Patent Application
20140130904
The inventions relate to actuators for flow control valves and other devices. The inventions more particularly relate to actuators that have visual indicia related to information about the actuator or valve or both.
Actuators may be used for many different functions and operations. One example is to open and close a valve. Actuators may be pneumatic, for example, thus allowing automatic or electronic control of the valve, as distinguished from manual operation using a manual valve actuator with a handle. The teachings herein may be conveniently used for many different valve configurations, including normally open and normally closed valves.
The teachings herein may also find application and use for controlling a valve of configurations and types other than the exemplary valve designs shown herein. The teachings herein may also find application and use with flow control devices other than valves. We show in the exemplary embodiments herein an actuator that is a manual valve actuator, an embodiment with an automatic valve actuator, for example a pneumatically operated actuator, and an embodiment with a hybrid actuator. By hybrid actuator we mean an actuator that may be automatically operated, for example, with a pneumatic actuator, and may also include a manually actuated operation, for example a manual actuator that can among other things be used as a manual override. Therefore, the inventions herein may be used many devices, including but not limited to: a flow control device, for example a valve; an actuator, as an example an actuator for a flow control device, for further example a manual actuator, an automatic actuator or a hybrid actuator; or a device that includes a combination of a flow control device and actuator therefor.
A first inventive concept presented herein considers using a sleeve to provide information and other indicia for a flow control device such as a valve, an actuator for a flow control device, or both. In one embodiment of this first concept, a shrink sleeve is installed on a flow control device or actuator or both wherein the shrink sleeve includes one or more indicia or other information relating to the flow control device or actuator. An example of a shrink sleeve is a heat shrink sleeve. Additional exemplary embodiments of this first concept are described below.
A second inventive concept presented herein considers the use of a sleeve with a flow control device or actuator or both. In an exemplary embodiment, a structure is provided for the flow control device, the actuator or both that retains the sleeve in an installed position. For example, in another embodiment the structure can be used to resist axial displacement of the sleeve during normal handling and use of the flow control device or actuator. Additional exemplary embodiments of this second concept are described below.
A third inventive concept presented herein considers the use of a sleeve that is installed on a flow control device, an actuator or both wherein the sleeve is installed on an exterior portion or surface and assists in containing fluid and contaminants from exposure to the external environment. In one embodiment of this concept, an actuator, flow control device or both may include features that vent pressure or allow for the release of fluid or other contaminants, with the sleeve functioning to contain the fluid or other contaminants from exposure to an environment that is exterior the sleeve. Additional exemplary embodiments of this third concept are described below.
With reference to
In a typical diaphragm valve, an inlet port opens to an inlet flow passage that opens to a valve cavity. An outlet port opens to an outlet passage which also communicates with the valve cavity. The valve cavity opens to the outlet flow passage through an annular valve seat. A diaphragm seals the valve cavity when it is in contact with the valve seat. The diaphragm is moved toward and into contact with the valve seat to close the valve and is moved away from and out of contact with the valve seat to open the valve. The diaphragm movement is effected by operation of the actuator. Operation of a diaphragm valve as described is well known and need not be further described herein to understand and practice the teachings herein, but it should be noted that many other types of valves may be used other than a diaphragm valve, for example, a bellows valve or shutoff valve to name just two examples. The valve assembly 14 may alternatively include additional ports and flow passages, for example, a three way valve, and flow may alternatively be bi-directional.
In the case of a manually operated actuator 12, a handle 18 may be provided that is turned about the central longitudinal axis X of the assembly 10. For example, the valve assembly 14 may be a quarter turn valve, meaning that the handle 18 is rotated clockwise ninety degrees about the axis X from the open position in order to close the valve. The actuator assembly 12 includes an actuator housing or enclosure H. The housing H may be made of a suitable material, for example, aluminum.
With reference to
In another exemplary embodiment, for example, the housing 24 may include a recessed surface 26, which, for example, may be a cylindrical surface. As illustrated in
In the embodiments herein that are described as using a shrink sleeve such as, for example, a heat shrink sleeve it should be noted that many different types of shrink sleeves may alternatively be used. A heat shrink sleeve is but one example of many. Other examples include but are not limited to shrink sleeves made of a material that shrink upon exposure to a chemical gas, radiation (for example, UV radiation),or other non-thermal methods or activators. Still further alternatives are a roll-on sleeve that can be initially glued to a body and then shrunk using heat or other methods or activators to induce shrinkage. A further alternative to a heat shrink sleeve is a sleeve that comprises an elastic material that can be stretched over or around a product and then released. The inherent elasticity of the stretch material would allow the elastic sleeve to conform to the product or device without application of heat or other activator.
The structure 25, for example the recessed surface 26, facilitates use of the shrink sleeve 28 by presenting one or more capture or retention surfaces 30 that resist axial movement of the shrink sleeve 28 along the surfaces of the actuator and valve assembly 20. Even though the shrink sleeve 28 can be shrunk into tight engagement with a cylindrical or other shaped surface, the shrink sleeve 28 could still slide along such a surface during normal use and handling. The retention surfaces 30 resist such movement so that the shrink sleeve 28 remains in its installed position or place during normal operational use and handling of the assembly 20. Other retention surfaces or features for retaining the shrink sleeve 28 in position may alternatively be used, for example, a protrusion, raised ring or other raised surface or contour may be used to help retain the shrink sleeve 28 in position on the actuator housing 24.
The upper piston 132a may include a piston extension 132c that protrudes through an opening 133 in the cap 148. The piston extension 132c may be threadably connected with the air fitting 147. One or more indicator rings 149 may be carried by the piston extension 132c. The indicator rings 149 are adapted to be received inside the cap opening 133 when the valve 131 is in a closed position (not shown). This causes the indicator rings 149 to be hidden from view when the valve is closed, and visible when the valve is in an open position such as in
The valve assembly 131 may include one or more passages 150, for example weep holes 150, that provide a flow path to allow pressurized air or fluids such as lubricants or other contaminants to escape the assembly interior, as is known. These weep holes 150 are used, for example, to prevent process fluid from entering into the actuator assembly 130, or to allow lubricants and other debris or contamination to pass out of the actuator assembly or the valve assembly so as not to interfere with normal operation of the actuator or valve. In some embodiments, it may be desired to use a heat shrink type shrink sleeve 28 on the valve assembly 131 which could block the passages 150 and basically seal the passages 150 due to the tight contact of the shrink sleeve 28 against the housing 134 exterior surface. In order to maintain the function of the passages 150, we show in
It should be noted that passages 150 may also be used as a vent hole with the actuator assembly 130, for example to vent fluid pressure from the actuator (not shown). In such cases, the shrink sleeve 28 may be used and the enlarged volume 152 concept may also be used so that the shrink sleeve 28 does not block the vent hole 150. In the exemplary embodiments herein we provide a different structure for venting the actuator as will be further described below.
Note from
The embodiment of
As noted above, pneumatic actuators commonly include one or more flow paths, such as vent holes for example, to provide a passage that can vent pressure in the event of blow by of the seals 146. We have found that we can use the crimp structure 164, 166 as a flow path to vent the actuator assembly 130 rather than having to provide vent holes. Air can escape through the crimps 164, 166 because the crimps do not form air tight pressure seals thereby providing a passage for air to be vented from the actuator assembly 130.
As is illustrated in
With reference to
The shrink sleeve 28 may also serve to help protect the exterior surface of the housing 24 (which may be, for example, bare aluminum) from scratches and abrasions or other wear that could generate particles, particularly for clean room applications. The shrink sleeve 28 may also be provided with clear or transparent portions that serve as viewing windows to view features, structure or other labels and visual indicia underneath the shrink sleeve 28. The shrink sleeve 28 may also be used to hold such additional structures in place. The shrink sleeve 28 may also be provided with coloring or ink in the heat shrinkable material that changes when the valve or actuator is exposed to temperatures exceeding product ratings. This color change may be permanent so that the manufacturer would know that the product was exposed beyond such temperature limits. Alternatively, the shrink sleeve 28 may be used to position and hold a temperature sensitive label, band, strip or other piece of material underneath the shrink sleeve 28 against the exterior surface of the housing 24, in which the temperature sensitive strip changes color based on the product being exposed to temperatures beyond the product rating. Color changing materials for the shrink sleeve 28 or retained by the shrink sleeve 28 may also be used for other environmental monitoring, such as, for example, whether a product has been exposed to moisture or other deleterious atmosphere or conditions.
While various aspects and features and concepts of the inventions are described and illustrated herein as embodied in various combinations in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, features and concepts may be realized in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects and features of the invention, such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and so on may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts or features of the various inventions into additional embodiments within the scope of the present inventions, even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present inventions however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Additionally, even though some features and aspects and combinations thereof may be described or illustrated herein as having a specific form, fit, function, arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such descriptions or illustrated arrangements are required or necessary unless so expressly stated. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate additional and alternative form, function, arrangement or methods that are either known or later developed as substitute or alternatives for the embodiments and inventions described herein.
The inventions have been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification and drawings. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/724,413 for ACTUATOR WITH VISUAL INDICATOR SLEEVE, filed on Nov. 9, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61724413 | Nov 2012 | US |
