Ball valve with integrated cam operated internal microswitch
AssigneeWabtec Holding Corp.
InventorsS. Clay Evatt, Gregory Stephen Childers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ball valve includes a valve housing that has a main passage defined therein and a valve assembly that includes a valve body, which is movable within the main passage between open and closed positions, and a valve stem that fixedly engages the valve body. A handle is disposed on the valve housing that is connected to the valve stem and is operable to rotate the valve body between the open and closed positions via the valve stem. A switch is disposed within the housing, which operatively engages the valve assembly and is configured to transmit a signal to an operator's station regarding the position of the valve body.
Claims14
A ball valve, comprising:
- a valve housing, the valve housing having a main passage defined therein;
- a valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve body at least partially disposed within the main passage of the housing, the valve body being rotatable within the housing between an open position allowing passage of fluid through the main passage of the housing and a closed position blocking passage of fluid through the main passage of the housing;
- and
- a valve stem fixedly engaging the valve body and rotatably disposed within the housing;
- a handle disposed on the valve housing, the handle being connected to the valve stem and operable to rotate the valve stem and the valve body to move the valve body between the open and closed positions;
- and
- a switch disposed within the housing, the switch operatively engaging the valve assembly and being configured to transmit a signal to an operator's station regarding the position of the valve body,
- wherein the switch is disposed within the housing adjacent to the valve stem, the switch includes a lever arm that engages the valve stem, and the lever arm is movable to actuate the switch to transmit the signal,
- wherein the valve stem has an outer diameter and a recessed portion, and the recessed portion and the outer diameter define a cam profile that engages the lever aim of the switch,
- wherein the outer diameter of the valve stem is defined by an arcuate exterior surface of the valve stem, and
- wherein the recessed portion is defined in the outer diameter of the valve stem and comprises a recess formed in the valve stem, and the recess comprises at least one surface that intersects with the arcuate exterior surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.