Regulator torque isolation system and method

A torque isolation system for isolating a handle from a rotatable stem, comprising:

• a handle;
• a torque isolator moveable between a coupled position wherein the torque isolator is coupled to the handle, a decoupled position wherein the torque isolator is decoupled from the handle, and a ratchet position wherein the torque isolator is decoupled from the handle if the handle is rotated in a first direction, but the torque isolator is coupled to the handle if the handle is rotated in a second direction;
• a stem adapter coupled to the torque isolator, the stem adapter adapted to transmit either of two possible directions of torque from the torque isolator to a valve stem;
• a bias member biasing the torque isolator into the coupled position;
• and
• a lock opposing the biasing of the bias member;
• wherein the handle includes circumferentially spaced engaging elements and the torque isolator includes circumferentially spaced engaging elements, such that when the torque isolator is in the coupled position the circumferentially spaced engaging elements of the handle interlock with the circumferentially spaced engaging elements of the torque isolator;
• such that when the torque isolator is in the decoupled position the circumferentially spaced engaging elements of the handle do not interlock with the circumferentially spaced engaging elements of the torque isolator;
• and such that when the torque isolator is in the ratchet position the circumferentially spaced engaging elements of the handle do not interlock with the circumferentially spaced engaging elements of the torque isolator when the handle is rotated in the first direction, but the circumferentially spaced engaging elements of the handle do interlock with the circumferentially spaced engaging elements of the torque isolator when the handle is rotated in the second direction.