A securing apparatus for securing a valve lever in a set position comprises a base body; a sliding piece; and a screw element, wherein the base body and the sliding piece each have a clamping surface; wherein the sliding piece is displaceably supported at the base body along a longitudinal axis; and wherein the screw element is rotatably supported at the base body and has a thread that is in engagement with a mating thread of the sliding piece so that a position of the sliding piece relative to the base body along the longitudinal axis is restricted to a maximum spacing between the clamping surfaces that can be changed by a rotation of the screw element in order to clamp the valve lever between the clamping surfaces. Depending on a rotational position of the screw element, a blocking receiver formed at the screw element is aligned with a blocking receiver formed at the base body so that a blocking element, in particular a cable, can engage into both blocking receivers in order to block the screw element in this rotational position.

A securing apparatus for securing a valve lever in a set position comprises a base body; a sliding piece; and a screw element, wherein the base body and the sliding piece each have a clamping surface; wherein the sliding piece is displaceably supported at the base body along a longitudinal axis; and wherein the screw element is rotatably supported at the base body and has a thread that is in engagement with a mating thread of the sliding piece so that a position of the sliding piece relative to the base body along the longitudinal axis is restricted to a maximum spacing between the clamping surfaces that can be changed by a rotation of the screw element in order to clamp the valve lever between the clamping surfaces. Depending on a rotational position of the screw element, a blocking receiver formed at the screw element is aligned with a blocking receiver formed at the base body so that a blocking element, in particular a cable, can engage into both blocking receivers in order to block the screw element in this rotational position.

Retractable handle assembly used in a valve of an Intermediate bulk container (IBC) includes a valve body, a valve core, and a valve stem. The valve stem is used to drive the valve core to move so as to open/close the valve. The handle of the handle assembly is connected to the valve stem and can be rotated around the central rotating axis of the valve stem. When the valve needs to be opened/closed, the handle is rotated around the central rotating axis to a deployed state to open/close the valve. The handle is rotated around the central rotating axis to a retracted state so as to reduce the space occupied by the valve for the valve to be welded to the liner bag or installed to IBC. The handle can be switched between a deployed state and a retracted state.

Retractable handle assembly used in a valve of an Intermediate bulk container (IBC) includes a valve body, a valve core, and a valve stem. The valve stem is used to drive the valve core to move so as to open/close the valve. The handle of the handle assembly is connected to the valve stem and can be rotated around the central rotating axis of the valve stem. When the valve needs to be opened/closed, the handle is rotated around the central rotating axis to a deployed state to open/close the valve. The handle is rotated around the central rotating axis to a retracted state so as to reduce the space occupied by the valve for the valve to be welded to the liner bag or installed to IBC. The handle can be switched between a deployed state and a retracted state.

Provided are systems and methods for decreasing the cost and improving a suitable well safety valve. A well safety valve, comprising: an outer housing having a central bore extending axially through the outer housing, wherein the outer housing comprises an outer wall having a receptacle formed in the outer wall; an inner sleeve disposed in the central bore of the outer housing, wherein the inner sleeve comprises a lockout feature in an exterior surface of the inner sleeve; a sleeve disposed in the receptacle; a piston disposed in the sleeve, wherein the piston is actuated to travel longitudinally in the sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is operable to move in response to movement of the piston; and a valve member disposed in the outer housing, wherein the valve member is operable to selectively restrict flow through the well safety valve in response to movement of the inner sleeve.

A snap-fit lever for actuation of a valve assembly has an elongated valve stem with a ball. The snap-fit lever has a handle portion and a seat portion coupled to the handle portion. The seat portion defines an entry, a retention cavity, and a passage from the entry to the retention cavity. The passage guides the ball from the entry to the retention cavity. The snap-fit lever has deflectable fingers protruding from the seat portion to form part of the retention cavity and the passage. The deflectable fingers deflect to allow the ball to move from the passage into the retention cavity and capture the ball. The deflectable fingers enable rotation of the handle portion about a first axis of the elongated valve stem and allow rotation of the handle portion about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis for moving the elongated valve stem into an actuated position.

A snap-fit lever for actuation of a valve assembly has an elongated valve stem with a ball. The snap-fit lever has a handle portion and a seat portion coupled to the handle portion. The seat portion defines an entry, a retention cavity, and a passage from the entry to the retention cavity. The passage guides the ball from the entry to the retention cavity. The snap-fit lever has deflectable fingers protruding from the seat portion to form part of the retention cavity and the passage. The deflectable fingers deflect to allow the ball to move from the passage into the retention cavity and capture the ball. The deflectable fingers enable rotation of the handle portion about a first axis of the elongated valve stem and allow rotation of the handle portion about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis for moving the elongated valve stem into an actuated position.

In various implementations, an electronic actuator may be coupled to a valve to provide the ability to shut off anhydrous ammonia flow through the valve (e.g., in emergencies). The valve may be coupled to anhydrous ammonia tanks, such as nurse tanks and/or storage tanks. The electronic actuator may include a handle and a bracket. The handle and the bracket may include at least two attractive components that are magnetically attracted to each other upon application of an electric current and the valve may be open. When the electric current is cut, the attractive components of the handle and the bracket may not be magnetically attracted to each other and the valve may be shut off. A controller (e.g., a switch) may be coupled to the electronic actuator to allow control of the electric signal to the electronic actuator.

A restricted access lockout system restricts access to remotely operated hydraulically actuated valves by utilizing a processor to compare each user's access code against a stored list. The user access code may be provided by card key with an embedded RFID chip, a designated application on a personal device such as a smart phone or smart pad that may communicate with the processor via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Internet, or radio. Once the processor grants access to operate various designated hydraulically actuated valves the designated hydraulically actuated valves are unlocked for designated period of time. After the designated period of time expires the hydraulically actuated valves are relocked. Generally, the lock is via a hydraulic cylinder where the hydraulic fluid may be isolated through one or more solenoid control valves. Hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic cylinder and the cylinder provide a sufficient counter to apply force so that the hydraulically actuated valves may not be manipulated. In certain instances, the hydraulic locks may be replaced by mechanical lock. In other instances, the hydraulic cylinders may be supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid supply by hydraulic pump wherein the pump is actuated by the processor upon command by a user. The pressurized hydraulic fluid and the hydraulic cylinders may in turn allow the user to remotely actuate the hydraulically actuated valves.

A restricted access lockout system restricts access to remotely operated hydraulically actuated valves by utilizing a processor to compare each user's access code against a stored list. The user access code may be provided by card key with an embedded RFID chip, a designated application on a personal device such as a smart phone or smart pad that may communicate with the processor via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Internet, or radio. Once the processor grants access to operate various designated hydraulically actuated valves the designated hydraulically actuated valves are unlocked for designated period of time. After the designated period of time expires the hydraulically actuated valves are relocked. Generally, the lock is via a hydraulic cylinder where the hydraulic fluid may be isolated through one or more solenoid control valves. Hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic cylinder and the cylinder provide a sufficient counter to apply force so that the hydraulically actuated valves may not be manipulated. In certain instances, the hydraulic locks may be replaced by mechanical lock. In other instances, the hydraulic cylinders may be supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid supply by hydraulic pump wherein the pump is actuated by the processor upon command by a user. The pressurized hydraulic fluid and the hydraulic cylinders may in turn allow the user to remotely actuate the hydraulically actuated valves.