Patent Publication Number: US-2023133838-A1

Title: Adjustable valve actuator

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an adjustable valve actuator. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a valve actuator for operating a diverter valve, where the valve actuator includes an adjustable valve limit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Spas, hot tubs, and pools are well known in the art and in wide use for therapeutic purposes, physical relaxation, and enjoyment. Often, a single water recirculating system is used to circulate water through multiple bodies of water (e.g., spa and a pool). A single pump may provide water to separate water jets in a pool and spa depending on the system&#39;s settings, for example. 
     To control where water flows, a diverter valve is often included, which can direct water to a specified location (or multiple locations). Such diverter valves often are paired with a valve actuator that provides general, automated actuation of the diverter valve via operation of an electric motor. For instance, one example of a valve actuator is a “24-Volt Valve Actuator,” Model PE24VA, sold by Intermatic® of Spring Grove, Ill. 
     While certain valve actuators have been used with great success, including the specific example noted above, the present disclosure relates to a valve actuator with certain improvements, including enhanced adjustability of certain valve parameters or limits. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosed embodiments are shown in the drawings accompanying this description. The drawings are briefly described below. 
         FIG.  1    is an illustration showing a diverter valve having a valve actuator in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, where the valve is in a “closed” valve position. 
         FIG.  2    is an illustration showing the valve of  FIG.  1    in an “open” valve position. 
         FIG.  3    is an illustration showing the valve of  FIG.  1    in a first valve position, where flow of a liquid is diverted to a first outlet. 
         FIG.  4    is an illustration showing the valve of  FIG.  1    in a second valve position, where flow of a liquid is diverted to a second outlet. 
         FIG.  5    is an illustration showing a perspective view of an adjustable valve actuator in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is an illustration showing a perspective view of the valve actuator of  FIG.  5   , where the cover is removed, and where the valve actuator includes two cam wheels for adjusting two respective cams in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is an illustration showing a top view of a portion of the valve actuator from  FIGS.  5 - 6   . 
         FIG.  8    is an illustration showing a section view of the valve actuator of  FIGS.  5 - 7    about section  8 - 8  depicted in  FIG.  7   , where a first cam wheel is in a raised operational position in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is an illustration showing the valve actuator of the section view of  FIG.  8   , where the first cam wheel has moved to a lowered adjustable position in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is an illustration showing the valve actuator of the section view of  FIGS.  8 - 9   , where the first cam wheel has rotated in a direction R 1  relative to its position in  FIG.  9    in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is an illustration showing a perspective view of a portion of the valve actuator from  FIGS.  5 - 10   , where the valve actuator includes a set of gears for automatic movement of a valve shaft via motor operation in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is an illustration showing a valve control shaft that is surrounded by a first cam wheel and a second cam wheel in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    is an illustration showing a cam wheel having a cam and a set of O-ring protrusions contacting an O-ring in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  14    is an illustration showing a top view of an additional embodiment of a valve actuator for controlling a diverter valve, where the valve actuator includes microswitches with elongated arms in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to an adjustable valve actuator, particularly where the valve actuator includes a valve parameter that is adjustable. In accordance with certain aspects discussed below, the valve actuator may include a removable cover such that certain adjustable internal components are accessible to an operator (e.g., a serviceman). In contrast with prior valve actuators, these internal components may be adjustable without the need for specialized tools, and in certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments, the internal components of the valve actuator are configured to be manipulated fully by hand to set certain valve limits/parameters or other adjustable diverter valve characteristics. 
     Additionally, certain aspects discussed herein provide a near-infinite level of adjustment of certain valve characteristics, such as valve setting parameters corresponding with particular rotational positions of a valve control shaft. By contrast, certain existing valve actuators, to the extent they are adjustable at all, include only step-wise adjustment between a limited number of distinct stages. 
       FIGS.  1 - 4    show a set of views illustrating the operation of a diverter valve  100 . For example, the diverter valve  100  may operate to control water flow through a pool and/or spa system. While the present depicted embodiments generally relate to a pool, spa, or other water systems, many other suitable applications are also contemplated. 
     The diverter valve  100  may generally function to control water flow between two or more outlets, such as the depicted first outlet  102  and the depicted second outlet  104 . The first outlet  102  may lead to a spa system and the second outlet  104  may lead to a pool system, for example. Different valve positions of the diverter valve  100  distribute water flow from the inlet  106  to between the outlets differently. During normal operation, different valve positions may be achieved with a valve actuator  108  configured to rotate or otherwise move the valve control shaft  110 . The valve actuator  108  is discussed in further detail below. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , in a “closed” valve position, the diverter valve  100  may prevent fluid communication between an inlet  106  and both the first outlet  102  and the second outlet  104 . In this setting, flow through the diverter valve  100  may be prevented, and all downstream water systems may be “off” as a result. 
       FIG.  2    shows an “open” valve setting, where the diverter valve  100  remains substantially clear of the flow path and allows water to flow through the diverter valve  100  relatively uninhibited. In this setting, ignoring downstream effects, roughly half of the flow rate at the inlet  106  is diverted to the first outlet  102 , and the other half is diverted to the second outlet  104 . Both downstream systems may be “on” at an intermediate level, for example. 
     In a first valve position v 1  shown in  FIG.  3   , the diverter valve  100  may direct all flow to the first outlet  102 . In other words, the first outlet  102  may be in fluid communication with the inlet  106  while the second outlet  104  is blocked by the valve. In this setting, the downstream water system corresponding to the first outlet  102  may be “on” at its maximum intensity level, while the downstream water system corresponding to the second outlet  104  may be closed. The opposite may be true in a second valve position v 2  illustrated by  FIG.  4   . That is, in this setting, the diverter valve  100  may direct all flow to the second outlet  104 , while the first outlet  102  is blocked by the diverter valve  100 . 
     While not shown, the valve may also be capable of any number of intermediate settings between any of those shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . For instance, the diverter valve  100  may be capable of allowing flow through both the first outlet  102  and the second outlet  104 , but at different flow rates. Similarly, the diverter valve  100  may include an intermediate position between the “closed” setting and either one of the first valve position v 1  and second valve position v 2  shown in  FIGS.  3 - 4   , where flow is allowed through only one outlet and at a relatively low flow rate. Other settings are also contemplated (e.g., when more or fewer outlets are included, using more than one valve, increasing the complexity of the valve structure and/or surrounding plumbing systems for more advanced flow control, etc.). 
       FIG.  5    shows the valve actuator  108  in isolation. In this example, the majority of the exterior of the valve actuator may be formed by a housing  112  of the valve actuator  108 , which generally includes a valve actuator base  114  and a housing cover  116 . a valve control shaft  110  extending through the housing  112  may be mechanical communication with internal components of the diverter valve such that rotation (or other movement) of the valve control shaft  110  causes the diverter valve to change settings. For example, rotation of the valve control shaft  110  may cause the diverter valve to switch between settings discussed above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   . 
     In some embodiments, the valve control shaft  110  may extend through an opening of the housing cover  116  such that it is exposed outside the housing  112 . Advantageously, this may allow the valve control shaft  110  to be directly, manually manipulated by a user to change the diverter valve&#39;s settings. A handle  118  may be included (shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4    only) for facilitating this manual operation. To ensure the handle  118  is properly located in a vertical direction, a collar  119  may be included to space the handle  118  from an upper surface of the housing cover  116 , for example. 
     The housing cover  116  may typically be secured to the valve actuator base  114  under normal conditions, which is shown in  FIG.  5   . A set of fasteners  120 , in this case screws, may fix the housing cover in place, for example. Screws or other fasteners may be advantageous for preventing end users from tampering with the internal components of the valve actuator  108 . The fasteners  120  keeping the housing cover  116  in place may be separate from fasteners  121 , which generally fix the valve actuator base  114  to another component (e.g., the valve, flooring near a pool, etc.). However, to simplify maintenance and/or adjustment of the valve actuator  108  (as discussed in more detail below), it may be desirable for the fasteners  120  to be removable/releasable such that the internal components of the valve actuator  108  may be accessed by a serviceman. Optionally, the fasteners  120  may be replaced or supplemented with one or more catches  123  (shown in  FIGS.  8 - 10   ), which may reduce the number of screws or other fasteners needed. 
       FIG.  6 - 13    show several views of a non-limiting embodiment of the valve actuator  108  when the cover is removed, and/or certain components thereof. As mentioned above, the valve control shaft  110  may be movable manually (e.g., via a handle). When the valve actuator  108  also includes automated movement (e.g., computer-controlled movement between a variety of valve settings), a motor  125  may be included for causing such automated movement, which may be at least partially controlled via a circuit board  127 . The motor  125  may be mechanically coupled to the valve control shaft  110  via a set of interconnected gears  122  (shown in  FIG.  11   ) such that, when a rotor of the motor  125  spins, this movement causes rotation of the valve control shaft  110 . In this non-limiting depicted example, a primary gear  124  is fixed to the valve control shaft  110 , for example, such that when the primary gear  124  spins, the valve control shaft  110  also spins. 
     Optionally, even when the housing cover  116  of the valve actuator  108  is removed, the gears  122  may remain generally inaccessible due to a gear protection cover  126  as shown in  FIG.  6 - 10   , which may be removable separately from the housing cover  116 . Advantageously, when a maintenance person removes the housing cover  116  to access certain components, the gears  122  may remain inaccessible for safety purposes, for cleanliness (e.g., preventing lubrication from spreading throughout the interior of the housing  112 ), etc. 
     The motor  125  may be capable of rotating the valve control shaft  110  in either rotational direction, R 1  or R 2 , about the central axis of the valve control shaft  110 . While any suitable circuitry is contemplated to accomplish multi-directional capabilities, one non-limiting example involves an AC circuit that powers the motor  125 . The motor  125  may have two primary coils, where one coil is powered directly from a power source in a first circuit, and where the other is powered after the current has passed from the power source through a phase shifting capacitor in a second circuit. Direction of the motor  125  may be selected between providing a current to one of two input power lines: a first input line  130  (e.g.,  FIG.  14   ) electrically connected to the first circuit, and a second input line  132  (e.g.,  FIG.  14   ) electrically connected to a second circuit. A switch may be included for determining which input line receives the current from the power source. 
     The valve actuator  108  may include one or more limitation aspects that limit rotation of the valve control shaft  110 , for example setting the position of v 1  or v 2  of  FIGS.  3 - 4   . The limitation aspect may be any suitable device or method, such as via interruption of one or more of the motor&#39;s circuits, via physical stops or barriers, etc. In the depicted example of  FIGS.  6 - 13   , the limitation aspect(s) include one or more microswitches that are configured to interrupt the motor&#39;s above-described circuits, thereby stopping the motor  125  once the valve control shaft&#39;s rotation reaches a certain, adjustable point. In alternative embodiments, the microswitches may cause the motor  125  to cease rotation in at least one direction via sending a signal to a controller. The microswitches may be actuatable via contact with one or more rotating cams, where the rotating cams are adjustable. 
     To illustrate, the valve actuator  108  includes a first cam  134  that extends from a first outer perimeter surface  142  of a first cam wheel  138 . Similarly, a second cam  136  extends from a second outer perimeter surface  144  of the second cam wheel  140 . In an operational state (i.e., when the housing is closed and the valve actuator  108  is operating in a normal state without maintenance intervention), the first cam wheel  138  and the second cam wheel  140  may be substantially fixed relative to the valve control shaft  110 . Accordingly, when the valve control shaft  110  rotates, the first cam wheel  138  and the second cam wheel  140  will rotate in the same manner, thereby displacing the first cam  134  and the second cam  136  along respective rotational paths. The first cam wheel  138  may be located generally above the second cam wheel  140  with a space  146  therebetween, and the first cam wheel  138  and the second cam wheel  140  may rotate in substantially parallel planes. 
     A first microswitch  148  may be arranged with a first actuation arm  152  located in the rotational path of the first cam  134 , but where the first actuation arm  152  may remain spaced from the first outer perimeter surface  142  of the first cam  134  when it is clear of the first cam  134 . Thus, the first microswitch  148  may be actuated when the first cam  134  rotates into contact with the first actuation arm  152 . Similarly, a second microswitch  150  may also be included, and may be actuated when the second cam  136  rotates into contact with a second actuation arm  154  of the second microswitch  150 . To accommodate the “lower” rotational path of the second cam  136 , the second microswitch  150  may be located closer to the valve actuator base  114  than the first microswitch  148 . 
     The first microswitch  148  and the second microswitch  150  may generally be approached from different directions by the first cam  134  and the second cam  136 , respectively. The first microswitch  148  may be located such that it provides a limit to valve control shaft rotation in a first direction R 1 , and the second microswitch  150  may be located such that it provides a limit to the valve control shaft rotation in a second direction R 2 , where the first direction R 1  is opposite of the second direction R 2 . 
     The microswitches and/or cams may be arranged/positioned such that the microswitches are actuated when the valve control shaft  110  reaches a particular valve setting. For example, the first cam  134  may be located relative to the valve control shaft  110  such that it contacts/actuates the first microswitch  148  when the valve is in a first valve setting v 1  (e.g.,  FIG.  3   ). Similarly, the second cam  136  may be located relative to the valve control shaft  110  such that it contacts/actuates the second microswitch  150  when the valve is in a second valve setting v 2  (e.g.,  FIG.  4   ). However, these particular valve settings are used only as non-limiting examples for illustration purposes, and the device may be set up such that the microswitches trigger upon reaching any suitable valve setting (or an intermediate position). Further, while only two cams, cam wheels, and microswitches are included, more or fewer may be included to correspond with more or fewer valve settings. 
     To hold the microswitches in the desired location, one or more microswitch supports  158  may be included, where the microswitch supports  158  are fixed relative to, and extend from, the valve actuator base  114 . When the first microswitch  148  is actuated (e.g., upon contact with the first actuator arm  152 ), the first microswitch  148  may interrupt motor operation to stop valve adjustment. Similarly, when the second microswitch  150  is actuated (e.g., upon contact with the second actuator arm  154 ), the second microswitch  150  may halt valve adjustment at the desired location. 
     At least one of the first cam  134  and the second cam  136  may be adjustable relative to the valve control shaft  110  such that the valve settings triggering the microswitch(es) can be altered, for example by maintenance personnel. For example, the first cam  134  may be adjustable via: (1) releasing the first cam wheel  138  from its fixed relationship with the valve control shaft  110 ; (2) rotating or otherwise displacing the first cam wheel  138  relative to the valve control shaft  110  in this released, non-fixed state (thereby causing rotation/displacement of the first cam  134  relative to the valve control shaft  110 ); and (3) re-engaging the first cam wheel  138  into its fixed state with the valve control shaft  110  such that the valve actuator  108  again is operable normally in its newly-adjusted configuration. The second cam  136  can be adjusted in a similar manner via relative rotation of the second cam wheel  140  with the valve control shaft  110 . 
     Any suitable method or apparatus may be used to release and re-engage the cam wheels with the valve control shaft  110 . In the depicted embodiment, the cam wheels may be movable vertically (parallel to the rotational axis) to switch between the fixed operational state and an adjustment state, where they are rotatable relative to the valve control shaft. To illustrate,  FIG.  8    shows the first cam wheel  138  in a raised, fixed state while  FIGS.  9 - 10    show the first cam wheel  138  in a lowered, adjustment state. 
     In the operational state of  FIG.  8   , a first O-ring  160  may be located at least partially between an inner-facing surface  162  of the first cam wheel  138  and an outer-facing surface  164  of the valve control shaft  110 . The first O-ring  160  may cause sufficient friction between the first cam wheel  138  and the valve control shaft  110  that the first cam wheel  138  remains fixed from rotating relative to the valve control shaft  110 , absent abnormal conditions. To facilitate enhanced friction, the first cam wheel  138  may include one or more O-ring protrusions  166  (shown in  FIG.  13   ) that extend from the inner-facing surface  162  of the first cam wheel  138  towards the valve control shaft  110 , thereby creating a topography that pressed into the compliant material of the first O-ring  160 . The valve control shaft  110  may include a first groove  168  that maintains the position of the first O-ring  160  relative to the valve control shaft  110 . 
     A first spring  170  may be included such that the first cam wheel  138  maintains its raised, operational position shown in  FIG.  8    (and notably, the first spring  170  is depicted with more visibility in  FIG.  12   ). The first spring  170  may be a compression spring that provides opposite spring forces on the first cam wheel  138  (e.g., forcing the first cam wheel  138  upward) and a spring seat surface of the valve control shaft (e.g., forcing the valve control shaft  110  downward). Another suitable device may be used as an alternative to a spring. While the first spring  170  may be counteracted to move the first cam wheel  138  to a lowered position, the first spring  170  may cause the first cam wheel  138  to enter, or remain in, the raised operational position by default and absent manual intervention. 
     By contrast, the first cam wheel  138  is shown in a lowered position in  FIG.  9   . The lowered position may be an adjustment state, where the first cam wheel  138  is spaced from the first O-ring  160  such that it is easily rotatable relative to the valve control shaft  110  (e.g., by hand), from the position of  FIG.  9    to the position of  FIG.  10    (or the other direction). Notably, the rotation in either direction may allow for adjustment of the cams into many different cam positions, perhaps infinite in variety (e.g., since adjustment occurs in a non-discrete manner, and there are no distinct “stages” required by latching mechanisms, etc.). To move the first cam wheel  138  into this lowered position, a downward force may be applied to the first cam wheel  138  to counteract the spring force. When it is desirable for the valve actuator  108  to be adjustable without specific tools, the first spring  170  may be sized such that it can be counteracted by hand, for example. Once the downward force is concluded, the first spring  170  may cause the first cam wheel  138  to move back into its raised, operational position. The first spring  170  is not shown in  FIG.  9    for purposes of simplicity of description, but reference is made to  FIG.  12   . 
     The second cam wheel  140  may be adjustable in a similar or identical manner. Accordingly, the second cam wheel  140  may be associated with a second O-ring  172  that is located in a second (lower) groove of the valve control shaft  110 . A second spring  174 , shown in  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  12   , may act in a manner similar to the first spring  170  such that the second spring  174  is in an operational, fixed state by default. 
     Notably, in the default, operational state, a space  146  may exist between the first cam wheel  138  and the second cam wheel  140 , and a similar space  147  may exist beneath the second cam wheel  140 . These spaces  146 ,  147 , which are shown in  FIG.  13   , may accommodate downward movement of the first cam wheel  138  and the second cam wheel  140 , respectively, when moving into the lowered adjustable position. Advantageously, such spaces allow for independent adjustment of the first cam wheel  138  and the second cam wheel  140 . 
     Notably, the valve actuator  108  be adjustable via cam movement without any specifically-designed tools, and perhaps completely by hand. In the depicted example, a screwdriver for removing the housing cover  116  may be the only useful tool at all. While it is also contemplated that the cover could be configured for hand removal, it may be advantageous to include screws or other fasteners such that children, pets, etc. do not access the interior of the housing cover  116 . 
       FIG.  14    shows an alternative design, which is similar to the embodiment discussed above but with redesigned microswitches. For example, as shown in  FIG.  14   , a first microswitch  248  and a second microswitch  250  respectively have a first actuator arm  252  and a second actuator arm  254 . The actuator arms  252 ,  254  are lengthened relative to the embodiment discussed above. In particular, the actuator arm  252  extends beyond the outer edge  253  of the microswitch  248 , and the second actuator arm  254  extends a similar length. Optionally, the first actuator arm  252  may extend to a point of support, such as an attachment point  253  with an interior wall of a housing cover (not shown). Further, the first actuator arm  252  may extend generally tangent relative to an outer perimeter surface  242  of a cam wheel  238  (either in contact with the outer perimeter surface  242  or just out of contact), which may ensure solid, reliable engagement with a cam  234  when contact occurs. 
     The attachment point  253  may act as a point of support for the first actuator arm  252  such that it can resist incidental contact with an outer perimeter surface  242  of the cam wheel  238 , and/or partial contact with the cam  234 , without triggering the first microswitch  248 . Further, since the valve control shaft  210  may be rotated by hand (e.g., for manual adjustment with a handle), the elongated actuation arm  252  may ensure that the cam wheel  238  may rotate through the point of contact with the first actuation arm  252  in either direction without damaging any components, entering a “stuck” position that the motor cannot rotate the control shaft  210  out of, etc. 
     While various embodiments have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein are examples, not the only possible embodiments and implementations. 
     Having described various aspects of the subject matter above, additional disclosure is provided below that may be consistent with the claims originally filed with this disclosure. In describing this additional subject matter, reference may be made to the previously described figures. Any of the following aspects and/or optional implementations thereof may be combined, where compatible. 
     A first general aspect includes a valve actuator, a valve control shaft extending at least partially through a housing of the valve actuator, where the valve control shaft is configured for controlling a valve position of a diverter valve. The valve actuator also includes a first cam wheel at least partially surrounding the valve control shaft. The actuator also includes a first cam fixed to the first cam wheel. The actuator also includes and a first microswitch having an actuator located in a rotational path of the first cam. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following optional features. The valve actuator may include: a second cam wheel at least partially surrounding the valve control shaft; a second cam fixed to the second cam wheel; and a second microswitch having an actuator located in a rotational path of the second cam. The first cam wheel and the second cam wheel are spaced in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the valve control shaft. The first cam controls a first valve parameter as the valve control shaft rotates in a first direction, and where the second cam controls a second valve parameter as the valve control shaft rotates in a second direction, the first direction being opposite the second direction. The first microswitch interrupts a first circuit of a motor when actuated, and where the second microswitch interrupts a separate second circuit of the motor when actuated, where the first circuit includes an input for operating the motor in a first direction, and where the separate second circuit includes a second input for operating the motor in an opposite second direction. The actuator of the second microswitch is located closer to a valve actuator base than the actuator of the first microswitch. The first cam wheel includes an operational position and an adjustment position, where the first cam wheel is fixed relative to the valve control shaft in the operational position, and where the valve control shaft is rotatable relative to the valve control shaft when the first cam wheel is in the adjustment position. The valve actuator may include a spring mechanically coupled to the first cam wheel such that the first cam wheel is biased towards the operational position due to a spring force of the spring. The o-ring is compressed between the first cam wheel and the valve control shaft when the first cam wheel is in the operational position. The first cam wheel includes at least one o-ring protrusion extending from an inner surface of the first cam wheel for engaging the o-ring when the first cam wheel is in the operational position. The first microswitch is configured to halt operation of a motor upon contact with the first cam. 
     A second general aspect includes a valve actuator, a valve control shaft extending at least partially through a housing of the valve actuator, where the valve control shaft is configured for controlling a valve position of a diverter valve. The valve actuator also includes and a first cam wheel at least partially surrounding the valve control shaft, where the first cam wheel includes an operational position and an adjustment position, where the first cam wheel is fixed relative to the valve control shaft in the operational position, and where the valve control shaft is rotatable relative to the valve control shaft when the first cam wheel is in the adjustment position. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following optional features. The valve actuator may include a first cam extending from an outer perimeter surface of the first cam wheel such that the first cam is moveable relative to the valve control shaft when the first cam wheel is in the adjustment position. The valve actuator may include a first microswitch located in a rotational path of the first cam at least when the first cam wheel is in the operational position. The first cam wheel and the second cam wheel are spaced in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the valve control shaft. The operational position of the first cam wheel is offset relative to the adjustment position of the first cam wheel in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the valve control shaft. The o-ring is compressed between the first cam wheel and the valve control shaft when the first cam wheel is in the operational position. The first cam wheel includes at least one o-ring protrusion extending from an inner surface of the first cam wheel for engaging the o-ring when the first cam wheel is in the operational position. 
     A third general aspect includes a valve actuator, a valve control shaft extending at least partially through a housing of the valve actuator, where the valve control shaft is configured for controlling a valve position of a diverter valve. The valve actuator also includes a first cam wheel extending at least partially around the valve control shaft. The actuator also includes and a first cam fixed to the first cam wheel, where in an operational position, the first cam wheel is fixed relative to the valve control shaft, and where in an adjustment position, the first cam wheel is rotatable relative to the valve control shaft such that the first cam is movable between an infinite number of non-discrete cam positions. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following optional features. The valve actuator may include a second cam wheel extending at least partially around the valve control shaft; and a second cam fixed to the second cam wheel, where in an operational position, the second cam wheel is fixed relative to the valve control shaft, and where in an adjustment position, the second cam wheel is rotatable relative to the valve control shaft such that the second cam is movable between an infinite number of non-discrete cam positions.