Gas purge valve with actuation sensor

Abstract

A gas purge valve (114A-D) is provided within a fluid system, the valve being configured with one or more sensors (134B) each for sensing and generating one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with the valve. The fluid system further comprises a power source and a transmitting system for transmitting signals from the sensors to a remote control station (130).

Claims

1. A gas purge valve comprising: a housing that defines an internal cavity comprising a flow chamber, a control chamber, and a rigid wall portion disposed therebetween, the wall portion being disposed inside the internal cavity and comprising a first side facing the flow chamber and an opposite second side facing the control chamber, the flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a first one or more sensors disposed wholly within the flow chamber and being acted upon by a fluid within the flow chamber, the first one or more sensors each for sensing and generating a first one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with the fluid within the flow chamber of the valve and a fluid line coupled to the valve; a second one or more sensors for sensing and generating a second one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with surroundings of the valve; and an electronic circuitry disposed inside of the control chamber and integrated within the housing, the electronic circuitry comprising a power source, a processor, and a transmitting/receiving system comprising at least one antenna, the transmitting/receiving system configured for: transmitting the first and the second one or more signals to a remote control station via the at least one antenna, receiving valve signals from a second valve in line, transmitting the valve signals received from the second valve in line to a third valve in line or to the remote control station, receiving one or more control signals from the remote control station, and transmitting the one of more control signals to the second valve.

2. A fluid system comprising a fluid line fitted with at least one gas purge valve of claim 1.

3. The fluid system according to claim 2, comprising at least one processor unit for receiving and processing the first and the second one or more signals, generating said one or more control signals which in turn operate various parameters of the valve, and transmitting said one or more control signals to the valve.

4. The fluid system according to claim 3, wherein said one or more control signals are configured for activating flow governing mechanisms of the valve to thereby open and close one or more fluid ports to the valve.

5. The gas purge valve according to claim 1, wherein said wall portion is substantially flat.

6. A method for monitoring fluid flow through a fluid system comprising a fluid line fitted with at least one gas purge valve comprising: a housing; a first one or more sensors disposed within the housing, the first one or more sensors each for sensing and generating a first one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with a fluid within the flow chamber of the valve and the fluid line; a second one or more sensors for sensing and generating a second one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with surroundings of the valve; a power source and a transmitting/receiving system for transmitting said first and second one or more signals to a remote control station via at least one antenna, wherein an electronic circuitry of the valve comprising the power source, a processor, the at least one antenna, and the transmitting/receiving system, is integrated within the housing; the method comprising steps of: generating the first and second one or more signals by the sensors; transmitting the first and second one or more signals to the remote control station; receiving valve signals from a second valve in line; transmitting the valve signals received from the second valve in line to a third valve in line or to the remote control station; receiving one or more control signals from the remote control station; and transmitting the one or more control signals to the second valve, wherein the housing defines an internal cavity comprising a flow chamber, a control chamber and a rigid wall portion disposed therebetween, the wall portion being disposed inside the internal cavity and comprising a first side facing the flow chamber and an opposite second side facing the control chamber, the flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet; wherein the first one or more sensors are disposed wholly within the flow chamber and acted upon by the fluid within the flow chamber; and wherein the electronic circuitry is disposed within the control chamber.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: receiving and processing the first and the second one or more signals at the remote control station; generating said one or more control signals which in turn operate various parameters of the valve; transmitting from the remote control station the one or more control signals to the valve; and controlling fluid flow through the fluid system based on the one or more control signals.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said wall portion is substantially flat.

9. A gas purge valve comprising: a valve housing defining an internal cavity comprising a flow chamber, a control chamber and a rigid wall portion disposed therebetween, the flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a first one or more valve sensors disposed wholly within the flow chamber and being acted upon by a fluid within the flow chamber, the first one or more valve sensors each configured or arranged for sensing and generating a first one or more valve signals indicative of parameters associated with the fluid within the flow chamber valve and with a fluid line coupled to the valve; a second one or more valve sensors for sensing and generating a second one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with surroundings of the valve; one or more electronically controlled valve mechanisms connected to or disposed within the valve; an electronic valve circuitry disposed within the valve housing and operably connected to the first and/or second one or more valve sensors, the electronic valve circuitry comprising a valve processor; a valve power source disposed within the valve housing, the valve power source configured or arranged to power the one or more electronically controlled valve mechanisms and the electronic valve circuitry; and a valve transmitting/receiving system integrated within the valve housing, the valve transmitting/receiving system comprising an antenna for transmitting the first and the second one or more valve signals to a remote control unit via the antenna, receiving valve signals from a second valve in line, transmitting the valve signals received from the second valve in line to a third valve in line or to the remote control unit, receiving one or more control signals from the remote control unit for controlling the one or more electronically controlled valve mechanisms, and transmitting the one or more control signals to the second valve; wherein the rigid wall portion is disposed inside the internal cavity and comprises a first side facing the flow chamber and an opposite second side facing the control chamber; and wherein the electronic circuitry is disposed within the control chamber.

10. A gas purge valve system comprising the gas purge valve according to claim 9, further comprising the remote control unit having a remote control unit processor configured or arranged for receiving and processing said first and second one or more valve signals from said first and second one or more valve sensors, generating said one or more control signals for controlling said one or more electronically controlled valve mechanisms, and transmitting said one or more control signals to the valve.

11. The gas purge valve according to claim 9, wherein said wall portion is substantially flat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order to understand the disclosed subject matter and to see how it may be carried out in practice, examples will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A is a front view of a sewage valve configured according to one aspect of the invention;

(3) FIG. 1B is a sectioned side view of the sewage valve of FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 2A is a front view of a purge valve configured according to one aspect of the invention;

(5) FIG. 2B is a sectioned side view of the sewage valve of FIG. 2A;

(6) FIG. 3A is a front view of a different valve configured according to one aspect of the invention;

(7) FIG. 3B is a sectioned side view of the sewage valve of FIG. 3A;

(8) FIG. 4A is a communications scheme of a fluid control system according to another aspect of the present disclosed subject matter;

(9) FIG. 4B is an alternative communications scheme of a communications and processor station according to an aspect of the present disclosed subject matter; and

(10) FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic examples of valve systems according to the present disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(11) Illustrated in FIG. 1 there is a liquid supply system generally designated 10 illustrating a liquid supply line 12 (in the present example a sewage line) fitted with a plurality of sewage gas purge valves 14A to 14E (for example of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,838).

(12) Each of the valves 14A to 14E is configured with a plurality of sensors 20A to 20D configured for sensing different parameters such as fluid flow, pressure, fluid temperature, ambient temperature, shocks, vibrations, tampering attempts, etc. It is however appreciated that the number of sensors, their positioning and their type is not restricted.

(13) Further received within each of the valves 14 there is a power source in the form of a sealed battery pack. Whilst in the present example the battery pack is received within the valve, it should be appreciated that other power supply arrangements may be provided as well such as an external battery pack, electric line supply etc.

(14) The configuration of the sensors and the transmitting arrangements to be discussed hereinafter, are of low current consumption and thus a battery pack received within the valve may last for many years, in several examples after about 15 years. Even more so, the battery pack may be replaceable or may be charged for example by an external electric port or by electric conduction.

(15) Furthermore, each of the valves 14A to 14E is provided with a transmitter/receiver 24A to 24E with associated antennas 26.

(16) In the present example, the arrangement is such that the first valve 14A transmits valve signals received from the various sensors 20A to 20D to the next in line valve, namely valve 14D which in turn transmits the information received from valve 14A, together with the information generated by the respective sensors of valve 14D to the next in line valve 14C and so on until the last in line valve 14E wherein the signals S.sub.1 to S.sub.5 from the respective valves 14A to 14E are transmitted to a remote control station designated 30 wherein the received signals are processed whereupon any control signal (command signals) may be generated and transmitted back to any of the respective valves 14A to 14E to perform a required action such as opening/closing an inlet to the valve or an outlet from the valve, changing flow parameters through the valve.

(17) For this purpose, each of the valves 14A to 14E is configured also for receiving not only the valve signals of a preceding valve in line but also for receiving commands transmitted from the control unit 30 (which information may be transmitted directly to the relevant valve or through the chain of valves in a reverse direction) whereupon the respective command signal is transmitted and received at the addressed valve to perform a mechanic action by means of electric operated solenoids, electric faucets, etc. configured within each of the valves. In the present example, each valve is configured with an inlet electric faucet 34A and an outlet electric faucet 34B controllable by a control signal C.sub.s generated by the remote control unit 30.

(18) Turning now to FIG. 1B there is illustrated a flow control system generally designated 110 wherein a plurality of valves 114A to 114D are externally mounted over a sewage line 112. Each of the valves 114A to 114D is configured with a plurality of sensors 120A to 120D and likewise with a power source and transmitter/receiver unit collectively designated 130 associated with a respective antenna 128. Furthermore, each of the valves 114A to 114D is configured with an electric faucet 134A and 134B as discussed hereinabove in connection with the example of FIG. 1A.

(19) In accordance with the example of FIG. 1B, each of the valves 114A to 114D is configured for direct transmitting of a respective signal S.sub.1 to S.sub.4 to the remote control unit 130 configured with a processor for receiving the valve signals from each of the respective sensors of each of the respective valves and generating respective control signals Csi.

(20) As will be discussed hereinafter it is appreciated that the communication between the respective sensors and the control unit (either in accordance with the example of FIG. 1A or in accordance with the example of FIG. 1B, or in accordance with any other embodiment) may take place through different communication protocols and arrangements, e.g. RF communications, cellular communications, line communication, satellite communication, etc.

(21) Further attention is now directed to the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrating several types of gas purge valves 140, 150 and 160, respectively. Each of these valves is configured for mounting over a liquid main supply line (not shown) and is configured with a plurality of various sensors indicated 170A to 170H, 180A to 180G and 190A to 190T, respectively. Each sensor is configured for sensing one or more particular parameter, as discussed hereinabove, e.g. fluid temperature, ambient temperature, flow rate, displacement, vibrations, toxic agents (chemicals, biological contamination, etc.) and so on.

(22) Further there is provided a master box 200 in the form of a sealed pack accommodating electronics hardware and frameware, a power source (e.g. a battery pack), a transceiver and an antenna. Optionally, a microprocessor is included in the master box for receiving valve signals generated by the different sensors and control signals transmitted from a remote control unit, and responsive thereto manipulating electrically operated faucets and solenoids 202A and 202B. It is however appreciated that the master box may be a unitary item, or divided into several units interconnected. Furthermore, the one or more master boxes are integrally positioned within the housing of the valve. In one example, the housing defines an internal cavity that comprises a flow chamber 204, a control chamber 206, and a wall 208 disposed therebetween, where the master box 200 and all its electric circuitry are disposed within the control chamber 206.

(23) In FIG. 5A there is exemplified a valve controlled system in accordance with an aspect of the invention, wherein a plurality of different types of valves (end-users) designated collectively 230 being identical or different types of valves, transmits the respective signals designated Si through a public cellular network 234 whereby information is then transferred to a data center generally designated 250 and comprising a gateway 250 to a server 254 associated with a user interface 256, wherein information is transferred to a network operating the system 240 and to a plurality of nominated clients 258A to 258F e.g. in the form of hand held devices carried by personnel, e.g. cellular phones and the like.

(24) The example illustrated in FIG. 5B illustrates a fluid valve control system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosed subject matter wherein a plurality of valves 270A to 270C are provided, said valve configured as disclosed in connection with the examples of the previous examples and configured for transceiving information through a cellular network via a cellular switch box 274 for transceiving signals Fi to a public cellular network 276 from where the information is transferred through a gateway 278 to a central service 280 connected by cellular or wire link or through the internet to a work station 284.

(25) It is further noted that the example of FIG. 5B comprises a plurality of inline valves 290A, 290B and 290C also configured for transmitting valve signals through a cellular switch box 294 to the public cellular network 276, which signals S.sub.ii is then transmitted through the cellular network to the gateway and processed by the server 280 as mentioned above.

(26) In the example of FIG. 5C there is illustrated a control valve system which as opposed to the previous example signals are transferred from the different gas purge valves 300A to 300C and from the inline valves 302A to 302C via RF transmission whereby an RF operator 306 then transceives the received signals (valve signals and control signals) to the gateway 310 wherefrom the information is then available at the 312 at a server 314 and a work station 318.

(27) While there has been shown several examples of the invention, it is to be understood that many changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, mutatis Mutandis.