Visual valve position indicator with wireless transmitter

• US 10,140,843 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2015
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Jordan, Eric, Tatum, Bill
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Littlejohn, Jr., Mancil
• Application Number:
  US14/598,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20150204457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,412 Days
• Field of Search: 3405391, 1374857, 137552, 137137, 137554, 137556, 137553, 1375563
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0519 Endotracheal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36171 Frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36178 Burst or pulse train parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36196 Frequency modulation
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0033 using a permanent magnet, e.g. in combination with a reed relays
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

An indicator device with wireless communication functionality for monitoring a position of a valve actuating device. The indicator device including a visual indication device having an outer beacon and an inner beacon received within the outer beacon and arranged to rotate relative to the outer beacon, a wireless module including at least one sensor, positioned within the inner beacon of the visual indication device, and configured to transmit a message using the wireless module, and a shaft extending through the visual indication device and coupled to the valve actuating device. Rotation of the shaft is detectable by the at least one sensor of the wireless module to indicate the position of the valve actuating device, and the indicator device is sealed to inhibit infiltration of liquid and penetration of debris to the wireless module.

Claims

1. An indicator device with wireless communication functionality for monitoring a position of a valve actuating device, the indicator device comprising:

a visual indication device including an outer beacon and an inner beacon received within the outer beacon and arranged to rotate relative to the outer beacon;

an adapter ring coupled to the outer beacon, the adapter ring having a channel through a center thereof;

a first seal positioned between and contacted by the outer beacon and the adapter ring;

a central hub extending upwardly from the valve actuating device and having a shaft opening formed through a center thereof;

a wireless module including at least one sensor, the wireless module positioned within the inner beacon of the visual indication device and configured to transmit a message using the wireless module; and

a shaft extending through the visual indication device and through the central hub of the valve actuating device, wherein rotation of the shaft is detectable by the at least one sensor of the wireless module to indicate the position of the valve actuating device,

wherein the indicator device is configured to be removably coupled to an outer surface of the valve actuating device with a second seal positioned between the adapter ring and the valve actuating device to inhibit at least one of infiltration of liquid and penetration of debris to the wireless module and the inner beacon is configured to rotate relative to the adapter ring.

2. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the indicator device is sealed with respect to the valve actuating device.

3. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the wireless module utilizes a wireless communication protocol, the wireless communication protocol including at least one of a Zigbee Pro protocol, a WirelessHART protocol, and an ISA SP100 protocol.

4. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the message transmitted by the wireless module includes a position message indicating the position of the actuating device.

5. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the message transmitted by the wireless module includes a diagnostic message corresponding to at least one of the actuating device, the wireless module, and the visual indicating device.

6. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the wireless module is configured to transmit the message at a pre-determined time interval.

7. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the shaft is sealingly coupled to the valve actuating device.

8. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the visual indication device includes at least one marking to indicate the position of the valve actuating device.

9. The indicator device of claim 8, wherein the visual indication device is constructed from a transparent material enabling the at least one marking to be visible therethrough.

10. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the wireless module is positioned entirely within the inner beacon.

11. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the wireless module is powered by a battery.

12. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the channel through the center of the adapter ring is configured to receive a portion of the first seal.

13. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein the inner beacon is positioned radially inward from the channel formed in the adaptor ring.

14. An indicator device with wireless communication functionality for monitoring a position of a valve actuating device, the indicator device comprising:

an outer beacon defining a sealed interior, wherein a portion of the outer beacon is substantially transparent;

an inner beacon arranged within the sealed interior of the outer beacon and rotatable relative thereto, the inner beacon defining at least one marking to indicate the position of the valve actuating device;

an adapter ring coupled to the outer beacon;

a first seal positioned between and contacted by the outer beacon and the adapter ring;

a wireless module arranged substantially within the inner beacon and within the sealed interior, the wireless module including at least one sensor and configured to transmit a message;

a shaft extending through the wireless module and engaging the inner beacon such that rotation of the shaft induces rotation of the inner beacon and actuation of the wireless module;

wherein the adapter ring is configured to be removably coupled to an outer surface of the valve actuating device with a second seal positioned between the adapter ring and the valve actuating device and the inner beacon is configured to rotate relative to the adapter ring.

15. The indicator device of claim 14, wherein the wireless module is powered by at least one battery.

16. The indicator device of claim 14, wherein the indicator device is substantially sealed to inhibit at least one of infiltration of liquid and penetration of debris into the indicator device.

17. The indicator device of claim 14, wherein the adapter ring is selected from one of a plurality of adapter rings and includes mounting features that correspond to the valve actuating device.

18. A method of retrofitting an indicator device onto a valve actuating device, the valve actuating device including a housing defining mounting features and a central hub, and an output shaft,

the indicator device including:

a visual indication device including an outer beacon and an inner beacon received within the outer beacon and arranged to rotate relative to the outer beacon,

an adapter ring coupled to the outer beacon;

a first seal positioned between and contacted by the outer beacon and the adapter ring;

the central hub extending upwardly from the valve actuating device and having a shaft opening formed through a center thereof;

a wireless module including at least one sensor, the wireless module positioned within the inner beacon of the visual indication device and configured to transmit a message using the wireless module, and

an indicator shaft extending through the visual indication device and coupled to the output shaft of the valve actuating device, wherein rotation of the indicator shaft is detectable by the at least one sensor of the wireless module to indicate the position of the valve actuating device,

wherein the indicator device is configured to be removably coupled to an outer surface of the valve actuating device with a second seal positioned between the adapter ring and the valve actuating device to inhibit at least one of infiltration of liquid and penetration of debris to the wireless module and the inner beacon is configured to rotate relative to the adapter ring,

the method comprising;

inserting the indicator shaft through the central hub of the valve actuating device;

coupling the indicator shaft to the output shaft such that rotation of the output shaft results in proportional rotation of the indicator shaft; and

sealingly engaging the indicator device with the first and second seals.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising selecting the adapter ring that corresponds with the mounting features of the housing from a plurality of different adapter rings.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a first adapter ring is selected for a first valve actuating device and a second adapter ring is selected for a second valve actuating device.