DIGITAL PROPORTIONAL WIRELESS CONTROL

COMMANDE SANS FIL PROPORTIONNELLE NUMERIQUE

Description

CA 02735481 2011-03-24
Inventor: Ernie Lynch (Mississauga, ON, Canada)
Residence/Assignee: Lynch Fluid Controls Inc. (Mississauga, ON, Canada)
Date: March 23, 2011
SUMMARY OF INVENTION:
The invention is a proportional valve/device amplifier which can communicate
with
general purpose mobile devices for monitoring and adjusting the proportional
valve/device amplifier function and parameters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
This invention is designed for the technical field of fluid control. More
specifically, the
invention allows a user to wirelessly operate and control proportional
valve/device
amplifiers.
When an electrical current is provided to a solenoid in a fluid control
device, a magnetic
field is created which affects the movement of magnetic material in the valve.
The
movement of this magnetic material causes the valve to open and close the flow
path of
fluid in the valve to create different flows or pressures required for running
fluid control
systems.
A proportional valve/device amplifier takes a command voltage or low current
input and
proportionally translates the command signal into an output current. This
current is sent
to a fluid control device where flow or pressure is changed or controlled
proportionally
depending on the current.
Proportional valve/device amplifiers further benefit the operation of a fluid
control device
by adjusting parameters such as Ramp Time, Deadband, Dither Frequency. These
parameters can be adjusted by potentiometers in the case of analogue valve
amplifiers, or
by other on-board or external digital means for digital amplifiers.
Proportional valve/device amplifiers are normally located on the coil/device,
inside the
electrical panel or in other locations near the equipment. These mounting
locations are
often difficult to access, often due to height or restrictive environments. It
may also be in
a harsh environment; exposing the proportional valve/device amplifier to
conditions
which may damage it, therefore, adjusting the proportional valve/device
amplifier with a
wireless mobile device is beneficial.
In the field, a user may be required to troubleshoot, monitor, or make
adjustments to
various parameters on the proportional valve/device amplifier. In the
aforementioned
cases, it is not feasible to physically change the proportional valve/device
amplifier or
connect a communications cable to troubleshoot, monitor or make adjustments to
the
operating parameters.
Additionally, in field operations, fully functioning monitoring equipment such
as a
computer is not always available. Specialized remote control devices specific
to certain
units are not always available.

CA 02735481 2011-03-24
Inventor: Ernie Lynch (Mississauga, ON, Canada)
Residence/Assignee: Lynch Fluid Controls Inc. (Mississauga, ON, Canada)
Date: March 23, 2011
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:
The invention includes a) a proportional valve/device amplifier with 2 way
wireless
communication and b) mobile device software to support the communication
between the
mobile device and the proportional valve/device amplifier. This communication
with a
general purpose mobile device gives a user the ability to control, monitor and
adjust
parameters of a proportional valve/device amplifier.
The invention was created as a) a response to the increasing demand and use of
general
purpose mobile devices by the public, and b) a simpler solution; a user no
longer requires
a specific remote control device to operate the proportional valve/device
amplifier.
General purpose mobile devices include but are not limited to Blackberry,
iPhone,
Android, as well as any other general purpose mobile device such as PDA or
Tablet
computer.
The invention includes a transmitter/receiver that is compatible with wireless
communication technologies that are typically available for all general
purpose mobile
devices, for example: Bluetooth or WiFi.
The invention also includes downloadable software also known as a mobile
application,
which runs on the general purpose mobile device. The software allows users to
sync their
general purpose mobile device with the proportional valve/device amplifier
thereby
creating the communication link. Users will download the software from Lynch
Fluid
Controls Inc. website or any other distribution medium (TBD).
The invention will still also function as a normal proportional valve/device
amplifier.
Parameters can be adjusted physically by adjusting the program setting on the
amplifier
itself for the cases where a general purpose mobile device is not available.
The advantages of the invention are:
1) Controlling proportional valve/device amplifiers remotely without
physically
touching the proportional valve/device amplifier thereby increasing operator
safety and convenience
2) Downloading the invention's software on any general purpose mobile device
eliminates the user's reliance on any specific hardware remote controller.

CA 02735481 2011-03-24
Inventor: Ernie Lynch (Mississauga, ON, Canada)
Residence/Assignee: Lynch Fluid Controls Inc. (Mississauga, ON, Canada)
Date: March 23, 2011
DIAGRAM OF THE INVENTION:
Figure 1 illustrates the method of the basic function of the invention.
`E' is a downloadable mobile application that can be used on any General
Purpose
Wireless or Mobile Device `D'.
The Fluid Control Device or any make or model `A', contains the invention of
Proportional Valve/Device Amplifier with a wireless interface.
The Amplifier and wireless interface will have a 2 way connection with the
General
Purpose Mobile Wireless device with the ability to update, monitor, program
parameters
or settings of the Proportional Valve/Device Amplifier.
Figure 1:
A
FkAd Control Device
General Pu[pose
Wireless or Mobile Device
v+rreless
Q.