LUBRICANT VENT VALVE WITH STEPPER MOTOR DRIVE

摘要

A lubrication system vent valve includes a valve body having a flow passage with an inlet fluidly coupled with a supply and an outlet fluidly coupled with a dispenser, and a vent passage with an inlet port fluidly coupled with the flow passage and an outlet port. A closure element disposed within the vent passage has a threaded portion and is linearly displaceable between an open position where the vent ports are fluidly coupled to permit lubricant flow from the primary passage and out of the body through the vent outlet port, and a closed position at which fluid flow between the vent ports is substantially prevented. A motor has a shaft with a threaded portion engaged with the closure element such that shaft rotation in one direction displaces the closure element toward the closed position and shaft rotation in an opposing direction displaces the element toward the open position.

主权项

1. A vent valve for a lubrication system, the lubrication system having a lubricant supply and a lubricant dispenser, the vent valve comprising:
a valve body having a flow passage, the flow passage having an inlet fluidly coupled with the supply and an outlet fluidly coupled with the dispenser, and a vent passage with an inlet port fluidly coupled with the flow passage and an outlet port; a closure element disposed at least partially within the vent passage, having a threaded portion and being linearly displaceable between an open position at which the vent inlet and outlet ports are fluidly coupled to permit lubricant to flow from the primary passage and out of the body through the vent outlet port and a closed position at which fluid flow between the vent inlet and outlet ports is substantially prevented; and a motor having a shaft rotatable about a central axis, the shaft having a threaded portion threadedly engaged with the closure element threaded portion such that rotation of the shaft in a first direction about the axis displaces the closure element toward the closed position and rotation of the shaft in a second, opposing direction about the axis displaces the closure element toward the open position.