US 11,982,370 B2
Actuator assemblies and related methods for valve systems
David Lymberopoulos, Houston, TX (US); and Andrew Allen Kadavy, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to SAFOCO, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by SAFOCO, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Feb. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/592,098.
Prior Publication US 2023/0243437 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. F16K 31/122 (2006.01); F15B 15/14 (2006.01); F15B 15/28 (2006.01); F16K 37/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 31/1225 (2013.01) [F15B 15/1409 (2013.01); F15B 15/2807 (2013.01); F16K 37/00 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A valve system, comprising:
an actuator assembly, comprising:
an outer housing comprising an inner surface at least partially defining an internal volume,
a baseplate coupled to the outer housing,
one or more first fluid openings formed in the outer housing,
one or more second fluid openings formed in the outer housing,
one or more ambient openings formed in the outer housing,
a valve stem disposed at least partially in the internal volume,
an actuator stem disposed at least partially in the internal volume,
a first piston disposed in the internal volume and coupled to the valve stem and the actuator stem, and
a second piston disposed in the internal volume and disposed about the valve stem;
one or more first hydraulic lines in fluid communication with the one or more first fluid openings;
one or more second hydraulic lines in fluid communication with the one or more second fluid openings; and
a controller configured to release a first pressurized fluid through the one or more first fluid openings and from a first chamber volume between the first piston and the outer housing, and to supply a second pressurized fluid through the one or more second fluid openings and to a second chamber volume between the outer housing and the second piston,
wherein:
the releasing of the first pressurized fluid through the one or more first fluid openings and from the first chamber volume comprises moving a target in a first direction past a first switch and a second switch; and
the controller initiates the supplying of the second pressurized fluid through the one or more second fluid openings and to the second chamber volume upon a determination that the target moves past the second switch in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction.