Failsafe module
AssigneeRotork Controls Limited
InventorsStuart Lay, James Hopwood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A failsafe module comprising an input member (310), an output member (312), and a coupling mechanism for coupling the input member to the output member. The coupling mechanism comprises an intermediate member (316a) movable relative to the output member to energise an energy storage device and a latch mechanism (318, 320) to hold the energy storage device in an energised state. When the latch mechanism is engaged, the input and output members are coupled together and the energy storage device is held in an energised state and isolated from the coupling between the input and output members. When the latch mechanism is released, the energy storage device can release its energy to drive the output member to a predetermined position.
Claims21
1-49. (canceled)
A failsafe module comprising:
- an input member;
- an output member movable toward and away from a predetermined position;
- a coupling mechanism for coupling the input member to the output member, the coupling mechanism comprising:
- an intermediate member engaged with the input member and movable by the input member between a first position and a second position;
- an energy storage device acting between the output member and the intermediate member, such that movement of the intermediate member relative to the output member from the first position to the second position energizes the energy storage device, and wherein the energy storage device, the output member, and the intermediate member are engaged such that a release of energy from the energy storage device drives the output member to the predetermined position;
- and
- a latch mechanism having an engaged state in which the latch mechanism prevents relative movement between the intermediate member and the output member when the intermediate member is in the second position, to thereby hold the energy storage device in an energized state and to thereby couple the input member to the output member, and the latch mechanism having a released state in which the latch mechanism allows relative movement between the intermediate member and the output member, to thereby allow the energy storage device to be energized or to release energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.