Seismic Valve Actuator with Spring Bias and Locking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seismic safety valve actuating mechanisms are complex, difficult to mount on standard off-the-shelf valves, and lack simplicity, reliability, and ease of manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A simple and rugged actuating mechanism with a movable actuator drive and spring bias, featuring a locking member and sensor mechanism that detects seismic activity to automatically close valves or switches, utilizing a locking ball and pin arrangement with a roller blocking device and a seismic sensor connected by cable, allowing for easy mounting on standard valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex sensor release mechanisms are used (ball and pedestal, rack and pinion, clutch mechanisms), then the valve can be actuated to shut off flow, but the device complexity increases and ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of valve actuation from complex sensor mechanisms and separates it into two independent components: a simple spring-loaded actuator and a separate sensor trigger mechanism. The actuator contains only a spring, locking member, and valve connection, while the sensor mechanism (ball and pedestal) independently triggers release. This extraction eliminates unnecessary complexity from the actuator itself while maintaining reliable shut-off function.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating mechanism is segmented into distinct functional modules: the spring-loaded actuator module, the locking member module, and the sensor trigger module. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently manufactured and assembled. The locking member connects the actuator drive to the housing, while the sensor mechanism separately controls release, creating modular segments that simplify overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If built-in rotor with spring loaded actuator is used, then the valve can shut off automatically, but the device becomes difficult to mount on standard off-the-shelf valves
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing incorporates a universal mounting flange design that can be attached to various standard valve types. The actuator drive connects to the valve stem through a standardized interface, allowing the same actuator mechanism to mount on different valve configurations. This universal design maintains automatic shut-off reliability while enabling adaptability across multiple valve standards.
3Reliability
If complicated release mechanisms with multiple arms and pivots are used, then the valve can be released upon seismic event, but the ease of manufacture and structural simplicity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex release mechanisms (multiple arms, pivots, detent balls) from the actuator and replaces them with a simple locking member that translates vertical motion into rotational motion. The release function is extracted to a separate sensor mechanism that directly triggers the locking member, eliminating the need for complicated intermediate release components and simplifying manufacturing.
4Force
If spring loaded actuator with locking member is used, then minimal trigger force is needed to activate large closing forces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to dynamically transition between locked and unlocked positions based on sensor activation. When the sensor detects a seismic event, it triggers the locking member to move from its locked position to an unlocked position, allowing the spring to rapidly expand and generate large closing forces. This dynamic design enables force amplification while keeping the locking mechanism itself relatively simple through straightforward geometric conversion of motion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable, easy-to-manufacture actuating mechanism that can activate large forces to close valves with minimal trigger force, effectively shutting off valves or switches during seismic events, while being adaptable to various valve types and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is either part of the valve, or is connected between the actuator housing and the actuator drive such that, when the actuator drive is in the locked position, the spring biases the actuator drive toward the unlocked position
Implementation Method 2
The sensor mechanism is connected to the roller arrangement by a cable so that when seismic activity is detected the roller arrangement is moved by the cable
Data Source
AI summary
A valve actuating mechanism has an actuator housing and an actuator drive. A spring is connected between them so that when the actuator drive is in a lock position, the spring biases the actuator drive toward an unlock position. A locking member is movable from a first position received in a locking aperture of the actuator drive and in a hole in the actuator housing so as to hold the actuator drive relative to the housing in the locking position and to a second position in which the locking member is outside of the locking aperture so that the spring can move the actuator drive to the unlocked position. A blocking device blocks movement of the locking member but can release the locking member to allow the actuator drive to turn.