Patent ID: 8991420
Filing Date: 2015-03-31
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for actuating a valve, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an axis, a valve end, a cap end, and a cylindrical sidewall defining an inner diameter surface of the housing; a cap connected to the cap end of the housing; an inlet located in one of the cap and the housing; a plate positioned within the housing, the plate having a center portion and an outer diameter that slidingly engages the inner diameter surface of the housing, the plate moving between an extended position and a retracted position in response to pressure media from the inlet, the plate being nearer the valve end in the extended position than in the retracted position; a down stop in contact with the plate, the down stop being urged toward the valve end of the housing when the plate moves toward the extended position, and the down stop being operable to be connected to a valve stem for actuating the valve; a seal nut with a first end in engagement with the down stop, the seal nut having a second end with an end surface, the end surface being spaced apart from the cap when the plate is in the extended position; and an indicator stem protruding through the housing, the indicator stem being in a plate-up position when the plate is in the retracted position, and the indicator stem being in a plate-down position and preventing a latch mechanism from moving to an unlatched position to prevent the housing from being detached from a bonnet when the plate is in the extended position.