Apparatus for cycling motor-operated valves

Apparatus for operating a valve between open and closed positions, the valve having a valve operator for rotationally operating the valve between the open and closed positions, the valve operator having an axis, the apparatus comprising:

• a rotary actuator operable to develop a rotational force, the rotary actuator having an output shaft defining an axis;
• and
• a torque-sensing release clutch for transferring the rotational force to the valve operator and for decoupling the rotational force from the valve operator upon sensing torque at least as great as a preset torque limit,
• an adaptive mounting assembly for mounting the apparatus to the valve and coaxially aligning the output shaft and the valve operator, wherein the adaptive mounting assembly includes:
• a base plate supporting the rotary actuator and the output shaft, the base plate having first and second opposing sides:
• a first adapter bracket having first and second axial channels slidably engaging the first and second sides of the base plate and a transaxial face having first mounting slots, the first adapter bracket cooperating with the base plate to adjust an axial position of the output shaft relative to the valve operator;
• a second adapter bracket having a first transaxial channel and second mounting slots corresponding to the first mounting slots, the second adapter bracket cooperatively fastened via the second mounting slots to the first adapter bracket to adjust a first transaxial position of the output shaft relative to the valve operator;
• and
• a valve bracket having a second transaxial channel slidably engaging the first transaxial channel of the second adapter bracket and having third mounting slots for mounting to the valve, the second adapter bracket cooperating with the second adapter bracket to adjust a second transaxial position of the output shaft relative to the valve operator.