Valve Actuator Lockout and Partial Stroke Test Device

The patent combines a lockout mechanism and a partial stroke test mechanism into a single device. The lockout mechanism includes a lockout rod with a lockout member that can engage with the actuator to prevent operation, while the partial stroke test mechanism includes a test rod with a test member that can engage with the actuator to limit motion to a predetermined partial stroke. Both mechanisms share common components such as the housing, mounting structure, and adjustment mechanisms, allowing the device to perform both safety lockout and functional testing functions.

The device is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple purposes: it can lock out the actuator in the fully open or fully closed position for maintenance safety, and it can perform partial stroke testing to verify valve operation without full actuation. The adjustment mechanism allows the device to be configured for different stroke lengths and locking positions, making it adaptable to various testing and maintenance requirements for different valve types and sizes.

The patent integrates both partial stroke testing and lockout capabilities into one device. The test rod with adjustable stopper provides partial stroke testing by limiting actuator motion to a predetermined distance, while the lockout rod with selectable lockout members provides safety lockout by engaging with the actuator at specific positions. Both mechanisms are mounted on the same housing and share common adjustment and mounting features.

The device achieves universality by incorporating multiple functional mechanisms that can be selectively engaged. The adjustment mechanism allows configuration for different testing scenarios, and the same device can be positioned to provide safety lockout during maintenance. This eliminates the need for separate lockout and testing devices, improving operational efficiency and reducing equipment inventory.

The patent merges separate lockout and partial stroke test devices into a single integrated unit. Both mechanisms share a common housing, mounting structure, and adjustment components. The lockout rod and test rod are both mounted on the same base structure and can be independently adjusted and engaged, reducing the total number of devices required while maintaining the functional performance of both features.

The integrated device provides universal functionality that eliminates the need for multiple separate devices. The same device can be configured for lockout operations or partial stroke testing depending on the operational requirements. This reduces installation complexity, minimizes the number of components that need to be managed, and simplifies maintenance procedures while preserving the optimized performance of both lockout and testing functions.

The device incorporates adjustable components including an adjustable stopper on the test rod and selectable lockout members on the lockout rod that can be positioned to match the actuator's travel stops with the valve's true closed position. These adjustments allow dynamic adaptation to different actuator and valve configurations, ensuring accurate positioning without requiring a completely complex fixed mechanism.

The adjustment mechanism allows modification of key parameters such as the position of the stopper and the selection of lockout members to achieve precise alignment between the actuator travel stops and the valve's true closed position. By allowing parameter changes rather than requiring a completely fixed complex mechanism, the device achieves high positioning accuracy with a relatively simple adjustment system.