Rotary Actuator Lockout Insert for Multi-Position Lever Fixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lockout devices for rotary actuators often require significant modifications or replacements to secure the actuator lever in multiple positions, limiting their versatility and increasing costs, as they typically only prevent movement in one direction during a lockout procedure.

Innovation Solution

A lockout device comprising an insert and a mounting plate with slotted holes to accommodate varying zero positions of the valve, combined with a locking pin that secures the actuator lever in multiple positions by interacting with the actuator's splines, allowing for rotational fixation in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions without altering the existing rotary actuator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing lockout devices are used to secure the actuator lever, then the actuator can be locked out, but the devices typically only prevent movement in one direction and require significant modifications or replacements to secure in multiple positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to secure actuator lever in multiple positionsVSAvoidmodifications or replacements required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lockout device is designed with a locking pin that can engage with splines at multiple angular positions (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°), enabling a single device to secure the actuator lever in multiple positions without requiring modifications or replacements. This multi-functional capability directly resolves the contradiction by providing versatile positioning while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking pin is designed to be removable and repositionable, allowing the operator to dynamically adjust the locking position according to the required secure position. The pin can be inserted at different angles to engage with corresponding splines, providing adaptive multi-position locking without complex mechanisms or modifications to the actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a lockout device is designed to prevent movement in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of lockoutVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking pin features an asymmetric design with a head portion that prevents removal in the insertion direction while allowing removal by pulling back. The pin engages with splines that have asymmetric positioning at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°, enabling the pin to lock the lever in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions from any position. This asymmetric mechanism provides bidirectional security through a relatively simple structure rather than requiring complex dual-directional locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lockout device accommodates varying zero positions of the valve, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with varying zero positionsVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into discrete angular positions (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) marked on the actuator lever. The locking pin can engage with splines at these predetermined positions, allowing accommodation of different valve zero positions without requiring continuous precision adjustment. This segmentation provides versatile adaptability while maintaining reasonable manufacturing tolerances for the discrete positioning features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device includes visual indicators (marks or indices) on the actuator lever that automatically align with the locking pin at the correct angular positions. This self-aligning feature guides the operator to the proper locking position without requiring complex measurement or high-precision manufacturing, thereby achieving versatility across varying zero positions while keeping manufacturing precision requirements manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3358234B1Lockout devices for use with rotary actuators

Publication Date: 2023.12.20 FISHER CONTROLS INT LLC

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AI summary

A lockout device for use with a rotary actuator (500), comprising an insert (512) including a first portion (604) to be inserted into a lever (602) of the rotary actuator and a second portion (616) extending from the lever to be positioned within an aperture (618) of a plate (516) of the rotary actuator; characterized in that the first portion has a cross section configured to interact with one or more features of the lever to enable rotational movement of the lever to be transmitted thereto; and the second portion defines an opening (622) to be aligned with a slot (620) in the plate through which an object (518) is to be inserted to rotationally fix the insert and the lever in a first position relative to a housing (502) of the rotary actuator.