Hydraulic fail-safe valve operator

Claim 2

For use in operating an underwater valve between two positions, the combination comprising: a. a reversible hydraulic motor having ports through which pressurized hydraulic fluid is flowable during motor operation, b. hydraulic pressure accumulator means connected with the motor to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid flowing during motor operation acting to operate the valve to one of said two positions, and to discharge pressurized hydraulic fluid flowing during motor operation acting to operate the valve to the other of said two positions, and c. ducting connected to by-pass the flow of hydraulic fluid around the motor, and with restriction, subsequent to motor operation.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 including an orifice in said ducting providing said restriction.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1 wherein the accumulator contains gas under pre-determined pressurization, and including a source of said hydraulic fluid under pressure.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1 wherein the motor has a rotary output shaft, and including said underwater valve connected with said shaft.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 4 including an underwater support for said valve, a source of fluid pressure connected with the valve, and an underwater tool connected with the valve to receive actuating fluid pressure from said source when the valve is operated to open position by the motor.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 1 including a housing containing the motor, an accumulator cylinder within the housing, and an accumulator piston movable within the cylinder in response to hydraulic fluid flow through the water.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 1 including structure to which said accumulator means is releasably connected, the accumulator means having an hydraulic fluid receiving chamber connected with said ducting via said structure.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 including a base to which said housing is releasably connected, the accumulator means having an hydraulic fluid receiving chamber connected with said ducting via said structure.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 3 wherein said source comprises a pump, and including an enclosed reservoir to which fluid subject to said discharge is flowable, and from which said pump takes suction.

Claim 11

In combination, a. a housing, b. an accumulator cylinder and a reversible hydraulic motor within the housing, and a displaceable member within the cylinder and forming therewith a first chamber to receive pressurized gas and a second chamber to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid via the motor, c. a base releasably mounting the housing and through which hydraulic fluid may pass into and out of said second chamber via the motor, and d. ducting connected to by-pass the flow of hydraulic fluid around the motor, and with restriction, as said fluid passes out of the second chamber.

Claim 12

In combination, a. a housing, b. an accumulator cylinder and a reversible hydraulic motor within the housing, and a displaceable member within the cylinder and forming therewith a first chamber to receive pressurized gas and a second chamber to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid via the motor, c. a base releasably mounting the housing and through which hydraulic fluid may pass into and out of said second chamber via the motor, and d. ducting connected to by-pass the flow of hydraulic fluid around the motor, and with restriction, as said fluid passes out of the second chamber.

Claim 13

In combination, a. a housing, b. an accumulator cylinder and a reversible hydraulic motor within the housing, and a displaceable member within the cylinder and forming therewith a first chamber to receive pressurized gas and a second chamber to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid via the motor, c. a base releasably mounting the housing and through which hydraulic fluid may pass into and out of said second chamber via the motor, and d. and a pin and box connection located to be made up proximate the base in response to releasable mounting of the housing to the base so that the connection is then adapted to pass said hydraulic fluid.

Claim 14

In combination, a. a housing, b. an accumulator cylinder and a reversible hydraulic motor within the housing, and a displaceable member within the cylinder and forming therewith a first chamber to receive pressurized gas and a second chamber to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid via the motor, c. a base releasably mounting the housing and through which hydraulic fluid may pass into and out of said second chamber via the motor, and d. and a pin and box connection located to be made up proximate the base in response to releasable mounting of the housing to the base so that the connection is then adapted to pass said hydraulic fluid.

Claim 15

In combination, a. a housing, b. an accumulator cylinder and a reversible hydraulic motor within the housing, and a displaceable member within the cylinder and forming therewith a first chamber to receive pressurized gas and a second chamber to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid via the motor, c. a base releasably mounting the housing and through which hydraulic fluid may pass into and out of said second chamber via the motor, and d. said member being defined by a piston movable endwise in the accumulator cylinder, there being a port through the cylinder wall to pass leakage of said gas to a space defined between the cylinder and housing, there also being means sealing off between the piston and cylinder and straddling said port in all positions of the piston.

Claim 16

In combination, a. a housing, b. an accumulator cylinder and a reversible hydraulic motor within the housing, and a displaceable member within the cylinder and forming therewith a first chamber to receive pressurized gas and a second chamber to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid via the motor, c. a base releasably mounting the housing and through which hydraulic fluid may pass into and out of said second chamber via the motor, and d. said member being defined by a piston movable endwise in the accumulator cylinder, there being a port through the cylinder wall to pass leakage of said gas to a space defined between the cylinder and housing, there also being means sealing off between the piston and cylinder and straddling said port in all positions of the piston.