Pneumatic actuator assembly for reducing blind pipe sections
By using a tilting actuator and a rotating nut design, the problem of the actuator being difficult to position in a pinch valve is solved, thereby reducing the blind pipe section and simplifying fluid flow control, and lowering the risk of contamination.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- REPLIGEN CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-05
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the actuators of pinch valves are difficult to position close to each other in a flow path with a small diameter, resulting in a large blind pipe section and increasing the risk of particulate, chemical and/or biological contamination.
The tilted actuator design and rotating nut valve cover assembly allow the actuator to be positioned closer together and the pneumatic air/vacuum supply/circuit to be oriented in any direction by rotating the nut, simplifying assembly and use.
The volume of the blind pipe section was reduced, the efficiency of fluid flow control was improved, the risk of contamination was reduced, and the installation process of the components was simplified.
Smart Images
Figure CN121986228A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure generally relates to pipe clamps or valves, and more specifically, to pneumatic actuator assemblies for reducing blind pipe sections. Background Technology
[0002] Valves and clamps are widely used in fluid flow control applications. Pinch valves are typically used with a length of fluid-carrying tubing made of flexible material, whereby the pinch valve presses against the tubular element to completely or partially alter the flow of fluid through it.
[0003] For example, when pinch valves are used in the pharmaceutical industry, the need for blind sections becomes an important design consideration. A "blind section" is a term used to describe a stagnant area in a container or pipeline where system design and operating conditions result in insufficient flow of process fluids, thus posing a risk of particulate, chemical, and / or biological contamination. To mitigate blind section issues, multiple pneumatic actuators can be incorporated into the same valve body, forming a manifold. When configured in this way, it is desirable to place the actuators as close to each other as possible to reduce the blind section to an acceptable minimum.
[0004] Current designs typically use a three-clamp connection, which makes it more difficult to position the actuators physically close to each other because the clamps occupy a significant amount of space around the flange of each actuator. Furthermore, the clamps require space to implement the kinematics of the components. This situation is often seen in smaller actuators used in systems where the requirements for blind pipe sections are more difficult to meet. This disclosure addresses these and other shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This summary is provided to present, in a simplified form, the selection of concepts further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0006] The exemplary method provided herein relates to a pneumatic actuator assembly for reducing blind pipe sections. In one method, the assembly may include a valve body, and a first actuator and a second actuator, each coupled to the valve body via a valve cover assembly. The valve cover assembly may include a valve cover body and a nut having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the valve body, and the nut is threadedly connected to the second end of the valve cover body. The valve cover assembly may further include an actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover, and wherein the actuator valve cover is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through the center of a valve stem passing through a piston.
[0007] In another approach, the pneumatic actuator assembly may include: a valve body having a fluid passage, and a first actuator and a second actuator, each coupled to the valve body via a valve cover assembly. The valve cover assembly may include a valve cover body and a nut, the valve cover body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the valve body, and the nut is threadedly connected to the second end of the valve cover body. The valve cover assembly may further include an actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover; and a bushing located within the actuator valve cover and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds a valve stem of a piston, and wherein the actuator valve cover is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the valve stem of the piston.
[0008] In another method, operating a pneumatic actuator assembly may include coupling a first actuator to a valve body using a first valve cover assembly and coupling a second actuator to the valve body using a second valve cover assembly, wherein the first valve cover assembly includes a valve cover body having a first end opposite a second end, and wherein the first end is connected to the valve body. The first valve cover assembly may further include: a nut threadedly connected to the second end of the valve cover body; an actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover; and a bushing located within the actuator valve cover and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds a valve stem of a piston. The method may further include an actuator valve cover that rotates about a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the piston valve stem to position an air connection port of the first actuator housing, wherein the actuator valve cover rotates relative to the nut and relative to the valve cover body. Attached Figure Description
[0009] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary methods designed to date for the practical application of the armored cable assembly of this disclosure, wherein:
[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a pneumatic actuator assembly according to an example of this disclosure;
[0011] Figure 2 This is a top view of a pneumatic actuator assembly according to an example of this disclosure;
[0012] Figure 3 This is a side cross-sectional view of a pneumatic actuator assembly according to an example of this disclosure;
[0013] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a valve cover assembly according to an example of this disclosure;
[0014] Figures 5A-5D A method for assembling a portion of a valve cover assembly is shown according to an example of this disclosure;
[0015] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a pneumatic actuator assembly according to an example of this disclosure;
[0016] Figure 7 This is a side cross-sectional view of a pneumatic actuator assembly according to an example of this disclosure;
[0017] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for assembling a pneumatic actuator assembly according to an example of this disclosure.
[0018] The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are merely illustrative and are not intended to depict specific parameters of this disclosure. The drawings are intended to depict exemplary examples of this disclosure and should therefore not be considered as limiting the scope. In the drawings, similar numbers represent similar elements.
[0019] Furthermore, for clarity, certain elements in some figures may be omitted or shown off-scale. Cross-sectional views may be in the form of "slices" or "close-up" cross-sectional views, and for clarity, some background lines visible in the "true" cross-sectional view are omitted. Additionally, for clarity, some reference numerals may be omitted in some figures. Detailed Implementation
[0020] The present disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various methods are illustrated. However, the disclosed armored cable assembly can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the methods set forth herein. Rather, these methods are provided to make the disclosure more detailed and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the same numerals consistently refer to the same elements.
[0021] To address the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, examples of this disclosure provide an actuator assembly having one or more bonnet assemblies that allows pinch valves to be positioned closer together for smaller diameter flow paths, enabling the clamping positions to be close together to reduce blind section volume. The tilted actuator allows for even closer proximity between the clamping positions. The rotating nut of the bonnet assembly also allows the pneumatic air / vacuum supply / circuit to be oriented in any direction for ease of assembly and use.
[0022] Now for reference Figure 1 Perspective and Figure 2The top view will describe in more detail an exemplary pneumatic actuator assembly (hereinafter referred to as "assembly") 100 according to an example of this disclosure. Assembly 100 may include one or more pneumatic pinch valves for opening and closing fluid flow in a pipe. As shown, Assembly 100 may include a plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103 coupled to a valve body 104. Although not limiting, valve body 104 may include a first section 105 connected to a second section 106 by one or more fasteners 107. A plurality of channels 108 may extend through valve body 104, which may include linings, conduits, or fittings. One or more connection ports 123 (e.g., compressed air connection ports) may extend through actuators 101, 102, 103. A piston stem (not shown) of each actuator 101, 102, 103 may extend into the channel 108 to control fluid flow therethrough.
[0023] The valve body 104 may define a first main side 109 opposite to the second main side 110, wherein a plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103 extend above a plane defined by the top surface 111 of the first main side 109. As will be described in more detail herein, a valve cover assembly 112 of each of the plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103 may be positioned within an opening 113 through the first main side 109.
[0024] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 The figure shows a cross-sectional view of component 100 taken by section line AA. As shown, each of actuators 101 and 102 may include a housing 114 having sidewalls 115 and a cap 116, wherein sidewalls 115 and cap 116 are joined together by complementary threads 117. A piston 118 and a spring 119 extend through the housing 114, wherein the spring 119 extends about an indicator rod 121 of piston 118 and is positioned between the head 120 of piston 118 and the lower side of cap 116. The head 120 may form a seal with the inner surface of sidewall 115 using an O-ring 122 or other similar means. As shown, a connection port 123 is positioned below the head 120 of piston 118. The stem end 127 of each valve stem 124 may extend into a passage 108 to regulate fluid flow therethrough. The head end 129 located above the indicator rod 121 may engage with cap 116. For example, each cap 116 may have a central opening for insertion of the head end 129. Thus, the head end 129 can function as a plug.
[0025] As further shown, each valve cover assembly 112 can be secured to the valve body 104 via a valve cover body 125, wherein a first end 126 of the valve cover body 125 has an external thread operable to engage a corresponding internal thread of an opening 113 in the valve body 104. As shown, each valve stem 124 can extend through the valve cover body 125 and into a channel 108. A second end 128 of the valve cover body 125 can be secured to a nut 130. In some embodiments, the nut 130 and the second end 128 of the valve cover body 125 can be threaded together. As shown, the outer diameter of the first end 126 of the valve cover body 125 can be different from the outer diameter of the second end 128 of the valve cover body 125 to prevent reverse installation with the valve body 104 and the nut 130. The valve cover body 125 and the nut 130 can be made of austenitic stainless steel (e.g., A316L), but can also be made of other metallic or non-metallic materials.
[0026] Each valve cover assembly 112 may further include an actuator valve cover 134 surrounding the valve stem 124. As shown, a nut 130 partially surrounds the actuator valve cover 134, which may abut an end face of the second end 128 of the valve cover body 125. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator valve cover 134 is coupled (e.g., threaded) to the neck 138 of the housing 114. A sealing ring 140 may be positioned adjacent to the end face of the actuator valve cover 134, within the neck 138 of the housing 114.
[0027] As further shown, the first actuator 101 may define a first longitudinal axis 'LA1' extending through the center of the valve stem 124 between the passage 108 of the valve body 104 and the valve stem end 127. The first longitudinal axis is oriented perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface 111 of the valve body 104. Simultaneously, the second actuator 102 may define a second longitudinal axis 'LA2' similarly extending through the valve stem 124 of the second actuator 102. As shown, the second longitudinal axis is oriented at a non-zero angle (Ɵ) relative to the first longitudinal axis. Although not limiting, in some examples, the non-zero angle (Ɵ) may be less than approximately 45°. Tilting the first and / or second actuators 101, 102 allows for closer proximity between clamping positions. For example, refer to... Figure 1 The valve cover distance (“BD”) between the valve cover assemblies 112 of actuators 102 and 103 can be reduced.
[0028] Figure 4The valve cover assembly 112 is shown in more detail. As shown, a first end 126 of the valve cover body 125 has an external thread 142 operable to engage a corresponding internal thread of an opening 113 of the valve body 104, while a second end 128 of the valve cover body 125 has an external thread 143 that engages with the internal thread 144 of a nut 130. In some embodiments, the valve cover body 125 may include an internal bore 145 operable to receive a valve stem 124 (not shown). A first bushing 146 may also be located within the internal bore 145 and can be held in place by an internal flange 147 along the inner surface 149 of the valve cover body 125. During assembly, the first bushing 146 can be inserted into the second end 128 of the valve cover body 125 until the first bushing engages with the internal flange 147.
[0029] Nut 130 may have a first end 150 opposite to the second end 151, and a first segment 152 connected to the second segment 153. In some embodiments, the diameter (i.e., inner and / or outer diameter) of the first segment 152 is larger than the corresponding inner or outer diameter of the second segment 153. However, the embodiments herein are not limited to this. The internal thread 144 of nut 130 may be positioned along the interior of the first segment 152. In some embodiments, an optional retainer 154 may be positioned between the second end 151 of nut 130 and the lip or flange 155 of actuator valve cover 134 to prevent / restrict movement between nut 130 and actuator valve cover 134.
[0030] As further shown, the actuator valve cover 134 may include an external flange 158 positioned within a cavity 159 between a first segment 152 and a second segment 153 of the nut 130. More specifically, the external flange 158 may abut against an end face 160 of the second end 128 of the nut 130 and the valve cover body 125. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 164 of the actuator valve cover 134 has external threads 166 for engaging with corresponding internal threads 168 of the neck 138 of the housing 114. A second bushing 170 may be positioned within an internal bore 171 of the actuator valve cover 134. The second bushing 170 may engage with the internal flange of the actuator valve cover 134 to restrict travel of the second bushing 170 within the internal bore 171. In other embodiments, only a single bushing is present, extending in both the internal bore 171 of the actuator valve cover 134 and the internal bore 145 of the valve cover body 125. After assembly, the actuator valve cover 134 and housing 114 can rotate relative to the nut 130 and relative to the valve cover body 125.
[0031] Now go to Figures 5A-5D This will describe one possible method for assembling a portion of the valve cover assembly 112. For example... Figure 5AAs shown, the second bushing 170 can be inserted into the inner hole 171 through the second end 172 of the actuator valve cover 134. In some embodiments, an internal stop or flange may be provided along the inner surface of the actuator valve cover 134 to prevent the second bushing 170 from being inserted too close to the first end 164 of the actuator valve cover 134.
[0032] like Figure 5B As shown, the nut 130 can be positioned above the first end 164 of the actuator valve cover 134 until the nut 130 engages with the outer flange 158 at the second end 172 of the actuator valve cover 134. During assembly, the first segment 152 of the nut 130 can extend beyond the outer flange 158. However, the reduced diameter of the second segment 153 of the nut 130 causes the interior of the second segment 153 of the nut 130 to engage with the upper surface 177 of the outer flange 158.
[0033] like Figure 5C As shown, retainer 154 may surround actuator valve cover 134, for example, between the second end 151 of nut 130 and flange 155 of actuator valve cover 134. In some embodiments, retainer 154 may include a slit or opening to allow retainer 154 to be bent during assembly. In some embodiments, retainer 154 is not used.
[0034] like Figure 5D As shown, the sealing ring 140 can be positioned adjacent to the end face 176 of the first end 164 of the actuator valve cover 134, and both the sealing ring 140 and the first end 164 of the actuator valve cover 134 are inserted into the neck 138 of the housing 114. More specifically, the sealing ring 140 can be inserted / pressed into the recess 175, and the external thread 166 of the actuator valve cover 134 can rotate against the internal thread 168 of the housing 114. In some embodiments, the sealing ring 140 may include a cylindrical body and an O-ring 178. Although not shown, the valve cover body 125 can be secured to the nut 130 via threads 144, and the valve cover body 125 can be secured to the valve body 104.
[0035] Now for reference Figure 6A portion of an actuator assembly (hereinafter referred to as "assembly") 200 according to another embodiment will be described. Component 200 may be identical or similar to component 100 described above in many respects. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, only certain aspects of component 200 will be described below. As shown, component 200 may include one or more actuators 202 coupled to valve body 204. Although not limiting, valve body 204 may include a first segment 205 connected to a second segment 206 by one or more fasteners 207. Extending through valve body 204 may include one or more channels 208. Extending through actuators 202 may be one or more connection ports 223, such as compressed air connection ports. A piston stem (not shown) of actuator 202 may extend into channel 208 to control fluid flow therethrough. Actuator 202 may extend above a plane defined by the top surface 211 of the second segment 206 of valve body 204. As described in more detail herein, the valve cover assembly 212 of each of the actuators 202 can be positioned within the opening 213 of the valve body 204.
[0036] like Figure 7 As shown, actuator 202 may include housing 214 having sidewalls 215 and cap 216, wherein sidewalls 215 and cap 216 are joined together by complementary threads 217. A piston 218 and spring 219 extend through housing 214, wherein spring 219 extends around an indicator rod 221 of piston 218 and is positioned between the head 220 of piston 218 and the lower side of cap 216. Head 220 may be sealed to the inner surface of sidewall 215 using an O-ring 222 or other similar means. Connection port 223 is located below head 220 of piston 218, as shown. Valve stem end 227 of valve stem 224 may extend into channel 208 to regulate fluid flow therethrough. Head end 229, located above indicator rod 221, may be coupled to cap 216. For example, cap 216 may have a central opening for insertion of head end 229.
[0037] As further shown, the valve cover assembly 212 can be fixed to the valve body 204 via the valve cover body 225, wherein a first end 226 of the valve cover body 225 is integrally formed with the valve body 204. As shown, the valve stem 224 can extend through the valve cover body 225 and enter the channel 208. A second end 228 of the valve cover body 225 can be fixed to a nut 230. In some embodiments, the nut 230 and the second end 228 of the valve cover body 225 can be connected by complementary threads.
[0038] The valve cover assembly 212 may further include an actuator valve cover 234 surrounding the valve stem 224. As shown, a nut 230 partially surrounds the actuator valve cover 234, which may abut an end face of the second end 228 of the valve cover body 225. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator valve cover 234 is coupled (e.g., threaded) to the neck 238 of the housing 214. A sealing ring 240 may be positioned adjacent to the end face of the actuator valve cover 234 within the neck 238 of the housing 214.
[0039] Although only a single actuator 202 is shown, in other embodiments, multiple actuators may be present in the assembly 200. Furthermore, although the actuator 202 is shown extending perpendicularly to the valve body 204, the actuator 202 may alternatively extend at an angle (e.g., between 25° and 75°) relative to a vertical line extending from the top surface 211 of the valve body 204.
[0040] Figure 8 A method 300 for operating a pneumatic actuator assembly, such as assemblies 100 and 200 described herein, is illustrated. At block 301, method 300 may include coupling a first actuator to a valve body using a first valve cover assembly and coupling a second actuator to a valve body using a second valve cover assembly. The first valve cover assembly may include: a valve cover body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the valve body; a nut threaded to the second end of the valve cover body; and an actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover. The first valve cover assembly may further include a bushing located within the actuator valve cover and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds a valve stem of a piston.
[0041] In some embodiments, method 300 may include threading a first end of a valve cover body to a valve body. In some embodiments, method 300 may include oriented a first actuator perpendicular to a plane defined by a top surface of the valve body, and oriented a second actuator at a non-zero angle relative to the first actuator. In some embodiments, method 300 may include coupling a first end of an actuator valve cover to a housing. In some embodiments, method 300 may further position a nut to abut against an external flange of the actuator valve cover.
[0042] At block 302, method 300 may include rotating the actuator valve cover about a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the piston valve stem to position or orient the air connection port of the first actuator housing, wherein the actuator valve cover rotates relative to the nut and relative to the valve cover body.
[0043] The foregoing discussion is for illustrative and descriptive purposes and is not intended to limit this disclosure to one or more of the forms disclosed herein. For example, various features of this disclosure may be combined in one or more aspects, examples, or configurations for the purpose of simplifying this disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of certain aspects, examples, or configurations of this disclosure may be combined in alternative aspects, examples, or configurations. Furthermore, the appended claims are hereby incorporated by reference into this detailed specification, each claim being a separate example of this disclosure.
[0044] As used herein, an element or step described in the singular and beginning with the word "a" or "an" should be understood to not exclude multiple elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "an example" in this disclosure are not intended to exclude the existence of additional examples that also include the described features.
[0045] The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof in this document is intended to cover the items listed thereafter, their equivalents, and additional items. Therefore, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof are open-ended expressions and may be used interchangeably herein.
[0046] The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and / or” used in this article are open-ended expressions that can be used as both conjunctions and disjunctions in practice. For example, each expression “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and / or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.
[0047] All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, rear, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are used for identification purposes only to aid the reader's understanding of this disclosure and do not impose limitations, particularly regarding the location, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Unless otherwise expressly stated, connection references (e.g., attachment, joint, connection, and linkage) should be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between sets of elements and relative movement between elements. Therefore, a connection reference does not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and fixed relative to each other.
[0048] Furthermore, the designations (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) do not imply importance or priority, but are used to distinguish one feature from another. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and the dimensions, positions, order, and relative sizes depicted in the drawings may differ.
[0049] Furthermore, the terms "basically" or "essentially," and the terms "approximately" or "about," are used interchangeably in some examples and can be described using any relative measure acceptable to those skilled in the art. For example, these terms can be used as comparisons with reference parameters to indicate deviations from the intended function. While not limiting, deviations from reference parameters can be, for example, amounts less than 1%, less than 3%, less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 15%, less than 20%, etc.
[0050] The scope of this disclosure is not limited to the specific examples described herein. In fact, various other embodiments and modifications of this disclosure based on the foregoing description and drawings, in addition to the examples and modifications described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, such other examples and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, this disclosure has been described herein in the context of specific implementations in specific environments for specific purposes. Those skilled in the art will recognize that its use is not limited thereto, and that this disclosure can be advantageously practiced for any purpose and in any number of environments. Therefore, the claims set forth herein are to be interpreted in accordance with the full scope and spirit of this disclosure as described herein.
Claims
1. A component comprising: Valve body; as well as A first actuator and a second actuator are each connected to the valve body via a valve cover assembly, wherein the valve cover assembly includes: A valve cover body having a first end opposite to a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the valve body; A nut, threadedly connected to the second end of the valve cover body; and An actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover, and wherein the actuator valve cover is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through the center of a valve stem passing through a piston.
2. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The first actuator and the second actuator extend above the top surface of the valve body, wherein the first actuator is oriented perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the valve body, and wherein the second actuator is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first actuator.
3. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The valve cover body includes an internal flange, wherein a bushing abuts against the internal flange, and wherein the bushing surrounds the valve stem of the piston.
4. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The first end of the valve cover body is threadedly connected to the valve body.
5. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The first end of the valve cover body is integrally formed with the valve body.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve cover assembly further includes a retainer extending around the actuator valve cover, wherein, The retainer abuts against the nut.
7. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator valve cover includes a first end connected to the housing.
8. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator valve cover has an external flange, and the nut abuts against the external flange.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve cover assembly further includes a second bushing located within the actuator valve cover, wherein, The second bushing surrounds the valve stem of the piston.
10. A pneumatic actuator assembly, comprising: The valve body includes the fluid passage; as well as A first actuator and a second actuator are each connected to the valve body via a valve cover assembly, wherein the valve cover assembly includes: A valve cover body having a first end opposite to a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the valve body; A nut, which is threadedly connected to the second end of the valve cover body; Actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover; and A bushing, located within the actuator valve cover and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds the valve stem of the piston, wherein the valve stem is biasable relative to the fluid passage of the valve body, and wherein the actuator valve cover is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the valve stem of the piston.
11. The pneumatic actuator assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The first actuator and the second actuator extend above the top surface of the valve body, wherein the first actuator is oriented perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the valve body, and wherein the second actuator is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first actuator.
12. The pneumatic actuator assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The valve cover body includes an internal flange, and the bushing abuts against the internal flange.
13. The pneumatic actuator assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The first end of the valve cover body is threadedly connected to the valve body, or is integrally formed with the valve body.
14. The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 10, wherein the valve cover assembly further includes a retainer extending around the actuator valve cover, wherein, The retainer abuts against the nut.
15. The pneumatic actuator assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The actuator valve cover includes a first end connected to the housing, wherein the actuator valve cover has an external flange, and wherein the nut abuts against the external flange.
16. A method of operating a pneumatic actuator assembly, the method comprising: A first actuator is coupled to a valve body using a first valve cover assembly, and a second actuator is coupled to a valve body using a second valve cover assembly, wherein the first valve cover assembly includes: A valve cover body having a first end opposite to a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the valve body; A nut, which is threadedly connected to the second end of the valve cover body; Actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover; and A bushing, located within the actuator valve cover and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds the valve stem of the piston; and The actuator valve cover is rotated about a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the piston valve rod to orient the air connection port of the housing of the first actuator, wherein the actuator valve cover and the housing rotate relative to the nut and relative to the valve cover body.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising threading a first end of the valve cover body to the valve body.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: The first actuator is oriented perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the valve body; and The second actuator is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first actuator.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising connecting a first end of the actuator valve cover to the housing.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning the nut to abut against the outer flange of the actuator valve cover.