Anti-backlash valve positioner
US10107415B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 2017 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/8242
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A valve positioner monitors a valve stem position by remotely sensing a magnet attached to a coupler shaft that does not penetrate a sealed enclosure surrounding the positioner. A torsion spring, which can be helical or spiral, concentrically surrounds the shaft and is fixed to the shaft and frictionally coupled to a fixed surface by a clutch ring that coaxially surrounds the spring and is vertically pressed against the fixed surface. The torsion spring thereby suppresses backlash, vibration, and chatter by maintaining a torsional force on the shaft. The clutch ring can include a notch or slot cooperative with a key tab rotationally fixed to the coupler shaft so as to limit a range of rotation of the coupler shaft. The positioner is rendered compact by the concentric arrangement of its elements, so that embodiments can be used in place of legacy positioners.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.