Thermal isolator and controlled valve employing same
AssigneeInvensys Building Systems, Inc.
InventorEugene R. Jornod
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermal isolator assembly that provides rigid construction, linearly and rotationally, is presented. The thermal isolator assembly includes a collar and a sleeve that are thermally isolated one from another but held in rigid mechanical relation. When constructed for actuated valves, the collar forms an actuator arm coupling member while the sleeve forms a valve stem coupling member. A pair of thermal isolators provide thermal isolation between these members. A polyphenylene sulfide compound, and preferably a fiberglass reinforced polyphenylene sulfide compound is used because of its high mechanical strength and low thermal conductivity for these thermal isolators.
Claims18
A thermal isolator assembly for use between an actuator arm and a valve stem, comprising:
- a first coupling member having a bottom wall defining a first aperture therein, the first coupling member having at least one side wall adapted to attach to the actuator arm;
- a second coupling member having a shank portion extending through the first aperture, the shank portion defining therein a bore adapted to receive the valve stem;
- a pair of thermal isolators positioned on either side of the bottom wall, each thermal isolator defining therein a second aperture communicating with the first aperture to form a central passage therethrough;
- and
- wherein the shank portion of the second coupling member is positioned within the central passage and is rigidly affixed therein;
- and
- wherein the thermal isolators inhibit thermal transfer from the second coupling member to the first coupling member.
A thermal isolator assembly, comprising:
- a first coupling member having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall, the bottom wall defining an aperture therethrough;
- a second coupling member having a shank portion positioned through the aperture, the shank portion defining a bore therein;
- and
- a thermal isolator positioned between the first coupling member and the second coupling member to inhibit thermal transfer from the second coupling member to the first coupling member, wherein the thermal isolator comprises a pair of thermal isolator bodies positioned on either side of the bottom wall of the first coupling member, each of the thermal isolator bodies defining an aperture therethrough, and wherein the shank portion of the second coupling member is positioned therethrough.
A controlled valve, comprising:
- a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve mechanism therebetween, the valve mechanism being actuated by a valve stem;
- an actuator assembly positioned in proximity to the valve body, the actuator assembly including an actuator arm;
- a thermal isolator assembly coupling the actuator arm to the valve stem, the thermal isolator assembly including
- a first coupling member having a bottom wall defining a first aperture therein, the first coupling member having at least one side wall adapted to attach to the actuator arm,
- a second coupling member having a shank portion extending through the first aperture, the shank portion defining therein a bore adapted to receive the valve stem,
- a pair of thermal isolators positioned on either side of the bottom wall, each thermal isolator defining therein a second aperture communicating with the first aperture to form a central passage therethrough, and
- wherein the shank portion of the second coupling member is positioned within the central passage and is rigidly affixed therein, and
- wherein the thermal isolators provide thermal inhibit thermal transfer from the second coupling member to the first coupling member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.