IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0435976
(2006-05-17)
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등록번호 |
US-7647940
(2010-02-22)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Minervini, Leo
- Jordan, Eric
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Westlock Control Corporation
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
9 인용 특허 :
6 |
초록
▼
An apparatus for controlling a valve including an enclosure that defines first and second chambers, an indicator proximate the first and second chambers, an operating media distribution system that is disposed in the first chamber, and an electronic control unit disposed in the second chamber. The o
An apparatus for controlling a valve including an enclosure that defines first and second chambers, an indicator proximate the first and second chambers, an operating media distribution system that is disposed in the first chamber, and an electronic control unit disposed in the second chamber. The operating media distribution system includes a manifold block that has an exterior surface, and a plurality of operating media distribution cartridges exchangeably disposed with respect to the manifold block. The manifold block defines a plurality of holes, an operating media supply passage and an operating media exhaust passage. Each of the plurality of operating media distribution cartridges is disposed in a respective one of the plurality of holes and includes a cylinder and a spool assembly that is disposed in and displaced relative to the cylinder. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for controlling a valve, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure; an operating media distribution system disposed in the enclosure, the operating media distribution system including: a manifold block having a plurality of holes; an operating media supply passage e
What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for controlling a valve, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure; an operating media distribution system disposed in the enclosure, the operating media distribution system including: a manifold block having a plurality of holes; an operating media supply passage extending from each of the plurality of holes to an exterior surface of said manifold block; an operating media exhaust passage extending from each of the plurality of holes to said exterior surface of said manifold block; an operating media distribution cartridge including: a cylinder disposed in a respective one of the plurality of holes and being exchangeable with respect to the manifold block, said cylinder having an outer surface extending along an axis associated with said cartridge, said cylinder having a plurality of recesses defined by a plane lying along the cartridge axis, at least one circumferential groove circumscribing the cartridge axis; and at least one longitudinal groove extending parallel to the cartridge axis; and a spool assembly disposed in the cylinder and being displaceable between a first and a second configuration relative to the cylinder; and an electronic control unit disposed in the enclosure, the electronic control unit operates a valve to control operating media flow in the operating media distribution system. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor disposed in the enclosure, the sensor evaluates the operating media distribution system and provides information to the electronic control unit about at least one condition in at least one of the passages. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises first and second chambers wherein the first chamber is spaced along a longitudinal axis from the second chamber. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an indicator proximate the first and second chambers, the indicator having a visual symbol that identifies an operational state of at least one valve. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the indicator is disposed along the longitudinal axis and between the first and second chambers. 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the operating media distribution system comprises a plurality of connection ports, each of the plurality of connection ports provides fluid communication with a respective one of the operating media supply passages, and the operating media exhaust passage. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cartridge comprises a first and second cartridge. 8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of connection ports disposed at the exterior surface of the manifold block, each of the plurality of connection ports provides fluid communication with a respective one of the operating media supply passages, and the operating media exhaust passage. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cylinder further comprises an inner and outer surface and a plurality of apertures penetrating the cylinder and extending between the inner and outer surfaces. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enclosure disposed entirely between first and second parallel planes, the first and second parallel planes being spaced apart a first distance less than or equal to three inches, and the enclosure extending longitudinally a second distance and extending transversely a third distance that is approximately one-half of the second distance. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising an indicator disposed about an axis extending between the first and second planes, the indicator including a visual symbol that identifies an operational state of the at least one process valve, the visual symbol being visible from above the first plane and from below the second plane, and the axis being disposed at an intersection defined approximately midway along the second distance and midway along the third distance, the indicator projects radially from the axis a fourth distance that is approximately one-third of the second distance and approximately two thirds of the third distance. 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the distance between the first and second parallel planes is less than 2.5 inches. 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second distance is approximately 8.5 inches, and the third distance is approximately 4.2 inches. 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the enclosure comprises first and second chambers, and the first chamber is spaced along a longitudinal axis from the second chamber. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes comprises two holes, the operating media supply passage as defined by the manifold block comprises a main supply passage and two branch supply passages, and the operating media exhaust passage as defined by the manifold block comprises a main exhaust passage and four branch exhaust passages. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the two holes consist of first and second holes, the two branch supply passages consist of first and second branch supply passages, and the four branch exhaust passages consist of first, second, third and fourth branch exhaust passages. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first branch supply passage communicates operating media from the main supply passage to the first hole, the second branch supply passage communicates operating media from the main supply passage to the second hole, the first and second branch exhaust passages communicate operating media from the first hole to the main exhaust passage, and the third and fourth branch exhaust passages communicate operating media from the second hole to the main exhaust passage. 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spool assembly is displaceable between said first and second configurations along a respective cartridge axis with respect to the cylinder. 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cylinder concentrically circumscribes the spool assembly. 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said valve is an electromagnetic valve and said spool assembly is exchangeable with respect to the cylinder. 21. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein respective ones of the plurality of apertures respectively penetrate each of the plurality of recesses. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the plurality of recesses comprise a supply recess disposed along the cartridge axis between a first and second exhaust recesses, the supply recess is in fluid communication with the operating media supply passage, and the first and second exhaust recesses are in fluid communication with the operating media exhaust passage. 23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses comprise first and second sets of recesses, the first set of recesses being defined by the first plane with respect to the cartridge axis, the second set of recesses being defined by a second plane lying with respect to the cartridge axis, and the first and second planes being parallel and on diametrically opposite sides of the cartridge axis. 24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one circumferential groove comprises first, second and third circumferential grooves, the second circumferential groove is disposed along the cartridge axis between the first and third circumferential grooves, and the second circumferential groove is in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of recesses. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the second circumferential groove is in fluid communication with the operating media supply passage, and the valve controls operating media flow (a) from the operating media supply passage to the first and third circumferential grooves, and (b) from the first and third circumferential grooves to the operating media exhaust passage. 26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one longitudinal groove comprises a plurality of longitudinal grooves extending from the at least one circumferential groove. 27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said valve is an electromagnetic valve and the at least one longitudinal groove provides fluid communication between the operating media supply passage and the electromagnetic valve. 28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spool assembly comprises: a spool extending along a spool axis; the spool including alternating large and small diameter bands circumscribing the spool axis; an annular sleeve circumscribing the spool, the sleeve including a plurality of sets of radial perforations and a plurality of sleeve O-rings, each set of radial perforations and each one of the plurality of sleeve O-rings being alternatingly disposed along an axis of said cartridge; and a plurality of spacers circumscribing the annular sleeve, each of the plurality of spacers including a spacer O-ring adapted to sealingly engage the inner surface of the cylinder. 29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said operating media distribution cartridge comprises a resilient element biasing the spool assembly with respect to the cylinder. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the resilient element comprises a compression spring. 31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said operating media distribution cartridge comprises a cylinder cap engaging the cylinder and confining the spool assembly displaceably between the first and second configurations within the cylinder. 32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises at least one cover that provides access to the operating media distribution system. 33. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the enclosure is disposed entirely between first and second parallel planes, the first and second parallel planes being spaced apart a first distance less than or equal to three inches. 34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said visual symbol is visible from above the first plane and is visible from below the second plane. 35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the enclosure extends longitudinally a second distance and extends transversely a third distance that is approximately one-half of the second distance. 36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the indicator is disposed about an axis extending between the first and second planes, the axis is disposed at an intersection defined approximately midway along the second distance and midway along the third distance, and the indicator projects radially from the axis a fourth distance that is approximately one-third of the second distance and approximately two thirds of the third distance. 37. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the indicator comprises: a first member defining an interior space; and a second member disposed within the interior space, the second member including the visual symbol that identifies the operational state of the at least one valve. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the second member oscillates with respect to the first member. 39. The apparatus of clam 37, wherein the first member is at least partially transparent. 40. The system of claim 37, wherein the second member oscillates with respect to the first member. 41. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors that each provide information about at least one condition in a respective one of the passages. 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the each of the plurality of sensors provides information about operating media pressure. 43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises a differential pressure sensor. 44. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the indicator comprises a position sensor that evaluates valve position and provides valve position data to the electronic control unit. 45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the electronic control unit monitors valve performance and develops at least one diagnostic profile. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one diagnostic profile is selected from the group consisting of Insufficient Line Pressure to Guarantee Correct Operation, Supply Pressure Failure, and Valve Shaft Bent. 47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one diagnostic profile is selected from the group consisting of Valve Not Achieving Full Stroke, Backlash Detection and Torque Demand of Valve Approaching Actuator Limit. 48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one diagnostic profile is selected from the group consisting of Valve Seating/Break-out Torque Monitoring, Torque Limit Exceeded, and Close-on Torque. 49. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the at least one diagnostic profile is selected from the group consisting of Shaft Broken, Valve Exercise, Valve Packing Torque, Line Filter and Silencer Conditions, and Solenoid Spool Sticking. 50. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the operating media distribution system distributes an operating media comprising air. 51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the operating media in the operating media supply passage comprises the air having a pressure of about 40 to 120 pounds per square inch. 52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the operating media in the operating media supply passage comprises the air having a pressure of about 15 to 45 pounds per square inch. 53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the operating media in the operating media supply passage comprises the air having a pressure of less than about 120 pounds per square inch. 54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the pressure of the air in the operating media supply passage is less than about 40 pounds per square inch. 55. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the operating media in the operating media supply passage comprises the air having a temperature of about −40 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. 56. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the operating media in the operating media supply passage comprises the air having a flow rate of about 5 standard cubic feet per minute at about 40 pounds per square inch to about 100 standard cubic feet per minute at about 120 pounds per square inch. 57. An apparatus for controlling a valve, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure; an operating media distribution system disposed in the enclosure, the operating media distribution system including: a manifold block having a plurality of holes; an operating media distribution cartridge including: a cylinder disposed in a respective one of the plurality of holes and being exchangeable with respect to the manifold block, said cylinder having an outer surface extending along an axis associated with said cartridge and having a plurality of recesses defined by a plane lying along the cartridge axis; and a spool assembly disposed in the cylinder and being displaceable between a first and a second configuration relative to the cylinder; and an electronic control unit disposed in the enclosure, the electronic control unit operates a valve to control operating media flow in the operating media distribution system.
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