Valve assembly with overstroke device and associated method

• US 7,374,147 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ET US Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: ET US Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Willats, Robin, Nohl, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Bastianelli; John
• Application Number:
  US11/251,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20070085048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.19, 251/129.2, 251286-288, 251/294, 251/305, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 251/129.04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/221 specially adapted operating means therefor operating means per se F16K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/465 by flexible transmission means, e.g. cable, chain, bowden wire
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/563 for rotating or pivoting valves

Abstract

A valve assembly comprises a rotatable valve, an electrically operated actuator, and an overstroke device. The actuator comprises a component configured to move in a direction to an actuator position so as to cause corresponding rotation of the valve to a valve position in response to electrical operation of the actuator. The overstroke device is configured to enable the component to move in the direction beyond the actuator position to an overstroke position while the valve remains in the valve position in response to electrical operation of the actuator.

Claims

1. A method of operating a valve assembly, comprising

a first operating step comprising electrically operating an actuator so as to move a component of the actuator in a direction to an actuator position to cause corresponding rotation of a valve to a valve position that results in loading of a torsion spring that biases the valve away from the valve position and not loading an overstroke device that interconnects the actuator and the valve,

a second operating step comprising electrically operating the actuator so as to move the component beyond the actuator position in the direction to an overstroke position while the valve remains in the valve position that results in loading the overstroke device interconnecting the actuator and the valve and further loading the torsion spring, and

reducing electrical current draw by the actuator as a result of the component assuming the overstroke position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the overstroke device interconnects a pulley and a shaft secured to a flapper of the valve, and

the loading step comprises rotating the pulley relative to the shaft.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the component comprises a plunger of a linear solenoid device,

the first operating step comprises moving the plunger to the actuator position so as to rotate a flapper of the valve into contact with a valve stop, and

the second operating step comprises moving the plunger from the actuator position to the overstroke position while the flapper remains in contact with the valve stop.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling flow of exhaust gas of an engine as a result of the first operating step.