Patent ID: 6267352
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: F02D

Abstract:
A valve assembly comprising:a housing;a fluid passageway in said housing;a shaft member rotatably positioned in said housing and extending through said fluid passageway;a valve member positioned in said fluid passageway, said valve member attached to said shaft member and rotatable therewith;a gear mechanism for rotating said shaft member between a first position in which said valve member is oriented to allow full passage of fluid in said passageway, and a second position in which said valve member is oriented to prevent fluid passage in said passageway;a motor member operably connected to said gear mechanism for causing said gear mechanism to rotate said shaft member;a main spring member for biasing said gear mechanism and shaft member in a direction away from said first position and toward said second position; anda spring-biased gear backlash sector gear mechanism for biasing said shaft member in a direction away from said second position and to a third default position between said first and second positions;wherein in the event of non-operation of said motor member, said spring-biased gear backlash sector gear mechanism acts to position said shaft member in said third position.