US4503675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fail-safe actuator with fusible link
Assignee: Xomox Corp
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Filing: 1982-02-26
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Granted: 1985-03-12
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Expires: 2002-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for moving a controlled member, as for example a valve, to a predetermined position in response to temperature conditions includes a bearing member which overcomes a force exerted by an energy storage device within a predetermined temperature range. The bearing member includes a fusible material which melts in another predetermined temperature range to enable the force exerted by the energy storage device to overcome the bearing member and to move the controlled member to a fail-safe position.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Gardner
- 👤 Thomas W. Showalter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:11
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C37/00; A62C37/08; A62C37/10; A62C37/11; A62C37/12; F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/36; F16K17/38; F16K17/383; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1797
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
An apparatus for moving a controlled member to a predetermined position in response to high temperature conditions, comprising: (a) an energy storage device; (b) a movable actuating member, said actuating member being urged to a predetermined position by said energy storage device; (c) a bearing member, said bearing member having at least a portion formed of a fusible material with a melting temperature substantially less than the melting temperature of said actuating member, said bearing member being selectively engageable with said actuating member and operative to prevent movement of said actuating member under the urging of said energy storage device only when said fusible material is in an unmelted condition; (d) a stop member for limiting movement of said actuating member after movement from said bearing member after said fusible material is in a meltable condition; and (e) a controlled member connected to said actuating member and movable therewith, said controlled member being moved from a first position corresponding to said actuating member's engagement with said bearing member to a second position corresponding to said actuating member's engagement with said stop member; said actuating member being selectively movable from said second position to said first position and having means that latches with said bearing member when said fusible material is in said unmelted condition and said bearing member is in its assembled condition in said apparatus and said actuating member is moved to said first position whereby said means that latches comprises latching means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
244 words
An apparatus for moving a controlled member to a predetermined position in response to high temperature conditions, comprising: (a) an energy storage device; (b) a movable actuating member, said actuating member being urged to a predetermined position by said energy storage device; (c) a bearing member, said bearing member having at least a portion formed of a fusible material with a melting temperature substantially less than the melting temperature of said actuating member, said bearing member being selectively engageable with said actuating member and operative to prevent movement of said actuating member under the urging of said energy storage device only when said fusible material is in an unmelted condition; (d) a stop member for limiting movement of said actuating member after movement from said bearing member after said fusible material is in a meltable condition; and (e) a controlled member connected to said actuating member and movable therewith, said controlled member being moved from a first position corresponding to said actuating member's engagement with said bearing member to a second position corresponding to said actuating member's engagement with said stop member; said actuating member being selectively movable from said second position to said first position and having means that latches with said bearing member when said fusible material is in said unmelted condition and said bearing member is in its assembled condition in said apparatus and said actuating member is moved to said first position whereby said means that latches comprises latching means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said bearing member includes a piston-cylinder arrangement with the fusible material being disposed within said cylinder to limit movement of the piston within the cylinder under predetermined temperature conditions, said fusible material being meltable under certain other predetermined temperature conditions to permit movement of the piston within the cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said actuating member is rotatable with respect to said bearing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said actuating member includes a cylindrically shaped portion with a peripheral surface and said latching means is resiliently biased radially beyond said peripheral surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4 and further including a stop arm extending radially outward from said cylindrically shaped portion, said stop arm being selectively engageable with said stop member for limiting movement of said actuating member after said fusible material is in a melted condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said stop member is adjustable to vary the limiting position for said stop arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6 and further including means for selectively locking said actuating member in the second position which corresponds to said actuating member's engagement with said stop member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said locking means includes a recess in the actuating member and a cooperating locking pin which is selectively insertable into said recess to limit rotation of said actuating member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said locking pin is spring biased against the peripheral surface of said cylindrically shaped portion so as to move into said recess when said recess and locking pin are brought into registry.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said latching means includes a latch pin reciprocally movable within a bore, said bore extending radially into the cylindrical portion of said actuating member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said latch pin has a lead in angle on its end portion, the end portion being obliquely oriented with respect to said piston when said actuating member is engaged with said bearing member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11 and further including a piston rod affixed to said piston, said piston rod being positioned in the rotational path of said latch pin when said fusible material is in the unmelted position and being movable out of the latch pin's rotational path after melting of the fusible material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said latch pin has a shoulder on one of its sides, said shoulder being adapted to engage said piston rod.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
241 words
An apparatus for moving a valve to a predetermined position in response to high temperature conditions, comprising: (a) an energy storage device; (b) a rotatable actuating member, said actuating member being urged to a predetermined position by said energy storage device; (c) a bearing member, said bearing member having at least a portion formed of a fusible material with a melting temperature substantially less than the melting temperature of said actuating member, said bearing member being selectively engageable with said actuating member and operative to prevent movement of said actuating member under the urging of said energy storage device only when said fusible material is in an unmelted condition; (d) a stop member for limiting rotation of said actuating member after movement from said bearing member after said fusible material is in a meltable condition; and (e) a valve connected to said actuating member and movable therewith, said valve being moved from a first position corresponding to said actuating member's engagement with said bearing member to a second position corresponding to said actuating member's engagement with said stop member; said actuating member being selectively movable from said second position to said first position and having means that latches with said bearing member when said fusible material is in said unmelted condition and said bearing member is in its assembled condition in said apparatus and said actuating member is moved to said first position, whereby said means that latches comprises latching means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
241 words
An apparatus for moving a valve to a predetermined position in response to high temperature conditions, comprising: (a) an energy storage device; (b) a rotatable actuating member, said actuating member being urged to a predetermined position by said energy storage device; (c) a bearing member, said bearing member having at least a portion formed of a fusible material with a melting temperature substantially less than the melting temperature of said actuating member, said bearing member being selectively engageable with said actuating member and operative to prevent movement of said actuating member under the urging of said energy storage device only when said fusible material is in an unmelted condition; (d) a stop member for limiting rotation of said actuating member after movement from said bearing member after said fusible material is in a meltable condition; and (e) a valve connected to said actuating member and movable therewith, said valve being moved from a first position corresponding to said actuating member's engagement with said bearing member to a second position corresponding to said actuating member's engagement with said stop member; said actuating member being selectively movable from said second position to said first position and having means that latches with said bearing member when said fusible material is in said unmelted condition and said bearing member is in its assembled condition in said apparatus and said actuating member is moved to said first position, whereby said means that latches comprises latching means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said bearing member includes a piston cylinder arrangement with the fusible material being disposed within said cylinder to limit movement of the piston within the cylinder under predetermined temperature conditions, said fusible material being meltable under certain other predetermined temperature conditions to permit movement of the piston within the cylinder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said actuating member includes a cylindrically shaped portion with a peripheral surface and said latching means is resiliently biased radially beyond said peripheral surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 16 and further including a stop arm extending radially outward from said cylindrically shaped portion, said stop arm being selectively engageable with said stop member for limiting movement of said actuating member after said fusible material is in a melted condition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said stop member is adjustable to vary the limiting position for said stop arm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 18 and further including means for selectively locking said actuating member in the second position which corresponds to said actuating member's engagement with said stop member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein said locking means includes a recess in the actuating member and a cooperating locking pin which is selectively insertable into said recess to limit rotation of said actuating member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said locking pin is spring biased against the peripheral surface of said cylindrically shaped portion so as to move into said recess when said recess and locking pin are brought into registry.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said latching means includes a latch pin reciprocally movable within a bore, said bore extending radially into the cylindrical portion of said actuating member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein said latch pin has a lead in angle on its end portion, the end portion being obliquely oriented with respect to said piston when said actuating member is engaged with said bearing member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 23 and further including a piston rod affixed to said piston, said piston rod being positioned in the rotational path of said latch pin when said fusible material is in the unmelted position and being movable out of the latch pin's rotational path after melting of the fusible material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said latch pin has a shoulder on one of its sides, said shoulder being adapted to engage said piston rod.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-11 | 1988-09-10 | 1989-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-11 | 1992-09-10 | 1993-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-11 | 1996-09-10 | 1997-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |