Poppet valve actuator apparatus
AssigneeConsolidated Controls Corporation
InventorsRobert H. Reinicke, Henry A. Waller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A poppet valve actuating apparatus includes an actuator for driving a valve poppet closed with substantial but momentary force to effect tight valve shutoff. After driving the poppet closed with a momentarily-applied relatively high-value force, the actuator then automatically reduces the poppet seating or holding force for maintaining the value in the closed position by automatic release of an integral detent coupling that applies a lower-value auxiliary spring holding force after the poppet is seated. The reduced value holding force prevents cold flow of the poppet material during extended periods wherein the poppet is in a closed position.
Claims17
A poppet valve actuator, comprising an actuator housing, a poppet having a valve stem slidably mounted in said housing and cooperating with a valve seat, an actuator mounted in said housing coaxially with said valve stem and movable with respect thereto, detent means interconnecting said valve stem and said actuator so that they move together first means for biasing said actuator to a first position in which the poppet valve is open, means for moving said actuator against the force of said first biasing means in the direction to seat said poppet on said valve seat, said detent means acting to disconnect said actuator from said valve stem after said poppet has been seated on said valve seat with a predetermined initial seating force while said actuator continues to move in said direction, and second biasing means operative after said detent means has disconnected said actuator from said valve stem for holding said poppet against said valve seat with a predetermined holding force which is substantially less than said initial seating force which is exerted on said poppet at the time said detent means disconnects said actuator from said valve stem.
A poppet valve actuator, comprising an actuator housing having a cylindrical control chamber therein, piston means movably mounted within said control chamber, means for admitting pressurized fluid into said control chamber to move said piston means in one direction therewithin, a normally open poppet having a valve stem connected to said piston means and movable into engagement with a valve seat when said piston means is moved in said direction, detent means interconnecting said valve stem and said piston means so that they move together, said detent means acting to disconnect said piston means from said valve stem when said poppet has been seated on said valve seat with a predetermined initial seating force while said piston means continues to move in said one direction due to the force exerted thereon by said pressurized fluid, stop means for limiting movement of said piston means in said one direction after said valve stem has been disconnected therefrom, and spring means operative during periods when said piston means is held against said stop means by said pressurized fluid for holding said poppet against said valve seat with a predetermined holding force which is substantially less than said initial seating force.
A poppet valve actuator, comprising an actuator housing, a poppet having a valve stem slidably mounted in said housing and cooperating with a valve seat, an actuator mounted in said housing coaxially with said valve stem and movable with respect thereto, detent means interconnecting with said valve stem and said actuator when said poppet is positioned away from said valve seat so that said valve stem and actuator move together, means for moving said actuator in the direction to seat said poppet on said valve seat, said detent means being operative to disconnect said actuator from said valve stem when said moving means has seated said poppet on said valve seat with a predetermined initial seating force while said actuator continues to move in said direction, and spring means operative after said actuator has been disconnected from said valve stem for holding said poppet against said valve seat with a predetermined holding force which is substantially less than said predetermined initial seating force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.