Baker Cac, Inc.

Peter W Austin

Stephen R Foster

Dennis R Cutcher

A gas pressure actuator for effecting the reciprocation of the stem of a valve subject to high-pressure loading comprises a tubular housing secured to the valve bonnet and defining a main cylinder chamber connected in axially series relationship with an auxiliary piston chamber which, in turn, communicates with a secondary fluid pressure chamber containing a compressible spring. A rod-like actuator is slidably and sealably mounted within the actuator housing and carries a main piston which cooperates with the main cylinder chamber in sliding and sealable relationship. The auxiliary piston chamber slidably and sealably mounts an auxiliary piston which is movable independently of the main piston. The actuating movement of the main piston produced by the introduction of gas pressure into the main cylinder produces an axial movement of the actuating rod and a compression of the spring. The spring-containing secondary chamber defined by the actuator housing is filled with a virtually non-compressible fluid. The auxiliary piston can shift in response to temperature-induced expansions of the protective fluid, thus providing automatic volume compensation for such temperature variation. Additionally, the secondary chamber containing the protective fluid may be connected to an auxiliary source of pressure, such as a manual or foot-actuated pump, and sufficient pressure generated in the secondary chamber to actuate the main piston by the auxiliary piston in the event of failure of the primary source of pressured gas. Fluid dampening of the actuator is also provided.

Fluid pressure actuator valve

A pressure actuator is provided for a valve having a housing and an actuating stem, wherein an annular housing is attachable at one end of the valve housing and a cylindrical piston element is concentrically fixedly mounted to the other end of the annular housing. A cup-shaped cylinder is provided to cooperate in sliding and sealing relationship with the exterior of the piston. The cylinder defines an annular space between its exterior surface and the interior bore of the annular housing and spring elements are mounted in the annular space. If desired, an indicating stem passes through a bore in the fixed piston element and is interiorly engaged with the movable cylinder element, thus providing an indicating actuator wherein the total length of the actuator is not substantially in excess of twice the stroke of the actuator.

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New Orleans, LA, United States of America

Peter W Austin