METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VALVE ACTUATOR AND A VALVE ACTUATOR CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20170115669A1
• Filed: 10/21/2016
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2015
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Imi Hydronic Engineering International SA (IMI PLC)
• Original Assignee: Imi Hydronic Engineering International SA (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: HENKE, Bernhard, CARETTE, Jean-Christophe, LENOIR, Andr, ROHWETTER, Christoph
• Granted Patent: US 10,268,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/00 Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices regulating means G05D
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor
• 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: G05D 7/0617 specially adapted for fluid materials

Abstract

A method for controlling a valve actuator, a valve actuator control device and a valve actuator assembly. The method includes the steps of providing a valve actuator control device, connecting the control device to a valve actuator with a signal transmitting wire, and supplying operating power to the valve actuator from the control device. The method further includes a step of transmitting control signals from the control device to the valve actuator via the signal transmitting wire in order to control the actuator. Hereby, configuration, control and maintenance of valve actuators are facilitated.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a valve actuator when it is disconnected from a grid, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a valve actuator control device being portable and connectable with a signal transmitting wire to the valve actuator;

connecting the valve actuator control device to the valve actuator with the signal transmitting wire;

supplying operating power to the valve actuator from an energy storage unit connected to the valve actuator control device; and

transmitting control signals from the valve actuator control device to the valve actuator via said signal transmitting wire in order to control the valve actuator.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving information signals from the valve actuator to the valve actuator control device via said signal transmitting wire in order to retrieve a set of internal parameters of the valve actuator.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:

detecting a model type of said valve actuator from the received information signals from the valve actuator.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said signal transmitting wire is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

establishing a connection between a portable handheld device and the valve actuator control device.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

configuring the valve actuator according to a set of predefined parameters stored in a memory storage unit within the valve actuator control device by;

uploading said set of predefined parameters from said valve actuator control device to a control unit within the valve actuator.

7. A valve actuator control device for controlling a valve actuator, said valve actuator control device being an external portable device and connectable with a signal transmitting wire to the valve actuator, wherein said valve actuator control device comprises:

an energy storage unit for supplying power to the valve actuator control device;

a transmitting unit for transmitting control signals to the valve actuator via said signal transmitting wire in order to control the valve actuator.

8. The valve actuator control device according to claim 7, further comprising a receiving unit for receiving information signals from the valve actuator via said signal transmitting wire in order to retrieve a set of internal parameters of the valve actuator.

9. The valve actuator control device according to claim 7, further comprising supplying circuitry for supplying operating power to the valve actuator with said energy storage unit.

10. The valve actuator control device according to claim 9, wherein said operating power is supplied via said signal transmitting wire.

11. The valve actuator control device according to claim 7, further comprising a communication unit configured to establish a connection with a portable handheld device.

12. The valve actuator control device according to claim 7, further comprising at least one button which when pressed sends a control signal to the valve actuator via said signal transmitting wire.

13. The valve actuator control device according to claim 12, further comprising a memory unit, wherein said control signal is a set of predefined operating parameters of the valve actuator, which operating parameters are retrieved from said memory unit.

14. A valve actuator assembly for a fluid distribution system, said assembly comprising:

a valve including;

a valve body;

a chamber arranged inside said valve body,

a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;

a valve closing arrangement for regulating the flow of fluid from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet via said chamber;

said closing arrangement having a closed position in which no fluid is allowed to flow through said chamber and a fully open position in which fluid is allowed to flow through said chamber, said assembly further comprising;

a valve actuator for operating said valve closing arrangement,

a valve actuator control device according to claim 7;

wherein said valve actuator comprises means for establishing a connection with said valve actuator control device via a signal transmitting wire.

15. The valve actuator assembly according to claim 14, wherein said valve actuator has a control unit which comprises a memory unit configured to receive and store an opening limitation value, said opening limitation value being representative of a selected intermediate position between said closed position and said fully open position,

wherein the control unit controls the actuator to limit the movement of the closing arrangement to positions from said closed position to said selected intermediate position, and wherein said valve actuator control device comprises means to replace the opening limitation value in said memory unit, to a new opening limitation value.