Pneumatic actuator assembly for reduced dead leg
The disclosure is directed to pneumatic actuator assemblies for reduced dead leg. In one approach, an assembly may include a valve body, and a first actuator and a second actuator each coupled to the valve body by a bonnet assembly. The bonnet assembly may include a bonnet body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is connected with the valve body, and a nut threadedly connected to the second end of the bonnet body. The bonnet assembly may further include an actuator bonnet, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator bonnet, and wherein the actuator bonnet is rotatable about a lengthwise axis extending through a center of a stem of a piston.
1 . An assembly, comprising:
a valve body having a first main side and an opposite second main side, the first main side having a top surface defining a plane; and
a first actuator and a second actuator each coupled to the valve body by a respective bonnet assembly such that the first and second actuators extend from the plane defined by the top surface of the first main side;
wherein the bonnet assembly of each of the first and second actuators comprises:
a bonnet body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end includes external threads;
a nut threadedly connected to the second end of the bonnet body; and
an actuator bonnet, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator bonnet, and wherein the actuator bonnet is rotatable about a lengthwise axis extending through a center of a stem of a piston;
wherein the valve body includes first and second openings defined in the top surface, the first and second openings having internal threads for receiving the external threads of the respective first ends of the bonnet bodies of the first and second actuators; and
wherein the first and second openings define respective lengthwise axes, where the lengthwise axis of the first opening is oriented perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the first main side, and the lengthwise axis of the second opening is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the plane defined by the top surface of the first main side.
2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bonnet body comprises an internal flange, wherein a bushing is in abutment with the internal flange, and wherein the bushing surrounds the stem of the piston.
3 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the bonnet body is threadably connected with the valve body.
4 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the bonnet body is integrally formed with the valve body.
5 . The assembly of claim 1 , the bonnet assembly further comprising a retainer extending around the actuator bonnet, wherein the retainer is in abutment with the nut.
6 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator bonnet comprises a first end coupled to a housing.
7 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator bonnet has an exterior flange, and wherein the nut is in abutment with the exterior flange.
8 . The assembly of claim 1 , the bonnet assembly further comprising a second bushing within the actuator bonnet, wherein second bushing surrounds the stem of the piston.
9 . A pneumatic actuator assembly, comprising:
a valve body comprising a fluid passageway, the valve body having a first main side and an opposite second main side, the first main side having a top surface defining a plane; and
a first actuator and a second actuator each coupled to the valve body by a bonnet assembly such that the first and second actuators extend from the plane defined by a top surface of the first main side of the valve body, wherein the bonnet assembly of each of the first and second actuators comprises:
a bonnet body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end includes external threads;
a nut threadedly connected to the second end of the bonnet body;
an actuator bonnet, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator bonnet; and
a bushing within the actuator bonnet and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds a stem of a piston, wherein the stem is biasable relative to the fluid passageway of the valve body, and wherein the actuator bonnet is rotatable about a lengthwise axis extending through a center of the stem of the piston;
wherein the valve body includes first and second openings defined in the top surface, the first and second openings having internal threads for receiving the external threads of the respective first ends of the bonnet bodies of the first and second actuators; and
wherein the first and second openings define respective lengthwise axes, where the lengthwise axis of the first opening is oriented perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the first main side, and the lengthwise axis of the second opening is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the plane defined by the top surface of the first main side.
10 . The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 9 , wherein the bonnet body comprises an internal flange, and wherein the bushing is in abutment with the internal flange.
11 . The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first end of the bonnet body is threadably connected with the valve body or integrally formed with the valve body.
12 . The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 9 , the bonnet assembly further comprising a retainer extending around the actuator bonnet, wherein the retainer is in abutment with the nut.
13 . The pneumatic actuator assembly of claim 9 , wherein the actuator bonnet comprises a first end coupled to a housing, wherein the actuator bonnet has an exterior flange, and wherein the nut is in abutment with the exterior flange.
14 . A method of operating a pneumatic actuator assembly, the method comprising:
coupling a first actuator to a valve body using a first bonnet assembly and coupling a second actuator to the valve body using a second bonnet assembly, wherein the valve body has a first main side and an opposite second main side, the first main side having a top surface defining a plane, wherein the first and second actuators extend from the plane defined by the top surface of the first main side, wherein the bonnet assembly of each of the first and second actuators comprises:
a bonnet body having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end includes external threads;
a nut threadedly connected to the second end of the bonnet body;
an actuator bonnet, wherein the nut partially surrounds the actuator bonnet; and
a bushing within the actuator bonnet and the nut, wherein the bushing surrounds a stem of a piston; and
rotating the actuator bonnet about a lengthwise axis extending through a center of the piston stem to orient an air connection port of a housing of the first actuator, wherein the actuator bonnet and the housing rotates relative to the nut and to the bonnet body;
wherein the valve body includes first and second openings defined in the top surface, the first and second openings having internal threads for receiving the external threads of the respective first ends of the bonnet bodies of the first and second actuators; and
wherein the first and second openings define respective lengthwise axes, where the lengthwise axis of the first opening is oriented perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the first main side, and the lengthwise axis of the second opening is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the plane defined by the top surface of the first main side.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising threadably connecting the first end of the bonnet body to the valve body.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
orienting the first actuator perpendicular to a plane defined by a top surface of the valve body; and
orienting the second actuator at a non-zero angle relative to the first actuator.
17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising coupling a first end of the actuator bonnet to the housing.
18 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising positioning the nut in abutment with an exterior flange of the actuator bonnet.