Patent ID: 6279870
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: F16K,F23N

Abstract:
A valve actuator assembly adapted to be connected to a flow-control valve member positioned to lie in a flow path of a fluid supply system, the valve actuator assembly comprisinga housing,a driver coupled to the housing, the driver including a stepping motor, a gear assembly connected to the stepping motor, and a shaft connected to the stepping motor and configured to move a flow-control valve member positioned in a flow path of a fluid supply system from an actual valve position to a desired valve position to regulate the flow of fluid through the flow path, anda controller coupled to the stepping motor and configured to command the stepping motor to position the flow-control valve member in the desired valve position, the controller including a control module and a sensor, the control module being programmed to receive a position command and to instruct the stepping motor to move the flow-control valve member to the desired valve position based on the position command, the sensor being coupled to the control module and the shaft to indicate the actual valve position of the flow-control valve member using a valve position signal generated by the sensor and sent from the sensor to the control module, the control module being programmed to receive and compare the valve position signal received from the sensor to calibration parameters to determine whether the valve is in the desired valve position and to instruct the motor to reposition the flow-control valve member in the desired valve position.