US 12,000,499 B2Granted

Electronic actuator for anhydrous ammonia emergency shut off valves

AssigneeSquibb Taylor, Inc.

InventorsWilliam Henry Sands, III, William Henry Sands, Jr., Brently Craig Wilkerson, Patrick Lee Hodges, William Browning Washington, IV, Jack Jay Potts

Life of this patent

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Abstract

In various implementations, an electronic actuator may be coupled to a valve to provide the ability to shut off anhydrous ammonia flow through the valve (e.g., in emergencies). The valve may be coupled to anhydrous ammonia tanks, such as nurse tanks and/or storage tanks. The electronic actuator may include a handle and a bracket. The handle and the bracket may include at least two attractive components that are magnetically attracted to each other upon application of an electric current and the valve may be open. When the electric current is cut, the attractive components of the handle and the bracket may not be magnetically attracted to each other and the valve may be shut off. A controller (e.g., a switch) may be coupled to the electronic actuator to allow control of the electric signal to the electronic actuator.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An electronic actuator couplable to a valve, the electronic actuator comprising:

a bracket, wherein the bracket comprises:
an electromagnet that extends in a first direction away from a body of the bracket;
a handle, wherein the handle comprises:
a connection portion pivotably couplable to the valve, wherein the handle is rotatable from a first position to a second position;
a stem extending from the connection portion, wherein the stem comprises:
a first end proximate the connection portion;
a second end opposing the first end;
a first side proximate the bracket;
a second side opposing the first side;
and
a third side disposed between the first side and the second side;
an attractive component disposed on the second side between the second end and the connection portion;
and wherein the attractive component couples with the electromagnet in of the bracket to inhibit closure of the valve when the electromagnet is magnetic;
and
a second flange extending from the third side of the stem and disposed between the connection portion of the handle and the second end of the stem;
and
a locking member coupled to the bracket;
wherein the locking member comprises a spring-loaded latch capable of receiving at least a portion of the handle;
and
wherein when the handle is disposed in the first position, the attractive component and the electromagnet are coupled and the valve is disposed in an open position;
wherein when the handle is disposed the second position, the portion of the handle is received in the spring-loaded latch and the valve is disposed in a closed position.

18 more elements

An electronic actuator couplable to a valve to shut off flow to the valve, the electronic actuator comprising:

a bracket, wherein the bracket comprises:
an attractive component, wherein the attractive component extends in a first direction away from a body of the bracket;
a handle, wherein the handle comprises:
a connection portion pivotably couplable to the valve, wherein the handle is rotatable from a first position to a second position;
a stem extending from the connection portion, wherein the stem comprises:
a first end proximate the connection portion and a second opposing end;
wherein the stem comprises:
a first end proximate the connection portion;
a second end opposing the first end;
a first side proximate the bracket;
a second side opposing the first side;
and
a third side disposed between the first side and the second side;
an electromagnet disposed on the stem between the second end and the connection portion;
and wherein the electromagnet couples with the attractive component in the bracket to inhibit closure of the valve when the electromagnet is magnetic;
and
a second flange extending from the third side of the stem and disposed between the connection portion of the handle and the second end of the stem;
and
a locking member coupled to the bracket, wherein the locking member comprises a spring-loaded latch capable of receiving at least a portion of the handle;
and
wherein when the handle is disposed in the first position, the attractive component and the electromagnet are coupled and the valve is disposed in an open position;
wherein when the handle is disposed the second position, the portion of the handle is received in the spring-loaded latch and the valve is disposed in a closed position.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/832,536Filed 3 Jun 2022 · continuation
Priority: 9 Jul 2018
Published: US 2022/0403947 A122 Dec 2022
Granted: 4 Jun 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

F16K 31/0682
Using a magnet , e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid: with an articulated or pivot armature
F16K 31/10
Using a magnet , e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid: with additional mechanism between armature and closure member
F16K 31/46
Mechanical actuating means: for remote operation
F16K 35/16
Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation: with locking member actuated by magnet

Family

Application62/695,594Us provisional application · filed 9 Jul 2018
Application16/243,076Parent of this continuation · filed 8 Jan 2019
Application16/243,076Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 8 Jan 2019
Application29/676,144Parent of this continuation · filed 9 Jan 2019
Application17/020,249Parent of this continuation · filed 14 Sep 2020
US 10,774,944 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 15 Sep 2020
US 10,774,944 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 15 Sep 2020
US D910,150 S1Parent of this continuation · filed 9 Feb 2021
US 2022/0403947 A1Pre-grant publication · published 22 Dec 2022
US 11,353,136 B2Parent of this continuation
Application29/676,144Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2020/0011445 A1Published application
US 2020/0408326 A1Published application
US 12,000,499 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.