Patent US6077186A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5085401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low power valve actuator
Assignee: HL LEDEEN ASSOCIATES A CORP OF
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Filing: 1990-07-16
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Granted: 1992-02-04
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Expires: 2010-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A low power valve actuator includes a small motor that rotates an Acme drive screw. The rotary motion of the drive screw is translated into linear motion of a drive nut-traveling block, which is guided along and held against rotation by a pair of spaced parallel guide rods. A cantilever pin carried on the traveling block engages in a groove extending longitudinally of, a Scotch yoke lever, which translates the linear motion back into rotary motion at a further mechanical advantage. The Scotch yoke lever is reinforced and strengthened by reason of the fact that the groove is not a through-slot, but extends only partially through the lever arm. The device is made more compact by reason of the fact that the groove in the Scotch yoke lever can actually extend over the top of the valve stem.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Botting
- 👤 Howard L. Ledeen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:18
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/04; F16K31/041; F16K31/043; F16K31/045; F16K31/44; F16K31/52; F16K31/522; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18568; Y10T74/18576; Y10T74/18648
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A low power actuator for a quarter-turn valve comprising: a motor drive with output shaft; an Acme drive screw coupled to said output shaft; thrust bearing means rotatably receiving and drive screw while preventing axial movement thereof; a traveling block with Acme nut threaded on said drive screw; a pair of fixed, elongated guide members parallel to and on opposite sides of said drive screw slidably engaged by said traveling block to guide said traveling block in a fixed linear path and to prevent rotation thereof; a rotatable output member adapted to be mounted on the stem of a quarter-turn valve; and a motion converting device for converting linear movement of said traveling block into 90° rotary movement of said output member, said actuator also including: spring means holding said motor drive against rotation as torque increases; electrical switch means operable when engaged to de-energize said motor drive; and striker means operative when the torque produced by said motor reaches a predetermined level to engage said electrical switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A low power actuator for a quarter-turn valve comprising: a motor drive with output shaft; an Acme drive screw coupled to said output shaft; thrust bearing means rotatably receiving and drive screw while preventing axial movement thereof; a traveling block with Acme nut threaded on said drive screw; a pair of fixed, elongated guide members parallel to and on opposite sides of said drive screw slidably engaged by said traveling block to guide said traveling block in a fixed linear path and to prevent rotation thereof; a rotatable output member adapted to be mounted on the stem of a quarter-turn valve; and a motion converting device for converting linear movement of said traveling block into 90° rotary movement of said output member, said actuator also including: spring means holding said motor drive against rotation as torque increases; electrical switch means operable when engaged to de-energize said motor drive; and striker means operative when the torque produced by said motor reaches a predetermined level to engage said electrical switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The low power actuator defined by claim 1 including: a housing containing said motor drive; said spring means being secured at opposite ends to said housing and said motor; the rotor axis of said motor being offset from said output shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A low power actuator for a quarter-turn valve comprising: a drive motor with a rotating output shaft; a rotatable output member adapted to be mounted on the stem of a quarter-turn valve; mechanical drive means converting rotary linear movement of said motor output shaft into 90° rotary movement of said output member; spring means holding said motor against rotation as torque increases; electrical switch means operable when engaged to deenergize said motor; and striker means operative when the torque produced by said motor reaches a predetermined level to engage said electrical switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
A low power actuator for a quarter-turn valve comprising: a drive motor with a rotating output shaft; a rotatable output member adapted to be mounted on the stem of a quarter-turn valve; mechanical drive means converting rotary linear movement of said motor output shaft into 90° rotary movement of said output member; spring means holding said motor against rotation as torque increases; electrical switch means operable when engaged to deenergize said motor; and striker means operative when the torque produced by said motor reaches a predetermined level to engage said electrical switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The low power actuator defined by claim 3 including: a housing containing said drive motor; said spring means being secured at opposite ends to said housing and said motor; the rotor axis of said motor being offset from said output shaft.
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) | 1995-02-03 | 1995-08-05 | 1996-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-03 | 1999-08-05 | 2000-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-03 | 2003-08-05 | 2004-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |