US3570804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic valve operator having manual override mechanism
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1969-04-18
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Granted: 1971-03-16
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Expires: 1989-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A valve operator mechanism for valves having linearly actuated reciprocating gates. The valve operator mechanism includes an operator base portion and an operator closure member which cooperate with hydraulic cylinder to define a hydraulic chamber. A piston is movably disposed within the hydraulic chamber and is connected in unitary assembly with a reciprocating gate by a valve stem extending through the operator base and into the valve chamber. A hydraulic fluid supply is communicated into the operator chamber on one side of the piston for controllable actuation of said piston in one direction. A compression spring member is operable to return the piston to an initial position upon dissipation of the hydraulic fluid pressure above the piston. The valve operator mechanism is provided with mechanically or hydraulically actuatable override means controllable externally of the valve operator and being capable of overriding the spring means and biasing the gate member to any desired position thereof. Upon retraction of the override mechanism, the spring means will bias the piston, stem and gate assembly to another predetermined position.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman A Nelson
- 👤 Jerry B Tomlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/12; F16K31/14; F16K31/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A valve operator for actuating a gate valve having a reciprocating gate, said valve operator comprising an operator cylinder, means defining a closure at one extremity of said cylinder, a piston movably disposed within said operator cylinder, valve stem means interconnecting said piston and said gate in unitary assembly, fluid means disposed in fluid communication with said operator cylinder and being operative to move said piston linearly in one direction, biasing means acting on said piston and biasing said piston in the other direction in opposition to said fluid means, an override cylinder carried by said closure outwardly of said operator cylinder, an override piston movably disposed within said override cylinder and having an elongated stem adapted for contact with said operator piston, closure means for said override cylinder defining a fluid passage into said override cylinder, valve means for controlling the flow of actuating fluid into said override cylinder, a fitting defining an inlet for said valve means whereby a separate source of Actuating fluid may be connected to said valve means through said fitting and actuating fluid may be injected into said override cylinder under control of said valve means thereby causing said override piston to move said elongated stem linearly into said operator cylinder and into abutment with said operator piston and moving said operator piston valve stem and gate in a direction opposing said biasing means, said operator piston valve stem and gate being movable in the opposite direction by said biasing means upon venting said override cylinder under control of said valve means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
A valve operator for actuating a gate valve having a reciprocating gate, said valve operator comprising an operator cylinder, means defining a closure at one extremity of said cylinder, a piston movably disposed within said operator cylinder, valve stem means interconnecting said piston and said gate in unitary assembly, fluid means disposed in fluid communication with said operator cylinder and being operative to move said piston linearly in one direction, biasing means acting on said piston and biasing said piston in the other direction in opposition to said fluid means, an override cylinder carried by said closure outwardly of said operator cylinder, an override piston movably disposed within said override cylinder and having an elongated stem adapted for contact with said operator piston, closure means for said override cylinder defining a fluid passage into said override cylinder, valve means for controlling the flow of actuating fluid into said override cylinder, a fitting defining an inlet for said valve means whereby a separate source of Actuating fluid may be connected to said valve means through said fitting and actuating fluid may be injected into said override cylinder under control of said valve means thereby causing said override piston to move said elongated stem linearly into said operator cylinder and into abutment with said operator piston and moving said operator piston valve stem and gate in a direction opposing said biasing means, said operator piston valve stem and gate being movable in the opposite direction by said biasing means upon venting said override cylinder under control of said valve means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
270 words
A valve operator for actuating a gate valve having a reciprocating gate for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, said valve operator comprising an operator base connected to said valve, an operator cylinder connected to said operator base, means defining a closure at the outer extremity of said cylinder, a piston movably disposed within said cylinder, a valve stem extending through said operator base and connecting said piston and gate in unitary assembly, means communicating a controllable source of pressurized operating fluid to said cylinder for moving said piston valve stem and said gate linearly in one direction, said operator having biasing means for imparting linear movement to said piston-operating stem and piston in the opposite direction, an override cylinder removably fixed to said closure, a piston disposed within said override cylinder and having an elongated stem fixed thereto and extending outwardly of said override cylinder into said operator cylinder, said stem adapted for contact with said operator piston, means closing the outer extremity of said override cylinder and defining fluid passage means, a valve controlling the flow of fluid into said override cylinder, a grease fitting defining an inlet to said valve, whereby grease may be selectively injected into said override cylinder under control of said valve causing said elongated stem to move linearly into abutment with said piston thereby forcing said piston, said operating stem, and said gate in said one direction against the bias of said biasing means, said biasing means moving said piston said operating stem and said gate in said other direction upon venting of grease from said override cylinder under control of said valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
270 words
A valve operator for actuating a gate valve having a reciprocating gate for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, said valve operator comprising an operator base connected to said valve, an operator cylinder connected to said operator base, means defining a closure at the outer extremity of said cylinder, a piston movably disposed within said cylinder, a valve stem extending through said operator base and connecting said piston and gate in unitary assembly, means communicating a controllable source of pressurized operating fluid to said cylinder for moving said piston valve stem and said gate linearly in one direction, said operator having biasing means for imparting linear movement to said piston-operating stem and piston in the opposite direction, an override cylinder removably fixed to said closure, a piston disposed within said override cylinder and having an elongated stem fixed thereto and extending outwardly of said override cylinder into said operator cylinder, said stem adapted for contact with said operator piston, means closing the outer extremity of said override cylinder and defining fluid passage means, a valve controlling the flow of fluid into said override cylinder, a grease fitting defining an inlet to said valve, whereby grease may be selectively injected into said override cylinder under control of said valve causing said elongated stem to move linearly into abutment with said piston thereby forcing said piston, said operating stem, and said gate in said one direction against the bias of said biasing means, said biasing means moving said piston said operating stem and said gate in said other direction upon venting of grease from said override cylinder under control of said valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |