Neles-jamesbury Corporation

Raymond P Champagne

Leonard T Armstrong

Thomas V Catacchio

Anthony P Lennon

John M Cory

Michael A Faticanti

The invention attenuates higher frequency vibrations or oscillations which can result in wear and/or less than optimal performance of a valve positioner. The invention provides a low pass mechanical filter which can be realized, for example, in a dash pot like damper device. The damper includes a pair of diaphragms associated with a pair of chambers, which are in communication with one another by an orifice. The chambers associated with each diaphragm are filled with oil or a hydraulic fluid such that the rate of relative motion (for example between a summing beam of the positioner and the location at which a signal force is applied) is controlled by flow of oil through the orifice.

Method and apparatus for attenuating high frequency vibration

A valve having an assembly for live loading of the packings of the valve. The assembly includes a plurality of large belleville disk springs arranged such that the shaft or stem of the valve extends through the center of the belleville springs, with threaded studs arranged symmetrically with respect to the valve shaft also extending through the belleville springs. Utilizing the larger spring arrangement, a smaller number of springs are required, and favorable deflection characteristics are provided. Preferably, a compression ring is provided having a portion extending up through the belleville disk springs, with this portion including a visual indicator thereon which provides a visual indication that a desired load is achieved as the springs are loaded via hex nuts provided on the threaded studs of the valve assembly.

Assembly for live loading or valve packings

A modular housing structure for rotatably positioning a cam on a shaft at a predetermined position relative to a limit switch. The modular housing includes upper and lower halves which are snap-fit together by an arrangement of projections and recesses which interconnect the housing halves, and hold a limit switch and a rotating cam in a fixed position relative to one another. Additionally, each limit switch module of the invention may be snap-fit onto the top or bottom of an adjacent limit switch module such that a number of modules may conveniently and easily be aligned along a single shaft. The cam rotatably received in each module is unitarily formed of a single material, and includes an inner spring collar which is deflected slightly when a shaft is inserted through the cam. The spring collar exerts a restoring force on the shaft sufficient to grip the shaft tightly enough to ensure rotation of the cam with the shaft, but loosely enough to allow manual adjustment of the angular position of the cam relative to the shaft. The inside surface of the spring collar is smooth, thus permitting infinite angular adjustment relative to the shaft.

Limit switch module and cam for use in the same

A lever-operated rotary valve having a rotary body for permitting fluid flow therein includes a locking device for selectively locking and unlocking the operating handle such that the operating handle of the rotary valve can be locked in a plurality of predetermined positions. The operating handle of the rotary valve can be oriented in any one of a plurality of positions and locked in that position without requiring the removal of the locking device. The locking device is an L-shaped member which fits on the stem of the rotary valve and includes aligned holes for receiving a padlock so that the locking device and handle are locked together.

Valve-locking device

A fluid pressure actuator having two connected pistons movable in a cylinder, and having a gear rack associated therewith to engage a pinion attached to the shaft to be rotated. Adjustable travel stops are located on each end of the cylinder to control the position of the actuator at the end of the stroke. Each stop has a pair of stop plates which have ramps on the mating faces such that rotation of one stop plate relative to the other adjusts the thickness of the pair, thereby adjusting the position of the end stop for the piston.

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Oxford, MA, United States of America

Raymond P Champagne