Valve operator and method

Details Valve operator and method Valve operator and method

1998-10-23

2000-05-09

Walczak, David J.

Valves and valve actuation

Mechanical movement actuator

Screw

251267, 251273, F16K 3144

Patent

active

060592621

ABSTRACT:
The valve operator of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for reducing torque necessary for opening and closing a valve, such as a quarter-turn rotary valve. In the preferred embodiment, an outer handle adaptor has inner curved tracks that drive balls positioned in straight slots of a middle cylinder. As the balls move in the straight slots, they transfer torque energy to a valve shaft adaptor mounted within the middle cylinder and having outer curved threads that mesh with the balls. The pitch of the curved tracks of the outer handle differ from the pitch the curved tracks of the valve shaft adaptor to thereby effect a desired torque reduction ratio. The valve operator has relatively few components, at least three or more relatively rotatable components, preferably arranged in meshing configuration so as to effect a small size operator without the use of a gear box. The size of the operator is so small that it is comparable or the effectively the same as that of a valve having a simple straight-shaft valve operator.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2585667 (1952-02-01), Meador
patent: 3071343 (1963-01-01), Milleville
patent: 4488704 (1984-12-01), Wicker
patent: 4968002 (1990-11-01), Gibson et al.
Baker Tools Advertisement p. 305 from Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment and Services, published by World Oil, Gulf Publishing Co., P.O. Box 2608, Houston, TX No Date.
Rockwell International Advertisement, p. 5593, from Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment and Services, published by World Oil, Gulf Pub. Co, P.O. Box 2608 Houston, TX No Date.

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