Patent ID: 7762274

Claim:
A pilot valve actuator for use with a hydrant valve including a primary hydrant chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a piston in the hydrant chamber movable between open and closed positions relative to the inlet, and a chamber disposed within the piston in communication with the inlet, the pilot valve actuator comprising: a pilot valve disposed between the primary hydrant chamber and the piston chamber wherein the pilot valve comprises a pilot valve stem biased against a pilot valve seat to block communication between the primary hydrant chamber and the piston chamber, thereby preventing fluid from flowing through the hydrant valve; and an actuator removably connected to the pilot valve by a quick disconnect mechanism comprising an actuating collar, a collar return spring biasing the collar in a closed position and latching elements on the actuator mated to a connector on the pilot valve, the actuator for selectively opening the pilot valve wherein the actuator comprises an actuator plunger biased in a retracted position such that the application of pressure to the actuator plunger moves the actuator plunger to an extended position thus pressing against the pilot valve stem to open the pilot valve, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the hydrant valve.