Patent ID: 8172202
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: B64D,F16C,F16K

Abstract:
1. A butterfly valve assembly, comprising: a flowbody having an inner surface defining a channel; a butterfly plate disposed in the channel and rotationally mounted to the flowbody, the butterfly plate having a valve shaft coupled thereto and positioned at an angle to the inner surface of the flowbody; an actuator having an actuator output shaft coupled to the valve shaft via a serrated spline coupling, the actuator configured to actuate the butterfly plate; an upper chimney and a lower chimney disposed within the flowbody, the upper chimney and the lower chimney configured to constrain radial loads and thrust loads exerted upon the valve shaft and minimize misalignment of the serrated spline coupling; a bearing assembly disposed within the upper chimney and configured to create a load path in an axial direction to constrain radial and thrust loads exerted on the valve shaft, the bearing assembly comprising an inboard bearing, an outboard bearing, and a shim stack, the inboard bearing including an inner race, an outer race and a ball bearing, the outboard bearing stacked in axial alignment with the inboard bearing and including an inner race, an outer race, and a ball bearing; a first spacer positioned to provide pre-loading between the butterfly plate and the inner race of the inboard bearing; a spring washer positioned to provide pre-loading between the outer race of the inboard bearing and the outer race of the outboard bearing; and a second spacer positioned to provide pre-loading between the inner race of the inboard bearing and the inner race of the outboard bearing.