Electrically-operated control valve and water distribution system including same
First Claim
1. An electrically-operated control valve, comprising:
- a valve housing having a fluid inlet port, a control port, and a venting port;
a rotor formed with a passageway therethrough rotatably mounted within said housing to a first position connecting said control port to said inlet port via said passageway, or to a second position connecting said control port to said venting port;
an electrical rotary motor for rotating said rotor;
a rechargeable battery for energizing said electrical motor;
a rotary position sensor for sensing the position of said rotor and for deenergizing the electrical motor when the rotor arrives in either said first position or second position;
said rotary position sensor including a projection carried by said rotor so as to rotate therewith, and a plurality of limit switches fixed to said housing actuated by said projection for deenergizing the electrical motor when said rotor arrives in either said first position or second position, respectively;
cushioning elements engageable by said projection at said first position and second position of the rotor for cushioning the stopping of said rotor;
and a charging device for recharging said battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrically-operated control valve includes a rotor rotatably mounted to a first position connecting a fluid inlet port to a fluid outlet port, or a second position disconnecting the fluid inlet port from the fluid outlet port; a battery-operated electrical rotary motor for rotating the rotor; and limit switches for deenergizing the electrical motor when the rotor arrives in either the first or second positions. The electrical motor is coupled to the rotor by a speed-reducing, torque-increasing transmission such that very little electrical power is required to operate the motor, thereby enabling the control valve to be used as a remotely-controlled pilot valve for controlling a water irrigation system.
138 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An electrically-operated control valve, comprising:
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a valve housing having a fluid inlet port, a control port, and a venting port; a rotor formed with a passageway therethrough rotatably mounted within said housing to a first position connecting said control port to said inlet port via said passageway, or to a second position connecting said control port to said venting port; an electrical rotary motor for rotating said rotor; a rechargeable battery for energizing said electrical motor; a rotary position sensor for sensing the position of said rotor and for deenergizing the electrical motor when the rotor arrives in either said first position or second position; said rotary position sensor including a projection carried by said rotor so as to rotate therewith, and a plurality of limit switches fixed to said housing actuated by said projection for deenergizing the electrical motor when said rotor arrives in either said first position or second position, respectively; cushioning elements engageable by said projection at said first position and second position of the rotor for cushioning the stopping of said rotor; and a charging device for recharging said battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An electrically-operated control valve, comprising:
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a valve housing having a fluid inlet port, a control port, and a venting port; a rotor formed with a passageway therethrough rotatably mounted within said housing to a first position connecting said control port to said inlet port via said passageway, or to a second position connecting said control port to said venting port; an electrical rotary motor for rotating said rotor; and a rotary position sensor for sensing the position of said rotor and for deenergizing the electrical motor when the rotor arrives in either said first position or second position; said rotor being of cylindrical configuration, and said housing including a plurality of sealing glands symmetrically disposed around the circumference of the rotor with one of the sides of said sealing glands contacting said rotor, and the opposite sides of said sealing glands all connected to said inlet port of the rotor. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. An electrically-operated control valve, comprising:
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a valve housing having a fluid inlet port, a control port, and a venting port; a rotor formed with a passageway therethrough rotatably mounted within said housing to a first position connecting said control port to said inlet port via said passageway, or to a second position connecting said control port to said venting port; an electrical rotary motor for rotating said rotor; and a rotary position sensor for sensing the position of said rotor and for deenergizing the electrical motor when the rotor arrives in either said first position or second position; said rotor including two sections joined together in side-by-side relation and rotatable about an axis common to both said sections. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A water distribution system, comprising:
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a water distribution conduit; a distribution valve within said water distribution conduit for controlling the distribution of water therethrough; and an electrically-operated control valve serving as a pilot valve for controlling said distribution valve;
said control valve comprising;a valve housing having a fluid inlet port a control port, and a venting port; a rotor formed with a passageway therethrough rotatably mounted within said housing to a first position connecting said control port to said inlet port via said passageway, or to a second position connecting said control port to said venting port; an electrical rotary motor for rotating said rotor; a rechargeable battery for energizing said electrical motor; a rotary position sensor for sensing the position of said rotor and for deenergizing the electrical motor when the rotor arrives in either said first position or second position; and a charging device for recharging said battery; said distribution valve including a diaphragm movable to an open position or to a closed position, and a control chamber for controlling said diaphragm; said control chamber being connected to said pilot valve such that the pilot valve controls the pressure in said control chamber and thereby the actuation of said distribution valve. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. A water distribution system, comprising:
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a water distribution conduit; a distribution valve within said water distribution conduit for controlling the distribution of water therethrough; and an electrically-operated control valve serving as a pilot valve for controlling said distribution valve;
said control valve comprising;a valve housing having a fluid inlet port, a control port, and a venting port; a rotor formed with a passageway therethrough rotatably mounted within said housing to a first position connecting said control port to said inlet port via said passageway, or to a second position connecting said control port to said venting port; an electrical rotary motor for rotating said rotor; a rechargeable battery for energizing said electrical motor; a rotary position sensor for sensing the position of said rotor and for deenergizing the electrical motor when the rotor arrives in either said first position or second position; and a charging device for recharging said battery; said distribution valve including a piston movable within a cylinder by said pilot valve, and a floodgate within said distribution conduit movable to an open position or a closed position by the movement of said piston within the cylinder.
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Specification