Scissor thrust valve actuator
First Claim
1. A valve actuator adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with a valve having a valve stem, the valve actuator comprising:
- a frame disposed in a substantially stationary, operative relationship with the valve, said frame having a first end and a second end, said frame defining a longitudinal axis extending parallel to a line between the first end and the second end, and the first end of the frame in attachment to the valve;
first and second linkage arms each having first and second ends, the first end of said first linkage arm being operatively connected to the second end of said frame;
the second end of said second linkage arm being operatively connected to the valve stem of said valve;
a screw block, said screw block being operatively connected to said first and second linkage arms such that the second end of the first linkage arm is operatively connected to the screw block and the first end of the second linkage arm is also operatively connected to the screw block;
a motor drive system, comprising;
a motor connected to the second end of said frame and having a motor shaft, said motor shaft having a worm thereon; and
a motor driven shaft operatively connected to said motor, said motor driven shaft being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the frame, said motor driven shaft also being generally perpendicular to the motor shaft, a worm gear mounted on the motor driven shaft, said worm gear engaging said worm of said motor shaft, said motor driven shaft being threaded and being disposed in operative threaded screw driving relationship with said screw block, so that when said motor driven shaft is rotated by said motor shaft, said motor driven shaft drives translational movement of said screw block which in turn drives the movement of the first and second linkage arms which in turn drives translational movement of the valve stem; and
a sensory control element operatively associated with said motor drive system and said valve, said sensory control element sensing a position of said valve and operating said motor drive system in accordance with a sensed position of said valve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for actuating a valve includes a support frame and at least one valve driving linkage arm, one end of which is rotatably connected to a valve stem of the valve and the other end of which is rotatably connected to a screw block. A motor connected to the frame is operatively connected to a motor driven shaft which is in threaded screw driving relationship with the screw block. The motor rotates the motor driven shaft which drives translational movement of the screw block which drives rotatable movement of the valve driving linkage arm which drives translational movement of the valve stem. The valve actuator may further include a sensory control element disposed in operative relationship with the valve stem, the sensory control element being adapted to provide control over the position of the valve stem by at least sensing the travel and/or position of the valve stem.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A valve actuator adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with a valve having a valve stem, the valve actuator comprising:
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a frame disposed in a substantially stationary, operative relationship with the valve, said frame having a first end and a second end, said frame defining a longitudinal axis extending parallel to a line between the first end and the second end, and the first end of the frame in attachment to the valve; first and second linkage arms each having first and second ends, the first end of said first linkage arm being operatively connected to the second end of said frame;
the second end of said second linkage arm being operatively connected to the valve stem of said valve;a screw block, said screw block being operatively connected to said first and second linkage arms such that the second end of the first linkage arm is operatively connected to the screw block and the first end of the second linkage arm is also operatively connected to the screw block; a motor drive system, comprising; a motor connected to the second end of said frame and having a motor shaft, said motor shaft having a worm thereon; and a motor driven shaft operatively connected to said motor, said motor driven shaft being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the frame, said motor driven shaft also being generally perpendicular to the motor shaft, a worm gear mounted on the motor driven shaft, said worm gear engaging said worm of said motor shaft, said motor driven shaft being threaded and being disposed in operative threaded screw driving relationship with said screw block, so that when said motor driven shaft is rotated by said motor shaft, said motor driven shaft drives translational movement of said screw block which in turn drives the movement of the first and second linkage arms which in turn drives translational movement of the valve stem; and a sensory control element operatively associated with said motor drive system and said valve, said sensory control element sensing a position of said valve and operating said motor drive system in accordance with a sensed position of said valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A valve actuator adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with a valve having a valve stem, said valve actuator comprising:
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a frame disposed in a substantially stationary, yet operative relationship with said valve, said frame having a first end and a second end, said frame defining a longitudinal axis extending parallel to a line between the first end and the second end, and the first end of the frame in attachment to the valve, and said frame having a support portion at the second end thereof; at least one valve driving linkage arm having a first and a second end;
the first end of said first linkage arm being operatively connected to the second end of said frame;
the second end of said at least one valve driving linkage arm being operatively connected to said valve stem of said valve;a screw block operatively connected to said at least one valve driving linkage arm so that the first end of said at least one valve driving linkage arm is pivotally connected to said screw block; and a motor drive system comprising; a motor connected to the support portion of said frame and having a motor shaft, said motor shaft having a worm thereon; and a motor driven shaft being operatively connected to the motor, said motor driven shaft disposed in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the frame, said motor driven shaft also being disposed in a direction generally perpendicular to the motor shaft, a worm gear mounted on the motor driven shaft, said worm gear engaging said worm of the motor shaft, said motor driven shaft being threaded and disposed in operative threaded screw driving relationship with said screw block, said motor shaft rotating said motor driven shaft which when so rotated, in turn drives translational movement of said screw block which in turn drives rotatable movement of said at least one valve driving linkage arm which in turn drives translational movement of said valve stem. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification