Other

Trex Enterprises Corporation

Davis, Edward P

Edward P Davis

Yoshinao Taketomi

Matthew Last

Larry DiRuscio

Eric John Korevaar

Hus Tigli

Todd Barrott

Larry Dirvscio

Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, valves may include a bonnet defining an enclosure. In various examples, a movable valve member may be disposed in the enclosure. A valve stem may be disposed in the enclosure and may be operatively coupled to the movable valve member. A first internal ferromagnetic actuation member and a second internal ferromagnetic actuation member may be coupled to the valve stem. The first internal ferromagnetic actuation member and the second internal ferromagnetic actuation member may be disposed in a spaced relationship along the valve stem. In various examples, the valves may include an external actuator slidably engaged to an exterior surface of the valve bonnet. The external actuator may comprise a first magnet magnetically coupled to the first internal ferromagnetic actuation member and a second magnet magnetically coupled to the second internal ferromagnetic actuation member.

Linear magnetic valve actuator with external magnets and internal magnetic flux path

Various devices and techniques related to valve actuation conversion kits are generally described. In various examples, conversion kits may include a bonnet component. In some examples, the conversion kits may include at least one attachment component effective to couple the bonnet component to a body or bonnet of a legacy valve. Coupling the bonnet component to the body or bonnet of the valve may form a cavity enclosed by the bonnet component and the body or bonnet of the valve. A portion of a stem of the valve may be disposed within the cavity when the bonnet component is coupled to the body or bonnet of the valve.

Valve actuation conversion kit

Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. Magnetically-actuated valves may include mechanisms to completely seal the valve during normal operation. However, mechanical access to the internal actuation mechanism may be temporarily provided in the event of a stuck valve. Access to a mechanical non-magnetically coupled portion of the internal actuation member may be provided for emergency access. The access to the internal actuation member is sealed off under normal operating conditions. A sealed port covers the portion of the internal actuation member during normal magnetically-coupled operation, but can be removed for direct mechanical access to the actuator. Furthermore, a backup seal may be sheltered within this port. The backup seal is typically not exposed to the outside environment or degradation, but prevents leaks during emergency actuation when access to the internal actuation member is temporarily provided.

Manual override system for magnetically actuated valves

Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, magnetically-actuated valves may include mechanisms to provide mechanical advantage such that the torques or forces applied to the valve member are higher than the torques or forces transmitted across the sealed valve enclosure by the magnetic coupling. In some examples, valves may employ mechanisms coupled to the external actuator with inverse mechanical advantage that better match traditional or convenient actuation rates of other valves.

Higher speed lower torque magnetic valve actuator

Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, magnetically-actuated valves may include an asymmetric torque magnetic valve actuator effective to generate a first amount of torque when disposed in a first orientation and a second amount of torque when disposed in a second orientation. In some other examples, the valves may include mechanical stops that prevent binding of the valves in a closed or open position.

Asymmetric torque magnetic valve actuator

A fiber optic rotary connector providing communication between a first fiber optical bundle and a second fiber optical bundle rotating relative to said first bundle. The fiber optic rotary connector includes a K-mirror comprised of at least three mirror components and a set of gears adapted to rotate said K-mirror at a rotation rate equal to one half of the second bundle rotation rate. In a preferred embodiment the set of gears is a set of magnetic gears. And in another preferred embodiment the set of gears is a set of mechanical gears. Normally the first fiber optic bundle is stationary, but it may be rotating at a slower rate than the second bundle. In preferred embodiments the K mirror is comprised of three flat mirrors and two of the flat mirrors are positioned at about 30 degrees relative to the third flat mirror.

Fiber optic rotary connector

Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, valves may include a valve body with a cavity. Valves may include a stem at least partially disposed in the cavity. Valves may include a valve member coupled to the stem. Valves may include a ferromagnetic actuation member disposed in the cavity. The ferromagnetic actuation member may be operatively coupled to the stem such that movement of the ferromagnetic actuation member actuates movement of the valve member between an open position and the closed position. Valves may include an actuator exterior to the valve body. The actuator may include a first magnetic pole section and a second magnetic pole section. A magnetic flux may flow from the first magnetic pole section through the ferromagnetic actuation member to the second magnetic pole section in a magnetic flux path through the interior portion of the valves.

Rotary magnetic coupling actuated valve with external magnets and internal magnetic flux path

A beam direction sensor for determining the direction of each beam in an array of light beams. The invention basically consists of a screen positioned to intersect the array of beams and a video camera to record the position of the images of the intersections. The screen can be any of a wide variety of screens that produce an image of the beams when illuminated with the beam. These include frosted glass and various diffusers. A preferred screen is a holographic diffusers.

Beam position sensor for optical switch modules

The present invention provides an all optical cross connect switch utilizing two-axis MEMS mirrors for cross connecting optical fibers in a first set of optical fibers to optical fibers in a second set of optical fibers. The optical fibers in the first and second sets of optical fibers are precisely positioned in a first fiber-microlens positioning array to define a first set of parallel collimated cross-connect communication beam paths, with each collimated cross-connect communication beam path connecting an optical fiber in the first set of optical fibers with a MEMS mirror in a first MEMS mirror array. Alignment beams are added to and aligned co-axially with each of the first and second sets of parallel collimated cross-connect communication beams. Two beam direction sensor units are positioned to detect each alignment beam in the first and second sets of alignment beams transmitted through the dichroic mirror and a MEMS control system controls the positions of the MEMS mirrors to connect optical fibers in the first set of optical fibers to any of the optical fibers in the second set of optical fibers.

Optical switch module

A MEMS mirror array in which the MEMS mirrors are driven in two axes by vertical comb drive actuators. Tortional elements with conductive comb fingers are utilized to provide the two axis actuation. A MEMS mirror control system supplies electrical voltage potentials between inside pivoting support frame conductive comb fingers and mirror frame conductive comb fingers and supplies electrical voltage potentials between MEMS mirror array support frame conductive comb fingers and outside pivoting support frame conductive comb fingers. In preferred embodiments two MEMS mirror arrays are utilized to provide beam direction in a cross connect switch.

Mems mirror array and controls

A leg aid device and method for increasing the stamina of a body-supporting user's leg for repeated flexure and extension at the knee. The device comprises elongated flexibly resilient biasing means for placement in approximate alignment with a user's leg from a level near the ankle area up to at least the level of the mid-thigh area. The biasing means is adapted to bias a user's leg toward a straightened condition without significant torsion or twisting of the leg. Holding means maintains the biasing means approximately aligned upon a user's leg for bending yieldingly therewith into an overall arcuate form during flexure of the leg at the knee. The biasing means, when held by the holding means upon a body-supporting user's leg, functions to support a portion of the user's body weight during times the biasing means is in bent condition with the user's leg in flexed condition, and functions to aid the user's leg muscles in causing extension of the user's leg from flexed condition as the biasing means resiliently returns toward a straightened condition with the extension of the user's leg.

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Kihei, HI, United States of America

Edward P Davis