초록 ▼

A regulator valve includes a duct, a valve element, and an actuator. The duct has an inner surface defining a flow passage. The valve element is movably disposed within the flow passage between an open position, in which fluid is permitted to flow through the flow passage, and a closed position, in

A regulator valve includes a duct, a valve element, and an actuator. The duct has an inner surface defining a flow passage. The valve element is movably disposed within the flow passage between an open position, in which fluid is permitted to flow through the flow passage, and a closed position, in which fluid is restricted from flowing through the flow passage. The actuator is coupled to the valve element and at least facilitates movement thereof between the closed and open positions and locking of the valve element in an intermediate position therebetween. The actuator comprises a shaft and a locking system. The shaft is coupled to the valve element and moves therewith. The locking system is coupled to the shaft and is activated when the valve element is in the intermediate position, to thereby at least inhibit movement of the shaft and the valve element.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A regulator valve, comprising: a duct having an inner surface that defines a duct flow passage;a valve element movably disposed within the duct flow passage and movable between a fully-open position, in which fluid is permitted to flow at least substantially freely through the duct flow passage,

1. A regulator valve, comprising: a duct having an inner surface that defines a duct flow passage;a valve element movably disposed within the duct flow passage and movable between a fully-open position, in which fluid is permitted to flow at least substantially freely through the duct flow passage, and a closed position, in which fluid is at least substantially restricted from flowing through the duct flow passage; andan actuator unit coupled to the valve element, the actuator unit configured to at least facilitate movement of the valve element between the closed position and the fully-open position and locking of the valve element in an intermediate position between the closed position and the fully-open position, the actuator comprising: a shaft coupled to the valve element and configured to move therewith; anda locking system coupled to the shaft and configured to be activated when the valve element is in the intermediate position, to thereby at least inhibit movement of the shaft and the valve element, the locking system comprising: a first plate coupled to the shaft and configured to move therewith;a second plate configured to at least inhibit movement of the first plate when the locking system is activated;a locking mechanism configured to couple the first plate to the second plate, to thereby inhibit movement of the first plate, when the locking system is activated; anda protrusion extending from the second plate, the protrusion configured to receive the locking mechanism, to couple the first plate and the second plate together and at least inhibit movement of the shaft and the valve element, when the locking system is activated, wherein:the second plate has a first surface facing toward the first plate and a second surface facing away from the first plate; andthe protrusion extends from the first surface and toward the first plate. 2. The regulator valve of claim 1, wherein: the first plate comprises an opening configured to allow insertion of the locking mechanism therethrough for engagement by the protrusion. 3. The regulator valve of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is configured to be aligned with the opening when the valve element is in the intermediate position. 4. The regulator valve of claim 2, wherein: the second plate further comprises an adjustment opening formed therein; andthe locking system further comprises a screw assembly coupled to the second plate and configured to be movable at least partially within the adjustment opening, to thereby at least facilitate movement of the second plate and the protrusion thereof for adjustment of the intermediate position. 5. The regulator valve of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking pin movable between a first position, in which the locking pin does not extend through the opening, and a second position, in which the locking pin extends through the opening. 6. The regulator valve of claim 5, wherein the actuator further comprises: a spring configured to exert a spring force; andan opening chamber configured to receive a reference pressure;a closing chamber configured to receive a feedback pressure; a piston coupled between the shaft and the spring and configured to receive the spring force, the reference pressure, and the feedback pressure and to cause movement of the valve element based at least in part on the spring force, the reference pressure, and the feedback pressure when the locking system is not activated; a regulator unit coupled to the opening chamber and configured to supply the reference pressure thereto; anda manual locking valve unit coupled between the flow passage and the closing chamber and configured to house the locking pin in the first position, the manual locking valve unit movable between an open position, in which the locking pin is housed therein and fluid is allowed to flow between the flow passage and the closing chamber, and a closed position, in which the locking pin is not housed therein and fluid is at least substantially restricted from flowing between the flow passage and the closing chamber. 7. The regulator valve of claim 5, wherein: the locking mechanism is movable between a first position, in which the locking mechanism does not extend through the opening, and a second position, in which the locking mechanism extends through the opening, actuator further comprises:a closing chamber configured to receive a feedback pressure; anda manual locking valve unit coupled between the flow passage and the closing chamber and configured to house the locking mechanism in the first position, the manual locking valve unit movable between an open position, in which the locking mechanism is housed therein and fluid is allowed to flow between the flow passage and the closing chamber, and a closed position, in which the locking mechanism is not housed therein and fluid is at least substantially restricted from flowing between the flow passage and the closing chamber. 8. The regulator valve of claim 1, wherein the intermediate position is approximately half way between the fully-open position and the closed position. 9. The regulator valve of claim 1, wherein the second plate further comprises: a first surface and second surface on opposite sides of the second plate, the first surface facing the first plate and the second surface facing away from the first plate, the protrusion extends from the first surface; anda guide extending from the second surface, the guide comprising a guide opening configured to allow a portion of the shaft to extend therebetween. 10. The regulator valve of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is perpendicular to the first surface. 11. A regulator valve, comprising: a duct having an inner surface that defines a duct flow passage;a valve element movably disposed within the duct flow passage and movable between a fully-open position, in which fluid is permitted to flow at least substantially freely through the duct flow passage, and a closed position, in which fluid is at least substantially restricted from flowing through the duct flow passage; andan actuator unit coupled to the valve element, the actuator unit configured to at least facilitate movement of the valve element between the closed position and the fully-open position and locking of the valve element in an intermediate position between the closed position and the fully-open position, the actuator comprising: a shaft coupled to the valve element and configured to rotate therewith;a locking mechanism movable between a first position, in which movement of the valve element is at least substantially allowed, and a second position, in which movement of the valve element is at least substantially restricted;a first plate coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate therewith, the first plate comprising an opening configured to allow insertion of the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is in the second position, to thereby at least facilitate inhibiting movement of the first plate and, with it, the shaft and the valve element when the valve element is in the intermediate position;a second plate configured to couple the first plate and the second plate together and at least facilitate inhibiting movement of the first plate when the locking mechanism is inserted into the opening;a protrusion extending from the second plate and configured to receive the locking mechanism when inserted through the opening;a closing chamber configured to receive a feedback pressure; anda manual locking valve unit coupled between the flow passage and the closing chamber and configured to house the locking mechanism in the first position, the manual locking valve unit movable between an open position, in which the locking mechanism is housed therein and fluid is allowed to flow between the flow passage and the closing chamber, and a closed position, in which the locking mechanism is not housed therein and fluid is at least substantially restricted from flowing between the flow passage and the closing chamber. 12. The regulator valve of claim 11, wherein: the second plate further comprises an adjustment opening formed therein; andthe actuator unit further comprises a screw assembly coupled to the second plate and configured to be movable at least partially within the adjustment opening, to thereby at least cause movement of the second plate and the protrusion thereof. 13. A regulator valve comprising: a duct having an inner surface that defines a duct flow passage;a valve element movably disposed within the duct flow passage and movable between a fully-open position, in which fluid is permitted to flow at least substantially freely through the duct flow passage, and a closed position, in which fluid is at least substantially restricted from flowing through the duct flow passage;a regulator unit configured to supply a reference pressure; andan actuator unit coupled to the valve element, the actuator unit configured to at least facilitate movement of the valve element between the closed position and the fully-open position and locking of the valve element in an intermediate position between the closed position and the fully-open position, the actuator comprising: a spring configured to exert a spring force;an opening chamber configured to receive the reference pressure from the regulator unit;a closing chamber configured to receive a feedback pressure;a shaft coupled to the valve element and configured to rotate therewith;a locking system coupled to the shaft and configured to be activated when the valve element is in the intermediate position, to thereby at least inhibit movement of the shaft and the valve element, the locking system further configured to be adjustable to thereby adjust the intermediate position of the valve element at which the locking system is configured to be activated, the locking mechanism comprising: a first plate coupled to the shaft and configured to move therewith;a second plate configured to inhibit movement of the first plate when the locking system is activated;a locking mechanism configured to couple the first plate to the second plate, to thereby inhibit movement of the first plate, when the locking system is activated; anda protrusion extending from the second plate toward the first plate, the protrusion configured to receive the locking mechanism, to couple the first plate and the second plate together and at least inhibit movement of the shaft and the valve element, when the locking system is activated;a piston coupled between the shaft and the spring and configured to receive the spring force, the reference pressure, and the feedback pressure and to cause movement of the valve element based at least in part on the spring force, the reference pressure, and the feedback pressure when the locking system is not activated, wherein: the first plate comprises an opening configured to allow insertion of the locking mechanism therethrough for engagement by protrusion; andthe locking mechanism comprises a locking pin movable between a first position, in which the locking pin does not extend through the opening, and a second position, in which the locking pin extends through the opening; anda manual locking valve unit coupled between the flow passage and the closing chamber and configured to house the locking pin in the first position, the manual locking valve unit movable between an open position, in which the locking pin is housed therein and fluid is allowed to flow between the flow passage and the closing chamber, and a closed position, in which the locking pin is not housed therein and fluid is at least substantially restricted from flowing between the flow passage and the closing chamber. 14. The regulator valve of claim 13, wherein: the second plate further comprises an adjustment opening formed therein; andthe locking system further comprises a screw assembly coupled to the second plate and configured to be movable at least partially within the adjustment opening, to thereby at least facilitate movement of the second plate and the protrusion thereof.