Vehicle mountable arm for valve operating machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10156298-B2
Application number	US-201514717231-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 20, 2015
Priority date	Apr 29, 2008
Publication date	Dec 18, 2018
Grant date	Dec 18, 2018

Abstract

A valve operating device includes a mounting for attachment to a vehicle and an elongate arm, the free end of which is only moveable across the underlying ground. The joints of the arm pivot around vertical axes and the arm is locked into a desired orientation by a brake at each joint. A valve turning machine is at the free end of the arm. The brakes are engaged and released by a control on the valve turning machine.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A valve operating device comprising:
a mounting;
a first pedestal extending vertically from the mounting, wherein the first pedestal defines a first vertical pivot axis;
a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm is pivotally coupled to the first pedestal at the first end of the first arm, and wherein the first arm is configured to rotate about the first vertical pivot axis and is generally perpendicular to the first vertical pivot axis;
a first bearing coupled to the first pedestal and the first end of the first arm to facilitate pivoting of the first arm relative to the mounting;
a first brake positioned at the first pedestal and coupled to the first end of the first arm to selectively prevent rotation of the first arm relative to the mounting;
a second pedestal defining a second vertical pivot axis and positioned at the second end of the first arm, wherein the first vertical pivot axis and the second vertical pivot axis are substantially parallel;
a second arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second arm is pivotally coupled to the second pedestal at the first end of the second arm, and wherein the second arm is configured to rotate about the second vertical axis;
a second bearing coupled to the second pedestal and the first end of the second arm to facilitate pivoting of the second arm relative to the first arm;
a second brake positioned at the second pedestal and coupled to the first end of the second arm to selectively prevent rotation of the second arm relative to the first arm; and
a valve turning machine coupled to the second end of the second arm, wherein the valve turning machine includes a motor and a handle;
wherein the first bearing includes an inner race and an outer race, wherein the inner race is tightly fitted around the first pedestal and the outer race is rigidly retained at the first end of the first arm.

2. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are hollow and tubular along at least a portion thereof.

3. The valve operating device of claim 2 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are rectangular in cross-section.

4. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the motor of the valve turning machine is a hydraulic motor.

5. The valve operating device of claim 1 , further comprising an electronic controller detachable from the valve turning machine and in communication with the valve turning machine.

6. The valve operating device of claim 5 , wherein the electronic controller is in communication with the valve turning machine through a wire.

7. The valve operating device of claim 5 , wherein the electronic controller is in wireless communication with the valve turning machine.

8. The valve operating device of claim 5 , wherein the electronic controller includes a microprocessor and memory, wherein the memory is configured to store information pertaining to operation of the valve operating device.

9. The valve operating device of claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic pump, a manifold, and at least one valve in the manifold to direct hydraulic fluid from the pump through at least one hose to operate the motor.

10. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the handle is positioned at an outer end of the valve turning machine.

11. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the second bearing includes an inner race and an outer race, wherein the inner race of the second bearing is tightly fitted around the second pedestal and the outer race is rigidly retained near the second end of the first arm.

12. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the mounting includes a mounting plate.

13. The valve operating device of claim 1 , wherein the valve turning machine further includes a control configured to operate at least one of the first brake and the second brake.

14. The valve operating device of claim 13 , wherein the handle and the control are remote from the first and second brakes.

15. A valve operating device comprising:
a mounting;
a first pedestal extending vertically from the mounting, wherein the first pedestal defines a first vertical pivot axis;
a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm is pivotally coupled to the first pedestal at the first end of the first arm, and wherein the first arm is configured to rotate about the first vertical pivot axis and is generally perpendicular to the first vertical pivot axis;
a first bearing coupled to the first pedestal and the first end of the first arm to facilitate pivoting of the first arm relative to the mounting;
a first brake positioned at the first pedestal and coupled to the first end of the first arm to selectively prevent rotation of the first arm relative to the mounting;
a second pedestal defining a second vertical pivot axis and positioned at the second end of the first arm, wherein the first vertical pivot axis and the second vertical pivot axis are substantially parallel;
a second arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second arm is pivotally coupled to the second pedestal at the first end of the second arm, and wherein the second arm is configured to rotate about the second vertical axis;
a second bearing coupled to the second pedestal and the first end of the second arm to facilitate pivoting of the second arm relative to the first arm;
a second brake positioned at the second pedestal and coupled to the first end of the second arm to selectively prevent rotation of the second arm relative to the first arm;
a valve turning machine coupled to the second end of the second arm, wherein the valve turning machine includes a motor and a handle;
wherein the first brake is a first hydraulic brake and the second brake is a second hydraulic brake; and
a hydraulic pump and a valve, wherein the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the first and second hydraulic brakes and the valve is positioned between the hydraulic pump and at least one of the first hydraulic brake and the second hydraulic brake to selectively direct hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the at least one of the first hydraulic brake and the second hydraulic brake.

16. The valve operating device of claim 15 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are hollow and tubular along at least a portion thereof.

17. The valve operating device of claim 16 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are rectangular in cross-section.

18. The valve operating device of claim 15 , wherein the motor of the valve turning machine is a hydraulic motor.

19. The valve operating device of claim 15 , further comprising an electronic controller detachable from the valve turning machine and in communication with the valve turning machine.

20. The valve operating device of claim 19 , wherein the electronic controller is in communication with the valve turning machine through a wire.

21. The valve operating device of claim 19 , wherein the electronic controller is in wireless communication with the valve turning machine.

22. The valve operating device of claim 19 , wherein the electronic controller includes a microprocessor and memory, wherein the memory is configured to store information pertaining to operation of the valve operating device.

23. The valve operating device of claim 15 , wherein the handle is positioned at an outer end of the valve turning machine.

24. The valve operating device of claim 15 , wherein the seco

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Ferrar Scott

Classifications

• F15B2211/40515

  with variable throttles or orifices · CPC title

• B25B21/002

  for special purposes · CPC title

• F15B2211/426

  electrically or electronically · CPC title

• F15B2211/3127

  Floating position connecting the working ports and the return line · CPC title

• B25J19/0004

  Braking devices (brakes in general F16D) · CPC title