Serpentine actuator disk
OwnerRoger J. Gregoireinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A serpentine disk lever that can be utilized for surround-type levering in a pneumatically controlled valve actuator for high pressure applications. The design of the serpentine disk lever allows it to have the flexibility required for surround-type levering, whereby the disk lever may transition from a flat to a frusto-conical shape, and the strength necessary for high pressure levering applications. High flexibility results from the disk lever's serpentine pattern, which is created by cutting alternating internal and external slits into the disk from the internal and external edges, respectively. High Strength is created by use of a hard material and by limiting stress concentration by use of a generally symmetric disk shape as well as rounded edges within the internal and external slits of the serpentine pattern.
Claims12
A valve actuating system comprising:
- at least one spring biased to apply a spring force to a stem in a first direction;
- and
- a disk lever having an interior edge and an exterior edge,
- said lever positioned to abut an actuator at a levering location of said lever,
- said levering location being proximate said external edge of said lever,
- said lever positioned to interact with said stem at a lifting location of said lever, said lifting location being proximate said internal edge of said lever,
- said lever contacting a fulcrum at a location that is between said levering and lifting locations, and
- said lever having a portion that is serpentine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.