Patent ID: 7607640

Claim:
A rotary valve actuator, comprising: a reciprocatable member coupled with a linear motive source, the motive source reciprocating the reciprocatable member along an axis between a first position and a second position; at least one arcuate member rotatably supported adjacent the reciprocatable member; a pair of first flexible connectors attached at first ends thereof to the reciprocatable member towards one end of the reciprocatable member, said connectors engaging the at least one arcuate member along its circumference and being attached at second ends thereof to said at least one arcuate member; and at least one second flexible connector disposed between said pair of first flexible connectors, attached at a first end thereof to the reciprocatable member towards an other end of the reciprocatable member, said at least one second connector engaging the at least one arcuate member along its circumference and being attached at a second end thereof to said at least one arcuate member, wherein, when the linear motive source drives the reciprocatable member in a direction toward the first position, the pair of first flexible connectors drives the at least one arcuate member in a first direction, and wherein, when the linear motive source drives the reciprocatable member in a direction toward the second position, the at least one second flexible connector drives the at least one arcuate member in a second direction, opposite from the first direction, and a connector tensioning assembly secured to the reciprocatable member and cooperating with at least one of the flexible connectors to maintain a tension force on the connectors, wherein the connector tensioning assembly comprises: a block mounted on the reciprocatable member; a rocker bar pivotable on a fulcrum point at an end of the reciprocatable member; and an adjustable link connected in tension between the block and a first portion of the rocker bar on one side of the fulcrum point, wherein the at least one flexible connector is connected to a second portion of the rocker bar on an opposite side of the fulcrum point.