Collapsible shaft and control assembly
US7387291B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16K31/041
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a collapsible shaft and control assembly that is useful for transferring rotational control valve movements to a control surface. The invention includes a housing, shaft, and actuator arm. The housing defines a hollow cylinder. The shaft has a resilient end with a plurality of flexible strips capable of radial bending so as to transition between an expanded position and a compressed position. The shaft is positioned in the hollow cylinder, in the expanded position, so that the shaft can rotate. The actuator arm is positioned within the resilient end of the shaft so as to maintain the resilient end of the shaft in the expanded position. Both the actuator arm and shaft include reciprocal engagement means, and the actuator arm and shaft are positioned so as to engage the reciprocal engagement means. A rotational movement of the actuator arm thus causes a rotational movement of the shaft. A flapper affixed to the shaft can direct air depending on the radial position of the shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.