Patent GB-978478-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a torque accommodating drive for a valve
IPC: F16K31/05
Filed: 1962-10-16
Abstract: 978,478. Valves; shaft couplings; controlling positive clutches. LINK-BELT CO. Oct. 16, 1962 [Oct. 20, 1961], No. 39197/62. Headings F2C, F2L, F2U and F2V. [Also in Division H2] General.-The axially movable or rotatable stem of a gate valve is threaded into a drive nut assembly 32, Fig. 6, which is rotated by a worm-wheel 36 that has a lost-motion connection of about 270 degrees with the nut assembly whereby a hammer blow is imparted to the latter to assist in " cracking " the valve. The worm-wheel is rotated by a worm 80 from a hand wheel 42, Fig. 4, or an electric motor 44. Drive nut assembly.-The assembly employs a drive sleeve 96, Fig. 6, supported in bearings 100, 122 in a housing 50 whilst within the sleeve 96 is splined a wear nut 34 which is internally threaded to co-operate with the valve stem; the wear nut 34 is held in place by a ring nut 164 so that it may be replaced through the bottom of the drive sleeve without dismantling any other components of the valve control mechanism. Drive input means.-The electric motor 44, Fig. 4, has a flange attachment to the housing 50, and the motor shaft 184 extends into a transmission and clutch compartment 198 in the housing 50, the shaft 184 carrying a pinion meshing with a gear 318. The hand wheel shaft 66 extends through a bush 68 in the end wall of a torque-spring retainer-housing 70 and enters the compartment 198 where it is connected to a gear 234. Transmission.-A clutch shaft 252, Fig. 5, is splined to both an axially fixed but rotatable sleeve 266, and an axially slidable clutch member 286 whilst combined clutch and gear elements 300, 302 are rotatable on the shaft. Element 300 is in mesh with gear 234 and element 302 engages with 318. The member 286 is movable axially for manual drive by an external lever 60 via a shaft 334, a cam 356 and a clutch shift fork 328; a spring normally urges the fork 328 to a position wherein the member 286 is clutched to the motor drive gear 318. A lateral part of the cam 356 is formed with an auxiliary, helical cam-surface 376 which upon rocking of the shaft 334 engages a lateral follower on the fork 328 whereby the shaft 334 is moved against the bias of spring 370. The engaging clutch teeth of the element 300 and member 286 are of the undercut dovetail type whereby after engagement, caused by actuation of the lever 60, the teeth will remain engaged when the lever is released if the tangential load on the teeth is equal to or greater than the bias force of the spring 370. The fork 328 may incorporate a third cam surface 386 which operates a switch 388 to prevent energization of the driving motor. The shaft 334 may be operated directly, the helical cam being dispensed with. One end of the worm 80 is splined to the sleeve 266 whilst the other is in a bearing 414, the retainer 430 for which both forms an actuating abutment for a torque limit switch 492, and abuts the coil spring 458 in the torque spring retainer housing 70 that provides for overload response in either direction of the power train and actuation of the limit switch. Electric control.-A further compartment in the housing 50 accommodates the interlock switch 388, torque limit switch 492 a position limit switch 520 and a terminal block 522. The torque limit switch 492 comprises upper and lower switches 526, 528, Fig. 8, actuated from the bearing retainer through an arm 566, a shaft 530, cams 532 or 534 and pins 536 or 538. The parts are mounted on a spider 544. Adjustment of the cams 532, 534 is effected by a member 590 with diametrically opposed arms, each carrying a worm 608 that engages with teeth on the associated cam. The arm 566 is biased by a torsion spring 542. The two switches 526, 528 may be employed during valve movement in one direction so enabling a two-speed motor to be used. The position limit switch consists of a valve open and closed switch 650, 652, Fig. 13, each operated through a gear train that includes a pair of cylindrical cams with peripheral slots, in each of which is one of two pins 686 on a slide 688 having a lower projection 698 that actuates the related switch. The gears associated with each cam have a different number of teeth whereby the slides are operated at the required valve position. The slides are loaded through a spring-biased plate 700. The two sets of gears are driven from a pinion through idler gears which are adjustable through shafts 706, only one of which is shown, from a manually-operable cam-plate 714; the pinion is driven from a worm on the sleeve 266, Fig. 5, via a worm gear 778, Fig. 13, a shaft 764, and gearing 766, 732. The switches cut-off the motor and/or operate indicating lights or interlock with other valves. A four-position switch assembly may be provided. The position limit switch may be operated from a gear drive on the drive nut assembly 32, Fig. 6.