US3680831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically driven valve apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-05-21
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-05-21
Abstract
Abstract For use in a fluid flow system, a ball valve having two operative positions, namely the open and the closed positions, is operated by an electric motor which is under the control of an electric control circuit. This control circuit comprises a control switching means capable of taking two different states, at one of which the motor is energized to drive the valve toward the open position. The motor is de-energized by positioning switch means which is changed over to open the current supply path to the motor, when the valve reaches the open position. At the same time with this changing-over of the positioning switch means, another current supply path to the motor is previously provided, which path can thereafter be closed by setting the control switching means to the other state, to thereby rotate the valve to the closed position. In this manner, the opening and the closing operations of the valve can selectively be controlled merely by changing over the control switching means.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuji Fujiwara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:59
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/04; F16K31/041; F16K31/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
An electrically operated valve apparatus comprising: valve means having two predetermined different operative positions; an electric motor operatively connected to said valve means and adapted to be electrically operated to drive said valve means to said predetermined operative positions; an electric control circuit connected to said motor for controlling the operation thereof, said electric control circuit comprising a power source, control switching means electrically connected to said power source and adapted to take two different states, wherein at one state said electric motor is operated to drive said valve means to one of said two operative positions and, at the other state said electric motor is operated to drive said valve to the other operative positions; positioning switch means electrically connected to said motor and said control switching means for automatically stopping the operation of said electric motor when said valve attains either one of said predetermined operative positions; wherein said valve means comprises: a ball valve having a valve stem by means of which said ball valve is operationally connected to said electric motor through a coupling member so as to be thereby rotated to the operative positions, and said positioning switch comprises: an electrically conductive ring strip provided in an electrically insulated manner around said coupling member, which strip is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed and electrically insulated notches at positions corresponding to said operative positions of said ball valve, a first pair of terminals slideably disposed on said strip along a track at diametrically opposing positions and, a second pair of terminals slideably disposed on said strip along said track at diametrically opposing positions angularly displaced for a right angle from the positions of said first pair of terminals, said track being broken by said notches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
291 words
An electrically operated valve apparatus comprising: valve means having two predetermined different operative positions; an electric motor operatively connected to said valve means and adapted to be electrically operated to drive said valve means to said predetermined operative positions; an electric control circuit connected to said motor for controlling the operation thereof, said electric control circuit comprising a power source, control switching means electrically connected to said power source and adapted to take two different states, wherein at one state said electric motor is operated to drive said valve means to one of said two operative positions and, at the other state said electric motor is operated to drive said valve to the other operative positions; positioning switch means electrically connected to said motor and said control switching means for automatically stopping the operation of said electric motor when said valve attains either one of said predetermined operative positions; wherein said valve means comprises: a ball valve having a valve stem by means of which said ball valve is operationally connected to said electric motor through a coupling member so as to be thereby rotated to the operative positions, and said positioning switch comprises: an electrically conductive ring strip provided in an electrically insulated manner around said coupling member, which strip is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed and electrically insulated notches at positions corresponding to said operative positions of said ball valve, a first pair of terminals slideably disposed on said strip along a track at diametrically opposing positions and, a second pair of terminals slideably disposed on said strip along said track at diametrically opposing positions angularly displaced for a right angle from the positions of said first pair of terminals, said track being broken by said notches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Electrically operated valve apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said valve stem is provided with means for manually positioning said valve element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
Electrically operated valve apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said valve stem is operationally connected to said motor by a coupling member which comprises two parts operatively connected to each other by means of clutch means which serve to transmit the driving power of said electric motor only in one rotational direction to said valve element.
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) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |