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US 4,068,682 AGranted
Timing device for fluid valve
AssigneeAmerace Corporation
InventorsCharles P. O'Neil, Adam Smorzaniuk, James O. Young
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A timing device includes a timing means which effects movement of a motion transmitting member at a selected rate to provide a timed interval of selected duration, upon expiration of which interval a snap-action mechanism, coupled to the motion transmitting member, rapidly moves a shuttle in a fluid valve from one position to another to open or close a fluid circuit.
Claims20
In a timing device for actuating a fluid valve upon expiration of a prescribed time interval following a given event, the timing device including
- a frame;
- a motion transmitting member mounted in the frame for movement along a prescribed path of travel in either one of two directions between a first location and a second location;
- timing means on the frame coupled with the motion transmitting member for effecting movement of the motion transmitting member at a predetermined rate in one only of said two directions to establish said timed interval between the departure of said motion transmitting member from the first location thereof and the arrival of the motion transmitting member at the second location, and permitting return movement of the motion transmitting member from the second location to the first location at an unrestricted rate;
- a fluid valve comprising:
- a valve body having a chamber;
- first and second passages communicating with the chamber;
- a shuttle in said chamber movable between a first position, wherein the shuttle closes communication between one of said first and second passages and the chamber, and a second position wherein communication is open between both said first and second passages and the chamber;
- and
- a shuttle in said chamber movable between a first position, wherein the shuttle closes communication between one of said first and second passages and the chamber, and a second position wherein communication is open between both said first and second passages and the chamber;
- and
- means responsive to the motion transmitting member for moving the shuttle from one to the other of said first and second positions upon the arrival of the motion transmitting member at the second location thereof;
- the valve body includes a wall between the chamber and the exterior of the valve;
- the means responsive to the motion transmitting member includes a snap-action mechanism coupling the motion transmitting member with the shuttle, the snap-action mechanism having a first lever extending through the wall, said first lever including a first end engaging the shuttle within the chamber, a second end outside the chamber and an intermediate portion passes through the wall, and wherein the snap-action mechanism includes
- a second lever having first and second ends;
- pivotal means mounting the second lever, adjacent the first end thereof, for pivotal movement relative to the frame and relative to the first lever;
- a snap-action spring coupling the first and second levers adjacent the second ends thereof;
- and
- trip means coupling the second lever, adjacent the second end thereof, with the motion transmitting member.
15 more elements
A timing device of a type having a frame for actuating a fluid valve upon expiration of a prescribed timing interval, the timing device comprising:
- a motion transmitting member mounted on said frame for movement along a prescribed path in either of one or two directions between a first location and a second location;
- a timing means on the frame coupled with the motion transmitting member for effecting movement of the motion transmitting member at a predetermined rate in one of said two directions to establish a time interval between the departure of said transmitting member from the first location thereof and the arrival of the motion transmitting member at the second location thereof;
- a fluid valve having a valve seat and a valve element, the valve element being movable into and out of engagement with the valve seat so as respectively to close and open the fluid valve;
- a snap-action mechanism isolated from the fluid valve by a wall interposed between the snap-action mechanism and the fluid valve;
- a valve operating lever extending through an opening in the wall, the valve operating lever being movable between a first position and a second position, the valve operating lever being coupled with the valve element such that the fluid valve is open in the first position of the valve operating lever and is closed in the second position of the valve operating lever, the snap-action mechanism being operatively coupled to the valve operating lever and being responsive to the motion transmitting means for moving the lever from one to the other of said first and second position upon the arrival of the motion transmitting member at the second location thereof;
- and means for sealing the opening in said wall whereby the snap-action mechanism is isolated from the fluid valve in a fluid-tight manner.
3 more elements
A timing device of a type having a frame for actuating a fluid valve upon expiration of a prescribed timing interval, the timing device comprising:
- a motion transmitting member mounted on said frame for movement along a prescribed path in either of one or two directions between a first location and a second location;
- a timing means on the frame coupled with the motion transmitting member for effecting movement of the transmitting member at a predetermined rate in one of said two directions to establish a time interval between the departure of said transmitting member from the first location thereof and the arrival of the motion transmitting member at the second location thereof;
- a fluid operated valve having a chamber therein for a first operating fluid, and a valve seat and a valve element in said chamber, the valve element being movable into and out of engagement with the valve seat so as respectively to close and open the fluid valve;
- a valve operating lever coupled to the valve element for moving the element into and out of said engagement with the valve seat, the valve operating lever being movable between a first and second position, such that, the fluid valve is open in the first position and is closed in the second position;
- a snap-action mechanism responsive to the motion transmitting member being coupled to the valve operating lever, and being responsive to the motion transmitting member for actuating of the valve operating lever between the first position and second position;
- a fluid operated actuator comprising a housing, an actuating means extending through an opening in said housing and being movable between a first position and a second position in response to application of said second operating fluid, means in said opening for providing a fluid-tight seal between said actuating means and said housing;
- a coupling means coupling the actuating means to the motion transmitting member such that, the motion transmitting member is retained against movement in the first position of the actuating means and is freed for movement under the influence of the timing means in the second position of the actuating means;
- activating means for enabling movement of the actuating means between the first position and the second position;
- and
- wherein the chamber of the fluid valve and the fluid actuator housing are isolated from one another to preclude contamination of said first operating fluid with said second operating fluid and vice versa, and said fluid actuator housing is further isolated from said snap-action mechanism.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.