Patent Application
20240384813
The present disclosure in general relates to the field of valve controllers. Various embodiments of the teachings herein include methods and/or devices for measuring valve characteristic parameters of a valve actuator.
Valves are widely used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC). A valve actuator controls flow in a duct, pipe, or other conduit by controlling the position of a valve. Different valves have different sizes, stroke lengths, seal types, dead zone lengths, etc. Typically, a valve is controlled by a dedicated valve controller, and there is no need to measure the characteristic parameters of the valve (stroke length, dead zone length, etc.). Valve controls of different types or even with different characteristic parameters cannot be used interchangeably. Some manufacturers use mechanical means such as flaps to increase the versatility of valve actuators, but there is still a huge limitation.
To solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure teaches methods and devices for measuring valve characteristic parameters, so as to improve the versatility of valve actuators. For example, some embodiments include a method for measuring valve characteristic parameters of a valve actuator, wherein the valve characteristic parameters comprise a stroke length of the valve, the valve actuator is used to drive the valve and comprises a push rod driven by a motor, the push rod is adapted to push a valve rod of the valve, and the motor is connected to a current sensor, which is adapted to measure a DC drive current flowing into the motor, and the measuring method comprises: resetting the push rod to a top end position; driving the push rod to push the valve rod, measuring the DC drive current in real time, and recording a first position of the push rod at the start of a first abrupt change in the DC drive current when the first abrupt change in the DC drive current is detected and lasts for more than a first preset time period; continuing to drive the push rod to push the valve rod and measure the DC drive current in real time, and recording a second position of the push rod at the start of a second abrupt change in the DC drive current when the second abrupt change in the DC drive current is detected and lasts for more than a second preset time period; calculating the stroke length of the valve based on the first position and the second position. For this, a current sensor is used to measure the DC drive current of the motor in real time, and the DC drive current curve is used to determine the characteristic parameter of the valve, thereby making it possible to use the valve actuator in valves of different types.
In some embodiments, the valve characteristic parameters further comprise a dead zone length, and the measuring method further comprises: continuing to drive the push rod to push the valve rod and measure an output driving force of the motor in real time, recording a third position of the push rod when the output driving force reaches a preset output force, and calculating the dead zone length of the valve based on the second position and the third position. For this, the DC drive current curve may be used to determine the dead zone length of the valve, thereby making it possible to use the valve actuator in valves of different types.
In some embodiments, the valve actuator also has a position sensor, which is used to detect the drive shaft position of the motor, and the measuring method comprises: measuring the drive shaft position of the motor by the position sensor, and converting the drive shaft position to a position of the push rod. For this, the position of the push rod may be obtained through the position of the drive shaft of the motor, which reduces the complexity of the structure.
In some embodiments, the measuring method comprises: measuring the DC drive current in real time, calculating an average change rate of the DC drive current, and identifying the first abrupt change and/or the second abrupt change in the DC drive current when an instantaneous change rate is greater than the average change rate. For this, abrupt changes in the DC drive current are measured.
In some embodiments, the measuring method comprises: repeating the measuring method a plurality of times, and taking the measurement result as a characteristic parameter of the valve when the results of the plurality of times of measurement in the measuring method are consistent. For this, a plurality of measurements can improve the accuracy of the measurement result.
As another example, some embodiments include a device for measuring valve characteristic parameters of a valve actuator, wherein the valve characteristic parameters comprise a stroke length of the valve, the valve actuator is used to drive the valve and comprises a push rod driven by a motor, the push rod is adapted to push a valve rod of the valve, and the motor is connected to a current sensor, which is adapted to measure a DC drive current flowing into the motor, and the measuring device comprises: a resetting module, which resets the push rod to a top end position; a first recording module, which, when the push rod is driven to push the valve rod and the DC drive current is measured in real time, records a first position of the push rod at the start of a first abrupt change in the DC drive current when the first abrupt change in the DC drive current is detected and lasts for more than a first preset time period; a second recording module, which, when the push rod continues to be driven to push the valve rod and the DC drive current continues to be measured in real time, records a second position of the push rod at the start of a second abrupt change in the DC drive current when the second abrupt change in the DC drive current is detected and lasts for more than a second preset time period; a calculating module, which calculates the stroke length of the valve based on the first position and the second position.
In some embodiments, the valve characteristic parameters further comprise a dead zone length, and the measuring device further comprises: when the push rod continues to be driven to push the valve rod and an output driving force of the motor is measured in real time, recording a third position of the push rod when the output driving force reaches a preset output force, and calculating the dead zone length of the valve based on the second position and the third position.
In some embodiments, the valve actuator also has a position sensor, which is used to detect the drive shaft position of the motor, and the measuring device comprises: measuring the drive shaft position of the motor by the position sensor, and converting the drive shaft position to a position of the push rod.
In some embodiments, the measuring device comprises: measuring the DC drive current in real time, calculating an average change rate of the DC drive current, and identifying the first abrupt change and/or the second abrupt change in the DC drive current when an instantaneous change rate is greater than the average change rate.
In some embodiments, the measuring device comprises: repeating the functions of the measuring device a plurality of times, and taking the measurement result as a characteristic parameter of the valve when the results of the plurality of times of measurement by the measuring device are consistent.
As another example, some embodiments include a valve actuator, which has one or more measuring device as described herein.
As another example, some embodiments include an electronic device, comprising a processor, a memory and an instruction stored in the memory, wherein the instruction, when executed by the processor, implements one or more of the methods described herein.
As another example, some embodiments include a computer-readable storage medium, with a computer instruction stored therein, which, when run, executes one or more of the methods as described herein.
The following drawings are only intended to illustrate and explain teachings of the present disclosure schematically, and do not limit the scope thereof. In the drawings,
In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, purpose and effects of the present invention, some example embodiments of the teachings of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, many specific details are provided. However, the teachings may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope off the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.
As shown in this patent application and the claims, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, terms “a”, “an”, “one” and/or “the” are not intended to be specific in the singular and may include the plural. Generally, terms “comprising” and “including” only imply that the clearly identified steps and elements are included, these steps and elements do not constitute an exclusive list, and the method or device may also include other steps or elements.
The valve actuator 210 comprises a power supply 211, a current sensor 212, a motor 213, a position sensor 214, a processing unit 215, a speed change mechanism 216 and a push rod 217. The power supply 211 is used to supply power to the motor 213, and the current sensor 212 is arranged on the circuit between the power supply 211 and the motor 213. For this purpose, the current sensor 212 is adapted to measure the DC drive current flowing into the motor 213. The motor 213 may be an integrated motor, i.e., integrated with the actuator, which can reduce the volume and cost of the motor 213. The position sensor 214 is connected to the motor 213 and the processing unit 215, and is adapted to measure the drive shaft position of the motor 213 and send the drive shaft position to the processing unit 215. The processing unit 215 is connected to the current sensor 212 and the position sensor 214, to receive and process the data sent by the current sensor 212 and the position sensor 214. The motor 213, the speed change mechanism 216 and the push rod 217 are connected in sequence, so that the push rod 217 can move under the drive of the motor 213. The push rod 217 is adapted to push the valve rod 221 of the valve 220.
The valve 220 is used to enable, disable or regulate the flow of fluid in a pipeline. The valve comprises a push rod 221 which is adapted to move in the closing direction D. The valve 220 is fully opened when the valve rod 221 is at the top end position P1, and the valve 220 is closed when the valve rod 221 moves along the closing direction D to contact the bottom end position P2. The distance between the top end position Pl and the bottom end position P2 is the stroke length of the valve 220. For elastic materials, the valve rod 221 can continue to move from the position where it is in contact with the bottom end position P2 to the stop position P3 (not shown in the figure). The distance between the bottom end position P2 and the stop position P3 is the dead zone length of the valve 220. Different types of valves 220 usually have different stroke lengths and dead zone lengths, and valves of different types or even different characteristic parameters cannot be used interchangeably. This makes it possible to use the actuator in different types of valves by measuring the stroke length and dead zone length of the valve.
Some examples include a method for measuring valve characteristic parameters of a valve actuator wherein the valve characteristic parameters comprise the stroke length of a valve.
Step 110, resetting the push rod to a top end position. The push rod 217 is probably not in the top end position initially and is reset to the top end position. When the push rod 217 reaches the top end position from a middle position, the DC drive current detected by the current sensor 212 will change abruptly. By detecting an abrupt change in the DC drive current, it can be determined that the push rod 217 has reached the top end position.
Step 120, driving the push rod to push the valve rod, measuring the DC drive current in real time, and recording a first position of the push rod at the start of a first abrupt change in the DC drive current when the first abrupt change in the DC drive current is detected and lasts for more than a first preset time period.
The push rod 217 is driven to move toward the closing direction D of the valve 220, and the DC drive current is measured in real time. As shown in
Step 130, continuing to drive the push rod to push the valve rod and measure the DC drive current in real time, and recording a second position of the push rod at the start of a second abrupt change in the DC drive current when the second abrupt change in the DC drive current is detected and lasts for more than a second preset time period.
The push rod 217 continues to be driven to move toward the closing direction D of the valve 220, and the DC drive current is measured in real time. As shown in
In some embodiments, the position sensor can detect the drive shaft position of the motor and convert the drive shaft position into the position of the push rod. In some embodiments, the position sensor 214 can detect the drive shaft position of the motor 213 and convert the drive shaft position into the second position VP2 of the push rod 217. In some embodiments, by measuring the DC drive current in real time and calculating the average rate of change (for example, the root mean square) of the DC drive current, the second abrupt change in the first DC drive current is identified when the instantaneous rate of change is greater than the average rate of change.
Step 140, calculating the stroke length of the valve based on the first position and the second position. The first position VP1 is the position where the push rod 217 and the valve rod 221 start to contact, i.e., the valve rod 221 is in the top end position, and the second position VP2 is the position where the valve rod 221 contacts the bottom end position. The stroke length of the valve can be calculated by subtracting the first position VP1 from the second position VP2.
In some embodiments, the valve characteristic parameters further comprise a dead zone length, and the measuring method further comprises: continuing to drive the push rod to push the valve rod and measure an output driving force of the motor in real time, recording a third position of the push rod when the output driving force reaches a preset output force, and calculating the dead zone length of the valve based on the second position and the third position. Based on the required force for fully closing the valve, the valve is deemed to be tightly closed when the output driving force reaches a preset output force.
Specifically, the push rod 217 continues to be driven to move in the closing direction D of the valve 220, and the DC drive current is measured in real time. As shown in
In some embodiments, the measuring method comprises: repeating the measuring method a plurality of times, and taking the measurement result as a characteristic parameter of the valve when the results of the plurality of times of measurement in the measuring method are consistent. This can improve the accuracy of the measurement result.
The table below shows the measurement results using the measuring method in the embodiments of the present invention. It can be seen that the example measuring methods can be very accurate.
Some examples include a method for measuring valve characteristic parameters of a valve actuator, wherein a current sensor is used to measure the DC drive current of the motor in real time, and the DC drive current curve is used to determine the characteristic parameter of the valve, thereby making it possible to use the valve actuator in valves of different types.
Some embodiments include a device for measuring valve characteristic parameters of a valve actuator incorporating teachings of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the valve characteristic parameters further comprise a dead zone length, and the measuring device further comprises: continuing to drive the push rod to push the valve rod and measure an output driving force of the motor in real time, recording a third position of the push rod when the output driving force reaches a preset output force, and calculating the dead zone length of the valve based on the second position and the third position.
In some embodiments, the valve actuator also has a position sensor, which is used to detect the drive shaft position of the motor, and the measuring device comprises: measuring the drive shaft position of the motor by the position sensor and converting the drive shaft position to a position of the push rod.
In some embodiments, the measuring device comprises: measuring the DC drive current in real time, calculating the average rate of change of the DC drive current, and identifying the first and/or the second abrupt change in the first DC drive current when the instantaneous rate of change is greater than the average rate of change.
In some embodiments, the measuring device comprises: repeating the measuring method a plurality of times, and taking the measurement result as a characteristic parameter of the valve when the results of the plurality of times of measurement in the measuring method are consistent.
Some embodiments include a valve actuator, which has a measuring device 400 as described above.
Some embodiments include an electronic device 500.
Some embodiments include a computer-readable storage medium, with a computer instruction stored therein, which, when run, executes one or more of the methods as described herein.
Some aspects of the methods and the devices may be implemented entirely by hardware or entirely by software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or by a combination thereof. The above hardware or software may be referred to as a “data block”, “module”, “engine”, “unit”, “component” or “system”. The processor may be one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DAPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or a combination thereof. In addition, all aspects may be embodied as a computer product comprising computer-readable program code in one or more computer-readable media. For example, the computer-readable media may include but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (for example, hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, etc.), optical disks (for example, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile disks (DVDs), etc.), and smart cards and flash memory devices (for example, cards, sticks, key drives, etc.).
Flowcharts are used herein to illustrate the operations performed by the method according to the embodiments of this patent application. It should be understood that these operations are not necessarily performed exactly in the order shown. Instead, the various steps may be processed in the reverse order or simultaneously. At the same time, other operations may be added to these processes, or a step or some steps may be removed from these processes.
It should be understood that, although this description is given according to the various embodiments, it is not necessary that each embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of description is only for clarity, and those skilled in the art should regard the description as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementations that can be understood by those skilled in the art.
The above are only illustrative specific embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. Any equivalent changes, modifications, and combinations made by anyone skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principle shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202111124284.1 | Sep 2021 | CN | national |
This application is a U.S. National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/IB2022/058422 filed Sep. 7, 2022, which designates the United States of America, and claims priority to CN application Ser. No. 20/211,1124284.1 filed Sep. 24, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2022/058422 | 9/7/2022 | WO |
