Fail safe mechanism for valve using a cock and lock return spring
First Claim
1. A fail safe mechanism for a valve having a fail safe position and positioned by an electrical actuator, comprising:
- a return member;
a valve stem extension operably coupled to the valve and driven by the electrical actuator, the valve stem extension configured to drive the return member in a first direction toward a cocked position and to be driven by the return member in a second direction thereby moving the valve toward the fail safe position;
an energy storage member operably coupled between the return member and an anchor, the energy storage member configured to store energy when the electrical actuator causes the valve stem extension to drive the return member in the first direction and to release the energy stored therein when a disruption of power causes the return member to drive the valve stem extension and the valve in the second direction; and
a locking assembly configured to hold the return member in the cocked position such that the valve stem extension rotates with the valve independently of the return member and free of influence from the energy storage member while power is applied to the electrical actuator.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fail safe mechanism having a return member, valve stem extension, energy storage member, and locking assembly. The valve stem extension is driven by an electrical actuator and configured to drive the return member in a first direction and to be driven by the return member in a second direction. The energy storage member is configured to store energy when the electrical actuator causes the valve stem extension to drive the return member in the first direction and to release the energy stored therein when a disruption of power causes the return member to drive the valve stem extension in the second direction. The locking assembly is configured to hold the return member in a cocked position such that the valve stem extension rotates with the valve independently of the return member and free of influence from the energy storage member while the power is applied to the electrical actuator.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fail safe mechanism for a valve having a fail safe position and positioned by an electrical actuator, comprising:
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a return member; a valve stem extension operably coupled to the valve and driven by the electrical actuator, the valve stem extension configured to drive the return member in a first direction toward a cocked position and to be driven by the return member in a second direction thereby moving the valve toward the fail safe position; an energy storage member operably coupled between the return member and an anchor, the energy storage member configured to store energy when the electrical actuator causes the valve stem extension to drive the return member in the first direction and to release the energy stored therein when a disruption of power causes the return member to drive the valve stem extension and the valve in the second direction; and a locking assembly configured to hold the return member in the cocked position such that the valve stem extension rotates with the valve independently of the return member and free of influence from the energy storage member while power is applied to the electrical actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fail safe mechanism for a valve having a valve stem driven into and between open and closed positions by an electrical actuator, comprising:
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a mounting plate; a coupled disk rotatable relative to the mounting plate and operably connected to the valve stem, the coupled disk rotatably driven by the electrical actuator; a segmented disk selectively engageable with the coupled disk, the segmented disk rotatably driven by the coupled disk when engaged therewith; an energy storage member operably coupled to the segmented disk and the mounting plate, the energy storage member storing energy when the segmented disk is rotatably driven by the electrical actuator through the coupled disk toward a cocked position; a locking assembly mounted to the mounting plate, the locking assembly locking the segmented disk in the cocked position until the electrical actuator experiences a disruption in power; and
the valve stem rotates with the valve interpedently of the segmented disk and free of influence from the energy storage member while power is applied to the electrical actuator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fail safe mechanism for a valve rotatably driven into and between open and closed positions by an actuator, comprising:
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a mounting plate; a coupled disk rotatable relative to the mounting plate, the coupled disk rotatably driven by the actuator; a segmented disk selectively engageable with the coupled disk, the segmented disk rotatably driven by the coupled disk when engaged thereto; an energy storage member operably coupled to the segmented disk and the mounting plate, the energy storage member storing energy when the segmented disk is rotatably driven by the coupled disk toward a cocked position; a locking assembly mounted to the mounting plate, the locking assembly configured; to releasably lock the segmented disk in the cocked position such that the actuator is free to rotatably drive the valve into and between the open and closed positions without interference from the energy storage member, and to release the segmented disk from the cocked position upon a disruption of power to the actuator to drive the valve to a fail safe position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification