US 2009/0152483 A1Published application

Condensate free valve handle

AssigneeConbraco Industries, Inc.

InventorRalph Taggart Teague, JR.

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Abstract

The present invention provides a valve actuator for a valve that includes a cylindrical body that is thermally nonconductive and configured to engage a valve stem. A cylindrical adjuster is positioned coaxially with the body. A shaft extends through the adjuster and the adjuster is axially movable between a first position and a second position such that when the adjuster is in the first position a first engaging means engages a second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body. When the adjuster is in the second position the adjuster is radially movable relative to the body. A spring is aligned with the shaft and configured to bias the adjuster toward the first position such that the first engaging means engages the second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A valve actuator for a valve, comprising;

(a) a cylindrical body that is thermally nonconductive and has a first wall that defines a first space, a first engaging means formed on the body, configured to engage a valve stem;
(b) a cylindrical adjuster positioned coaxially with the body and having a second wall that defines a second space and a second engaging means formed on the adjuster for cooperative engagement with the first engaging means;
(d) a shaft that extends from the valve stem through the second space within the adjuster;
(e) the adjuster being axially movable between a first position and a second position such that when the adjuster is in the first position the first engaging means engages the second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body and when the adjuster is in the second position the adjuster is radially movable relative to the body;
and
(f) a spring aligned with the shaft and configured to bias the adjuster toward the first position such that the first engaging means engages the second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body.

3 more elements

A method for adjusting the degree of travel of a valve, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a cylindrical body that is thermally nonconductive and has a first wall that defines a first space, a first engaging means formed on the body, and configured to engage a valve stem;
a cylindrical adjuster positioned coaxially with the body and having a second wall that defines a second space and a second engaging means formed on the adjuster for cooperative engagement with the first engaging means;
a shaft that extends from the valve plate through the second space within the adjuster;
the adjuster being axially movable between a operative position and a resetting position such that when the adjuster is in the operative position the first engaging means engages the second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body and when the adjuster is in the resetting position the adjuster is radially movable relative to the body;
and a spring aligned with the shaft and configured to bias the adjuster toward the first position such that the first engaging means engages the second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body;
(b) moving the adjuster axially from the operating position to the resetting position;
(c) turning the adjustment mechanism radially;
and
(d) returning the adjustment mechanism to the operating position

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.