Power generation for valve actuators
AssigneeFlowserve Management Company
InventorsWilliam T. Dolenti, Daniel J. Morris, Daniel Carlson, Byron A. Fleury, David R. Simons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention utilizes operation of a valve actuator to generate electrical power. A portion of the mechanical energy generated by operation of a valve actuator is converted to electrical energy. The mechanical energy may be converted to electrical energy at the same time as the valve actuator is operating or the mechanical energy may be stored for later conversion. A valve actuator may be operated manually, electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically. Generated electrical energy may also be stored.
Claims17
A power source for a valve actuator, the power source comprising:
- a power generator to be mechanically coupled with a drive train operatively coupled to a valve stem of a valve for moving a valve element to control flow through the valve, the power generator adapted to receive energy directly from the valve actuator where the energy is primarily generated by operation of the valve actuator by the drive train moving the valve element to alter flow in the valve;
- and
- a clutch adapted to operatively couple the drive train to the power generator in a first position in order receive the energy during the operation of the valve actuator and to decouple the power generator from the drive train in a second position, wherein a portion of the power source is configured to automatically decouple the power generator from the drive train during electrical operation of the valve actuator.
A power source for a valve actuator, the power source comprising:
- a power generator for mechanically coupling with a drive train of the valve actuator, the drive train coupled to a valve stem of a valve for moving a valve element to control flow through the valve, the power generator adapted to receive energy from the valve actuator that is generated by operation of the valve actuator by the drive train moving the valve element to alter flow in the valve;
- and
- a clutch adapted to operatively couple the drive train to the power generator in a first position in order receive the energy during the operation of the valve actuator and to decouple the drive train from the power generator in a second position, wherein electrical operation of the valve actuator is configured to automatically decouple the power generator from the drive train with the clutch.
A power source for a valve actuator, the power source comprising:
- an input shaft for mechanically coupling with a drive train of the valve actuator where the drive train is configured to move components of a valve to control flow through the valve;
- and
- a power generator coupled to the input shaft, the power generator adapted to receive energy directly and solely from the valve actuator via the input shaft that is generated by operation of the valve actuator by the drive train moving a valve element to alter flow in the valve, wherein the power source is configured to at least one of automatically decouple the power generator from the drive train of the valve actuator during electrical operation of the valve actuator or automatically couple the power generator to the drive train of the valve actuator when electrical operation of the valve actuator ceases.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.