No-bolt latching system
AssigneeGE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
InventorsJeremy Ryan Choate, Travis Kyle McEvoy, Lloyd Cheatham, Keith M. Adams, Robert Law
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system includes an actuator housing having a plurality of adapter lugs extending radially inward toward an axis, each adapter lug of the plurality of adapter lugs secured to the housing via a respective connector. The system also includes a bonnet having a plurality of bonnet lugs extending radially outward away from the axis, each bonnet lug of the plurality of bonnet lugs being separated by a respective space, the space being sized to permit axial movement of an adapter lug of the plurality of adapter lugs toward a lower flange arranged axially lower than the plurality of bonnet lugs.
Claims20
A valve assembly coupling system, comprising:
- an actuator for moving a valve between an open position and a closed position, comprising:
- a housing forming a chamber therein, the housing extending from a first end to a second end;
- an actuator assembly at the first end, the actuator assembly translating fluid pressure into a driving force;
- a stem coupled to the actuator assembly and extending through the actuator;
- and
- an adapter ring coupled to the second end, the adapter ring including a plurality of adapter lugs extending radially inward toward the stem, the adapter lugs being circumferentially distributed about an inner diameter of the adapter ring and including a plurality of spaces between adjacent adapter lugs;
- and
- a bonnet, comprising:
- a lower flange;
- and
- a plurality of bonnet lugs positioned axially higher than the lower flange, the plurality of bonnet lugs being circumferentially distributed about a circumference of the bonnet and including a plurality of bonnet spaces between adjacent bonnet lugs;
- and
- a groove between the lower flange and the plurality of bonnet lugs.
A valve assembly coupling system, comprising:
- an actuator housing having a plurality of adapter lugs extending radially inward toward an axis, each adapter lug of the plurality of adapter lugs secured to the housing via a respective connector;
- and
- a bonnet having a plurality of bonnet lugs extending radially outward away from the axis, each bonnet lug of the plurality of bonnet lugs being separated by a respective space, the space being sized to permit axial movement of an adapter lug of the plurality of adapter lugs toward a lower flange arranged axially lower than the plurality of bonnet lugs.
A method for coupling components of a valve assembly, comprising:
- aligning an adapter lug, coupled to an actuator housing, with a space formed between a pair of bonnet lugs;
- axially lowering the actuator housing to translate the adapter lug below the pair of bonnet lugs through the space;
- rotating the actuator housing to align the adapter lug with at least one bonnet lug;
- and
- locking the actuator housing in position to block rotation of the actuator housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.