DE102016011100A1 - Fitting for a fluid line system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fitting (10) for a fluid line system having at least one self-sufficient energy recovery system (16) for recovering energy from the fluid (F) flowing in the fluid conduit system, at least one sensor unit (28) for detecting and evaluating one or more sensor signals describe directly or indirectly one or more parameters of the fluid (F) flowing in the fluid conduit system, wherein the sensor unit (28) comprises at least one sensor and at least one sensor evaluation unit (34), wherein the armature (10) further comprises at least one recording unit (36) and wherein the sensor unit (28) and the recording unit (36) are powered solely by the energy harvesting system (16).

Description

The present invention relates to a fitting for a fluid line system.

Fittings for fluid line systems, in particular for water pipes or the like, are already known from the prior art.

Here, fittings in piping designate components, in particular for shutting off or regulating material flows, for example of drinking water or fluids in other household cycles.

Depending on the design, a closing element closes the pipe connected to the valve. At the tap, this is the valve plate. In the case of the butterfly valve, this is a rotatable flap, in the case of a gate valve a displaceable disc and, in the case of the stopcock, a rotatable cylinder or cone or a ball, all of which can be provided with a bore.

From the DE 10 2005 059 441 A1 already a pressure reducer with a monitoring means is known. The pressure reducer is used to reduce the pressure of a liquid in piping systems, in particular in piping systems of the water supply, wherein the pressure reducer can be traversed by the liquid, with at least one measuring means for detecting physical quantities, eg. B. the pressure or the volume flow, the liquid flowing into the pressure reducer and with at least one measuring means for detecting physical quantities, for. Pressure or volume flow, of the fluid flowing out of the pressure reducer, the pressure reducer having means for monitoring that is suitable and arranged to perform at least a function of at least one of the detected physical quantities to detect a fault and / or a risk of damage and / or destruction of the pressure reducer or piping system and to indicate the fault and / or danger.

From the EP 0 210 523 A1 is a device for pressure, normal force and bending measurements on piping known. This device is used to measure the pressure, the normal force and the bending in a cylindrical body, in particular a tube. It is provided that strain gauges are arranged on the tube in the axial and radial directions. With the strain gauges an evaluation unit is connected, which outputs at its output separately values for pressure, normal force and bending.

It is the object of the present invention to further develop a valve for a fluid line system of the type mentioned in an advantageous manner, in particular to the effect that the power supply of the valve and built in the valve sensor and electronics can be made simpler and more efficient.

This object is achieved by a valve with the features of claim 1. Thereafter, it is provided that a fitting for a fluid line system is provided with at least one self-sufficient energy recovery system for recovering energy from the fluid flowing in the fluid conduit system, the valve at least one sensor unit for Detecting and evaluating one or more sensor signals which directly or indirectly describe one or more parameters of the fluid flowing in the fluid conduit system, the sensor unit comprising at least one sensor and at least one sensor evaluation unit, wherein the armature further comprises at least one recording unit and wherein the sensor unit and the Record unit are powered exclusively by the energy recovery system.

The invention is based on the idea that the fluid flowing through the valve can and should be used as an energy source in order to supply the electronics of the valve with energy. For this purpose, the fluid flow through the fluid conduit system should remain substantially undisturbed. This is achieved by not using a turbine or the like. Rather, only the mechanical influence on the valve itself, such as in the form of vibrations or pressure is used to generate the energy. The energy is generated according to the so-called energy harvesting principle. An additional power supply of the valve is therefore not necessary, since the power of the armature or for the electronics of the valve can be self-sufficient. The fitting itself can be made partially or completely of plastic essentially in particular with regard to housing components or fluid-conducting regions.

The valve may be, for example, a flow meter or the like.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the energy recovery system and the sensor unit are integrated in a common sensor-actuator unit. The common sensor-actuator unit then essentially represents the electronics of the fitting. The sensor-actuator unit can have corresponding interfaces for data transmission or data reading, for example by radio, Bluetooth or by an interface, such as a plug for a Cable or the like. It is conceivable in this context that such an interface is formed for example as a USB interface.

The energy recovery system may include at least one strain gauge. It is conceivable in this context that the strain gauge is a piezo-strain gauge. By means of such strain gauges, it becomes possible to use the fluids flowing through the valve in such a way that the vibrations, pressures, strains, forces exerted on the valve can be used to generate electricity and to generate appropriate voltage for generating energy can be used. In this context, it is also advantageous that only small amounts of energy are required to power the sensor unit.

In particular, it can be provided that the sensor unit also comprises a strain gauge or is formed by a strain gauge. Again, it may be piezometric strain gauges. The forces, strains or compressions acting on the strain gauges are converted into corresponding voltages or currents which, in addition to energy generation, can also be correspondingly evaluated as a sensor signal. The evaluation of the sensor signal is effected by the sensor evaluation unit connected to the strain gauges.

In addition, it can be provided that the fitting has a memory chip which is designed and configured such that it is in signal connection with the sensor unit and that the memory chip or the sensor signal (s) are recordable. This makes it possible, for example, to be able to record the pressure profile and the loads of the valve over time. For example, this makes it possible to detect overloading of the valve. This is particularly interesting when it comes to a failure of the valve and then a cause research with regard to the failure of the valve should be done. The memory function makes it possible to detect, even retrospectively, whether the valve was operated in the approved load range or in the past had an overload, which was possibly the cause of the damage.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the fitting has an energy storage unit, which is designed and constructed such that in it the energy obtained by means of the energy recovery system is at least partially einspeicherbar. This may be, for example, a battery or a battery. It is also conceivable to use capacitors or the like. This makes it possible, recovered energy, which is not immediately retrieved to continue to hold for corresponding applications in the future and save.

The fitting may have at least one fluid channel and at least one electronics compartment for receiving and accommodating the energy recovery system and / or the sensor unit and / or the recording unit, wherein the fluid channel and the electronics compartment are separated from each other, for. B. by a membrane. As a result, a simple and secure fluid-tight separation of fluid channel and electronics compartment is made possible. In addition, the membrane can also be used as a signal and vibration amplifier to attach here, for example, the sensors can.

In the electronics compartment, at least one fluid sensor can be arranged, by means of which a fluid inlet into the electronics compartment can be detected. It is conceivable, for example, that such a fluid sensor is designed and arranged such that it generates an alarm signal or switch-off signal on contact with the fluid flowing through the valve. This signal indicates that the valve is defective. Based on this signal can also be detected and decided whether the valve locked for security reasons or even the corresponding line section of the fluid line system must be disabled. Also, the recognition of which valve of the fluid line system must be replaced, thereby simplified.

By means of the at least one sensor unit can be directly and / or directly the mechanical load on the valve to be measured and / or evaluated. This is comparatively easy by means of, for example, the strain gauges.

In addition, it can be provided that the mechanical load for the input and / or output pressures before and / or after the valve can be measured and / or evaluated directly and / or directly by means of the at least one sensor unit. With the appropriate arrangement, it can be detected by the sensors which input pressure and which outlet pressure the fluid flowing through the valve has when it flows through the valve. Accordingly, these values can be easily and reliably recorded and also evaluated.

Based on the pressure difference between inlet pressure and outlet pressure, the flow rate and / or flow rate of the fluid through the valve can be measured and / or evaluated. Since the flow cross sections are known through the valve, it can be calculated from this easily and safely, for example, based on and with the Sensorauswerteeinheit, which flow of the fluid has flowed through the valve or which flow rate the fluid has or had.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the thermal load on the fitting can be measured and / or evaluated indirectly and / or directly by means of the at least one sensor unit.

Further details and advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

Show it:

1 an embodiment of a valve according to the invention;

2 a section through an embodiment of a valve according to the invention; such as

3 an application example of in 1 and 2 shown inventive fitting.

1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a valve according to the invention 10 having a fluid inlet opening 12 for a fluid F and a fluid outlet opening 14 for the fluid F has.

The flow direction in 1 is shown with corresponding arrows.

The fitting 10 for the fluid line system has a self-sufficient energy recovery system 16 and an energy store 18 on.

As this continues in 2 shown is in the fitting 10 a fluid-conducting area in the form of a fluid channel 20 between the fluid inlet 12 and the fluid outlet 14 intended. The electronics of the valve 10 is above the fluid channel 20 separated by a membrane 22 arranged. Above or separated from the fluid channel 20 , ie the fluid-carrying area of the valve 10 , is in the case 24 the fitting 10 an electronics room 26 provided in which the energy recovery system 16 and also the energy storage 18 are arranged.

The energy recovery system 16 is further with a sensor unit 28 provided and to a common sensor-actuator unit 30 educated.

By means of sensor unit 28 can indirectly and / or directly the thermal load on the valve 10 be measurable and / or evaluable.

The sensor-actuator unit 30 has several strain gauges 32 on, on the one hand used for energy and on the other hand to the sensor.

The sensor unit 28 points next to the strain gauges 32 as sensors also a sensor evaluation unit 34 , ie a corresponding control and regulation logic or an electronic controller.

In addition, there is also a recording unit 36 in the electronics room 26 provided for recording the sensor signals detected by the sensors. The recording unit 36 can do this with a memory chip 38 be provided or with a corresponding in the fitting 10 provided memory chip 38 keep in touch.

The fitting 10 points further in the electronics room 26 a radio module 40 on.

Besides, in the electronics room 26 a fluid sensor arranged by means of which a fluid inlet into the electronics compartment 26 is detectable.

The function of the valve 10 can be described as follows:
By means of strain gauges 32 be the on the connecting piece of the fitting 10 There, for example, the characteristic values for mechanical load (pressure surges), inlet and outlet pressures before and after the valve are measured there prevailing strain states 10 , For example, a valve, and to measure the flow rate by the pressure difference.

Due to increasing or decreasing pressures in piping systems, radial expansions of the pipe sections may occur. This strain can be caused by the strain gauges 32 be recorded. By stretching or compression also changes the electrical resistance of the strain gauges 32 ,

As a result, the current strength also changes with a constant supply voltage. This change in current can be converted into a pressure. By an additional integrated storage option, here by the memory chip 38 , this data can be recorded and also saved.

For example, in the past past overloading of the valve 10 can be detected easily and thus a cause of damage research be carried out.

The power supply in the fitting 10 contained electronics by the energy harvesting principle.

With the energy-harvesting principle, the piezoelectric effect should deliver the necessary electrical voltage. Alternatively, too other energy recovery methods, such. B. energy generation according to generator principle, possible.

Due to the constant vibrations in the pipeline, as well as pressure fluctuations in the plant, the piezo crystals of the strain gauges 32 subjected to constant stretching and compression and thereby produce the necessary voltage for the electronics of the valve 10 necessary is.

This can be made available to the measuring sensor, or else be stored by means of the energy storage unit. If the energy harvesting principle generates more energy than needed, it will be buffered so that the sensor system can always be supplied with power even when the system is switched off.

For example, at a stop, the fluid flow through the valve becomes 10 nevertheless still by means of the sensor unit 28 recorded that just no more fluid flow through the valve 10 he follows.

Using the integrated radio module 40 the data recorded by the measuring sensor system can be transmitted.

The data is read using, for example, a separate receiver and / or a display on the valve. But there is also the possibility to transmit the data directly into the system control system, so that in case of failure, such. B. in case of a pressure shock or an unwanted pressure increase / decrease the system either turns off or notifies a plant engineer.

The integrated radio module 40 can in particular with an external data terminal 42 communicate, as in 3 is shown.

The fitting 10 further indicates the integrated memory chip 38 on which all process-relevant data can be written. Thus, in the event of a product failure, the cause of the failure of the valve can be detected more quickly 10 be determined.

Due to wear on the membrane 22 that the fluid channel 20 from the electronics room 26 If this happens, it can cause damage during the course of its operation and thus become leaky.

A leak in the membrane 22 however, sets the function of the valve 10 total override. This can then lead to damage of attached components in the system.

The electronics in the top of the fitting 10 integrated, but this should be prevented. As soon as the contacts of the fluid sensor or of the fluid sensors come into contact with the fluid F, a signal is emitted and the system can be switched off altogether.

In addition, the monitoring has the advantage that an installer now knows exactly which of the valves is no longer functional. A targeted exchange is thereby made possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

fitting

12

Fluid inlet port

14

fluid outlet opening

16

Energy recovery system

18

energy storage

20

fluid channel

22

membrane

24

casing

26

electronics compartment

28

sensor unit

30

Sensor-actuator unit

32

Strain

34

sensor evaluation

36

recording unit

38

memory chip

40

radio module

42

external data terminal

F

fluid

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102005059441 A1 [0005]
• EP 0210523 A1 [0006]

Claims (13)

Fitting ( 10 ) for a fluid line system with at least one self-sufficient energy recovery system ( 16 ) for obtaining energy based on the fluid (F) flowing in the fluid line system, at least one sensor unit ( 28 ) for detecting and evaluating one or more sensor signals which directly or indirectly describe one or more parameters of the fluid (F) flowing in the fluid line system, the sensor unit ( 28 ) at least one sensor and at least one sensor evaluation unit ( 34 ), the fitting ( 10 ) at least one recording unit ( 36 ) and wherein the sensor unit ( 28 ) and the recording unit ( 36 ) exclusively by the energy recovery system ( 16 ) be energized. Fitting ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy recovery system ( 16 ) and the sensor unit ( 28 ) in a common sensor-actuator unit ( 30 ) are integrated. Fitting ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the energy recovery system ( 16 ) at least one strain gauge ( 32 ). Fitting ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 28 ) at least one strain gauge ( 32 ). Fitting ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting ( 10 ) a memory chip ( 38 ) arranged and adapted to communicate with the sensor unit (10). 28 ) is in signal connection and that with the memory chip ( 38 ) or the sensor signal (s) are recordable. Fitting ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting ( 10 ) has an energy storage unit which is designed and constructed such that in it by means of the energy recovery system ( 16 ) Energy is at least partially einspeicherbar. Fitting ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting ( 10 ) a radio module ( 40 ) that is designed and constructed such that by means of the radio module ( 40 ) the signal (s) detected by the sensor to one of the armature ( 10 ) separate receiving unit are transferable. Fitting ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting ( 10 ) at least one fluid channel and at least one electronics compartment ( 26 ) for receiving and housing the energy recovery system ( 16 ) and / or the sensor unit ( 28 ) and / or the recording unit ( 36 ), wherein the fluid channel ( 20 ) and the electronics room ( 26 ) through a membrane ( 22 ) are separated from each other. Fitting ( 10 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that in the electronics room ( 26 ) at least one fluid sensor is arranged, by means of which a fluid inlet into the electronics compartment ( 26 ) is detectable. Fitting ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the at least one sensor unit ( 28 ) indirectly and / or directly the mechanical load on the valve ( 10 ) is measurable and / or evaluable. Fitting ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the at least one sensor unit ( 28 ) indirectly and / or directly the mechanical load the input and / or output pressures before and / or after the valve ( 10 ) are measurable and / or evaluable. Fitting ( 10 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that based on the pressure difference, the flow rate and / or flow rate of the fluid (F) through the valve ( 10 ) are measurable and / or evaluable. Fitting ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the at least one sensor unit ( 28 ) indirectly and / or directly the thermal load on the valve ( 10 ) is measurable and / or evaluable.

Images