Robust Quick-Connection Mechanism For Use With Valve Actuator Assemblies and Linearly Actuated Valves and Related Methods

An apparatus for connecting a linear actuating mechanism of an actuator to a valve stem of a linearly actuated valve, the apparatus comprising:

• a segmented locking member comprising a plurality of engagement members each including a grooved inner surface profile configured to complement a grooved outer surface profile extending along an outer surface portion of an outer surface of an elongate valve stem member to lockingly engage therewith, and a tapered outer surface profile configured to engage inner surface portions of a tapered recess extending into an extension member of a linear actuating mechanism when urged therealong;
• and
• a locking cap member having a first end portion, a second end portion, a main body portion extending therebetween, an aperture extending through a proximal-facing outer surface of the first end portion, and a bore extending longitudinally therein from the second end portion, substantially through the main body portion, the aperture having an inner diameter sized to receive distal end portions of the valve stem member and being substantially smaller than the inner diameter of portions of the bore adjacent thereto to thereby form an annular shoulder therewith sized to operably engage proximal-facing portions of the plurality of engagement members of the segmented locking member during coupling of the locking cap member with the extension member, the bore sized to receive portions of the extension member and having an inner surface profile extending along portions of an inner surface of the main body portion of the locking cap member, the inner surface profile of the bore configured to couple with an outer surface profile extending along a substantial portion of an outer surface of the extension member to thereby cause the annular shoulder to urge the plurality of engagement members into engagement with the inner surface portions of the tapered recess extending into the extension member and into locking engagement with the grooved outer surface profile extending along the outer surface portion of the outer surface of the valve stem member, during coupling thereof.

An apparatus for connecting a linear actuating mechanism of an actuator to a valve stem of a linearly actuated valve, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongate valve stem member of a valve including a grooved outer surface profile extending along an outer surface portion of an outer surface of the valve stem member;
• a linear actuating mechanism of an actuator comprising a piston, the piston including a piston main body and an extension member extending longitudinally therefrom aligned coaxially with a piston body main axis, the extension member having a threaded profile circumscribing substantial portions of an outer surface thereof, and a bore extending therein aligned coaxially with the piston main body and sized to receive distal end portions of the valve stem member and to centralize the valve stem member longitudinally along the piston body main axis when the distal and portions of the valve stem member is inserted therein, and a tapered recess extending therein and coaxially therewith, having a tapered inner surface profile such that the inner diameter is larger at an entrance thereto than at inner surface portions thereof;
• a segmented locking member comprising a plurality of engagement members each having a radially oriented bore extending through main body portions thereof and a support ring extending therethrough, each of the plurality of engagement members further including a grooved inner surface profile configured to complement the grooved outer surface profile extending along the outer surface portion of the outer surface of the valve stem member to lockingly engage therewith, each of the engagement members also having a tapered outer surface profile configured to engage inner surface portions of the tapered recess extending into the extension member when urged therealong;
• a locking cap member having a first end portion, a second end portion, a main body portion extending therebetween, an aperture extending through a proximal-facing outer surface of the first end portion, and a bore extending longitudinally therein from the second end portion and substantially through the main body portion, the aperture sized to receive the distal end portions of the valve stem member and having an inner diameter being substantially smaller than the inner diameter of portions of the bore adjacent thereto to thereby form an annular shoulder therewith sized to operably engage proximal-facing portions of the plurality of engagement members of the segmented locking member, the bore sized to receive portions of the extension member and having a threaded profile extending along substantial portions of the inner diameter thereof, the threaded profile of the bore configured to complement the threaded profile circumscribing an outer surface portion of the outer surface of the extension member to threadingly engage therewith to thereby cause the annular shoulder to urge the plurality of engagement members into engagement with the inner surface portions of the tapered recess extending into the extension member and into locking engagement with the grooved outer surface profile extending along the outer surface portion of the outer surface of the valve stem member, when threaded thereon.

A method of connecting a linear actuating mechanism of an actuator to a valve stem of a linearly actuated valve, the method comprising:

• providing a segmented locking member comprising a plurality of engagement members each including an inner surface profile configured to complement an outer surface profile extending along an outer surface portion of an outer surface of an elongate valve stem member of a valve to lockingly engage therewith, and a tapered outer surface profile configured to engage inner surface portions of a tapered recess extending into an extension member of a linear actuating mechanism comprising a piston, when urged therealong;
• providing a locking cap member configured to receive the segmented locking member, portions of the extension member, and distal end portions of the elongate valve stem member;
• extending the distal end portions of the elongate valve stem member through an aperture in the locking cap member and through a passageway extending through the segmented locking member;
• inserting the distal end portions of the elongate valve stem member into a bore extending into the extension member to align the elongate valve stem member coaxially with a piston main body to centralize the elongate valve stem member longitudinally along a piston body main axis;
• and
• urging the tapered outer surface profile of the plurality of engagement members into engagement with the inner surface portions of the tapered recess extending into the extension member to thereby longitudinally slide the grooved inner surface profile of plurality of engagement members into locking engagement with the grooved outer surface profile of the valve stem member.