Valve control unit

Claim 2

In combination with a valve, a valve control unit comprising: A. A housing having a chamber therein, said housing having an inlet means for directing a pneumatic signal to said chamber; B. A diaphragm and a floating diaphragm head positioned adjacent thereto operably secured for movement within the chamber; C. A nonrotating adapter means connected to the diaphragm head for movement therewith, said adapter means having a helically spiraled grooved recess therein; D. A shaft, one end of said shaft having a perimetrical helically spiraled thread, said end positioned within and mated with the grooved recess in the adapter means, the other end of said shaft connected to a valve means so that a forward stroke of the adapter means rotates the shaft and operates the valve means; E. At least two rods connected to the diaphragm head and extending through the housing and a collar connected to and extending externally about the housing, said rods moving with the diaphragm head and contacting said collar to stop the forward stroke of said diaphragm head; and F. Returning means positioned to operate within the housing for a return stroke of the diaphragm to a starting position.

Claim 3

The valve control unit of claim 1 wherein the end of each rod extending through the housing is threadably terminated and an adjusting stop nut is threaded thereon, said adjusting nut contacting said collar to stop the forward stroke of the diaphragm head.

Claim 4

The valve control unit of claim 1 wherein an adjustable nut is threaded on each rod between its end and outside of the housing to contact said housing to limit the return stroke of the diaphragm head.

Claim 5

In combination with a valve, a valve control unit comprising: A. An annular housing having a chamber therein; B. A diaphragm operably secured for movement within the chamber; C. Pneumatic signal inlet means extending through said housing into the chamber to activate said diaphragm; D. A floating diaphragm head positioned adjacent said diaphragm; E. A nonrotating adapter connected to said diaphragm head, said adapter having a helically spiraled grooved recess in an end thereof; F. A shaft, one end Of said shaft having a perimetrical helically spiraled thread, said end positioned within and mated with the grooved recess in the adapter, the other end of said shaft connected to a valve so that a forward stroke of the adapter rotates the shaft and operates the valve; G. A helical spring positioned within the chamber about said shaft and abutting said diaphragm head and an adjustable spring-tensioning means in the bottom of said chamber to cause said diaphragm head to be spring biased; H. At least two rods connected to the diaphragm head and extending out of said housing, each having an adjusting stop nut mounted on one end; and I. An annular collar positioned about said housing whereby actuation by a pneumatic signal forces said diaphragm downward, said downward movement terminated when said adjusting stop nuts contact said collar.

Claim 6

In combination with a valve, a valve control unit comprising: A. An annular housing having a chamber therein; B. A diaphragm operably secured for movement within the chamber; C. Pneumatic signal inlet means extending through said housing into the chamber to activate said diaphragm; D. A floating diaphragm head positioned adjacent said diaphragm; E. A nonrotating adapter connected to said diaphragm head, said adapter having a helically spiraled grooved recess in an end thereof; F. A shaft, one end Of said shaft having a perimetrical helically spiraled thread, said end positioned within and mated with the grooved recess in the adapter, the other end of said shaft connected to a valve so that a forward stroke of the adapter rotates the shaft and operates the valve; G. A helical spring positioned within the chamber about said shaft and abutting said diaphragm head and an adjustable spring-tensioning means in the bottom of said chamber to cause said diaphragm head to be spring biased; H. At least two rods connected to the diaphragm head and extending out of said housing, each having an adjusting stop nut mounted on one end; and I. An annular collar positioned about said housing whereby actuation by a pneumatic signal forces said diaphragm downward, said downward movement terminated when said adjusting stop nuts contact said collar.