US3842601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Large liquid metal valve actuator
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-08
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A large valve actuator assembly driven by an electrically conducting liquid enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing. The conducting liquid contained within the housing is circulated by magnetic forces without housing penetrations. The circular flow of the liquid impinges on a vane structure causing it to rotate. The vane structure''s rotation is mechanically translated from a rotary to a linear motion for valve stem actuation. The magnetic forces operate on principles of magnetic induction similar to those found in the operation of an electric motor. A circularly advancing magnetic field is imposed on the electrically conducting liquid. Magnetic coupling between the liquid and the advancing field causes the liquid to rotate and in so doing imparts rotation to the vane structure.
Inventors
- 👤 S Borst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16H; F16H43/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
An actuator assembly driven by an electrically conducting liquid, comprising: a. a housing having the shape of a hollow cup, thereby forming an interior void shaped like a cup and an exterior cylindrical cupped space; b. a vane assembly adapted to rotate within said interior cup shaped void with the vanes of said vane assembly adapted to rotate through the space in the hollow walls of said hollow cup shaped housing; c. means suspending said vane assembly within said cup shaped void for allowing low friction rotation of said vane assembly; d. power delivery means operably coupled to said vane assembly for utilizing said rotation; e. a passage in said housing adapted to permit utilization of said rotation; f. a passage in said housing adapted to permit the filling of said housing with said electrically conducting liquid so that said void is filled with said liquid; and g. a cylindrical rotor with a plurality of magnetic poles positioned on the cylindrical surface adapted to be inserted into and rotated in either direction with the cylindrical cupped shape formed by said cup shaped housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
An actuator assembly driven by an electrically conducting liquid, comprising: a. a housing having the shape of a hollow cup, thereby forming an interior void shaped like a cup and an exterior cylindrical cupped space; b. a vane assembly adapted to rotate within said interior cup shaped void with the vanes of said vane assembly adapted to rotate through the space in the hollow walls of said hollow cup shaped housing; c. means suspending said vane assembly within said cup shaped void for allowing low friction rotation of said vane assembly; d. power delivery means operably coupled to said vane assembly for utilizing said rotation; e. a passage in said housing adapted to permit utilization of said rotation; f. a passage in said housing adapted to permit the filling of said housing with said electrically conducting liquid so that said void is filled with said liquid; and g. a cylindrical rotor with a plurality of magnetic poles positioned on the cylindrical surface adapted to be inserted into and rotated in either direction with the cylindrical cupped shape formed by said cup shaped housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An actuator assembly driven by an electrically conducting liquid as recited in claim 1 wherein the extreme outside surface of said housing is clad with a low reluctance magnetic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An actuator assembly driven by an electrically conducting liquid as recited in claim 1 wherein the magnetic poles of said cylindrical rotor has poles which are longitudinally extended and which are oriented with their long dimension parallel to the axis of the cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
An actuator assembly driven by an electrically conducting liquid as recited in claim 1 wherein said magnet includes helically shaped poles; and wherein said housing includes a passage means communicating with the interior of said housing and leading from the top of said housing to some bottom position of said housing for allowing circulation of said electrically conducting liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An actuator assembly driven by an electrically conducting liquid as recited in claim 1 wherein said magnetic poles of said cylindrical rotor are poles of permanent magnets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An actuator assembly driven by an electrically conducting liquid as recited in claim 1 wherein said poles of said cylindrical rotor are poles of electromagnets.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |