US 10,378,562 B2 · Combination device for lockout and partial stroke test of valve actuators

Abstract

The disclosure relates to exemplary embodiments for a combination device configured to effect lockout and partial stroke testing for an actuator having a piston rod providing linear motion and connected to a guide block in an actuator, wherein the combination device includes a device housing having a housing bore, wherein the device housing is adapted to mount on a receptacle on the actuator that aligns a device housing bore coaxially to the translatory motion axis of the piston rod; an extension rod attached to the guide block connected to the piston rod; at least two slides or a profiled bore index sleeve disposed in the device housing that when engaged provide means of restraining the movement of the extension rod in a manner that prevents said extension rod and a driver element of the actuator from rotating, relative to an actuator housing; a housing cover mounted over the device housing wherein the housing cover protects and retains the extension rod, and the slides or the index sleeve in the device housing and a spring biased safety pin mounted on the housing cover wherein the spring biased safety pin is configured to prevent unintended actuation of the actuator; and a tubular cover to protect the extension rod.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A combination device configured to effect lockout and partial stroke testing for an actuator having a piston rod providing linear motion and connected to a guide block in the actuator, and comprising:

a device housing having a housing bore, wherein the device housing is adapted to mount on a receptacle on the actuator that aligns the housing bore coaxially to a translatory motion axis of the piston rod;
an extension rod having a first end attached to the guide block connected to the piston rod;
a means for restraining the movement of the extension rod in a manner that selectively limits a rotation of a driver element of the actuator, relative to an actuator housing;
a housing cover mounted to the device housing, and a safety device mounted on the housing cover wherein the safety device is configured to prevent unintended switching of the means for restraining;
a tubular cover to protect the extension rod;
and
wherein the safety device comprises a spring biased safety pin.

4 more elements

A method for locking out a piston rod of a pneumatic cylinder actuator in a stroke end position, comprising the steps of:

(a) defining a position for locking the actuator by adjusting an adjustable travel stop on an actuator housing, removing a tubular cover from a housing cover and adjusting a fastener out towards a free end of an extension rod and shifting a handle upwards upon pulling out a safety device, to an extreme position and releasing the safety device to retain the handle in an indexed position;
(b) adjusting the fastener to progress an inner face of the fastener for restraining and then securing a position of the fastener;
and
(c) placing the tubular cover back on the housing cover.

1 more element

A method for configuring a device to a partial stroke test device, comprising the steps of:

(a) defining an end-of-stroke position of an actuator by adjusting an adjustable travel stop on an actuator housing, removing a tubular cover from a housing cover and adjusting a fastener out towards a free end of an extension rod and upon pulling out a safety device, shifting a handle upwards to an extreme position and releasing the safety device for retaining the handle in an indexed position;
(b) adjusting the fastener to progress an inner face of the fastener for restraining and then securing a position of the fastener;
and
(c) placing the tubular cover back on the housing cover.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combination device for lockout and partial stroke test of valve actuators

Life of this patent

Combination device for lockout and partial stroke test of valve actuators

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22