Fluid flow detection device

• US 8,590,562 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lincoln Industrial Corporation (Lincoln Holdings Enterprises, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lincoln Industrial Corporation (Lincoln Holdings Enterprises, Inc.)
• Inventors: He, Canlong, Conley, Paul G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAUDRY, ATIF H
• Application Number:
  US12/971,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20120152376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 137/539, 137/539.5, 137/554, 137/557, 340/606, 340/611, 200/81.9 M, 73/12.2, 73/12.3, 738/617.1, 738/614.7, 73/11.8
• US Class Current: 137/554
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/56 by using electric or magnetic effects G01F1/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7928 With follower
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A fluid flow detection device includes a housing of non-magnetic metal, a flow passage through the housing and a valve seat in the flow passage. A magnetic valve element emits a magnetic field. The valve element is movable relative to the valve seat between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the flow passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the flow passage. The magnetic valve element is biased toward the closed position. A magnetic field enhancer is movable with the magnetic valve element for enhancing the magnetic field. A magnetic field sensor on the housing is operable to signal a change in position of the valve element as it moves between its open and closed positions.

Claims

1. A fluid flow detection device, comprising

a housing of non-magnetic metal,

a flow passage through the housing,

a valve seat in the flow passage,

a magnetic valve element comprising a magnetized metal ball valve emitting a magnetic field, said valve element being movable relative to the valve seat between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the flow passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the flow passage, said magnetic valve element being biased toward said closed position,

a magnetic field enhancer movable with the magnetic valve element for enhancing said magnetic field, and

a magnetic field sensor on the housing operable to signal a change in position of the valve element as it moves between its open and closed positions.

2. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the valve element is sized to move from its closed position toward its open position a distance sufficient to be sensed by said magnetic field sensor in response to a fluid flow volume as small as 0.0015 cubic inch.

3. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the magnetized metal ball valve having a diameter in a range from about 0.125 inch to about 0.25 inch.

4. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the metal ball valve has a diameter in a range from about 0.125 inch to about 0.188 inch.

5. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said flow passage has a relatively narrow section immediately downstream from the valve seat and a wider section downstream from the first narrow section at a position aligned with the valve element when the element is in the open position, said wider section having a diameter greater than the diameter of the metal ball.

6. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the magnetic field enhancer is downstream from the ball valve.

7. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the magnetic field enhancer comprises a metal plunger extending longitudinally with respect to the flow passage.

8. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a spring engaging to plunger for biasing the plunger and ball valve toward said valve seat.

9. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a device for adjusting the biasing force exerted by the spring.

10. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the magnetic field sensor is a solid-state sensor.

11. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 10 wherein the solid-state sensor comprises a body and a sensing face adjacent a front end of the body, the front end of the body being mounted in a recess in the housing configured to reduce the distance between the sensing face and the magnetic valve element.

12. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 11 wherein the recess comprises a bore extending generally at right angles to a centerline of the fluid flow passage.

13. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the flow passage has an inlet end configured for receiving a lubricant feed line.

14. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 13 wherein the lubricant comprises grease or oil.

15. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the housing comprises brass, aluminum, or stainless steel.

16. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 1 installed in a lubricant delivery system comprising a lubricant distributor for delivering metered volumes of lubricant to a lubrication site at intermittent intervals, said flow passage in the non-magnetic housing having an inlet in communication with the lubricant distributor and an outlet in communication with the lubrication site.

17. A lubricant delivery system, comprising:

a lubricant delivery device for delivering lubricant to a lubrication site at intermittent intervals;

a flow detection device comprising a non-magnetic metal housing, a flow passage through the housing having an inlet in communication with the lubricant delivery device and an outlet in communication with the lubrication site, a valve seat in the flow passage, a magnetic valve element comprising a magnetized metal ball valve movable relative to the valve seat between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the flow passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the flow passage, said magnetic valve element being biased toward said closed position, a magnetic field enhancer movable with the magnetic valve element for enhancing the magnetic field adjacent the magnetic valve element, and a magnetic field sensor on the housing operable to signal a change in position of the valve element as it moves between its open and closed positions; and

a controller for controlling operation of the lubricant delivery device and receiving signals from the magnetic field sensor.

18. A lubricant flow detection device as set forth in claim 17 wherein the valve element is sized to move from its closed position toward its open position a distance sufficient to be sensed by said magnetic field sensor in response to a fluid flow volume as small as 0.0015 cubic inch.

19. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 18 wherein the magnetized metal ball valve having a diameter in a range of about 0.125 inch to about 0.25 inch.

20. A fluid flow detection device as set forth in claim 19 wherein the magnetic field enhancer comprises a metal plunger extending longitudinally of the flow passage downstream from the ball valve.