Big Horn Valve, Inc.

Magdrive Technologies, Inc.

Other

Robert K Burgess

Stephen Sanford

William R Lindberg

David E Walrath

Thomas A Redle

James LaBelle

A valve includes a magnetic actuation mechanism providing torque-limiting capabilities and valve stem position indication. A drive shaft of the valve is surrounded by a first annular magnetic array within a fully sealed pressure vessel. A second annular magnetic array is positioned outside of the pressure vessel and surrounds the fully sealed pressure vessel. Each of the first annular magnetic array and the second annular magnetic array include magnets having alternating polarity, allowing the first annular magnetic array and the second annular magnetic array to form a first order coupling mechanism. When the second, outside annular magnetic array is rotated, the first annular magnetic array is caused to move, actuating the valve. Importantly, the valve includes a position indication system able to determine a position of the valve stem and includes an automatic feedback mechanism for comparing an actual position of the valve with an expected position of the valve.

Magnetically actuated pipe valve with torque-limiting clutch and position indication

The present invention is directed to an electromagnetic actuation system for opening and closing pipe valves. The electromagnetic actuation systems utilizes one or more electromagnets surrounding one or more permanent magnets attached to a rotary shaft of the valve mechanism. A controller activates the one or more electromagnets such that the produced magnetic field rotates, thereby applying a force to the one or more permanent magnets and thus rotating the rotary shaft. The system does not require rotation of the one or more electromagnets relative to the one or more permanent magnets, advantageously reducing the number of moving parts within the valve system.

Electromagnetically activated pipe valve

An electromagnetic rising stem valve includes a stopper configured to block flow of fluid within a pipe. The stopper is connected to a shaft configured to be rotated via an electromagnetic force generated between magnets attached to the outside of the shaft and magnets surrounding an outside surface of a section of the valve. The rising stem valve is further able to include a second shaft which is directly rotated by the electromagnetic force, to open, closed, and one or more semi-open positions, and which is coupled to the shaft connected to the stopper via gearing. Advantageously, the one or more shafts and any gearing is entirely contained within a gear housing, with the electromagnetic force being generated by interaction with magnets outside the housing entirely, preventing unwanted leakage of fluid from the pipe into the environment.

Electromagnetically activated rising stem valve

An axially-rotated valve permitting increased flow rates and lower pressure drop is disclosed using an axial eccentric split venturi with two portions where at least one portion is rotatable with respect to the other portion. A cross section of the eccentric split venturi may be non-axisymmetric such as a semicircular cross section which may assist in both throttling capabilities and in maximum flow capacity. Applications are disclosed for freeze resistant axially-rotated valves which may be fully-opened and fully-closed in one-half of a complete rotation. An internal wide radius elbow connected to a rotatable portion of the eccentric venturi may assist in directing flow with lower friction losses. A valve actuator may actuate in an axial manner located outside of the axial flow path. A seat may be used between the two portions that may include a peripheral and diametrical seal in the same plane.

Apparatus and method of flow control through a valve

The present invention provides an axially-rotated valve which permits increased flow rates and lower pressure drop (characterized by a lower loss coefficient) by using an axial eccentric split venturi with two portions where at least one portion is rotatable with respect to the other portion. The axially-rotated valve typically may be designed to avoid flow separation and/or cavitation at full flow under a variety of conditions. Similarly, the valve is designed, in some embodiments, to produce streamlined flow within the valve. A typical cross section of the eccentric split venturi may be nonaxisymmetric such as a semicircular cross section which may assist in both throttling capabilities and in maximum flow capacity using the design of the present invention. Such a design can include applications for freeze resistant axially-rotated valves and may be fully-opened and fully-closed in one-half of a complete rotation. An internal wide radius elbow typically connected to a rotatable portion of the eccentric venturi may assist in directing flow with lower friction losses. A valve actuator may actuate in an axial manner yet be uniquely located outside of the axial flow path to further reduce friction losses. A seal may be used between the two portions that may include a peripheral and diametrical seal in the same plane.

Increased flow, split venturi valve system

The present invention provides an axially-rotated valve which permits increased flow rates and lower pressure drop (characterized by a lower loss coefficient) by using an axial eccentric split venturi with two portions where at least one portion is rotatable with respect to the other portion. The axially-rotated valve typically may be designed to avoid flow separation and/or cavitation at full flow under a variety of conditions. Similarly, the valve is designed, in some embodiments, to produce streamlined flow within the valve. A typical cross section of the eccentric split venturi may be non-axisymmetric such as a semicircular cross section which may assist in both throttling capabilities and in maximum flow capacity using the design of the present invention. Such a design can include applications for freeze resistant axially-rotated valves and may be fully-opened and fully-closed in one-half of a complete rotation. An internal wide radius elbow typically connected to a rotatable portion of the eccentric venturi may assist in directing flow with lower friction losses. A valve actuator may actuate in an axial manner yet be uniquely located outside of the axial flow path to further reduce friction losses. A seal may be used between the two portions that may include a peripheral and diametrical seal in the same plane.

Split venturi, axially-rotated valve

The present invention provides an axially-rotated valve which permits increased flow rates and lower pressure drop (characterized by a lower loss coefficient) by using an axial eccentric split venturi with two portions where at least one portion is rotatable with respect to the other portion. The axially-rotated valve typically may be designed to avoid flow separation and/or cavitation at full flow under a variety of conditions. Similarly, the valve is designed, in some embodiments, to produce streamlined flow within the valve. An axially aligned outlet may also increase the flow efficiency. A typical cross section of the eccentric split venturi may be non-axisymmetric such as a semicircular cross section which may assist in both throttling capabilities and in maximum flow capacity using the design of the present invention. Such a design can include applications for freeze resistant axially-rotated valves and may be fully-opened and fully-closed in one-half of a complete rotation. An internal wide radius elbow typically connected to a rotatable portion of the eccentric venturi may assist in directing flow with lower friction losses. A valve actuator may actuate in an axial manner yet be uniquely located outside of the axial flow path to further reduce friction losses. A seal may be used between the two portions that may include a peripheral and diametrical seal in the same plane. A seal separator may increase the useful life of the seal between the fixed and rotatable portions.

Flow, split Venturi, axially-rotated valve

The invention includes an axial-mounted high flow rate valve by fixedly mounting a rotatable valve sealing element so that it pivots on an axis which is substantially parallel to a central axis of the pipe or conduit to which the valve is connected. The rotatable valve sealing element can be not only circular, but non-circular as well, having an extended length along the pivot axis for even greater flow rates and may be particularly suited for installations in sprinkler systems which require greater flow than a normal valve of the same diameter and may even be used as a combination valve for hydrant and sprinkler system use, such as in residential applications. The present invention also may include a purge port to purge residual fluid remaining in the valve, downstream of the valve sealing element, to assist in preventing freezing of the valve and it may include an air port to allow air to enter the valve to alleviate a possible vacuum created by the purging and to enable more effective purging.

Axial-mounted high flow valve

A device for holding a door upright for painting comprises a bracket that attaches the device to the electrical junction box in a ceiling, a telescoping rigid section held by the bracket, and a pin at the end of the rigid section that engages the top edge of the door. The telescoping rigid section adjusts to different door sizes and different ceiling heights. It also moves to a retracted position from an extended position, so that the door can be easily positioned and removed. In the vertical position, only slight force is needed to hold the door there, force provided in part by the attachment of the device to the junction box. Use of the junction box obviates the need for more elaborate support systems.

Ceiling-mounted device for stabilizing a workpiece

A winterizing system (10) for underground sprinkler systems which can be newly installed during the sprinkler system installation, or can be utilized as a retrofit design, having a single valve means (13) and a drive shaft (19) to allow winterization completely from the exterior of building structure (50). Drive shaft (19), which may be flexible for most retrofit installations, is mounted such that it is accessible from the exterior. Upon manipulation of drive shaft (19) inlet port (14) and drain port (16), with connected drain line (24), can be opened and closed by a technician without entrance into building structure (50). Additional features include backflow prevention devices, tamper-proof drive shaft keys, and special connectors.

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Sheridan, WY, United States of America

Robert K Burgess