Valve modulation method and system utilizing same
First Claim
1. A method of modulating a valve, the valve having a closing member movable between an open position and a closed position and an electric actuator for moving the closing member, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) pre-powering the electric actuator for a predetermined period of time; and
b) supplying power to the electric actuator in a series of intermittent cycles so that power is supplied during a first portion of each of said cycles and not supplied during a second portion of each of said cycles.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve modulation method and a system utilizing the method is provided. In a hydronic heating system having primary and secondary loops, a simple two-position valve is powered on an intermittent duty cycle to regulate the amount of flow of boiler water from the primary loop to a radiation system in the secondary loop. The actuator of the valve is pre-powered so that it is fully responsive to this intermittent duty cycle. By only supplying power to the actuator of the valve intermittently, the piston of the valve remains in a partially open position, and allows some flow to pass from the primary loop to the secondary loop. The position of the valve remains constant, owing to the duty cycle being shorter than the response time of the valve. By pre-powering the valve, the lag time it takes for the valve to become responsive to changes in the duty cycle is significantly reduced or eliminated. In this fashion, the temperature of the water in the secondary loop may be controlled.
50 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of modulating a valve, the valve having a closing member movable between an open position and a closed position and an electric actuator for moving the closing member, said method comprising the steps of:
-
a) pre-powering the electric actuator for a predetermined period of time; and b) supplying power to the electric actuator in a series of intermittent cycles so that power is supplied during a first portion of each of said cycles and not supplied during a second portion of each of said cycles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of modulating a valve, the valve having a closing member movable between an open position and a closed position and an electric actuator for moving the closing member, said method comprising the steps of:
-
a) initializing the electric actuator so that it will be responsive; and b) supplying power to the initialized actuator in a series of intermittent cycles so that power is supplied during a first portion of each of said cycles and not supplied during a second portion of each of said cycles.
-
Specification