Patent US3667502A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3667502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-recycling actuator and valve incorporating it
Assignee: Automatic Switch Co
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Filing: 1970-03-19
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A self-recycling actuator operated by a source of fluid pressure is used to control the operation of a valve. The valve has a main valve member whose position is controlled by a pilot valve adapted to vent the high pressure side of the main valve member. The self-recycling actuator controls the pilot valve and is operated by the high pressure fluid from the inlet of the main valve. High pressure fluid brought to the inlet of the selfrecycling actuator displaces a plunger member thereby opening the pilot valve and hence the main valve. At the same time, high pressure fluid enters a recycling chamber. As pressure builds up in the recycling chamber, the plunger is returned to its initial position. Vent means reduces the pressure in the recycling chamber thereby initiating a new cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Noel A Otto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:12
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B21/00; F15B21/12; F15B11/00; F15B11/08; F15B11/15; F15B21/02; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86405; Y10T137/86413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
A self-recycling actuator comprising: a. a housing having a plunger chamber and a recycling chamber, b. means establishing communication between said chambers, c. an inlet through which high pressure fluid may enter said plunger chamber, d. vent means through which fluid may leave said recycling chamber at a rate slower than the rate at which fluid enters said plunger chamber when said inlet is open, e. closure means movable within said plunger chamber for closing and opening said inlet, and f. means within said recycling chamber operatively associated with said closure means and responsive to fluid pressure in said recycling chamber of at least a certain minimum value for moving said closure means to a position in which the latter closes said inlet, whereby said means (f) causes said closure means (e) to maintain said inlet (c) closed until sufficient fluid bleeds out of said recycling chamber through vent means (d) to reduce the pressure in said recycling chambEr enough to permit the high pressure fluid at said inlet (c) to move said closure means (e) and open said inlet thereby allowing high pressure fluid to once again fill said plunger and recycling chambers, said vent means (d) including low pressure relief means comprising an orifice communicating with said recycling chamber, a valve member operatively associated with said orifice to close said orifice in response to positive pressure in said recycling chamber, and biasing means to urge said valve member to the open position, whereby when the pressure in said recycling chamber drops below a predetermined value, the bias on said valve member opens said orifice and allows rapid venting of the pressure in said recycling chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
A self-recycling actuator comprising: a. a housing having a plunger chamber and a recycling chamber, b. means establishing communication between said chambers, c. an inlet through which high pressure fluid may enter said plunger chamber, d. vent means through which fluid may leave said recycling chamber at a rate slower than the rate at which fluid enters said plunger chamber when said inlet is open, e. closure means movable within said plunger chamber for closing and opening said inlet, and f. means within said recycling chamber operatively associated with said closure means and responsive to fluid pressure in said recycling chamber of at least a certain minimum value for moving said closure means to a position in which the latter closes said inlet, whereby said means (f) causes said closure means (e) to maintain said inlet (c) closed until sufficient fluid bleeds out of said recycling chamber through vent means (d) to reduce the pressure in said recycling chambEr enough to permit the high pressure fluid at said inlet (c) to move said closure means (e) and open said inlet thereby allowing high pressure fluid to once again fill said plunger and recycling chambers, said vent means (d) including low pressure relief means comprising an orifice communicating with said recycling chamber, a valve member operatively associated with said orifice to close said orifice in response to positive pressure in said recycling chamber, and biasing means to urge said valve member to the open position, whereby when the pressure in said recycling chamber drops below a predetermined value, the bias on said valve member opens said orifice and allows rapid venting of the pressure in said recycling chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A self-recycling actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein said closure means (e) and means (f) form parts of a plunger extending between said plunger and recycling chambers, the end of said plunger located within said plunger chamber having a cross-sectional area smaller than the end of said plunger located within said recycling chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A self-recycling actuator as defined in claim 3 wherein said closure means (e) includes a plunger, one end of which is located within said plunger chambers, and the other end of which is operatively associated with the other face of said diaphragm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A self-recycling actuator as defined in claim 3 wherein said closure means (e) includes a second diaphragm, one face of said second diaphragm being exposed to the pressure within said plunger chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
149 words
A valve comprising: g. a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an orifice between said ports surrounded by a valve seat, h. a main valve member movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat to close and open the valve, respectively, i. a chamber on the side of said valve member opposite said valve seat, said chamber communicating with said inlet port, whereby inlet pressure is applied to said opposite side of said valve member to keep the valve closed, j. a vent opening in said body, k. a pilot valve carried by said body establishing communication between said chamber and said vent opening, whereby when said pilot valve is opened the pressure in said chamber is released and the valve is permitted to open, and l. a self-recycling actuator as defined in claim 1, for controlling the operation of said pilot valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A valve as defined in claim 6 wherein said means (f) is operatively associated with said pilot valve (k) for opening the latter in response to movement of said closure means (e) in a direction which causes said inlet (c) to open.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A valve as defined in claim 7 including a part extending between said pilot valve (k) and said recycling chamber, said part transmitting movement of said means (f) to said pilot valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
228 words
A self-recycling actuator comprising: a. a housing having a plunger chamber and a recycling chamber, b. means establishing communication between said chambers, c. an inlet through which high pressure fluid may enter said plunger chamber, d. vent means through which fluid may leave said recycling chamber at a rate slower than the rate at which fluid enters said plunger chamber when said inlet is open, e. closure means movable within said plunger chamber for closing and opening said inlet, f. means within said recycling chamber operatively associated with said closure means and responsive to fluid pressure in said recycling chamber of at least a certain minimum value for moving said closure means to a position in which the latter closes said inlet, whereby said means (f) causes said closure means (e) to maintain said inlet (c) closed until sufficient fluid bleeds out of said recycling chamber through vent means (d) to reduce the pressure In said recycling chamber enough to permit the high pressure fluid at said inlet (c) to move said closure means (e) and open said inlet thereby allowing high pressure fluid to once again fill said plunger and recycling chambers, g. conduit means for bringing high pressure fluid to said inlet, and h. valve means within said conduit means for closing the latter in the absence of a predetermined minimum pressure in said conduit means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
228 words
A self-recycling actuator comprising: a. a housing having a plunger chamber and a recycling chamber, b. means establishing communication between said chambers, c. an inlet through which high pressure fluid may enter said plunger chamber, d. vent means through which fluid may leave said recycling chamber at a rate slower than the rate at which fluid enters said plunger chamber when said inlet is open, e. closure means movable within said plunger chamber for closing and opening said inlet, f. means within said recycling chamber operatively associated with said closure means and responsive to fluid pressure in said recycling chamber of at least a certain minimum value for moving said closure means to a position in which the latter closes said inlet, whereby said means (f) causes said closure means (e) to maintain said inlet (c) closed until sufficient fluid bleeds out of said recycling chamber through vent means (d) to reduce the pressure In said recycling chamber enough to permit the high pressure fluid at said inlet (c) to move said closure means (e) and open said inlet thereby allowing high pressure fluid to once again fill said plunger and recycling chambers, g. conduit means for bringing high pressure fluid to said inlet, and h. valve means within said conduit means for closing the latter in the absence of a predetermined minimum pressure in said conduit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A self-recycling actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein said means (f) includes a diaphragm, one face of said diaphragm being exposed to the pressure within said recycling chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |