Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: ILLUMINATED VALVE POSITION INDICATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technical field relates to valve position indicators.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]Valves may be used in a number of applications to control the flow of
fluids through piping systems. There are several different types of valves
used
for controlling flow such as ball valves, gate valves, butterfly valves,
needle
valves, check valves, and the like. Ball valves, butterfly valves, needle
valves
and gate valves may be actuated with an actuator, a manual hand wheel, or
manual lever between the open and closed position. It may be difficult to know
the position of the valve from the location of the actuator (for example, the
hand wheel or power actuator). Therefore a need exists for an improved valve
position indicator for use with valves. There is a further need for a valve
indicator that better communicates the position of the valve through the
display.
SUMMARY
[0003]A valve position indicator has an indicator cover with at least one
window and a rotor configured to be located at least partially within the
indicator cover. The rotor has an indicator surface with one or more position
indicators wherein at least one of the position indicators is configured to
align
with at least one window to indicate the position of the valve. A light may be
positioned proximate the rotor and configured to illuminate the position
indicator. The valve position indicator may also include an array of LED
lights
bordering the rim of the indicator cover. The valve position indicator may
alternatively include the array of LED lights without the indicator cover.
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[0004] As used herein the term LED (or L.E.D.) shall mean light-emitting diode
and/or any similar type light emitting device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] Figure 1 depicts a schematic of a piping system having a valve with a
valve position indicator.
Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the valve and the valve
position indicator of Figure 1 according to an embodiment.
Figure 3A depicts an exploded side view of the valve position indicator
according to an embodiment.
Figure 3B depicts an exploded side view of the valve position indicator
according to an embodiment.
Figure 4 depicts a wiring diagram for operating an indication lamp of
the valve position indicator according to an embodiment.
Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting a method for operating the valve
position indicator in an embodiment.
Figure 6 depicts a perspective view of a valve position indicator
according to an alternative embodiment.
Figure 7A depicts a top view of a valve position indicator according to
an alternative embodiment.
Figure 7B depicts a view similar to Figure 7A except showing the valve
in a different position.
Figure 8 depicts an underside view of the valve position indicator
according to an embodiment.
Figure 9 depicts a front view of the valve position indicator in the
"CLOSED" position according to an embodiment.
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Figure 10 depicts a top view of another embodiment of the valve
position indicator.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0006] The description that follows includes exemplary apparatus, methods,
techniques, and instruction sequences that embody techniques of the
inventive subject matter. However, it is understood that the described
embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
[0007]Figure 1 depicts a schematic view of a piping system 100 having a
valve 102 with a valve position indicator 104 according to an embodiment.
The piping system 100 may be any suitable piping system that requires the
control of flow within the piping system 100. The valve 102 may have an
actuator 106 configured to move the valve 102 between an open and a closed
position. The actuator 106 may be any suitable actuator including, but not
limited to, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator,
a
hand wheel, a lever, and the like. The actuator 106 may have an actuator
shaft 108 configured to manipulate the valve position indicator 104 as the
valve 102 moves between the open and closed position as will be discussed
in more detail below. The actuator shaft 108 may be configured to move the
valve 102 between the open and closed position, or be a separate shaft that
moves as the valve 102 moves between the open and closed position.
[0008]Figure 2 depicts a schematic view of the valve 102 and a cross
sectional view of the valve position indicator 104. The valve 102 as shown is
a
ball valve having a bore 200 in an open position. In the open position, the
bore 200 of the valve 102 may align with the bore of the piping system 100.
The actuator 106 may be configured to move a ball 202 of the valve 102
between the open position and the closed position wherein the bore 200 is not
aligned with the bore of the piping system 100. A valve stem 204 may be
rotated by the actuator 106 in order to move the valve 102 between the open
and closed position. The valve stem 204 may be integral with the actuator
shaft 108 as shown, or a separate gear or mechanism may actuate the
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actuator shaft 108 with the valve stem 204. Although the valve 102 is
described as a ball valve, the valve 102 may be any suitable valve including,
but not limited to, a butterfly valve, a needle valve, a gate valve and the
like.
[0009] The actuator 106 may be any suitable actuator for actuating the valve
102 including, but not limited to, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator,
an electric actuator, a hand wheel, a lever and the like.
[0010]The valve position indicator 104, as shown, rests above the actuator
106. Although the valve position indicator 104 is shown directly above the
actuator 106, the valve position indicator 104 may be in any suitable location
and/or side (such as, for example, mounted to the indicator mounting surface
107 of the actuator 106) so long as the actuator shaft 108 may actuate the
valve position indicator 104 as will be discussed in more detail below. The
valve position indicator 104 may include, but is not limited to, an indicator
cover 206, a rotor 208, one or more windows 210 in the indicator cover 206,
one or more indicator surfaces 212 on the rotor 208, a light source 214 (or
lamp), and an actuator shaft connector 216. The actuator shaft 108 may
rotate the rotor 208 as the valve 102 moves between the open and closed
position. As the rotor 208 moves, the one or more indicator surfaces 212 may
align with the one or more windows 210 thereby indicating the position of the
valve 102.
[0011]The actuator shaft 108 may secure to the rotor 208 at the actuator
shaft connector 216. As shown, the actuator shaft connector 216 has a female
end 218 configured to receive a male end 220 of the actuator shaft 108. The
female end 218 and/or male end 220 may be splined and/or shaped to allow
the rotational transfer or torque between the actuator shaft 108 and the rotor
208 in an embodiment. In another embodiment, the actuator shaft 108 may be
integral with or couple to the rotor 208 with a pin (not shown).
[0012]The indicator cover 206 and the rotor 208 are shown as being dome
shaped. The dome of the rotor 208 may nest within the dome of the indicator
cover 206. Although the indicator cover 206 and the rotor 208 are shown as
arcuate domes it should be appreciated that they may have any suitable
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shape including cylindrical (inverted cup-shaped), conical, elliptical (any
ellipse rotated about its central axis), geodesic domes and the like.
[0013] A rotor 208 may have an alignment hub 222 configured to receive a pin
224 on the indicator cover 206. With the pin 224 in the alignment hub 222, the
indicator cover 206 may be positioned substantially symmetrical over the rotor
208. The alignment hub 222 may be free to rotate relative to the pin 224 as
the actuator shaft 108 rotates the rotor 208. The indicator cover 206 may be
coupled directly to the actuator 106, or another portion of the valve 102 in
order to prevent the indicator cover 206 from rotating with the rotor 208.
[0014] Figure 3A depicts an exploded side view of the indicator cover 206 and
the rotor 208. The indicator cover 206 as shown has two rows 300 of windows
210 for viewing the indicator surfaces 212: a top row 300a having two
windows 210 directly opposite one another and a bottom row 300b having two
windows 210 directly opposite one another. Between the windows 210 is a
panel 302. The panel 302 may be solid (not transparent). In one embodiment,
the panel 302 may have a black color, or shade. Although the panel 302 is
described as being a black color, it should be appreciated that the panel 302
may be any color so long as it is not transparent.
[0015] The rotor 208 may have two indicator rows 303 that align with the row
300 of the indicator cover 206 when the rotor 208 is nested in the indicator
cover 206. The indicator surfaces 212 may have one or more position
indicators 301 which may be further designated as one or more closed
indicators 304, and/or one or more open indicators 306. As shown, the rotor
208 has two closed indicators 304 on the top indicator row 303a (appearing
with a dome shape overlaid on a spherical surface as viewed in Fig. 3A) and
two closed indicators 304 on the bottom indicator row 303b (appearing with a
trapezoid-like shape overlaid on a spherical surface as viewed in Fig. 3A).
The rotor 208 may have two open indicators 306 on the top indicator row
303a (appearing with a dome shape overlaid on a spherical surface as viewed
in Fig. 3B) and two open indicators 306 on the bottom indicator row 303b
(appearing with a trapezoid-like shape overlaid on a spherical surface as
viewed in Fig. 3B). The open indicators 306 and the closed indicators 304
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may have the same pattern as the windows 210 and panels 302 of the
indicator cover 206. Although there are four panels 302 and four windows 210
on the indicator cover 206 that align with four open indicators 306 and four
closed indicators 304 on the rotor 208, it should be appreciated that any
number of panels 302, windows 210, open indicators 306 and closed
indicators 304 can be used so long as the indicator surfaces 212 align with
the windows 210 and panels 302 to clearly display the open position or the
closed position.
[0016] When the valve 102 is in the closed position, the closed indicator 304
is
aligned with the window 210 thereby displaying the closed indicator 304
through the window 210. The closed indicators 304 may have a word
indicating the closed position. As shown, the closed indicator 304 has the
word "CLOSE" on the surface of the closed indicator 304. Although the word
is shown as "CLOSE", it should be appreciated that any suitable word and/or
symbol may be used to indicate the closed position (by way of example, the
position indicator term 308 for the closed indicator 304 may be "CLOSED" or
"NOT FLOWING"). In addition to or as an alternative to the word indicator, the
closed indicators 304 may have a color coating. In one embodiment, the
closed indicator 304 may be a red color. Although the closed indicator 304 is
described as red in one embodiment, it may be any suitable color (by way of
example, the closed indicator 304 could be blue or green).
[0017] When the valve 102 is in the open position, the open indicator 306 is
aligned with the window 210 thereby displaying the open indicator 306
through the window 210. The open indicators 306 may have a word indicating
the open position. As shown, the open indicator 306 has the word "OPEN" on
the surface of the open indicator 306. Although the word is shown as "OPEN",
it should be appreciated that any suitable word and/or symbol may be used to
indicate the open position (by way of example, the position indicator term 308
for the open indicator 306 may be "OPENED" or "FLOWING"). In addition to
or as an alternative to the word indicator, the open indicators 306 may have a
color coating. In one embodiment, the open indicator 306 may be a yellow
color. Although the open indicator 306 is described as yellow in one
embodiment, it may be any suitable color (by way of example, the open
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indicator 306 could be blue or green so long as its color is distinguishable
from the color of the closed indicator 304).
[0018] Figure 3A shows the rotor 208 positioned in the open position if it
were
nested in the indicator cover 206. In the open position the four open
indicators
306 align with the windows 210 of the open indicator 306. The rotor 208 will
stay in the open position displaying the open indicators 306 through the
window 210. In this position, the closed indicators 304 are located under the
panels 302, thereby blocking the view of the closed indicators 304. The rotor
208 will stay in the open position until the valve 102 is moved to the closed
position. The valve 102 will remain in the open position until the valve is
closed.
[0019] Figure 3B shows the rotor 208 positioned in the closed position if it
were nested in the indicator cover 206. In the closed position the four closed
indicators 304 align with the windows 210 of the closed indicator 304. In this
position, the open indicators 306 are located under the panels 302, thereby
blocking the view of the open indicators 306.
[0020]The valve position indicator 104 may have the light source 214 as
shown in Figure 2 that illuminates the interior of the rotor 208. The rotor
208
may be made of a semi translucent material that allows the light to pass
through the rotor 208. The light may illuminate the open indicators 306 and
the closed indicators 304. The illumination may allow the open indicator 306
or the closed indicator 304 to be illuminated when they are aligned with the
windows 210. The illumination may allow the open indicator 306 and the
closed indicator 304 to be seen easily by an operator and/or worker on the
valve 102. The light source 214 may be any suitable light source including,
but not limited to, a light emitting diode (LED), a florescent light, an
incandescent light bulb, and the like. The light source 214 may be a clear
light
or a colored one. By way of example, one such embodiment of a light source
214 may be a three-wire LED where powering first and second wires emits
one color (e.g. a yellow light), and powering first and third wires emits a
second color (e.g. a red light). Various different colored light(s) and
options
for different colors may be implemented.
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[0021] The wording "OPEN" and/or "CLOSE" may be omitted in the entirety
from the valve position indicator 104 such that color (and optionally sound)
may be used exclusively to indicate positioning of the valve through the
closed and open indicators 304 & 306. Or, The wording "OPEN" and/or
"CLOSE" plus the closed and open indicators 304 & 306 may be omitted in
the entirety from the valve position indicator 104 such that the entire valve
position indicator 104 (dome as the case may be) illuminates only one given
color at any moment in time to indicate valve position (by way of example
only, the color red illuminating the entire dome indicating "close", the color
"green" indicating "open", and the color "yellow" indicating transitioning
with
the option to include flashing colors for communication as well). In the later
example, it is possible to eliminate the rotor 208, and use a light source(s)
214
only in combination with the indicator cover 206.
[0022]Figure 4 depicts a wiring diagram 400 for the light source 214 of the
valve actuator according to an embodiment. The wiring diagram 400 depicts a
terminal block 402, an open switch 404, a close switch 406, a lamp circuit
408, an open circuit 410, and a close circuit 412. The lamp circuit 408 is
connected to the terminal block 402 at position (2), position (5) and position
(7). The lamp circuit 408 has two supply legs 414a and 414b from position (2)
and position (5) respectively to the light source 214. The lamp circuit 408
has
a return leg 416 returning to position (7) of the terminal block 402. As
shown,
the open circuit 410 is connected to the terminal block 402 at position (1),
position (2), and position (3). When the open switch 404 is in the off
position,
as shown, the open circuit 410 may be supplied from position (1) and returned
to position (3). When the open switch 404 is in the on position, the open
switch 404 is connected to an open switch return leg 418 that is connected to
position (2) of the terminal block 402 that in turn supplies the supply leg
414a
thereby lighting the light source 214. As shown, the close circuit 412 is
connected to the terminal block 402 at position (4), position (5), and
position
(6). When the close switch 406 is in the off position, as shown, the close
circuit 412 may be supplied from position (4) and returned to position (6).
When the close switch 406 is in the on position, the close switch 406 is
connected to a close switch return leg 420 that is connected to position (5)
of
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the terminal block 402 that in turn supplies the supply leg 414b thereby
lighting the light source 214. It should be appreciated that any suitable
circuit
to operate the light source 214 may be used.
[0023] Figure 5 depicts a flowchart depicting a method for operating the valve
position indicator 104 in an embodiment. The flowchart begins at block 500
wherein an indicator cover is provided having one or more windows and one
or more panels. The flowchart continues at block 502 wherein a rotor is
provided having at least one indicator surface at least partially within
the
indicator cover. The flowchart continues at block 504 wherein the rotor is
rotated in response to actuating a valve. The flowchart continues at block 506
wherein the at least one indicator surface moves under the window of the
indicator cover in response to the rotating. The flowchart continues at block
507 wherein the interior of the window is illuminated. The flowchart continues
at block 508 wherein the position of the valve is indicated by viewing the
indicator surface 212 through the window. The flowchart may continue at
block 510 wherein the position of the valve can be sensed and communicated
to a plurality of LED lights.
[0024]Figure 6 depicts a perspective view of a valve position indicator
according to an alternative embodiment in an open position. The embodiment
depicted in Figure 6 includes a row or array of LED lights 600 arranged in a
concentric circle or ring on the indicator mounting surface 107 around and
bordering the rim or perimeter 207 of the indicator cover 206. As seen in
Figures 7A and 7B, the circle of LED lights 600 may be further subdivided into
any number of sections 602 to demonstrate the valve position. The sections
602 may align with the panels 302 and windows 210 of the indicator cover
206. As seen in Figures 7A and 7B, the LED lights 600 comprise four sections
602 of 90 , to align with the two panels 302 and two windows 210 on the
bottom indicator row 300b of the indicator cover 206. It is to be appreciated
that the disclosure encompasses embodiments comprising different
combinations of numbers of panels 302, windows 210, and sections 602.
[0025]The LED lights 600 also participate in visually indicating the valve
position through illumination in combination with or complementary to the
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embodiment depicted in Figure 2 (although such features may also be
implemented independent of or without the indicator cover 206 and rotor 208).
Specifically, the LED lights 600 can easily indicate the gradual increment,
percentage, amount, or degree by which valve 102 is open through a
combination of illuminated LEDs, un-illuminated LEDs, and/or different color
LEDs. The gradual increment, percentage, amount, or degree that valve 102
is open may be communicated by a sensor 226 (see Fig. 2 for example)
located on, proximate or near the actuator shaft 108. By way of example only,
and as depicted in Figure 7A, if the valve 102 (i.e. and actuator shaft 108)
is
halfway or fifty percent open, then fifty percent, or 450 of the contiguous
lights
of the 90 in section 602 of LED lights 600 may be illuminated (via sensor 226
providing a signal to the array of LED lights 600), and 45 of the remainder
of
each section 602 would not be illuminated. If the valve 102 is fully open, as
is
depicted in Figure 6, the entire circle of LED lights 600 would be
illuminated; if
the valve 102 is fully closed, the entire circle of LED lights 600 would not
be
illuminated (or may be illuminated in as alternative color, such as, for
example, red).
[0026] In addition, and as another example depicted in Figure 7B, if the
circle
of LED lights 600 were to be divided into four sections 602 of 90 and the
valve 102 were one-third open, then one-third, or 30 of each subsection of
the LED lights 600 would be illuminated, and 60 of each subsection of the
LED lights 600 would not be illuminated. Alternatively, illumination of the
LED
lights 600 may be used to indicate the increment, percentage, amount, or
degree by which the valve 102 is closed, and the number of un-illuminated
LED lights 600 may be used to indicate the degree by which the valve 102 is
open.
[0027] Further, circle of LED lights 600 may consist of two indicator colors,
where a first color may indicate the amount that the valve 102 is open, and
the second color may indicate the amount that the valve 102 is closed. By
way of example only, a green illuminated color may indicate an incremental
open position, and a red illuminated color may indicate an incremental closed
position. The LED lights 600 may be clear or of any illuminated color. In
addition, the LED lights 600 function in conjunction with the position
indicators
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301, position indicator terms 308 and/or light source 214 to show the valve
position.
[0028] The row or array of LED lights 600 as shown are a plurality of
equidistantly spaced panes 604 arranged in a continuous concentric circle or
ring around and bordering the rim or perimeter 207 of the indicator cover 206.
However, the row or array could be less than completing an entire circle or
ring, for example, running only in arcs of ninety degrees in two sets. The
panes 604 as shown are rectangular although they could be another shape
(e.g., square, round, etc.). The panes 604 could be flush, raised, crowned, or
bulbous relative to the indicator mounting surface 107. The pane(s) 604 could
be a single unitary strip pane of annular, "C"-shape, tapered spiral, linear
(all
not shown) or other shape mounted on the indicator mounting surface 107
bordering the rim or perimeter 207 of the indicator cover 206.
[0029] The indicator mounting surface 107 may include ridge(s) 606, 608 and
plateau(s)/furrow(s) 610 as part of a clamping/clasping mechanism for
retention of the indicator cover 206, to raise or enhance the visibility panes
604, and/or simply to enhance the appearance of the valve position indicator
106. First ridge 606 may be taller than second ridge 608.
[0030] Figure 8 depicts an underside view of the valve position indicator 104
and Figure 9 depicts a front view of the valve position indicator 104 in the
"CLOSED" position according to an embodiment. Figures 8 and 9 together
illustrate the actuator shaft 108 in relation to the other features of valve
position indicator 104. Note that the actuator shaft 108 preferably rests
directly beneath the indicator cover 206 and rotor 208. The actuator shaft 108
is connected to the valve position indicator 104 at one end through an
actuator shaft connector 216 (see Fig. 2) and actuates the rotor 208 to
display
one or more indicator surfaces 212. At the other end, the actuator shaft 108
is connected to the valve 102 (see Fig. 1). When valve 102 changes position
between an open and closed position, the actuator shaft 108 relays or
communicates the change to the valve position indicator 104, and the position
is displayed by the indicator surfaces 212 and/or LED lights 600.
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[0031]Figure 10 depicts a top view of another embodiment of the valve
position indicator 104. The valve position indicator 104 in Figure 10 has a
circle of LED lights 600 divided into four sections 602 which are set on top
of
indicator mounting surface 107. However, in the embodiment envisioned in
Figure 10, the embodiment does not have an indicator cover 206 or rotor 208
on the center of indicator mounting surface 107a (i.e. the center of the
indicator mounting surface 107a is simply a continuation of the indicator
mounting surface 107 as bounded or divided by the array of LED lights 600
arranged in a circle or annular ring). Rather, the indication of the valve 102
position is communicated to the viewer by the illumination of the circle of
LED
lights 600 without the aid of the dome-shaped indicator cover 206, rotor 208,
and/or indicator terms 308. The valve 102 depicted in Figure 10 is at half-
open and half-close position, which is illustrated in the illumination of each
section 602. Within each section 602, 50% of the panes 604 of the LED lights
600 are illuminated a first color to communicate an open position, and 50% of
the panes 604 of LED lights 600 are un-illuminated (or alternatively,
illuminated a second color) to communicate a closed position. Although four
sections 602 are illustrated in the embodiment, it is to be appreciated that
any
number of sections 602 may be utilized to communicate the position of the
valve 102 to the observer of the valve position indicator 104.
[0032]While the embodiments are described with reference to various
implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these
embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject
matter
is not limited to them. Many
variations, modifications, additions and
improvements are possible. For example,
the implementations and
techniques used herein may be applied to any one way valve in multiple types
of piping systems, for example pump systems.
[0033] Plural
instances may be provided for components, operations or
structures described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and
functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary
configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component.
Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may
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be implemented as separate components. These and other variations,
modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the
inventive subject matter.
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