Efficient manual to automatic valve conversion device
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F16K-031/05
F16K-031/04
출원번호
US-0945183
(2013-07-18)
등록번호
US-9016662
(2015-04-28)
발명자
/ 주소
Staffiere, Donald
Drinkwater, Don L
Staffiere, David
St. James, Dana
Prager, Jay M
출원인 / 주소
Custom Controls, LLC
대리인 / 주소
Maine Cernota & Rardin
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
2인용 특허 :
37
초록▼
A powered valve actuator assembly converts a manually operated valve without removal of the valve handle for automated valve operation in response to detection of a preselected condition. The design incorporates a motor, motor control circuit, drive shaft, valve handle engaging member and anti-rotat
A powered valve actuator assembly converts a manually operated valve without removal of the valve handle for automated valve operation in response to detection of a preselected condition. The design incorporates a motor, motor control circuit, drive shaft, valve handle engaging member and anti-rotation member. The motor is supported by its drive shaft, which is mounted on the valve handle via an adaptor. The motor, when operated, applies rotational torque to the drive shaft, and is secured from counter rotation about the drive shaft by the anti-rotation member, which extends between the motor and a fixed reference point with respect to the valve body such as the conduit or an extension thereof. The control circuit may incorporate a monitoring sub-circuit and power regulator, which operates at reduced power levels depending on the sensed state of the sensor or sensors.
대표청구항▼
1. A method for installing and using a powered valve actuator for operating a manual valve having a valve handle affixed to a valve stem extending from a valve body installed in or terminating a conduit, wherein said powered valve actuator comprises a valve handle adaptor, a drive shaft, a floating
1. A method for installing and using a powered valve actuator for operating a manual valve having a valve handle affixed to a valve stem extending from a valve body installed in or terminating a conduit, wherein said powered valve actuator comprises a valve handle adaptor, a drive shaft, a floating motor, an anti-rotation member, and a motor control circuit, said method comprising: engaging said drive shaft and valve handle adapter with said valve handle of said manual valve whereby said drive shaft is substantially axially aligned with said valve stem and supported by said valve handle, and rotation of said drive shaft causes concurrent rotation of said valve handle, operating said valve;engaging said motor with said drive shaft whereby said motor is supported by said drive shaft and will rotate said drive shaft when energized;securing said motor against rotation with respect to said valve body with said anti-rotation member whereby operation of said motor applies rotational torque to said drive shaft and hence to said valve handle with respect to said valve body; andenabling said motor control circuit. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein securing said motor against rotation with respect to said valve body comprises connecting said motor to a fixed reference point with said anti-rotation member whereby rotational force is resisted through said anti-rotation member by said fixed reference point and rotational force is transmitted to said drive shaft. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein connecting said motor to said fixed reference point with said anti-rotation member comprises affixing a rod to said motor at a point spaced apart from said drive shaft and extending substantially parallel to said drive shaft towards said conduit whereby said conduit interferes with counter rotation of said rod and said motor about said drive shaft when said motor is operated. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein connecting said motor to said fixed reference point with said anti-rotation member comprises installing a restraining clamp on said conduit and receiving a distal end of said rod in an aperture of a size larger than that of said distal end of said rod in at least one dimension whereby rotation of the rod and motor about the drive shaft is restrained. 5. The method of claim 1, said valve handle adapter comprising a first adapter plate perpendicularly attached to one end of said drive shaft, and a mating adapter plate configured so as to be fitted beneath said valve handle into alignment with the first adapter plate, and secured thereto, wherein said valve handle is compressed therebetween. 6. The method of claim 1, said valve actuator comprising a DC motor, at least one battery, and a motor control circuit by which said motor can be operated by said battery, the method further comprising: deploying a sensor at a desired location, in communication with said motor control circuit;monitoring the sensor for a preselected condition for which a valve adjustment is desired; andupon the occurrence of said preselected condition, activating said motor control circuit, thereby activating said motor, resulting in a rotation of said valve handle. 7. The method of claim 6, said motor control circuit further comprising a motor control circuit condition monitoring sub-circuit and a power regulator configured to set a power consumption level of said monitoring sub-circuit in response to a state of said sensor, wherein said power consumption level of said monitoring sub-circuit is one of a plurality of power consumption levels and said state of the sensor is one of a plurality of states, wherein the ability of said sensor to activate said motor control circuit is unaffected by operation at said plurality of power consumption levels, the method further comprising: monitoring said motor control circuit condition; andregulating a power consumption level to said monitoring sub-circuit based on a state of said sensor, wherein said power consumption level is one of a plurality of power consumption levels and said state of said sensor is one of a plurality of states. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the monitoring sub-circuit operates at one power level when the motor is being run and operates at a reduced power level when the motor is idle. 9. A valve actuator system for automating the operation of a valve with a valve stem and valve handle, installed in or terminating a conduit, comprising: a drive shaft attached to a valve handle adapter configured for attachment to said valve handle whereby said drive shaft is in substantially axial alignment with said valve stem and supported by said valve handle;a floating motor supported by said drive shaft;an anti-rotation member connecting said motor to a fixed reference point;a power source;a motor control circuit by which said power source may be connected to said motor; and a signal input to said motor control circuit;whereupon the occurrence of a signal at said signal input triggers a motor operation. 10. The valve actuator system of claim 9, said motor control circuit further comprising a motor control circuit condition monitoring sub-circuit and a power regulator configured to set a power consumption level of said monitoring sub-circuit in response to a state of said signal, wherein said power consumption level of said monitoring sub-circuit is one of a plurality of power consumption levels and said state of said signal is one of a plurality of states and said motor control circuit is able to trigger a motor operation in response to a signal at said signal input to said motor control circuit at any of said plurality of power consumption levels. 11. The valve actuator system of claim 10, wherein said monitoring sub-circuit is operated at one power level when said motor is being driven and at a reduced power level when said motor is idle. 12. The valve actuator system of claim 9, said motor comprising a DC motor, a reduction or multiplier gearbox, and a housing securing said DC motor to said reduction or multiplier gearbox. 13. The valve actuator system of claim 9, wherein said motor is selected from the group consisting of spring motors, pneumatic motors, electric motors, and induction motors. 14. The valve actuator system of claim 9, wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of springs, compressed air, AC power, DC power, magnetism, and battery power. 15. The valve actuator system of claim 9, said anti-rotation member comprising a rod fixed to and extending from said motor, at a point offset from said drive shaft, oriented substantially parallel to said drive shaft, through an aperture of a size larger than that of said rod in at least one dimension in a bracket secured to said conduit, whereby rotation of said motor is resisted. 16. The valve actuator system of claim 9, said anti-rotation member comprising a tension member fixed to and extending from said motor at a point offset from said drive shaft, and oriented substantially perpendicular to said drive shaft, whereby rotation of said motor is resisted. 17. The valve actuator system of claim 9, said anti-rotation member comprising a rod and a conduit bracket, said rod fixed to and extending from said motor at a point offset from said drive shaft and oriented substantially parallel to said drive shaft, said conduit bracket being attachable to said conduit by use of fasteners in a plane perpendicular to said drive shaft, and configured with an aperture of a size larger than that of a distal end of said rod in at least one dimension for receiving and laterally containing said distal end of said rod, whereby rotation of said motor is resisted. 18. A system for powering a manual control device configured with a manually operable handle attached to an operating shaft, comprising: a drive shaft attached to a handle adapter configured for non-rotational attachment to said handle whereby said drive shaft is in substantially axial alignment with the operating shaft and supported by said handle, whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes concurrent rotation of said operating shaft;a floating motor supported by said drive shaft;an anti-rotation member connecting said motor to a fixed reference point with respect to said device so as to inhibit rotation of said motor when energized;a power source;a motor control circuit by which communication between said power source and said motor is enabled; anda signal input to said motor control circuit;whereupon the occurrence of a signal at said signal input triggers a motor operation. 19. The system of claim 18, said motor control circuit further comprising a motor control circuit condition monitoring sub-circuit and a power regulator configured to set a power consumption level of said monitoring sub-circuit in response to a state of said signal, wherein said power consumption level of said monitoring sub-circuit is one of a plurality of power consumption levels and said state of said signal is one of a plurality of states, wherein said motor control circuit is able to trigger a motor operation in response to a signal at said signal input to said motor control circuit at any of said plurality of power consumption levels. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein said monitoring sub-circuit is operated at one power level when said motor is driven and at a reduced power level when the motor is idle.
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