Exxon Production Research Company

Roger J Koerner

Thomas W Childers

Joseph A Burkhardt

An hydraulically operated failsafe valve actuator for use on non-rising valve stems, particularly in a subsea environment. A rotatable shaft is connected to the non-rising valve stem. In one embodiment the valve is actuated to open by a fluid pressure operated motor acting against the bias of a spring. Means connects means linearly movable along the shaft and converts the linear movement of the linear movable means to rotary movement of the shaft. Spring means moves the linearly movable means in one direction to cause the shaft to rotate in one direction. Fluid pressure means, including a fluid pressure operated motor, rotates the shaft in an opposite direction to cause the linearly movable means to move in an opposite direction along the shaft. In another embodiment the valve is actuated to open by a fluid pressure operated piston acting against the bias of the spring. The piston is mounted on the rotatable shaft and moves linearly along the shaft to cause the shaft to rotate. Spring means moves the piston in one linear direction to rotate the shaft in one direction. Fluid pressure moves the piston in an opposite direction to rotate the shaft in an opposite direction.

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Fountain Valley, CA, United States of America

Roger J Koerner