Valve With Built-In Sensor

• US 20090165866A1
• Filed: 12/23/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Giovanni Fima
• Original Assignee: Giovanni Fima
• Inventors: Fima, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US12/343,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20090165866A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/15.170
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/005 for measuring fluid parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 47/045 and the closure member being rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0605 with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/00 Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow measuring a proportion of the volume flow G01F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0486 Specific valve or valve element mounting or repairing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9029 With coupling

Abstract

A valve is disclosed that has a control ball. The control ball has a passageway within which a sensor is disposed. The sensor measures a characteristic of the fluid passing through the control ball. The control ball can be controlled either manually or with an electronic actuator. A method is disclosed of retrofitting an existing fluid distribution system by replacing a valve that lacks sensing capabilities with a new valve having a sensor. The sensor measures the flow, temperature, or pressure of the fluid, and provides a signal that can be remotely monitored and corresponds to the measured characteristic.

Claims

1. A valve, comprising:

a control ball having a fluid passageway;

a sensor disposed in the passageway.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the sensor has electronics that converts a fluid flow rate to an electrical signal.

3. The valve of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a turbine.

4. The valve of claim 1, wherein the sensor detects flow using a magnet.

5. The valve of claim 1, wherein the sensor converts a temperature to an electrical signal.

6. The valve of claim 1, wherein the sensor converts a pressure to an electrical signal.

7. The valve of claim 1, further comprising a motor that turns the control ball.

8. The valve of claim 1, further comprising a display that displays at least one of a flow rate, a temperature, and a pressure.

18. The coupling of claim 1, further comprising a check valve.

19. The coupling of claim 1, further comprising a turbine that operates to provide both flow and the pressure information.

9. A method of retrofitting an existing fluid distribution system, comprising:

replacing an existing valve that has no sensing capabilities with a new valve that includes a sensor that provides a first signal corresponding to a first property selected from the group consisting of flow, temperature and pressure; and

remotely monitoring the signal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of replacing the existing valve comprises installing the new valve in a portion of the fluid distribution system situated in a multi-family residential building.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of replacing the existing valve comprises installing the new valve in a portion of the fluid distribution system situated in a multi-unit commercial building.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of remotely monitoring comprises installing electronics that carries the first signal over a power line.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising installing at a second valve of the water system, a second sensor that provides a second signal corresponding to a second property selected from the group consisting of flow, temperature and pressure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of remotely monitoring comprises utilizing a monitor that receives both first and second signals.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing the new valve with a monitor that displays information derived from the first signal.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the new valve is operated by an actuator, and remotely controlling the actuator.

17. A coupling for positioning upstream or downstream of a valve, the coupling having a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor.