Magnetic Valve Actuator For Container Filling Machine
OwnerGrzegorz Podstawka, John E. DeLuca +1inventors
InventorsGrzegorz Podstawka, John E. DeLuca, James H. Turley
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Abstract
Disclosed are valve actuator assemblies for high speed bottle filling machines. These actuators have a shaft that is pivotable on its longitudinal axis, a linkage fork connected to the shaft to pivot therewith, and a follower arm coupled by a magnetic coupling to the shaft. The magnetic coupling helps reduce carbon dioxide leakage. There may also be a second set of magnets which define pivoting dwell positions.
Claims17
A container filling machine having a valve actuator assembly, the valve actuator assembly comprising:
- a shaft that is pivotable on its longitudinal axis;
- a linkage connected to the shaft to pivot therewith;
- and
- a follower arm coupled by a magnetic coupling to the shaft such that pivoting of the follower arm causes pivoting of the shaft, and thus pivoting of the linkage;
- wherein the follower arm is pivotable by a driver of the container filling machine;
- and
- wherein the linkage assists in controlling movement of a valve assembly of the container filling machine.
A valve actuator assembly for a container filling machine, comprising:
- a shaft that is pivotable on its longitudinal axis;
- a linkage connected to the shaft to pivot therewith;
- and
- a follower arm coupled to the shaft such that pivoting of the follower arm causes pivoting of the shaft, and thus pivoting of the linkage;
- wherein the follower arm is suitable to be pivoted by a driver of a container filling machine;
- wherein the linkage is suitable to assist in controlling movement of a valve assembly of the container filling machine;
- and
- wherein a stationary housing extends around the shaft, a guide magnet is positioned outward of the stationary housing and pivots with the follower arm, two docking magnets are positioned on the stationary housing in spaced fashion, and the guide magnet will tend to be attracted to a docking magnet when pivoted adjacent thereto.
A valve actuator assembly suitable for use in a container filling machine to transfer motion from a cam driver to a valve seal, the valve actuator assembly comprising:
- a housing having a central bore;
- a shaft that is pivotable in the bore on its longitudinal axis;
- a linkage fork connected to the shaft to pivot therewith;
- and
- a follower arm coupled via a magnetic coupling to the shaft such that pivoting of the follower arm causes pivoting of the shaft, and thus pivoting of the linkage fork.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.