Position sensor for a rotary valve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system to determine a position of a rotary valve comprising:
- a stepper motor means for supplying power to open and close the rotary valve;
a coupling means for transmitting stepper motor power to the rotary valve;
a sensor actuator affixed to the coupling means; and
at least one limit sensor means for determining the position of the rotary valve by sensing the position of the sensor actuator, wherein there is no contact between the sensor actuator and the limit sensor when the position of the rotary valve is being determined.
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Abstract
A position of a rotary valve having limited motion between an open and a closed position is determined by a limit sensor. A stepper motor supplies power to open and close the rotary valve. A coupling transmits any stepper motor motion to the rotary valve. A sensor actuator is affixed to the coupling. A limit sensor determines the position of the rotary valve by sensing the position of the sensor actuator, wherein there is no contact between the sensor actuator and the limit switch when the position of the rotary valve is being determined.
31 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system to determine a position of a rotary valve comprising:
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a stepper motor means for supplying power to open and close the rotary valve; a coupling means for transmitting stepper motor power to the rotary valve; a sensor actuator affixed to the coupling means; and at least one limit sensor means for determining the position of the rotary valve by sensing the position of the sensor actuator, wherein there is no contact between the sensor actuator and the limit sensor when the position of the rotary valve is being determined. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system to determine a position for a rotary valve comprising:
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a stepper motor means for supplying power to open and close the valve; a coupling means, comprising a male coupling portion and a female coupling portion, for transmitting stepper motor power to the valve; a sensor actuator which is affixed to the coupling means; and at least one limit sensor means for actuation by the sensor actuator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. Apparatus for providing position feedback for a rotary inlet valve comprising:
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a stepper motor means for supplying rotary power to open and close the rotary valve; a coupling means, comprising a male coupling portion and a female coupling portion, which transmits stepper motor power to the rotary valve; a sensor actuator which is affixed to the coupling means; limit sensor means for actuation by the sensor actuator; a motor shaft means for transmitting rotary output of the stepper motor; and a valve shaft means, connected to the motor shaft means and rotatable for opening and closing of the rotary valve.
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25. A system to determine a position of a rotary valve comprising:
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a stepper motor means for supplying power to open and close the rotary valve; a coupling means for transmitting stepper motor power to the rotary valve; a sensor actuator affixed to the coupling means; at least one limit sensor means for determining the position of the rotary valve by sensing the position of the sensor actuator; and a positioning support means, consisting of a printer circuit board, for positioning the sensor in position with respect to the coupling means.
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26. A system to determine a position of a rotary valve comprising:
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a stepper motor means for supplying power to open and close the rotary valve; a coupling means for transmitting stepper motor power to the rotary valve; a sensor actuator affixed to the coupling means; at least one limit sensor means for determining the position of the rotary valve by sensing the position of the sensor actuator; and a controller means for controlling the position of the rotary valve, wherein the controller is affected by at least one pressure sensor which determines at least one valve pressure.
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Specification