Patent ID: 8130107
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: G01M,G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling the flow of a substance comprising: a valve coupled to an intake and an outtake for the substance; a rotatable portion coupled to the valve that selectively places the valve into an open position that allows flow of the substance from the intake to the outtake or a closed position that prevents the substance from flowing from the intake to the outtake; at least one sensor located remotely from the valve that can detect the presence of the substance; a control unit configured to receive signals from the sensor; an actuator coupled to the control unit by at least a pair of wires that are coupled to each the actuator and the control unit according to polarity, wherein the actuator will selectively control the valve to the open position or the closed position in response to at least one signal from the control unit placed upon at least one wire of the pair of wires; at least one mechanical stop contained within the actuator configured to produce a stall signal after a 90 degree movement of the rotatable portion, the stall signal being indicative of the rotatable portion reaching either the open position or the closed position, the stall signal being generated due to increased current draw on the actuator upon completion of said 90 degree movement; and a valve control mechanism within the control unit configured to respond to an instruction to place the valve in either the open position or the closed position and place the signal on the pair of wires to control the valve to the open position or the closed position as dictated by the instruction; wherein upon reception from the sensor that the substance has been detected, the valve control mechanism will generate the instruction to placed the valve into the closed position.