US3684237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable force angle linkage
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-04
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A variable force angle linkage, particularly adapted for use in actuating steam valves and the like, consisting of four linkages and characterized in that the force on a valve or other device is greatest when the valve is adjacent its seat, the force gradually diminishing as the valve moves away from its seat, whereby the actuator force does not overstress the backseat contact surface of the valve when in its fully open position. At the same time, the dimension of the actuator along the axis of the valve is greatly reduced over prior art actuators.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert F Hyde
- 👤 Ralph W Legates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H21/00; F16H21/10; F16H21/44; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/12; F16K31/16; F16K31/163; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18992
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A valve having a stem with a back seat disposed thereon, said stem being disposed in a back seated position forming a seal around said stem when said valve is in a fully open position, in combination with a fluid driven actuator and a mechanism having a plurality of links, said mechanism comprising said stem, which is the first link; said actuator, which is the second link and is disposed generally normal to said stem; a third link pivotally connected to said actuator and said stem; and a fourth link having one end pivotally connected to said third link and another end pivotally connected to a fixed point generally defined by the intersection of the sides of a right triangle of which said third link is the hypotenuse and the axis of said actuator and the axis of said stem are the other sides, which intersect to define the fixed point; whereby the actuator cooperates with the mechanism in such a manner that the forces apply to the stem as the stem approaches and departs from a position wherein the valve is closed, are substantially larger than the forces applied to the stem, when the stem approaches a position wherein the valve is fully opened and the stem is back seated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A valve having a stem with a back seat disposed thereon, said stem being disposed in a back seated position forming a seal around said stem when said valve is in a fully open position, in combination with a fluid driven actuator and a mechanism having a plurality of links, said mechanism comprising said stem, which is the first link; said actuator, which is the second link and is disposed generally normal to said stem; a third link pivotally connected to said actuator and said stem; and a fourth link having one end pivotally connected to said third link and another end pivotally connected to a fixed point generally defined by the intersection of the sides of a right triangle of which said third link is the hypotenuse and the axis of said actuator and the axis of said stem are the other sides, which intersect to define the fixed point; whereby the actuator cooperates with the mechanism in such a manner that the forces apply to the stem as the stem approaches and departs from a position wherein the valve is closed, are substantially larger than the forces applied to the stem, when the stem approaches a position wherein the valve is fully opened and the stem is back seated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
A valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the links of the mechanism are so disposed that when the valve is closed, the third link forms an angle of approximately 14* with the axis of the stem, and when the valve is fully open and the stem is in its back seated position, the third link forms an angle of approximately 55* with the axis of the stem, whereby the actuator cooperates with the mechanism to generally apply approximately four times as much force to the stem when the valve is closed than is applied to the stem when the valve is fully open and the stem is back seated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
186 words
A valve having a stem with a back seat disposed thereon, said stem being disposed in a back seated position forming a seal around the stem when the valve is in a fully open position, in combination with a fluid driven actuator and a mechanism having a plurality of links, said mechanism comprising said stem, which is the first link; said actuator, which is the second link and is disposed generally normal to the stem; a third link pivotally connected to the actuator and the stem; and a fourth link having one end pivotally connected to said third link and the other end pivotally connected to a fixed point generally defined by the intersection of the axis of the actuator and the axis of the stem, whereby the actuator cooperates with the mechanism in such a manner, that the forces applied to the stem as the stem approaches and departs from a position wherein the valve is closed, are significantly larger than the forces applied to the stem when the stem approaches a position, wherein the valve is fully open and the stem is back seated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
186 words
A valve having a stem with a back seat disposed thereon, said stem being disposed in a back seated position forming a seal around the stem when the valve is in a fully open position, in combination with a fluid driven actuator and a mechanism having a plurality of links, said mechanism comprising said stem, which is the first link; said actuator, which is the second link and is disposed generally normal to the stem; a third link pivotally connected to the actuator and the stem; and a fourth link having one end pivotally connected to said third link and the other end pivotally connected to a fixed point generally defined by the intersection of the axis of the actuator and the axis of the stem, whereby the actuator cooperates with the mechanism in such a manner, that the forces applied to the stem as the stem approaches and departs from a position wherein the valve is closed, are significantly larger than the forces applied to the stem when the stem approaches a position, wherein the valve is fully open and the stem is back seated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
A valve as set forth in claim 3, wherein the links of the mechanism are so disposed that when the valve is closed the third link forms an angle of approximately 14* with the axis of the stem and when the valve is fully opened and the stem is back seated the third link forms an angle of approximately 55* with the axis of the stem, Whereby the actuator cooperates with the mechanism to apply generally four times as much force to the stem, when the valve is closed, that is applied to the stem, when the valve is fully opened and the stem is back seated.
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) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |