or second inlet port and a closed, or override, position for blocking flow of pressurized fluid through the respective first or second inlet ports;

an override valve mechanism coupled to said first and second outlet ports, said exhaust port and said auxiliary air-supply port, said override valve mechanism including a manipulator for moving said valve mechanism to a stop position in which the valve mechanism blocks pressurized fluid flow through said auxiliary air-supply port and said override exhaust port, to an open position in which the valve mechanism allows fluid flow between said auxiliary air-supply port and said first outlet port and between said override exhaust port and said second outlet port, and to a closed position in which the valve mechanism allows fluid flow between said auxiliary air-supply port and said second outlet port and between said override exhaust port and said first outlet port;

whereby, control of a valve position actuator can be taken over by said override controller by moving said first and second inlet valves to the override position and thereafter using the manipulator of the override valve mechanism for controlling the valve position actuator.

2. The override controller of claim 1 wherein said first and second inlet valves are independent individual valves at the first and second inlet port respectively.

3. The override controller of claim 2 wherein the first and second inlet valves are manually operable.

4. The override controller of claim 3 wherein the manipulator of the override valve mechanism is manually operable.

5. The override controller of claim 1 wherein the first and second inlet valves are manually operable.

6. The override controller of claim 1 wherein when the override valve mechanism is in the stop position, fluid is allowed to flow between said first inlet port and said first outlet port and between said second inlet port and said second outlet port by said override valve mechanism.

7. The override controller of claim 6 wherein the manipulator of the override valve mechanism is manually operable.