Patent ID: 6568654
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
A valve locking device comprising:a. a rod coupled to a valve through a linkage that is configured to adjust an opening in the valve to a size that accommodates the desired flow through the valve upon movement of the rod; b. a locking mechanism configured to engage the rod at different positions within the full travel of the linkage in order to lock the valve in place; c. a limiting mechanism configured to limit rotation of the rod to a predefined angle from the locked position such that: (i) rotation of the rod through the predefined angle disengages the locking mechanism thereby permitting movement of the rod to cause an adjustment in valve position; and (ii) opposite rotation of the rod back through the predefined angle causes the locking mechanism to reengage the rod to prevent further motion thereby effecting a lock of the valve at the selected position; wherein the locking mechanism further comprises serrations along the length of the rod which are engaged at multiple points by a locking clip thereby preventing axial movement of the rod to lock the valve in position; and wherein the locking mechanism and the limiting mechanism are contained in a rod housing such that a cross-sectional profile of the limiting mechanism surrounds a matching cross-section of the rod to permit axial movement of the rod within the limiting mechanism when the locking mechanism is disengaged while preventing rotation of the limiting mechanism around the rod; and wherein a spring plunger snaps into a groove in the limiting mechanism to lock the valve in position and wherein rotation of the rod through the predefined angle retracts the spring plunger out of the groove to allow simultaneous rotation of-the rod and the limiting mechanism.