The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 14, 1986
Filed:
May. 03, 1982
Richard F Malinski, Schaumburg, IL (US);
John Sikorcin, St. Charles, IL (US);
Vapor Corporation, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A valve actuator with manual override includes an input shaft for receiving input torque. The input shaft drives an epicyclic gear train sun gear and in turn is motor driven through a non-reversible gear set. The sun gear is in driving engagement with first, second and third planetary gears that in turn engage a first ring gear. Secured to each of the first, second and third planetary gears are fourth, fifth and sixth planetary gears. A second epicyclic ring gear engages the fourth, fifth and sixth planetary gears and is secured to an output shaft that in turn is secured to a valve shaft. The first ring gear engages a worm gear that may be manually actuated to operate the driven valve. The worm gear is slideably mounted on a shaft and biased by springs such that when the output shaft reaches a limit of rotation, or excessive load torque is applied, axial movement is transferred to the worm gear. Limit switches can be located about the shaft and are actuated by the worm gear due to a predetermined amount of axial movement. Adjustable stops are provided on the output shaft to limit rotary movement of the driven shaft over a selected 90.degree. or 180.degree. nominal range. An integral output shaft position indicator may be provided adjacent the output shaft, operating independently of any functional devices such as limit switches.