Valve actuator
AssigneeGlobalforce IP Limited
InventorsWilliam Michael DUFF, Richard BETTS, Ian Craig Paterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an actuator for actuation of a fluid dispense valve in a pressurized fluid powered fluid dispensing device. The actuator comprising structure to generate a pressure differential between a first zone and a second zone. The zones being adjacent a valve member of the fluid dispense valve of the device such that upon generation of the pressure differential the valve member is moved from the zone of relatively higher pressure towards the zone of relatively lower pressure such that the valve is opened.
Claims24
An actuator for actuation of a fluid dispense valve in a pressurized fluid powered fluid dispensing device, the actuator comprising structure to generate a pressure differential between a first zone and a second zone, the zones being adjacent a valve member of the fluid dispense valve of the device such that upon generation of the pressure differential the valve member is moved by the pressurized fluid from the zone of relatively higher pressure of pressurized fluid towards the zone of relatively lower pressure of pressurized fluid such that the valve is opened.
-25. (canceled)
A method of operating a valve in a pressurized fluid powered fluid dispensing device, the method comprising the steps of providing a pressurized fluid source to the device, and thereby also pressurizing an actuator pressure chamber, initiating movement of an actuator body in the pressure chamber by releasing pressure through an orifice of the chamber, the actuator body being in fluid communication with a valve member of the valve such that by reducing pressure in the chamber a pressure drop is created in the chamber between the actuator and the valve member by the pressurized fluid sufficient to cause movement of the valve member against the force of a biasing device to thereby open the valve.
An actuator for actuation of a fluid dispense valve in a pressurized fluid powered fluid dispensing device, the actuator comprising,
- a housing structure, providing a fluid outlet, the housing structure supplied with fluid under pressure from a supply of pressurized fluid,
- an obturator at least in part within the housing, which when in a first position seals off a dump chamber from external low pressure, the dump chamber supplied with fluid under pressure,
- an actuator body at least in part within the housing, biased at least by the fluid under pressure in the dump chamber towards a first actuator body position,
- a valve member at least in part within the housing, biased at least by the fluid under pressure in a volume defined between the actuator body and valve member, toward a first valve member position, which seals the fluid outlet,
- on movement of the obturator to a second position fluid under pressure in the dump chamber is released to the low pressure, and supply of fluid under pressure to the dump chamber is also sealed off,
- fluid under pressure acting on the actuator body moves it from the first actuator position to a second actuator position, and in doing so the volume is also closed off from the fluid under pressure, the valve member is then biased by a pressure differential between the lower pressure in the volume and the surrounding fluid under pressure, toward a second valve member position which unseals the fluid outlet,
- at least one pressure equalization port is then opened to equalize the pressure differential when the actuator body reaches its second position, and the actuator body then moves back to its first position under action of a bias,
- this in turn moves the valve member back to its first position sealing the fluid let.
-39. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.