US 11,920,697 B2
Failsafe module
Stuart Lay, Bath (GB); and James Hopwood, Bath (GB)
Assigned to ROTORK CONTROLS LIMITED, Bath (GB)
Appl. No. 17/598,081
Filed by ROTORK CONTROLS LIMITED, Bath (GB)
PCT Filed Mar. 25, 2020, PCT No. PCT/GB2020/050796
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 24, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/193973, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 1, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 1904106 (GB), filed on Mar. 25, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0186856 A1, Jun. 16, 2022
Int. Cl. F16K 31/52 (2006.01); F16D 41/10 (2006.01); F16K 31/05 (2006.01); F16K 31/528 (2006.01); F16K 31/53 (2006.01); F16K 31/56 (2006.01); F16P 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 31/5282 (2013.01) [F16D 41/105 (2013.01); F16K 31/055 (2013.01); F16K 31/535 (2013.01); F16K 31/566 (2013.01); F16P 3/008 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A failsafe module comprising:
an input member;
an output member movable toward and away from a predetermined position;
a coupling mechanism for coupling the input member to the output member, the coupling mechanism comprising:
an intermediate member engaged with the input member and movable by the input member between a first position and a second position;
an energy storage device acting between the output member and the intermediate member, such that movement of the intermediate member relative to the output member from the first position to the second position energizes the energy storage device, and wherein the energy storage device, the output member, and the intermediate member are engaged such that a release of energy from the energy storage device drives the output member to the predetermined position; and
a latch mechanism having an engaged state in which the latch mechanism prevents relative movement between the intermediate member and the output member when the intermediate member is in the second position, to thereby hold the energy storage device in an energized state and to thereby couple the input member to the output member, and the latch mechanism having a released state in which the latch mechanism allows relative movement between the intermediate member and the output member, to thereby allow the energy storage device to be energized or to release energy;
wherein the latch mechanism comprises a first latch member and a second latch member, wherein the first latch member and the second latch member are configured to couple when the intermediate member is in the second position; and wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a clutch assembly configured to couple the input member to the output member when the latch mechanism is in the engaged state;
wherein the clutch assembly comprises a clutch mounted to the output member, and an engagement member mounted to an upper radial surface of the input member and circumferentially offset from the clutch when the intermediate member is in the first position; wherein movement of the intermediate member from the first to the second positions by the input member brings the clutch into alignment with the engagement member;
wherein the clutch is configured to engage with the engagement member when in alignment and the latch mechanism is in the engaged state, to thereby couple the input member to the output member; and
wherein the clutch is configured to disengage from the engagement member when the latch mechanism is in the released state, to thereby allow relative movement between the intermediate member and the output member.