MEASURING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring device (10) for recording at least one force and/or torque curve resulting when a control valve (32) is actuated by an actuating drive (34), comprising a housing (11) which can be arranged between the control valve (32) and the actuating drive (34). The housing (11) is provided with a first and a second connecting wall (14, 16) and at least one connecting element (18) which connects the first and the second connecting wall (14, 16). The first connecting wall (14) is connected to the actuating drive (34), and the second connecting wall (16) is connected to the control valve (32). A connecting shaft (12) for connecting a drive shaft of the actuating drive (34) to an actuating shaft of a control valve (32) is arranged in a central through-opening (14c, 16c) in the two connecting walls (14, 16). The connecting shaft (12) penetrates the measuring device (10). The connecting shaft (12) is arranged at a distance from and freely rotatable with respect to the connecting walls (14, 16), and at least one resilient element is provided between the first connecting wall (14) and the connecting element (18), with a measuring unit being provided in the housing (11). The measuring unit has at least two sub-measuring units. The first sub-measuring unit is in the form of a torque sensor unit, and the second sub-measuring unit is in the form of a rotational-angle sensor unit. The sub-measuring units each have a signal transmitter and a signal receiver. The signal receivers are arranged in a common measuring module (20). The invention is characterized in that the first signal transmitter is arranged on the first connecting wall (14), and the second signal transmitter is arranged on the connecting shaft (12).

Claims

1-24. (canceled)

25. Measuring device (10) for recording at least one force and/or torque curve resulting when a control valve (32) is actuated by an actuating drive (34), which measuring device comprises a housing (11) which can be arranged between the control valve (32) and the actuating drive (34) and is provided with a first and a second connecting wall (14, 16) and at least one connecting element (18) which connects the first and second connecting walls (14, 16), with the first connecting wall (14) being connected to the actuating drive (34), and the second connecting wall (16) being connected to the control valve (32), with a connecting shaft (12) for connecting a drive shaft of the actuating drive (34) to an actuating shaft of a control valve (32) being arranged in a central through-opening (14c, 16c) in the two connecting walls (14, 16), with the connecting shaft (12) passing through the measuring device (10), wherein the connecting shaft (12) is arranged at a distance from, and freely rotatable with respect to, the connecting walls (14, 16), and at least one resilient element is provided between the first connecting wall (14) and the connecting element (18), wherein a measuring unit is provided in the housing (11), which measuring unit has at least two sub-measuring units, with the first sub-measuring unit being in the form of a torque sensor unit and the second sub-measuring unit being in the form of a rotational-angle sensor unit, with the sub-measuring units each comprising a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, and which signal receivers are arranged in a common measuring module (20), characterized in that the first signal transmitter is arranged on the first connecting wall (14), and the second signal transmitter is arranged on the connecting shaft (12).

26. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that the signal transmitter is in the form of a sample to be scanned by the signal receiver.

27. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that the measuring module (20) is arranged on the connecting element (18).

28. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that the measuring module (20) is arranged between the first and second connecting walls (14, 16) centrally and at a radial distance from the connecting shaft (12).

29. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that at least one sub-measuring unit, in particular both sub-measuring units, is/are designed as magnetic sensors.

30. Measuring device according to claim 26, characterized in that the signal transmitter of the rotational-angle sensor unit is in the form of a sample to be scanned with at least one magnetic element, such as a pole ring (28a), and the signal receiver is constituted by a rotational-angle sensor (28b) that detects the magnetic element.

31. Measuring device according to claim 26, characterized in that the signal transmitter of the torque sensor unit is in the form of a sample to be scanned with at least one magnetic element (26c), and the signal receiver is constituted by a torque sensor (26a) that detects the magnetic element (26c).

32. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that the resilient element is more resilient in the direction of rotation of the axis of rotation (12a) than in the direction of the axis of rotation (12a).

33. Measuring device according to claim 32, characterized in that the resilient element is formed by webs (24) that connect the first connecting wall and the connecting element.

34. Measuring device according to claim 33, characterized in that the webs (24) extend radially from the first connecting wall (14) to the connecting means (18) with respect to the axis of rotation (12a).

35. Measuring device according to claim 33, characterized in that the webs (24) extend axially from the first connecting wall (14) to the connecting means (18) in parallel with respect to the axis of rotation (12a).

36. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that the first connecting wall (14) and the second connecting wall (16), in particular also the connecting element (18), are of a mutually corresponding rigidity.

37. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that connection openings (14a, 16a) are provided in the first connecting wall (14), for connecting the actuating drive (34) to the first connecting wall (14), and in the second connecting wall (16), for connecting the control valve (32) to the second connecting wall (16).

38. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that the connecting element (18) and the second connecting wall (16) form a base body which has a shape that results in a substantially rectangular envelope.

39. Measuring device according to claim 38, characterized in that the base body has an essentially U-shaped basic form.

40. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that the measuring module (20) comprises a circuit board (30) which includes the parts of the sensor units, the measuring transducers, a microcontroller, a memory element, a connecting means, a transmitting means and a communicating means, in particular also an interface.

41. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that a positioner, in particular an I/P converter and/or a motor controller, is provided in the measuring module (20).

42. Measuring device according to claim 25, characterized in that the measuring device (10) has a temperature sensor unit for detecting the temperature, which temperature sensor unit is arranged on the measuring module (20).

43. Valve assembly (38) comprising an actuating drive (34) with a drive rod, a control valve (32) which can be actuated via a valve rod, and a measuring device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring device (10) is detachably connected to the housing of the actuating drive (34) and is detachably connected to the housing of the control valve (32), with the measuring device (10) connecting the drive shaft of the actuating drive (34) and the drive shaft of the control valve (32) via the connecting shaft (12).

44. Plural valve assemblies according to claim 43, which have differently dimensioned actuating drives, control valves and housings of the measuring device, characterized in that the dimension and the design of the measuring module (20) of the valve assemblies (38) are the same in each case.

45. Valve assemblies according to claim 44, characterized in that the base area A of the measuring module (20) is in the range of 30 mm2A<=50 mm2.

46. Valve assemblies according to claim 44, characterized in that the positioning of the signal transmitter relative to the signal receiver of each valve assembly (38) is identical in each case.

47. Valve assemblies according to claim 44, characterized in that the signal receiver is designed as a pole ring (28a), with the number of poles being constant, irrespective of the dimensions of the actuating drive (34), the control valve (32) and the housing (11) of the measuring device (10).

48. Measuring device according to claim 44, characterized in that the webs (24) are designed in such a way that, due to different dimensioning, the deflection of the webs (24) is almost the same for different nominal loads and maximum loads.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] In the drawings,

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a measuring device with a measuring module according to the invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a part of a measuring device according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 3a is a top view of the measuring device of FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 3b is a side view of the measuring device of FIG. 3a;

[0046] FIG. 4a is a top view of the measuring device of FIG. 1 of small dimensions;

[0047] FIG. 4b is a side view of the measuring device of FIG. 4a; and

[0048] FIG. 5 is a side view of a control valve with integrated measuring device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a measuring housing and an actuating drive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] FIGS. 1 to 5 are views of a measuring device 10 according to the invention, having a housing 11, a connecting shaft 12, a first connecting wall 14, a second connecting wall 16 and a connecting element 18 that connects the connecting walls.

[0050] The housing 11 has an essentially cuboid shape. The connecting shaft 12 is cylindrical and passes through the housing 11 in the lower area in the second connecting wall 16.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the measuring device 10 according to the invention with a housing 11 and a measuring module 20. The housing 11 comprises a first connecting wall 14 arranged at the top and a second connecting wall 16 arranged at the bottom. Four connection mounts 14a and a central shaft mount 14b are provided in the first connecting wall 14. The second connecting wall 16 has several connecting mounts 16a and a shank 16b. The connecting wall 16 is provided with two opposing, laterally fixed connecting walls 22a, 22b. The connecting walls 22a, 22b and the connecting wall 16 are made from the same material and in one piece. The connecting wall 14 is connected to the connecting walls 22a, 22b and thus to the connecting wall 16 in the upper area, via webs 24.

[0052] The connecting element 18 consists of the webs 24 and the connecting walls 22a, 22b.

[0053] The connection mounts 14a, 16a are designed to accommodate an actuating drive 34 or a control valve 32. Furthermore, the first connecting wall 14 and the second connecting wall 16 each have an opening 14c, 16c for the connecting shaft 12, on the one hand for connecting the drive shaft of the actuating drive 34 and on the other hand for connection to the actuating shaft of the control valve 32.

[0054] The measuring device 10 has six webs 24, with the first connecting wall 14 being connected to the first connecting wall 22a via three webs 24 each and to the second connecting wall 22b via three webs 24 each.

[0055] The second connecting wall 16 and the connecting walls 22a, 22b form a U-shape.

[0056] The connecting walls 22a, 22b run parallel in the direction of the axis of rotation 12a. The webs 24 run radially in relation to the axis of rotation 12a. The webs 24 are more resilient in the direction of rotation of the axis of rotation 12a than in the direction along the axis of rotation 12a.

[0057] For positive coupling of the drive shaft and the actuating shaft to the connecting shaft 12, square connections are provided as a mount 14b or as a shank 16b, in which the shape-complementary ends of the drive shaft and the actuating shaft engage, thus creating a non-rotating connection.

[0058] The measuring module 20 is arranged on the second connecting wall 22b and is firmly connected to the second connecting wall 22b via two connection mounts 20a. The measuring module 20 is cuboid in shape. It has a torque sensor 26a on the side facing the first connecting wall 14. On the opposite side and at a distance, a pointer 26b with a permanent magnet 26c is arranged on the first connecting wall 14. The resilient webs 24 are located between the first connecting wall 14 and the connecting wall 22b, which webs 24 will deform when a drive torque is applied to the actuating shaft, which deformation can be sensed by means of a change in displacement by means of the permanent magnet 26c on the pointer 26b relative to the torque sensor 26a of the measuring module 20 on the connecting wall 22b and a resulting change in the magnetic field line orientation or a magnetic force.

[0059] The measuring module 20 is arranged centrally between the first connecting wall 14 and the second connecting wall 16.

[0060] The pole ring 28a partially surrounds the connecting shaft 14 in the area of the measuring module 20.

[0061] The connection mounts 14a of the first connecting wall 14 are used to connect the measuring device 10 to the actuating drive 34 using connecting elements, see FIG. 5. The connection mounts 16a of the second connecting wall 16 are provided for connection to the control valve 32 by connecting elements of the measuring device 10.

[0062] The measuring device 10 has a temperature sensor unit (not shown in detail here) for detecting the temperature. The temperature sensor unit is located on the measuring module 20.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the housing 11 according to the invention.

[0064] For the sake of clarity, the housing 11 has neither a measuring module 20 nor a connecting shaft 12.

[0065] The housing 11 essentially has a cuboid basic shape. The second connecting wall 16 is longer. On the side, the second connecting wall 16 is provided with the connecting walls 22a, 22b. On the side remote from the second connecting wall 16, an intermediate connecting wall 22c connects the connecting walls 22a, 22b. The first connecting wall 14 is connected to the intermediate connecting wall 22c via the connecting walls 22a, 22b and the second connecting wall 16 by means of webs 24 extending parallel to the axis of rotation 12a away from the intermediate connecting wall 22c and the second connecting wall 16.

[0066] The intermediate connecting wall 22c is firmly connected to the connecting walls 22a, 22b and has a central through-opening 22d. The through-opening 22d is aligned with the connecting shaft mount 14b. The webs 24 are each arranged on the intermediate connecting wall 22c and each terminate on one side with the through-opening 22d.

[0067] In this embodiment, the webs 24 run axially in the direction of the axis of rotation 12a.

[0068] The web 24a is also designed as a pointer 26b of a torque sensor.

[0069] In this embodiment, the connecting element 18 consists of the webs 24, the connecting walls 22a, 22b and the intermediate connecting wall 22c.

[0070] FIG. 3a is a top view of the measuring device of FIG. 1.

[0071] The connecting shaft openings 14c are centrally formed and are centric to the connecting shaft 12. The pole ring 28a surrounds the connecting shaft 12. The first connecting wall 14 is arranged around the pole ring 28a. This wall 14 is connected to the connecting walls 22a, 22b via the webs 24.

[0072] The measuring module 20 is mounted on the second connecting wall 22b on the right-hand side. The measuring module 20 has a torque sensor 26a and a rotational-angle sensor 28b. The rotational-angle sensor 28b is designed as a magnetic sensor. Both sensors 26a, 28b are located on a circuit board 30 in the area of the upper side of the measuring module 20 facing the first connecting wall 14. It is indicated in the drawing that a permanent magnet 26c is attached to the pointer 26b centrally above the torque sensor 26a. The rotational-angle sensor 28b is flush with the side of the measuring module 20 facing the pole ring 28a. A minimum distance is provided between pole ring 28a and rotational-angle sensor 28b in order not to impair the rotational movement of the connecting shaft 12.

[0073] The circuit board 30 further comprises a measuring transducer, a microcontroller, a memory element, a connecting means, a transmitting means and a communicating means, in particular also an interface.

[0074] A positioner, in particular an I/P converter and/or a motor controller, is provided in the measuring module 20.

[0075] The positioning of the signal transmitters, i.e. of the pointer 26b and the pole ring 28a, in relation to the signal receivers, i.e. the rotational-angle sensor 28b and the torque sensor 26a, of each differently dimensioned measuring device 10 is the same in each case.

[0076] The number of poles of the pole ring 28a is constant, regardless of the dimensions of the actuating drive 34, control valve 32 and housing 11 of the measuring device 10.

[0077] FIG. 3b is a side view of the measuring device 10 of FIG. 3a.

[0078] The torque sensor 26a is mounted on the pointer 26b below the permanent magnet 26c. A gap can be seen between the torque sensor 26a and the permanent magnet 26c, so that the deformation of the webs 24 can be measured without contact when a torque is applied.

[0079] The pole ring 28a surrounds the connecting shaft 12 centrally and is firmly connected to it.

[0080] Below the second connecting wall 16, the shank 16b protrudes from the connecting shaft opening 16c of the second connecting wall 16.

[0081] FIG. 4a is a top view of the measuring device of FIG. 1. In this case, the housing 11 and the connecting shaft 12 as well as the pole ring 28a have different dimensions than in FIG. 3a. The dimensions of the measuring module 20 are the same as in FIG. 3a.

[0082] The footprint A of the measuring module 20 is in the range of greater than or equal to 30 mm2 and less than or equal to 50 mm2. The positioning of the pole ring 28a in relation to the rotational-angle sensor 28b remains the same for all sizes of measuring devices 10. The centering on the connecting wall 22b is always arranged in such a way that the measuring module 20 maintains this position without any additional manual adjustment. The pole ring 28a always has the same number of poles, even for different outer diameters of the connecting shaft 12. In this way, the resolution per degree of angle is the same for all dimensions of the housing 11 and connecting shafts 12 of the measuring device 10, and no adjustment of the resolution and the characteristic curve is required for the electronics.

[0083] FIG. 4b is a side view of the measuring device of FIG. 4a.

[0084] The positioning of the torque sensor 26a in relation to the pointer 26b remains the same for all sizes of measuring devices 10. The centering on the connecting wall 22b is always arranged in such a way that the measuring module 20 maintains this position without any additional manual adjustment. The webs 24 are designed in such a way that the deflection of the webs 24 is always the same for the intended nominal load, maximum load of the respective measuring device. The webs 24 are therefore designed to be correspondingly larger for higher nominal loads. In this way, the characteristic curve for the deflection is the same for all dimensions of the actuating drives 34, control valves 32 and housing 11 of the measuring device 10. Only a single factor for the intended nominal load needs to be stored in the electronics of the measuring module 20. The deflection measured via the magnet system is multiplied by a factor in order to output the appropriate force curve.

[0085] FIG. 5 is a side view of a control valve assembly 38 consisting of a control valve 32 of the installed measuring device 10 with the measuring housing 20 and an actuating drive 34.

[0086] The measuring device 10 is detachably connected to the control valve 32 on the second connecting wall 16 via screw connections 36. The measuring device 10 is detachably connected to the actuating drive 34 at the first connecting wall 14. The actuating drive 34 engages in the shaft mount 14b of the first connecting wall 14 and transmits a torque to the connecting shaft 12. The shank 16b of the second connecting wall 16 is connected to the control valve 32 in a drive-locked manner meaning that the torque is transmitted from the actuating drive 34 to the control valve 32 via the connecting shaft 12.

[0087] The measuring device 10 makes it possible to monitor the status of these components 32, 34 of a control valve assembly 38 with little cabling and production effort for differently dimensioned control valves 32 and actuating drives 34. The torque sensor 26a records a torque curve which is compared with a reference curve. The angle of rotation of a valve element in the control valve 32 is monitored by the rotational-angle sensor 28b. This allows an error message to be issued if the actuating drive 34 or the control valve 32 is in a critical state, in order to prevent complete failure of the components 32, 34.

List of Reference Signs

[0088] 10 measuring system [0089] 11 housing [0090] 12 connecting shaft [0091] 12a axis of rotation of connecting shaft 12 [0092] 14 first connecting wall [0093] 14a connection mount of first connecting wall 14 [0094] 14b shaft mount of first connecting wall 14 [0095] 14c connecting shaft opening in first connecting wall 14 [0096] 16 second connecting wall [0097] 16a connection mount of second connecting wall 16 [0098] 16b shank of second connecting wall 16 [0099] 16c connecting shaft opening in first connecting wall 16 [0100] 18 connecting element [0101] 20 measuring module [0102] 22a first connecting wall [0103] 22b second connecting wall [0104] 22 intermediate connecting wall [0105] 24 web [0106] 24a web with pointer 26b [0107] 26a torque sensor [0108] 26b pointer [0109] 26c permanent magnet [0110] 28a pole ring [0111] 28b rotational-angle sensor [0112] 30 circuit board [0113] 32 control valve [0114] 34 actuating drive [0115] 36 screw connection [0116] 38 control valve assembly