Dual end stop actuator and method
OwnerLeopold J. Niesseninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual end stop is provided for setting precise open and closed positions for the valve to which the pneumatic actuator is attached. In a preferred embodiment, a stop assembly housing contains two stop adjustment bolts as well as a cam that defines first and second stop surfaces. The stop assembly housing is preferably mounted to the actuator housing outside of the pressurized zone contained by the actuator housing. The stop bolts and associated threaded apertures are designed for minimum overhang of the stop bolts to provide more support. The stop assembly housing not only preferably houses the stop assembly components but also preferably serves as an adaptor plate for the various valves to which the actuator may be mounted.
Claims15
An actuator assembly with a dual end stop to provide an actuator operable to operate a quarter turn valve, said dual end stop comprising:
- an actuator housing, said actuator housing having a zone for pressure containment, a rotary drive having at least a portion thereof mounted for rotation within said actuator housing,
- a first stop surface and a second stop surface mounted for stopping said rotary drive in a corresponding first rotational position and a second rotational position;
- a first stop member for engaging said first stop surface, said first stop member being mounted outside of said zone for pressure containment;
- a second stop member for engaging said second stop surface, said second stop member being mounted outside of said zone for pressure containment, said first stop member and said second stop member being adjustable for controlling said first rotational position and said second rotational position, said actuator assembly consisting of no other stop adjustment members besides said first stop member and said second stop member;
- and
- said first stop member and said second stop member being adjustable to provide that said extent of rotation is greater than ninety degrees.
A method for an actuator assembly with an adjustable dual end stop, said actuator assembly being operable for use with a quarter turn valve, said method comprising:
- providing an actuator housing defining therein a zone for pressure containment;
- mounting a rotary drive at least partially within an actuator housing;
- providing said rotary drive with a first stop surface and a second stop surface such that said first stop surface and said second stop surface are positioned outside of said zone for pressure containment;
- providing a first stop member for engaging said first stop surface to stop said rotary drive in a first rotational position, said first stop member being moveable along a first line of movement relative to said first stop surface for adjusting said first rotational position;
- providing a second stop member for engaging said second stop surface to stop said rotary drive in a second rotational position, said second stop member being moveable along a second line of movement relative to said second stop surface for adjusting said second rotational position;
- providing that said actuator housing contains therein no additional adjustable members for adjusting said first rotational position and said second rotational position;
- and
- providing that said first stop member and said second stop member permit adjustment of an extent of rotational movement between eighty-eight degrees and ninety-two degrees of rotation of said rotary element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.