Actuator valve

Claim 2

A three-way actuator valve for use in sequence control of fluid apparatus comprising a cylinder body having end and sidewalls defining an elongated cylinder cavity, a cylinder spool positioned within the cylinder cavity for reciprocating motion along the axis of cavity elongation, the cylinder spool including a pair of spool lands in friction contact with the inside sidewall of the cylinder body with the lands separated by an intermediate land connector of reduced diameter, an actuating stem projecting through one of said end walls and fixed to the cylinder spool for reciprocating motion with an actuator piston supply port being formed in a portion of the stem exterior the cylinder and communicating with an elongated bore passing through the stem and the spool and leading to a cavity defined by the opposite end wall whereby a pressure may be developed within the latter cavity and exerted against the spool to return the stem to a maximum projection position relative the cylinder, and a supply port, a cylinder port and an exhaust port formed in the cylinder sidewall and located so that only the supply and cylinder ports communicate with one another in one position of the spool and that only the cylinder and exhaust ports communicate with one another in a second position of the spool.

Claim 3

The valve of claim 1 in which the face of the spool adjacent the opposite end wall is tapered to form a cavity therebetween when the spool is inserted within the cylinder cavity.

Claim 4

The valve of claim 2 in which the opposite end wall is a removable cap which when removed enables insertion of the spool within the cylinder cavity. 4 The valve of claim 3 in which the interior surface of the first end wall is tapered to define a relatively small cavity when the actuating stem is at maximum projection from the cylinder, and which cavity is vented by a relief vent.

Claim 5

A three-way momentary impulse actuator valve for use in sequence control of fluid apparatus comprising a cylinder body having end and sidewalls defining a cylinder cavity, a cylinder spool positioned within the cylinder cavity for reciprocating motion within the cavity, the cylinder spool including a pair of projecting spool lands in friction sealing contact with the inside sidewall of the cylinder body with each of the lands being separated by an intermediate land connector of reduced diameter, an actuating stem projecting through one of said end walls and fixed to the cylinder spool for reciprocating motion with an actuator piston supply port being formed in a portion of the stem exterior the cylinder and communicating with an elongated bore passing throuGh the stem and the spool and leading to a cavity defined by the opposite end wall whereby a pressure may be developed within the latter cavity and exerted against the spool to return the stem to a maximum projection position relative the cylinder, and three ports passing through the sidewall to communicate with the cylinder cavity, the three ports being displaced along the axis of reciprocation of the cylinder with one port communicating internally and exclusively with the second port by the portion of the cavity isolated between the spool lands when the spool is driven by the actuating stem so that the stem is substantially received by the cylinder body, and the one port communicating exclusively internally with the third port by the portion of the cavity isolated between the spool lands when the spool is driven by pressurized fluid passing through the bore of the stem and spool to drive the actuating stem outwardly from the cylinder body.

Claim 6

A three-way momentary impulse actuator valve for use in sequence control of fluid apparatus comprising a cylinder body having end and sidewalls defining a cylinder cavity, a cylinder spool positioned within the cylinder cavity for reciprocating motion within the cavity, the cylinder spool including a pair of projecting spool lands in friction sealing contact with the inside sidewall of the cylinder body with each of the lands being separated by an intermediate land connector of reduced diameter, an actuating stem projecting through one of said end walls and fixed to the cylinder spool for reciprocating motion with an actuator piston supply port being formed in a portion of the stem exterior the cylinder and communicating with an elongated bore passing throuGh the stem and the spool and leading to a cavity defined by the opposite end wall whereby a pressure may be developed within the latter cavity and exerted against the spool to return the stem to a maximum projection position relative the cylinder, and three ports passing through the sidewall to communicate with the cylinder cavity, the three ports being displaced along the axis of reciprocation of the cylinder with one port communicating internally and exclusively with the second port by the portion of the cavity isolated between the spool lands when the spool is driven by the actuating stem so that the stem is substantially received by the cylinder body, and the one port communicating exclusively internally with the third port by the portion of the cavity isolated between the spool lands when the spool is driven by pressurized fluid passing through the bore of the stem and spool to drive the actuating stem outwardly from the cylinder body.

Claim 7

The valve of claim 5 in which the one end wall and the spool define a cavity which is vented when the stem is driven outwardly to maximum projection relative the cylinder body.