CN-121986228-A - Pneumatic actuator assembly for reducing dead leg

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to pneumatic actuator assemblies for reducing dead leg. The assembly may include a valve body (104), and first (101) and second (102) actuators each coupled to the valve body by a valve cover assembly (112). The valve cover assembly may include a valve cover body (125) having a first end (126) opposite a second end (128), wherein the first end is coupled to the valve body, and a nut (130) threadably coupled to the second end of the valve cover body. The valve cover assembly further includes an actuator valve cover (134), wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover, and wherein the actuator valve cover is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (LA 1, LA 2) extending through a center of a valve stem (124) of the piston (118).

Inventors

• Anthony. Mauricio Randy Adib
• LAM PATRICK

Assignees

• 瑞普利金公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20240930

Priority Date

20231009

Claims (20)

1. 1. An assembly, comprising: Valve body, and A first actuator and a second actuator each coupled to the valve body by a valve cover assembly, wherein the valve cover assembly comprises: a valve cover body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the valve body; a nut threadedly coupled to the second end of the cap body, and An actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover, and wherein the actuator valve cover is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of a valve stem of a piston.
2. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator extend above a top surface of the valve body, wherein the first actuator is oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the valve body, and wherein the second actuator is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first actuator.
3. 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve cover body comprises an internal flange, wherein a bushing abuts the internal flange, and wherein the bushing surrounds a valve stem of the piston.
4. 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the valve cover body is threadably connected to the valve body.
5. 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the valve cover body is integrally formed with the valve body.
6. 6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a retainer extending around the actuator valve cap, wherein the retainer abuts the nut.
7. 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator valve cover comprises a first end coupled to a housing.
8. 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator valve cover has an external flange, and wherein the nut abuts the external flange.
9. 9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second bushing within the actuator valve cap, wherein the second bushing surrounds the valve stem of the piston.
10. 10. A pneumatic actuator assembly, comprising: a valve body including a fluid passage, and A first actuator and a second actuator each coupled to the valve body by a valve cover assembly, wherein the valve cover assembly comprises: a valve cover body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the valve body; A nut threadably connected to the second end of the valve cover body; an actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover, and A bushing within the actuator bonnet and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds a valve stem of a piston, wherein the valve stem is biasable relative to a fluid passageway of the valve body, and wherein the actuator bonnet is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the valve stem of the piston.
11. 11. The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 10, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator extend above a top surface of the valve body, wherein the first actuator is oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the valve body, and wherein the second actuator is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first actuator.
12. 12. The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 10, wherein the valve cover body includes an internal flange, and wherein the bushing abuts the internal flange.
13. 13. The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 10, wherein the first end of the valve cover body is threadably connected to the valve body or integrally formed with the valve body.
14. 14. The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 10, further comprising a retainer extending around the actuator valve cap, wherein the retainer abuts the nut.
15. 15. The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 10, wherein the actuator valve cover includes a first end coupled to a housing, wherein the actuator valve cover has an external flange, and wherein the nut abuts the external flange.
16. 16. A method of operating a pneumatic actuator assembly, the method comprising: coupling a first actuator to a valve body using a first valve cover assembly and coupling a second actuator to the valve body using a second valve cover assembly, wherein the first valve cover assembly comprises: a valve cover body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the valve body; A nut threadably connected to the second end of the valve cover body; an actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover, and A bushing positioned within the actuator valve cap and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds a valve stem of a piston, and Rotating the actuator valve cover about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the piston stem to orient an air connection port of a housing of the first actuator, wherein the actuator valve cover and the housing rotate relative to the nut and relative to the valve cover body.
17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising threadably connecting the first end of the valve cover body to the valve body.
18. 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: Orienting the first actuator perpendicular to a plane defined by a top surface of the valve body, and The second actuator is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first actuator.
19. 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising coupling a first end of the actuator valve cover to the housing.
20. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning the nut against an outer flange of the actuator valve cover.

Description

Pneumatic actuator assembly for reducing dead leg Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to pinch clamps or valves and, more particularly, to pneumatic actuator assemblies for reducing blind pipe segments. Background Valves and clamps have been widely used in fluid flow control applications. Pinch valves are typically used with a length of fluid-carrying tubing made of flexible material, wherein the pinch valve is pressed against a tubular element to completely or partially alter the flow of fluid therethrough. For example, when pinch valves are used in the pharmaceutical industry, dead leg demand is an important design consideration. "dead leg" is a term used to describe a stagnant zone in a vessel or pipe where system design and operating conditions result in insufficient flow of process fluid and thus risk of particulate, chemical and/or biological contamination. To alleviate the dead leg problem, multiple pneumatic actuators may be provided in the same valve body, forming a manifold. When configured in this manner, it is desirable to bring the actuators as close to each other as possible to reduce the dead leg to an acceptable minimum. Current designs typically use three clamp connections, which makes it more difficult to position the actuators physically close to each other, as the clamps occupy a larger space around the flange of each actuator. Furthermore, the fixture requires space to achieve the kinematics of the assembly. This situation typically occurs in smaller actuators used in systems where the requirements of the blind pipe segment are more difficult to meet. The present disclosure is directed to these and other deficiencies of the prior art. Disclosure of Invention This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The example methods provided herein relate to pneumatic actuator assemblies for reducing dead leg. In one approach, an assembly may include a valve body, and first and second actuators each coupled to the valve body by a valve cover assembly. The valve cover assembly may include a valve cover body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the valve body, and a nut threadably coupled to the second end of the valve cover body. The valve cover assembly may further comprise an actuator valve cover, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator valve cover, and wherein the actuator valve cover is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the valve stem of the piston. In another method, a pneumatic actuator assembly may include a valve body having a fluid passageway, and first and second actuators each coupled to the valve body by a valve cover assembly. The valve cover assembly may include a valve cover body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the valve body, and a nut threadably coupled to the second end of the valve cover body. The bonnet assembly may further comprise an actuator bonnet, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator bonnet, and a bushing within the actuator bonnet and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds the valve stem of the piston, and wherein the actuator bonnet is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the valve stem of the piston. In yet another method, a method of operating a pneumatic actuator assembly may include coupling a first actuator to a valve body using a first valve cover assembly and coupling a second actuator to the valve body using a second valve cover assembly, wherein the first valve cover assembly includes a valve cover body having a first end opposite a second end, and wherein the first end is connected to the valve body. The first bonnet assembly may further comprise a nut threadably coupled to the second end of the bonnet body, an actuator bonnet, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator bonnet, and a bushing within the actuator bonnet and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds a valve stem of the piston. The method may further include rotating the actuator valve cover about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the piston valve stem to position the air connection port of the first actuator housing, wherein the actuator valve cover rotates relative to the nut and relative to the valve cover body. Drawings The drawings illustrate an exemplary method that the armor cable assemblies of the present disclosure have heretofore devised in practical use of their principles, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pneumatic actuator assembly according to an example of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a top view of a pneumatic actuator assembly according to an example of the present d