US Patent 10914397 Self aligning and self latching mechanical shaft connector

According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a self-aligning connector system for connecting an actuator to a valve body of a valve, comprising an actuator adapter plug having a conical protrusion and a peripheral groove formed in an outer surface of the actuator adapter plug, and a valve adapter sub-assembly comprising an outer housing having a bore configured to receive the actuator adapter plug, and an expansion spring coupled to the outer housing and configured to provide radial pressure on the outer housing to receive the conical protrusion of the actuator adapter plug and latch onto the peripheral groove.