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US 6,446,660 B1Granted
Valve assembly with multiple mode actuators
AssigneeAmpo, S. Coop.
InventorJuan Jose Goni Usabiaga
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multiple mode valve assembly including valve actuators equipped with a combination of a shaft (4) and a spindle (5), coaxial and immobilized in an axial direction, but capable of rotating freely one with respect to the other, so that by means of the spindle (5), through a threaded nut assembly (6) and the pertinent motor (9), the longitudinal displacement of the gate (3) is produced in valve opening and shutting operations, whilst by means of direct application of a rotary movement to the shaft (4), which does not affect the spindle (5), from a second motor (23), the gate (3) turns on the valve seat (2), in the shut position, producing a friction effect and consequent self-cleaning of the seal.
Claims30
A multiple mode valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve body defining a valve seat;
- a displaceable valve gate received within the valve body and adapted to cooperate with the valve seat to form a seal;
- a valve shaft having a pair of ends including a first end coupled to the valve gate and a second end relatively remote from the valve gate, said valve shaft being movable axially to axially displace the valve gate relative to the valve seat, and rotatable to rotationally displace the valve gate relative to the valve seat;
- a spindle element having a pair of ends, said spindle element rotatably coupled with respect to the second end of the valve shaft;
- said spindle element being coupled with respect to the valve body in a manner to prevent any substantial rotation of the spindle element relative to the valve body;
- a first drive motor coupled with respect to the valve body and operatively coupled to the spindle element to axially displace the spindle element and the valve shaft relative to the valve seat to alternatively open and close said valve gate;
- and
- a second drive motor coupled with respect to the valve body and operatively coupled to the valve shaft to rotate the valve shaft and the valve gate relative to the valve seat independently of any rotation of said spindle to allow a cleaning action between said valve gate and said valve seat.
5 more elements
A multiple mode valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve body defining a valve seat;
- a displaceable valve gate received within the valve body and cooperating with the valve seat to form a seal;
- a first valve displacement element coupled to the valve gate, said first valve displacement element for axially displacing the valve gate relative to the valve seat, and for rotationally displacing the valve gate relative to the valve seat;
- a second valve displacement element rotatably coupled with respect to the first valve displacement element, said second valve displacement element being coupled to the valve body in a manner to prevent any substantial rotation of the second valve displacement element relative to the valve body;
- a first drive motor coupled to the valve body and operatively coupled to the first valve displacement element to rotate the first valve displacement element relative to the valve seat independently of any rotation of said second valve displacement element to allow a cleaning action between said valve gate and said valve seat;
- and
- a second drive motor coupled to the valve body and operatively coupled to the second valve displacement element to axially displace the first valve displacement element and the second valve displacement element relative to the valve seat to alternatively open and close said valve gate.
4 more elements
A method of operating a valve assembly, said method including the steps of:
- providing a valve body including a valve seat;
- providing a displaceable valve gate received within the valve body and cooperating with the valve seat to form a seal;
- providing a first valve displacement element coupled to the valve gate, for axially displacing the valve gate relative to the valve seat, and rotationally displacing the valve gate relative to the valve seat;
- providing a second valve displacement element, said second valve displacement element rotatably coupled to the first valve displacement element and non-rotatably coupled to the valve body;
- providing a first drive motor coupled to the second valve displacement element to axially displace the second valve displacement element and the first valve displacement element relative to the valve seat to alternatively open and close said valve gate;
- providing a second drive motor coupled to the first valve displacement element to rotate the first valve displacement element so that the valve gate rotates relative to the valve seat independently of any rotation of the second valve displacement element;
- and
- operating the first drive motor and the second drive motor to axially and rotationally displace the valve gate relative to the valve seat to impart a frictional force between the valve gate and valve seat, said frictional force removing debris from between the valve gate and the valve seat.
5 more elements
A multiple mode valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve body defining a valve seat;
- a displaceable valve gate received within the valve body and cooperating with the valve seat to form a seal;
- a first valve displacement element coupled to the valve gate, adapted for axially displacing the valve gate relative to the valve seat, and rotationally displacing the valve gate relative to the valve seat;
- a second valve displacement element rotatably coupled to the first valve displacement element;
- said second valve displacement element being coupled to the valve body in a manner to prevent any substantial rotation of the second valve displacement element relative to the valve body;
- a first drive element operatively coupled to the first valve displacement element to rotationally displace the first valve displacement element relative to the valve seat independently of any rotation of said second valve displacement element to allow a cleaning action between said valve gate and said valve seat;
- and
- a second drive element operatively coupled to the second valve displacement element to axially displace the first valve displacement element and the second valve displacement element relative to the valve seat to alternatively open and close said valve gate.
5 more elements
A self-cleaning valve arrangement, including:
- a valve body defining a valve seat;
- a valve gate;
- a valve shaft integral with the valve gate and extending away from the valve gate in an axial direction;
- and
- a spindle coaxial with the valve shaft, extending away from the valve shaft in said axial direction, and coupled with respect to the valve shaft in a manner that permits rotation of the spindle relative to the valve shaft while preventing any substantial axial travel of the spindle relative to the valve shaft to perform a cleaning action when the valve gate is moved adjacent to or into engagement with said valve seat;
- whereby the spindle is movable axially relative to the valve body to so move the valve shaft, and thereby move the valve gate axially toward and away from a seating against the valve seat to alternatively close and open flow communication through the valve body;
- and
- whereby said valve shaft and said valve gate are rotatable in concert relative to the valve body, independently of the spindle and any spindle rotation.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.