Actuation and valve mechanism

Abstract

A cable drive device including an arcuate segment drive member and a cable drum having an axle to allow rotation of the cable drum. The cable drum has a cable affixed at either end of the arcuate section of the arcuate segment drive member and tautly wrapped around the cable drum. The cable drum is located between the ends of the arcuate section of the arcuate segment drive member to, in use, allow the arcuate segment drive member to be moved when the axle is rotated. The cable is located in a groove in the arcuate section and a part of the cable drum extends into the groove, and the cable drum and the arcuate segment drive member simulate a rack and pinion drive.

1 . A cable drive device comprising:
 an arcuate or circular drive member having an arcuate section comprising a groove; and   a cable drum having an axle to allow rotation of the cable drum, the cable drum having a cable affixed at first and second locations on the arcuate section at opposite sides of the cable drum and tautly wrapped around the cable drum, the cable drum being located between the first and second locations of the arcuate section to, in use, allow the arcuate or circular drive member to be moved when the axle is rotated, and wherein the cable is located in the groove in the arcuate section and a part of the cable drum extends into the groove, with the cable drum and the arcuate or circular drive member simulating a rack and pinion drive.   
     
     
         2 . The cable drive device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cable is affixed at first and second opposite ends of the arcuate section. 
     
     
         3 . The cable drive device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cable is attached to pivot pins at the first and second locations. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus comprising:
 a cable drive device comprising:
 an arcuate or circular drive member having an arcuate section comprising a groove; and 
 a cable drum having an axle to allow rotation of the cable drum, the cable drum having a cable affixed at first and second locations on the arcuate section at opposite sides of the cable drum and tautly wrapped around the cable drum, the cable drum being located between the first and second locations of the arcuate section to, in use, allow the arcuate or circular drive member to be moved when the axle is rotated, and wherein the cable is located in the groove in the arcuate section and a part of the cable drum extends into the groove, with the cable drum and the arcuate or circular drive member simulating a rack and pinion drive; and 
   a valve attached to the arcuate or circular drive member, which is movable between an open position and a closed position with movement of the arcuate or circular drive member.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the cable is affixed at first and second opposite ends of the arcuate section. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the cable is attached to pivot pins at the first and second locations. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the valve comprises a flap valve. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the arcuate or circular drive member comprises a central pivot axis and a radial base which moves about the central pivot axis; and   the flap valve is attached to the radial base.