Patent GB-344013-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in power operated valve opening and closing apparatus
IPC: F16K31/02
Filed: 1929-11-26
Abstract: 344,013. Electrically-actuated valves. JONES, C. E., Victory Works, East Parade, Bradford, Yorkshire. Nov. 26, 1929, Nos. 36135 and 39550. [Class 135.] Relates to electric-motor valve operating means particularly of the kind described in Specifications 233,760 and 307,445, [both in Class 135, Valves &c.], in which a main valve is provided with a byepass valve for easing the opening, and in which an electric motor such as M, Figs. 1 or 1B, is coupled to the main valve V by a dog clutch S<12> controlled by a solenoid S, after the byepass valve G has been opened. In such arrangements it is proposed to couple the main motor, or an auxiliary motor, to the byepass valve spindle by an auxiliary clutch controlled by an auxiliary solenoid, or by a lever connection from the original solenoid in conjunction with sequence switches in the circuits to ensure operation in correct order. In one arrangement, shown in Fig. 1, the auxiliary clutch g<5>, g<6>, controlled by an auxiliary solenoid E, couples the motor M to the byepass valve spindle g<2> through chain gearing g<8>, g<9>, the two solenoids S, E being automatically controlled by " open " and " close " limit switches associated with the main and byepass valves, in conjunction with a controller switch K. The circuits are arranged -so that one or both solenoids can be operated for opening or closing one or both valves according to the position to which the controller switch is set, the limit switches in the respective solenoid circuits being operated on the completion of the opening or closing movement to cause disconnection of the respective clutches. In preferred arrangements sequence switches are used in the circuits of the solenoids so that when the controller switch is set to open or close both valves the energizing of either of the solenoids is delayed by the respective sequence switch, until the valve corresponding to the other solenoid has been operated, Fig. 1B shows the schematic arrangement for the control of power from the mains L, L<2>, by a rotary drum controller switch K. To open the byepass valve the segment k<1> of the controller is moved to contact with contacts k<5> and k<51>. For opening the byepass and main valves in proper sequence the switch is moved to contact with contacts k,<5> k<51>, k<6>, and k<7>, whereby the circuit of the motor M is completed through the byepass open limit switch Go<2> and the main valve open limit switch o<2>. The circuit of the auxiliary solenoid E is also closed through the switch Go<1>. The sequence switch Sg remains open and the motor M will operate to open the byepass valve only. This action opens the " open " limit switches Go<1> and G0<2> thereby de-energizing the auxiliary solenoid, and then closes the sequence switch Sg and leaves the motor circuit completed through the switch o<2>. As soon as the sequence switch closes, the main solenoid S is energized and couples the motor M to the main valve V. When the latter is fully open the " open " limit switches o<1>, o<2> are opened and disconnect the motor M and main solenoid S from the mains. In closing the valves the sequence switch Sv operates in conjunction with the close limit switch c<1>, c<2>. The sequence switches may however be omitted so that the main and byepass valves can be opened and closed independently and in any desired order. In a modification an auxiliary electric motor is used to operate the byepass valve. A further modification is described (Fig. 3) in which both the auxiliary solenoid and the auxiliary motor are dispensed with, the auxiliary clutch g<5>, g<6> for the byepass valve being operated by a second lever T from the solenoid S. In all arrangements the controller switch may be provided with openings ]it by signal lamps controlled by contacts J, Fig. 1, and the contact member on the main valve crosshead bar V<2> to indicate the various stages of the opening of the main valve. Specification 307,444, [Class 135, Valves &c.], also is referred to.