Rotork Controls Limited

Stuart Masefield Lay

Peter George Sanders

Thomas Richard Stafford

Alan Stephen Budden

Philip Stephen Hinchliffe

James Hopwood

Thomas Stafford

Alan Budden

Philip Stephen Hinchcliffe

A failsafe module comprising an input member (), an output member (), and a coupling mechanism for coupling the input member to the output member. The coupling mechanism comprises an intermediate member () movable relative to the output member to energise an energy storage device and a latch mechanism () to hold the energy storage device in an energised state. When the latch mechanism is engaged, the input and output members are coupled together and the energy storage device is held in an energised state and isolated from the coupling between the input and output members. When the latch mechanism is released, the energy storage device can release its energy to drive the output member to a predetermined position.

Failsafe module

Apparatus () adapted to provide an indication of an angular position of an input member () over multiple turns includes at least two rotatable members (A-D) configured, in use, to rotate in accordance with rotation of an input member (), and at least one sensing device (A) configured to measure and output an angular position of at least one of the rotatable members. The rotatable members are configured to rotate simultaneously but at different rates. The apparatus further includes a device () configured to use the angular position measurements from the at least one sensing device to produce an cation of an angular position of the input member over multiple turns.

Apparatus adapted to provide an indication of an angular position of an input member over multiple turns

Actuator component

Remote control unit for controlling a valve actuator

The present invention provides a motorized valve actuator wherein the drive from the motor to the output shaft of the actuator is via a worm and worm wheel or other gear mesh which is incapable of being back driven, the actuator having an alternative manual drive, the manual drive comprising a hand wheel and a clutch and lever to change from motor power drive to hand drive mode, the actuator further having an intermediate shaft between the motor and output shaft, the hand wheel being carried by or at least operatively linked to the intermediate shaft to drive the intermediate shaft, the clutch mechanism being associated with/mounted on the intermediate shaft, the intermediate shaft being positioned between the motor and the worm/worm wheel drive whereby the clutch mechanism associated with/mounted on the intermediate shaft operates substantially freely when the lever is operated to bring the actuator into hand drive mode, the output shaft torque generated by the previous motor powered run and locked into the output shaft by the non-back driving worm/worm wheel mesh not being locked into the clutch mechanism.

Drive mechanisms for valve actuators

Growing community of inventors

Chippenham, United Kingdom

Stuart Masefield Lay