JP2017510764A - Mechanical motion transducer - Google Patents

Abstract

An axisymmetric mechanism that is compact and easily manufactured can be configured to change the magnitude of the linear motion of the short movement of the actuator that controls the movable element or to reverse the direction of movement. This mechanism is bidirectional and reversible, functions symmetrically, and does not include any gears or main thread. Because this mechanism is constantly loaded, force changes are achieved without mechanical backlash introducing hysteresis. The translation of movement is generally proportional and suitable for use in the operation of a fluid control valve to regulate fluid control.

Description

  The present invention relates to a parallel motion mechanism having a circular shape that is suitable for use in an axisymmetric device such as a regulating actuator of a proportional control valve. Various configurations of the mechanism can change both the magnitude and direction of the actuator motion. The translation of movement is generally proportional and suitable for use in the operation of a fluid control valve. The present invention is particularly useful in industrial processes for manufacturing semiconductor devices, pharmaceuticals or purified chemicals, and valves intended for proportional or regulated control of fluid delivery in many similar fluid delivery systems.

  The field of control valves intended for use in automated process control systems is extensive and well known. Many proportional control valves are actively positioned somewhere between the extreme open condition and the extreme closed condition to regulate the flow of fluid passing therethrough. It has one or more movable elements. It should be noted that fluid delivery devices for manipulating process materials in semiconductor manufacturing equipment typically maintain a high purity of the delivered reactants and are much more than valves used in, for example, petrochemical plants Small. Nevertheless, many different types of motorized valve actuators have been found in high purity instruments and control devices such as mass flow controllers. Shimizu et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,637, pp. 195, 305, describes using a stack of piezoelectric disk elements to move valve components in a mass flow controller. Doyle, U.S. Patent No. 6,099,086, describes the use of a magnetic solenoid having interleaved magnetic circuit elements. Mudd, US Pat. No. 6,057,038, describes the use of a heating resistance wire that changes length with temperature changes to move the valve element. U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,096 describes the use of pressurized fluids such as nitrogen gas to control the degree of opening of the diaphragm actuated control valve. All of the above patents are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

  One significant disadvantage of both magnetic solenoids and thermal expansion actuators is the inherent constant power when the control valve element is positioned in an intermediate state, such as when actively regulating fluid flow. Consumption. In practice, the piezoelectric actuator is a capacitor of an electric circuit and therefore does not consume current when the applied voltage is constant. As a result, typical piezoelectric control valve applications require low power and avoid the undesirable generation of heat found in electromagnetic actuators. Piezoelectric actuators can advantageously generate substantially more force than comparable size solenoid actuators, but the resulting strain severely limits the distance that the piezoelectric stack can travel. Piezoelectric actuators are almost always used to cause an increase in stack length by application of a start-up voltage (US Pat. No. 6,057,097 and Shirai et al., Which is also expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). (See, for example, US Pat. U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,031 increases the available movement by interposing a force transmission member comprising a plurality of radial lever arm tongues between the stack of piezoelectric disk elements and the moving part of the control valve. The force transmission member in Patent Document 1 is complicated and difficult to manufacture accurately. U.S. Patent No. 6,057,095 describes the use of spherical bearings to couple movement of the piezoelectric disk element from the stack to other parts of the control valve and prevent adverse effects that may result from insufficient parallelism of the parts. ing. The use of a spherical bearing in the system of US Pat. Magnetic solenoid actuators almost always affect the movement of the driven element, similar to the reduction in length along the actuator axis (see, for example, US Pat. is there. As a result of these actuator differences, the piezoelectric actuator is most likely associated with a normally open valve (the application of power will then reduce the fluid flow to the valve) and the magnetic solenoid actuator may be associated with a normally closed valve. Most likely (the application of power then increases the flow of fluid to the valve). Valve designers either benefit from having a mechanism that reverses the direction of actuator movement, or change the effective magnitude of actuator movement so that both normally open and normally closed valves Allowing the use of a single actuator type (piezoelectric, magnetic solenoid, pneumatic, etc.).

US Pat. No. 4,695,034 US Pat. No. 4,569,504 US Pat. No. 5,660,207 US Pat. No. 6,178,996 US Pat. No. 5,094,430

  The present invention is compact and easily manufactured that can be configured to change the amount of movement or reverse the direction of movement of an actuator that controls a moving element in a valve that regulates fluid flow. It addresses the above-mentioned problems by providing a system.

  The mechanism of the present invention is bi-directional and reversible and works symmetrically as long as the naming conventions are “driven” and “driven”, “active” and “reactive”. The present invention contemplates the use of a linear motion generator that is known to provide controlled incremental movement, as is necessary in a proportional control valve. In the first form, the direction is reversed so that the linear active directional motion (driving part) from the force generator provides a reaction directional motion (driven part) having the opposite direction. In the second form, the linear active directional motion (drive part) from the force generator is usually doubled in magnitude and provides an increased reaction directional motion (driven part) in the same direction. To do. This mechanism is referred to as “multiflex coupling” because it can conveniently provide changes in translation gain and direction when used to couple the actuator to the moving part of the valve. This mechanism does not include any gears or main thread threads and, in the normal manner, is constantly loaded so that a force change is achieved without mechanical backlash introducing hysteresis. The direction to follow uses conceptual directions (up and down, up and down, left and right, forward and backward, etc.) and can help understand the relationship between the pieces of the mechanism, and the drawings are generally those concepts. Any device in space that conforms to a specific direction or rule, but that actively translates or rotates or tumbles without affecting the function of the mechanism, within the scope of the inventive concept Can be achieved.

  In a typical embodiment, the mechanism comprises two disc-shaped elements (active part to be driven and reactive part to be driven), two semicircular elements (rockers) that behave as levers, and four coupling elements that connect the above to each other And nine pins that serve to hold these elements together, and an optional support sleeve. These various pieces can be made from various materials such as metals, plastics, composites or ceramics, but heat treated tool steels such as A2, D2 or H13 are suitable for many applications. While conceivable, aluminum alloys such as 6061 can also be used. In one embodiment, the disk-shaped active and reaction elements have an outer diameter of about 0.6 inches, and the outer dimensions of the semi-circular rocker elements generally correspond to the disk-shaped elements. The mechanism has an axial length of about 0.5 inches.

  In either form of the mechanism of the invention, the disk-shaped active and reaction elements are each formed with two symmetrically arranged axial slots to accommodate the ends of the two connecting elements. The position of the axial slot may vary depending on the particular translational increase (gain) desired from the particular mechanism. Each active element and reaction element is provided with two locking pin holes, each intersecting an axial slot that accommodates the connecting element, and this locking pin hole appears as a disk-shaped symmetrical parallel cord of the element. The two semi-circular rocker elements are identical within any particular mechanism configuration, such as the four connections, while the disk-shaped active and reactive elements are identical or different. It may be. Each semi-circular rocker element is about half the size of a disk-shaped active element or reaction element, and similarly provides two axial slots to accommodate the ends of the two connecting elements. Each rocker element is also provided with a radial pivot pin hole positioned on a half diameter perpendicular to the semi-circular straight side, with an axial slot that receives the connection. There are further provided two locking pin holes that intersect each other and are parallel to the pivot pin hole.

  The complete mechanism assembly includes an upper disk-shaped element, two rocker elements arranged side by side under the upper disk, and a lower disk-shaped element below the rocker element. A single pivot pin passes through the pivot pin holes of the two semi-circular rocker elements, and eight lock pins secure the ends of the four connections in the respective axial slots of several elements To do. Two linkages descend from the two axial slots of the upper disc-shaped element, and each linkage engages a corresponding axial slot in the lower adjacent rocker element (the person skilled in the art You will see as a mirror image). Two additional couplings descend from the second axial slot of each rocker element, and each coupling engages a corresponding axial slot in the lower adjacent lower disk-shaped element.

  Two disk-shaped active or reactive element variants are combined with two semi-circular rocker element variants to form a first form mechanism and provide gains for three different redirection translations be able to. Similarly, two disk-shaped active or reactive element variants are combined with two semi-circular rocker element variants to form a second form mechanism, and gains in three different orientation maintaining translations. Can be provided. The ratio of the additional translation gain can obviously be obtained by changing the rocker element variant, but the easy rearrangement of the described parts is important for reducing the production costs.

  According to one embodiment of the mechanism of the present invention, the pivot pin is made passive and held axially fixed relative to the bulk of the actuator, and the actuator is extended so that the upper active disk-shaped element is Move axially away from the actuator bulk, while the lower reaction disk-shaped element of the mechanism retracts toward the actuator bulk. The upper active disk-shaped element moves axially and is coupled to the rocker element by an attached connection pointing upward from each rocker. The rocker element is thereby rotated slightly about the pivot pin, and downward movement of one end of each rocker causes a corresponding upward movement of the other end of each rocker. The lower reaction element translates axially but in the opposite direction in proportion to the movement of the upper active element. In this embodiment, the active element appears closer to the actuator bulk than the reactive element and the mechanism appears to be longer. Passive pivot pins placed through pivot pin holes drilled into the diameter of the side-by-side semi-circular rocker elements engage similar diametrically opposed holes in the support sleeve or equivalent body surrounding the mechanism. Thus, it can be held in a simple manner while being fixed in the axial direction. The proportionality between the movement of the active element and the movement of the reaction element can be adjusted by selecting the distance between the lock pin hole and the pivot pin hole of the pair of rocker elements.

  According to another embodiment of the mechanism of the present invention, the upper disk-shaped element is made passive, held axially fixed with respect to the bulk of the actuator, and the actuator extends and functions actively. Coupled to the pivot pin, the actuator extends to move the active pivot pin axially away from the actuator bulk, while the lower reaction disc-shaped element of the mechanism also moves away from the actuator bulk. Elongate. One end of each rocker element is held axially fixed by an attached connection pointing upwards from each rocker coupled to an axially fixed upper disk-shaped passive element. The axial movement of the actuator displaces the active shaft through the upper disk-shaped passive element and engages the active pivot pin so that the active pivot pin moves axially and is directly coupled to the rocker element. The The rocker element is thereby slightly rotated about the locking pin of the connecting part pointing upwards at one end of each rocker, and each rocker element (provided by a pivot pin) is moved downward by an intermediate downward movement of each rocker. Further downward movement of the other end of the rocker occurs. The other end of each rocker moving downward is coupled to the lower reaction disk-shaped element by an attached connection pointing downward from each rocker. The lower reaction element translates axially in the same direction in proportion to the movement of the upper active element. In this embodiment, the active element is closer to the actuator bulk than the reactive element, and the mechanism appears to be long, while the actuator also appears to be long. The upper disk-shaped passive element can be conveniently held fixedly to a support sleeve or equivalent body surrounding the mechanism. The proportionality between the movement of the active shaft and the movement of the reaction element can be adjusted by selecting the distance between the lock pin hole and the pivot pin hole of the pair of rocker elements.

  More particularly, a mechanical motion transducer is provided comprising an active element, a reaction element, a pivot pin, and at least one rocker element that pivots about the pivot pin. The rocker element is arranged axially between the active element and the reaction element. In operation, the active element, the reactive element and the at least one rocker element are joined together and translate axially in response to the force applied by the actuator. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the active and reactive elements is disk shaped. The at least one rocker element includes a left rocker element and a right rocker element, each rocker element being pivotally supported by a pivot pin. In some illustrated embodiments, the pivot pin is passive so as to be axially fixed within the mechanism. In other embodiments, the pivot pin is active so that it can translate axially relative to the rest of the mechanism.

Each of the rocker elements includes an upper connection and a lower connection. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the connections includes a flat member having a through hole and a rounded end.
Further features of the mechanical motion transducer of the present invention include respective holes in the connection and respective holes in the active and reaction elements. Multiple locking pins engage the connection and corresponding holes in the active and reaction elements, allowing the relative movement of each joined component in the active element, connection and reaction element So that they are fixed together. The system further comprises an active element, a coupling, and a respective hole in the rocker element that receives one or more of the lock pins to further secure the active element and the reaction element together. A respective axial slot of the active element and the reaction element is provided for receiving the end of the corresponding one of the connections. In addition, a respective axial slot of the rocker element is provided for receiving the opposite end of the coupling extending from one of the active element and the reaction element. Preferably, the active element, the reaction element, and each of the left and right rocker elements comprises two axial slots for receiving the ends of the lock pins. A flat disc spring is attached to the upper surface of the active element.

  Each of the rocker elements comprises a hole for receiving a pivot pin and two holes for receiving a lock pin, the two lock pin holes being arranged on both sides of the pivot pin hole. In some embodiments, the two lock pin holes of each rocker element are spaced in a similar manner from the pivot pin hole, and the axial movement of the active element is the axis of the reaction element in response to the force applied by the actuator. Approximately equal to direction movement. In other embodiments, the two lock pin holes of each rocker element are spaced differently from the pivot hole, and the axial movement of the active element is more than the axial movement of the reaction element in response to the force applied by the actuator. Greater or alternatively, the axial movement of the active element is less than the axial movement of the reaction element in response to the force applied by the actuator. Further, in some embodiments, the active element and the reactive element move in the same axial direction in response to a force applied by the actuator, while in other embodiments, the active element and the reactive element are moved by the actuator. It moves in the opposite axial direction according to the applied force. These operational features are user selectable according to the desired operational results simply by designing or modifying specific components of the mechanical coupling system, as described in more detail below. is there.

  The invention, together with its additional features and advantages, can best be understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings.

1 is an isometric perspective view showing one embodiment of the direction reversal mechanism of the present invention, with the disk-shaped active element on top and closest to the actuator. FIG. 1B is an isometric perspective view revealing the internal components of the mechanism of FIG. 1A by showing some elements in a virtual outline only. 1B is a top view of the mechanism of FIG. 1A in a first orientation. FIG. FIG. 1C is a top view similar to FIG. 1C, wherein the mechanism is rotated a predetermined distance in the counterclockwise direction. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of FIG. 1A along the diameter line AA of FIG. 1C, showing the passive pivot pin cut along its length. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of FIG. 1A along the diameter line BB of FIG. 1D, showing the straight sides of one semicircular rocker. It is an exploded view of the direction inversion mechanism of FIG. 1D. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a portion of the mechanism of FIG. 1A cut axially along a cord that bisects the upper and lower linking portions of the rocker element. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the remaining portion of the mechanism of FIG. 3A showing a second axial slot in the upper active element, with another coupling engaged to couple with another rocker element. 1B is an elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1A showing the placement of the lock pin relative to the fixed pivot pin for direction reversal motion and equal displacement (1.0: 1.0 gain). FIG. FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the assembly (similar to FIG. 1A) showing the placement of the lock pin relative to the fixed pivot pin for direction reversal motion and increased displacement (1.0: 1.5 gain). FIG. Another embodiment of the assembly (similar to FIG. 1A) showing the arrangement of the lock pin relative to the fixed pivot pin for direction reversal motion and reduced displacement (1.5: 1.0 gain) FIG. FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of FIG. 5D, axially divided along the diameter line AA, with the active pivot pin cut along its length, showing the active shaft. FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of FIG. 5D, axially divided along the diameter line BB, showing the active shaft and the straight sides of one semicircular rocker. FIG. 5D is an isometric perspective view revealing the internal components of the mechanism of FIG. 5D by showing some elements in a virtual outline only. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary orientation maintaining mechanism shown in an isometric perspective view with a disk-shaped passive element closest to the actuator upside. It is an exploded view of the direction maintenance mechanism of FIG. 5D. FIG. 5D shows the representative mechanism of FIG. 5D cut axially along a cord that bisects the upper and lower linking portions of the rocker element. FIG. 7B shows the corresponding remaining portion from FIG. 7A showing the second axial slot in the upper passive element, with another coupling engaged to couple to the other rocker element. FIG. 5D is an elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 5D showing the placement of the lock pin relative to the active pivot pin for a direction maintaining motion with a double displacement (1.0: 2.0 gain). FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the assembly (similar to FIG. 5D) showing the arrangement of the locking pin relative to the active pivot pin for a direction maintaining movement with increased displacement (1.0: 2.5 gain). FIG. Yet another embodiment of the assembly (similar to FIG. 5D) showing the arrangement of the lock pin relative to the active pivot pin for orientation maintaining movement and slightly reduced displacement (1.0: 1.6 gain). FIG.

  Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views and embodiments, FIG. 1A shows a direction reversal assembly 100 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. One embodiment is shown. The assembly 100 includes a disk-shaped active element 120 that is normally positioned closest to an actuator (not shown) for the valve, as described above, although other applications are within the scope of the present invention. . Immediately below the disc-shaped active element 120 is a semi-circular left rocker element 140 and an adjacent semi-circular right rocker element 160, both of which are supported by a passive pivot pin 190. Immediately below the rocker elements 140, 160 is a disk-shaped reaction element 180 that is closest to the movable element of the valve (not shown) to be actuated. The mechanism assembly 100 can be made from various materials such as metal, plastic, composite material or ceramic, but heat treated tool steel such as A2, D2 or H13, or heat treated with spring like properties such as 17-4PH alloy. Stainless steel is considered suitable for many applications, while aluminum alloys such as 6061 can also be used. The direction reversal mechanism assembly 100 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, in one particular application, has an axial length of about 12.7 mm (0.5 inch). ) And may optionally be surrounded by a sleeve 101 represented in phantom in FIG. 1A.

  The mechanical action of the direction reversing mechanism assembly 100 is that a slight rotation of the rocker elements 140, 160 about the passive pivot pin 190 moves one end of the rocker element upward toward the active element 120, while At the same time, it can be understood by recognizing that the other end of the same rocker element moves downward towards the reaction element 180. Appropriate mechanical coupling of one end of each rocker element 140, 160 to the active element 120 is combined with a similar mechanical coupling to the reaction element 180 at the corresponding other end of each rocker element 140, 160 in combination with the active element. Element 120 and reaction element 180 are moved in opposite directions. The mechanical coupling of the active element, the two rocker elements 140, 160, and the reaction element 180 is further described below in conjunction with other drawing considerations.

  A typical approach for the coupling of the rocker elements 140, 160 to the active element 120 and the reaction element 180 is by the use of couplings and lock pins. For convenience of identification, the connection that connects the rocker elements 140, 160 to the active element 120 is referred to as the upper connection 142, 166 (FIG. 1A), while the connection that connects the rocker elements 140, 160 to the reaction element 180. The parts are referred to as lower connecting parts 144, 168 (FIG. 1B). The upper connection parts 142 and 166 and the lower connection parts 144 and 168 may have various shapes (for example, a circular or rectangular cross section), but a circular through hole (circular holes through the dimension), and these Simple flat parts with rounded edges around the holes are conveniently manufactured. In order to maintain the symmetric and proper function of the direction reversing mechanism assembly 100, the upper coupling portions 142, 166 are generally the same and the lower coupling portions 144, 168 are generally the same, but the upper coupling portion is the lower coupling portion. And may differ in structure and appearance. With particular reference to FIG. 2, the upper connecting portion 142 has a hole 146, the upper connecting portion 166 has a hole 162, the lower connecting portion 144 has a hole 148, and the lower connecting portion 168. Can be seen to have a hole 164 therethrough. Corresponding lock pins 132, 176, 134, 178 are arranged to be inserted into the holes 146, 162, 148, 164, respectively, to connect the couplings and appropriate elements of the direction reversing mechanism assembly 100. Yes.

  With continued reference to FIG. 2, the upper disk-shaped active element 120 is provided with two axial slots 122, 126 that are positioned mirror-symmetrically about the center of the active element 120. The left axial slot 122 is positioned, for example, forward and left of the disk center, while the right axial slot 126 is positioned at the rear and right mirror image positions of the disk center. The axial slots 122, 126 are shaped and configured to receive the ends of the left rocker element 140 positioned below the active element 120 and the upper links 142, 166 protruding from the right rocker element 160. Each axial slot 122, 126 intersects with a corresponding lock pin hole 121, 125, respectively, which is parallel to a diameter of symmetry within the disk shape 120 of the active element. Is a scientific code. Each axial slot 122, 126 and the corresponding end of the upper connection 142, 166 can be easily moved around the lock pins 132, 176 into which the upper connection 142, 166 is inserted, respectively. To fit. The lock pins 132 and 176 are respectively inserted into the lock pin holes 121 and 125 of the active element 120 and the upper holes 146 and 162 of the upper connecting portions 142 and 166, respectively. Friction between the walls of the axial slots 122, 126 and the surfaces of the flat upper connections 142, 166, respectively, on the opposing walls of the axial slots 122, 126, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, respectively. By providing narrow inwardly facing projections 123, 124, 127, 128, the projections can serve as bearing surfaces. A chamfered cavity 129 can be provided on the top surface of the active element 120 to receive a thrust ball (not shown) to offset possible misalignment with an actuator (not shown).

  Still referring primarily to FIG. 2, the lower disk-shaped reactive element 180 has a profile similar to that of the upper disk-shaped active element 120 while being substantially the same thickness. The lower disk-shaped reaction element 180 is formed with two axial slots 184, 188 positioned mirror-symmetrically around the center of the reaction element. The right axial slot 188 is positioned, for example, forward and right of the disc center, while the left axial slot 184 is located at the rear and left mirror image positions of the disc center. The axial slots 184, 188 are shaped and configured to receive the ends of the lower linkages 144, 168 that protrude from the left rocker element 140 and the right rocker element 160, respectively, positioned above the reaction element 180. Each axial slot 184, 188 intersects with a corresponding lock pin hole 183, 187, respectively, which is a geometric code parallel to a symmetric diameter within the disk shape 180 of the reaction element. is there. The ends of each axial slot 184, 188, and the corresponding lower connection 144, 168, respectively, allow easy movement about the lock pins 134, 178 into which the lower connection 144, 168 is inserted. To fit. The lock pins 134 and 178 are inserted into the lock pin holes 183 and 187 of the reaction element 180 and the lower holes 148 and 164 of the lower connecting portions 144 and 168, respectively. Friction between the walls of the axial slots 184, 188 and the surfaces of the flat lower connections 144, 168, respectively, is minimized by providing narrow inwardly facing protrusions on the opposing walls of the axial slots. Can be restrained, whereby the protrusion acts as a bearing surface. One or more screw holes 189 may be provided in the reaction element 180 to provide connection with a moving part (not shown) of the valve.

  The left rocker element 140 is semicircular in shape and has a profile that is substantially similar to half of the upper disk-shaped active element 120. The left rocker element 140 is also substantially the same axial thickness. The left rocker element 140 is provided with a rotating pin hole 149 that bisects the semicircular shape in the radial direction. The left rocker element 140 is shaped to receive the end of the front left upper link 142 and is positioned in alignment with the left axial slot 122 positioned over the upper active element 120. Are provided in the axial direction. A front lock pin hole 143 intersects the front axial slot 141, and the front lock pin hole is parallel to the rotation pin hole 149. The coincident position of the front axial slot 141 and the upper left axial slot 122, together with the second lock pin 132 inserted through the upper hole 146 of the connection and the left lock pin hole 121 of the active element, is the connection 142. And the first lock pin 133 inserted through the lock pin hole 143 in front of the left rocker allows the left rocker element 140 and the active element 120 to be coupled by the front left upper connection 142. Further, the left rocker element 140 is shaped to receive the end of the rear left lower link 144 and is positioned to coincide with the left axial slot 184 positioned below the lower reaction element 180. Axial slots 147 are formed in the axial direction. A rear lock pin hole 145 intersects the rear axial slot 147, and the rear lock pin hole is parallel to the rotation pin hole 149. The matching position of the rear axial slot 147 and the left axial slot 184 positioned below is with the fourth lock pin 134 inserted through the lower hole 148 of the connection and the left lock pin hole 183 of the reaction element. Using the third lock pin 135 inserted through the connecting portion 144 and the lock pin hole 145 behind the left rocker, the left rocker element 140 and the reaction element 180 can be coupled by the rear left lower connecting portion 144. . The distance between the lock pin hole 143 and the pivot pin hole 149 in front of the rocker element may be different from the distance between the lock pin hole 145 and the pivot pin hole 149 in the rear of the rocker element. Friction between the wall of the axial slot 141, 147 of the left rocker element and the surface of the flat connection 142, 144 is minimized by providing a narrow inwardly facing protrusion on the opposing wall of the axial slot. So that the protrusion acts as a bearing surface.

  The right rocker element 160 has a profile that is essentially the same as half of the upper disk-shaped active element 120 and has a semicircular shape that is approximately the same axial thickness. The right rocker element 160 is provided with a rotating pin hole 169 that bisects the semicircular shape in the radial direction. The right rocker element 160 is shaped to receive the end of the front right lower link 168 and is positioned in alignment with the right axial slot 188 positioned below the lower reaction element 180. Are provided in the axial direction. A front lock pin hole 167 intersects the front axial slot 161, and the front lock pin hole is parallel to the rotation pin hole 169. The coincident position of the front axial slot 161 and the lower right axial slot 188 positioned together with the lower hole 164 of the coupling and the sixth lock pin 178 inserted through the right lock pin hole 187 of the reaction element. The right locker element 160 and the reaction element 180 can be coupled by the front right lower connection part 168 using the fifth lock pin 177 inserted through the connection pin 168 and the lock pin hole 167 in front of the right rocker. . Further, the right rocker element 160 is shaped to receive the end of the rear right upper coupling 166 and is positioned rearwardly with the right axial slot 126 positioned over the upper active element 120. Slots 163 are provided in the axial direction. A rear lock pin hole 165 intersects the rear axial slot 163, and the rear lock pin hole is parallel to the rotation pin hole 169. The coincident position of the rear axial slot 163 and the right axial slot 126 positioned above, together with the connection 166 and the eighth lock pin 175 inserted through the lock pin hole 165 at the rear of the rocker element, The upper lock 162 and the seventh lock pin 176 inserted through the right lock pin hole 125 of the active element allows the right rocker element 160 and the active element 120 to be coupled by the rear right upper connection 166. The distance between the lock pin hole 167 and the pivot pin hole 169 at the front of the rocker element may be different from the distance between the lock pin hole 165 and the pivot pin hole 169 at the rear of the rocker element. Friction between the walls of the axial slots 161, 163 of the right rocker element and the surfaces of the flat couplings 168, 166 is minimized by providing narrow inwardly facing projections on the opposing walls of the axial slots. So that the protrusion acts as a bearing surface.

  The support sleeve 101 is typically held in place by a step, flange, or other structure of a valve assembly (not shown). The inner diameter of the support sleeve 101 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the active element 120, the rocker elements 140, 160 and the reaction element 180, so that the combined elements have sufficient clearance to allow movement of the elements. And can be fitted into the support sleeve 101. The outer diameter and length of the support sleeve 101 can be selected according to the convenience associated with other structures of the valve assembly (not shown). Passive pivot pin 190 passes through diametrically opposed pivot pin holes 108, 109 formed radially in support sleeve 101, or alternatively, suitable features are provided in the valve assembly to provide passive rotation. The moving pin 190 may be held in a fixed axial position without using a support sleeve. The passive pivot pin 190 also passes through the pivot pin hole 149 of the left rocker element 140 and the pivot pin hole 169 of the right rocker element 160 simultaneously. As a result, the passive pivot pin 190 positions the rocker element pivot pin holes 149, 169 in an axial direction relative to an actuator (not shown) secured in the valve assembly. Although it is essential that the left rocker element 140 and the right rocker element 160 have to rotate freely independently about the passive pivot pin 190, those skilled in the art will recognize the passive pivot pin 190 as the pivot of the support sleeve. One can choose to fit snugly into the pin holes 108, 109 (FIGS. 1A, 1E), or other methods of holding passive pivot pins, such as clips, can be chosen.

  Actuator forces applied to the chamfered cavity 129 or otherwise transmitted to the active element 120 are immediately transmitted to the rocker elements 140, 160 by the upper couplings 142, 166, thereby providing a fixed passive The rotation of the rocker elements 140, 160 about the pivot pin 190 then reverses the direction of movement, and the reversed movement is transmitted to the reaction element 180 by the lower connections 144, 168. The active element 120 is coupled to the front left upper connection 142 by a second lock pin 132 inserted through the upper hole 146 of the connection and the left lock pin hole 121 of the active element. As a result, the downward movement of the active element 120 causes the front left upper connection 142 to move downward, thereby pushing the first lock pin 133 and the front lock pin hole 143 of the left rocker downward. This action forces the front portion of the left rocker element 140 to move downward as the left rocker element 140 undergoes a slight rotation about the passive pivot pin 190. A slight rotation of the left rocker element 140 moves the rear portion of the left rocker element 140 upward, thereby pushing the lock pin hole 145 and the third lock pin 135 behind the left rocker upward. This action forces the rear left lower connecting portion 144 to move upward. The rear left lower connection 144 is coupled to the reaction element 180 by a fourth lock pin 134 that is inserted through the lower hole 148 of the connection and the left lock pin hole 183 of the reaction element. As a result, the upward movement of the rear left lower link 144 adds upward movement to the reaction element 180. The active element 120 is also coupled to the rear right upper connection 166 by a seventh lock pin 176 inserted through the upper hole 162 of the connection and the right lock pin hole 125 of the active element. As a result, the downward movement of the active element 120 causes the rear right upper link 166 to move downward, thereby pushing the eighth lock pin 175 and the rear lock pin hole 165 of the right rocker downward, and thus As the right rocker element 160 receives a slight rotation about the passive pivot pin 190, the rear portion of the right rocker element 160 is forcibly moved downward. A slight rotation of the right rocker element 160 moves the front portion of the right rocker element 160 upward, thereby pushing the lock pin hole 167 and the fifth lock pin 177 in front of the right rocker upward. This action also forces the front right lower link 168 to move upward. The front right lower connection 168 is coupled to the reaction element 180 by a sixth lock pin 178 inserted through the lower hole 164 of the connection and the right lock pin hole 187 of the reaction element. As a result, upward movement of the front right lower link 168 adds upward movement to the reaction element 180. The above describes a method for converting the downward movement of the active element 120 into the opposite (upward) movement of the reaction element 180.

  One skilled in the art can appreciate the need to avoid unwanted friction by keeping the active element 120 centered within the support sleeve 101. A parallel motion device, such as direction reversing mechanism assembly 100, can allow active element 120 to tilt and stop perpendicular to the central axis of the mechanism, thereby creating undesirable friction. There is also. A flat disk spring 107 that is attached to the upper surface of the active element 120 and extends to contact the end of the support sleeve 101 is a simple technique for preventing undesired friction. The flat disc spring 107 can be attached to the active element 120 by welding, gluing, small screw fasteners or other suitable means.

  The left rocker element 140 and the right rocker element 160 are substantially the same in the illustrated embodiment, and have only rotated 180 degrees about the central axis of the direction reversing mechanism. Accordingly, the lock pin holes 143 and 165 of the rocker that allow connection to the upper coupling parts 142 and 166 are equally spaced from the pivot pin holes 149 and 169. Similarly, the lock pin holes 145, 167 of the other rocker that allow connection to the lower coupling parts 144, 168 are equally spaced from the pivot pin holes 149, 169, but the distance between them is the lock pin of the rocker. It may be different from the case of the holes 143 and 165. These distance ratios establish the specific translational gain (gain) available from the specific direction reversing mechanism assembly 100. Representative dimensions and resulting rates of movement are shown in Table 1 and shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. The retention of the eight lock pins can be optimized to fit snugly into the holes of the connecting element, or to fit snugly into the lock pin holes of various whole and partial disc-shaped elements, or to a specific manufacturing method. Can be achieved by providing a suitable combination of these or other options (eg, screws, adhesives, pile driving, etc.).

  A first representative example of the aforementioned direction reversing mechanism assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1F, 2, 3A, and 3B includes pivot pin holes 149, 169, as described above. The same distance is provided between the lock pin holes 143 and 167 at the front of the rocker and the lock pin holes 145 and 165 at the rear of the rocker. As can be seen in FIG. 4A, the arrangement of the lock pin holes in the rocker element is symmetrical. However, in the second exemplary embodiment of the direction reversing mechanism, as shown in FIG. 4B, the rocker elements 240, 260 in this second embodiment are symmetrical with respect to the corresponding pivot pin holes. It has a lock pin hole which is not arranged in the. The rear left lock pin hole 245 and the front right lock pin hole 267 are at the same distance from the corresponding pivot pin holes 249, 269 as in the first embodiment, and therefore the position of the lower connecting portion is It is suitable for matching with the axial slots 184, 188 of the same reaction element 180. However, the front left lock pin hole 243 and the rear right lock pin hole 265 are disposed at a shorter distance from the corresponding pivot pin holes 249 and 269 compared to the first embodiment, and thus the upper connecting portion. The position of is also different. For the second embodiment, a different active element 220 must be used that has an axial slot that is properly positioned to intercept the upper connection. The smaller upper link separation ratio compared to the aforementioned distance in the first embodiment causes the rocker elements 240, 260 of the second embodiment to react more inversion motion than the actuator imparts to the active element. Acts as a lever for the element.

  A third embodiment of the direction reversal assembly of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4C. In this embodiment, the rocker elements 340, 360 have lock pin holes that are not arranged symmetrically with the corresponding pivot pin holes. The rear left lock pin hole 345 and the front right lock pin hole 367 are at a shorter distance from the corresponding pivot pin holes 349, 369 compared to the first and second embodiments described above, Therefore, the position of the lower connecting portion is also different. For the third embodiment of FIG. 4C, a different reaction element 380 must be used that has an axial slot that is appropriately positioned to capture the lower connection. The front left lock pin hole 343 and the rear right lock pin hole 365 are disposed at the same distance from the corresponding rotation pin holes 349 and 369 as in the first embodiment, and thus the position of the upper connecting portion is set. Making it suitable for matching with the axial slots 124, 128 in the active element 120 of the same first embodiment. The smaller lower link separation ratio compared to the previous distance makes the rocker elements 340, 360 of the third embodiment function as levers that give the reaction element less reversal movement than the actuator gives to the active element. .

A first exemplary embodiment of a movement augmentation mechanism assembly 500 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5D. The assembly 500 has an upwardly directed and axially centered active shaft 505 that couples forces from an actuator (not shown). The active shaft 505 passes through a centered axial hole 529 that passes through a disk-shaped passive element 520 that includes the top portion of the movement augmenting mechanism assembly 500. Immediately below the disc-shaped passive element 520 is a semi-circular left rocker element 540 and an adjacent semi-circular right rocker element 560. Both rocker elements 540, 560 are simultaneously positioned on the active pivot pin 590. The rocker elements 540, 560 further have axially centered semicircular reliefs 504, 506 (with each rocker element similar to a wide ring-shaped half) (FIG. 6), which is active. Allows shaft 505 to also engage active pivot pin 590. Immediately below the rocker elements 540, 560 is a disk-shaped reaction element 580 that is closest to the movable element of a valve (not shown). One end of each rocker element is coupled to the passive element 520 while the other end of each rocker element is coupled to the reaction element 580. The mechanical assembly 500 can be made from various materials such as metal, plastic, composite material or ceramic, but heat treated tool steel such as A2, D2 or H13 or heat treated with spring like properties such as 17-4PH alloy. Stainless steel is considered suitable for many applications, while aluminum alloys such as 6061 can also be used. The travel augmentation mechanism assembly 500 of the illustrated embodiment has an outer diameter of about 0.6 inches with an axial length of about 12.7 mm (0.5 inches), and is hypothetical in FIG. 5D. It may optionally be surrounded by a support sleeve 501 indicated with a line.

  The mechanical coupling of the passive element 520, the two rocker elements 540, 560 and the reaction element 580 is further described in connection with the description of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6, 7A and 7B. To do. A typical means of coupling the rocker elements 540, 560 to the passive element 520 and the reactive element 580 is through the use of couplings and lock pins, as in the previous embodiments. For the sake of identification only, the connecting part connecting the rocker elements 540, 560 to the passive element 520 is referred to as the upper connecting part 542, 566, while the connecting part connecting the rocker elements 540, 560 to the reaction element 580 is the lower connecting part. 544 and 568. The upper connecting portions 542 and 566 and the lower connecting portions 544 and 568 may have various shapes (for example, a circular or rectangular cross section), but circular through holes and roundness around these holes. A simple flat part with a rounded edge is easily manufactured. In order to maintain the symmetrical and proper function of the movement augmenting mechanism assembly 500, the upper links 542, 566 are generally the same and the lower links 544, 568 are generally the same, but the upper link is the lower link. And the structure may be different. The coupling portions are upper holes 546, 562 and lower holes 548, into which corresponding lock pins 532, 576, 534, 578 are inserted, respectively, to connect the coupling portions to appropriate elements of the movement augmenting mechanism assembly 500. 564.

  The mechanical action of the movement augmenting mechanism assembly 500 is such that the downward movement of the active pivot pin 590 causes the rocker elements 540, 560 to be fixed in the axial direction connecting one end of the rocker element to the upper connections 542, 566. It can be understood by recognizing that the lock pins 533 and 575 rotate slightly. As a result of the slight rotation, further downward movement of the locking pins 535, 577 connecting the other end of the same rocker element to the lower connection 544, 568 occurs and the connection is moved downward toward the reaction element 580. Move. Thus, proper mechanical coupling of one end of each rocker element 540, 560 to the passive element 520 is combined with similar mechanical coupling of each rocker element 540, 560 to the corresponding reaction element 580 at the other end. , Increase the movement of the reaction element 580. As a result of the upward movement of the active pivot pin 590, of course, the upward movement of the reaction element 580 is correspondingly increased.

  The upper disk-shaped passive element 520 is formed with two axial slots 522, 526 that are positioned mirror-symmetrically around the center of the passive element. The left axial slot 522 is positioned, for example, forward and left of the disk center, while the right axial slot 526 is positioned at the rear and right mirror image positions of the disk center. Axial slots 522, 526 are shaped to receive the ends of upper link 542, 566 protruding from left rocker element 540 and right rocker element 560 positioned below passive element 520. Each axial slot 522, 526 intersects with a corresponding lock pin hole 521, 525, which is a geometric code parallel to a symmetric diameter within the disk shape 520 of the passive element. . The ends of each axial slot 522, 526 and the corresponding upper connection 542, 566 allow easy movement about the lock pins 532, 576 with the upper connection 542, 566 inserted therein. To fit. The lock pin is inserted into the lock pin holes 521 and 525 of the passive element 520 and the upper holes 546 and 562 of the upper coupling portions 542 and 566. Friction between the walls of the axial slots 522, 526 and the surfaces of the flat upper connections 542, 566 causes the narrow, inwardly facing projections 523, 524, 527 on the opposing walls of the axial slots 522, 526. 528 can be minimized so that the protrusion acts as a bearing surface. The upper disk-shaped passive element 520 is further formed with a centered axial hole 529 through which an active shaft 505 directed upward and axially centered passes. The active shaft 505 is formed with a radial shaft pin hole 508 that engages with the active rotation pin 590 and transmits a force from an actuator (not shown) in the radial direction. A chamfered cavity 509 can be provided on the upper end face of the active shaft 505 to receive a thrust ball (not shown) to offset possible misalignment with the actuator.

  The lower disk-shaped reactive element 580 is similar to the upper disk-shaped passive element 520 but has a smaller outer diameter profile while being substantially the same thickness. The reaction element 580 is formed with two axial slots 584, 588 positioned mirror-symmetrically around the center of the reaction element. Right axial slots 588 are positioned, for example, forward and right in the center of the disk, while left axial slots 584 are positioned at the rear and left mirror image positions of the disk center. Axial slots 584, 588 are shaped to receive the ends of lower link 544, 568 protruding from left rocker element 540 and right rocker element 560 positioned above reaction element 580. Each axial slot 584, 588 intersects with a corresponding lock pin hole 583, 587, which is a geometric code parallel to a symmetric diameter within the disk shape 580 of the reaction element. . Each axial slot 584, 588 and the end of the corresponding lower connection 544, 568 allow easy movement about the lock pins 534, 578 with the lower connection 544, 568 inserted. To fit. The lock pins 534 and 578 are inserted into the lock pin holes 583 and 587 of the reaction element 580 and the lower holes 548 and 564 of the lower connection portions 544 and 568. Friction between the walls of the axial slots 584, 588 and the surfaces of the flat lower connections 544, 568 is minimized by providing narrow, inwardly facing protrusions on the opposing walls of the axial slots. The projection can serve as a bearing surface. One or more screw holes 589 may be provided in the reaction element 580 to provide connection with a moving part (not shown) of the valve.

  The left rocker element 540 has a profile similar to that of half of the upper disk-shaped passive element 520, but has a semicircular shape with a smaller outer diameter while having approximately the same axial thickness. The left rocker element 540 is provided with a rotating pin hole 549 that bisects the semicircular shape in the radial direction. The left rocker element 540 is shaped to receive the end of the front left upper link 542 and is positioned in alignment with the left axial slot 522 positioned above the passive element 520 above. Are provided in the axial direction. A front lock pin hole 543 intersects the front axial slot 541, and the front lock pin hole is parallel to the rotation pin hole 549. The coincident position of the front axial slot 541 and the left axial slot 522 positioned thereon, along with the upper hole 546 of the coupling and the second lock pin 532 inserted through the left lock pin hole 521 of the passive element, The first lock pin 533 inserted through the connection portion 542 and the lock pin hole 543 in front of the left rocker allows the left rocker element 540 and the passive element 520 to be coupled by the front left upper connection portion 142. Further, the left rocker element 540 is shaped to receive the end of the rear left lower link 544 and rearwardly positioned to coincide with the left axial slot 584 positioned below the lower reaction element 580. The axial slot 547 is provided in the axial direction. A rear lock pin hole 545 intersects the rear axial slot 547, and the rear lock pin hole is parallel to the rotation pin hole 549. The matching position of the rear axial slot 547 and the lower left axial slot 584 positioned together with the lower hole 548 of the coupling and the fourth lock pin 534 inserted through the left lock pin hole 583 of the reaction element. Using the third lock pin 535 inserted through the connection portion 544 and the lock pin hole 545 behind the left rocker, the left rocker element 540 and the reaction element 580 can be coupled by the rear left lower connection portion 544. . The distance between the lock pin hole 543 at the front of the rocker element and the rotation pin hole 549 may be different from the distance between the lock pin hole 545 at the rear of the rocker element and the rotation pin hole 549. Friction between the wall of the axial slot 541, 547 of the left rocker element and the surface of the flat connection 542, 544 is minimized by providing a narrow inwardly facing protrusion on the opposing wall of the axial slot. So that the protrusion acts as a bearing surface. The left rocker element 540 further includes an axially centered semi-circular relief 504 (which makes the rocker element similar to a half of a wide ring shape), where the active shaft 505 has a pivot pin hole. It is also possible to engage an active pivot pin 590 through 549.

  The right rocker element 560 is semi-circular in shape and has a profile similar to half of the upper disk-shaped passive element 520, but with a smaller outer diameter while having approximately the same axial thickness. The right rocker element 560 is formed with a rotating pin hole 569 that bisects the semicircular shape in the radial direction. The right rocker element 560 is shaped to receive the end of the front right lower link 568 and is positioned in alignment with the right axial slot 588 positioned below the lower reaction element 580. Are provided in the axial direction. A front lock pin hole 567 intersects the front axial slot 561, and the front lock pin hole is parallel to the rotation pin hole 569. The matching positions of the front axial slot 561 and the lower right axial slot 588 are aligned with the lower hole 564 of the coupling and the sixth lock pin 578 inserted through the right lock pin hole 587 of the reaction element. , The right locker element 560 and the reaction element 580 can be coupled by the front right lower connection part 568 using the fifth lock pin 577 inserted through the connection part 568 and the lock pin hole 567 in front of the right rocker. . Further, the right rocker element 560 is configured to receive the end of the rear right upper coupling 566 and is positioned rearwardly in alignment with the right axial slot 526 positioned over the passive element 520 above. A slot 563 is provided in the axial direction. A rear lock pin hole 565 intersects the rear axial slot 563, and the rear lock pin hole is parallel to the rotation pin hole 569. The coincident position of the rear axial slot 563 and the right axial slot 526 positioned thereon, together with the connection 566 and the eighth lock pin 575 inserted through the rear lock pin hole 565 of the rocker element, The upper locking hole 562 and the seventh locking pin 576 inserted through the right locking pin hole 525 of the active element allows the right rocker element 560 and passive element 520 to be coupled by the rear right upper connection 566. The distance between the lock pin hole 567 in front of the rocker element and the pivot pin hole 569 is between the wall of the axial slot 561, 563 of the lock pin hole 565 behind the right rocker element and the pivot pin hole 569. The distance may be different. Friction between the walls of the axial slots 561, 563 of the right rocker element and the surfaces of the flat couplings 568, 566 is minimized by providing narrow inwardly facing protrusions on the opposing walls of the axial slot. So that the protrusion acts as a bearing surface. The right rocker element 560 further includes an axially centered semi-circular relief 506 (which makes the rocker element similar to a half of a wide ring shape), where the active shaft 505 has a pivot pin hole. It is also possible to engage an active pivot pin 590 through 569.

  The support sleeve 501 is typically held in place by a step, flange, or other structure of a valve assembly (not shown). The inner diameter of the support sleeve 501 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rocker elements 540, 560 and the reaction element 580, but smaller than the outer diameter of the passive element 520. With this configuration, the support sleeve 501 holds the passive element 520 fixed in the axial direction, while the other coupled elements support with sufficient clearance to allow movement of the element. It can fit within the sleeve 501. The outer diameter and length of the support sleeve 501 can be selected according to the convenience associated with other structures of the valve assembly (not shown). Alternatively, suitable features may be provided on the valve assembly to hold the passive element 520 in a fixed axial position without the use of the support sleeve 501. The mechanical coupling between the elements of the movement augmenting mechanism assembly 500 has been described above with respect to the coupling and lock pin. The mechanical coupling of the active shaft 505 to the rocker elements 540, 560 is achieved by the active pivot pin passing through the pivot pin hole 549 of the left rocker element 540, the shaft pin hole 508 and the pivot pin hole 569 of the right rocker element 560 simultaneously. 590. Although it is essential that the left rocker element 540 and right rocker element 560 have to rotate freely independently about the active pivot pin 590, those skilled in the art will place the active pivot pin 590 in the shaft pin hole 508. The fit can be selected, or other methods of holding the active pivot pin, such as a clip (not shown), can be selected.

  Actuator forces applied to the chamfered cavity 509 on the upper end face of the active shaft 505 or otherwise transmitted to the active pivot pin 590 are pivot pin holes 549, 569 positioned diametrically opposite one another. To the rocker elements 540, 560 immediately. The passive element 520 is coupled to the front left upper connection 542 by a second lock pin 532 inserted through the upper hole 546 of the connection and the left lock pin hole 521 of the passive element. As a result, the passive element 520 held in the axially fixed position also holds the front left upper connection 542 fixed in the axial direction, whereby the first lock pin 533 and the left rocker The front lock pin hole 543 is fixed in the axial direction and further held. Accordingly, the left rocker element 540 undergoes a slight rotation about the front lock pin hole 543 due to the movement applied to the pivot pin hole 549 of the left rocker. A slight rotation of the left rocker element 540 causes the rear portion of the left rocker element 540 to move in the same direction by a greater amount with the lock pin hole 545 and the third lock pin 535 behind the left rocker, and thus the rear The left lower connecting portion 544 is also forcibly moved. The rear left lower connection 544 is coupled to the reaction element 580 by a fourth lock pin 534 inserted through the lower hole 548 of the connection and the left lock pin hole 583 of the reaction element. As a result, downward movement of the active shaft 505 causes the rear left lower connection 544 to move downward, which adds downward movement to the reaction element 580. The passive element 520 is also coupled to the rear right upper connection 566 by a seventh lock pin 576 inserted through the connection upper hole 562 and the passive element right lock pin hole 525. As a result, the passive element 520 held in the axially fixed position also holds the rear right upper connection 566 axially fixed, thereby allowing the eighth lock pin 575 and the right rocker to move. The rear lock pin hole 565 is fixed in the axial direction and further held. Thus, the motion applied to the right rocker pivot pin hole 569 causes the right rocker element 560 to undergo a slight rotation about the rear lock pin hole 565. A slight rotation of the right rocker element 560 causes the front portion of the right rocker element 560 to move in the same direction by a greater amount with the lock pin hole 567 and the fifth lock pin 577 at the front of the right rocker, thus The right lower connecting portion 568 is also forcibly moved. The front right lower connection 568 is coupled to the reaction element 580 by a sixth lock pin 578 inserted through the lower hole 564 of the connection and the right lock pin hole 587 of the reaction element. As a result, downward movement of the active shaft 505 causes the front right lower connection 568 to move downward, which adds downward movement to the reaction element 580. The above describes how to translate the movement of the active shaft 505 into increased movement of the reaction element 580 in the same direction.

  By keeping the active shaft 505 centered within a corresponding central axial hole 529 that passes through the upper disk-shaped passive element 520, unwanted friction in the mechanism is avoided. A flat disk spring 507 that is attached to the upper surface of the passive element 520 and extends to contact the edge of the upper surface of the passive element 520 is a simple technique for preventing undesired friction. The flat disc spring 507 can be attached to the active shaft by welding, gluing, staking into a ridge (not shown) around the perimeter of the chamfered cavity 509 or other suitable means.

  In the disclosed embodiment, the left rocker element 540 and the right rocker element 560 are substantially identical and have only rotated 180 degrees about the central axis of the movement augmenting mechanism. Further, the lock pin holes 543 and 565 of the rocker that enable connection to the upper connecting portions 542 and 566 are separated from the rotation pin holes 549 and 569 at substantially the same distance. The lock pin holes 545 and 567 of the other rocker that enable connection to the lower connecting portions 544 and 568 are also separated from the rotation pin holes 549 and 569 at substantially the same distance, but the distances may be different. Good. These respective distance ratios establish the desired specific translational increase (gain) from the specific travel augmentation mechanism assembly. Representative dimensions and resulting movement ratios are shown in Table 2, and are specifically shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C. The retention of the eight lock pins can be optimized to fit snugly into the holes of the connecting element, or to fit snugly into the lock pin holes of various whole and partial disc-shaped elements, or to a specific manufacturing method. Can be achieved by providing a suitable combination of these or other options (eg, screws, adhesives, pile driving, etc.).

  The embodiments described so far in connection with FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6, 7A, and 7B include pivot pin holes 549, 569 and lock pin holes 545, 565 behind the rocker. The distance between the pivot pin holes 549, 569 and the lock pin holes 543, 567 in front of the rocker. As can be seen in FIG. 8A, in this embodiment, the arrangement of the lock pin holes in the rocker element is symmetrical. However, a second modified embodiment of the movement augmentation mechanism 500 is shown in FIG. 8B, where the rocker elements 640, 660 are not positioned symmetrically with respect to the corresponding pivot pin holes. Has a hole. The rear left lock pin hole 645 and the front right lock pin hole 667 are the same distance from the corresponding pivot pin holes 649, 669 as in the previous embodiment, and therefore the position of the lower connecting portion is the same. It is suitable for matching with the axial slots 584, 588 of the reaction element 580. The front left lock pin hole 643 and the rear right lock pin hole 665 are positioned at a shorter distance from the corresponding pivot pin holes 649 and 669 compared to the above-described embodiment, and thus the position of the upper connecting portion is also Make it different. For the second embodiment of FIG. 8B, a different passive element 620 must be used that has an axial slot that is appropriately positioned to capture the upper connection. The smaller upper link separation ratio compared to the aforementioned distance allows the second example rocker elements 640, 660 and lever to provide more increased motion to the reaction element 580 than the actuator provides to the active shaft 505. To function as.

  A third modified embodiment of a direction reversing mechanism 500 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8C, where the modified rocker elements 740, 760 are relative to the corresponding pivot holes. Have lock pin holes that are not symmetrically arranged. The rear left lock pin hole 745 and the front right lock pin hole 767 are at a shorter distance from the corresponding pivot pin holes 749, 769 compared to the previous embodiment, and therefore the position of the lower connecting portion is also different. Make things. In this embodiment, a different reaction element 780 must be used that has an axial slot that is properly positioned to capture the lower connection. The front left lock pin hole 743 and the rear right lock pin hole 765 are positioned at substantially the same distance from the corresponding pivot pin holes 749, 769, as in the previous embodiment, and thus the upper link portion The position is made suitable to match and match the axial slots 524, 528 in the active element 520 of the same first embodiment. The smaller lower link separation ratio compared to the aforementioned distance functions the rocker elements 740, 760 of this embodiment as a lever that provides the reaction element 780 with increased motion less than the actuator imparts to the active shaft 505. Let

Thus, as can be seen from the above description and discussion of the accompanying drawings, the system and method of the present invention involves an innovative mechanical coupling between an actuator, such as a piezoelectric actuator, and a valve, such as a diaphragm valve. Coupling allows the stroke to be adjusted (expanded, retracted or reversed) and operates using the concept of a table lift.

  Although the invention has been described with reference to various specific examples and embodiments, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof, which are within the scope of the following claims. Can be implemented in various ways.

Claims (20)

A mechanical motion transducer,
Active elements;
A reaction element;
A pivot pin,
At least one rocker element pivoting about the pivot pin, wherein the at least one rocker element is disposed axially between the active element and the reaction element;
With
The mechanical motion transducer, wherein the active element, the reaction element and the at least one rocker element are joined together and translate axially in response to a force applied by an actuator.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 1, wherein each of the active element and the reaction element is disk-shaped.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 1, wherein the at least one rocker element includes a left rocker element and a right rocker element.   4. The mechanical motion transducer of claim 3, wherein each of the rocker elements is pivotally supported by the pivot pin.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 4, wherein the pivot pin is passive so as to be axially fixed within the mechanism.   5. A mechanical motion transducer according to claim 4, wherein the pivot pin is active so as to be axially translatable relative to the rest of the mechanism.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 4, wherein each of the rocker elements includes an upper connection and a lower connection.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 7, wherein each of the coupling portions includes a flat member having a hole therethrough and a rounded end. Each hole of the connecting portion;
Respective holes in the active element and the reaction element;
A plurality of locking pins that engage corresponding holes in the coupling portion, the active element, and the reaction element, the active element, the coupling portion, and the reaction element relative to each joined component; The mechanical motion transducer of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of locking pins that are secured together to allow axial movement.   The rocker element further comprising a respective hole for receiving one or more of the lock pins to further secure the active element, the coupling, the active element and the reaction element together. 10. The mechanical motion converter according to 9.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 7, further comprising respective axial slots of the active element and the reaction element that receive ends of corresponding ones of the connections.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 11, further comprising a respective axial slot of the rocker element that receives an opposite end of a connection extending from one of the active element and the reaction element.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 12, wherein each of the active element, the reaction element, the left rocker element and the right rocker element comprises two axial slots for receiving ends of a lock pin.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 1, further comprising a flat disk spring attached to the upper surface of the active element.   Each of the rocker elements comprises a hole for receiving the pivot pin and two holes for receiving a lock pin, the holes for receiving the two lock pins are disposed on both sides of the hole for receiving the pivot pin. Item 11. The mechanical motion converter according to Item 10.   The two lock pin holes of each rocker element are spaced in substantially the same way from the holes for receiving the pivot pins, and the axial movement of the active element is the axial direction of the reaction element in response to the force applied by the actuator The mechanical motion transducer of claim 15, wherein the mechanical motion transducer is approximately equal to movement.   The holes for receiving the two lock pins of each rocker element are spaced apart from the holes for receiving the pivot pins, and the axial movement of the active element is the axis of the reaction element in response to the force applied by the actuator The mechanical motion transducer of claim 15, wherein the mechanical motion transducer is greater than directional movement.   The holes for receiving the two lock pins of each rocker element are spaced apart from the holes for receiving the pivot pins, and the axial movement of the active element is the axis of the reaction element in response to the force applied by the actuator The mechanical motion transducer of claim 15, wherein the mechanical motion transducer is less than a directional movement.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 1, wherein the active element and the reaction element move in the same axial direction in response to a force applied by an actuator.   The mechanical motion transducer of claim 1, wherein the active element and the reaction element move in opposite axial directions in response to a force applied by an actuator.