阅读说明：本技术 马达驱动的轴向流量控制阀 (Motor-driven axial flow control valve ) 是由 D·克努帕 T·克努帕 R·奥布瑞斯特 于 2018-09-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及马达驱动的轴向流量控制阀,包括具有入口(3)、相对的出口(4)以及相对于入口(3)和出口(4)大致轴向对准而位于其间的通道的阀体(2),和布置在通道中且操作地连接到搁置在阀体(2)上的开关壳体(7)中的马达驱动器(6)的流量控制路径,其中,流量控制阀由两个径向布置的盘(8)形成,上述盘彼此叠置且各具有至少一个通道开口,其中一个盘是永久地布置在阀体(2)中的定子盘(8),另一个盘能轴向旋转地位于定子盘(8)上,该能旋转盘(9)与能轴向旋转的套筒(10)接合,套筒轴向地布置在通道中且流量能够在其腔中穿过该套筒,其中,所述套筒(10)在其外周面上操作地连接到马达驱动器(6)。(The invention relates to a motor-driven axial flow control valve, comprising a valve body (2) having an inlet (3), an opposite outlet (4) and a passage therebetween in substantial axial alignment with respect to the inlet (3) and the outlet (4), and a flow control path arranged in the passage and operatively connected to a motor drive (6) in a switch housing (7) resting on the valve body (2), wherein the flow control valve is formed by two radially arranged discs (8) which are superposed on one another and each have at least one passage opening, wherein one disc is a stator disc (8) permanently arranged in the valve body (2), the other disc being axially rotatably located on the stator disc (8), the rotatable disc (9) being engaged with an axially rotatable sleeve (10) which is axially arranged in the passage and through which a flow can pass in its cavity, wherein the sleeve (10) is operatively connected to a motor drive (6) on its outer circumference.)

1. A motor-driven axial flow control valve (1) comprising a valve body (2) having an inlet (3) and an opposite outlet (4) and a passage between the inlet and the outlet having a substantially axial orientation with respect to the inlet (3) and the outlet (4), and a flow control member (5) arranged in the passage and operatively connected to a motor drive (6) in a switch housing (7) abutting the valve body (2), characterized in that the flow control member (5) is formed by two radially arranged discs (8, 9) placed one on the other and each having at least one through opening, one of the discs being a stator disc (8) fixedly arranged in the valve body (2), the other disc (9) being placed on the stator disc (8) in an axially rotatable manner, and the rotatable disc (9) is engaged with an axially rotatable sleeve (10) which is axially arranged in the channel and through which a flow can pass in its cavity, wherein the sleeve (10) is operatively connected at its outer circumference to the motor drive (6).

2. A motor-driven axial flow control valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor drive (6) comprises an electric motor (12) with a transmission (13) and a drive shaft (14), and a drive wheel (15) is placed on the drive shaft (14), which drive wheel is operatively connected to the outer circumferential surface of the axially rotatable sleeve (10).

3. A motor-driven axial flow control valve (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive wheel (15) is configured as a gear wheel and the axially rotatable sleeve (10) has teeth (11) on its outer circumference.

4. A motor-driven axial flow control valve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the driving wheel (15) configured as a gear wheel is engaged in the teeth (11) and is thus operatively connected to the axially rotatable sleeve (10).

5. A motor-driven axial flow control valve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the teeth (11) on the outer circumference of the axially rotatable sleeve (10) are operatively connected to the drive wheel (15) configured as a gear wheel by means of a toothed belt.

6. A motor driven axial flow control valve (1) according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the electric motor (12) is a stepper motor or a DC motor.

7. Motor driven axial flow control valve (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the two radially arranged discs (8, 9) comprises a material selected from the group comprising ceramics, metals and engineering plastics.

8. Motor driven axial flow control valve (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axially rotatable sleeve (10) in the valve body (2) is provided with a seal (22) on its outer circumference.

9. Motor driven axial flow control valve (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet (3) is on the stator disc (8) side and the outlet (4) is on the axially rotatable sleeve (10) side.

10. Motor driven axial flow control valve (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sensor (16) is mounted in the valve body (2).

11. Motor driven axial flow control valve (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one sensor (16) is selected from the group comprising a flow sensor (17), a temperature sensor (18), a pressure sensor (19) and a hygiene sensor (20).

12. A motor-driven axial flow control valve (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that a turbine flow meter is selected as the flow sensor (17).

13. Motor driven axial flow control valve (1) according to any of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that a flow sensor (17) and/or a temperature sensor (18) is mounted at the inlet (3) of the valve body (2) and a pressure sensor (19) and/or a hygiene sensor (20) is mounted at the outlet (4) of the valve body (2).

14. Motor driven axial flow control valve (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an interface connection (21) for supplying electrical power, for actuating the motor drive (6) and for capturing measurement signals from a sensor (16) and for transmitting data is present on the switch housing (7) of the motor driven axial flow control valve (1).

15. Motor driven axial flow control valve (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the interface connection (21) is connected to a monitoring unit for control and data evaluation purposes.

16. Use of a motor-driven axial flow control valve (1) according to any of claims 1 to 15 as a control valve, flow regulating valve, water meter, circulation valve or safety shut-off valve in water supply, in sanitary installations or in heating and cooling systems of buildings, which safety shut-off valve monitors events such as abnormal water consumption or possible leaks at water connections of houses or floors by means of a monitoring unit.

17. Use according to claim 16, characterized in that for monitoring events such as abnormal water consumption or possible leaks, the motor-driven axial flow control valve (1) has a flow sensor (17) at the inlet (3) and a pressure sensor (19) at the outlet (4).

18. Use according to any of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that when an event occurs, a message is transmitted from the monitoring unit to a control centre or to a user's application and in case of a leak, the water connection is cut off by automatic closing of the motor-driven axial flow control valve (1).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a motor driven axial flow control valve.

Background

In the context of the present invention, "axial" should be understood to mean that the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the flow control valve in question extends mainly linearly and without any significant deflection on the axis between two opposite connections, i.e. inlet and outlet. Furthermore, the axial flow control valve is motor-driven, i.e. its flow can be adjusted by means of a motor drive acting on the control member.

It should be noted here that the term "control valve" also covers a regulating valve, and that the control component may also be a regulating component. Whether a valve is used for adjustment to a specific target value of a parameter or whether it is controlled (adjusted) only by its opening width depends mainly on the system in which the valve is incorporated.

A general type of motor driven axial flow control valve is described in EP 2391839B 1. The valve comprises a valve housing with a passage between an inlet and an outlet and with a flow control member, wherein the flow path is oriented substantially axially, and wherein, in said document, the motor drive is located inside the flow control member. The valve stem in the flow control member may be moved axially by a motor drive and may thus vary the flow rate in the valve seat.

Another embodiment of a motor driven axial flow control valve is described in US 10,036,480B 2. In said document, a motor drive for a valve piston which can be displaced in an axial cage is arranged on the outside of the valve housing. The motor drive acts on the rod of the axially displaceable valve piston via a rotatable or linear transverse spindle by means of a rack and pinion mechanism or a hinge.

The embodiments of motor-driven axial flow control valves known from the prior art are complex in their internal structure and drive side and not very compact in their overall design.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative motor driven axial flow control valve.

This object is achieved by a motor-driven axial flow control valve having the features of claim 1.

The invention also relates to the use of a motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention.

Preferred embodiments and variants according to the invention can be found in the respective dependent claims.

The motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention comprises a valve body having an inlet and an opposite outlet and a passage between the inlet and the outlet, which passage has a substantially axial orientation with respect to the inlet and the outlet, and a flow control member which is arranged in the passage and which is operatively connected to a motor drive in a switch housing supported against the valve body, wherein the flow control member is formed by two radially arranged discs which are stacked on top of each other and which each have at least one through-opening, wherein one disc is a stator disc fixedly arranged in the valve body, the other disc is placed on the stator disc in an axially rotatable manner and the rotatable disc is engaged with an axially rotatable sleeve which is axially arranged in the passage and through which the flow can pass in its cavity, wherein, the sleeve is operatively connected at its outer circumferential surface to a motor drive.

The expression "bearing against" with respect to the switch housing means that the switch housing is mechanically fixedly connected to the valve body, for example by screw fastening, in a removable or non-removable manner, or that the switch housing is integrally formed on or made integral with the valve body.

Flow control valves having motor-actuated rotor discs cooperating with stator discs are known, for example, from EP 1767840B 1 or WO 2016/131472 a 1. However, in the valve structure described, the drive takes place via a spindle, which for space reasons requires that the outflow (outflow) of water from the flow control member must be deflected by 90 degrees. Firstly, this increases the flow resistance and secondly, a stagnation space is created on the rear side facing away from the outflow, which makes it necessary to provide an additional rearward-facing window in the cartridge wall for flushing without any dead space.

In contrast, the motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the present invention is more compact due to its novel drive design and is capable of achieving a substantially linear axial flow without stagnation zones. Due to this flow optimization design, which results in a low pressure loss, a high maximum flow ("high flow") can be achieved with the flow control valve according to the invention. Furthermore, less noise is generated in the flow control valve according to the present invention due to the linear flow.

In the present invention, the operative connection between the motor drive and the outer circumferential surface of the axially rotatable sleeve can be realized in various ways. For example, worm gears are contemplated.

The motor drive of the motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention preferably comprises an electric motor with a transmission and a drive shaft on which a drive wheel is placed, said drive wheel being operatively connected to the outer circumferential surface of the axially rotatable sleeve.

The drive shaft is preferably oriented with its axis parallel to the axially rotatable sleeve. For example, a belt drive comprising a flat drive belt or a V-drive belt would be between the drive wheel and the outer circumferential surface of the axially rotatable sleeve.

In one embodiment, the drive wheel is configured as a gear wheel, and the axially rotatable sleeve has teeth on its outer circumferential surface. In particular, chain drives are also possible according to this basic principle.

Preferably, the drive wheel, which is configured as a gear wheel, engages in the teeth on the outer circumferential surface of the axially rotatable sleeve and is thus operatively connected to the axially rotatable sleeve.

In another embodiment, the teeth on the outer circumferential surface of the axially rotatable sleeve are operatively connected to a drive wheel configured as a gear wheel by means of a toothed belt.

The electric motor of the motor driven axial flow control valve is preferably a stepper motor or a dc motor.

In the motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the present invention, at least one of the two radially arranged discs preferably comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, metals and engineering plastics. Preferably, the at least one disc is made of such a material, for example of ceramic.

Metal is to be understood as meaning both pure metals and metal alloys. The disks made of metal may additionally be surface-coated. On the other hand, suitable engineering plastics must be characterized by good technical properties, such as high strength, dimensional stability, thermal stability, wear resistance and good sliding properties. Such plastics are often reinforced with additives. Suitable polymers include, for example, high temperature polyamides.

In the motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention, the axially rotatable sleeve in the valve body is preferably provided with a seal on its outer circumferential surface. These seals are preferably mechanical seals for good rotational mobility. The seal is used to seal the interior of the valve body with respect to the drive side on the outer circumferential surface of the axially rotatable sleeve.

Instead of sealing directly against the inner wall of the valve body, the axially rotatable sleeve may optionally also seal against a closely fitting sleeve in the valve body. The axially rotatable sleeve and the two discs of the flow control member may be received in such a closely fitting sleeve. The close-fitting sleeve must have a cut-out (cutout) at the location of the operative drive connection.

Due to the sealing, it is advantageous in the motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention if the inlet is located on the stator disc side and the outlet is located on the sleeve side, which is axially rotatable. In this way, the seal of the axially rotatable sleeve is exposed to a lower high pressure. In principle, however, the valve can also be operated in the opposite flow direction (inlet and outlet exchange).

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, in the motor-driven axial flow control valve, at least one sensor is mounted in the valve body. This makes it possible to perform measurements and evaluate the captured data during operation.

The at least one sensor is in particular selected from the group comprising a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor and a hygiene sensor. Preferably, a turbine flow meter is selected as the flow sensor. Hygiene sensors are understood to mean those sensors which measure properties related to the water quality, for example physically and/or chemically and/or biochemically.

In the motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention, the flow sensor and/or the temperature sensor is preferably mounted at the inlet, and the pressure sensor and/or the hygiene sensor is preferably mounted at the outlet of the valve body.

Preferably, there are interface connections on the switch housing of the motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention for supplying electrical power, for actuating the motor drive, and for capturing measurement signals from the sensors and for transmitting data. Such interface connections are preferably connected to a monitoring unit for control and data evaluation purposes.

The monitoring unit may be placed outside the switch housing, for example in a control cabinet or in a control room. However, it is also possible to integrate the monitoring unit on a printed circuit board (abbreviated PCB) which also comprises the interface connection as internal measurement and control electronics in the switch housing of the axial flow control valve according to the invention.

The invention also includes the use of the motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention for fluids in general, that is to say for liquids, vapours and gases. A preferred use is in water supplies (drinking water, non-drinking water, hot water), in sanitary installations or in heating and cooling systems of buildings, in particular as control valves, flow-regulating valves, water meters, circulation valves or safety shut-off valves, the latter of which, at water connections of houses or floors, events such as abnormal water consumption or possible leaks are monitored by means of a monitoring unit. For the latter use, the motor-driven axial flow control valve may have a pressure sensor at the outlet in addition to the flow sensor at the inlet. Furthermore, when an event occurs, a message may be transmitted from the monitoring unit to the control center or to an application of the user, for example to the user's smartphone. In the event of a leak, the water connection can be cut off by automatic closing of the motor-driven axial flow control valve.

Drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings showing exemplary embodiments without limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention in a 3D exterior view.

Fig. 2 shows a motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention in a 3D external view and with additional sensor mounting locations.

Fig. 3 shows a motor driven axial flow control valve according to the invention in a 3D axial cross section.

Fig. 4 shows a motor driven axial flow control valve according to the invention in a 3D axial cross section with additional sensor mounting locations.

Fig. 5 shows a motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention in an axial longitudinal section.

Fig. 6 shows a motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention in axial longitudinal section and with additional sensor mounting positions.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an external view of a motor-driven axial flow control valve 1 according to the invention in a three-dimensional perspective view. The valve body 2, its inlet 3 and the outlet 4 located opposite the inlet 3, and a switch housing 7 abutting the valve body 2 are visible from the outside. A generally axially oriented passage between the inlet 3 and the outlet 4 is located in the valve body 2. Also visible are the mechanical position indicator 24 and the interface connection 21 with plug-in cables, one of which is used for supplying power and for actuating the motor drive, a second cable leading to an external monitoring unit (not shown) for transmitting measurement data, and a third cable which can be connected to additional external sensors (for exampleSuch as the temperature of the circulating water loop) or sensors from additional sensor mounting locations in the valve (see description associated with fig. 2). To operate as a pure control valve, one cable would be sufficient to supply power and actuate the motor drive. In the case of additional data transmission, for example, WLAN or the like can be installedAnd the like, instead of a wired interface (e.g., LAN), to enable wireless communication via such an interface.

Fig. 2 corresponds to fig. 1 with the difference that the motor-driven axial flow control valve 1 in fig. 2 has additional sensor mounting locations 16, 19, 20 for a pressure sensor 19 and/or a hygiene sensor 20 or a further sensor 16. The other components correspond to fig. 1 and are therefore not labeled again in fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is similar to fig. 1 and shows a motor-driven axial flow control valve 1 in a three-dimensional axial cross-sectional view. In addition to the components already explained with respect to fig. 1, the following features which are critical or preferred for the invention can be seen in the cut-open interior:

the flow control member 5 is formed by two radially arranged discs 8, 9 which are stacked on top of each other and which each have at least one through opening, namely a stator disc 8 fixedly arranged in the valve body 2 and an axially rotatable disc 9. By means of the rotary movement, the degree of overlap of the respective at least one through-opening of the two discs is adjusted according to the angle between the closed position and the fully open position, and thus the opening width or the free flow cross section of the valve is changed. The rotatable disc 9 is engaged with an axially rotatable sleeve 10, which sleeve 10 is arranged axially in the channel, through which sleeve the flow can pass in its cavity and thus rotate simultaneously with said sleeve in a mechanical coupling. In the shown preferred embodiment, the sleeve 10 has teeth 11 on its outer circumference, which teeth 11 are operatively connected to the motor drive 6 on the outside of the valve body 2. The motor drive 6 preferably comprises an electric motor 12 with a transmission 13. In the figure, the transmission 13 is located in the shaded area of the motor drive 6 in a region with a slightly smaller diameter. A drive shaft 14 leads from the transmission element 13, on which drive shaft 14 a drive wheel 15 is mounted. The latter is in this case designed as a gear wheel and engages in a toothing 11 on the outer circumferential surface of the axially rotatable sleeve 10 and is operatively connected in this way. In the example shown, a mechanical position indicator 24 is mounted on the end face of the drive shaft 14, which can be seen from the outside. In addition to the electronic data from the actuation of the motor drive 6, the valve position can be read indirectly here.

In order to prevent fluid or liquid from escaping from the passage in the valve body 2 into the space at the drive wheel 15, the axially rotatable sleeve 10 in the valve body 2 is preferably provided with a seal 22 on its outer circumferential surface, as shown in the figure. The seal is annular and preferably a mechanical seal. As shown in the figures, in this embodiment of the motor-driven axial flow control valve 1 according to the invention, the axially rotatable sleeve 10 does not directly seal against the inner wall of the valve body 2, but rather seals against a sleeve 23 which is a close fit in the valve body 2, and the two discs 8, 9 of the flow control member 5 are accommodated together with the axially rotatable sleeve 10 in this sleeve 23.

Also shown in fig. 3 are optional sensors 16, namely temperature sensors 16, 18 and flow sensors 16, 17. The flow sensor 17 is preferably a turbine flow meter, as shown. The rotational speed thereof is preferably registered by means of a built-in hall element (hall effect sensor).

Also marked in fig. 3 is a printed circuit board 25. The abbreviation PCB for printed circuit board is well known. A printed circuit board 25 is arranged in the switch housing 7 and comprises the electronics inside the valve. The electronics also include electrical contacts for the interface connector 21 on the printed circuit board 25, and connection points from the underside of the leftmost printed circuit board 25 down to the temperature sensors 16, 18 in the figure, and hall elements projecting down to the flow sensors 16, 17. Furthermore, an optional display 26 arranged on the printed circuit board 25 is only visible in fig. 3. The display 26 may include an LED operated display and/or a display for displaying information in a short form. In order to be able to read the display 26, the cover of the switch housing 7 is made at least translucent or transparent at least at the location of interest.

Fig. 4 corresponds to fig. 3 with the difference that the motor-driven axial flow control valve 1 in fig. 4 shows additional sensor mounting locations 16, 19, 20 (similar to fig. 2), which are suitable for example for a pressure sensor 19 and/or a hygiene sensor 20. The other details correspond to fig. 3 and are therefore not labeled again in fig. 4.

Fig. 5 corresponds to fig. 3, but fig. 5 shows an axial longitudinal section. Some details can be seen more clearly in this longitudinal section. The description of the respective features corresponds to the description of fig. 3.

Fig. 6 corresponds to fig. 5 with the difference that the motor-driven axial flow control valve 1 in fig. 6 shows additional sensor mounting locations 16, 19, 20 (similar to fig. 2, 4) which are suitable for example for a pressure sensor 19 and/or a hygiene sensor 20. The other details correspond to fig. 5 and are therefore not labeled again in fig. 6.

Considering the possibility of using a motor-driven axial flow control valve according to the invention, an additional pressure sensor 19 may be inserted for leakage monitoring. Furthermore, in addition to the sensors installed in the axial flow control valve according to the invention, separate humidity sensors may also be used for leakage monitoring and may be connected to the monitoring unit and/or to the interface connection 21.

It should be noted here that any combination of features described and/or shown in the figures falls within the scope of the present invention, as long as these combinations are not contradictory.

As can be seen from the description relating to the description and the drawings, the present invention provides an advantageous and versatile alternative solution for a motor driven axial flow control valve.

List of reference numerals

In the description of the figures, the same reference numerals in the figures indicate corresponding features even if they are not explicitly described in each case.

1 axial flow control valve driven by motor

2 valve body

3 inlet

4 outlet port

5 flow control Member

6 Motor driver

7 switch shell

8 stator disc of flow control member 5

9 rotatable disc of flow control member 5

10 axially rotatable sleeve

11 axially rotatable sleeve 10, teeth on its outer circumference

12 electric motor of motor driver 6

13 drive element of the motor drive 6

14 drive shaft of the transmission member 13

15 drive wheel on drive shaft 14

16 sensor

17 flow sensor

18 temperature sensor

19 pressure sensor

20 hygiene sensor

21 interface connector

22 sealing element, mechanical sealing element

23 closely fitting sleeve in valve body 2

24 mechanical position indicator on drive shaft 14

25 printed circuit board

26 display on printed circuit board 25.