Remotely controlled valve operator

A remotely controlled valve operator comprising:

• a cap actuator comprising a cap engagement portion and a toothed gear portion, the cap engagement portion configured to operatively engage a valve cap of a valve;
• and
• a drive system comprising a motor and a sprocket, the motor remotely controlled by a controller and configured to drive rotation of the sprocket, the sprocket engaging the toothed gear portion of the cap actuator to rotate the cap actuator between an activated position and a deactivated position;
• wherein:
• the remotely controlled valve operator further comprises a torque transmission device;
• the torque transmission device comprising a torque bar, a first foot mounted on the torque bar proximate to a first end of the torque bar, and a second foot mounted on the torque bar proximate to an opposite second end of the torque bar;
• and
• the first foot is configured to secure to a first wall of a meter box and the second foot is configured to secure to an opposing second wall of the meter box.

A remotely controlled valve assembly comprising:

• a valve comprising a valve body and a valve cap;
• and
• a remotely controlled valve operator comprising:
• a cap actuator comprising a cap engagement portion and a toothed gear portion, the cap engagement portion operatively engaged with the valve cap;
• and
• a drive system comprising a motor and a sprocket, the motor remotely controlled by a controller and configured to drive rotation of the sprocket, the sprocket engaging the toothed gear portion of the cap actuator to rotate the cap actuator between an activated position and a deactivated position;
• wherein, in the activated position, the cap actuator actuates the valve cap to an open position and fluid is permitted to flow through the valve, and in the deactivated position, the cap actuator actuates the valve cap to a closed position and fluid is prohibited from flowing through the valve;
• wherein:
• the cap engagement portion defines a cap cavity extending into the cap engagement portion at a bottom actuator end of the cap actuator;
• the cap engagement portion defines a fastener hole;
• the valve cap defines a through-hole aligned with the fastener hole;
• and
• a fastener extends through each of the fastener hole and the through-hole to couple the cap engagement portion to the valve cap.

A remotely controlled valve assembly comprising:

• a valve comprising a valve body and a valve cap;
• and
• a remotely controlled valve operator comprising:
• a cap actuator comprising a cap engagement portion and a toothed gear portion, the cap engagement portion operatively engaged with the valve cap;
• and
• a drive system comprising a motor and a sprocket, the motor remotely controlled by a controller and configured to drive rotation of the sprocket, the sprocket engaging the toothed gear portion of the cap actuator to rotate the cap actuator between an activated position and a deactivated position;
• wherein, in the activated position, the cap actuator actuates the valve cap to an open position and fluid is permitted to flow through the valve, and in the deactivated position, the cap actuator actuates the valve cap to a closed position and fluid is prohibited from flowing through the valve;
• wherein:
• the remotely controlled valve operator further comprises a torque transmission device;
• the torque transmission device comprising a torque bar, a first foot mounted on the torque bar proximate to a first end of the torque bar, and a second foot mounted on the torque bar proximate to an opposite second end of the torque bar;
• and
• the first foot is configured to secure to a first wall of a meter box and the second foot is configured to secure to an opposing second wall of the meter box.