GAS PURGE VALVE WITH ACTUATION SENSOR

• US 20130306157A1
• Filed: 01/24/2012
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: A.R.I. Flow Control Accessories Ltd.
• Original Assignee: A.R.I. Flow Control Accessories Ltd.
• Inventors: Aylon, Moshe, Bahalul, Yoel
• Granted Patent: US 10,352,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/003 Arrangement for testing of watertightness of water supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/07 Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 2201/20 Measuring flow in sewer systems
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/08 Ventilation of sewers
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/00 Other installations or implements for operating sewer systems, e.g. for preventing or indicating stoppage; Emptying cesspools
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/22 with the float rigidly connected to the valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/005 for measuring fluid parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

A gas purge valve (114A-D) is provided within a fluid system, the valve being configured with one or more sensors (134B) each for sensing and generating one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with the valve. The fluid system further comprises a power source and a transmitting system for transmitting signals from the sensors to a remote control station (130).

Claims

1. A gas purge valve configured with one or more sensors each for sensing and generating one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with the valve, a power source and a transmitting system for transmitting signals to a remote control station.

2. A gas purge valve according to claim 1, further configured with one or more sensors for sensing and generating one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with a fluid line coupled to said valve and surroundings of the valve, said signals transmitted to the remote control station.

7. A gas purge valve according to claim 1, comprising a transceiver for receiving control signals for operating switches and faucets of the valve.

8. A gas purge valve according to claim 2, wherein various parameters of the valve are controllable by electric controllers for governing fluid flow thorough the valve and/or through the fluid line.

14. A valve according to claim 1, wherein electronic circuitry of the system comprising power supply, processor, antennas and transceivers are placed in a master box wired to the sensors and electric controllers.

15. A valve according to claim 14, wherein the master box comprises one or more boxes integrated within a housing of the valve.

3. A fluid system comprising a fluid line fitted with at least one gas purge valve configured with one or more sensors, each for sensing and generating one or more valve signals indicative of parameters associated with the valve and the fluid line, and electric circuitry comprising a power source and a transmitting system for transmitting signals to a remote control station.

6. A fluid system according to claim 3, comprising at least one processor unit for receiving the valve signals and generating respective control signals which in turn operate various parameters of the valve.

10. A fluid system according to claim 3, wherein valve signals and/or control signals are stored at the memory unit at the valve or at the control station.

11. A fluid system according to claim 10, wherein control signals are configured for activating flow governing mechanisms of the valve to thereby open and close one or more fluid ports to the valve.

12. A fluid system according to claim 10, wherein the control signals are generated by an autonomous processor unit.

13. A fluid system according to claim 3, wherein the power source is a power unit configured for converting other forms of energy into electric energy.

16. A fluid system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more sensors and the electronic circuitry are modular units configured for retrofit to existing gas purge valves.

4. A method for monitoring fluid flow through a fluid system comprising a fluid line fitted with at least one gas purge valve configured with one or more sensors each for sensing and generating one or more signals indicative of parameters associated with the valve and a fluid line, a power source and a transmitting system for transmitting signals to a remote control station, and generating one or more valve signals by the sensors and transmitting the valve signals to the remote control station.

5. A method according to claim 4, further configured for controlling fluid flow through a fluid system and comprising a transceiving system for transmitting/receiving signals to/from a remote control station;

generating one or more valve signals by the sensors and transmitting the valve signals to the remote control station;

generating respective control signals which in turn operate various switches and faucets of the valve.

9. A method according to claim 4, wherein at least one processor unit is configured at or adjacent the valve, or at the remote control station, wherein control signals are transmitted to a receiver at or adjacent the valve.