Hydraulic valve controlled by a photoelectric cell and operated by an electric motor

• US 6,082,703 A
• Filed: 11/04/1998
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Soema-Srl
• Original Assignee: Soema-Srl
• Inventors: Fava, Enzo, Manfredini, Giuseppe
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bastianelli, John
• Application Number:
  US09/185,815
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 251/30.01, 251/124.11, 251/30.02, 251/30.05, 251/30.03
• US Class Current: 251/30.03
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/08 with circular plates rotatable around their centres
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/042 with electric means, e.g. for controlling the motor or a clutch between the valve and the motor
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/408 the discharge being effected through the piston and being blockable by an electrically-actuated member making contact with the piston

Abstract

The present invention refers to a hydraulic valve controlled by a photoelectric cell and operated by an electric motor, that drags in alternate rotations a revolving disk or revolving obturator, that is an integral part of the "pilot device" and indirectly causes the closing or opening of the duct entry used by the water to exit the valve.

Claims

1. A hydraulic valve connected to, and controlled by, a photoelectric cell connected to an electric motor (13), the valve comprising:

a body (1),

an entry duct (2) formed in the body wherein pressurized water enters the valve,

a first chamber (6) and a second chamber (8) disposed in the body, a separation wall between the first chamber and the second chamber,

a hole (9a) being formed in the separation wall wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are in communication,

an exit duct (3) formed in the body and communicating with the first chamber,

a piston (5) disposed in the first chamber and received in the exit duct, the piston being slidably mounted on a hollow pin (7) having an axis,

a duct (7a) formed in the hollow pin, the duct communicating with the exit duct and the second chamber,

a pilot device disposed in the second chamber, the pilot device having an oscillating member (15), the oscillating member moving through an angle in a plane transverse to the axis of the hollow pin and opening and closing the duct formed in the hollow pin such that the pilot device controls the flow of water through the duct in the hollow pin, affecting hydrostatic pressure at the exit duct such that the piston is moved to obstruct the exit duct.

3. The hydraulic valve of claim 1, wherein the oscillating member is in the shape of a butterfly.

4. The hydraulic valve of claim 1, wherein the oscillating member is connected through a gear assembly (12) to the electric motor.

2. A hydraulic valve connected to, and controlled by, a photoelectric cell and connected to an electric motor (13), the valve comprising:

a body (1),

an entry duct (2) formed in the body wherein pressurized water enters the valve,

a first chamber (6) and a second chamber (8) disposed in the body, a separation wall (9) between the first chamber and the second chamber,

a hole (9a) being formed in the separation wall wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are in communication,

an exit duct (3) formed in the body and communicating with the first chamber,

a piston (5) disposed in the first chamber and received in the exit duct, the piston being slidably mounted on a hollow pin (7) having an axis,

a duct (7a) formed in the hollow pin, the duct communicating with the exit duct and the second chamber,

an obturator disposed in the second chamber and connected to the electric motor controlled by the photoelectric cell, wherein the obturator may oscillate in reverse rotation through an angle in a plane transverse to the axis of the hollow pin when the motor is activated,

a rubber cap (16) attached to the obturator, the rubber cap obstructing the duct in the hollow pin when the obturator oscillates,

wherein water enters the first and second chambers developing a hydrostatic pressure therein and the oscillation of the obturator controls movement of water from the second chamber through the duct in the hollow pin in the piston, affecting the hydrostatic pressure at the exit duct such that when the hydrostatic pressure is unbalanced on the piston, the piston is moved to obstruct the exit duct.

5. The hydraulic valve of claim 2, wherein the obturator is in the shape of a butterfly.

6. The hydraulic valve of claim 2, wherein the oscillating member is connected through a gear assembly (12) to the electric motor.