Actuator device

• US 8,201,803 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2007
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Ifokus Engineering AS (Oceaneering International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hodnefjell, Lars Gunnar, Hope, Stale
• Primary Examiner(s): Fristoe, Jr., John
• Application Number:
  US12/373,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20090302248A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,814 Days
• Field of Search: 251/68, 251/69, 251/70, 251/71, 251/129.03, 251/129.11
• US Class Current: 251/71
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/043 characterised by mechanical means between the motor and the valve, e.g. lost motion means reducing backlash, clutches, brakes or return means

Abstract

An actuator device comprising an actuator housing with a fitting for connecting the actuator to an object, a motor, which via transmission elements, drives an output actuator shaft of the actuator, where the actuator shaft is rotationally disconnectable from the motor, the actuator shaft being rotatable between two angular positions where the one angular position may correspond to the object being in a first condition and the other angular position may correspond to the object being in a second condition, and where the actuator is provided with an element for storage of mechanical energy, the element by energy cut-off to the actuator being releasably arranged to be able to displace a nut being prevented from rotating around its longitudinal axis, along a screw thread complementary fitting to the nut, and connected to the actuator shaft, whereby the actuator shaft is rotated between the two angular positions.

Claims

1. An actuator device comprising

an actuator housing with a fitting for connecting said actuator to an object,

a motor which via one or more transmission elements drives an output actuator shall, wherein said actuator shaft is rotationally disconnectable from said motor, said actuator shaft being rotatable between a first and a second angular position, said first angular position corresponding to said object being in a first condition and said second angular position corresponding to said object being in a second condition,

an element for storage of mechanical energy, said element by energy cut-off to the actuator being releasably arranged to be able to displace a nut being prevented from rotating around a longitudinal axis, along a screw thread complementary fitting to said nut, and connected to said actuator shaft, whereby said actuator shaft is rotated between said first and second angular positions.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising said nut is displaceable back to an initial condition where the element has been supplied with energy by rotation of said screw thread in an opposite rotational direction.

3. A device according to claim 1, said element comprising at least one spring being biased between said actuator housing and a spring holder being displaceable relative to said actuator housing, said spring holder being releasably connectable to said actuator housing by a first releasable connector.

4. A device according to claim 3, said nut comprising an abutting face facing a shoulder of said spring holder.

5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a gearbox and gearbox housing, between said motor and said actuator shaft, wherein said gearbox housing is connected to said actuator housing via a second releasable connector.

6. A device according to claim 5, further comprising said screw thread connected to an output shaft of said gearbox.

7. A device according to claim 6, further comprising said output shaft of said gearbox connected to said actuator shaft by a third releasable connector.