GB2475936A

GB2475936A - Pressure reducing valve assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2475936A
Application number: GB1014712A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Willi Hecking
Original assignee: Hans Sasserath GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Hans Sasserath GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2009-12-01
Filing date: 2010-09-03
Publication date: 2011-06-08
Also published as: DE202009015673U1; GB201014712D0

Abstract

A pressure reducer assembly 10 uses a pressure reducer valve 12 controlled by the pressure of a spring 54 for setting the outlet pressure downstream of the valve. Actuator means 68, 76, 80, 84 are provided for moving the pressure reducer valve 12 to a closed position from the outside independently of the pressure conditions. The pressure reducer assembly comprises a fixed valve seat 66, a movable valve plate or closure member 52 cooperating with the valve seat 66, a movable valve spindle 68 connected to the valve plate 52, and an actuating element 76 connected to the valve spindle 68 for setting a position of the valve spindle. The valve spindle 68 is moved by the actuating element 76 into a position where the pressure reducer valve 12 is closed independently of the pressure conditions. The actuating element 76 may be manually- or motor-actuated.

Description

PRESSURE REDUCER ASSEMBLY

The invention relates to a pressure reducer assembly comprising a pressure reducer valve controlled by the pressure of a pressure spring for setting the outlet pressure downstream of a pressure reducer valve. Such pressure reducer assemblies operate with a valve which opens upon dropping outlet pressure and closes upon reaching a threshold value for the outlet pressure. In such a way the outlet pressure can be controlled to a desired value. Pressure variations, such as, for example, caused by the drinking water supply are compensated in such a way. Especially with high inlet pressures the pressure can be regulated to a lower value and thereby water consumption can be reduced. In particular, pressure reducers are used for devices which require constant pressure conditions.

Pressure reducers are well known, for example from DE 20 2009 013 661.2; DE 10 2007 011228 Al or DE 10 2005 052 386 Al. There are pressure reducers known which are combined with a filter in the form of a pressure reducer'filter assembly. Also, there are assemblies known which are combined with a device for protecting installations against leakage. If pressure reducers are installed upstream of devices in need of regular servicing an additional shut-off device is provided in the pipe.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pressure reducer assembly of the above mentioned kind where the costs and the installation size of an installation with a shut-off device are reduced. According to the invention this object is achieved in that actuator means are provided for moving the pressure reducer valve in a closed position from the outside independently of the pressure conditions. In such a way the pressure reducer has two functions: on one hand it serves to control the pressure and on the other hand it operates as a shut-off valve. As no separate shut-off valve is necessary the installation size of a combination of a pressure reducer and a shut-off valve is reduced. The actuator means with an actuating element may be in the form of a manually operated actuating handle or in the form of an automatically operated means with a motor and a suitable controller.

A preferred modification of the pressure reducer assembly the pressure reducer assembly is provided with: (a) a valve seat which is immobile with respect to the housing; (b) a movable valve plate cooperating with the valve seat; (c) a movable valve spindle connected to the valve plate; (d) an actuating element connected to the valve spindle for setting a selected position of the valve spindle, wherein (e) the valve spindle is adapted to be moved by the actuating element into a position where the pressure reducer valve formed by the valve plate and the valve seat is closed independently of the pressure conditions.

Alternatively a piston pressure reducer is used where the valve seat is movable and the valve plate is immobile with respect to the housing.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention a movable drawing spindle cc)axiaily connected to the valve spindle is provided, the drawing spindle having an end extending through the bore hole in the actuating element and having a securing disc or nut provided at this end which moves the drawing spindle and the valve spindle upon an axial movement of the actuating element in such a way that the valve is closed independently of the pressure conditions.

The actuating element may be formed by a handle screwed onto the housing or a part connected to the housing and which is axially moved upon rotation. In a further modification of the invention, the drawing spindle may extend through a bore hole of a threaded spindle with an external thread, a spring abutment for the pressure spring screwed on the threaded spindle in such a way that the spring abutment is axially moved upon rotation of the threaded spindle. The spring abutment biases the pressure spring and thereby the outlet pressure. The threaded spindle serves to accommodate and adjust the spring abutment and also to guide the drawing spindle. Thereby a very compact assembly is achieved.

Preferably, the end of the drawing spindle facing the valve spindle is broadened, the end of the valve spindle facing the drawing spindle is provided with an external thread and the valve spindle and the drawing spindle are connected by a cap nut operating simultaneously for tightening the diaphragm of the pressure reducer with a diaphragm plate pressurized by the pressure spring. Consequently, the drawing spindle is aligned with the valve spindle and is connected thereto. The cap nut simultaneously serves to fix the drawing spindle and to tighten a control diaphragm.

In a partiäularly preferred embodiment of the invention an assembly for detecting leakage is provided downstream of the pressure reducer valve the assembly for detecting leakage being provided with a backflow preventer and a turbine cooperating with a Reed contact. Such assemblies for detecting leakage are known.

They may be provided with a bypass around the backtlow preventer for detecting particularly small leaking flows. It is also possible to install the backflow preventer with some tolerance in order to enable small leaking flows through the closed slightly inclined backflow preventer for driving the turbine. The rotational velocity and/or the amount of rotations of the turbine is determined by means of the Reed-contact. The value is processed with some suitable software. As a result it is determined if there is leakage or any other untypical flow conditions.

In a ftirther modification of the invention a controller is provided for controlling the pressure reducer valve by means of a motor according to the results of the processing of the assembly for detecting leakage. In such a way the pressure reducer valve may be automatically closed without delay if there is a bursting pipe.

The assembly according to the present invention is particularly advantageous if a connection fitting is provided adapted to optionally receive a pressure reducer assembly with or without an assembly for detecting leakage and with or without motor driving in a modular manner. The modular set-up with a connection fitting enables upgrading or changing of existing fittings without having to break the installation.

Further modifications of the invention are subject matter of the sub claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is, however, understood that the scope of this patent application is not limited to such embodiments and that the embodiments may be amended in various ways without departing from the general idea and scope of the invention as claimed in the accompanying claims.

Fig. 1 is a cross section of a manually operated pressure reducer assembly in its operating position.

Fig.2 shows a detail of the pressure reducer assembly of figure 1 in its closed position.

Fig.3 shows a detail of the pressure reducer assembly in its operating position corresponding to figure 1.

Fig.4 is a cross section of a pressure of a pressure reducer assembly in its closed position corresponding to figure 2.

Fig.5 is a cross section of a motor-driven pressure reducer assembly with an assembly for detecting leakage in its closed position.

Fig.6 shows the assembly of figure 5 with opened pressure reducer valve.

Fig.7 shows the assembly of figure 5 with shut-off pressure reducer valve.

Fig.8 shows a micro switch for detecting the valve position with open pressure reducer valve in greater detail.

Fig.9 shows the micro switch for detecting the valve position of figure 8 with closed pressure reducer valve in greater detail.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the outer and inner coupling element of the motor-driven pressure reducer element of figure 5.

Fig. I shows a pressure reducer assembly generally denoted with numeral 10 the pressure reducer assembly having a pressure reducer valve 12. A pressure reducer as such is well known in the art. A screw cap 64 of the pressure reducer assembly 10 is screwed into the inner thread of an adapter socket 18 with an outer thread 14 at its lower end 16. The adapter socket 18 is part of an adapter 20 made of inexpensive plastic material which is screwed into the socket of a connection fitting 24 with a thread 22.

The connection fitting 24 is provided with an inlet connection 26 with an inlet and an outlet connection 28 with an outlet 32. The connection fitting 24 is S 5 installed in a pipe (not shown) with the inlet connection 26 and the outlet connection 28. The diameter of the adapter socket 18 is larger than the diameter of the inlet 30 and the outlet 32. Drinking water from a drinking water supply flows from the inlet to the outlet 32 through the pressure reducer assembly described below in greater detail. The outlet pressure present in the outlet 32 is controlled by the pressure reducer assembly 10 as described below: The adapter 20 has a first, upper annular shoulder 56 on its inner wall and below a second, lower annular shoulder 58. A pressure reducer insert 34 is inserted into the adapter 20. The pressure reducer insert 34 has a hopper-shaped basic form.

The pressure reducer insert 34 has a rim in its upper portion laying on the lower annular shoulder 58. A sealing ring 60 is positioned on the front side of the rim and the upper annular shoulder 56. The edge of a control diaphragm 62 is positioned on * the sealing ring 60. The control diaphragm 62 is tightened with the screw cap 64. The outer thread 14 at the lower end of the screw cap 64 is screwed into the inner thread of the adapter 20. The pressure reducer insert 34 forms a control pressure chamber 46 together with the control diaphragm 62.

An inlet chamber 38 connected to the inlet of the pressure reducer assembly 10 is separated from an outlet chamber 36 by the pressure reducer insert 34 in the adapter 20. The outlet chamber 36 is connected to the outlet 32. The pressure reducer valve 12 of the pressure reducer assembly 10 is positioned between the inlet chamber 38 and the outlet chamber 36, the pressure reducer valve 12 controlling the outlet pressure of the assembly. The separation of the inlet chamber 38 and the outlet chamber 36 is effected essentially by the pressure reducer insert 34 at the adapter 20 and a wall 40 which is part of the inner wall of the connection fitting 24 in the range of the inlet.

The pressure reducer insert 34 inserted into the adapter 20 in such a way is sealed against the inlet 30 and the inlet chamber 38 with sealings 42. A central channel 44 with lateral connections 48 connects the outlet 32 and the outlet chamber 36 with the control pressure chamber 46. Therefore, the control pressure chamber 46 is exposed to the outlet pressure.

The pressure reducer insert 34 forms a valve seat 66. The valve seat 66 and the valve plate 52 form the pressure reducer valve 12. The valve plate 52 and the control t diaphragm 62 are tightly connected to a valve spindle 68. The control diaphragm 62 and a diaphragm plate 70 laying on the control diaphragm 62 are clamped with a cap nut 78. The cap nut 78 is screwed onto the upper end of the valve spindle 68. The valve spindle 68 is tightened and movably guided in the insert 34. The valve spindle 68 extends beyond the length of the insert 34 to the outlet chamber 36. The channel 44 extends through the valve spindle 68. In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown) the connection between the outlet chamber 36 and the control pressure chamber 46 is established through channels in separate webs. A noise protection body 72 is provided at the end of the valve spindle 68 below the valve plate 52. Water flowing from the inlet 30 into the inlet chamber 38 will flow through passages 50 into the pressure reducer insert 34 upstream of the pressure reducer valve 12.

The helical spring 54 is supported at its upper end by a spring abutment 74.

The spring abutment 74 can be axially adjusted. Thereby the bias of the helical spring 54 is adjusted. This biasing power of the spring 54 operates against the pressure in the control pressure chamber 46 at the control diaphragm 62, in other words against the outlet pressure. The valve plate 52 is fixed at the valve spindle 68 with a sealing. The valve plate 52 cooperates with a valve seat 66. The valve spindle 68 and the valve plate 52 connected thereto is moved by the control diaphragm 62 in such a way that a balance is achieved. Therefore, the setting of the biasing power of the spring 54 determines the outlet pressure.

With low outlet pressure the valve plate 52 is moved downwards in the representation and the valve 12 is opened. With high outlet pressure the valve plate 52 is moved upwards towards the valve seat 66 and the valve 12 is closed. No water can flow from the inlet to the outlet. If the outlet pressure in the outlet 32 and thereby in the outlet chamber 36 drops, such as when water is used at a tap, the valve plate 52 of the valve 12 is moved downwards due to the pressure of the spring 54 and the valve 12 will open until the desired outlet pressure, set by the spring, is established again.

A drawing spindle 80 has a broadened end used to connect the drawing spindle with the valve spindle 68 with a cap nut 78. The drawing spindle 80 is freely movable in an axial direction in a bore of a coaxial threaded spindle 82. For better guidance in the threaded spindle 82 which is made of plastic material a limited portion with a decreased diameter is provided in the bore. Furthermore, the threaded spindle 82 is provided with an outer thread. The spring abutment 74 is screwed on the outer thread. The upper end of the threaded spindle at the end which is remote from the valve is provided with a multisided shaft. As long as the handle 76 is not screwed on the threaded spindle 82 can be rotated during manufacturing of the pressure reducer assembly until the spring abutment 74 reaches a desired position and thereby the spring a desired biasing power.

The upper portion of the threaded spindle 82 is broadened and forms a stop for the spring abutment 74. The drawing spindle 80 extends through a center bore hole in the handle. The drawing spindle 80 is freely movable in the bore hole in the threaded spindle 82 and in the handle 76. The handle 76 is screwed onto the upper portion of the screw cap which is irmnobile with respect to the housing. When the handle 76 is rotated it moves in an axial direction upwards or downwards in the representation.

A securing disc 84 is immovably fixed to the end of the drawing spindle 80 extending beyond the center bore hole. If the handle 76 is moved upwards in an axial direction by rotation the drawing spindle 80 is also moved upwards. In such a way the valve plate 52 is also moved upwards in the representation through the connection to the valve spindle 68. Upon sufficient rotation the valve 12 is shut in such a way. If the handle 76 is rotated in the opposite direction it is moved downwards in the representation. The pressure reducer then operates in the known way as described above. Depending on the pressure conditions the valve 12 may open if, for example, the outlet pressure decreases.

Figure 1 shows the case of normal, open operating position with an open pressure reducer valve 12. The valve takes this position, for example, if water is drawn and the outlet pressure drops.

Figure 3 shows this situation in greater detail. The handle 76 is well screwed down on the thread 86. Depending on the pressure conditions the drawing spindle 80 can execute quasi any stroke in an axial direction. The securing disc 84 does not necessarily lay on the rim of the central bore hole through the handle 76.

Figure 2 and 4 shows the situation of a completely shut-off pressure reducer valve. The handle 76 is mostly screwed off. The securing disc 84 lays on the rim of the central bore hole through the handle 76. Thereby, the drawing spindle 80 is moved upwards in the representation. Independently of the pressure conditions the valve 12 is closed at all times. The drawing spindle 80 cannot execute any stroke in an axial direction.

The handle 76 is provided with a depression at its upper free end closed with an anti-tamper seal. The upper end of the drawing spindle 80 with the securing disc can be freely moved in the cavity formed by this depression without being accessible from the outside.

With the assembly described above the flow through a pipe can be shut-off without any further actuator elements and without any further shut-off fittings. The pressure reducer valve simultaneously serves to set a given outlet pressure and as a shut-off valve.

The invention was described above with respect to a particularly simple assembly with a control diaphragm where the adjustment of the spring is effected during manufacturing. It is, however, understood that the invention may also be realized with more complex assemblies. It is, for example, possible to combine the pressure reducer with filters or devices for detecting leakage and to use a piston pressure reducer with a valve plate which is immobile with respect to the housing and a movable valve seat rather than a control diaphragm.

Figs,5 to 7 show a pressure reducer assembly generally denoted with numeral the pressure reducer assembly having a pressure reducer valve 112. A pressure reducer as such is well known in the art. A screw casing 164 of the pressure reducer assembly 110 is screwed into the inner thread of an adapter socket 118 with an outer thread 114 at its lower end 116. The adapter socket 118 is part of an adapter 120 made of inexpensive plastic material which is screwed into the socket of a connection fitting 124 with a thread 122.

The connection fitting 124 is provided with an inlet connection 126 with an inlet 130 and an outlet connection 128 with an outlet 132. The connection fitting 124 is installed in a pipe (not shown) with the inlet connection 126 and the outlet connection 128. The diameter of the adapter socket 118 is larger than the diameter of the inlet 130 and the outlet 132. Drinking water from a drinking water supply flows from the inlet 130 to the outlet 132 through the pressure reducer assembly described below in greater detail. The outlet pressure present in the outlet 132 is controlled by the pressure reducer assembly 110 as described below: The adapter 120 has a first, upper annular shoulder 156 on its inner wall and below a second, lower annular shoulder 158. A pressure reducer insert 134 is inserted into the adapter 120. The pressure reducer insert 134 has a hopper-shaped basic form.

The pressure reducer insert 134 has a rim in its upper portion laying on the lower annular shoulder 158. A sealing ring 160 is positioned on the front side of the rim and the upper annular shoulder 156. The edge of a control diaphragm 162 is positioned on the sealing ring 160. The control diaphragm 162 is tightened with the screw casing 164. The outer thread 114 at the lower end of the screw casing 164 is screwed into the inner thread of the adapter 120. The pressure reducer insert 134 forms a control pressure chamber 146 together with the control diaphragm 162.

A inlet chamber 138 connected to the inlet of the pressure reducer assembly is separated from an outlet chamber 136 by the pressure reducer insert 134 in the adapter 120. The outlet chamber 136 is connected to the outlet 132 by a backflow preventer described below. The pressure reducer valve 112 of the pressure reducer assembly 110 is positioned between the inlet chamber 138 and the outlet chamber 136, the pressure reducer valve 112 controlling the outlet pressure of the assembly.

The separation of the inlet chamber 138 and the outlet chamber 136 is effected essentially by the pressure reducer insert 134 at the adapter 120 and a wall 140 which is part of the inner wall of the connection fitting 124 in the range of the inlet.

The pressure reducer insert 134 inserted into the adapter 120 in such a way is sealed against the inlet 130 and the inlet chamber 138 with sealings 142. A central channel 144 with lateral connections 148 connects the outlet 132 and the outlet chamber 136 with the control pressure chamber 146. Therefore, the control pressure chamber 146 is exposed to the outlet pressure.

The pressure reducer insert 134 forms a valve seat 166. The valve seat 166 and the valve plate 152 form the pressure reducer valve 112. The valve plate 152 and the control diaphragm 162 are tightly connected to a valve spindle 168. The control diaphragm 162 and a diaphragm plate 170 laying on the control diaphragm 162 are clamped with a cap nut 178. The cap nut 178 is screwed onto the upper end of the valve spindle 168. The valve spindle 168 is tightened and movably guided in the insert 134. The valve spindle 168 extends beyond the length of the insert 134 to the outlet chamber 136. The channel 144 extends through the valve spindle 168. In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown) the connection between the outlet chamber 136 and the control pressure chamber 146 is established through channels in separate webs. A noise protection body 172 is provided at the end of the valve spindle 168 below the valve plate 152. Water flowing from the inlet 130 into the inlet chamber 138 will flow through passages 150 into the pressure reducer insert 134 upstream of the pressure reducer valve 112.

The helical spring 154 is supported at its upper end by a spring abutment 174.

The spring abutment 174 can be axially adjusted. Thereby, the biasing power of the helical spring 154 is adjusted. This biasing power of the spring 154 operates against the pressure in the control pressure chamber 146 at the control diaphragm 162, in other words against the outlet pressure. The valve plate 152 is fixed at the valve spindle 168 with a sealing. The valve plate 152 cooperates with a valve seat 16.6. The valve spindle 168 and the valve plate 152 connected thereto is moved by the control diaphragm 162 in such a way that a balance is achieved. Therefore, the setting of the biasing power of the spring 154 determines the outlet pressure.

With low outlet pressure the valve plate 152 is moved downwards in the representation and the valve 112 is opened. This situation is shown in Figure 6. With high outlet pressure the valve plate 152 is moved upwards towards the valve seat 166 and the valve 112 is closed. This situation is shown in Figure 5. No water can flow from the inlet to the outlet. If the outlet pressure in the outlet 132 and thereby in the outlet chamber 136 drops, such as when water is used at a tap, the valve plate 152 of the valve 112 is moved downwards due to the pressure of the spring 154 and the valve 112 will open until the desired outlet pressure, set by the spring, is established again.

A drawing spindle 180 has a broadened end used to connect the drawing spindle 180 with the valve spindle 168 with a cap nut 178. The drawing spindle 180 is freely movable in an axial direction in a bore of a coaxial threaded spindle 182, The threaded spindle 182 is provided with an outer thread. The spring abutment 174 is screwed on the outer thread.

In an open state the threaded spindle 182 can be rotated during manufacturing of the pressure reducer assembly until the spring abutment 174 reaches a desired position and thereby the spring a desired biasing power.

The upper portion of the threaded spindle 182 is broadened and forms a stop for the spring abutment 174.

The housing 184 of a motor 186 which is only schematically shown is screwed onto the screw casing 164. The motor 186 of the present embodiment is operated with batteries 188. The motor 186 is provided with a motor shaft 190. The motor shaft 190 drives an inner coupling portion 192. The inner coupling portion 192 is connected to an outer coupling portion 194 by cams. Therefore, the outer coupling portion 194 is also driven. The coupling portions 192 and 194 are separately shown again in Fig. 10.

The outer coupling portion 194 is provided with an outer thread 196. The outer coupling portion 194 has an outer thread screwed into an inner thread of the screw casing 164 which is immobile with respect to the housing. Accordingly, the outer coupling portion 194 coaxially moves in a vertical direction upon rotation.

A nut 198 is positioned between the bottoms of the inner and outer coupling portion 192, 194. The nut 198 is tightly screwed to the drawing spindle 180. The drawing spindle 180 extends through the bottom of the outer coupling portion 194.

If the outer coupling portion 194 is moved upwards in the representation by rotation, the drawing spindle 180 is also moved upwards. In such a way the valve plate 152 is also moved upwards in the representation through the connection to the valve spindle 168. Upon sufficient rotation the valve 112 is shut in such a way. This situation is shown in Figure 7. If the outer coupling portion 194 is rotated in the opposite direction it is moved downwards in the representation. The pressure reducer then operates in the known way as described above. Depending on the pressure conditions the valve 112 may open if, for example, the outlet pressure decreases.

Figure 7 shows the situation of a completely shut-off pressure reducer valve.

The outer coupling portion 194 is mostly screwed off. Independently of the pressure conditions the valve 112 is closed at all times. The drawing spindle 180 cannot execute any stroke in an axial direction.

The upper end of the outer coupling portion 194 is provided with a rim 210.

The rim 210 passes a micro switch 208. The micro switch 208 is positioned in such a way that the rim 210 is exactly on the same height when the pressure reducer valve is open. This is shown in Figure 8. In this situation the micro switch 208 is pushed back.

A suitable processing electronics provides a corresponding signal to the controller. If the pressure reducer valve 112 is in a shut-off position the rim 210 is above the micro switch 208. Then the micro switch projects. This situation is shown in Figure 9.

Downstream and below the pressure reducer valve 112 an assembly for detecting leakage is provided. The assembly comprises a backflow preventer 200 and a turbine 202 downstream of the backflow preventer 200. The backflow preventer opens in the direction of the outlet 132. If water flows through the turbine it is driven by the flow. The rotation and/or rotational velocity of the turbine 202 is counted by means of a Reed contact 204 and forwarded to a controller which is also accommodated inside the housing 184.

The controller processes the turbine rotations and determines if there are untypical flow conditions. Such untypical flow conditions are, for example, caused by a bursting pip or a small leak. A bursting pipe will cause very much water to flow in a very short period of time. With a small leak very small amounts of water will flow over very long durations. Such conditions can be recognized by suitable processing.

The detection of leakage is known already from the prior art und must not be described here in greater detail. If after processing of the signals it is found that a pipe has burst the valve 112 may be automatically closed with the present embodiment using a motor 186.

The described embodiments have the major advantage that existing installations with pressure reducer assemblies can be upgraded or changed without having to change the installation itself. The connection fitting 24 and 124, respectively, can be equipped with the desired pressure reducer cartridge.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Pressure reducer assembly (10; 110) comprising a pressure reducer valve (12; 112) controlled by the pressure of a pressure spring (54; 154) for setting the outlet pressure downstream of a pressure reducer valve (12; 112) characterized in that actuator means (68, 76, 80, 84; 186, 190, 192, 194) are provided for moving the pressure reducer valve (12; 112) in a closed position from the outside independently of the pressure conditions.
2. Pressure reducer assembly (10; 110) according to claim 1, characterized by (a) a valve seat which is immobile with respect to the housing; (b) a movable valve plate (52; 152) cooperating with the valve seat (66; 166); (c) a movable valve spindle (68; 168) connected to the valve plate (52; 152); (d) an actuating element (76; 186, 190, 192, 194) connected to the valve spindle (68; 168) for setting a selected position of the valve spindle (68; 168), wherein (e) the valve spindle (68; 168) is adapted to be moved by the actuating element (76; 186, 190, 192, 194) into a position where the pressure reducer valve (12; 112) formed by the valve plate (52; 152) and the valve seat (66; 166) is closed independently of the pressure conditions.
3. Pressure reducer assembly (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuating element (76) is manually operated.
4. Pressure reducer assembly (10; 110) according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuating element (186, 190, 190, 194) is operated by a motor.
5. Pressure reducer assembly (10; 110) according to any of the claims 2 to 4, characterized by a movable drawing spindle (80; 180) coaxially connected to the valve spindle (68; 168), the drawing spindle having an end extending through the bore hole in the actuating element (76; 194) and having a securing disc or nut (84; 198) provided at this end which moves the drawing spindle (80; 180) and the valve spindle upon an axial movement of the actuating element (76; 194) in such a way that the valve (12; 112) is closed independently of the pressure conditions.
6. Pressure reducer assembly (10) according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that the actuating element is formed by a handle (76) screwed onto the housing or a part connected to the housing and which is axially moved upon rotation.
7. Pressure reducer assembly (10; 110) according to any of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the drawing spindle (80; 180) extends through a bore hole of a threaded spindle (82; 182) with an external thread, a spring abutment (74; 174) for the pressure spring (54; 154) the spring abutment screwed on the threaded spindle in such a way that the spring abutment is axially moved upon rotation of the threaded spindle.
8. Pressure reducer assembly (10; 110) according to any of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the end of the drawing spindle (80; 180) facing the valve spindle (68; 168) is broadened, the end of the valve spindle (68; 168) facing the drawing spindle is provided with an external thread and the valve spindle and the drawing spindle are connected by a cap nut (78; 178) operating simultaneously for tightening the diaphragm (62; 162) of the pressure reducer with a diaphragm plate (70; 170) pressurized by the pressure spring (54, 154).
9. Pressure reducer assembly (110) according to any of the preceding claim, characterized in that an assembly for detecting leakage is provided downstream of the pressure reducer valve (112) the assembly for detecting leakage being provided with a backflow preventer (200) and a turbine (202) cooperating with a Reed contact (204).
10. Pressure reducer assembly (110) according to claim 3 and 9, characterized in that a control means is provided for controlling the pressure reducer valve (112) by means of a motor (186) using the results of an processing of the assembly for detecting leakage.
11. Pressure reducer assembly (10; 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connection fitting (24; 124) is provided adapted to optionally receive a pressure reducer assembly with or without an assembly for detecting leakage and with or without motor driving in a modular manner.
12. A pressure reducer assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.