Inventors:
John M. Cory - Old Lyme CT
Edward W. Varney - Centerbrook CT
Jon A. Babcock - Westerly RI
Andrew Pupillo - Pawcatuck CT
Assignee:
Posi-Seal International, Inc. - North Stonington CT
International Classification:
F16K 3144
Abstract:
An actuator for a rotary valve includes a fail-safe mechanism for automatically opening or closing the valve upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition. The actuator also includes a mechanism for permitting the manual operation of the valve from the open to closed position, and vice versa, and to a continuum of positions between the open and closed positions even when the fail-safe mechanism is activated. A biased clutch activates the fail-safe mechanism and also couples a worm-gear drive for effecting the manual operation of the valve.