Rising stem valve remote position indicator

Claim 2

Apparatus for indicating the position of a rising stem valve having a yoke extending upwardly from the valve body and a handwheel rotatably mounted at the upper end of the yoke for operation of the valve wherein the improvement comprises a sleeve supported by the handwheel in position to enclose the stem of the rising stem valve when the valve is open, a cylindrical cover supported from the valve stem for movement by the valve stem from a position encircling the sleeve when the valve is closed to a position exposing the sleeve when the valve is open, and triggering mechanism for actuating a switch mounted on the handwheel of the valve and including an upwardly biased element positioned to engage the cover when the valve is closed.

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said switch is mounted on the valve below the handwheel in position for engagement with and operation by the triggering mechanism.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a shroud extending downwardly from the yoke to encircle the threads on the valve stem when the valve is closed.

Claim 5

In apparatus for indicating the position of the valve element in a rising stem valve having a yoke extending upwardly from the valve body, an internally threaded bushing rotatably supported on the end of the yoke remote from the valve body, a cap holding the bushing in place on the yoke, a handwheel engaging the bushing above the cap for rotation integrally with the bushing, and an externally threaded valve stem extending upwardly through the bushing and including means whereby rotation of the handwheel causes axial movement of the valve stem through the bushing, the improvement comprising a sleeve supported by the handwheel encircling the valve stem and extending upwardly from the handwheel a distance at least equal to the distance moved by the valve stem between the open and closed positions of the valve, a rod secured to the end of the valve stem and extending upwardly beyond the sleeve, a cylindrical cover secured to the rod and extending downwardly therefrom around the sleeve, said cover having an outwardly extending flange at its lower end, a triggering mechanism mounted on the handwheel and including an upwardly biased element positioned for engagement with and actuation by the flange on the cover as the valve is closed, and a switch supported by the valve yoke below the handwheel in position for actuation by the triggering mechanism.

Claim 6

In apparatus for indicating the position of the valve element in a rising stem valve having a yoke extending upwardly from the valve body, an internally threaded bushing rotatably supported on the end of the yoke remote from the valve body, a cap holding the bushing in place on the yoke, a handwheel engaging the bushing above the cap for rotation integrally with the bushing, and an externally threaded valve stem extending upwardly through the bushing and including means whereby rotation of the handwheel causes axial movement of the valve stem through the bushing, the improvement comprising a sleeve supported by the handwheel encircling the valve stem and extending upwardly from the handwheel a distance at least equal to the distance moved by the valve stem between the open and closed positions of the valve, a rod secured to the end of the valve stem and extending upwardly beyond the sleeve, a cylindrical cover secured to the rod and extending downwardly therefrom around the sleeve, said cover having an outwardly extending flange at its lower end, a triggering mechanism mounted on the handwheel and including an upwardly biased element positioned for engagement with and actuation by the flange on the cover as the valve is closed, and a switch supported by the valve yoke below the handwheel in position for actuation by the triggering mechanism.

Claim 7

Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which the triggering mechanism includes a guide ring secured to the handwheel, said guide ring having a plurality of holes extending therethrough, pins slidable in the holes, an upper ring of a Diameter to engage the flange on the cover secured to the upper end of the pins, a lower ring secured below the handwheel to the lower end of the pins, and compressed helical springs surrounding the pins between the guide ring and the upper ring urging the upper and lower rings upwardly.

Claim 8

Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which the switch is supported by the yoke below the handwheel and includes a switch arm, a roller mounted on the switch arm in alignment with the lower ring whereby the roller engages the lower ring when that ring is depressed and actuates the switch.

Claim 9

Apparatus providing an indicator of the position of a rising stem valve having a sleeve mounted on the handwheel and extending upwardly therefrom to encircle the valve stem above the handwheel when the valve is open, and a cover supported by the valve stem extending downwardly over the sleeve to encircle the sleeve when the valve is closed, and a triggering mechanism comprising an upper ring surrounding the valve stem below the cover, pins slidably supported by the handwheel extending upwardly through the handwheel and connected at their upper ends to the upper ring, a lower ring secured to the lower end of the pins below the handwheel, compressed springs between the upper ring and the handwheel urging the upper and lower rings upwardly and a switch supported by the valve and having an arm in alignment with the lower ring whereby depression of the triggering mechanism actuates the switch.

Claim 10

Apparatus providing an indicator of the position of a rising stem valve having a sleeve mounted on the handwheel and extending upwardly therefrom to encircle the valve stem above the handwheel when the valve is open, and a cover supported by the valve stem extending downwardly over the sleeve to encircle the sleeve when the valve is closed, and a triggering mechanism comprising an upper ring surrounding the valve stem below the cover, pins slidably supported by the handwheel extending upwardly through the handwheel and connected at their upper ends to the upper ring, a lower ring secured to the lower end of the pins below the handwheel, compressed springs between the upper ring and the handwheel urging the upper and lower rings upwardly and a switch supported by the valve and having an arm in alignment with the lower ring whereby depression of the triggering mechanism actuates the switch.