Spring Return Valve Handle

Abstract

The valve assembly includes a valve body defining an internal cavity extending to the bonnet, a valve element retained within the internal cavity of the valve body, and a valve stem including an end extending beyond the bonnet, the valve stem being rotatable between a first limit position and a second limit position, and a spring return handle mechanism. The spring return handle mechanism includes a valve handle graspable by a user, a stem adapter, and a return spring. The stem adapter has a first end secured to the valve stem and a second end secured to the valve handle. The return spring includes a first end secured to the valve body, an intermediate spring loaded portion, and a second end secured to the stem adapter for applying a torsional load to the stem adapter to return the valve stem to the first rotational limit position.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of all U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 137,818 (SPRING RETURN VALVE HANDLE), filed January 15, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a spring return handle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a spring return valve handle for a rotary actuated valve. [Background technology]

[0003] Manually operated flow control valves are used in many applications. As one example, grab sample panels with primary process lines include manually operated sampling valves for selectively dispensing samples of the process fluid into sample containers or bottles. In applications such as these, the failure of an operator to completely close the valve (e.g., by manually rotating the valve handle to the closed position) can result in undesirable fluid release, creating safety hazards, contamination, and production loss. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one or more exemplary aspects of the invention presented in this disclosure, a valve assembly includes a valve body defining an internal cavity extending to a bonnet, a valve element retained within the internal cavity of the valve body, and a valve stem including an end extending beyond the bonnet, the valve stem being rotatable between a first limit position and a second limit position, and a spring return handle mechanism. The spring return handle mechanism includes a valve handle that is grippable by a user, a stem adapter, and a return spring. The stem adapter includes a first end secured to the valve stem and a second end secured to the valve handle. The return spring includes a first end secured to the valve body, an intermediate spring load portion, and a second end secured to the stem adapter for applying a torsional load to the stem adapter to return the valve stem to the first rotational limit position.

[0005] According to one or more other exemplary aspects of the invention presented in this disclosure, a method is provided for installing a spring return handle mechanism on a valve having a valve stem extending from a bonnet of a valve body. The exemplary method includes securing a first end of a stem adapter to an end of the valve stem and securing a second end of the stem adapter to a valve handle that is grippable by a user. A first end of a return spring is secured to the valve body and a second end of the return spring is secured to the stem adapter, and an intermediate spring load portion of the return spring applies a torsional load to the stem adapter to return the valve stem to a first rotation limit position.

[0006] In accordance with one or more other exemplary aspects of the invention presented in this disclosure, a valve assembly includes a valve body defining an internal cavity extending to a bonnet, a valve element retained within the internal cavity of the valve body, and a valve stem including an end extending beyond the bonnet, the valve stem being rotatable between a first limit position and a second limit position, and a spring return handle mechanism including a valve handle graspable by a user, a stem adapter having a first end secured to the valve stem and a second end secured to the valve handle, and a return spring having a first end collar secured to the bonnet of the valve body, an intermediate spring load portion, and a second end collar secured to an outer surface of the stem adapter for applying a torsional load to the stem adapter to return the valve stem to the first rotational limit position.

[0007] According to one or more other exemplary aspects of the invention presented in this disclosure, a method is provided for installing a spring return handle mechanism on a valve having a stem extending from a bonnet of a valve body. The exemplary method includes securing a first end of a stem adapter to an end of the stem and securing a second end of the stem adapter to a valve handle that is grippable by a user. A first end collar of a return spring is secured to the bonnet of the valve body. A second end collar of the return spring is secured to an outer surface of the stem adapter such that an intermediate spring load portion of the return spring applies a torsional load to the stem adapter to return the valve stem to a first rotation limit position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve assembly with a spring return handle mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the valve assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the return spring of the valve assembly of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5]FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the stem adapter of the valve assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] This detailed description merely describes an exemplary embodiment and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any manner. Indeed, the claimed invention is broader than and is not limited by the exemplary embodiment, and the terms used in the claims have their ordinary meaning. For example, while the illustrated exemplary embodiment disclosed herein describes a spring return valve handle mechanism for a quarter-turn ball valve, the features of the present disclosure may also or alternatively be applied to other types of manually actuated valves (e.g., plug valves, needle valves, diaphragm valves, etc.) or valves having handles operable over different ranges of motion (e.g., half a turn or 180°, three-quarters a turn or 270°, or any other suitable degree of rotation).

[0010] Although various inventive aspects, concepts, and features of the present invention may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used individually or in various combinations and subcombinations thereof in many alternative embodiments. All such combinations and subcombinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, unless expressly excluded herein. Furthermore, although various alternative embodiments of the various aspects, concepts, and features of the present invention may be described herein, such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices, and components, alternatives in terms of form, fit, and function, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether currently known or hereafter developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts, or features of the present invention into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present invention, even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Furthermore, although some features, concepts, or aspects of the present invention may be described herein as preferred mechanisms or methods, such description is not intended to imply that such features are required or necessary, unless expressly so described. Furthermore, to aid in understanding the present disclosure, exemplary or representative values ​​and ranges may be included, but such values ​​and ranges should not be construed in a limiting sense, and are intended to be critical values ​​or ranges only if so expressly stated. Parameters identified as "approximately" or "about" a particular value are intended to include both the particular value and values ​​within 10% of the particular value, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, it is understood that the drawings accompanying this disclosure may, but need not, be to scale, and therefore may be understood as teaching various ratios and proportions apparent in the drawings.Moreover, while various aspects, features, and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of the invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive; rather, there may be aspects, concepts, and features of the invention that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a particular invention; instead, the invention is set forth in the appended claims. The description of an exemplary method or process is not limited to the inclusion of every step as necessary in all cases, nor should the order in which the steps are presented be construed as necessary or essential, unless expressly stated.

[0011] In many applications, it may be desirable to provide a mechanism to ensure that a manually-actuated valve returns to a desired state (e.g., closed) when the manual actuator (e.g., handle) is released by an operator, for example to prevent undesirable fluid flow. Such mechanisms are often referred to as "dead man" handles.

[0012] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a spring return handle mechanism can include a user-graspable valve handle, a stem adapter, and a return spring. In the exemplary mechanism, the stem adapter includes a first end secured to the protruding valve stem and a second end secured to the user-graspable valve handle. The return spring can include a first end secured to the valve body, an intermediate spring load portion (e.g., a torsion spring coil), and a second end secured to the stem adapter to apply a torsional load to the stem adapter to return the valve stem to the first rotation limit position.

[0013] Many different mechanisms can be utilized to secure the return spring to the valve body and stem adapter. As an example, the return spring can include a first end collar secured to the valve body and a second end collar secured to the stem adapter, and can include an intermediate spring load portion (e.g., a torsion spring coil). The end collar of the return spring can be attached to the spring load portion using a variety of mechanisms (e.g., fasteners, coil wire ends in drilled holes in the collar, welding), but in an exemplary mechanism, the end collar is integrally formed with the spring load portion as a unitary or monolithic component, for example, by machining or additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing). Such mechanisms can avoid side load imbalances between the return spring and the stem adapter / valve hand that can result from offset engagement of the return spring with fasteners, pins / apertures, or other mounting features.

[0014] 1-3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a manually actuated valve 200 including a spring return handle mechanism 250. The valve 200 includes a valve body 210 defining an internal cavity 215 that retains a valve element (e.g., a ported ball portion) 225 coupled or secured (e.g., integral to or assembled with) a valve stem 220. The valve stem 220 is rotatable between a first position (e.g., a closed position that misaligns a ball orifice 226 in the ball portion 225 with first and second end ports 211, 212 in the valve body 210 to block fluid from passing through the valve 200) and a second position (e.g., an open position that rotates the ball orifice into alignment with an end port of the valve body to allow fluid to pass through the valve 200). In the illustrated embodiment, the valve includes a valve seat and stem sealing mechanism 219 within the valve cavity 215 to seal the valve against seat and stem leakage. In other embodiments, other sealing mechanisms may be utilized. Additionally, although the illustrated embodiment includes a valve closure or shutoff valve element, other types of valve elements may be used including, for example, a flow regulating valve element or a flow switching valve element.

[0015] The internal cavity 215 of the valve body 210 extends to a bonnet portion 216 which has internal threads 217 for assembly with a stem nut 235 which retains the valve stem 220 to the valve body. The valve stem 220 includes an end 222 which extends beyond the bonnet portion 216 for attachment to a spring return handle mechanism 250, as will be described below.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the spring return handle mechanism 250 includes a stem adapter 251 connecting a valve handle 255 to a valve stem 220, and a return spring 260 having a first end 261 fixed to the valve body 210, a second end 262 fixed to the stem adapter 251, and an intermediate spring loaded portion 263 under torque to apply a torsional load to the stem adapter 251 and the valve stem 220 to return the valve stem 220 to a first (e.g., closed) rotation limit position.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the stem adapter 251 includes a first end 252 securable to the stem end 222 and a second end 253 securable to the valve handle 255. Many different fastening mechanisms can be used to secure the stem adapter 251 to the stem end 222. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 252 of the stem adapter 251 includes a stem bore 254 that receives the stem end 222 and a radially extending threaded hole 257 that intersects the stem bore 254 and retains a stem engagement member (e.g., a set screw) 259 to engage a flat 223 on the stem end 222. Many different fastening mechanisms can be used to secure the stem adapter 251 to the valve handle 255. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 253 forms a stem extension having a flat 258 for attachment to the valve handle 255 (e.g., using a set screw 268). In other embodiments (not shown), the valve handle may be integrally formed with the stem extension for securing the valve handle to the stem adapter.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 252 of the stem adapter 251 includes a protrusion (e.g., a quarter-circular broach) 256 that engages the end (e.g., a semi-circular broach) 213 of the bonnet 216 to define first and second limit positions of the valve stem 220.

[0019] The first and second ends 261, 262 of the return spring 260 may be secured to the valve body 210 and stem adapter 251 using a variety of configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 261 of the return spring 260 is a first end collar secured to the bonnet portion 216 of the valve body 210. In an exemplary embodiment, the first end collar 261 may include an internally threaded portion 265 that is threadably assembled with an externally threaded portion on the bonnet portion 216 of the valve body 210. As shown, the first end collar 261 may include two or more flats to facilitate wrench tightening of the first end collar onto the bonnet portion 216. Additionally or alternatively, as shown, the first end collar 261 may include a threaded fastener 264 that is seated through a threaded hole 267 across the split collar portion 261a and may be threaded to clampingly engage the first end collar 261 with the bonnet portion 216 of the valve body 210. As shown, the opposite side of the first end collar 261 may include a slotted portion 261b which, when aligned with the split collar portion 261a, may facilitate pinch compression of the split collar portion. In some such embodiments, the internal threads of the first end collar may be omitted and the pinch engagement of the first end collar against the bonnet portion is sufficient to secure the first end collar in a desired rotational position.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 262 of the return spring 260 is a second end collar that is secured to the outer surface 251a of the stem adapter 251 by one or more set screws 266 installed through threaded apertures 269 and tightened against corresponding flats on the outer surface 251a. As shown in FIG. 4, the return spring may be a unitary or monolithic component, with the first and second end collars 261, 262 integrally formed with and extending from a helical coil type intermediate spring load section 263. As shown, the second end collar 262 may have an outer diameter that substantially matches the outer diameter of the intermediate spring load section 263 of the return spring 260. As shown, the use of a machined torsion spring may eliminate additional torsional bearing connections between the spring and the valve stem and handle by allowing for custom attachments such as the end collar attachments described herein. As a result, a unitary spring may exert a "pure moment," meaning that the return spring exerts no translational (side load) force. This potentially eliminates one or more external stabilizing components that may otherwise be required. Additionally, the appearance of the return spring integrally formed as an external component may be more aesthetically pleasing than other springs and spring linkages.

[0021] In an exemplary method of mounting the spring return handle mechanism 250 onto a valve 200 having a stem 220 extending from a bonnet portion 216 of the valve body 210, the end 222 of the stem 220 is inserted into a stem bore 254 in a first end 252 of a stem adapter 251 and a set screw 259 is tightened against the flats 223 of the stem end. A return spring 260 is mounted or slid onto the stem adapter 251 and, if the first end collar 261 is provided with internal threads 265, the first end collar is threaded into the bonnet portion 216 of the valve body 210. A second end collar 262 of the return spring 260 is secured to the outer flats 251a of the stem adapter 251 by tightening a set screw(s) 266. A valve handle 255 is secured to the stem extension 253 of the stem adapter 251 by tightening a set screw 268. When the valve handle 255, stem adapter 251, and stem 220 are rotated to a first limit position (e.g., a closed position), the first end collar 261 is positioned (e.g., by further rotation) against the bonnet to maintain a torsional load or torque on the intermediate spring loaded portion 263. The split collar portion 261a of the first end collar is then fastened against the bonnet portion 216 to fix the first end collar 261 in a rotated position that maintains this torque, and when the valve handle 255 and stem 220 are rotated away from the first limit position and released, the torsional load of the intermediate spring loaded portion 263 is sufficient to return the valve handle and stem to the first limit position.

[0022] Aspects of the present invention have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. It is intended that this specification include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising: a valve body defining an internal cavity extending to the bonnet; a valve element retained within an internal cavity of the valve body and a valve stem including an end extending beyond the bonnet, the valve stem being rotatable between a first limit position and a second limit position; A spring return handle mechanism comprising: a valve handle that can be held by a user; a stem adapter including a first end secured to the valve stem and a second end secured to the valve handle; a return spring having a first end with a first end collar secured to a bonnet portion of the valve body, an intermediate spring loaded portion, and a second end secured to the stem adapter for applying a torsional load to the stem adapter to return the valve stem to the first rotation limit position; a spring return handle mechanism including: A valve assembly comprising:

2. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the stem adapter includes a stem bore that receives an end of the valve stem.

3. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end of the stem adapter includes a stem extension assembled with the valve handle.

4. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the stem adapter includes a projection that engages the bonnet to define first and second limit positions for the valve stem.

5. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said first end collar includes an internally threaded portion in threadable assembly with a bonnet portion of said valve body.

6. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end collar comprises a split collar, and a fastener is assembled with the first end collar for clamping engagement of the split collar with a bonnet portion of the valve body.

7. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said first end collar is integrally formed with an intermediate spring load section of said return spring.

8. A valve assembly comprising: a valve body defining an internal cavity extending to the bonnet; a valve element retained within an internal cavity of the valve body and a valve stem including an end extending beyond the bonnet, the valve stem being rotatable between a first limit position and a second limit position; A spring return handle mechanism comprising: a valve handle that can be held by a user; a stem adapter including a first end secured to the valve stem and a second end secured to the valve handle; a return spring having a first end secured to the valve body, an intermediate spring load portion, and a second end secured to the stem adapter for applying a torsional load to the stem adapter to return the valve stem to the first rotation limit position, the second end of the return spring including a second end collar secured to an outer surface of the stem adapter; a spring return handle mechanism including: A valve assembly comprising:

9. 9. The valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the second end collar is secured to an outer surface of the stem adapter by at least one set screw.

10. 9. The valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the second end collar is integrally formed with an intermediate spring load section of the return spring.

11. 11. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the second end collar has an outer diameter that substantially matches an outer diameter of an intermediate spring load section of the return spring.

12. 9. The valve assembly of claim 8, wherein a first end of the return spring includes a first end collar secured to a bonnet portion of the valve body.

13. 1. A method of installing a spring return handle mechanism onto a valve having a stem extending from a bonnet portion of a valve body, the method comprising: a first end of a stem adapter is secured to an end of the valve stem having a first rotation limit position and a second rotation limit position, and a second end of the stem adapter is secured to a valve handle that is grippable by a user; fixing a first end of a return spring to the valve body; a second end of the return spring is fixed to the stem adaptor such that an intermediate spring load portion of the return spring applies a torsional load to the stem adaptor to return the valve stem to the first rotation limit position; A method comprising:

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein securing the first end of the stem adaptor to the end of the valve stem comprises receiving the end of the valve stem within a stem bore of the first end of the stem adaptor.

15. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising assembling the valve handle to a stem extension at a second end of the stem adapter.

16. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein securing a first end of the return spring to the valve body comprises securing a first end collar of the first end of the return spring to a bonnet portion of the valve body.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the first end collar to the bonnet portion includes threadably assembling an internally threaded portion of the first end collar with the bonnet portion.

18. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first end collar comprises a split collar, and wherein securing the first end collar to the bonnet portion comprises fastening a fastener at the first end collar for clamping engagement of the split collar with the bonnet portion of the valve body.

19. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the second end of the return spring to the stem adaptor comprises securing a second end collar of the second end of the return spring to an outer surface of the stem adaptor.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein securing the second end collar to the outer surface of the stem adaptor comprises tightening at least one set screw assembled with the first end collar against the outer surface of the stem adaptor.

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