Patent Publication Number: US-7591133-B2

Title: Actuator system having a valve manifold

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a fail safe hydraulic actuator system which is linear or rotary and is capable of returning an externally associated valve to its fail safe or inoperative position in the event of loss of electrical power to the system. 
     Even though the loss of electrical power is maintained, the improved manifold block of the present invention enables one to operate a manual 4 way valve and a hand pump to open the fail safe closed valve that would otherwise remain closed as long as the electrical power is unavailable to the system. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     Linear actuators with piston means displaced by fluid or air pressure are typically used to control the opening and closing of valves, e.g., gate valves, globe valves, sluice gates and cone valves. 
     Many situations exist where electrically operated control mechanisms, such as the valves just noted, and the like, if locked in an operative position by an interruption of electric power, can create awkward, difficult, and even hazardous conditions. 
     The Wright U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,505 discloses a fail safe hydraulic actuator system, particularly one featuring a linear actuator, which upon loss of electric power instantly and automatically returns the control mechanism which is being monitored to the inoperative or closed position. 
     Other examples of fail safe electrical actuator systems include the following: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patentee 
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Wright 
                 4,757,684 
                 Jul. 19, 1988 
               
               
                   
                 Wright 
                 5,087,846 
                 Feb. 11, 1992 
               
               
                   
                 Wright 
                 5,205,200 
                 Apr. 27, 1993 
               
               
                   
                 Wright 
                 5,275,193 
                 Jan. 4, 1994 
               
               
                   
                 Wright 
                 Des 479,576 
                 Sep. 9, 2003 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     All of these prior art documents and disclosures are each herewith incorporated by reference. 
     However, each of these prior art structures and systems has the disadvantage that as long as the power failure exists, that it is not possible to use a hand pump manual valve structure to activate the linear actuator to move in such a direction as to open the closed valve which was closed as part of the automatic fail safe procedure and fail safe system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a fail safe linear actuator system or rotary actuator system that is operable even during an electrical power failure by means of a manual or hand pump and a manual 4 way valve in order to open a closed valve and actuator system, during the electrical power failure. 
     The solution to this prior art problem is to provide a valve manifold that can be used even when there is no electrical power. In the prior art the problem is with the existing systems and structures for the fail safe actuator because none would allow the actuator operation with a hand pump if electrical power was not available. Some persons skilled in the art wanted to be able to operate the actuator when electrical power was not available. The no power option is needed to operate valves during a power failure on an emergency basis. New York City Department of Environmental Protection has requested this modification for their sewage treatment plants. 
     A method was needed to isolate the fail safe solenoid valves and accumulator from the hand pump circuit and relieve the stored energy from the fail safe circuit. Hence, the solution according to the invention was to have an additional set of pilot operated check valves that were installed between the motor driven pump circuit and the hand pump circuit. These pilot operated check valves isolate the hand pump circuit from the fail safe dump solenoid and accumulator. These pilot actuated check valves also hold the actuator in the fail safe position as long as the hand pump system was not used. 
     A hydraulic bleed circuit is also installed to relieve the accumulator of stored energy when the hand pump system was used. A port contains a check valve that keeps hydraulic fluid from the hand pump from entering the accumulator during hand pump operation. Another port contains a needle valve to control the draining of the accumulator through the manual directional valve and back into the reservoir. 
     Therefore, the present invention provides a fail safe linear actuator system or rotary actuator system which includes a pressurized fluid storage means as its fail safe mechanism. The pressurized fluid storage means, e.g., an accumulator, must be capable of delivering fluid to the linear or rotary actuator so that it returns to its inoperative (or closed) position should the linear actuator system suffer a loss of electrical power. Additionally, the pressurized fluid storage means may include a means for signaling the controller of the system when the pressurized fluid storage means has been satisfactorily charged with fluid. Thus, fluid from the reservoir can be prevented from being delivered to the linear actuator until the pressurized fluid storage means has been charged with fluid. There is also a novel and improved block manifold that contains an additional set of pilot operated check valves that are installed between a motor driven pump circuit and a hand pump circuit. This enables the actuator to be operated with the hand pump even if the electrical power is not available. 
     The present invention is directed to a fail safe actuator system comprising a valve manifold block having several sides with each side of said several sides having openings; fluid flow passageways within said manifold block connecting some of said openings of each side with some of said openings of every other side; an accumulator connected in fluid flow connection to at least one of said openings; an actuator comprising a cylinder containing a moveable piston having an attached piston rod connected to a valve; said actuator cylinder connected in fluid flow connection to others of said openings; 
     an electrically operated pump motor and a motor-driven pump connected in fluid flow connection to a fluid reservoir and connected in fluid flow connection to a solenoid operated control valve; said solenoid operated control valve connected in fluid flow connection to still other of said openings;
 
a manually operated hand pump connected in fluid flow connection to said reservoir and to a manual 4 way valve; said manual 4 way valve connected in fluid flow connection to further others of said openings; and a set of pilot operated check valves connected in fluid flow connection to said fluid flow passageways between said motor driven pump and said hand pump; whereby said actuator can be operated with said hand pump if electrical power is not available.
 
     The present invention is also directed to a fail safe actuator system comprising a valve manifold block having a left side and a right side, said left side having left side openings, and said right side having right side openings; said manifold block having a front side having front side openings; said manifold block having a rear side having rear side openings; said manifold block having a top side having top side openings; and said manifold block having a bottom side having bottom side openings; fluid flow passageways within said manifold block connecting some of said left side openings with some of said right side openings; an accumulator connected in fluid flow connection to a right side opening; an actuator comprising a cylinder containing a moveable piston having an attached piston rod connected to a valve; said actuator cylinder connected in fluid flow connection to some of said left side openings; said fluid flow passageways within said manifold block connecting some of said front side openings with some of said rear side; 
     an electrically operated pump motor and a motor driven pump connected in fluid flow connection to a fluid reservoir and connected in fluid flow connection to a solenoid operated control valve; said solenoid operated control valve connected in fluid flow connection to other of said openings; a manually operated hand pump connected in fluid flow connection to said reservoir and to a manual 4 way valve; said manual 4 way valve connected in fluid flow connection to another of said openings; and a set of pilot operated check valves connected in fluid flow connection to said fluid flow passageways between said motor driven pump and said hand pump; and a source of electrical power; whereby said actuator can be operated with said hand pump if electrical power is not available. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the annexed drawings. 
       It is to be understood that these drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the scope of the invention in any manner thereof. In the drawings wherein the same reference characters denote the same structural features throughout the several views: 
         FIG. 1  shows a fluid circuit diagram for the fail safe linear actuator system of the invention; 
         FIG. 1A  shows the application in part of the fluid circuit diagram of  FIG. 1  to a rotary actuator system of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of the manifold block of the actuator system of the invention with certain switches and valves being installed; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side perspective view of the manifold block of the actuator system of the invention with certain switches and valves being attached; 
         FIG. 4  shows a front side view of the manifold block in the direction of arrow  4  of  FIG. 2  without any switches or valves being attached; 
         FIG. 5  shows a left side view of the manifold block in the direction of arrow  5  of  FIG. 2  without any switches or valves being attached; 
         FIG. 6  shows a bottom side view of the manifold block in the direction of arrow  6  of  FIG. 3  without any switches or valves being attached; 
         FIG. 7  shows a rear side view of the manifold block in the direction of arrow  7  of  FIG. 3  without any switches or valves being attached; 
         FIG. 8  shows a right side view of the manifold block in the direction of arrow  8  of  FIG. 2  without any switches or valves being attached; 
         FIG. 9  shows a top side view of the manifold block in the direction of arrow  9  of  FIG. 2  without any switches or valves being attached; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a plan view of an assembled fail safe linear actuator system of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now in detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a fluid circuit diagram for the fail safe linear actuator system  20  of the present invention. 
     The manifold block  22  which is shown in perspective in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is shown in  FIG. 1  in the position of the dashed lines. The linear actuator  24  is a cylinder containing a piston  28  and having a connected piston rod  30  which is attached to a valve  32 . This actuator is coupled to the manifold block  22  at openings  34  and  36  at the side or end  38  of the manifold block. At the other side or end  40  of the manifold block, the accumulator  42  containing nitrogen gas  44  and a liquid or hydraulic fluid  46  under pressure is attached at opening  48  to the manifold block. 
     In  FIG. 1A  is shown the rotary actuator  224  which is a cylinder containing a rotary piston  228  and having a connected piston rod  30  shown in  FIG. 1  which is attached to a valve  32 . For the sake of brevity  FIG. 1  is not repeated in its entirety in showing  FIG. 1A , since only the difference in structure is illustrated. The remainder of  FIG. 1A  is the same as is shown in  FIG. 1 . In operating the rotary actuator  224 , rotation in the counterclockwise direction  230  will open the valve  32 . In operating the rotary actuator  224 , rotation in the clockwise direction  232  will close the valve  32 . 
     Connection openings or ports  34  and  36  are also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . Connection opening or port  48  is also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
     The motorized pump  50  with pump motor  52  is connected to the hydraulic fluid reservoir  54  through filter  56  and to the relief valve  58  and to the solenoid operated control valve  60  which is 3 position and 4 way. This constitutes the motor driven pump circuit subassembly, which is attached to the manifold block at openings or ports  62 ,  64  and  66 ,  68 . Connection openings  62  and  66  are also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
     The hand pump  70  and the manual 4 way valve  72  and the manual isolation valves  74  are connected together to the reservoir  54  to create the hand pump circuit subassembly. There are also manual isolation valves  73  and  75  connecting manual 4 way valve  72  to opening  76  or  80  respectively. This subassembly is connected to the manifold block at openings or ports  76 ,  78  and  80 ,  82 . Connection openings  76  and  80  are also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
     The manifold block has various components attached thereto which function as follows. Hand pump driven pilot operated check valves are components  84  and  86 . These two pilot operated check valves  84  and  86  work together during the hand pump operation to allow hydraulic fluid flow into and out of the cylinder. Check values  84  and  86  are connected as shown in  FIG. 4  to the block manifold at connection openings  88  and  90  respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the valve manifold block has several sides such as sides  37 ,  38 ,  39  and  40 . Each of these sides has connection openings or ports. Thus, side  37  has openings or ports  150 ,  154 ,  166 ,  168  and  158 . Side  38  has openings or ports  34 ,  36  and  82 . Side  39  has openings or ports  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  76 ,  78  and  80 . Side  40  has openings or ports  48  and  170 . Within the manifold block are passageways P which connect together some or all of the openings of each side with some or all of the openings of every other side of the manifold block. 
     Being in fluid flow connection means that the hydraulic fluid can flow from one element or component of the fail safe actuator system to another element or component of the fail safe actuator system through the fluid flow passageways, P, as shown in  FIG. 1 . These components include the accumulator, the actuator, the reservoir, the motor pump, the solenoid operated control valve, the manual isolation valves, the hand pump, the manual 4 way valve, various pilot operated check valves, the accumulator valve, the blocker valve and the dump valve. 
     For the sake of convenience, the six sides of the manifold block shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , are described as the right side or end  40  in the direction of arrow  8 ; the left side or end  38  in the direction of arrow  5 ; the top side  37  in the direction of arrow  9 ; the bottom side  39  in the direction of arrow  6 ; the front side  41  in the direction of arrow  4 ; and the rear side  43  in the direction of arrow  7 . 
     Motor driven pump pilot operated check valves are components  92  and  94 . These two pilot operated check valves  92  and  94  work together during motor driven pump operation to allow hydraulic fluid flow into and out of the cylinder. Check valves  92  and  94  are connected to the block manifold at connection openings  96  and  98  respectively as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Dump solenoid valve is component  100 , shown in  FIG. 2 . This solenoid valve is closed when the electrical power is applied and is open when the electrical power is removed. This solenoid valve  100  opens on the loss of electrical power, allowing a return path for the hydraulic fluid from the bottom of the cylinder to the reservoir  54 . That is this is from port  36  to port  102 . Port opening  102  is shown in  FIG. 8 . Valve  100  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening  103  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Blocker solenoid valve is component  104 , shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This solenoid valve  104  is closed when the electrical power is applied and is open when the electrical power is removed. This solenoid valve  104  is powered and is closed when charging the accumulator  42  to block the flow of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder  24 . Blocker solenoid valve  104  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening  106  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Accumulator solenoid valve is component  108  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This solenoid valve  108  is closed when the electrical power is applied and is open when the electrical power is removed. This solenoid valve  108  opens on loss of electrical power, allowing the flow of hydraulic fluid from the accumulator  42  to the top of the cylinder  26  through port  34 . Accumulator Valve  108  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening  110  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Flow control valve for rod retraction is component  112 . This flow control valve  112  is shown in  FIG. 2  and allows full flow to the top of the cylinder through port  34  and has a variable restriction  114  on the flow out of the cylinder. Restricting the flow out of the cylinder prevents the cylinder piston  28  from being pushed faster than intended by the load on the cylinder rod. Flow control valve  112  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening or port  116  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Flow control valve for rod extension is component  118 . This flow control valve  118  is shown in  FIG. 2  and allows full flow to the bottom of the cylinder port  36  and has a variable restriction  120  on the flow out of the cylinder. Restricting the flow out of the cylinder prevents the cylinder piston from being pushed faster than intended by the load on the cylinder rod. Flow control valve  118  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening or port  122  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Accumulator flow control valve is component  124 . This flow control valve  124  is shown in  FIG. 3  and restricts the flow out of the cylinder during accumulator actuation. When the accumulator solenoid  108  and the dump solenoid  100  are de-energized, the hydraulic fluid stored under pressure in the accumulator is sent to the top of the cylinder. The hydraulic fluid forced from the bottom of the cylinder is slowed by this flow control valve  124  to attain the required operating speed of the cylinder. Accumulator flow control valve  124  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening or port  126  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
     Accumulator drain valve is component  128 . This valve  128  is shown in  FIG. 3  and is used to drain the stored energy from the accumulator  42  for servicing. Accumulator drain valve  128  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening or port  130  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
     Loss of power isolation pilot operated check valves are components  132  and  134 . These pilot operated check valves  132  and  134  are used with the hand pump during power failures. They prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid from going into the accumulator  42  or returning to the reservoir  54  through the dump solenoid  100 . Check valves  132  and  134  are connected to the block manifold at connection openings or ports  136  or  138  respectively, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Loss of power accumulator drain valve is component  140 . This valve  140  is shown in  FIG. 2  and allows the slow release of the stored energy in the accumulator  42  when the hand pump  70  is used during loss of electrical power. During the electrical power loss, the accumulator solenoid  108  is open applying hydraulic pressure to the top of the cylinder. This pressure prevents the hand pump  70  from retracting the cylinder rod  30 . Valve  140  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening or port  142  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Loss of power check valve is component  144 . This check valve  144  prevents the hydraulic fluid flow from the hand pump  70  from going into the accumulator  42  during rod extend operation. Check valve  144  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening or port  146  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Rod extend pressure switch is component  148 . This adjustable pressure switch  148  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and shuts off the motor driven pump  50  at the desired pressure. This pressure is determined by the operating load on the cylinder during rod extension. Switch  148  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening or port  150  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Rod retract pressure switch is component  152 . This adjustable pressure switch  152  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and shuts off the motor driven pump  50  at the desired pressure. This pressure is determined by the operating load on the cylinder during rod retraction. Switch  152  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening or port  154  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Accumulator pressure switch is component  156 . This adjustable pressure switch  156  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and shuts off the motor driven pump  50  at the desired pressure. This pressure is determined by the pressure required in the accumulator  42 . Switch  156  is connected to the block manifold at connection opening or port  158  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Pressure gauges  160 ,  162  and  164  are used to test the pressure in rod extension  160 , or rod retraction  162 , and accumulator  164  circuits. Pressure gauges  160 ,  162  and  164  are connected to the block manifold at connection openings or ports  166 ,  168  and  170 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The prior art problem was solved by using the improved valve manifold of the present invention which will function even if there is no electrical power to operate the manifold. The previous manifold for the fail safe prior art actuator shown in U.S. Design Patent No. 479,576, would not allow the actuator operation with the hand pump if electrical power were not available. Some skilled in the art wanted to operate the actuator when electrical power was not available. 
     A method was discovered to isolate the fail safe solenoid valves and accumulator from the hand pump circuit and relieve the stored energy from the fail safe circuit, as being within the present invention. 
     This prior art problem was solved according to the present invention by providing an additional set of pilot operated check valves  132  and  134  which are installed between the motor driven pump circuit  53  and the hand pump circuit  71 . These pilot operated check valves isolate the hand pump circuit  71  from the fail safe dump solenoid  100  and accumulator  42 . These pilot actuated check valves also hold the actuator  24  in the fail safe position as long as the hand pump system was not used. 
     Also installed according to the present invention is a hydraulic bleed circuit to relieve the accumulator  42  stored energy when the hand pump circuit  71  was used. Check valve  144  keeps hydraulic fluid from the hand pump  70  from entering the accumulator  42  during hand pump operation. Check valve  144  is connected to a needle valve  140  to control the draining of the accumulator  42  through the manual isolation valve and back into the reservoir  54 . 
     The procedure and steps for carrying out the method of the present invention will now be discussed. 
     Sequence of Operation [No Power Option Manifold]
         Accumulator charging:   When electrical power from source  182  is applied to actuator  24  through electrical connector  172  and control panel  174  (see  FIG. 10 ) and the accumulator pressure is lower than the setting on the accumulator pressure switch  156  the following steps occur:
           Motor driven pump  50  starts;   Solenoid operated control valve shifts; connecting manifold port  66  to the reservoir  54  and port  62  to the hydraulic pump discharge;   Blocker solenoid valve  104  closes;   Hydraulic fluid flows though port  62 ;   Hydraulic fluid opens and passes through pilot operated check valve  94 ;   Hydraulic fluid  46  opens and flows through check valve on accumulator solenoid valve  108 ;   Hydraulic fluid  46  enters the accumulator  42  compressing the nitrogen gas  44 ;   When the pressure setting on  156  is met, the pressure switch opens and the motor driven pump shuts off and the blocker solenoid valve  104  opens; and   Accumulator solenoid valve  108  remains closed as long as electrical power is applied to actuator  24 ; this prevents the accumulator  42  discharging into the cylinder  26 .   
           Cylinder rod extends under normal operation—power is applied to actuator and the following steps occur:
           Blocker solenoid valve  104  remains open [no power is applied];   Accumulator  42  and Dump solenoid valve  100  remain closed [power is applied to them];   External command is given to extend rod  30 ;   Motor driven pump  50  starts;   Solenoid operated control valve shifts, connecting manifold port  66  to the reservoir  54  and port  62  to the hydraulic pump discharge;   Hydraulic fluid flows through the solenoid operated control valve into manifold port  62 ;   Hydraulic fluid opens and flows through pilot operated check valve  94 ;   Hydraulic pressure from pilot operated check valve  94  unseats the check ball  91  on the pilot operated check valve  92  by flowing through fluid flow passageway  93 ;   Hydraulic fluid is prevented from entering the accumulator  42  through the accumulator solenoid check valve due to the pressure being higher in the accumulator;   Hydraulic fluid flows through components  104  and  118 ;   Hydraulic fluid opens and flows through pilot operated check valve  132 ;   Hydraulic pressure from pilot operated check valve  132  unseats check ball  135  on pilot operated check valve  134  by flowing through fluid flow passageway  133 ;   Hydraulic fluid leaves manifold port  34 ;   Hydraulic fluid in  FIG. 1  enters top  25  of linear actuator cylinder  26  forcing piston  28  down (rod extension);   Hydraulic fluid is forced out of the area under the cylinder piston;   Hydraulic fluid enters manifold port  36 ;   In  FIG. 1A  hydraulic fluid enters rotary actuator  224  and causes rotary piston  228  to close in direction  232 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through pilot operated check valve  134  due to check ball  135  being unseated by pressure from pilot operated check valve  132  by flowing through fluid flow passageway  133 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through flow control valve  112 ;   The hydraulic fluid flow can be restricted [slowed] if needed by flow control valve  114 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through pilot operated check valve  92  due to check ball  91  being unseated by pressure from pilot operated check valve  94  by flowing through fluid flow passageway  93 ;   Hydraulic fluid leaves manifold through port  66 ; and   Hydraulic fluid flows through solenoid operated control valve  60  back to reservoir  54 .   
           Cylinder rod retracts under normal operation—power is applied to actuator and the following steps occur:
           Blocker solenoid valve  104  remains open [no power is applied];   Accumulator solenoid valve  108  and Dump solenoid valve  100  remain closed [power is applied to them];   External command is given to extend rod  30 ;   Motor driven pump  50  starts;   Solenoid operated control valve shifts; connecting manifold port  62  to the reservoir and port  66  to the hydraulic pump discharge;   Hydraulic fluid flows through the solenoid operated control valve  60  into manifold port  66 ;   Hydraulic fluid opens and flows through pilot operated check valve  92 ;   Hydraulic pressure from pilot operated check valve  92  unseats check ball  95  on pilot operated check valve  94  through fluid flow passageway  93 ;   Hydraulic fluid flows through component  112 ;   Hydraulic fluid opens and flows through pilot operated check valve  134 ;   Hydraulic pressure from pilot operated check valve  134  unseats check ball  131  on pilot operated check valve  132  through fluid flow passageway  133 ;   Hydraulic fluid leaves manifold port  36 ;   Hydraulic fluid enters bottom  27  of cylinder forcing piston up in  FIG. 1  causing rod retraction;   Hydraulic fluid is forced out of the area on top of the cylinder piston;   Hydraulic fluid enters manifold port  34 ;   In  FIG. 1A  hydraulic fluid enters rotary actuator  224  and causes rotary piston  228  to open in direction  230 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through pilot operated check valve  132  due to check ball  131  being unseated by pressure from pilot operated check valve  134  through fluid flow passageway  133 ;zz   Hydraulic fluid passes through flow control valve  118 ;   The hydraulic fluid flow can be restricted [slowed] if needed by flow control valve  120 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through blocker solenoid valve  104 ; this valve is not powered and is open;   Hydraulic fluid is prevented from entering the accumulator  42  through the accumulator solenoid check valve  108  due to the pressure being higher in the accumulator;   Hydraulic fluid passes through pilot operated check valve  94  due to check ball  95  being unseated by pressure from pilot operated check valve  92  through fluid flow passageway  93 ;   Hydraulic fluid leaves manifold through port  62 ; and   Hydraulic fluid flows through solenoid operated control valve  60  back to reservoir  54 .   
           Cylinder rod extends under fail safe condition—power is removed from actuator and the following steps occur:
           Blocker solenoid valve  104  remains open [no power is applied];   Accumulator solenoid valve  108  and dump solenoid valve  100  open [power is removed from them];   Stored energy in accumulator causes hydraulic fluid flow through components  108 ,  104  and  118 ; Hydraulic fluid opens and flows through pilot operated check valve  132 ;   Hydraulic pressure from pilot operated check valve  132  unseats check ball  135  on pilot operated check valve  134 ;   Hydraulic fluid leaves manifold port  34 ;   Hydraulic fluid in  FIG. 1  enters top  25  of cylinder in linear actuator forcing piston down [rod extend];   Hydraulic fluid is forced out of the area on bottom  27  of the cylinder piston;   Hydraulic fluid enters manifold port  36 ;   In  FIG. 1A  hydraulic fluid enters rotary actuator  224  and causes rotary piston  228  to close in direction  232 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through pilot operated check valve  134  due to check ball  135  being unseated by pressure from pilot operated check valve  132  through fluid flow passageway  133 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through flow control valve  112 ;   The hydraulic fluid flow can be restricted [slowed] if needed by flow control valve  114 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through dump solenoid  100 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through flow control valve  124 ;   The hydraulic fluid flow can be restricted [slowed] if needed by flow control valve  124 ; this would be done if emergency closing speed is too fast; and   Hydraulic fluid leaves manifold through port  102  and returns to reservoir   
           Cylinder rod retracts using hand pump power is not applied to actuator and the following steps occur:
           Blocker solenoid valve  109  remains open [no power is applied];   Accumulator solenoid valve  108  and dump solenoid valve  100  are open [power is not applied to them];   Stored energy from accumulator  42  is on top of cylinder piston holding cylinder rod  30  in the extended position;   The three manual isolation valves  73 ,  74  and  75  are opened;   Manual 4-way valve  72  is put in the rod retract position;   The stored energy in the accumulator unseats check valve  144 ;   Hydraulic fluid flows through check valve  144 ; and flow control valve  140 ;   Flow control valve  140  has been adjusted to bleed the accumulator stored energy off slowly;   Hydraulic fluid leaves manifold through port  76  and flows through the manual 4-way valve  72  back to the reservoir  54 ; this removes the stored energy holding the cylinder in the rod extend position;   The hand pump  70  is operated;   Hydraulic fluid opens and flows through pilot operated check valve  84 ;   Hydraulic fluid is blocked from returning to the reservoir through the open dump solenoid valve  100  by pilot operated check valve  134 ;   Hydraulic pressure from pilot operated check valve  84  unseats check ball  87  on pilot operated check valve  86  through pipe conduit  85 ;   Hydraulic fluid leaves manifold port  36 ;   Hydraulic fluid in  FIG. 1  enters bottom  27  of cylinder in linear actuator forcing piston  28  up [rod retraction];   Hydraulic fluid is forced out of the area on top  25  of the cylinder piston;   Hydraulic fluid enters manifold port  34 ;   In  FIG. 1A  hydraulic fluid enters rotary actuator  224  and causes rotary piston  228  to open in direction  230 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through pilot operated check valve  86  due to check ball  87  being unseated by pressure from pilot operated check valve  84 ; and   Hydraulic fluid passes through the manual 4 way valve  72  and manual isolation valve  74  back to reservoir  54 .   
           Cylinder rod extends using hand pump—power is not applied to actuator and the following steps occur:
           Blocker solenoid valve  104  remains open [no power is applied];   Accumulator solenoid valve  108  and dump solenoid valve  100  are open [power is not applied to them];   Stored energy from accumulator  42  has been bled off during cylinder rod retraction operation discussed above.   The three manual isolation valves  73 ,  74  and  75  are opened;   Manual 4-way valve  72  is put in the rod extension position;   The hand pump  70  is operated;   Hydraulic fluid opens and flows through pilot operated check valve  86 ;   Hydraulic fluid is blocked from entering the accumulator  42  through the open blocker solenoid valve  104  and accumulator solenoid valve  108  by pilot operated check valve  132 ; hydraulic fluid is also blocked from returning to the reservoir through check valve  144  by pilot operated check valve  132 ;   Hydraulic pressure from pilot operated check valve  86  unseats check ball  83  on pilot operated check valve  84  through fluid flow passageway  85 ;   Hydraulic fluid leaves manifold port  34 ;   Hydraulic fluid in  FIG. 1  enters top  25  of cylinder in linear actuator forcing piston down [rod extension];   Hydraulic fluid is forced out of the area on the bottom  27  of the cylinder piston  28 ;   Hydraulic fluid enters manifold port  36 ;   In  FIG. 1A  hydraulic fluid enters rotary actuator  224  and causes rotary piston  228  to close in direction  232 ;   Hydraulic fluid passes through pilot operated check valve  84  due to check ball  83  being unseated by pressure from pilot operated check valve  86  through fluid flow passageway  85 ; and   Hydraulic fluid passes through the manual 4 way valve  72  and manual isolation valve  74  back to reservoir  54 .   
               

     The manifold block  22  of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 10  as part of an actuator system that is contained within a water-tight submersible container  176 . The manifold block is made initially from a solid piece of metal such as aluminum, brass, bronze, or stainless steel. Block  22  usually is rectangular in cross-sectional shape along major or longitudinal axis L and/or is usually square in cross-sectional shape along the minor or transverse axis T which is perpendicular to the major axis L. This is shown in  FIG. 2 . The fluid flow circuit diagram shown in  FIG. 1  is produced by known metal working and machining techniques such as drilling and boring. This produces the fluid flow passageways P which are internally connected within the block and which connect together the external openings or ports in the several sides of the block in a fluid tight manner so as to contain the hydraulic fluid. The pressure switches and the solenoid valves are produced in a conventional manner by known manufacturers. The hydraulic fluid used is conventional. 
     The pressure switches and solenoid valves which are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  are attached to manifold block  22  by screw threaded means. Thus, the manifold block would have screw threaded portions which are drilled or countersunk openings into the outer surface of the manifold block so as to be a female receptor for attachment. The pressure switch or solenoid valve would have at its base a correspondingly mating screw threaded male protuberance for attaching the switch or valve to the manifold block in a fluid tight coupled manner.  FIG. 7  shows openings  45  into which a switch or valve may be attached. Sometimes these openings are temporarily closed in a fluid tight manner by bolts  180  until a switch or valve is attached at a later time, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a source of electric power  182 . This term “source” can refer to the following possibilities. It can be a means  182  for generating alternating current (a.c.) or a means  182  for providing direct current (d.c.) such as a battery, or it can be the electrical connector  172 , or it can be the electrical cable wire  190 . The source of electrical power is equally useful for both the linear actuator and the rotary actuator. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , some of the fluid flow passageways intersect each other such as at points of intersection I. Others of the fluid flow passageways do not intersect such as at locations L. The number of hydraulic connections or ports required without a manifold is  37 . The number of hydraulic connections or ports required with the manifold of the present invention is  14 , and is a significant improvement. 
     Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.