MXPA97003061A - Valvu - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for registering the operation of a valve (10) of the type having a spindle (18) rotatable by a key (20) to effect the opening and closing of the same, the apparatus including an operating medium (36) that is carried in use in a key (20), the operative means that is operable independently from any other electronic apparatus or equipment, to detect the rotary movement of the key during the operation of the valve. Preferably, the operating means includes a sensor means (40, 42) sensitive to the magnetic field of the earth, and is operative to determine the rotation of the key by analyzing the signals generated by the sensor means. By detecting the operation of the valve with the operating medium in a key, the expense of providing a detection means for each valve (the total number of keys that is much less than the total number of valves) is avoided, as is the need to provide potentially sensitive equipment in hostile environments of the valves

Description

VALVES The present invention relates to valves. More particularly, it relates to valves that have a means for allowing automatic registration of their opening and closing, and to an apparatus for opening and closing (generally referred to as "operation") these valves. In a water distribution system, a large number of valves are provided to allow the parts of the distribution system to be isolated for repair, the water to be shut off for a leak, and for many other purposes that appear during the day after operation. system day. It is clearly desirable that those who manage the system can determine the status of the valves at any time, so that they can predict the behavior of the system to ensure that all parts of the system operate safely and efficiently. Traditionally, the status of the valves is inspected, for example, by means of paper annotations, with an operator making a note each time a valve is operated. In this way, the accumulated information can be compared to provide an instantaneous image of the system as a whole. Without REF: 24636 However, it is clear that operators will occasionally forget to register an operation or will erroneously identify a valve, resulting in inaccuracies in the system registry. Several difficulties must be overcome if it is desired to provide automatic recording of the operation of the valves. First, the number of valves in a water distribution system is very large, which imposes the requirement that any device that will adapt to the valves should be as low a cost as possible. Second, frequently, the valves will be found below the ground, in humidity, dirt and tight conditions, which means that any device that will adapt them must be small, robust and simple to adapt. Third, frequently, it happens that the spindles of operation of the valve get stuck if they do not open or close during a time. Since the valves are normally controlled by a long wrench by a person, some distance above, this frequently results in forces being applied to the valve that are not purely rotational and the wrench moving away from the axis of rotation of the valve spindle as the operator struggles to turn the spindle. It is an object of the invention to provide automatic registration of the opening and closing of the valves, while minimizing the effect of some or all of the above difficulties. In a first aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for recording the operation of a valve of the type having a spindle rotatable by a key to effect the opening and closing of the same, the apparatus that includes an operative means that is carried in use in a key, the operating medium that is operable independently of any other device (for example, electronic equipment) to detect the rotation movement of the valve during the operation of the valve. By detecting the operation of the valve with the operating medium in a key, the expense of providing the detection apparatus for each valve (the total number of keys that is much less than the total number of valves) is avoided, since there is the need to provide potentially sensitive equipment in the hostile environment of the valves. Since the operable medium is operable independently of any other apparatus, that is, it does not require any other apparatus or equipment (or connection to any apparatus or equipment), to perform the detection function, no further modification of the valves. The device can be placed on the key, and can actually be manufactured as part of the key. Alternatively, the apparatus can be adapted for connection or adaptation to an existing key. The phrase "carried on the carry" or "located on the key" includes, for example, a mode in which the apparatus is mounted on the surface of a part of the key, a mode where the apparatus is inside a part of the key and / or a mode where the apparatus is incorporated in another way or it is included in any part of the key. Preferably, the operating means includes a means for detecting rotation of the key. In this way, the relative movement between the key and the valve can be detected. While the need to provide additional electronic equipment in each valve is still avoided. In many modalities, the operating medium of the apparatus is predominantly electronic. In a preferred embodiment, the operating means includes a sensor means sensitive to an ambient magnetic field (preferably stable and stationary state) and is operative to determine the rotation of the key by analyzing the signals generated by the sensor means. Preferably, the ambient magnetic field includes a main (or only) component thereof, the magnetic field of the earth. However, in certain locations, the effect of the earth's magnetic field may be only a component, possibly less, of the ambient field, for example, within constructions where other magnetic effect (s) are present (s). ) or field (s). The sensor means may comprise, for example, a pair of directional magnetic sensors, most typically positioned at right angles to each other. By inspecting the variations in the field detected by each sensor, the rotation of the key can be determined. By analyzing the relative phase of the variations, the direction of rotation can be established, while the variation speed can be used to determine the rotation speed of the key. Preferably, the sensor means comprises two pairs of magnetic sensors, directional, arranged, for example, in quadrature. Effectively, each of the two sensors in the embodiment described above is replaced by a pair of sensors. The two sensors of each pair are arranged in parallel, but they are oriented in diametrically opposite directions. This arrangement helps to reduce or eliminate variations in the composite signal produced by each sensor of a pair. In other words, while variation in sensor output remains unaffected due to key rotation, any permanent or steady state component of the output can be removed. Preferably, the apparatus includes a detection means for detecting the connection of the key to a valve for the operation of the same. Preferably, the apparatus includes an annotation means for noting the key connection during the operation of the valve. Preferably, the valve is of the "connected-disconnected" type, that is, it is a stop valve and it is not the control valve. Preferably, each valve is provided with an identification means, operative to identify the valve to the operative means of the apparatus, whereby the identity of the valve can be recorded automatically, for example, by means of annotation. It is operating. The identification means may comprise an electronic answering machine fixed to the part of the valve, the answering machine preferably receiving the energy of the operating means of the key, by inductive coupling. In this way, there is no need to provide an independent power supply in each valve. Additionally, an electronic memory to and from which data can be written and read by the operating means of the key can be provided in each valve. The memory can be used to store information regarding the status of the valve following the operation thereof by the key. The answering machine and / or memory can be incorporated into a robust, sealed "pill" for incorporation into the valve. In this way ^ the electronic components associated with the valve can be packed in a robust and compact manner. The pill can include a spiral that collects an electric or magnetic field from the key by inductive coupling, thus allowing the operating medium to "read" and / or "write" the data to / from the pill. Many valves have an upper part of the valve formed and sized to facilitate the coupling by the key by rotation, the upper part of the valve that is attached to a spindle or other component of the valve. In these valves, any means of identification or memory can be incorporated in the upper part of the valve, particularly where, in a suitable manner, they are incorporated in a pill, as described in the previous paragraph. An upper part of the valve as described, is preferably of the same dimensions, substantially, as a conventional valve top, and may be provided as a retrofit component for converting existing valves for use with the present invention. . From a second of its aspects, the invention provides a key that includes an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for recording the operation of a valve that includes the steps of detecting the connection of a key to the valve and / or detecting and / or recording the rotation of the valve. Preferably, the method includes the steps of using a sensor means to detect or perceive variation in the ambient magnetic field as the key is turned. By detecting these variations, the rotation of the key can be determined, preferably, the sensor means includes a plurality of sensors, and by the analysis of the relative phase of the variations in the environment, for example, the magnetic field From the ground detected by each sensor, the direction of rotation of the key can be determined. Furthermore, by analyzing the speed of variation of the field of one or more of the sensors, the speed of rotation of the key can be determined. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for recording the operation of a valve of the type having a spindle rotatable by a key for effecting the opening and closing thereof. The apparatus that includes an operating means that is carried in use in a key, the operating means that is operable to detect the connection of the key to a valve for operation thereof and / or to detect and / or to detect and / or record the rotary movement of the key during the operation of the valve. Now, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional diagram partly of a key and a valve that incorporate the invention together; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an arrangement of the magnetic sensors inside the key; Y Figure 3 shows a representation of the signals generated by the sensors during the rotation of the key.

Referring first to Figure 1, a valve 10 is provided in an operable water supply tube 12 to selectively allow or prevent the flow of water therein. As shown, the valve 10 is typically placed below the ground in a chamber 11 of limited size, the chamber 11 opening at ground level in an access cover (not shown). Any routine operation to be performed on the valve 10 is necessarily restricted by the size of the chamber 11. The stop valve 10 comprises a body 14, a spindle 16 extending from the body 14 and a valve top portion 18. The spindle 16 is operatively connected to the components within the valve body 14 such that rotating it in a first direction (typically, counterclockwise) causes the valve 10 to open to allow the flow, while rotation in the opposite direction causes the valve 10 to close to prevent flow. In use, the valve 10 is typically positioned such that the spindle 16 projects generally vertically upwardly from the valve body 14. The upper part 18 of the valve, in this arrangement, projects upwards from the spindle 16. The upper part 18 of the valve is formed and dimensioned for cooperation with a key 20 for operatively coupling the key 20 to the spindle 16 such that the spindle 16 can be turned by means of the key 20. The key 20 comprises a head 22, which is adapted to be coupled with the upper part 18 of the valve and a bar 24 connected to the head 22, the bar 24 which is generally coaxial with the axis of rotation of the spindle 16 when the head 22 is coupled for use with the top portion 18 of the valve. The key also comprises a transverse lever 26 connected to the bar 24 to act as an action lever by means of which the bar 24 can be driven to operate the valve 10. In this embodiment of the present invention, it is provided in the part 18 above the valve an electronic package 30, sealed (which can be referred to as a "pill") comprising an electronic device encoded by means of which the valve 10 can be uniquely identified, and the means of receiving energy by means of the which can generate electrical energy from an external energy source. For example, package 30 may comprise a coil activated by an external magnetic field to generate electrical energy for the operation of package 30. Within the head 22 of key 20 an electrical coupler 32 is provided through which it can be transmitted. , electrical power to, and data received from, the package 30 of a valve 10 to which the key 20 is connected for operation. The coupler 32 may also comprise a spiral. As is well known, energy and data signals can be transmitted between two magnetically coupled coils by the application of an alternating signal to a first coil, to cause a voltage signal to be induced in the second, the transmission of data that It is achieved by the modulation of the electric charge applied to the second spiral, which is reflected as a modulation of the impedance of the first. The key 20 further comprises an operative unit 36. The operating unit 36 comprises electrical circuits connected to the coupler 32 for transmitting energy to, and receiving data from, the package 30 of the valve 10. Additionally, the operating unit further comprises a sensor means for detecting the rotational movement of the key 20 as occur during the operation of a valve. Shown schematically in Figure 2, the sensor means comprises a first sensor and a second sensor, 40, 42 magnetic, directional. The sensors 40, 42 are placed in quadrature, ie with the detection axes at right angles to each other and angularly spaced around an axis, the second sensor 42 (when seen from below) which is 90 ° in the clockwise direction of the first sensor 40. As shown in Figure 2, the "A" axis is an extension of the axis of the bar 24, and normal to the plane of the drawing of Figure 2. As the key 20, the output of each sensor 40, 42 varies sinuously with the angle? rotational of the key 20, since the sensors rotate within the ambient, directional magnetic field. Referring to Figure 3, the output of the first and the second sensor 40, 42 are shown as the signals 1 and 2, respectively, with respect to the angle.. As illustrated in Figure 3, the phase of the signal 1 is leading to that of the signal 2 by 90 °, from which it can be deduced that the key is rotating, in the counterclockwise direction. If the phase of signal 2 were driving, then the clockwise rotation would be implied. In Figure 3, the period T represents a complete rotation. The analysis of the two signals can additionally reveal the value of the angle? by the square analysis. In an alternative embodiment, each of the first and second sensors 40, 42 can be replaced by a respective pair of sensors. The two sensors of a pair can be placed in parallel but in diametrically opposite detection directions. In this way, the alternating signal produced by each sensor is added to that produced by the other torque sensor, while the stable state signals produced by each sensor are canceled. In this way, the composite signal produced by the pair of sensors can be maintained while the "DC" component can be removed. In use, the opening unit 36 of the key 20 is operated, for example, by a rechargeable battery, and is usually in a fixed state in which the signals received from the coupler 32 are inspected. If the signals from the coupler 32 correspond to those that can emanate from a package 30 of an upper part of the valve, the operating unit 36 introduces an operational mode. In this mode, the operating unit first reads from the package 30 a code to identify the valve and then reads the data stored in the package during the last operation of the valve whereby the current status of the valve can be determined. The inputs from the sensors 40, 42 are then inspected for rotation, and the current status of the valve in the package 30 is periodically updated. Once the operating unit 36 detects that the key 20 has been removed from the valve, it stores in an internal memory (not shown) that identifies the valve, its new state and the operation that is carried out on the valve, including the speed at which the valve is returned. These data can later be downloaded to a computer to update the data maintained in it in relation to water distribution systems as a whole. The above description is only an illustrative example of one embodiment, and the invention is not restricted to the details of the previous embodiment. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the characteristics of the modality can be replaced by alternative features that serve equivalent or similar purposes. For example, the operating medium can not include the memory described above, but instead can be connected in some other way, for example, by direct or radio link, to an external computer or to the data recording device. Additionally, or alternatively, the coupler 32 and the associated circuit system may be omitted.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for registering the operation of a valve of the type having a spindle rotatable in a key, for effecting the opening and closing of the same, the apparatus is characterized in that it includes an operating means that is carried in use in a key, the means operative that is operable independently of any other apparatus to detect the rotary movement of the key during the operation of the valve.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating means includes a sensor means, sensitive to an ambient magnetic field, and is operative to determine the rotation of the key by analyzing the signals generated by the sensor means.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor means includes a pair of magnetic, directional sensors, which, in use, produce a signal as they move through the magnetic field of the earth by the rotation of the key.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the pair of sensors are placed at right angles to each other.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it includes a means to inspect the variations in the field detected by each sensor, and thereby determine the rotation of the key.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that it includes a means for analyzing the relative phase of the variations and thus determining the direction of rotation of the key.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for analyzing is operable to determine the speed of variation of the field of each sensor, and to thereby determine the speed of rotation of the key.

8. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a detection means for detecting the connection of the key to a valve for the operation of the same.

9. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes an annotation means for noting the connection of the key to a valve and / or the rotary movement of the key during the operation.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 3-9, characterized in that each sensor comprises a pair of diametrically opposed sensors.

11. A key, characterized in that it includes an apparatus according to any of the claims.

12. A method for detecting the operation of a valve, characterized in that it includes the step of using a magnetic sensor means sensitive to an ambient magnetic field and determining the changes in the magnetic field detected by the sensor means as the sensor means is rotated in conjunction with a valve key.

13. An apparatus, characterized in that it is for recording the operation of the valve substantially as any modality described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method, characterized in that it is for detecting the operation of a valve, substantially as any modality described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.