CN113748478A

CN113748478A - Valve position indicator with LED

Info

Publication number: CN113748478A
Application number: CN202080030333.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·布朗; D·瓦尔克; J·F·施密特
Original assignee: Bray International Inc
Current assignee: Bray International Inc
Priority date: 2019-04-22
Filing date: 2020-04-21
Publication date: 2021-12-03
Also published as: CA3137591A1; EP3959733A4; AU2020263284A1; BR112021020524A2; WO2020219467A1; EP3959733A1; MX2021012924A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a valve having: an actuator; a valve position indicator coupled to the actuator, wherein the valve position indicator comprises: an indicator cover mounted on the indicator mounting surface, wherein the indicator mounting surface has an edge; a plurality of LED lights disposed on the indicator mounting surface, wherein the LED lights abut an edge of the indicator cover; and a sensor communicatively coupled to the actuator and the plurality of LED lights, wherein the sensor is configured to communicate a position of the valve to the plurality of LED lights.

Description

Valve position indicator with LED

Technical Field

Valves and valve indicators may be used in many applications to control the flow of fluid through a piping system.

Background

There are several different types of valves used to control flow, such as ball valves, gate valves, butterfly valves, needle valves, check valves, etc. Ball valves, butterfly valves, needle valves, and gate valves may be actuated between open and closed positions by an actuator, a hand wheel, or a lever. It may be difficult to know the position of the valve from the position of the actuator (e.g., a handwheel or powered actuator). Accordingly, there is a need for an improved valve position indicator for use with a valve. There is also a need for a valve indicator that better communicates the position of the valve via a display.

Disclosure of Invention

As used herein, the term LED (or l.e.d.) shall refer to a light emitting diode and/or any similar type of light emitting device.

Drawings

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic of a piping system having a valve with a valve position indicator.

Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the valve and valve position indicator of fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment.

Fig. 3A depicts an exploded side view of a valve position indicator according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3B depicts an exploded side view of a valve position indicator according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 depicts a circuit diagram of an indicator light for operating a valve position indicator, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting a method for operating a valve position indicator in an embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a valve position indicator according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 7A depicts a top view of a valve position indicator according to an alternative embodiment.

Fig. 7B depicts a view similar to fig. 7A, except showing the valve in a different position.

Fig. 8 depicts a bottom view of a valve position indicator according to an embodiment.

Fig. 9 depicts a front view of the valve position indicator in the "CLOSED" position, under an embodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts a top view of another embodiment of a valve position indicator.

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator having a mirror and mounted on an actuator.

FIG. 12 depicts a cross-sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the valve position indicator shown in FIG. 11.

Fig. 13 depicts a cross-sectional elevation view of the embodiment of the valve position indicator shown in fig. 11-12.

FIG. 14 depicts a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator with a mirror.

FIG. 15 depicts a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator with a mirror.

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator.

FIG. 17 depicts a top schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator.

FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator.

Detailed Description

The following description includes exemplary apparatus, methods, techniques and instruction sequences that embody techniques of the inventive subject matter. However, it is understood that the described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a piping system 100 having a valve 102 with a valve position indicator 104 according to one embodiment. The duct system 100 may be any suitable duct system that requires control of flow within the duct system 100. The valve 102 may have an actuator 106 configured to move the valve 102 between open and closed positions. The actuator 106 may be any suitable actuator including, but not limited to, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator, a handwheel, a joystick, etc. The actuator 106 may have an actuator shaft 108, the actuator shaft 108 being configured to manipulate the valve position indicator 104 as the valve 102 moves between the open and closed positions, as will be discussed in more detail below. The actuator shaft 108 may be configured to move the valve 102 between the open and closed positions, or a separate shaft that moves as the valve 102 moves between the open and closed positions.

Fig. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of the valve 102 and a cross-sectional view of the valve position indicator 104. The valve 102 as shown is a ball valve having an aperture 200 in the open position. In the open position, the bore 200 of the valve 102 may be aligned with the bore of the piping system 100. The actuator 106 may be configured to move the ball 202 of the valve 102 between an open position and a closed position in which the bore 200 is not aligned with the bore of the piping system 100. The valve stem 204 may be rotated by the actuator 106 to move the valve 102 between the open and closed positions. The valve shaft 204 may be integral with the actuator shaft 108, as shown, or a separate gear or mechanism may actuate the actuator shaft 108 with the valve shaft 204. Although the valve 102 is described as a ball valve, the valve 102 may be any suitable valve, including but not limited to a butterfly valve, needle valve, gate valve, and the like.

The actuator 106 may be any suitable actuator for actuating the valve 102, including but not limited to a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator, a handwheel, a joystick, etc.

As shown, the valve position indicator 104 is positioned above the actuator 106. While the valve position indicator 104 is shown directly above the actuator 106, the valve position indicator 104 may be located in any suitable location and/or side (e.g., mounted to an indicator mounting surface 107 of the actuator 106) so long as the actuator shaft 108 can actuate the valve position indicator 104, as will be discussed in more detail below. The valve position indicator 104 may include, but is not limited to, an indicator cover 206, a rotor 208, one or more windows 210 in the indicator cover 206, one or more indicator surfaces 212 on the rotor 208, a light source 214 (or lamp), and an actuator shaft connector 216. The actuator shaft 108 may rotate the rotor 208 as the valve 102 moves between the open and closed positions. As the rotor 208 moves, one or more indicator surfaces 212 may align with one or more windows 210, thereby indicating the position of the valve 102.

The actuator shaft 108 may be secured to the rotor 208 at an actuator shaft connector 216. As shown, the actuator shaft connector 216 has a female end 218, the female end 218 configured to receive a male end 220 of the actuator shaft 108. In one embodiment, the female end 218 and/or the male end 220 may be splined and/or shaped to allow rotational transmission or torque between the actuator shaft 108 and the rotor 208. In another embodiment, the actuator shaft 108 may be integral with the rotor 208 or coupled to the rotor 208 by a pin (not shown).

Indicator cover 206 and rotor 208 are shown as dome-shaped. The dome of the rotor 208 may nest within the dome of the indicator cover 206. While the indicator cover 206 and rotor 208 are shown as arcuate domes, it should be understood that they may have any suitable shape, including cylindrical (inverted cup-shaped), conical, elliptical (any ellipse that rotates about its central axis), a grid dome, and the like.

The rotor 208 may have an alignment hub 222, the alignment hub 222 configured to receive a pin 224 on the indicator cover 206. With the pins 224 in the alignment hub 222, the indicator cover 206 may be positioned substantially symmetrically on the rotor 208. The alignment hub 222 may be free to rotate relative to the pin 224 when the actuator shaft 108 rotates the rotor 208. The indicator cover 206 may be coupled directly to the actuator 106 or another portion of the valve 102 to prevent the indicator cover 206 from rotating with the rotor 208.

Fig. 3A depicts an exploded side view of the indicator cover 206 and rotor 208. The indicator cover 206 is shown having two rows 300 of windows 210 for viewing the indicator surface 212: a top row 300a having two windows 210 directly opposite each other and a bottom row 300b having two windows 210 directly opposite each other. Between the windows 210 is a panel 302. The panel 302 may be solid (opaque). In one embodiment, the panel 302 may have a black or shadow. Although the panel 302 is depicted as being black, it should be understood that the panel 302 may be any color as long as it is opaque.

The rotor 208 may have two indicator rows 303, the two indicator rows 303 being aligned with the rows 300 of the indicator cover 206 when the rotor 208 is nested in the indicator cover 206. The indicator surface 212 may have one or more position indicators 301, which may be further designated as one or more close indicators 304, and/or one or more open indicators 306. As shown, the rotor 208 has two closure indicators 304 on the top indicator row 303A (in a dome shape overlaid on a spherical surface, as shown in fig. 3A) and two closure indicators 304 on the bottom indicator row 303b (in a trapezoid-like shape overlaid on a spherical surface, as shown in fig. 3A). The rotor 208 may have two open indicators 306 on the top indicator row 303a (in a dome shape overlaid on a spherical surface, as shown in fig. 3B) and two open indicators 306 on the bottom indicator row 303B (in a trapezoid-like shape overlaid on a spherical surface, as shown in fig. 3B). The open indicator 306 and the close indicator 304 may have the same pattern as the window 210 and the panel 302 of the indicator cover 206. While four panels 302 and four windows 210 on the indicator cover 206 are aligned with four open indicators 306 and four closed indicators 304 on the rotor 208, it should be understood that any number of panels 302, windows 210, open indicators 306, and closed indicators 304 may be used, so long as the indicator surface 212 is aligned with the windows 210 and panels 302 to clearly display the open or closed position.

When the valve 102 is in the closed position, the closure indicator 304 is aligned with the window 210 such that the closure indicator 304 is displayed through the window 210. The close indicator 304 may have a word indicating a closed position. As shown, the closure indicator 304 has the word "CLOSE" on a surface of the closure indicator 304. While the word is illustrated as "CLOSE," it should be understood that any suitable word and/or symbol may be used to indicate a CLOSED position (e.g., the position indicator term 308 for the CLOSED indicator 304 may be "CLOSED" or "NOT flow"). In addition to or as an alternative to text indicators, the closure indicator 304 may have a colored coating. In one embodiment, the off indicator 304 may be red. Although the closure indicator 304 is depicted as red in one embodiment, it may be any suitable color (e.g., the closure indicator 304 may be blue or green).

When the valve 102 is in the open position, the open indicator 306 is aligned with the window 210, such that the open indicator 306 is displayed through the window 210. The open indicator 306 may have a word indicating the open position. As shown, OPEN indicator 306 has the word "OPEN" on a surface of OPEN indicator 306. While the word is shown as "OPEN," it should be understood that any suitable word and/or symbol may be used to indicate an OPEN position (e.g., the position indicator term 308 for the OPEN indicator 306 may be "OPEN" or "FLOWING"). In addition to or as an alternative to text indicators, the open indicator 306 may have a colored coating. In one embodiment, the open indicator 306 may be yellow. Although the on indicator 306 is described as yellow in one embodiment, it may be any suitable color (e.g., the on indicator 306 may be blue or green, so long as its color is distinguishable from the color of the off indicator 304).

Fig. 3A shows the rotor 208 in the open position if the rotor 208 is nested in the indicator cover 206. In the open position, the four open indicators 306 are aligned with the windows 210 of the open indicators 306. The rotor 208 will remain in the open position displaying the open indicator 306 through the window 210. In this position, the closure indicator 304 is positioned below the panel 302, thereby blocking the view of the closure indicator 304. The rotor 208 will remain in the open position until the valve 102 is moved to the closed position. The valve 102 will remain in the open position until the valve is closed.

Fig. 3B shows the rotor 208 in the closed position if the rotor 208 is nested in the indicator cover 206. In the closed position, the four close indicators 304 are aligned with the windows 210 of the close indicators 304. In this position, the open indicator 306 is positioned below the panel 302, thereby blocking the view of the open indicator 306.

As shown in FIG. 2, the valve position indicator 104 may have a light source 214 that illuminates the interior of the rotor 208. The rotor 208 may be made of a translucent material that allows light to pass through the rotor 208. The light may illuminate the open indicator 306 and the closed indicator 304. This illumination may allow the on indicator 306 or the off indicator 304 to be illuminated when they are aligned with the window 210. This illumination may allow the open indicator 306 and the closed indicator 304 to be easily seen by an operator and/or worker of the valve 102. The light source 214 may be any suitable light source including, but not limited to, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent bulb, and the like. The light source 214 may be a transparent lamp or a colored lamp. For example, one such embodiment of the light source 214 may be a three-wire LED, where the first and second wires are powered to emit one color (e.g., yellow light) and the first and third wires are powered to emit a second color (e.g., red light). Various different colored lights and different colored options may be implemented.

The words "OPEN" and/or "CLOSE" may be omitted entirely from the valve position indicator 104 such that color (and optionally sound) may be specifically used to indicate the position of the valve by closing and opening the

indicators

304 and 306. Alternatively, the words "OPEN" and/or "CLOSE" plus the CLOSE and

OPEN indicators

304 and 306 may be omitted entirely from the valve position indicator 104 such that the entire valve position indicator 104 (dome, as the case may be) illuminates only one given color at any time to indicate the valve position (by way of example only, the color red illuminates the entire dome to indicate "closed," the color "green" indicates "OPEN," and the color "yellow" indicates a transition, optionally including a blinking color to communicate). In the latter example, the rotor 208 may be eliminated and only the light source 214 used in conjunction with the indicator cover 206.

Fig. 4 depicts a circuit diagram 400 of the light source 214 for a valve actuator, according to an embodiment. The wiring diagram 400 depicts a junction box 402, an open switch 404, a close switch 406, a light circuit 408, an open circuit 410, and a close circuit 412. The lamp circuit 408 is connected to the junction box 402 at position (2), position (5), and position (7). The lamp circuit 408 has two

power supply legs

414a and 414b to the light source 214 from position (2) and position (5), respectively. The lamp circuit 408 has a return leg 416 that returns to position (7) of the junction box 402. As shown, the open circuit 410 is connected to the junction box 402 at position (1), position (2), and position (3). When the open switch 404 is in the open position, the open circuit 410 may be powered from position (1) and returned to position (3) as shown. When the on switch 404 is in the on position, the on switch 404 is connected to the on switch return leg 418, the return leg 418 is connected to position (2) of the junction box 402, and the junction box 402 in turn supplies power to the power supply leg 414a, thereby illuminating the light source 214. As shown, the shutdown circuit 412 is connected to the junction box 402 at position (4), position (5), and position (6). When the shutdown switch 406 is in the open position, the shutdown circuit 412 may be powered from position (4) and returned to position (6) as shown. When the off switch 406 is in the on position, the off switch 406 is connected to the off switch return leg 420, the return leg 420 is connected to position (5) of the junction box 402, and the junction box 402 in turn powers the power leg 414b, thereby illuminating the light source 214. It should be understood that any suitable circuitry may be used to operate the light source 214.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart depicting a method for operating the valve position indicator 104 in an embodiment. The flow diagram begins at block 500 where an indicator cover having one or more windows and one or more panels is provided. The flow diagram continues at block 502, where a rotor having at least one indicator surface at least partially within an indicator cover is provided. The flow chart continues at block 504 where the rotor is rotated in response to actuating the valve. The flow chart continues at block 506 where the at least one indicator surface moves under a window of the indicator cover in response to the rotating. The flow chart continues at block 507 where the interior of the window is illuminated. The flow chart continues at block 508 where the position of the valve is indicated by viewing the indicator surface 212 through a window. The flow chart may continue at block 510 where the position of the valve may be sensed and communicated to a plurality of LED lights.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a valve position indicator according to an alternative embodiment in an open position. The embodiment depicted in fig. 6 includes a row or array of LED lights 600, the LED lights 600 arranged in concentric circles or rings on the indicator mounting surface 107 around and abutting the edge or perimeter 207 of the indicator cover 206. As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the circle of LED lights 600 may be further subdivided into any number of sections 602 to demonstrate valve position. The portion 602 may be aligned with the faceplate 302 and the window 210 of the indicator cover 206. As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the LED lamp 600 includes four sections 602 of 90 ° to align with the two panels 302 and the two windows 210 on the bottom indicator row 300B of the indicator cover 206. It should be understood that the present disclosure encompasses embodiments that include different combinations of the number of panels 302, windows 210, and portions 602.

The LED lamp 600 also visually participates in indicating the valve position by illumination combined or complementary to the embodiment depicted in fig. 2 (although these features may also be implemented independently of the indicator cover 206 and rotor 208 or without the indicator cover 206 and rotor 208). In particular, the LED light 600 may readily indicate a gradual increment, percentage, amount, or degree of opening of the valve 102 by a combination of illuminated LEDs, unlit LEDs, and/or differently colored LEDs. The incremental increment, percentage, amount, or degree of opening of the valve 102 may be communicated by a sensor 226 (see, e.g., fig. 2) located on, near, or near the actuator shaft 108. By way of example only, and as shown in fig. 7A, if the valve 102 (i.e., along with the actuator shaft 108) is open by one-half or fifty percent, i.e., 45 °, of the 90 ° consecutive lights in the portion 602 of the LED lights 600 may be illuminated (by the signal provided to the array of LED lights 600 by the sensor 226), and 45 ° of the remainder of each portion 602 may not be illuminated. If the valve 102 is fully open, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire circle of LED lights 600 will be illuminated; if the valve 102 is completely closed, the entire circle of LED lights 600 will not be illuminated (or may be illuminated in an alternate color, such as red).

Further, as another example depicted in fig. 7B, if the circle of LED lamps 600 is divided into four sections 602 of 90 ° and the valve 102 is opened by one third, 30 °, of each subsection of LED lamps 600 will be illuminated, while 60 ° of each subsection of LED lamps 600 will not be illuminated. Alternatively, the illumination of the LED lights 600 may be used to indicate an increment, percentage, amount, or degree of valve 102 closure, and the number of unlit LED lights 600 may be used to indicate the degree of valve 102 opening.

Further, the circle of the LED light 600 may be composed of two indication colors, wherein a first color may indicate the amount the valve 102 is open and a second color may indicate the amount the valve 102 is closed. For example only, a green light emitting color may indicate an incremental on position and a red light emitting color may indicate an incremental off position. The LED lamp 600 may be transparent or have any color of light emission. Further, the LED light 600 functions in conjunction with the position indicator 301, position indicator terminology 308, and/or light source 214 to display the valve position.

As shown, the row or array of LED lights 600 is a plurality of equally spaced panes 604, the panes 604 being arranged in a continuous concentric circle or ring around and abutting the edge or perimeter 207 of the indicator cover 206. However, the row or array may be smaller than forming an entire circle or ring, e.g., extending in an arc of ninety degrees in only two sets. The panes 604 as shown are rectangular, but they may be another shape (e.g., square, circular, etc.). The pane 604 may be flush, raised, ridged, or bulbous with respect to the indicator mounting surface 107. The pane 604 may be a single strip-like pane mounted on the indicator mounting surface 107 adjacent to the edge or perimeter 207 of the indicator cover 206, in a ring, "C" shape, cone shape, line shape (neither shown), or other shape.

The indicator mounting surface 107 may include

ridges

606, 608 and lands/grooves 610 as part of a clamping/clasping mechanism for holding the indicator cover 206 to enhance or enhance the visibility pane 604, and/or simply enhance the appearance of the valve position indicator 106. The first ridge 606 may be taller than the second ridge 608.

Fig. 8 depicts a bottom view of the valve position indicator 104 according to an embodiment and fig. 9 depicts a front view of the valve position indicator 104 in a "CLOSED" position according to an embodiment. Together, fig. 8 and 9 illustrate the actuator shaft 108 in relation to other features of the valve position indicator 104. Note that the actuator shaft 108 is preferably located directly below the indicator cover 206 and the rotor 208. The actuator shaft 108 is connected at one end to the valve position indicator 104 (see fig. 2) by an actuator shaft connector 216 and actuates the rotor 208 to display the one or more indicator surfaces 212. At the other end, the actuator shaft 108 is connected to the valve 102 (see fig. 1). When the valve 102 changes position between the open and closed positions, the actuator shaft 108 relays or communicates the change to the valve position indicator 104 and the position is displayed by the indicator surface 212 and/or the LED light 600.

FIG. 10 depicts a top view of another embodiment of a valve position indicator 104. The valve position indicator 104 in fig. 10 has a ring of LED lights 600, the LED lights 600 being divided into four sections 602, the four sections 602 being disposed on top of the indicator mounting surface 107. However, in the embodiment envisioned in fig. 10, this embodiment does not have an indicator cover 206 or rotor 208 on the center 107a of the indicator mounting surface (i.e., the center 107a of the indicator mounting surface is simply a continuation of the indicator mounting surface 107, bounded or divided by the array of LED lights 600 arranged in a circle or ring). Rather, an indication of the position of the valve 102 is conveyed to the viewer by the illumination of the circle of the LED light 600 without the aid of the dome-shaped indicator cover 206, the rotor 208, and/or the indicator terminology 308. The valve 102 depicted in fig. 10 is in a semi-open and semi-closed position, which is shown in the illumination of each section 602. Within each section 602, 50% of the panes 604 of the LED lamp 600 are illuminated a first color to convey an open position, while 50% of the panes 604 of the LED lamp 600 are not illuminated (or alternatively, are illuminated a second color) to convey a closed position. Although four segments 602 are shown in this embodiment, it should be understood that any number of segments 602 may be utilized to communicate the position of the valve 102 to an observer of the valve position indicator 104.

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator 704. Fig. 12 and 13 depict cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the valve position indicator 704 of fig. 11. An alternative embodiment of the valve position indicator 704 is located above the actuator 708 on an indicator mounting surface 707. The valve position indicator 704 and/or the indicator mounting surface 707 can be at any suitable location or side on the actuator 708 and can be mounted to the indicator mounting surface 707 using one or more bolts or other mounting or attachment components 703 (including screws, adhesives, snaps, etc.). The valve position indicator 704 may include, but is not limited to, an indicator cover 706, a light source or LED light 700, an LED mounting panel 701, and a mirror 702.

The indicator cover 706 may be dome-shaped. While the indicator cover 706 is shown as an arcuate dome, it should be understood that the indicator cover 706 may have any suitable shape, including cylindrical (inverted cup-shaped), conical, elliptical (any ellipse that rotates about its central axis), a grid dome, and the like. Further, the indicator cover 706 is preferably substantially or partially transparent to allow light to pass through its surface.

The LED lamp 700 is located below the indicator cover 706. The LED lamp 700 may optionally be mounted on an LED mounting panel 701, the LED mounting panel 701 being adjacent or abutting an actuator 708 or an indicator mounting surface 707, as shown; alternatively, the LED light 700 may be mounted on the actuator 708 or the indicator mounting surface 707 itself. As depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown, there are four LED lights 700 arranged in a circular or square pattern on the LED mounting panel 701; however, it should be understood that any number of light sources may be present. The LED lights 700 can be clear lights or colored lights (although for purposes of this disclosure, clear can be considered one color, such as near white or a mixture of visible colors), or lights that can change from one color to a different color, as the operator desires to specify the state of the valve. Various different colored lights and different colored options may be implemented. Further, in addition to the depicted square arrangement of the LED lights 700, the LED lights 700 may have alternative arrangements, such as, by way of example only, arranged in a circle or semi-circle. The LED lamp 700 may be configured to illuminate no more than a given color at any instant in time in response to the position of the valve 102. The LED lights 700 and use may be further configured to include a row or array of LED lights 700 as discussed above with respect to fig. 2-10, such that when the valve 102 changes position between open and closed positions, the actuator shaft 108 or the like relays or communicates the change to the valve position indicator 704 and the change in position and/or direction is communicated by the color of the LED lights 600. As the actuator 708 is moved, the LED lights 700 may be sequentially and/or continuously illuminated to display/indicate the amount and/or degree of opening of the valve 102. When the actuator 708 is deactivated, the LED lights may remain illuminated for any period of time, including constantly to indicate/indicate the amount and/or degree of opening of the valve 102. The optional LED mounting panel 701 is preferably stationary.

The exemplary embodiment of the valve position indicator 704 preferably includes a mirror 702. The mirror 702 may be centered within the indicator cover 706 and mounted to the indicator cover 706 internally, concentrically 706a at the top. In one embodiment, the mirror 702 may have a substantially conical shape (inverted as shown) and include a top surface 702a and a bottom surface 702b (the bottom surface 702b defines a conical shape, and preferably defines the concave circumferential surface 710 as being created by rotating a concave arc 710a about an axis perpendicular to the LED mounting panel 701 and centered on the LED mounting panel 701 in the embodiment of fig. 11-13, the concave arc 710a extending from a nose 712 of the mirror 702 to a base 714). The bottom surface 702b may be positioned above the LED lamp 700 and directed or facing the LED lamp 700. Further, the bottom surface 702b of the mirror 702 may be a reflective or polished surface such that the brightness of the LED lamp 700 is reflected and/or magnified through the transparent or translucent indicator cover 706 to increase the visibility of the valve position indicator 704 from a distance. The concave circumferential surface 710 is defined to maximize the visibility of the LED lamp 700 to the viewer when reflected in the mirror 702 (considering that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection relative to a line normal to the mirror surface; a curved mirror can concentrate light, for example in a telescope or solar cooker; and/or the image of the LED lamp 700 can be transformed and distorted by the curved mirror surface 710). The nose portion 712 of the mirror 702 may optionally contact the LED mounting panel 701.

Further, while the mirror 702 in fig. 11-13 is a curved conical shape, other mirror 702 shapes are possible, as shown in fig. 14 and 15, but are not limited to fig. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 depicts an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator 704 having a mirror 702 in the shape of an inverted planar cone; and fig. 15 depicts an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator 704 in which the mirror 702 has an inverted dome shape.

Optionally, a protective layer (not shown) may be added to the reflective bottom surface 702b of the mirror 702 and such a protective layer may optionally further serve to refract light emitted from the LED lamp 700. Optionally, the indicator cover 706 may be used and designed to refract light emitted from the LED lamp 700 and/or light reflected from the mirror 702.

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator 804. The valve position indicator 804 may include, but is not limited to, an indicator cover 806, an array of light sources 830 or high intensity LED lights 800, and an LED mounting panel 801. In this alternative embodiment, the intensity level of the light source or high intensity LED lamp 800 may depend on the ambient light. For example, if the ambient light level or room is bright, the light source or high intensity LED lamp 800 will emit light that is bright relative to the ambient light. If the ambient light is weak or the room is dark, the light source or high intensity LED lamp 800 may not emit as bright light as when the ambient light is strong; however, the light source or high intensity LED lamp 800 will emit a bright light relative to a weak ambient light or a dark room. A light sensor (not shown in fig. 16) may detect ambient light and control the power input to the light source or high intensity LED lamp 800 accordingly. The array 830 of high intensity LED lights 800 is oriented on the LED mounting panel 801 such that a single point (or portion or area or stack) 832 in the array 830 has one horizontally oriented high intensity LED 800 and one vertically oriented high intensity LED 800. Preferably two high intensity LED lamps 800 at the single point/section/area/stack 832 are illuminated simultaneously. Each point/portion/area/stack 832 of the high intensity LED lamp 800 may be equiangularly spaced from each other point/portion/area/stack 832 on the LED mounting panel 801 (by way of example only, there may be four points 832 equiangularly spaced around the array 830, although other numbers, such as eight quadrants, may be implemented). The LED array 830 is made up of several LED dots/portions/areas/stacks 832 so that the high intensity LED lamp 800 will directly illuminate the viewer when viewing the actuator horizontally or vertically. In this alternative embodiment, a horizontal high intensity light beam 840 and a vertical high intensity light beam 850 from each high intensity LED lamp 800 at each point/portion 832 of the array 830 are shown in fig. 16. Optionally, this alternative embodiment may also include an inverted mirror, which is not shown in fig. 16, but is shown in fig. 11-15 (e.g., mirror 702).

Fig. 17 depicts a top schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a valve position indicator 904 (indicator cover 906 not shown). The valve position indicator 904 may include, but is not limited to, an indicator cover 906 (not shown in fig. 17), an array 930 of light sources or high intensity LED lights 900, and an LED mounting panel 901. In this alternative embodiment, similar to the embodiment depicted in fig. 16, the intensity level of the light source or high intensity LED lamp 900 may be dependent on the ambient light. For example, if the ambient light level or room is bright, the light source or high intensity LED lamp 900 will emit light that is bright relative to the ambient light. If the ambient light is weak or the room is dark, the light source or high intensity LED lamp 900 may not emit as bright light as when the ambient light is strong; however, the light source or high intensity LED lamp 900 will emit a bright light relative to a weak ambient light or a dark room. A light sensor (not shown in fig. 17) may detect ambient light and control the power input to the light source or high intensity LED lamp 900 accordingly.

In this exemplary embodiment, an array 930 of high intensity LED lamps 900 is oriented on the LED mounting panel 901 such that a single point (or portion, quadrant, area, or stack) 932 in the array has one high intensity LED in a horizontal orientation 940 and one high intensity LED in a vertical orientation 950. In this exemplary embodiment, eight-point high-intensity LED lamps 900 are mounted on an LED mounting panel 901. Each point/portion/quadrant/area/stack 932 of the high-intensity LED lamp 900 can be equally angularly spaced from each other point/portion/quadrant/area/stack 932 on the LED mounting panel 901 (as an example only, eight points 932 that can be equally or substantially equally angularly spaced around the array 930, as in this exemplary embodiment). Additionally, in this embodiment, each pair of high intensity LED lamps 900 at a single point (or portion or area or stack) 932 is grouped or paired with a high intensity LED lamp 900 of another point 938 (16 in total shown in fig. 17, including a single point 932 and a single point 938), one high intensity LED 900 of a point 932 and/or 938 being oriented horizontally 940, and the other high intensity LED 900 of a point 932 and/or 938 being oriented vertically 950. While this embodiment shows 32 high intensity LED lamps 900 in total, more or fewer high intensity LED lamps 900 may be used and more or fewer dots 932 and/or groups of dots 938 may be used.

A multi-color high intensity LED lamp or any color of high intensity LED lamp 900 may be used and by way of example, this embodiment utilizes a green high intensity LED lamp 934 and a red high intensity LED lamp 936. The high intensity LED light may indicate the position or status of the actuator. The red high intensity LED light 936 may flash in a clockwise sequence to indicate turning off the actuator. The green high intensity LED light 934 may flash in a counterclockwise sequence to indicate turning on the actuator. The fault condition may be indicated by simultaneously illuminating the green high-intensity LED lamp 934 and the red high-intensity LED lamp 936 to produce a yellow color. The green high intensity LED light 934 may remain illuminated when the actuator reaches the open position. The red high-intensity LED lamp 936 may remain illuminated when the actuator reaches the off position. The position of the actuator may be indicated by the high intensity LED light 900 using an flashing code or pattern when between the respective open and closed positions. For example only, a light flash mode of "ON", "Pause" may indicate that the valve 102 (see fig. 1) is 25% open; the light flash modes of "ON", "Pause" may indicate that the valve 102 is 75% open; and a lamp flash mode of "ON", "Pause" may indicate that the valve 102 is open by 50%. These light flash codes or patterns, as well as flash patterns and high intensity LED lights remain illuminated, are provided as examples, and other patterns, sequences or names may also be used to indicate the position of the actuator. Other actuator positions may be used in addition to or in lieu of valve 102 opening or closing 25%, 50%, and 75%, respectively. Alternatively, this alternative embodiment may include an inverted mirror, not shown in fig. 17 but shown in fig. 11-15 (e.g., mirror 702).

FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of a valve position indicator 1104 according to an alternative embodiment in an open position. The valve position indicator 1104 embodiment depicted in fig. 18 includes an array of LED lights 1000 arranged in rows on an indicator mounting surface 1107 around and adjacent to or near an edge or perimeter 1207 of an indicator cover 1206. The LED lamp 1000 may include, for example, three LEDs 1000: a first LED 1001, a second LED 1002, and a third LED 1003. The three

LEDs

1001, 1002, and 1003 may be in close proximity and arranged in a straight or semi-circular pattern within only a forty-five degree window or on only one side of a valve position indicator cover 1206 (which may be circular or dome-shaped, as an example only), adjacent to but outside of the edge or perimeter 1207. The LED lamp 1000 may optionally be a high intensity LED lamp. An alternative exemplary embodiment includes an indicator cover 1206 mounted on an indicator mounting surface 1107. The indicator cover 1206 may have windows 1210 and

rows

1300a and 1300b of panels 1302, position indicators 1301, and position indicator terminology 1308, substantially as previously described with respect to the embodiment shown in fig. 6-9. In fig. 18, the opening indicator 1306 is aligned with the window 1210 of the indicator cover 1206 to show the valve 102 in the open position. In addition, the indicator mounting surface 1107 of fig. 18 may include ridges, platforms, and/or grooves as described previously in the description for the embodiments in the other figures (and as shown in fig. 6) to grip or retain the indicator cover 1206.

Each LED light 1000 in the alternative exemplary embodiment of the valve position indicator 1104 of fig. 18 may be selectively illuminated a different color. For example only, in some exemplary embodiments, the first LED 1001 may light red; the second LED 1002 may light up yellow; and the third LED1003 may light green. The colors described herein should not be considered limiting as other colors of LEDs known in the art are also possible. Further, the LEDs 1000 may each be capable of illuminating more than one color and the LEDs 1000 may all illuminate different or the same color at the same time. For example only, a red LED that is illuminated may indicate an "off" position; the illuminated green LED may indicate an "on" position; and a lit yellow LED may indicate an error or fault or alarm condition. Depending on the electronics module installed in the switch box of the valve 102, any combination of the following may trigger a fault or alarm condition (and thus illuminate the yellow LED or LEDs 1002): receiving an open or close signal but the valve 102 has not reached that position; improper operating voltage (if monitored); excessive current (if the solenoid valve current is monitored); bus communication error (if a bus communication protocol device is installed); excessive torque (if monitored); too slow to move (if monitored); low air pressure (if solenoid valve pressure is monitored); and/or excessive vibration (if monitored).

While embodiments have been described with reference to various embodiments and developments, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject matter is not limited by these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. For example, the embodiments and techniques used herein may be applied to any one-way valve in various types of piping systems (e.g., pump systems). Multiple instances may be provided for a component, operation, or structure described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter. Applicant filed the related U.S. provisional application No.61/721,123 on month 11 and 1 of 2012 by reference; and 2016, 9, 14, incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A valve, comprising:

an actuator;

a valve position indicator coupled to the actuator, wherein the valve position indicator comprises:

an indicator cover mounted on an indicator mounting surface, wherein the indicator mounting surface has an edge;

a plurality of LED lights disposed on the indicator mounting surface, wherein the LED lights abut an edge of the indicator cover; and

a sensor in communicative connection with the actuator and the plurality of LED lights, wherein the sensor is configured to communicate a position of the valve to the plurality of LED lights.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LED lights abutting an edge of the indicator cover surround the edge.

3. The valve of claim 1, further wherein the indicator cover further comprises a plurality of windows separated by opaque panels.

4. The valve of claim 3, wherein one or more of the plurality of LED lights are configured to illuminate a first color when the valve is open; and wherein one or more of the plurality of LED lights is configured to illuminate a second color when the valve is closed.

5. The valve of claim 4, further comprising a rotor at least partially within the indicator cover, the rotor including an indicator surface having a position indicator, wherein the position indicator is configured to align with the window to indicate a position of the valve.

6. The valve of claim 5, wherein the position indicator comprises two position indicator terms.

7. The valve of claim 6, further comprising an actuator shaft connector configured to couple the rotor to an actuator shaft for the valve, wherein the actuator shaft is configured to rotate the rotor relative to the indicator cover as the valve moves between the open and closed positions.

8. The valve of claim 5, wherein the position indicator further comprises two position indicators, wherein the two position indicators are two different colors.

9. The valve of claim 5, wherein the plurality of LED lights are configured to illuminate corresponding to incremental positions of the valve.

10. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LED lights comprises one red LED light, one yellow LED light, and one green LED light.

11. The valve of claim 10, wherein the illumination of the red LED light indicates the closed position of the valve; wherein the green LED light is illuminated to indicate the open position of the valve; further wherein illumination of the yellow LED light indicates a fault condition of the valve

12. A method for indicating a position of a valve in conjunction with a valve actuator, comprising the steps of:

sensing a position of the valve;

communicating a position of the valve through an indicator cover having a plurality of windows separated by opaque panels adjacent the indicator cover; and

communicating a position of the valve to a plurality of LED lights, wherein the plurality of LED lights abut an edge of the indicator cover.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of LED lights comprises two LED lights.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

illuminating a first color of at least one of the two LED lights when the valve is in an open position.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

illuminating a second color of at least one of the two LED lights when the valve is in the closed position.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

providing a rotor having an indicator surface at least partially within the indicator cover; and

rotating the rotor in response to actuating the valve.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

moving the indicator surface under a window of the indicator cover.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

viewing the indicator surface through at least one of the plurality of windows to indicate a position of the valve.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising emitting light through the rotor and the window to illuminate the indicator surface through the window.

20. A valve having an actuator and a valve position indicator coupled to the actuator, wherein the valve position indicator comprises:

a plurality of LED lights disposed on the indicator mounting surface, wherein the LED lights surround and abut an edge of the indicator cover; and