Patent ID: 8820343

Claim:
A method for mechanically coupling an actuating element of a valve to a connection element of an actuator, where the actuating element has an upper section with a recess formed therein and can be displaced for adjusting the valve along a z-axis and the connection element, at a corresponding orientation of the actuator, can likewise be displaced relative to the valve along the z-axis by means of the actuator, said method comprising coupling a first coupling element to the actuating element so that at least a predetermined freedom of movement is provided along the z-axis between the first coupling element and the actuating element, the first coupling element having a central opening with a first opening area and a second opening area, at least one upper section of the actuating element passing through the first opening area, and the second opening area defined at least in part by an edge of the first coupling element that engages in the recess on the upper section of the actuating element such that, except for the predetermined freedom of movement between the first coupling element and the actuating element, the actuating element is fixed to the first coupling element along the z-axis; coupling a second coupling element to the actuating element, the second coupling element being linked by a connecting element to the first coupling element; and actuating a clamping device, arranged on at least one of the first and second coupling elements such that the first and second coupling elements are braced against each other, and an actuating element coupled to the first coupling element is clamped to the first and second coupling elements along the z-axis without play.