Pressure Independent Control Valve for Small Diameter Flow, Energy Use and/or Transfer
First Claim
1. An apparatus for maintaining a desired flow rate in a flow path within a pipe system, comprising:
- a needle valve inserted into the flow path, wherein the flow path travels through the needle valve when the needle valve is in an open position;
an actuator in connection with the needle valve, wherein the actuator is configured to move the needle valve between the open position and a closed position;
a sensor selected from the group of sensors consisting of an ultrasonic sensor positioned in an inner wall of the pipe system wherein the ultrasonic sensor is configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal, and an inlet pressure senor positioned proximate an inlet end of the pipe system and an outlet pressure sensor positioned downstream from the inlet pressure sensor; and
wherein the pipe system has a small diameter.
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Abstract
A pressure independent control valve for small diameter applications for the purpose of regulating or maintaining a predetermined flow rate and/or energy usage/transfer within a pipe system is disclosed. A needle valve is inserted into a flow path where the flow path travels through the needle valve when the needle valve is in an open position. An actuator connects with the needle valve where the actuator is configured to move the needle valve between the open position and a closed position. The flow rate is determined from an ultrasonic sensor positioned in an inner wall of the pipe system or via differential pressure readings. The pipe system has a small diameter.
60 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for maintaining a desired flow rate in a flow path within a pipe system, comprising:
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a needle valve inserted into the flow path, wherein the flow path travels through the needle valve when the needle valve is in an open position; an actuator in connection with the needle valve, wherein the actuator is configured to move the needle valve between the open position and a closed position; a sensor selected from the group of sensors consisting of an ultrasonic sensor positioned in an inner wall of the pipe system wherein the ultrasonic sensor is configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal, and an inlet pressure senor positioned proximate an inlet end of the pipe system and an outlet pressure sensor positioned downstream from the inlet pressure sensor; and wherein the pipe system has a small diameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A pressure independent control valve system, comprising:
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a spool located within the valve system, having an inner diameter which defines a flow path having a small diameter; a needle valve mounted to the spool, wherein the needle valve is configured to alter a flow rate when the needle valve is between an open position and a closed position of the needle valve; an actuator configured to manipulate the needle valve between the open position and the closed position; a sensor selected from the group of sensors consisting of an ultrasonic sensor mounted to an inner wall of the spool wherein the ultrasonic sensor is mounted in a position to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal across the flow path; and
an inlet pressure senor positioned proximate an inlet end of the pipe system and an outlet pressure sensor positioned downstream from the inlet pressure sensor;a reflector mounted to the inner wall of the spool, wherein the reflector is mounted in such a position to reflect the ultrasonic signal to a second ultrasonic sensor; and an electronic transducer processor in data communication with the actuator and the ultrasonic sensors.
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12. A method for maintaining the flow rate in a pressure independent control valve system, comprising the steps of:
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setting a desired flow rate into an electronic transducer processor; supplying a flow of fluid into a flow chamber within the valve system, wherein the flow chamber has a small diameter; transmitting an ultrasonic signal across the flow chamber, wherein the ultrasonic signal is transmitted by an ultrasonic sensor; reflecting the ultrasonic signal; receiving the ultrasonic signal with a second ultrasonic sensor; determining a period of time for between the transmittal and the receipt of the ultrasonic signal; calculating a present flow rate based on the period of time; comparing the present flow rate to the desired flow rate; and adjusting a position of a needle valve inserted into the flow of fluid to obtain the desired flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification