Combination isolation valve and check valve with integral flow rate, pressure, and/or temperature measurement with wireless power

• US 10,072,855 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2016
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fluid Handling LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fluid Handling LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rosca, Florin, Pezzuolo, Andrea
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US15/262,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20170191681A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/18 with actuating mechanism; Combined check valves and actuated valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/003 reacting to pressure and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0025 Electrical or magnetic means F16K37/0075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0075 For recording or indicating the functioning of a valve in combination with test equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0091 by measuring fluid parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/84 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/12 Heat-exchange fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/20 Heat-exchange fluid temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0003 Exclusively-fluid systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/14 Casings, e.g. of special material
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/08 Protective devices, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/14 Housings G01L19/0007, G01L19/0084, G01L19/0092, G01L19/04, G01L19/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/02 Conversion of ac power input into dc power output without possibility of reversal
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A wirelessly powered system includes a wirelessly powered combination isolation valve and check valve for a hydronic system, having a positive shut-off isolation valve configured in the hydronic system to prevent fluid flow, including to allow for maintenance of the hydronic system, a check valve configured in the hydronic system to prevent backflow and gravity circulation which can harm the hydronic system, and a combination of one or more sensors configured to sense a corresponding combination of one or more pressure, temperature or flow measurements of the fluid flow in the hydronic system and provide sensor signaling containing information about the corresponding combination of the one or more pressure, temperature or flow measurements sensed of the fluid flow in the hydronic system; and an onboard wireless power receiver configured to receive wireless power signaling, and provide power to energize the combination of the one or more sensors.

Claims

1. A wirelessly powered system, comprising

a wirelessly powered combination valve for a hydronic system, having

a positive shut-off isolation valve configured in the hydronic system to prevent fluid flow, including to allow for maintenance of the hydronic system,

a check valve configured in the hydronic system to prevent backflow and gravity circulation which can harm the hydronic system, and

one or more sensors configured to sense one or more corresponding pressure, temperature or flow measurements of the fluid flow in the hydronic system and provide sensor signaling containing information about the one or more corresponding pressure, temperature or flow measurements sensed of the fluid flow in the hydronic system;

and

an onboard wireless power receiver configured to receive wireless power signaling, and provide power to energize the one or more sensors.

2. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 1, wherein the onboard wireless power receiver is configured to receive the wireless power signaling in the form of radio frequency (RF) signaling and convert the RF signaling into direct current (DC) signaling for powering the combination of the one or more sensors.

3. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 2, wherein the wirelessly powered system comprises a remote transmitter configured to provide the RF signaling using cordless energy transmission.

4. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 3, wherein the remote transmitter is configured to provide the RF signaling either for continuously powering the one or more sensors, or for periodically powering the one or more sensors, or for powering the one or more sensors based upon the sensing and/or data transmission rate, or some combination thereof.

5. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors is powered by discrete energy packets for data collection and transmission within the wirelessly powered combination isolation valve and check valve.

6. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 1, wherein

the wirelessly powered system comprises a wireless data transmission arrangement configured to receive the sensor signaling, and provide wireless data transmission sensor signaling containing information about the one or more pressure, temperature or flow measurements sensed of the fluid flow in the hydronic system;

and

the onboard wireless power receiver is configured to provide power to energize the wireless data transmission arrangement and enable wireless data communication.

7. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 1, wherein the onboard wireless power receiver comprises a wireless receiver configured to receive the wireless power signaling in the form of wireless RF power signaling.

8. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 7, wherein the onboard wireless power receiver comprises a wireless to DC power converter to convert the wireless RF power signaling into DC power signaling to energize the one or more sensors.

9. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 8, wherein the onboard wireless power receiver comprises a DC power provisioning module configured to provide the DC power to the one or more sensors.

10. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 1, wherein the onboard wireless power receiver comprises a wireless to DC power converter to convert the wireless power signaling into DC power signaling to energize the one or more sensors.

11. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are DC sensors configured to receive DC signaling and sense the one or more pressure, temperature or flow measurements of the fluid flow in the hydronic system.

12. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are completely sealed and enclosed, including hermetically, without the need for a coupling or connection to electrical power wiring.

13. The wirelessly powered system according to claim 1, wherein the wirelessly powered system is, or forms part of, an HVAC hydronic system for use in residential, commercial or industrial applications.