Patent US3590873A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3590873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve mechanism
Assignee: Ltv Electrosystems Inc
•
Filing: 1968-07-26
•
Granted: 1971-07-06
•
Expires: 1988-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A valve mechanism for regulating the flow of fluid including a valve body having a chamber with a movable valve spool disposed therein. A valve actuator is operatively connected to the valve spool for moving the valve spool between a closed position and a predetermined open position. A control system is provided which is operable to detect movement of the valve spool from the predetermined open position and for generating an error signal which is effective to energize the actuator to return the valve spool to the predetermined open position.
Inventors
- 👤 Billy E Duff
- 👤 Joe D Usry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/06; F16K11/072; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86558; Y10T137/86863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
334 words
A device for regulating the flow of fluid comprising: a valve body having an interior surface defining a chamber therein, said valve body including means for defining a plurality of spaced fluid inlets and a plurality of spaced fluid outlets communicating with the chamber; rotatable valve member means disposed within the confines of the chamber and mounted for movement relative to the fluid inlets and fluid outlets for controlling the communication of fluid therebetween, said valve member means being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced annuli, each annulus having an opening extending therethrough with each opening, in each annulus, being constructed and arranged to cooperate with a complimentary outlet for defining a variable discharge orifice therebetween; means for producing a command signal proportional to a predetermined open working position of said valve member means; electromagnetic means responsive to the command signal for moving said valve member means between a closed position for interrupting the flow of fluid and the predetermined open working position for effecting a desired predetermined fluid flow condition, said electromagnetic means having a magnetic member fixedly secured to said valve member means for movement therewith, and said eLectromagnetic means constructed and arranged to create a magnetic field for moving the magnetic member which simultaneously moves said valve member means between the closed and open working positions; and control means for detecting and summing at least two signals for producing an error signal which is a resultant of said signals, one of the signals being the command signal, said control means including feedback means for generating the other signal when said valve member means is moved to another position, said other signal being proportional to the another position of said valve member means, and said control means operatively connected to the electromagnetic means with said electromagnetic means being responsive to the error signal for varying a magnetic field to move said valve member means from the another position toward the predetermined open working position where the error signal is substantially eliminated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
334 words
A device for regulating the flow of fluid comprising: a valve body having an interior surface defining a chamber therein, said valve body including means for defining a plurality of spaced fluid inlets and a plurality of spaced fluid outlets communicating with the chamber; rotatable valve member means disposed within the confines of the chamber and mounted for movement relative to the fluid inlets and fluid outlets for controlling the communication of fluid therebetween, said valve member means being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced annuli, each annulus having an opening extending therethrough with each opening, in each annulus, being constructed and arranged to cooperate with a complimentary outlet for defining a variable discharge orifice therebetween; means for producing a command signal proportional to a predetermined open working position of said valve member means; electromagnetic means responsive to the command signal for moving said valve member means between a closed position for interrupting the flow of fluid and the predetermined open working position for effecting a desired predetermined fluid flow condition, said electromagnetic means having a magnetic member fixedly secured to said valve member means for movement therewith, and said eLectromagnetic means constructed and arranged to create a magnetic field for moving the magnetic member which simultaneously moves said valve member means between the closed and open working positions; and control means for detecting and summing at least two signals for producing an error signal which is a resultant of said signals, one of the signals being the command signal, said control means including feedback means for generating the other signal when said valve member means is moved to another position, said other signal being proportional to the another position of said valve member means, and said control means operatively connected to the electromagnetic means with said electromagnetic means being responsive to the error signal for varying a magnetic field to move said valve member means from the another position toward the predetermined open working position where the error signal is substantially eliminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The valve mechanism recited in claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic means includes a reversible electric motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The valve mechanism recited in claim 2, wherein the reversible electric motor is provided with an electric coil operatively associated with a plurality of spaced magnetic pole members defining at least one air gap therebetween, a movable armature disposed adjacent the air gap, said armature being fixedly secured to the valve member means for simultaneous movement therewith at a common speed, with said armature being constructed and arranged to proportionately respond to a magnetic force field across the magnetic pole members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The valve mechanism recited in claim 1, wherein the valve member means comprises a rotatable spool having an outer surface portion disposed in a complementary close-fitting relationship with respect to the interior surface of the chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
262 words
A valve mechanism for regulating the flow of fluid comprising: a valve body having an interior surface defining a chamber therein, said valve body having means for defining an inlet and an outlet communicating with said chamber; a floating valve member constructed and arranged for rotary movement within the confines of said chamber, said valve member being provided with spaced, axially aligned end portions interconnected by an elongate center portion, each end portion being provided with at least one annulus having an opening extending therethrough, with each opening being constructed and arranged to cooperate with the outlet to provide a substantially continuous fluid stream through the valve member and the device and to control the shape and flow rate of said fluid stream as it leaves the device, and each annulus having an outer surface portion disposed in a complementary close-fitting, but slightly spaced, relationship with respect to the interior surface of said chamber; means for balancing the forces on substantially all surfaces of the valve member for inhibiting differential freezing of the valve member within said chamber, said balancing means including a portion of each annulus; and electromagnetic means for moving the valve member between a closed position for interrupting the flow of fluid and a predetermined open working position for effecting a desired predetermined fluid flow condition, said electromagnetic means includes a magnetic member fixedly secured to the elongate center portion of the valve member for rotation substantially coinciding with the center of rotation of the valve member, whereby the valve member functions as a pivot for the magnetic member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
262 words
A valve mechanism for regulating the flow of fluid comprising: a valve body having an interior surface defining a chamber therein, said valve body having means for defining an inlet and an outlet communicating with said chamber; a floating valve member constructed and arranged for rotary movement within the confines of said chamber, said valve member being provided with spaced, axially aligned end portions interconnected by an elongate center portion, each end portion being provided with at least one annulus having an opening extending therethrough, with each opening being constructed and arranged to cooperate with the outlet to provide a substantially continuous fluid stream through the valve member and the device and to control the shape and flow rate of said fluid stream as it leaves the device, and each annulus having an outer surface portion disposed in a complementary close-fitting, but slightly spaced, relationship with respect to the interior surface of said chamber; means for balancing the forces on substantially all surfaces of the valve member for inhibiting differential freezing of the valve member within said chamber, said balancing means including a portion of each annulus; and electromagnetic means for moving the valve member between a closed position for interrupting the flow of fluid and a predetermined open working position for effecting a desired predetermined fluid flow condition, said electromagnetic means includes a magnetic member fixedly secured to the elongate center portion of the valve member for rotation substantially coinciding with the center of rotation of the valve member, whereby the valve member functions as a pivot for the magnetic member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
The valve mechanism recited in claim 5, further including: means for producing a command signal which is proportional to the desired predetermined open working position of the valve member; and control means for detecting and summing at least two signals for producing an error signal which is the resultant of said signals, one of the signals being the command signal, said control means including feedback means for producing the other signal which Is proportional to another position of the valve member, said feedback means operatively connected to the electromagnetic means which is responsive to the error signal for moving the valve member from the another position toward the predetermined open working position where the error signal is substantially eliminated.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
349 words
A device for regulating the flow of fluid comprising: a valve body having an interior surface defining a chamber therein, said valve body including means for defining a plurality of spaced fluid inlets and a plurality of spaced fluid outlets; rotatable valve member means disposed within the confines of said chamber and mounted for movement relative to the fluid inlets and the fluid outlets of said body for controlling the communication of fluid therebetween, said valve member means being provided with a plurality of axially aligned end portions interconnected by an elongated center portion, each end portion being provided with at least one annulus having an opening extending diametrically therethrough, and with each opening being constructed and arranged to cooperate with its respective complimentary outlet for defining therebetween a variable discharge orifice; means for producing a command signal proportional to a predetermined open working position of said valve member means; electromagnetic means responsive to the command signal for moving said valve member means between a closed position for interrupting the flow of fluid and the predetermined open working position for effecting a desired predetermined fluid flow condition, said electromagnetic means having a magnetic member fixedly secured to said valve member means for movement therewith, and said electromagnetic means constructed and arranged to create a magnetic field for moving the magnetic member which simultaneously moves said valve member means between the closed and open working positions; and control means for detecting and summing at least two signals for producing an error signal which is a resultant of said signals, one of the signals being the command signal, said control means including feedback means for generating the other signal when said valve member means is moved to another position, said other signal being proportional to the another position of said valve member means, and said control means operatively connected to the electromagnetic means with said electromagnetic means being responsive to the error signal for varying a magnetic field to move said valve member means from the another position toward the predetermined open working position where the error signal is substantially eliminated.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
349 words
A device for regulating the flow of fluid comprising: a valve body having an interior surface defining a chamber therein, said valve body including means for defining a plurality of spaced fluid inlets and a plurality of spaced fluid outlets; rotatable valve member means disposed within the confines of said chamber and mounted for movement relative to the fluid inlets and the fluid outlets of said body for controlling the communication of fluid therebetween, said valve member means being provided with a plurality of axially aligned end portions interconnected by an elongated center portion, each end portion being provided with at least one annulus having an opening extending diametrically therethrough, and with each opening being constructed and arranged to cooperate with its respective complimentary outlet for defining therebetween a variable discharge orifice; means for producing a command signal proportional to a predetermined open working position of said valve member means; electromagnetic means responsive to the command signal for moving said valve member means between a closed position for interrupting the flow of fluid and the predetermined open working position for effecting a desired predetermined fluid flow condition, said electromagnetic means having a magnetic member fixedly secured to said valve member means for movement therewith, and said electromagnetic means constructed and arranged to create a magnetic field for moving the magnetic member which simultaneously moves said valve member means between the closed and open working positions; and control means for detecting and summing at least two signals for producing an error signal which is a resultant of said signals, one of the signals being the command signal, said control means including feedback means for generating the other signal when said valve member means is moved to another position, said other signal being proportional to the another position of said valve member means, and said control means operatively connected to the electromagnetic means with said electromagnetic means being responsive to the error signal for varying a magnetic field to move said valve member means from the another position toward the predetermined open working position where the error signal is substantially eliminated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
185 words
A valve mechanism for regulating the flow of fluid comprising: a valve body having a chamber, said valve body having means for defining an inlet and outlet communicating with said chamber; rotatable valve member means disposed within the confines of said chamber, said valve member means so constructed and arranged for movement relative to the inlet and the outlet of the valve body for regulating the flow of fluid therethrough; actuator means for moving said valve member means between a closed position for interrupting the flow of fluid and a predetermined open working position for effecting a desired fluid flow condition; control means for continuously monitoring the movement of said valve member means, said control means operatively associated with said valve member means and actuator means and including feedback means having a feedback member movable upon movement of said valve member means, said feedback operatively associated with said actuator means for moving said valve member means in proportion to the movement of the feedback member; and biasing means for constantly, yieldably urging said movable feedback member toward and into engagement with said valve member means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
185 words
A valve mechanism for regulating the flow of fluid comprising: a valve body having a chamber, said valve body having means for defining an inlet and outlet communicating with said chamber; rotatable valve member means disposed within the confines of said chamber, said valve member means so constructed and arranged for movement relative to the inlet and the outlet of the valve body for regulating the flow of fluid therethrough; actuator means for moving said valve member means between a closed position for interrupting the flow of fluid and a predetermined open working position for effecting a desired fluid flow condition; control means for continuously monitoring the movement of said valve member means, said control means operatively associated with said valve member means and actuator means and including feedback means having a feedback member movable upon movement of said valve member means, said feedback operatively associated with said actuator means for moving said valve member means in proportion to the movement of the feedback member; and biasing means for constantly, yieldably urging said movable feedback member toward and into engagement with said valve member means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The valve mechanism recited in claim 8, wherein the valve member means has a cam surface disposed in opposed relationship to the feedback meMber, for complementing and engaging the feedback member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2678661A
Cited
US2718982A
Cited
US2833508A
Cited
US2880756A
Cited
US3232092A
Cited
US3211182A
Cited
US3443593A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |