KR101695233B1 - Setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a setting apparatus capable of automating a setting operation using a load measuring unit and a wired / wireless communication network, and simultaneously setting top dead center and bottom dead center of a multiple valve actuator.
When the setting command is inputted, the control unit operates the driving unit to drive the valve in the opening or closing direction, obtains the load measurement value of the load measurement unit according to the driving of the valve, compares the load measurement value with the threshold value, The position corresponding to the position measurement value of the position measuring unit is recognized as the position of the top dead center or the bottom dead center and the position of the recognized top dead center or bottom dead center is memorized. Limit driving.

Description

{SETTING DEVICE}

The setting device of the present invention relates to an apparatus for setting an operational limit of a valve actuator.

A valve actuator is a device that automatically opens and closes a valve by using force of electricity or fluid, not human power.

The conventional valve actuator is not equipped with a torque sensor for measuring a load acting on the motor shaft or the intermediate shaft, and thus it is difficult to control actuation of the valve actuator in response to a load acting on the valve actuator.

When the torque sensor unit is not mounted, it is not possible to provide a valve actuator that is smartly controlled by automation of the operation of the valve actuator or by remote communication.

Conventional valve actuators set the top dead center and the bottom dead center for each valve actuator directly when setting the top dead center and the bottom dead center, which are operational limitations of valves or valve actuators. In this case, the initial setting time becomes longer.

Therefore, there is a need for techniques that can automate this or set up multiple actuators simultaneously.

U.S. Patent No. 4542649 discloses a technique for diagnosing hydraulic actuators.

U.S. Patent No. 4542649

The present invention relates to a setting device capable of automating a setting process by using a load measuring unit and a wired / wireless communication network, and simultaneously setting a top dead center and a bottom dead center of a plurality of valve actuators at the same time.

The present invention can measure an external load introduced into the valve actuator in the driven shaft, monitor whether or not an overload is applied to the valve actuator, and determine whether the valve reaches the top dead center or the bottom dead center, It can be judged by measuring the applied torque acting on the intermediate shaft.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, It will be possible.

The setting device of the present invention includes a valve actuator and a network unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a valve actuator comprising: a driving unit that generates a driving force; a gear unit that transmits a driving force of the driving unit to a valve; a load measuring unit that measures a load acting on the driving unit or the gear unit; A control unit connected to the load measuring unit and the position measuring unit and controlling the operation of the valve according to measured values of the load measuring unit and the position measuring unit, And a communication unit.

Wherein the valve actuator is arranged in a plurality including a first valve actuator and a second valve actuator, wherein the first valve actuator is provided with a first communication section, the second valve actuator is provided with a second communication section, The terminal unit or the master station unit may be connected to the first communication unit and the second communication unit, And connects with the second communication unit through a communication network.

In one embodiment, when defining the fully open position and fully closed position of the valve respectively as top dead center and bottom dead center, a specific valve actuator requiring the top dead center and bottom dead center setting of the plurality of valve actuators The communication unit provided in the specific valve actuator is selectively connected to the terminal unit or the master station unit.

In one embodiment, the terminal unit or the master station unit inputs the top dead center point and bottom dead center point setting command to the control unit through the selectively connected communication unit.

In one embodiment, the control unit operates the driving unit to drive the valve in an opening or closing direction when the setting command is input, obtains a load measurement value of the load measuring unit according to driving of the valve, And a position corresponding to the position measurement value of the position measurement unit when the load measurement value reaches the threshold value is recognized as the position of the top dead center or the bottom dead center, Stores the position of the bottom dead center, and limits the driving of the valve at the stored top dead center or bottom dead center position.

It is possible to measure the external load that flows into the valve actuator from the driven shaft, monitor whether the valve actuator is overloaded, and whether the valve has reached the top dead center or the bottom dead center. It can be judged by measuring the applied torque.

The setting device of the present invention is characterized in that when a motor-operated valve actuator is initially installed or when repositioning of the top dead center and bottom dead center of the valve is required, the load unit or the position measuring unit provided in the network unit and the valve actuator, The setting of the top dead center position or the bottom dead center position of the actuator can be achieved at the same time.

In the prior art, the manpower is repeatedly executed several times in the field by manual operation. In the present invention, the time required to install the valve actuator can be shortened by automating all the setting processes.

In addition, by using the network unit to set the top dead center and the bottom dead center of the valve actuator installed in a region where human access is difficult, such as a region where high temperature or high-voltage electricity is generated, it is possible to remotely set and secure the safety of the operator.

The setting device of the present invention can use the network unit that connects the communication unit with the built-in valve actuator and the external communication means so that the top dead center and the bottom dead center can be simultaneously set for the valve actuator distributed over a wide area.

1 is a schematic view showing a setting apparatus of the present invention.
2 is a schematic diagram showing a network unit of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication connection of a valve actuator in the present invention.
4 is a graph showing that the measurement results of the load measuring unit and the position measuring unit of the present invention are applied to the top dead center and the bottom dead center.
5 is a schematic view showing an open / closed state of a valve actuator in the present invention.
6 is a sectional view of a valve actuator including the torque sensor portion of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the torque sensor unit of the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the torque sensor unit of the present invention.
9 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing the operation of the torque sensor unit of the present invention.
10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the safety factor of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The sizes and shapes of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. In addition, terms defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may be changed according to the intention or custom of the user, the operator. Definitions of these terms should be based on the content of this specification.

1 is a schematic view showing a setting apparatus of the present invention. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a network unit 200 of the present invention. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication connection of the valve actuator 100 in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph showing that the measurement results of the load measuring unit 130 and the position measuring unit 140 of the present invention are applied to the top dead center and the bottom dead center. 5 is a schematic view showing an open / closed state of the valve actuator 100 in the present invention.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the setting apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

The setting device of the present invention can be applied to the load measuring part 130 or the load measuring part 130 provided in the valve actuator 100 when the valve actuator 100 is initially installed or when the position of the top dead center and bottom dead center of the valve 10 is required to be reset The setting of the top dead center and bottom dead center of the valve actuator 100 can be automatically set using the position measuring unit 140. [

In the present invention, the 'setting' and 'setting command' refer to the setting of the valve actuator 100 when the valve actuator 100 is initially installed or the valve 10 needs to be reset to the positions of top dead center and bottom dead center, The setting of the top dead center and bottom dead center of the valve actuator 100 is automatically performed using the load measuring unit 130 or the position measuring unit 140 provided in the controller 100. [

In addition, the setting of the plurality of valve actuators 100 can be performed simultaneously through the network unit 200. [ On the other hand, the safety of the operator can be secured by setting the valve actuator 100 using a network when setting the valve actuator 100, even in areas where high-temperature and high-voltage electricity is generated.

The setting device of the present invention includes a valve actuator (100) and a network unit (200).

The valve actuator 100 includes a driving unit 110 for generating a driving force, a gear unit 120 for transmitting a driving force of the driving unit 110 to the valve 10, a driving unit 110 for driving the driving unit 110, A load measuring unit 130 for measuring a load acting on the gear unit 120, a position measuring unit 140 for measuring an opening / closing position of the valve 10, a load measuring unit 130, A controller 150 connected to the controller 140 for controlling the operation of the valve 10 according to the measured values of the load measuring unit 130 and the position measuring unit 140, And a communication unit 160 for communicating with each other.

The valve actuator 100 is arranged in a plurality of positions including the first valve actuator 100 and the second valve actuator 100 and the first communication unit 160 is connected to the first valve actuator 100 A second communication unit 160 is provided in the second valve actuator 100 and a master station unit 210 for centrally controlling the first valve actuator 100 and the second valve actuator 100 is provided A terminal unit 230 serving as a user interface is provided. The network unit 200 of the present invention connects the terminal unit 230 or the master station unit 210 to the first communication unit 160 and the second communication unit 160 via a communication network.

In one embodiment, when defining the fully open and fully closed positions of the valve 10 respectively as top dead center and bottom dead center, the top dead center and bottom dead center setting of the plurality of valve actuators 100 The communication unit 160 provided in the specific valve actuator 100 is selectively connected to the terminal unit 230 or the master station unit 210 in order to select a specific valve actuator 100 required.

The terminal unit 230 or the master station unit 210 inputs the top dead center and bottom dead center setting commands to the controller 150 through the selectively connected communication unit 160. [

The control unit 150 operates the driving unit 110 to drive the valve 10 in an opening or closing direction when the setting command is input and controls the driving unit 110 to open and close the valve 10, A load measurement value of the measurement unit 130 is obtained and the load measurement value is compared with a threshold value and a position corresponding to the position measurement value of the position measurement unit 140 when the load measurement value reaches the threshold value And recognizes the position of the top dead center or the bottom dead center, stores the recognized position of the top dead center or bottom dead center, and limits the driving of the valve (10) at the stored top dead center position or the bottom dead center position .

The configuration of the present invention will be described more specifically.

The load measuring unit 130 may measure a load applied to at least one of the driving unit 110, the gear unit 120, and the valve 10 of the valve actuator 100. The driving unit 110 is a power source for driving the valve actuator 100 and may be a motor. The gear portion 120 may transmit the driving force of the driving portion 110 to the valve 10 so that the valve 10 is opened and closed. The valve 10 can block or open the flow path 3 through which the fluid passes while linearly or rotationally moving.

Examples of the load measuring unit 130 include a piezo sensor and a strain gauge sensor. By measuring the load using the piezo sensor or the strain gauge sensor, the load occurring inside the valve actuator 100 can be obtained with an accurate numerical value. Since the setting device of the present invention requires a history graph of the load at the time of operating the valve 10, the effect can be enhanced when a sensor in which the load is measured in real time numerically.

The driving unit 110 may be a motor and the gear unit 120 may be a worm and a worm gear connected to the motor and the valve 10, respectively. The worm may be formed on the outer periphery of the worm shaft connected to the motor shaft. The driving force of the motor is decelerated and transmitted to the valve (10) while the worm shaft and the worm shaft are coupled with the worm gear. The rotational force of the motor shaft is converted into a linear movement of the valve 10 or a rotational movement of the valve 10 according to the structure of the gear portion 120. [

When the pressure of the fluid increases or a foreign substance is generated in the flow path and the valve 10 is loaded, the load applied to the valve 10 side is transmitted to the worm or worm gear and also to the motor shaft. In this case, a thrust force acting in the axial direction on the worm shaft fitted with the worm, a thrust force acting in the axial direction on the rotary shaft of the worm gear equipped with the worm gear, It can be seen that the load of the valve 10 is increased in proportion to the increase of the thrust force acting on the valve 10.

The load measuring unit 130 may be mounted on at least one of a motor shaft, a worm shaft, and a worm gear rotation shaft so that the thrust force can be measured. The thrust force, which is a value corresponding to an external load acting on the valve, And measures an external load acting from the valve 10. [0035]

The position measuring unit 140 may measure the actual position of the valve 10 in the opening / closing interval of the valve 10. [ That is, when the valve 10 is opened and closed while the valve 10 is being opened and closed, the position measuring unit 140 can measure the moving distance of the valve 10, and when the valve 10 is opened and closed, The rotation angle of the valve 10 can be sensed.

The position measuring unit 140 may be an encoder for measuring the rotation angle. The valve actuator 100 drives the valve 10 by rotational motion of the motor. Therefore, an encoder is provided on the side of the driving unit 110 or the gear unit 120, and the moving distance and the rotation angle of the valve 10 can be measured by measuring the amount of rotation by the encoder.

The controller 150 may control the operation of the valve actuator 100. [ The control unit 150 is electrically connected to the motor, and inputs / outputs power or control signals necessary for operating the valve 10.

The control unit 150 may receive the operation of the valve actuator 100 or a user command directly from the user. The user can input an operation command of the valve actuator 100 to the control unit 150 through the input panel or the terminal unit 230 provided in the valve actuator 100. [

The control unit 150 receives the load measurement value measured by the load measuring unit 130 or the load measurement value measured by the position measuring unit 140 and calculates the load of the valve 10 based on the received load measurement value, Travel distance and the like can be recognized.

The control unit 150 can transmit the state of the valve actuator 100 to the terminal unit 230 or the master station unit 210 outside the valve actuator 100 through the communication unit 160. [ The control unit 150 or the communication unit 160 can transmit the opening and closing information of the valve 10, the position information indicating the opening degree of the valve 10, the load information indicating the overload state of the valve 10, have.

The control unit 150 or the communication unit 160 can receive the operation command of the valve actuator 100 from the external terminal unit 230 or the master station unit 210. [

2 is a schematic diagram showing a network unit 200 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the network unit 200 includes a communication unit 160 or other communication device that can be a communication relay point of each of the at least one valve actuator 100.

2 (a) or 1 (b), each of the valve actuators 100 includes a communication unit 160, each communication unit 160 is connected to a communication network, and a plurality of valves The actuator 100 may be connected to the network unit 200.

The communication connection of the network unit 200 may be wired or wireless communication. For example, when the wireless communication method is used, the amount of work for installing and removing the valve actuator 100 can be reduced.

The network unit 200 may include a master station unit 210 for centrally controlling a plurality of valve actuators 100.

Referring to FIG. 2 (a), each of the valve actuators 100 is communicatively connected to the master station unit 210. The network unit 200 may connect the valve actuator 100 to the communication network through the lower communication unit 160 around the master station unit 210. As shown, the master station unit 210 centrally controls the plurality of valve actuators 100.

2 (b), the master station unit 210 and at least a part of the valve actuators 100 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the other valve actuators 100 are not directly communicated with the master station unit 210, The station unit 210 communicates with another valve actuator 100 directly connected to the network unit 200 to form a network unit 200. As shown, the master station unit 210 centrally controls the plurality of valve actuators 100.

The valve actuator 100 is installed in a wide area depending on the use. For this reason, the valve actuator 100 may exist outside the communicable area of the master station unit 210. In this case, the valve actuator 100 outside the communicable area sets the communication part 160 of the other valve actuator 100 existing between the valve actuator 100 and the master station part 210 as a communication relay point, .

That is, when the valve actuator 100 exists outside the communicable area of the master station unit 210, a means for connecting to the network unit 200 is required. To this end, the valve actuator 100 outside the communicable area includes a communicating part 160 of the valve actuator 100 existing between the valve actuator 100 and the master station part 210 outside the communicable area And can be communicatively connected to the network unit 200 as a communication relay point.

The terminal unit 230 receives a user command as a user interface and displays the operation and control state of the valve actuator 100 to the user. The terminal unit 230 receives the state information of the valve actuator 100 through the communication connection of the network unit 200 and inputs the operating condition to the controller 150. [

3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication connection of the valve actuator 100 in the present invention.

The terminal unit 230 may be communicatively coupled to the valve actuator 100 through the master station unit 210 as shown in FIG.

The terminal unit 230 may be directly communicated with the valve actuator 100 without the master station unit 210 or other intermediate communication device as shown in FIG.

Although not shown, a router may be inserted between the terminal unit 230 and the master station unit 210 or between the master station unit 210 and the valve actuator 100 for communication compatibility. A router may be installed in the installation environment of the valve actuator 100 for communication compatibility with the valve actuator 100 using another existing network.

The terminal unit 230 may be a smart device such as a PDA, a smart phone, or a PC equipped with an input means and a display means.

Hereinafter, the operation of applying the measurement results of the load measuring unit 130 and the position measuring unit 140 to the top dead center and the bottom dead center setting will be described with reference to FIG. The graph shown on the upper side of Fig. 4 shows a change in measured value of torque with time. In order to compare with the load measurement graph, the graph shown below shows the position of the valve 10 with respect to time.

The terminal unit 230 is communicatively connected to the network unit 200. The terminal unit 230 or the master station unit 210 may include a means for selecting for each valve actuator 100 whether or not to execute top dead center and bottom dead point setting for at least one or more valve actuators 100 communicatively connected to the network unit 200 .

For example, the specific valve actuator 100 is selected through the terminal unit 230 and the top dead center and bottom dead center setting execution commands are input to the control unit 150 of the selected valve actuator 100. [

The control unit 150 receives the top dead center and bottom dead center setting execution commands and drives the valve 10 of the valve actuator 100 in the opening or closing direction. At this time, the control unit 150 reads the load measurement value of the load measuring unit 130 without knowing the positions of the top dead center and the bottom dead center to limit the driving of the valve 10, Can be automatically recognized.

The control unit 150 receives the measured values of the load and the position from the load measuring unit 130 or the position measuring unit 140 while the valve 10 is being driven and when the measured load value reaches a predetermined threshold value The position can be set to a position corresponding to the top dead center or the bottom dead center.

For example, when a load measurement value reaches a threshold value, a value obtained by subtracting a constant value from a threshold value based on a threshold value is defined as a lower limit value, and a value obtained by adding a constant value is defined as an upper limit value, and a value ranging from the lower limit value to the upper limit value The range is regarded as a predetermined range based on the threshold value, and when the load measurement value falls within a predetermined range based on the threshold value, the load measurement value is regarded as having reached the threshold value, It can be set to the corresponding position.

4, when the measured torque value measured from the load measuring unit 130 reaches a preset critical torque, the position at which the measured load value is measured varies according to the driving direction It may be a top dead point or a bottom dead point.

When the valve 10 reaches the position A of FIG. 5 when it is driven in the open direction, the valve 10 reaches the top dead center and is subjected to a sudden load by mechanical interference. At this time, when the load measurement value reaches the threshold value as the load increases, the position measurement value is set to the top dead point at the threshold load measurement value as shown in FIG.

When the valve 10 is driven in the close direction in the same manner, the bottom dead center is reached at the position of B in Fig. 5, the load increases due to mechanical interference, and the load measurement value is compared with the threshold value The position measurement value is set as a bottom dead point.

The operation of setting the top dead center and bottom dead center is simultaneously commanded to the plurality of valve actuators 100 through the terminal unit 230, the network unit 200, and the like, and can be executed remotely or wirelessly.

The master station unit 210 may also issue a top dead center and a bottom dead center setting execution command to the valve actuator 100.

In one embodiment, the terminal unit 230 or the master station unit 210 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed based on the setting at a specific time point, as a resetting time point. Accordingly, the initial setting as well as the resetting operation according to the repeated use can be automated.

That is, the setting apparatus of the present invention stores the setting result of the top dead center or the bottom dead center and the setting operation time, calculates the re-setting operation time, which is the next setting operation time, based on the stored previous setting operation time, At the time of operation, the valve actuator 100 can be automatically reset.

In one embodiment, the load measuring section of the present invention includes a torque sensor section that receives torque in real time.

5, the valve actuator may be provided with a driving force by a motor 1120 and may move the driven shaft 5 up and down to raise and lower the valve 10 in the fluid pipe 3. The embodiment is not limited to the illustrated example, and the butterfly valve 10 may be rotated by the driven shaft 5 being rotated.

The valve shaft 180 shown in FIG. 6 is connected to the driven shaft 5 of FIG. 5 to transmit the operating force provided by the valve actuator to the driven shaft 5. The valve shaft 180 shown in FIG. 6 is connected to the worm gear 1140 and rotates. As the valve shaft 180 rotates, the driven shaft 5 can be rotated or lifted.

The motor 1120 of FIG. 6 includes a stator 128 fixed to the housing 1110 and a rotor 127 fixed to the motor shaft 122, which are installed inside the housing 1110. The motor shaft 122 generates a driving force by the electromagnetic force acting between the stator 128 and the rotor 127. [

The motor shaft 122 is rotatably fixed to the housing 1110 by a motor shaft bearing 121. The intermediate shaft 1150 is rotatably fixed to the housing 1110 by an intermediate shaft bearing 155. A worm 1130 is provided on the intermediate shaft 1150 and the worm 1130 is coupled to a worm gear 1140 provided on the valve shaft 180. The intermediate shaft 1150 decelerates at a high reduction ratio and transmits the driving torque of the motor 1120 to the valve shaft 180. [ When the motor 1120 is stopped, the valve shaft 180 may be rotated by manual rotation of the handle 170. [

A blocking means for mechanically insulating the intermediate shaft 1150 on which the torque sensor unit 300 is mounted and the motor shaft 122 on which the motor 1120 is mounted may be provided. The blocking means isolates the intermediate shaft 1150 and the motor shaft 122 in the axial direction and connects them in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the rotational force generated by the motor 1120 is transmitted without loss to the intermediate shaft 1150 along the circumferential direction, but the thrust load acting on the intermediate shaft 1150 is not transmitted to the motor shaft 122 along the axial direction. This function is implemented by the blocking means.

The blocking means may be such that the thrust load applied to the intermediate shaft 1150 does not act on the motor shaft 122 when the intermediate shaft 1150 is subjected to a thrust force due to the load acting on the intermediate shaft 1150 .

On the other hand, the thrust load due to the external load is applied to the intermediate shaft 1150, the intermediate shaft 1150 is microscopically actuated within the clearance range of the intermediate shaft bearing 155 by the thrust load, The first elastic member 331 or the second elastic member 332 is elastically deformed. The 'torque' measured by the torque sensor unit 300 refers to the load torque of the valve shaft 180. The load torque of the valve shaft 180 is a component corresponding to the thrust load of the intermediate shaft 1150 by the worm gear 1140 and the worm 1130.

The torque sensor unit 300 should be capable of accurately measuring the load torque of the valve shaft 180 or the thrust load of the intermediate shaft 1150. [ In order to obtain an accurate measurement, the thrust load must be transmitted to the intermediate shaft 1150 by 100% without loss, and the first elastic member 331 or the second elastic member 332 must be resiliently deformed so as to accurately correspond to the thrust load .

The thrust load applied to the intermediate shaft 1150 is transmitted to the first elastic member 331 or the second elastic member 332 while the rotational force generated by the motor 1120 is transmitted to the intermediate shaft 1150 without loss The intermediate shaft 1150 and the motor shaft 122 are preferably insulated in the axial direction and connected in the circumferential direction. A blocking means may be provided for this purpose.

The blocking means includes an elongated hole 125 formed in the motor shaft 122 or the intermediate shaft 1150 and a fixed key 1160 sandwiched between the elongated holes 125. In one embodiment,

A motor shaft hole 124 is formed at the end portion 123 of the motor shaft 122 and an end portion 153 of the intermediate shaft 1150 is inserted into the motor shaft hole 124. [ The motor shaft hole 124 which is sleeve-coupled to the end portion 153 of the intermediate shaft 1150 is formed with an elongated hole 125 extending in the axial direction and the end portion of the elongated hole 125 and the end portion of the intermediate shaft 1150 (153) are coupled by a fixed key (1160). The intermediate shaft 1150 is axially movable along the slot 125 and is constrained to the motor shaft 122 in the circumferential direction.

If the speed of the fluid flowing inside the fluid pipe 3 increases or the fluid pipe 3 becomes clogged, the load applied to the valve 10 and the driven shaft 5 becomes large and if the valve actuator is overloaded, the internal parts of the valve actuator It can be broken. It is also necessary to precisely measure the external load applied to the valve 10 or the driven shaft 5 and the driving load applied to the valve 10 from the intermediate shaft 1150 in order to improve the accuracy of the control of the motor 1120 have.

Consequently, the thrust load applied to the intermediate shaft 1150 must be accurately measured. However, in the case of a valve actuator used for industrial purposes as in the present invention, the thrust load is too large. If a piezo sensor, which has high sensitivity but is easily damaged and difficult to measure a large load, is employed in the torque sensor unit 300, the piezo sensor may be broken or a measurable value may be limited.

In one embodiment, the torque sensor unit 300 includes pressure conversion means for converting the thrust load applied in the axial direction into the valve actuator into pressure, and a sensor for measuring the pressure.

The pressure converting means includes a compression member to which the sensor is mounted, and an elastic member for pressing the compression member and the sensor. The sensor is interposed between the compression member and the elastic member. The elastic member is interposed between the compression member and the housing (1110).

The thrust load can act as a forward or reverse load along the axial direction. On the other hand, if the sensor is a piezo type, only the compressive force can be measured.

In one embodiment, the sensor includes a first sensor 311 for measuring a forward load and a second sensor 312 for measuring a reverse load. The compression member may include a first compression member 321 on which the first sensor 311 is mounted and a second compression member 322 on which the second sensor 312 is mounted. The elastic member includes a first elastic member 331 for pressing the first compression member 321 and the first sensor 311, a second elastic member 331 for pressing the second compression member 322 and the second sensor 312, 332).

9, the back surface of the first sensor 311 serving as a frame of the first sensor 311 is in close contact with the sensor hole 340 formed in the first compression member 321. [ The front surface of the first sensor 311 corresponding to the operating surface of the first sensor 311 is in close contact with the first elastic member 331. One side of the first elastic member 331 is connected to the housing 1110 or the sensor housing 350 and the other side of the first elastic member 331 presses the first compression member 321 and the first sensor 311 do.

When the thrust load acts as a forward load, the surface pressure F1 / A, which is obtained by dividing F1 by the area A of the first compression member 321 or the first elastic member 331, is smaller than the first compression member 321 or the first elastic member 331 331). A component (F1 / A) * a obtained by multiplying the area a of the first sensor 311 by the surface pressure F1 / A is the measuring force f1 measured by the first sensor 311. [ Since the area a of the first sensor 311 is smaller than the area A of the first compression member 321 or the first elastic member 331, the measuring force f1 is smaller than the forward load F1. Accordingly, even if a large force acts as the thrust load, the force acting on the first sensor 311 acts on the force of the thrust load, and the attenuation ratio of the force of the first sensor 311 against the thrust load acts on the first sensor 311 311) of the first compression member 321 or the first elastic member 331 with respect to the area of the first compression member 321.

Similarly, the back surface of the second sensor 312, which functions as a frame of the second sensor 312, is in close contact with the sensor hole 340 formed in the second compression member 322. The front surface of the second sensor 312 corresponding to the operating surface of the second sensor 312 is in close contact with the second elastic member 332. One side of the second elastic member 332 is connected to the housing 1110 or the sensor housing 350 and the other side of the second elastic member 332 presses the second compression member 322 and the second sensor 312 do.

The surface pressure F1 / A, which is obtained by dividing F2 by the area A of the second compression member 322 or the second elastic member 332 when the thrust load acts as a reverse load, is larger than the second compression member 322 or the second elastic member 332 332). The component force F2 / A * a obtained by multiplying the area a of the second sensor 312 by the surface pressure F2 / A is the measurement force f2 measured by the second sensor 312. [ Since the area a of the second sensor 312 is smaller than the area A of the second compression member 322 or the second elastic member 332, the measuring force f2 is smaller than the reverse load F2. Therefore, even if a large force acts as the thrust load, the force acting on the second sensor 312 acts only on a part of the thrust load, and the attenuation ratio of the second sensor 312 to the thrust load is smaller than the second sensor 312 ) Of the second compression member 322 or the second elastic member 332 with respect to the area of the second compression member 322 or the second elastic member 332.

Accordingly, the thrust load applied to the intermediate shaft 1150 is attenuated and transmitted to the torque sensor unit 300.

Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the torque sensor unit 300 is shown. The thrust load of the intermediate shaft 1150 is transmitted to the first compression member 321 or the second compression member 322 through the sensor bearing 315. [ When the thrust load is a forward load, the first compression member 321 and the first elastic member 331 are pressed, and the first sensor 311 measures the damped thrust load by the area ratio. When the thrust load is a reverse load, the second compression member 322 and the second elastic member 332 are pressed, and the second sensor 312 measures the damped thrust load by the area ratio.

In one embodiment, the sensor bearing fixing member 318 connects the sensor bearing inner ring 316 to the intermediate shaft 1150. The sensor bearing outer ring 317 is connected to the first compression member 321 or the second compression member 322. The intermediate shaft 1150 is allowed to axially move microscopically only within the clearance range of the intermediate shaft bearing 155 or the sensor bearing 315. [ The amount of elastic deformation of the first elastic member 331 and the second elastic member 332 is smaller than the clearance range of the intermediate shaft bearing 155 or the clearance range of the sensor bearing 315 when the thrust load acts, The first elastic member 331 or the second elastic member 332 is installed between the housing 1110 and the first compression member 321 or between the housing 1110 and the second compression member 322. The clearance range of the intermediate shaft bearing 155 or the sensor bearing 315 is a minimum value close to zero and the axial displacement of the intermediate shaft 1150 is a minimum value close to zero. The thrust load can be measured with sufficient sensitivity when the axial displacement of the intermediate shaft 1150 is close to '0'.

The torque sensor unit 300 is configured such that the elastic deformation amount of the first elastic member 331 and the second elastic member 332 is smaller than the clearance range of the intermediate shaft bearing 155 or the clearance range of the sensor bearing 315, And is preferably connected to an intermediate shaft 1150 connected to the motor shaft 122.

7, the torque sensor unit 300 is installed at a position adjacent to the stator 128 of the motor 1120 or the motor 1120 facing the rotor 127. As shown in Fig. The torque sensor unit 300 receives the sensor housing 350, the second elastic member 332, the second compression member 322, the first compression member 321, the first elastic member 331, The torque sensor portion 300 coupled in the order of the housing 1110 is shown. The sensor housing 350 is connected to the motor 1120 and the torque sensor unit 300 to connect one side of the torque sensor unit 300 to the housing 1110 when the torque sensor unit 300 is installed adjacent to the motor 1120. [ As shown in FIG.

Meanwhile, a washer 190 may be interposed between the housing 1110 and the first elastic member 331 to improve the adhesion to the housing 1110. The second elastic member 332 may be connected to the housing 1110 by a sensor housing 350.

Referring to FIG. 8, a torque sensor unit 300 is installed at an end of the intermediate shaft 1150. The second elastic member 332, the second compression member 322, the first compression member 321, the first elastic member 331, and the sensor housing 350 in this order. The torque sensor unit 300 is shown. The sensor housing 350 is attached to and detached from the housing 1110 by a sensor housing fixing member 352.

In one embodiment, the torque sensor section includes pressure converting means for converting the thrust load applied in the axial direction into pressure, and a sensor for measuring the pressure.

In one embodiment, the pressure conversion means includes a compression member to which the sensor is mounted, and an elastic member for pressing the compression member and the sensor, and the sensor is interposed between the compression member and the elastic member, An elastic member is interposed between the compression member and the housing.

In one embodiment, the torque sensor section includes a pressure conversion means for converting a thrust load acting as a normal load or a reverse load on the intermediate shaft to a pressure, and a sensor for measuring the pressure, and the sensor detects the forward load And a second sensor for measuring the backward load, wherein the pressure conversion means includes a compression member and an elastic member, the compression member includes a first compression member to which the first sensor is mounted, Wherein the elastic member includes a first elastic member for pressing the first compression member and the first sensor and a second elastic member for pressing the second compression member and the second sensor, 2 elastic members.

In one embodiment, the back surface of the first sensor serving as a frame of the first sensor is in close contact with the sensor hole formed in the first compression member, and the front surface of the first sensor corresponding to the operation surface of the first sensor Wherein one side of the first elastic member is connected to the housing or the sensor housing and the other side of the first elastic member presses the first compression member and the first sensor.

In one embodiment, the thrust load on the intermediate shaft is transmitted to the first compression member through the sensor bearing, the first compression member is pressed by the thrust load, and the first sensor installed on the first compression member has an area ratio The thrust load is attenuated by the thrust load.

In one embodiment, the torque sensor portion is faced to the stator or the rotor of the motor.

In one embodiment, the torque sensor is provided at an end of the intermediate shaft.

In one embodiment, a blocking means for isolating the intermediate shaft and the motor shaft in the axial direction and connecting them in the circumferential direction is provided.

10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the safety factor of the present invention.

According to this, from the hardware viewpoint of the valve actuator, the mechanical top dead center is denoted by 'HHHL' and the mechanical bottom dead center is denoted by 'LLLL'. This means the physical top dead center and bottom dead center position in the absolute threshold concept where the valve is allowed to rise and fall to a maximum extent and impairment is imminent. When this position is reached, the valve actuator will be out of tolerance and will fail or fail.

Next, the upper limit value and the lower limit value can be set by the load measurement value measured by the torque sensor unit.

As described above, when the setting command is input, the driving unit 110 is operated to drive the valve 10 in the opening or closing direction, and the driving force of the load measuring unit 130 (HLL) and a load reference bottom dead center (LLL) when the load measurement value reaches the upper or lower threshold value, .

The load reference top dead center (HHL) and the load reference bottom dead center (LLL) are position measurement values when the load measurement value reaches the upper or lower threshold. However, if the load reference top dead center (HHL) and the load reference bottom dead center (LLL) are recognized as the top dead center and the bottom dead center of the valve, there may be a problem in safety. Therefore, a predetermined safety factor (SF) Obtain bottom dead center.

For example, if the position measurement value is 100 when the load measurement value reaches the threshold value, it is determined whether 100 is within the range of the mechanical top dead center or the mechanical bottom dead center, If it is within the range of top dead center and bottom dead center, it is accepted as an acceptable value.

Next, the position measurement values corresponding to the load reference top dead center point HHL and the load reference bottom dead point LLL are matched with each other and the position measurement value corresponding to the load reference top dead center HHL is compared with a predetermined safety factor 90%) is set as the position reference top point. Similarly, a position based on a predetermined safety factor (SF) is set as a position reference bottom dead center point to a position measurement value corresponding to the load reference bottom dead center (LLL).

Then, the position reference top dead center is recognized as the valve top dead center position, and the position reference bottom dead center is set to the bottom dead center position of the valve. Thus, the top and bottom dead-center positions of the valve are within the mechanical top dead center and the mechanical bottom dead center, which are safe operating limits of the apparatus.

In addition, the valve top dead center position and the bottom dead center position of the valve are within the range of the load reference top dead center (HHL) and the load reference bottom dead center (LLL) calculated by the load measurement value and coincide with the position reference top dead center and the position reference bottom dead center .

Here, at the load reference top dead center (HHL) and the load reference bottom dead center (LLL), and at the position reference top dead center and bottom dead center, the valve is closed and is not open at all. This is because the value measured on the assumption that the valve is substantially closed within the elastic deformation range of the rubber packing adhered to the end portion of the valve or the sealing means separately attached to the valve is smaller than the load reference upper limit point (HHL) Point LLL, and a position-based top dead center and a position-based bottom dead center.

The position measurement value of the position measurement unit 140 corresponds exactly to the position reference top dead center and the bottom dead center, and the load measurement value is preferably used at the initial setting of the top dead center and the bottom dead center, , The position-based top dead center and the bottom dead center, on which a predetermined margin is reflected, are recognized as the top dead center and the bottom dead center of the valve and are controlled and driven.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the following claims.

A ... Top point B ... bottom point
3 ... fluid pipe 5 ... driven shaft
10 ... valve 100 ... valve actuator
110 ... driving part 120 ... gear part
130 ... load measuring unit 140 ... position measuring unit
150 ... control unit 160 ... communication unit
200 ... network unit 210 ... master station unit
230 ... terminal
1110 ... housing 1120 ... motor
121 ... Motor shaft bearing 122 ... Motor shaft
123 ... End 124 of the motor shaft ... Motor shaft hole
125 ... elongated hole 127 ... rotor
128 ... stator 1130 ... worm
1140 ... worm gear 1150 ... intermediate shaft
153 ... end of intermediate shaft 155 ... intermediate shaft bearing
1160 ... fixed key 170 ... handle
180 ... Valve shaft 190 ... Washer
300 ... Torque sensor unit 311 ... First sensor
312 ... second sensor 315 ... sensor bearing
316 ... sensor bearing inner ring 317 ... sensor bearing outer ring
318 ... sensor bearing fixing member 321 ... first compression member
322 ... second compression member 331 ... first elastic member
332 ... second elastic member 340 ... sensor hole
350 ... sensor housing 352 ... sensor housing fixing member
F1 ... Forward load F2 ... Reverse load

Claims (4)

A torque sensor unit for measuring a load acting between the motor and the valve;
A controller for operating the motor to open or close the valve when a setting command is input; Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the control unit automatically recognizes the position of the top dead center or the bottom dead center of the valve according to the measured value of the torque sensor unit measured during the operation of the motor,
Wherein the torque sensor unit is provided on an intermediate shaft connecting the motor shaft and the driven shaft, measures a thrust load acting on the intermediate shaft,
Wherein the torque sensor unit includes pressure conversion means for converting a thrust load acting on the intermediate shaft to pressure and a sensor for measuring the pressure,
Wherein the pressure conversion means is provided with a compression member which receives the thrust load, an elastic member which pressurizes the compression member and the sensor,
Wherein the sensor includes a piezo sensor interposed between the compression member and the elastic member,
Wherein a surface pressure of the thrust load divided by an area of the compression member or the elastic member acts on a unit area of the compression member or the elastic member when the thrust load acts as a normal direction load or a reverse direction load along the axial direction,
The area of the sensor interposed between the compression member and the elastic member is smaller than the area of the compression member or the elastic member,
A load measuring unit for measuring a load acting on the driving unit or the gear unit, a position measuring unit for measuring an opening and closing position of the valve, A valve actuator connected to the measuring part and the position measuring part, the control part controlling the operation of the valve according to the measured values of the load measuring part and the position measuring part, and a communication part communicating with the outside to communicate with the outside;
Wherein the valve actuator is arranged in a plurality including a first valve actuator and a second valve actuator, wherein the first valve actuator is provided with a first communication section, the second valve actuator is provided with a second communication section, A network unit for connecting the terminal unit or the master station unit to the first communication unit and the second communication unit via a communication network when a terminal unit serving as a user interface is provided and a master station unit for centrally controlling the second valve actuator is provided; Including,
Wherein the load measuring unit includes the torque sensor unit,
To select a particular valve actuator requiring the top dead center and bottom dead center setting of the plurality of valve actuators when the valve is fully open and fully closed, respectively, to the top dead center and the bottom dead center, Wherein the communication unit provided in the specific valve actuator is selectively connected to the terminal unit or the master station unit,
The terminal unit or the master station unit inputs the top dead center point and bottom dead center point setting command to the control unit through the selectively connected communication unit,
The control unit operates the driving unit to drive the valve in an opening or closing direction when the setting command is input, obtains a load measurement value of the load measurement unit according to driving of the valve, compares the load measurement value with a threshold value And recognizes the position corresponding to the position measurement value of the position measurement unit as the position of the top dead center or bottom dead center when the load measurement value falls within a predetermined range based on the threshold value, Wherein the position of bottom dead center is stored, and the driving of the valve is restricted at the stored top dead center or bottom dead center position.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the sensor includes a first sensor for measuring the forward load and a second sensor for measuring the backward load,
Wherein the compression member includes a first compression member on which the first sensor is mounted and a second compression member on which the second sensor is mounted,
Wherein the elastic member includes a first elastic member for pressing the first compression member and the first sensor, and a second elastic member for pressing the second compression member and the second sensor.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit obtains a load measurement value of the torque sensor unit or a position measurement value of the position measurement unit according to driving of the valve,
And a position of the top dead center or the bottom dead point of the valve according to at least one of the position measurement value, the load measurement value, and the correlation between the position measurement value and the load measurement value.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein,
Calculating a load reference bottom dead center position corresponding to an upper limit of the load measurement value of the torque sensor unit and a load reference bottom dead center position corresponding to a lower limit of the load measurement value of the torque sensor unit,
Calculating a position reference top dead center position and a position reference bottom dead center position by multiplying the load reference top dead center position and the load reference bottom dead center position by a predetermined safety factor,
Wherein the position reference top dead center position and the position reference bottom dead center position are recognized as the position of the top dead center of the valve and the position of the bottom dead center of the valve.

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