CZ20004205A3

CZ20004205A3 - Electronic motorized zone valve

Info

Publication number: CZ20004205A3
Application number: CZ20004205A
Authority: CZ
Inventors: Richard J. Pasquini; Richard A. Genga; Hamid Pishdadian; Steven Borges
Original assignee: Taco, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-05-03
Filing date: 1999-05-03
Publication date: 2001-07-11

Abstract

Aktivátor ventilu sestává z elektromotoru (40) k otáčení ventilu (10), přepínače přívodu elektrického proudu do elektromotoru a čidlo (U2)k otočení ventilu do požadované polohy a k zastavení elektromotoru. Součástí dalšího provedení je kulový ventil (18), sedlo ventilu (20a) a zvlněná pružina (30), která působí axiální silou na sedlo ventilu. Součástí dalšího provedení aktivátoru ventiluje elektromotor (40), ozubené soukolí (31), spojka (38) a knoflík (70) k manuální aktivaci ventilu (10).The valve actuator consists of an electric motor (40) for rotation valve (10); electric motor and sensor (U2) to rotate valve to desired position and to stop the electric motor. Part of the next the embodiment is a ball valve (18), a valve seat (20a) and a corrugated one a spring (30) that acts axially on the valve seat. In another embodiment of the actuator, an electric motor is vented (40), a gearing (31), a clutch (38) and a knob (70) k manually actuating the valve (10).

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to activators and band valves of heating and cooling systems.

Background Art

Band valves are often used in water heating and cooling systems where they separate certain areas or "bands". Usually thermostats are controlled to open and close in an optimal way to achieve the desired temperature changes.

Conventional band valves are usually activated by a heater or an electric motor. In valves where the actuator is a heater, the electrically heated element causes the actuator to move linearly, which in turn opens the valve. In electric motor valves, the movement of the functional valve element between the closed and the open position is controlled by the electric motor and the associated gearing (this valve element is, for example, a rubber flap or a ball element rotating 90 ° from the seat).

Conventional band-valve actuators are provided with an element which is supplied from one direction of energy and which is then held in a predetermined position by a mechanical or electrical breaker. It then returns to its original position by means of a spring.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,131,623 and 5,540,414 disclose band-pass valves for water heating and cooling systems equipped with an electric motor for actuating an actuator which causes the ball valve to rotate 90 ° between the closed and open positions. The electric motor rotates the valve from its normal position, which is either closed or open, to the opposite position (ie if the valve is usually closed, it will be turned to the open position). When the electric motor is interrupted, the valve returns to its original position by means of a spring.

-2powered to exert sufficient torque to overcome the sliding three ball valve.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,427 discloses a device equipped with an electric motor which is driven from one direction by an alternating current source and an opposite direction by a spring. The drive is maintained or interrupted by the use of a direct current source to magnetize the drive element so that it can be held in a predetermined position after the AC power source is interrupted. This action of maintaining or interrupting the drive can be replaced by removing the direct current source and using alternating current, thereby demagnetizing, so that said device can return to its original position by spring force.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,789 discloses a valve mechanism equipped with a physical stopper that prevents the valve from moving further after it has reached an open or closed position.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,401 discloses a valve actuator which produces an electrical contact to break the power supply after the valve has been rotated a predetermined distance.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,949 discloses a valve actuator wherein by rotating the valve by a predetermined distance, the power supply is cut off, thereby disabling the actuator.

Some valve actuator drive systems use an emergency power source if the mains power supply is cut off. U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,454 discloses an emergency circuit capacitor source used to power an air damper actuator or valve actuator. The energy loss in the circuit or in the actuator actuator is recorded by a sensor that connects the capacitor assembly with the appropriate polarity to actuate the actuator to actuate the actuator to a fail-safe position. The system is not equipped with any means to interrupt the coupling of the capacitors and actuator drive to the active position so that the actuator is likely to act against a mechanical stop that defines the fail-safe position.

• · • ·

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an activator with a sensor that detects the achievement of a particular valve position and shuts off the valve drive switch. The device of the present invention does not rely on a mechanical stop or a return spring to rotate the valve to a desired position. This means that it is not necessary to rely on a mechanical stop or a return spring to rotate the valve from open to closed position and vice versa. Turning the valve from the normal open to the normal closed position can be done simply by switching a single switch.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an activator for activating a water system valve, wherein in one valve position, fluid can flow through one path and in the second valve position, the flow is either closed or fluid flows through another path. The actuator includes: an electric motor connected to the valve, whereby the position of the valve from the first or second position to the other positions is changed by the speed of the electric motor; a power supply switch to the electric motor, wherein in the closed position of the switch the current to the electric motor is supplied and in the open position of the switch the power supply is interrupted; a sensor adapted to detect reaching the first or second position by the valve; and an electrical circuit system between the sensor and the switch, the circuit being set to open the power supply to the electric motor due to the detection of reaching the first or second valve position by opening the switch.

Preferred embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The sensor can be adjusted so that when the desired valve position is reached, the sensor output status changes. The sensor can be in two states, and the sensor output state changes about the moment that the valve that rotates from one (first or second) position to another position gets to that other position. The electric motor can rotate the valve in a single direction. The actuator may include an electrical energy capture element (eg, a capacitor) for supplying electrical power to operate the electric motor, sensor, and electrical circuits (eg, when the power supply to the activator is interrupted). The activator circuit may be an integrated circuit chip. The valve may be a ball valve. The sensor can be an optical sensor. The activator may be provided with protrusions on an element that rotates along with the rotation

• ·

The valve may be locked or unblocked by the projections. The actuator may include a manual valve actuation mechanism, the actuator position indicating the valve angular adjustment. The worm gearing may be part of the actuator between the electric motor and the valve. The activator may include a home position selector switch to allow the valve to rotate from the normal open position to the normal closed position by switching the switch.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a water system zone valve, including: a spherical element; valve stem closing the spherical element; a valve seat that contacts the spherical element and the valve cover, there is a notch in the valve seat to fit the ring; a ring inserted into the notch; a flexible metal support ring that is in the valve housing in the compressed state and exerts approximately the same force on the valve seat; wherein the notch is adapted such that the axial force compresses the ring inserted into the notch for better seating of the valve seat to the opening of the housing.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for actuating an actuator such that, prior to actuating the valve, the charge of the capacitor and the amount of energy required to complete the prescribed valve rotation are determined, and then a signal to initiate valve rotation is given, but only when the capacitor is charged enough to supply the amount of energy required to complete the valve movement.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a water system valve actuator including an electric motor to rotate the valve, wherein rotation of the electric motor causes the valve to move from one position (first or second) to another; another part of the actuator is a gear assembly connecting the electric motor to the valve, the gear assembly comprising a toothed auger; and a rotary knob shaped to be operated manually or using a tool; a clutch mechanism that connects the rotary knob to the valve pin and the gearing, wherein movement of the clutch mechanism between the engaged and disengaged states is possible; of the clutch mechanism, the gear assembly and the toothed auger are detached from the valve pin so that the valve can be rotated using a rotary knob.

Part of the preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention may be one or more of the following features. The clutch mechanism can be disengaged by axially pressing the rotary knob.

The clutch mechanism may include two rotating elements equipped with teeth that can be disengaged by axial movement of the rotary knob followed by clutch release. There may be a mark on the rotary knob to indicate the position of the valve.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments including drawings and claims.

Brief overview of drawings

Figure 1 shows the valve and activator of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the interior of the activator.

Figure 3 is an exploded isometric view of the clutch mechanism parts of the actuator.

Figures 4A-4D schematically illustrate an optical sensor and actuator actuator at four different positions.

Figure 5 schematically shows the electronic equipment of the activator.

Figures 6-13 show flowcharts of the microprocessor operation in activator control.

EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the zone valve 10 is shown. The ball valve 12 is actuated by the actuator 14. The actuator is coupled to the valve body 26 by a clamping mechanism to engage by rotation 23. activator. The activator is electrically operated and is equipped with wires for connection to common power and control circuits.

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The fluid flows through the ball valve in the normal manner. When the ball is in the open position, fluid flows through the spherical element 18 from port 37a to port 37b. The valve is bidirectional, so any of ports 37a and 37b may have an input or output function.

The spherical member 18 (brass) is seated in the seats 20a and 20b (Teflon), which are further tightly pressed by the rings 22a and 22b in the annular slots 21a and 21b to the inner opening 25 of the valve fitting. The corrugated spring 30 (made of stainless steel) pushes axial force onto the seats 20a and 20b (the spring ripple is exaggerated). The circular notches 21a and 21b are shaped such that the axial force forces the rings 22a and 22b, which then exert pressure further toward the opening in the valve cover, thereby providing a close fit to the valve opening. The corrugated spring exerts pressure on the support ring 24 (stainless steel), which exerts further pressure on the rings 22a. Because the corrugated spring is made of a metal resilient material (stainless steel), its flexibility is ensured for a very long time. Due to a certain compression of the rings 22a and 22b over time, the undulating spring is expanded, retaining adequate flexibility in the axial direction, i. the axial force remains. Throughout the lifetime of the valve, the curved spring will reduce the tendency of the Teflon seats to cool or wear the flowing fluid. The undulating spring will gradually expand and the seat will be tightly pressed against the spherical element.

Figure 2 shows an electric motor 40 which rotates the pinion 42. This further drives a gear 44 consisting of a large and small gear wheel molded into one plastic unit. The gear 44 drives a second gear 45, which consists of a wheel 47 and a toothed mechanical screw 34, also molded into a single plastic unit. To the teeth of the mechanical screw 34, a gear drive wheel 31 engages, which in turn moves the rotary element 47, which in turn rotates the valve pin 16. The entire gear (from pinion 42 to drive wheel 31) has a rapid transmission of 960: 1. the drive wheel 31 is 80: 1.

Figure 3 shows a rotary knob 70 that protrudes from the kayt (not shown) of the actuator and by pressing and turning it is possible to manually open and close the ball valve

12. The rotary knob 70 is connected to the ball valve pin 16 by means of a rotary element 47 and can be manually disengaged from the drive wheel 31 by the clutch mechanism 38. In a normal situation, the clutch teeth 48 engage the teeth 50 of the drive gear 31. Figure 1) a compression spring 32 is wound which exerts pressure upward on the element.

-Turn 47 so that the teeth of both systems remain locked together. With such connected teeth, manual rotation of the valve is not possible since it would be necessary for the gearwheel 31 to rotate the gearwheel 34 in the opposite direction (this prevents the worm from turning to the wheel of rotation, given a ratio of 80: 1). When the valve is manually rotated, the rotary knob 70 (drawing 3) is pressed and the rotation element 47 is rotated to disengage the valve clutch teeth 48 and the valve teeth 50. Since the rotation element is directly connected to the valve pin 16, the rotation of the knob 70 results in rotation of the ball valve. Once the clutch is disengaged, the valve can be turned in both directions. After manually rotating the valve to the desired position, we no longer apply pressure to the rotary knob, which results in the clutch teeth reconnecting due to the pressure spring 32. A valve position indicator 54 is pressed into the rotary knob 70 to allow visual inspection of the valve position. In the rotary knob 70 there is a notch 56 for inserting a screwdriver or other thin article when the valve is rotated.

The operation of the electric circuit can be controlled by the optical sensor U2 (drawings 3 and 4A 4D), which shows the position of the valve. The optical sensor is positioned such that by rotating the rotation element 47, the beam path of the sensor is alternately interrupted and released by projections 72 and 74 extending from the drive element body.

4A-4D show the operation of the optical sensor. The protrusions 72 and 74 are located on the actuator element 47 such that the optical sensor is blocked by two quarters of its circumference when the rotation element is rotated. Both protrusions 72 and 74 block the optical sensor when the drive element is rotated by 90 °, wherein the optical sensor is not blocked by a further 90 ° optical sensor. In practice, the electric motor 40 will be switched on by the electric circuit and will remain in operation until the state of the optical sensor changes. For example, if the movement of the valve is to begin when the drive element is in the position of the drawing 4A, i. the optical sensor is blocked by the protrusion 72, the rotation of the rotation element will continue for about 90 ° until the drive element is rotated to the position in FIG. 4B, i. that the optical sensor is no longer blocked by the protrusion 72. (The natural delay between the moment the sensor detects a change in condition and the moment of actual interruption of the rotation of the rotating element ensures that the vibration does not re-interrupt the sensor beam path and restart the actuator.) 90 ° the ball valve will open or close. At the next command to put the ball valve in motion (eg when the electric circuit is commanded to close now open)

The valve, the electric motor will be turned on and the valve rotation will continue for about 90 ° to the position in Figure 4C, when the optical beam path is interrupted again, this time by the protrusion 74.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates the electronic circuitry of the actuator. The main part of the electronic equipment is a microprocessor U1 with programmable terminals GPO, GP1, GP2, GP3, GP4 and GP5. Vdd power supply and Vss grounding outlet. The power supply (AC 24 V) is mediated by a two-pin CONN1 connector. Typically, the AC transformer is connected to the CONN1 connector via a thermostat. When the thermostat is switched on, 24 V AC is supplied to the power circuit (diode D1, resistors R1 and R2 and transistor Q1), where the supply voltage Vcc is set.

A 3.3 F capacitor C1 is connected between the Vcc and ground. In normal operation, the capacitor is charged with a voltage of up to 2.5 V so that it can power the electric motor 40 as described below. Switch SW1 is used to set the zoned valve 12 to the normal closure position or to the normal opening position. The position of the switch can be changed manually using the sliding knob 58, which is located on the surface of the actuator assembly 14 (drawing 2).

In the optical sensor U2, the current is supplied through the GPO microprocessor outlet Ul. When the beam path is blocked into the optical sensor U2, the sensor output 4 is LO. If the beam path is not blocked, there is a HL status on the terminal 4

The electric motor 40 is powered by a two-pin JI connector. The power supply Vcc is supplied with one pin. The second pin is connected to the gate transistor 02, which is additionally controlled by a microprocessor. If the GP4 of the microprocessor is in the state ΙΠ, the transistor Q2 turns on and feeds the electric motor 40. Otherwise, the power supply to the electric motor 40 is interrupted.

The electrical circuitry of Figure 5 may be supplied with alternating current from a CONN1 connector with a voltage in the range of about 8V to about 40V. The alternating current is changed in diode D1 to a direct current. When the transistor Q1 is open, capacitor C1 is charged from the voltage at the CONN1 connector minus the voltage drop at the circuit consisting of diode D1, resistor R1 and transistor Q1. The capacitor C1 will charge if the supply voltage Vcc is at least 2.5V. Taking into account the voltage drop in circuit D1, R1 and Q1 and the current necessary to operate the microprocessor U1 and the electric motor 40, the circuit may be

Figure 5 is functional at a minimum AC voltage of about 8V. When the supply voltage increases, charging of the capacitor C1 will continue and sufficient electrical current will be supplied to the microprocessor U1 and the electric motor 40.

Figure 6 is a flow chart of the operation of the microprocessor U1 while driving the electric motor 40. Upon powering the U1 microprocessor (step 310), the status variables and other parameters are initialized (step 315). Then it enters the master control loop, the loop begins by detecting the voltage at the Vdd input of the microprocessor and evaluating whether the voltage is sufficient to operate the electric motor 40 (step 320). Thereafter, by checking the output of the optical sensor U2, it is determined whether the band valve 10 passes in front of the optical sensor (step 325). Microprocessor U1 detects the current state of switch SW1 (step 330) and detects if an AC signal is present in the GP5 terminal (step 335). Then, the microprocessor U1 decides whether or not to continue charging the capacitor C1 (step 340).

During steps 345-365, microprocessor U1 decides whether or not to start the electric motor 40. At the normal closure position of the zone valve 10 (step 345), an OPTO XOR AC value is assigned to the Result result register (step 355). At the normal opening position of the zone valve 10 (i.e., switch SW1 is in position 1) (step 345), the OPTO flag is changed to register OPTO (step 350) before assigning the OPTO XOR AC value (step 355). The Result TRUE value of the register indicates that the electric motor 40 is to be turned on at sufficient voltage. The Result FALSE register value indicates that the motor 40 is to be turned off.

The process 300 in Figure 6 will now be described in more detail in Figure 7.

Initialization (step 315) was performed as described. First, the optical sensor U2 is turned off by means of the GP0 terminal (step 410) to save electricity. Next, the indicator is initialized to indicate that the capacitor C1 is fully charged with the VREADY flag to FALSE (step 415). The ACPREVIOUS state variable that is used in the flowchart of Figure 11a is described in more detail below on LO (step 417). Furthermore, the electric motor is switched off via the GP4 terminal and the power is saved (step 420). Further, if an HI (step 425) is present at the GP5 terminal, which indicates the possible presence of an alternating current (or direct current signal if the actuator is powered by direct current instead of an AC current), the U1 microprocessor is delayed

- 10 tenths of a second, and again evaluates the GP5 pin signal to verify the presence of AC (or DC) current (step 440). If the GP5 terminal does not indicate HI during both steps 425 and 440, this indicates the absence of AC current and the U1 microprocessor is switched to sleep mode. After about one second, the microprocessor U1 is turned off from sleep mode and begins to operate again at step 315. If during the steps 425 and 440 the GP5 terminal indicates HI, the microprocessor of FIG. 9 continues (step 445).

Note that if an AC signal is present and the U1 microprocessor is either off or in sleep mode, then the GP2 terminal behaves as an open circuit (high impedance). In this case, the transistor Q1 is switched on and allows the capacitor C1 to be charged with alternating current.

In Figure 8, the microprocessor evaluates the voltage at the Vdd terminal as follows. First, the local variable COUNT is initialized at 25 and the local variable VCNT at zero (step 510). Thereafter, the microprocessor U1 evaluates if the GP1 terminal indicates HI (step 520). If the state is HI, the VCNT value is incremented (step 520). This procedure is repeated 25 times (steps 515-530). The GP1 HI output status indicates voltage at the Vdd terminal because the GP1 and Vdd terminals are internally connected by a simple 25 kiloohms resistor (not shown). The U1 microprocessor estimates the Vdd lead voltage as Voltage = 2.3 + 0.1 * VCNT (step 535). If Voltage> 2.5 (step 520), a full charge of capacitor C1 is indicated and the VREADY flag is set to TRUE (step 545). Otherwise, the V READY flag is set to FALSE (step 550).

Figure 9 illustrates the procedure by which the U1 microprocessor evaluates whether the optical sensor U2 is blocked. As a result of this procedure, the OPTO flag is set to TRUE if the U2 optical sensor is not blocked, or the OPTO flag is set to FALSE if the U2 optical sensor is blocked. First, the power supply to the optical sensor U2 is switched on via the GPO terminal (step 610). Further, any one bit binary code of one bit is transmitted by the GPO terminal (step 615). During code transfer, U1 microprocessor monitors GP1 pin input. The optical sensor is not blocked when the value of the bit received by the GP1 terminal is the same as the bit value transmitted to the GPO terminal. If all bits of the transmitted code are correctly received by the GP1 terminal (step 620), the OPTO flag is set to TRUE (step 630). Otherwise, the OPTO flag is set to FALSE (step 625). In both cases, the power supply to the optical sensor U2 is interrupted

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Using a GPO pin (step 635). It is better to transmit and evaluate 8 bits than only one bit to avoid manufacturing imperfections in the band valve 10, which may cause erroneous interpretation of the optical sensor status information when the edge of the rotation element is in front of the sensor. If all eight consecutive evaluations of the optical sensor output correspond to the expected evaluation, this means that the band valve 10 has completed the rotation.

Drawing 10 explains the meaning of the NORMALLYOPEN flag, which indicates whether the band valve is in the normal open position or in the normal closed position. If GP3 is HI (step 710), the NORMALLY OPEN flag is TRUE (step 715). Otherwise, the NORMALLY OPEN flag is FALSE (step 720).

In Figure 11, the AC flag is TRUE if an AC current signal is detected at the GP5 terminal and FALSE if no AC signal is detected for a period of time. In addition, there is an AC TRANSITION flag that is assigned a TRUE value when changing its AC value. Otherwise, it is assigned a FALSE value.

In more detail, AC values and AC TRANSITION values are assigned as follows. The U1 microprocessor first evaluates if the GP5 is in the HI state (step 810). If not, the U1 microprocessor initializes COUNT to 150 and assigns TRUE to AC (step 815). If the AC value is not the same as the AC PREVIOUS variable (step 820), the AC TRANSITION flag is assigned a TRUE value (step 835). Otherwise, AC TRANSITION is assigned a FALSE value (step 837). In this case, an alternating current value is assigned to an earlier AC value (step 840).

If GP5 is HI (step 810), COUNT is decremented (step 825). If COUNT = 0 (step 830), AC is set to FALSE (step 845).

Figure 12 explains how to evaluate the microprocessor U1 to continue charging the capacitor C1. If the V READY flag is set to FALSE (see Figure 8) (step 910), capacitor C1 charges by switching the GP2 terminal to input mode, whereby the GP2 terminal acts as an open circuit (step 915). If the VREADY flag is set to TRUE (step 910), microprocessor U1 stops charging capacitor C1 by switching the GP2 terminal to the output mode and assigning an LO value, resulting in the GP2 terminal behaving

As in a short circuit (step 920). Subsequently, the transistor Q1 is switched off, whereby charging of capacitor C1 is interrupted.

Upon completion of the drawing of Figure 12, the microprocessor evaluates whether the electric motor is to be switched on or off. Is SW1 in position 1, ie. zone valve 10 is in the normal open position (step 345), OPTO is negated (step 350). The Result register is then assigned the value OPTO XOR AC. -H Result Result Register Shows TRUE, indicating that motor 40 is to be turned on if sufficient voltage is available. Indicates -H Result Register Result FALSE, it means that motor 40 is to be turned off. The term OPTO XOR AC assigns the following Result Result Register values as follows.

Table 1

Sensor OPTO AC RESULT (normal opening) RESULT (Normal Closure) blocked FALŠE FALŠE TRUE FALŠE blocked FALŠE TRUE FALŠE TRUE not blocked TRUE FALŠE FALŠE TRUE not blocked TRUE TRUE TRUE FALŠE

For example, in the context of Table 1, the case where the zone valve 10 is in the normal closure position (i.e., switch SW1 is in position 2). If the OPTO value is FALSE (i.e., the optical sensor is blocked and indicates that the band valve is in the closed position) and the AC value is FALSE (i.e., indicates that the thermostat does not require the band valve 10 to change position), that the valve 10 is in the correct position. Therefore, the Result register is assigned a FALSE value, which means that the motor should be turned off. Next, imagine the case where the zone valve 10 is in the normal opening position (i.e., switch SW1 is in position 1). If the OPTO value is

For FALSE (i.e., the optical sensor is blocked and indicates that the band valve is in the closed position) and the AC value is FALSE (i.e., indicates that the thermostat does not require the band valve 10 to change position) means that the bandpass valve should return to its opening position. Thus, the Result Result Register value is TRUE, indicating that the motor 40 is to be turned on. Other data in Table 1 can be checked in a similar way.

Once the Result Result Register value has been calculated, the U1 microprocessor decides whether it will actually supply an electric current to the electric motor (see Figure 13). If the VREADY flag is set to TRUE, the motor 40 is turned on using GP4 pin (step 1015). If the V READY flag is set to FALSE, the motor 40 is not running. This ensures that the electric motor 40 will not be started until sufficient electric current is available.

Further embodiments of the invention are within the scope of the claims below. For example, the invention may also be applied to other types of valves, such as a mixing valve or a two-way valve.

In the case of a mixing valve, the spherical element of Figure 1 will be replaced by a different type of spherical element whose central hole will be connected to port 37c (Figure 1) in the lower portion of the valve body. Ports 37a and 37b become inputs (e.g., cold and hot water), and port 37c will have an output function. The opening in the spherical element, which is straight in the drawing, will be curved in this embodiment, so that by rotating the spherical element there will be a volume change of the ratio of the fluids flowing through the valve from both ports. Differently, the projections 72 and 74 will also be assembled so as to change the output of the optical sensor after the spherical element has been rotated enough to completely close one of the ports. For example, blocking the sensor with one of the protrusions may indicate closure of port 37a, and the same may be a protrusion second in conjunction with port 37b. In practice, the movements of the mixing valve would be controlled by activating the electric motor 40 at short intervals which would result in changes in the positioning of the ball element. Changing the direction of rotation would reverse the polarity of the electric current. With these minor changes in position, the optical sensor is no source of information. The optical sensor only transmits the information when the spherical element is rotated to such an extent that one or the other port closes. In practice, this principle could replace the mechanical plug of conventional mixing valves.

In the case of a two-way valve, the transverse opening of the spherical element is discharged from the center of the sphere in one direction only, so that the central port 37c can be connected to any of ports 37a and 37b by turning the valve 180 °. The same design of the protrusions 72 and 74 may be used, or alternatively a single protrusion may be used to be 180 °.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

An electronically controlled zone valve and actuator for activating a water system valve, the valve being adjustable to a first position in which fluid can flow through one path and a second position where fluid flow can either be blocked or fluid flow through the second path, activator is:

an electric motor coupled to the valve, wherein the electric motor speed causes the valve position to change from one (first or second) position to the opposite;

electric power switch to the electric motor, in the closed position of the switch the current is supplied to the electric motor, in the open position of the switch the power supply is interrupted;

a sensor adapted to detect rotation of the valve to the first or second position; and an electrical circuit coupled to the sensor and the switch, which is adapted to respond to a sensor signal detecting the rotation of the valve in one of the two positions, by switching the switch to the open position and interrupting the power supply to the electric motor.

Activator according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor is adapted such that by turning the valve to the desired position the state of the sensor output changes.

Activator according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor output can be in two states, the state of the sensor output changing approximately at the moment when the valve rotating from one of the two positions to the opposite position rotates to the opposite position. position.

An actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motor causes the valve to rotate in one direction.

The activator of claim 1, further comprising means for capturing electrical energy that is an energy source for driving the electric motor, for the sensor, and for the electrical circuit system.

• · · <

An activator according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for capturing the electrical energy is a capacitor.

7. The activator of claim 1 wherein the electrical circuitry includes an integrated circuit chip.

Activator according to claim 4, characterized in that the valve is a ball valve.

9. An activator according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.

10. The actuator of claim 9, wherein the protrusions on the element rotating with rotation of the valve cause the sensor to lock and unlock, wherein the rotation of the valve corresponds to the sensor lock by either an approaching or moving protrusion.

The actuator of claim 1, further comprising a clutch for manually rotating the valve.

Activator according to claim 11, characterized in that the position of the visible element from outside indicates the angular position of the valve.

Activator according to claim 1, characterized in that no spring is required to return the valve to its previous position.

Activator according to claim 1, characterized in that a mechanical plug is not used to stop the operation of the electric motor.

• · ·

- 1715. Water system zone valve comprising: a ball element;

a valve cover closing the ball element;

a valve seat that contacts the ball member and the valve housing, the seat being a notch for receiving the ring;

a ring inserted into the notch;

a metal spring mounted in the compressed state into the valve layt so as to exert a roughly constant axial force on the valve seat;

the band-valve is characterized by a notch shape such that the ring inserted in the notch is compressed by axial force for better sealing between the valve seat and the inner opening of the valve cover.

16. The actuator of claim 1, further comprising a home position selector associated with an electrical circuit system, wherein the home position selector can be moved in ways corresponding to a normally closed valve position and a normally open valve position, and wherein: the electronic circuit is adapted to respond to changes in position of the switch by changing the default position of the valve.

17. The actuator of claim 1, further comprising a toothed mechanical worm for connecting the electric motor to the valve.

18. In the actuator for activating the water system valve, the valve may be set to a first position in which fluid can flow through one path and a second position where fluid flow can either be blocked or fluid flow through the second path;

before initiating the valve rotation, evaluating the charge of the capacitor source and evaluating the amount of energy required to complete the prescribed valve movement;

a decision to initiate movement of the valve when the charge of the capacitor source is sufficient to complete the rotation of the valve; and a decision not to initiate the movement of the valve when the charge of the capacitor source is not sufficient to complete the rotation of the valve.

i • · · ·

- 1819. Activator for activating the water system valve, wherein the valve can be set to a first position in which fluid can flow through one path and a second position where fluid flow can either be blocked or fluid flow through the second path; whose rotation causes the valve to rotate between the first and second positions, another component of the actuator is:

an electric motor for driving the valve; by rotating the electric motor the valve position is changed from one of the two positions to the opposite position;

a gearwheel connecting the electric motor to the valve, the gearwheel comprising a geared mechanical worm;

a knob having a shape such that it can be rotated manually either by gripping hands or using a tool;

a clutch mechanism that connects the knob to the valve pin and the gear and which can be moved between the disengaged and engaged positions, in the engaged position the gear and the mechanical worm are connected to the valve pin so that the electric motor can rotate the valve; the screw is disconnected from the valve pin so that the valve can be rotated using the knob.

Activator according to claim 19, characterized in that the clutch mechanism can be disengaged by axially pressing the knob.

Activator according to claim 20, characterized in that the two rotating elements of the clutch mechanism have teeth which can be separated by axial movement of the knob to disengage the clutch.

Actuator according to claim 19, characterized in that there is a mark indicating the position of the valve on the knob.

23. The actuator of claim 4, wherein the valve is a throttle valve.