Machine implemented utility valve exercising apparatus
OwnerLynn A. Bucknerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method implemented by a valve operating apparatus for hands free exercising of an in ground utility valve, which may include repeatedly opening and closing the utility valve without requiring the use of a computer program or a physical human manipulation. A valve operating apparatus may include a bi directional hydraulic powered motor which may be coupled to a utility valve stem for the purpose of rotating the valve stem of the utility valve in a closing direction or an opening direction. The direction of rotation, of a hydraulic motor, may be reversed in response to detecting an opening of a preset pressure relief valve.
Claims21
A hydraulic powered apparatus for rotating the valve stem of a utility valve comprising:
- a hydraulic motor for rotating said valve stem of said utility valve;
- a pressurized hydraulic fluid for powering said hydraulic motor;
- a directional control valve for reversing a direction of rotation of said hydraulic motor;
- a pressure relief valve, and said pressure relief valve comprises a bypass orifice;
- a flow sensor for detecting a flow of said hydraulic fluid through said bypass orifice wherein said directional control valve reverses said direction of rotation of said hydraulic motor in response to said flow sensor detecting said flow of said hydraulic fluid through said bypass orifice.
An apparatus for reversing a direction of rotation of a hydraulic motor in response to a flow sensor detecting a flow of hydraulic fluid through a bypass orifice of a pressure relief valve;
- and said apparatus comprising:
- said hydraulic motor;
- a pressurized hydraulic fluid for powering said hydraulic motor;
- a directional control valve for reversing a direction of flow of said hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic motor;
- said pressure relief valve, and said pressure relief valve comprising said bypass orifice for flowing a portion of said hydraulic fluid when a predetermined hydraulic pressure is achieved;
- said flow sensor for detecting that said flow of hydraulic fluid being flown through said bypass orifice;
- wherein said flow sensor initiates a change in the direction of rotation of said hydraulic motor;
- whereby said apparatus may reverse the direction of rotation of said hydraulic motor in response to a pressure relief event.
A hands free method for exercising a utility valve, comprising:
- the step of detecting a flow of hydraulic fluid through a bypass orifice of a pressure relief valve;
- the step of reversing a direction of rotation of a hydraulic motor in response to detecting said flow of said hydraulic fluid through said bypass orifice;
- whereby said utility valve can be repeatedly opened and closed thus exercising said utility valve hands free.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.