WO2004038270A1 - Vanne pilote a commande electronique variable - Google Patents

Vanne pilote a commande electronique variable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004038270A1
WO2004038270A1 PCT/US2003/033745 US0333745W WO2004038270A1 WO 2004038270 A1 WO2004038270 A1 WO 2004038270A1 US 0333745 W US0333745 W US 0333745W WO 2004038270 A1 WO2004038270 A1 WO 2004038270A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
armature
variable
valve
pilot
pilot valve
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2003/033745
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Raymond A. Vincent
Randall Paul Schmitt
Original Assignee
Masco Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Masco Corporation filed Critical Masco Corporation
Priority to AU2003287196A priority Critical patent/AU2003287196A1/en
Publication of WO2004038270A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004038270A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/12—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid
    • F16K31/36—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid in which fluid from the circuit is constantly supplied to the fluid motor
    • F16K31/40—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid in which fluid from the circuit is constantly supplied to the fluid motor with electrically-actuated member in the discharge of the motor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to valve systems, and more particularly to a valve system having a main valve controlled by an electronically-controlled pilot valve.
  • Naive systems may include a main valve and a pilot valve to control large fluid flow devices.
  • the pilot valve may be opened or closed, thereby changing the pressure in the main valve to open and close the main valve.
  • Proportional valve systems have been proposed to provide closer control over the among of water flowing through the main valve. These systems often require a large amount of current to operate the main valve in a proportional manner
  • pilot valves allow a large main valve to be controlled by operating a small valve, reducing the amount of energy required for valve control.
  • pilot valve control systems do not allow the pilot valve to act as a true proportional valve. Instead, the pilot valve is still fully open or fully closed based on, for example, the pulse width of a signal to a full- stroke solenoid that moves the pilot valve between its open and closed positions.
  • the pilot valve is then "dithered," or rapidly opened and closed, to provide proportional control.
  • the desired amount of fluid flow through the main valve may be controlled by pulse width modulation of the signal to the solenoid.
  • this method still requires a great deal of energy because the full-stroke solenoid will constantly move the pilot valve between its fully open and fully closed positions; thus, the only way to maintain fluid flow at a selected level is to modulate the signal controlling the solenoid to move the pilot valve back and forth at different time intervals.
  • variable pilot valve that can be opened and closed in a variable manner to control a variable main valve.
  • the present invention is directed to an electronically-controlled variable pilot valve.
  • the pilot valve comprises a variable force solenoid and an armature whose position is controlled by the solenoid onto the armature.
  • the variable force solenoid applies a force that is proportional to the signal level applied to the solenoid. As a result, the position of the armature varies based on the applied signal level.
  • the armature has an extension that extends into a pilot fluid path outlet and seats against it when the armature is in a closed position.
  • the extension is shaped so that a variable orifice formed between the outlet and the armature changes size based on the position of the armature.
  • the extension has a tapered shape, such as a generally conical shape so that the variable orifice becomes proportionally larger as the armature is moved away from the pilot valve outlet.
  • Figure 1 is a representative diagram of a system incorporating a pilot valve according to one embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a representative diagram of a pilot valve according to one embodiment of the invention in a fully closed position
  • Figure 3 is a representative diagram of the pilot valve shown in Figure 2 in various partially open positions
  • Figure 4 is a representative diagram of the pilot valve shown in Figure 2 in a fully open position.
  • FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a system incorporating a pilot valve 100 according to the invention.
  • the pilot valve controls fluid (e.g., liquid, gas, etc.) flow in a pilot chamber 101 to control operation of a main valve 102.
  • the main valve 102 can be any known pressure-sensitive valve (e.g., diaphragm, piston, etc.) whose operation can be influenced by a pilot valve 100.
  • the main valve 102 controls fluid flow through a main fluid path 104.
  • the pilot valve 100 is fluidically coupled to a main valve 102 to control its operation. Movement of the pilot valve changes the pressure across the main valve, causing the main valve to vary its position between open and closed positions.
  • the main valve 102 is variable and can be opened partially between the fully open and fully closed positions to provide greater fluid flow control in the main fluid path 104. More particularly, the position of the main valve 102 is variable due to the variable pilot valve 100 and not to direct control over the main valve 102 itself.
  • the pilot valve 100 comprises a variable force solenoid having a coil 150 and an armature 152 that is movable in the coil 150.
  • the armature 152 is biased in a closed position by a resilient member 154, such as a spring, to close a pilot fluid path 156 having an inlet 158 and an outlet 160. Both the pilot fluid path inlet 158 and outlet 160 are fluidically coupled to the main fluid path 104.
  • valve seat 162 around the outlet 160 is included to improve a fluid-tight seal against the armature 152.
  • Other sealing structures may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • variable force solenoid 150 Operation of the variable force solenoid 150 is controlled by a processor 163, which generates a signal corresponding to a desired amount of force to be exerted onto the armature 152.
  • the solenoid 150 exerts a variable force on the armature 152 against the spring biasing force of the resilient member 154, changing the position of the armature 152.
  • the armature 152 moves toward an open position, it forms a variable orificel64 between the armature 152 and the pilot fluid path outlet 160 through which fluid can flow. Because the size of the variable orifice 164 controls the pressure inside the main valve 102, the main valve's position is controlled by the position of the armature 152.
  • the armature 152 is shaped so that the position of the armature 152 in the pilot fluid flow path 156 changes the size of the variable orifice 164.
  • the armature 152 has an extension 166 that is shaped so that different armature positions correspond to different variable orifice sizes, and therefore different main valve 102 positions as the pressure between the pilot valve 100 and the main valve 102 reach equilibrium.
  • the extension 166 is tapered so that the variable orifice 164 varies proportionally to the signal applied to the solenoid 150; however, any other shape may be used. For example, an extension with a scalloped profile also provides good control over the variable orifice size.
  • variable orifice size may be proportional to the signal level applied to the solenoid 150, causing the main valve 102 to move to a position that causes the size of the main valve fluid path 104 to be proportional to the signal level as well.
  • the armature 152 and the extension 166 lift completely away from the outlet 160 to allow the maximum amount of fluid flow to pass through the pilot fluid flow path 156.
  • the extension 166 does not block any portion of the outlet 160. In this case, the unfettered fluid flow in the pilot fluid flow path 156 caused by the fully open pilot valve 100 will change the pressure in the main valve 102 to cause the main valve 102 to move to a fully open position.
  • the pilot valve 100 By creating a tapered extension on the armature, the pilot valve 100 provides a simple relationship between the applied signal, the armature position, and the variable orifice size. As a result, the tapered extension provides a predictable, direct relationship between the signal applied to the pilot valve 100 and the position of the main valve 102.
  • the processor 163 may also receive signals from a sensor 168 disposed in the main fluid path 104.
  • the sensor 168 can be any type of sensor, such as a temperature sensor or a flow rate sensor.
  • the processor 163 may be programmed so that the variable orifice size is proportional to a coefficient of velocity of fluid flowing in the main fluid path 104. The variability of the pilot valve 100 allows these adjustments to take place while keeping the structure and control of the pilot valve 100 simple.
  • variable pilot valve therefore allows indirect variable control of a main valve via direct control over the pilot valve.
  • variable pilot valve rather than a conventional on/off pilot valve to provide variable control over the main valve
  • the invention offers a simple valve system that can provide fine- tuned main valve control using small electronic signals. This is true even if the main valve is large, improving energy-efficiency of the overall valve system.

Abstract

L'invention porte sur une vanne pilote à commande électronique variable (110) comprenant un solénoïde à force variable (150) et un induit (152) dont la position est commandée par le solénoïde. Le solénoïde à force variable applique une force qui est proportionnelle à l'intensité du signal envoyé au solénoïde sur l'induit (152). En conséquence, la position de l'induit varie en fonction de l'intensité du signal envoyé. Une extension modelée (166) sur l'induit fait varier la taille d'un orifice entre un orifice d'évacuation (160) de la vanne pilote et l'induit (152) en fonction de la position de l'induit. On peut ainsi faire varier directement la position de l'induit, et donc la taille de l'orifice variable, ce qui permet la commande variable d'une vanne principale sans les limites fonctionnelles des vannes pilotes traditionnelles marche/arrêt et sans avoir à commander directement la vanne principale.
PCT/US2003/033745 2002-10-24 2003-10-24 Vanne pilote a commande electronique variable WO2004038270A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003287196A AU2003287196A1 (en) 2002-10-24 2003-10-24 Electronically-controlled variable pilot valve

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US42082402P 2002-10-24 2002-10-24
US60/420,824 2002-10-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004038270A1 true WO2004038270A1 (fr) 2004-05-06

Family

ID=32176636

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2003/033745 WO2004038270A1 (fr) 2002-10-24 2003-10-24 Vanne pilote a commande electronique variable

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003287196A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2004038270A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB976692A (en) * 1963-01-29 1964-12-02 Dole Valve Co Improvements in or relating to fluid valves having thermoplastic bodies
GB1004699A (en) * 1961-05-26 1965-09-15 Holzer Walter Magnetically operated diaphragm valve
FR2421418A1 (fr) * 1978-03-30 1979-10-26 Bosch Gmbh Robert Regulateur electromagnetique de pression
EP0676589A1 (fr) * 1994-04-04 1995-10-11 G & L DEVELOPMENT, INC. Dispositif de commande pour commander le débèt d'un gaz combustible

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1004699A (en) * 1961-05-26 1965-09-15 Holzer Walter Magnetically operated diaphragm valve
GB976692A (en) * 1963-01-29 1964-12-02 Dole Valve Co Improvements in or relating to fluid valves having thermoplastic bodies
FR2421418A1 (fr) * 1978-03-30 1979-10-26 Bosch Gmbh Robert Regulateur electromagnetique de pression
EP0676589A1 (fr) * 1994-04-04 1995-10-11 G & L DEVELOPMENT, INC. Dispositif de commande pour commander le débèt d'un gaz combustible

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003287196A1 (en) 2004-05-13

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