Actuator with pre-determined failure mode
AssigneeAker Subsea AS
InventorAnthony W Mann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator with a predetermined failure mode includes two carriers which are each moveable in a common direction. A detent is engageable to couple the carriers to move in unison. An electrically operated actuating device causes extension of the toggle linkage to operate the detent and collapse of the toggle linkage when de-energized. There is a prime mover for the first carrier and a return mover for causing return movement of the second carrier on the release of the detent. In an example, the detent includes a pivoted arm disposed on the first carrier and positioned to engage a part of the second carrier; and the toggle linkage includes a pair of relatively pivoted links connected between a pivot on the first carrier and a pivot on the arm.
Claims12
An actuator comprising:
- a first carrier and a second carrier which are each moveable in a common direction;
- a detent engageable to couple the carriers to move in unison including a pivoted arm disposed on the first carrier and positioned to engage a part of the second carrier;
- a toggle linkage extensible to operate the detent and collapsible to release the detent, to allow movement of the second carrier relative to the first carrier, the toggle linkage including a pair of relatively pivoted links connected between a pivot on the first carrier and a pivot on said arm;
- an electrically operated actuating device for causing extension of the toggle linkage when energized and effecting collapse of the toggle linkage when de-energized;
- an operating member carried by the second carrier;
- a prime mover for the first carrier;
- and
- a return mover for causing return movement of the second carrier on the release of the detent,
- wherein the electrically-operated actuating device comprises a solenoid having an armature which is coupled to a pivot between the links and has a restoring bias.
The actuator of 3 in which said mechanical spring is disposed to engage an end wall of the second carrier.
An actuator comprising:
- a first carrier and a second carrier which are each moveable in a common direction;
- a detent engageable to couple the carriers to move in unison;
- a toggle linkage extensible to operate the detent and collapsible to release the detent, to allow movement of the second carrier relative to the first carrier;
- an electrically operated actuating device for causing extension of the toggle linkage when energized and effecting collapse of the toggle linkage when de-energized;
- an operating member carried by the second carrier, said operating member carrying a valve gate;
- an electric motor for driving the first carrier;
- and
- a mechanical spring for causing return movement of the second carrier on the release of the detent,
- wherein the detent comprises a pivoted arm disposed on the first carrier and positioned to engage a part of the second carrier;
- and
- the toggle linkage comprises a pair of relatively pivoted links connected between a pivot on the first carrier and a pivot on said arm.
An actuator comprising:
- a first carrier and a second carrier which are each moveable in a common direction, said second carrier being generally cylindrical and partially containing the first carrier;
- a detent engageable to couple the carriers to move in unison, the detent comprises a pivoted arm disposed on the first carrier and positioned to engage a slot in a cylindrical side wall of the second carrier;
- a toggle linkage extensible to operate the detent and collapsible to release the detent, to allow movement of the second carrier relative to the first carrier;
- an electrically operated actuating device for causing extension of the toggle linkage when energized and effecting collapse of the toggle linkage when de-energized;
- an operating member carried by the second carrier;
- a prime mover for the first carrier;
- and
- a return mover comprising a mechanical spring for causing return movement of the second carrier on the release of the detent,
- wherein the prime mover comprises an electric motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.