Variable flow electrically controlled valve
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a valve including a direct current motor reversibly engaged with a valve aperture adjusting part biased by elastic means so that, when the motor is not powered, the valve aperture adjusting part moves to establish a zero flow rest position, comprising the steps of:
- selecting a desired valve aperture flow position;
determining a time interval required for the direct current motor to provide the desired valve aperture flow position;
throughout the duration of said time interval, supplying the motor with a first constant current of a sufficient value for rotating the motor against the force of said elastic means to move a valve element to said desired valve aperture flow position;
supplying the motor with a second constant low value current after said time interval until a next valve aperture flow position has been selected, said low value current being insufficient to rotate the motor but sufficient to hold the motor in its position against the force of said elastic means formaintaining said valve element in said desired valve aperture desired position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling a valve including a direct current motor acting upon an aperture adjusting part (3) against the force of elastic means (11) biasing the aperture adjusting part towards a zero flow rest position, comprising the steps of: selecting a desired valve aperture; determining a time interval (Ta) as a function of the desired valve aperture; supplying the motor with a first constant current of a sufficient value for rotating the motor, during the mentioned time interval; supplying the motor with a second constant low value current thereafter until a next valve aperture is selected, this low value current being sufficient to hold the motor in its position against the force of the elastic means.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a valve including a direct current motor reversibly engaged with a valve aperture adjusting part biased by elastic means so that, when the motor is not powered, the valve aperture adjusting part moves to establish a zero flow rest position, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a desired valve aperture flow position; determining a time interval required for the direct current motor to provide the desired valve aperture flow position; throughout the duration of said time interval, supplying the motor with a first constant current of a sufficient value for rotating the motor against the force of said elastic means to move a valve element to said desired valve aperture flow position; supplying the motor with a second constant low value current after said time interval until a next valve aperture flow position has been selected, said low value current being insufficient to rotate the motor but sufficient to hold the motor in its position against the force of said elastic means for maintaining said valve element in said desired valve aperture desired position. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A circuit for controlling a valve including a direct current motor reversibly engaged with a valve aperture adjusting part biased by elastic means so that, when the motor is not powered, the valve aperture adjusting part moves to establish a zero flow rest position, comprising:
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a selection means for selecting a desired valve aperture flow position and determining a time interval required for the direct current motor to provide said desired valve aperture flow position; and a power supply device for supplying said motor with a first constant current throughout the duration of said time interval, said first current being of a sufficient value to rotate the motor against the force of said elastic means for moving a valve element to said desired valve aperture flow position, said power supply device supplying said motor with a second constant low value current after said time interval until a next valve aperture flow position selection has been established, said low value current being insufficient to rotate the motor but sufficient to hold the motor in its position against the force of said elastic means for maintaining said value element in said desired valve aperture desired position. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A variable flow electrically controlled valve comprising, in a housing, a tube made of elastic material through which a fluid can flow, and a control device causing a variable pinching of said tube, wherein said control device comprises:
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a valve aperture adjusting part mounted on an articulation of said housing and comprising a pressing area to pinch said tube as well as a toothed sector centered on the axis of the articulation; a pinion mounted to rotate in said housing and forming with the toothed sector a reversible meshed gear; a direct current electric motor engaged with said pinion to move said valve aperture adjusting part; an elastic means biasing said valve aperture adjusting part so that, when the motor is not powered, the valve aperture adjusting part moves to establish a full pinching position of said tube; a selection means for selecting a desired valve aperture flow position and determining a time interval required for said control device to provide said desired valve aperture flow position; and a power supply device for supplying said motor with a first constant current throughout the duration of said time interval, said first current being of a sufficient value for rotating the motor against the force of said elastic means to move a valve element to said desired valve aperture flow position, said power supply device supplying said motor with a second constant low value current after said time interval until a next valve aperture flow position selection has been established, said low value current being insufficient to rotate the motor but sufficient to hold the motor in its position against the force of said elastic means for maintaining said valve element in said desire valve aperture desired position. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification