Patent ID: 9110474
Filing Date: 2015-08-18
Classification: F16K,F28F,G01F,G01K,G01L,G05B,G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A constant-flow control valve and BTU meter assembly coupleable to a fluid-based heating or cooling system with a heating or cooling device at least a portion of which defines a heating or cooling load, fluid supply and return lines connected to the heating or cooling device, and temperature sensors connected to the fluid supply and return lines and configured to measure fluid temperatures of supply fluid and return fluid relative to the heating or cooling device, wherein a temperature difference between the first and second temperatures is a temperature change across the heating or cooling load, the constant-flow control valve and BTU meter assembly comprising: a flow control valve assembly connectable to the fluid-based heating or cooling system, the flow control valve assembly having an inlet and an outlet a fluid path therein extending between the inlet and outlet, an adjustable valve member disposed in at least a portion of the fluid path, and a valve stem connected to the valve member and being rotatable as a unit to change the position of valve member, wherein the position of the valve member relative to the fluid path is directly related to the fluid flow rate through the fluid path; a first fluid pressure sensor positioned to measure the fluid pressure of fluid entering the inlet; a second fluid pressure sensor positioned to measure the fluid pressure of fluid exiting the outlet, wherein a difference between the first and second pressures is the pressure drop across the valve assembly; and a BTU meter assembly connected to the valve stem, wherein the valve stem is rotatable relative to at least a portion of the BTU meter assembly, the BTU meter assembly having a position sensor coupled to the valve stem, the position sensor being configured to detect a rotational position of the valve stem, the BTU meter assembly having a controller coupleable to the position sensor, to the first and second pressure sensors, and to the first and second temperature sensors, the controller being configured to determine the fluid flow rate based upon the pressure drop across the valve assembly and the rotational position of the valve stem, and the controller being configured to determine energy usage of the heating or cooling device based upon the flow rate and the temperature change across the heating or cooling load.