Locking mechanism for an adjustable spindle drive
AssigneeBBC Brown, Boveri & Company, Limited
InventorFelix R. Bernasconi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A valve spindle drive is disclosed in which the travel of the spindle is limited by a locking mechanism. The spindle is driven by a gearing system on which locking rings are provided. Each locking ring permits rotation in one direction. Arms resiliently mounted on the valve housing carry a second pair of locking rings for mating with the rings on the gearing system. Deflection of the arms during travel of the spindle actuates switches for controlling a spindle motor drive. Movement of the spindle and gearing relative to the second pair of locking elements provides for engagement of a pair of respective locking rings to prevent further spindle travel. The other pair of rings is prevented from coupling by a cam device carried by the gearing.
Claims14
A spindle drive comprising:
- a spindle rotatable within a housing;
- first locking means for limiting rotation of the spindle operatively connected to said spindle and axially movable relative to said spindle;
- second locking means for limiting rotation of the spindle engageable with said first locking means, said second locking means being resiliently mounted;
- and
- cam means for shifting said second locking means relative to said first locking means to prevent engagement thereof during a selected rotation of the spindle;
- wherein a predetermined rotation of said spindle causes said first locking means to engage said second locking means to prevent continued rotation of the spindle.
A spindle drive comprising:
- a housing;
- a spindle rotatable within said housing;
- a gear drive for rotating said spindle and axially movable relative to the spindle;
- said gear drive including locking elements which limit rotation of said spindle;
- locking elements for engaging said locking elements on said gear drive;
- said locking elements being resiliently mounted on said housing and operatively engaged by the gear drive;
- switches for actuating the gear drive, said switches being controlled by deflection of said resiliently mounted locking elements when engaged by the gear drive;
- and
- a shiftable cam carried by said gear drive for selectively maintaining said resiliently mounted locking elements out of engagement with said locking elements on the gear drive;
- wherein said locking elements on said gear drive engage said resiliently mounted locking elements during a selected period of spindle travel to prevent continued rotation of the spindle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.