ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED CUT-OFF VALVE SYSTEM WITH PARTICULAR APPLICATION AS AN ANTI-FLOODING DEVICE

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronically controlled cut-off valve system with particular application as an anti-flooding device. The cut-off valve system contains an encased electronic circuit (3) triggered by a signal from an external unit detecting an emergency condition, a mechanical membrane cut-off valve with an elastic driving element (15) compressed, in the open state of the valve, by means of an external element (5) setting the state of the valve, in the form of a double-arm lever (14), and a member (4) holding/releasing the lever (14), controlled by the said electronic circuit (3), being a magnetic-electromagnetic member and located outside the body (2) of the membrane cut-off valve. The body (2) is also equipped with a flow duct (10) with an inlet (11) and an outlet (12). The body (2) of the membrane valve is part of a housing (1), the latter being of compact construction and containing, simultaneously, the electronic circuit (3), the holding/releasing member (4) of the lever (14), and a separate and independent d.c. supply unit (6), sealed in a chamber (8) and separated in the housing (1), and containing an exchangeable d.c. supplying member in the form of a single 1.5V LR6 Mignon type battery.

Description: Electronically controlled cut-off valve system with particular- application as an anti-flooding device The invention relates to an electronically controlle cut-off valve system with particular application as a anti-flooding device. It allows the user to set its stand-b state and protects, against flooding, rooms in which washin machines, dish washers or other appliances obtaining their wate intake through a bib valve have been installed. In these case the electronic circuit of a cut-off valve cooperates with a electrode unit which detects any appearance of a liqui conducting an electric current on the SLtrface protected against flooding. Moreover, the electronically controlled cut-off valv system may also be employed in cases where an out-of-control outflow of water or other electrolyte from any open tanks fille through bib valves appears. Furthermore, in cooperation with suitable emergency state detector, the system may be ι.-tsed t sht.it off pipe flow in cases of sudden flow pressure drop or du to other detectable quantities that are characteristic o out-of-control emergency states as well as due to changes in th level of quantities characteristic of controlled dynamic states. Polish patent file No.89749 describes an electromagnetic water valve that is mounted on a water pipe and is designed for the protection of rooms against flooding by water. The electromagnetic valve unit cooperates with a water level float detector. A drive unit of that valve consists of a handwheel, a rotary spindle with a return spring installed on it, and a disk with recesses which catch on a rotation lirniter and a protrutsion on the armature of an electromagnet operated through contacts associated with the water level detector float. The valve is equipped with a housing mounted above the water pipe. Inside the housing is a rotary spindle with a disk having recesses on its circumference which, during rotation, catch on a rotation lirniter and a protrLtsion on the armature of an electromagnet. The water level detector is comprised of a body inside of which there is a sliding float with a mandrel at whose end is a contact. Another contact is on the water-tigh cover of the detector's body. If the water level rises, the float is lifted up until both contacts are connected. At- that- point, an electr circuit is closed and a relay is operated. The relay, throu its protrusion on the armat-L.re, unlocks the disk which, und the action of a return spring, rotates together with the rota spindle Ltnt-il the disk catches on the rotation lirniter. In th position, water inflow is CLtt-off. In order to open the val again, it is necessary to rotate the disk, by means of t external handwheel of the spindle, until the disk catches on t protrusion on the armature of the electromagnet again. An electronically controlled cut-off valve system is al known. It- is designed for the protection against- flooding rooms in which automatic washing machines or other applianc deriving water through a bib valve are Ltsed. This system i produced by SIEMENS AS, Sermany under the name WASSERWACHTE SET type 5 A 3øβø. In this system a solenoid valve cooperate through an electronic circuit with an electrode Ltnit mounte permanently to the floor of the room being protected agains flooding. An emergency condition is signalled through a cable t the input of an electronic circuit when the electrodes of thi unit- are connected by a thin layer of water acting as conductive liquid. This emergency condition signal triggers th system which, in turn, causes the valve to be shut off. A supply unit is equipped with a separate housing, whic contains the electronic section of the control system. This uni is mounted on a wall near an outlet- socket to which the unit i connected. The electromagnetic cut-off valve is eqLiipped with separate housing and is connected to the supply unit by means o a cable. The body of the valve is equipped with an inlet an outlet socket- ferrule that- connects the flow duct of the valv and is mounted to the outlet of bib valve. A length of hos connecting the water sttpply to the washing machine is screwe onto the outlet of the cut-off valve. The above mentioned electrode unit of the resistive detect r for the appearance of conductive liquids cooperates with the previously described valve. It has an insulating moulding resembling a type of flat electrical outlet plug. Two condL.ctive electrodes are installed close to each other on the front face of this body. The signal cable of the unit contai ing wi es connected to the electrodes extends out the narrowing end of th curved body. The insLtlating rnoLilding is rnoLtnt d flat on th surface protected and in this position there remains a throug clearance between the lowest point- of the given conductiv electrode and the protected stirface for the purpose o preventing reaction to slight- dampness unrelated to any real flooding. The designs described above have a number of faults and drawbacks. The first is rather primitive in its operation although it possesses a complicated strLtcture. It requires a precise tooling of the rotary component of the spindle and its rno'-tnting and sealing in the valve body so as to eliminate the danger of any locking of the rotary part dLie to the settlement of mineral deposits inside the body of the valve dLtring the long periods between emergency operations. Effective operation of the valve requires considerable force to rotate the spindle and, consequently, a considerable attractive force from the electromagnet's armature. This effect may be achieved by Ltεing an electromagnet with a large activating current obtained, most often, from the mains. The float detector cannot be used to protect rooms against surface flooding. The second design also requires an electrical stipply from the mains. In the stand-by state, energy is consL.rned continuously and lost in the winding of the valve's electromagnet. Individual sub-assemblies of the valve are mounted in separate housings and connected with cables which results in an enlargement of the unit's size and a reduction of the level of its reliability. Supplying electricity from the mains creates the danger of electric shock and requires the proper installation of a separate, well insulated, outlet socket. The construction of the above described electrode unit and its cooperation with the valve necessitates that it be mounted according to precisely defined and stable service positions imposed by the mariLifacturer as only such will allow for its effective operation. In cases of unintention l moistening from above of the front face with the conductive electrodes, even a small amount of liqi-tid will create an uninterrupted water film connecting these electrodes and cause a reaction resulting in the closing of the valve. Furthermore, the signal cable leadin OLtt from the insulating body of the unit is hardly sttitable fo the task of locating the electrodes in relation to the protecte surface without mounting the body to it. The stiffness an thickness of this cable aggravate the stability of the uni positioned withot-it mottnting it- to the protected sttrface a specified by the manu acturer. On the other hand, many user will be reluctant to -perform this mounting, not wanting t disturb the material covering the protected surface in suc rooms as a kitchen or a bathroom. The purpose of the present invention is an electronicall controlled cut-off valve system with particular application a an anti-flooding device that cooperates with an electrode unit detecting an emergency state signalled by the appearance of liquid conducting an electric cLtrrer.t on the SL-irface protecte against flooding, a unit where the mechanical parts of the cut-off valve, the electronic circuit- and the exe jtive member- it controls, as well as the power supply would be of compact design. At the same time, the invention tends towards making the system independent of an external power supply in order to achieve full independence, on the one hand, while, on the other hand, a level of supply voltage that is safe for the user. Furthermore, the proposed design attempts to incorporate an external element that is accessible to the user for setting the state of the valve after each emergency operation. Another aim is to retain minimal dimensions of the device while obtaining the optimum forces of operation for its execLttive elements that would be efficient for both cutting off water and in holding the valve at- the stand-by condition. Another essential aim is to obtain energy consumption only during the emergency reaction of the valve which would lead to the possibility of using a battery as sin exchangeable power sttpply, one that- would, under such conditions, give many years of service life. As regards the unit's sensitivity, the aim of the invention is SL-ich a design of the executive member and the electrode unit which ensures immediate reaction to the genuine appearance of an emergency state and, simultaneously, is resistant- to dampness or a slight unintentional splashing of water on the surface protected against flooding. Another aim of the invention is an electrode Linit for the purpose of detecting liquids condLtcting an electric current whose design features would, on the one hand, ensure the proper- operation of the unit in any service position, and, on the other hand, limit or eliminate the possibility of activating the unit in cases of dampness or unintentional splashing with water which do not constitute a real emergency. An essential aim is also the requirement that the electrode unit be self-righting by virtue of its permanent design features even after attempts have been made to dislocate it to a non-service position on the surface protected against- flooding. The electronically controlled cut-off valve system with particular application as an anti-flooding device contains a sealed electronic circuit triggered by means of a signal from a unit detecting an emergency condition, a mechanical membrane cut-off valve with an elastic driving element that is compressed in the open-position of the valve by means of an external element which sets the state of the valve, and a holding/releasing member of this external element which sets the state of the valve that is controlled by the said electronic circuit and is located outside the body of the mechanical membrane cut-off valve which is also equipped with a flow duct with an inlet and outlet. The essence of the design is that the body of the membrane cut-off valve is part- of a compact unit which contains an electronic circuit that- is connected by means of a signal cable to the external unit- detecting the emergency condition, the holding/releasing member of the external element- setting the state of the valve controlled by this electronic circuit, and a separate and independent- d.c. power supply unit. At- the same time, the independent d.c. supply unit is separated from the body of the membrane cut-off valve by the part of the housing containing the electronic circuit and the holding/releasing member of the external elemen setting the state of the valve controlled by this electronic circuit. Furthermore, the housing contains a separate chamber for the independent power d.c. supply unit- that is sealed off from the part of the housing that- contains the electronic circuit and the holding/releasing member of the external element setting the state of the valve which is controlled by this electronic circuit. Moreover, the independent d.c. power sLtpply unit h contacts for a replaceable power sLtpply element placed in th chamber and galvanically connected to pro - r connecti terminals of the electronic circuit controlling t holding/releasing member of the external element which sets t state of the valve. The holding/releasing member is the magnetic-electromagneti member while the external elemen setting the state of the valv is a double-arm lever which, when the valve is op<≥ ι compresse an elastic driving element located in the body of the valv acting on an axial pressing down element of the valve' membrane. The lever is connected by a universal join to th external tip of the axial pressing down element of the membran and cooperates throLtgh its working surfaces which are in th form of rollers with the surface of the valve body in which th said axial pressing down element has been located in a more o less perpendicular position. The magnetic-electromagnetic member, being the part tha holds and releases the lever, contains an electromagne activated by an electronic circuit that is triggered by a external signal from the ttnit detecting an emergency condition. The core of the elecro agnet is linked with a permanent magne with polarization that is opposite to that of the field of th electromagnetic coil so that in the open position of th membrane valve, when there is no signal of an emergenc condition, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, actin through the pole shoes of the electromagnet's magnetic core, exerts a force sufficient to hold the lever down. Advantageously, inside its motive arm, the lever contains a small magnetic armature, coupled with the pole shoes of the electromagnet's core which are polarized by the permanen magnet. At the same time, there is a rettrn spring between the motive arm of the lever and the opposite wall of the hOL.sing. The ends of the pole shoes of the magnetic core of the electromagnet's coil are polarized by the permanent magnet, and couple the magnetic armature of the lever, and are located visibly in the aforementioned wall of the housing opposite the inside of the motive lever arm. The magnetic core of the electromagnet's coil consists of the previously mentioned permanent magnet and two separate, longitudinal, magnetic strip elements associated in sLtch a way that their ends are located inside the housing and adhere from each side to this permanent magnet thus forming the magnetic channel core of an electromagnet while their opposite free ends form pole shoes of this magnetic core that- are located, as previously mentioned, visibly in the wall of the housing opposite the lever. The coil of the electromagnet is located on one arm of the magnetic core above the permanent- magnet- and is also associated with a contact switch located within the influence of its electromagnetic field. This is preferably a reed contact- and is the element that- applies full SLtpply voltage to this coil of the electromagnet during detection of an emergency condition. It is also favourable if the lever has an element located at the end of the side wall of its motive arm that indirectly disconnects one contact of one pole of the replaceable d.c. supply unit from one end of the electromagnet's coil immediately after the magnetic armature of the lever is released from the field of the previottεly mentioned permanent magnet- during its motion forced by its return spring and the elastic driving element of the membrane valve compressed by the lever when the valve is open. In such a case, it is favourable that this elemen which indirectly disconnects the coil and the power sLtpply is an additional permanent magnet whose magnetic field is associated with an auxiliary contact switch when the valve is open. This is preferably a reed contact located inside the housing in sc-ich a way that this additional permanent- magnet- that- is located on one of the side walls of the motive arm of the lever which stirrounds the housing from outside when the valve is open holds the aijxiliary contact switch in a shorted state by means of its magnetic field. The emergency motion of the motive arm of the lever together with this additional permanent magnet that is initiated by the field of the electromagnet actuated by the emergency activated electronic circuit and forced by the return spring, resLtlts in the di connection of this auxiliary switch. If the system described above is the anti-flooding CLtt-off — t-i — valve system, then the unit- detecting an emergency condition the electrode unit and contains two conductive electrod located visibly in its insulating body and separated by t shaped part of this insulating body. The length of the surfa of this shaped part in an expanded view in any axial plane the electrode unit is greater than the distance between t conductive electrodes themselves. This shaped part of electrode unit- uniformly separating t conductive electrodes is united entirely through the electrodes with the shaped supporting elements of the insulati body which in any service position of the unit in profile gi an approximately even throLtgh-clearance between the sttrfa rotected against flooding and the lower profile of the segme of the electrode unit located between the shaped sLtpport-i elements. The shaped supporting elements of the insulating bo of the electrode unit- together with the shaped part and t conductive electrodes form a solid of revoltttion who longitudinal axis is approximately parallel to the flat εtirfac protected against flooding in any service position of the unit Furthermore, the shaped part of the insulating body of th electrode unit separating the conductive electrodes contain within itself the connecting wires of these electrodes which ar inserted into a common insLtlating guard exiting the protectiv element- as a flexible cable. This signal cable together with th protective element forces the transition of the unit from a unstable position to a service-resting position on the surfac protected against flooding. This protective element, is locate on the mid-point of the shaped part of the insulating bod between the conductive electrodes of the unit. It- is favourable that- the protective element is permanentl joined with the shaped part of the insulating body of th electrode unit- thus forming an integrated element. The design of the present invention embodies a compac construction which contains, in one common housing, a mechanica membrane cut-off valve, an electronic circLtit, holding/releasing member of the external element setting th state of the valve, and a separate and independent d.c. sttppl unit with an exchangeable d.c. sttpplying member. The external element setting the state of the valve is a utser accesible doLtble-arrn lever. Due to such features, the valve is small an suitable for the standard dimensions of water pipes and the standard pressctres inside them. Use of the double-arm lever m the design of the valve system makes it- possible to optimize the force necessary for holding the valve in the open state by means of a permanent magnet, that is part of the magnetic core of the electromagnet of the holding/releasing member. The d.c. supply unit, makes the valve system independent of any external conditions. Use of the additional permanent magnet in association with the auxiliary contact switch of the supply circuit, ensures consumption of current from the exchangeabl d.c. supplying member only for a fraction of second during ark- emergency reaction of the valve which results in several years of service life for the exchangeable d.c. supplying member under such conditions. The Liεe of the driving unit with the double-arm lever, the electronic circctit, and the member holding/rel asing the lever make it possible to use a 1.5V LR6 Mi non type cell as the SLtpplying member and make the valve absolutely safe for the user. The lever is the element setting the state of the valve and is directly accessible after the appearance of an emergency- state which is indicated by its position. The simplicity of t e valve's design ensures the required compactness of the water- unit and its effective separation from the other sub-assemblies of this construction. Thanks to the incorporation of the electrode unit, the valve,, system of this invention ensures effective protection against, flooding and is characterized by immediate reaction to an uncontrolled outflow of water. The design, due to the deεcribed shapes and location of individual insulating elements of the body of the electrode unit and the conductive electrodes ensures SLtitable and effective operation of the unit in any position on the SLtrface protected against flooding. This is guaranteed by the above mentioned' structural features. The fact that, in any position, the shaped supporting elements of the insulating body adjoin to the protected surface through the small segments of their circular profiles, ensures effective reaction of the unit during emergency inflow of liquid from any εide. As well, the developed surface of the shaped part- separating the conductive electrodes - lø - preventε any udue reaction particularly when the detector only dampened or some unintentional non-damaging splashing fr above occurs. In such cases, the εide surface profile of of th shaped part effectively precludes the creation of uninterrupted film of condttctive liqttid between the electrode In case of flooding from below, the εide SLtrface profile of t shaped part of the insulating body does not impede the creati of such an uninterrupted film dute to the fact that the film created on a flat- and, as a rule, protected SLtrface. In th case only the thickness of this L4ni .terrL.pted film of condLicti liquid is essential. It shoL4ld be noted that each of t conductive electrodes are located in the instlating body betwe an extreme shaped supporting element and one end of the shape body part. This is an Linessential design featttre of the presen invention. It iε also possible to imagine a s lL4ti n wit equivalent- features where the condL4ctive electrodes are locate at- the edges of the insulating body. The present construction however, is more advantageoL4s, both as regards its operation an the technology of prodLtction. The εlightly bowled, radiall shaped εide surfaces of the shaped supporting elements of th insL4lating body together with their described edge locatio cause the unit to shift- aijtomatically to a suitable servic position even from an unintentional vertical location of th unit on the protected SLtrface. This occurs due to the shapes o the sides of these sL4PPorting elements and the protectin element with the signal cable. The present invention will now be described by means o examples with reference, to the attached drawings in which: Fig. presents the local view and a partial section of the valv system housing in the axis of the water duct. Fig.2 presents th end view of the narrow back wall of the valve system housin from the inlet- side together with the OLttlet of the signal cabl to the unit detecting the emergency condition. Fig.3 presents the axial view of the electrode L4nit detecting the emergency condition of water flooding the surface protected by the cut-off valve system according to the anti-flooding version of the invention. Fig.4 presents a cross-section, A-A, of the electrode unit marked in Fig.3. Fig.5 presents a circLJit- diagram of the electronic circuit and elements of the lever holding/releasing member of the valve connected to the electronic circuit. In the design presented in Figs.1 and 2, the electronically controlled cut-off valve syεtern has housing 1_, being a compact construct-ion containing the body 2 of the mechanical membrane cut-off valve, the electronic circuit 3 that- controls member 4 hoiding/releasing the external element 5 setting the state of the membrane valve, and the separate independent d.c. supply unit 6. From the housing i, from the electronic circuit 3, a cable is led oL4t to the external unit detecting an emergency condition. The independent- d.c. supply ij it- 6 is separated from the body 2 of the membrane cut-off valve by par 7 or" -≡ housing 1_ that contains the electronic circuit 3 and the member 4 holding/releasing the external element 5 setting the state of the valve. The housing 1_ below part 7 has a separate chamber 8 of the independent d.c. εt4pply unit 6 tightly separated from par 7 of the housing 1 . by a wall 9. The independen d.c. supply unit 6 has connecting contacts, not εhown in the drawing, located on the narrow walls of the chamber 8 and assigned to the exchangeable d.c. supplying member in the form of a 1.5V LR6 Mignon type cell. These connecting contacts are connected to suitable connecting terminals in the electronic circuit 3 The body 2 of the valve contains the flow duct 1@_ with an inlet- _ i_ and an outlet 12, the inlet being equipped with the joining nut 13. The holding/releasing member 4 is a magnetic-el ctromagnetic member. The external element. 5 setting the state of the valve and held and released by this magnetic electromagneti member is the double-arm lever 14. This double-arm lever _^4_, when the valve iε open, co preεεes the elaεtic driving element 15, settled in the body j_ acting upon the axial pressing down element ___6 of the membrane V of the valve. The lever 1_4 is joined by a universal joint with an external tip of the axial pressing down element j_(__ and cooperates with the external stjrface _}____ of the body 2 in which the axial pressing down element _16 iε settled, more or leεε perpendicLJlarly, by means of the radial parts of its working surfaces in the form of rollers ______. The magnetic-electromagnetic member 4 holding/releasing the lever 1_4 contains the electromagnet act-Ltated by the electronic circuit. 3 which is triggered by the signal of the emergency condi ion. The channel core of the electromagne contains the permanent magnet 2ø whose magnetic field iε of opposite polarization to th polarization of the magnetic field of the electromagnet's coi 21 which is actuated in the emergency state. In the ope position of the membrane valve, when there iε no signal of a emergency condition, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet acting through the pole εhoeε 22 of the magnetic core of th electromagnet, creates a force holding the lever ______ whic contains inside its motive arm 23 a small magnetic armature 2 cot4pled with the pole εhoeε 22 of the magnetic core of the coi 21 of the electromagnet. Between the motive arm 23 of the leve 14 and the opposite wall 25 . of the housing 1 ^ there is a retur spring 26 one end of which iε fastened to that wall 25 ^ of th housing 1 . in which the ends of the pole shoes 22 of th electromagnet are visibly located. The magnetic core of the coil 21 of the electromagnet- consists of the permanent magnet 2 mentioned before and two separate longitudinal magnetic strip elements 27 associated in such a way that- the ends of the strip elementε 27 which are located inside the housing 1_ in its part 7 each adhere to one side of the permanent magnet- 2ø thus forming a magnetic channel core of the electromagnet. The coil 2_i_ of the electromagnet is located on one of the strip elements 22 in an insulating bobbin above the permanent magnet 2ø. Through an internal hole iri the bobbin of the coil 21_, an additional thin magnetic strip element iε led. The magnetic strip element- is bent at- its ends and equipped with clamp half-rings 28 mounting the contact switch 29_ in the form of a reed contact which is aεεociated with the coil ______ within the limits of influence of its electromagnetic field. The contact switch 29 is the element cooperating with the electronic circLtit 3 and is connected electrically to this circuit. The contact switch 29 is fastened from one side to one contact of the chamber 8 of the exchangeable d.c. supplying unit and from the other side to one end of the coil 21 . of the electromagnet and during the detection of an emergency condition iε the element applying full εttpply voltage to the coil 21 ^ of the electromagnet. The lever _14_ has settled on the end of the bottom side wall of its motive arm 23 an additional permanent magnet 3ø which iε the element that indirectly disconnects the second contact of the chamber 8 of the said supplying member from the second end of the coil 21 of the electromagnet. This occtrs immediately after the releasin of the magnetic ar at-Ltre 24 of the lever _14_ from the field o the permanent magnet 2 during its motion forced by its retur spring 26 and the elastic driving element JL5 . of the membran valve which is compressed by the lever 1__4 when the valve i open. The magnetic field of the additional permanent magnet 3 is aεεociated, when the valve iε open, with the auxiliar contact switch 31 . which lε m the form of the reed contact located inside part 7 of the body 1_ next to the wall 9. When th valve is open,the walls of the motive arm 23 ^ of the lever 1 surround the housing 1 . from each εide while the additional permanent magnet 30 which is located in one of the walls hold the auxiliary contact switch 31_ in the shorted state. Emergenc motion of the motive arm 23 of the lever 1,4 . along with th additional permanent magnet 3ø_ results m disconnection of th aLtxiliary contact switch 3__L and, in effect, disconnecti n of the supply source. It iε obvious from the described method of cooperation between the elements of the holding/releasing member and the uεe of magnetic fieldε that the construction of the part 7 of the houεing 1. must not- interfere with their cooperation. In the anti-flooding version of the CL4t-off valve system, the signal cable 32, led out from the side of the housing 1 . from the electronic circuit 3, is connected to the electrode unit which responds to an undesired OLJtflow of liqLtid onto the surface protected against flooding. The electrode L4nιt consists of the insulating body 33_ and two conductive electrodes 34 settled m this body which are connected galvanically to εeparate inεulated wireε 35 of the signal cable 32 which leads out- from the insulating body 33. The insulating body 33 has shaped supporting elements 36 with a circular axial profile and a εide profile that haε a somewhat bowl shaped radial part at the external side of the Ltnit. The conductive electrodes 34 are settled m the insulating body 33 behind the supporting elements 36 and are separated by the shaped part 37 of the insulating body 33. The unit rests upon the surface 38 protected against flooding, leaning on small segments of the circular perimeters of the supporting elements 36 The conductive electrodes 34 are in the shape of disks with diameters somewhat smaller than the diameters of the supporting elementε 36. Accordingly, there exists a safe through-clearan 39 between the lowest- points of the edges of the condL4cti electrodes 34 and the surface protected against- flooding 38. T shaped part 37 of the insLtlating body 33 separating t condLtctive electrodes 34 has a cylindrical shank 4_ø fitted wi circular fins ______ which form the grooveε 42 between them. It due to such a conεtrL4ction that the length of the side SL4rfa of this shaped part in an expanded view in any axial plane the unit iε considerably greater than the distance between t condi.tct.ive electrodes 34 which prevents any unintention reaction of the unit when it- iε dampened or splashed from abo since the fins 41 . and the grooveε 42 impede the creation of uninterrupted film of conductive liquid between the conducti electrodes 34. Looking from below, in any service position the unit, the profile of the shaped par 37 forms through-clearance 43 between the SL4rface 38 protected again flooding and the lower profile of a segment of the unit locat between the shaped supporting elements 36 of the insulating bo 33 The unit is a solid of revolution with its longitudinal axi approximately parallel to the flat- SL4rface 38 protected agains flooding in any of its working positions. The shaped part 37 . o the insulating body 33 contains the wires 35 of the conductiv electrodes 34 which are inserted into one common insulatin guard in the protective element 44 forming the signal cable 3 at its exit. This, together with the protective element 44 i the member that forces transition of the unit from an unstabl position to the rest-service position on the surface 3 protected against flooding. The protective element 44 i permanently joined with the εhaped part 37_ of the insulatin body 33 forming a L4nified element. The element 44 iε located o the shaped part of 37 and joined with its fins 41_ in th mid-point between the conductive electrodes 34 separated by th shaped part 37. The conductive electrodes 34 have central holes, not shown in the drawing, through which a plastic material join the shaped supporting elements 36 and the shaped part- 3_7 of th insulating body 33 into one uniform element which contains th conductive electrodes 34 and their connecting wires 35. Th protective element 44 has the profile of a finned frustum of cone . Fig.5 presents the diagram of the electronic circuit- 3 and its electrical connections with the cooperating elements of the holding/releasing member 4 and the conductive electrodes 3_4. The active element of the electronic circuit 3 is the thyristor TY which iε triggered by the gate current appearing when a liqi4id conducting an electric current connects the conductive electrodes 34. Passive elements R_i, ϋ_2, £1 a d ______ set the optimum working conditions for the thyristor TY. The contac switch 3 . is shown in the closed state forced by the magnetic field of the additional permanent magnet 3ø, this magnet being translocated together with the motive arm 23 of the lever 14. When the valve is open, the axial pressing down element 1 is pulled out by the lever .14 . to the highest- position of its external tip. Si ultaneoLiεly, inside the body 2 it compresses the elastic driving element .155 in the form of a coil spring. By means of the rollers, 19 the lever (14) leans against the external εurface 18 of the body 2 in εL4ch a way that the support points and the axis of the lever's rotation lie on one plane with the longitudinal axis of the axial pressing down element 16. The value of the force necessary for keeping the lever JL4 in this position which is applied to the end of the motive arm 23 of the lever JL4 by the holding/releasing member 4 iε minimal and depends only on the value of the force exerted on the lever 14. by the return spring. When the valve iε open, the lever . 14 iε held by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 2ø. Thiε polarizes the pole εhoeε 22 of the magnetic core of the coil 2_1_ of the electromagnet and coupleε the magnetic armature 24 of the lever 1__4. The coil 2 of the electromagnet iε not SLtpplied with voltage and the contact εwitch 29 associated with the el ctromagnetic field of this coil iε open. The auxiliary contact, switch 3_1 iε closed by the magnetic field of the additional permanent magnet 3ø which together with the motive arm 23 of the lever 4 touches the side wall of the housing acting upon the contact switch 31. In the case of an emergency which reεctlts in out-of-control outflow of water or a liqijid conducting an electric cLtrrent onto the surface 38 protected against flooding. operation of the electrode unit iε dependant upon the thickneεε of the liqu layer which will appear between its conductive electrodes 34. small accidental outflow will not create an uninterrupted fi of liqLtid which would connect the conductive electrodes 3 Similarly, dampening or splashing of the insulating body 33 the electrode unit from above will not connect these electrod dtie to the fact- that the SL4rface of the shaped par 37 of t insulating body 33 iε developed by the fins 4 and grooveε 42. These electrodes 34 become connected in the case of a rea emergency that- results in an outflow which qLtickly forms a uninterrupted film between them. The resistance between th electrodes actuateε the electronic circuit 3 which applies part- of the supply voltage to the coil 2 of the electromagnet The coil 21 generates an electromagnetic field with polarizatio opposite to the polarization of the magnetic field of th permanent magnet 2j3 which is a part- of its channel magneti core. The influence of the el ctromagnetic field of the coil o the field of the permanent magnet 2ø iε now not- strong enough t enable release of the magnetic armature 24 of the lever 1_4 Linde the action of the return spring's 26 force εince the αjrren flowing through the circuit of the coil 21 dL to the electroni circuit 3 lε not sufficient to accompliεh thiε task. The fiel of the coil 2 ,however, iε εL4fficient to cloεe the associate contact switch 29 which applies the full voltage of th exchangeable d.c. supplying member through its closed contact to coil 21 which resultε in the current in the coil 2 bein high enough to overcome the field of the permanent- magnet- 2ø. The magnetic armature 2 * 4 of the lever 14 iε released. The lever 14 is puεhed away from the housing 1 by the return spring 26 and makes a rotation on a pin joining thiε lever to the axial preεεing down element 6 and is ptilled together with the axial pressing down element JL6 . by the expanding elastic driving element 15 inside the body 2 of the valve. The axial pressing down element 1_6 which shifts together with the elastic driving element- 15 presses, by means of its stop flange, the membrane 1_7 of the valve. The membrane, pressed against the internal outlet of the pipe settled in the inlet H . of the valve ct4ts off the flow of lιqL4id through the valve. Simultaneously, during the motion of the motive arm 23 of the lever 14 from the housing 1 the additional permanent magnet 3ø settled on the end of the ar 23 moves away from the auxiliary contac switch 3_1 closed, unti now, by the field of the magnet 3ø. As a consequence, the switc 31 iε opened and results in cutting off the electromagnet coil' 21 sctpply. In fact, the reaction of the valve to the external emergency signal lasts only for a fraction of second. Accordingly, power consumption by the electronic cirojit 3 an the coil 21 is momentary. As a result, it iε possible to Liεe single 1.5V cell to SL4pply the valve system for several years. In the case of some modern alkaline batteries, for instance, th battery may be replaced after its four year warranty period.

Claims: C 1 i ε 1. An electronically controlled cut-off valve εyεt rn wit particular application as an anti-fl oding device cont i i an encased electronic circuit- triggered by a signal from L4nit detecting an emergency condition, a mechanical membran cut-off valve with an elastic driving element, compressed i the open state of the valve by meanε of an external elemen setting the state of the valve, and a holding/releasin member of this external element setting the state of th valve controlled by the said electronic circuit and locate OL4tside the body of the mechanical membrane cut-off valve where the said body iε alεo equipped with a flow duct wit an inlet and an outlet, wherein the body (2) of the membran cut-off valve iε a part- of housing (1) being a compac constriαction containing, simultaneously, an electroni circuit (3) connected by means of a signal cable with a external unit detecting an emergency condition, a member (4) holding/releasing an external element (5) setting the state of the membrane valve, the said member (4) being controlled by the electronic circuit (3) , and a separate independent d.c. εupply unit (6). 2. A cc4t-off valve system as claimed in claim 1, in which the independent d.c.supply unit (6) is separated from the body (2) of the membrane cut-off valve by a part .7) of the housing (1> containing the electronic circuit (3) and the member (4) holding/releasing the external element (5) setting the state of the valve. 3. A cut-off valve εyεtem aε claimed in claim 2, in which the housing (1_) haε a separate chamber (8) of the independent d.c. supply unit (6) sealed from the part of the housing (1) containing the electronic circuit (3) and the member (4) holding/releasing the external element (5) setting the state of the valve, the said member being controlled by the electronic circuit (3) . 4. A cut-off valve system aε claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3, in which the independent d.c. sttpply unit (6) haε connecting contacts asεigned for the exchangeable d.c. supplying member which are located in the chamber (8) and connecte ga1vanica11y to εuitab1e connecting termina1 of th electronic circuit (3) controlling the member <4 hoidi g/releasing the external element (5) setting the stat of the valve. 5. A cut-off valve system as claimed in claim 4, in which th holding/releasing member (4) iε a magnetic-electromagneti member and the external element (5) setting the state of th valve iε a double-arm lever ( 4) compressing, in the ope state of the valve, an elastic driving element <15) settle in the body (2) and acting upon an axial pressing dow element (16) of a membrane (17) , the said lever <14) bein joined by a universal joint with the external tip of th axial pressing down element (16 and cooperating, by mean of its working SL4rfaces containing radial parts in the for of rollers <19) , with the external surface (18) of the ood (2) in which the axial pressing down element- (.16 . ) iε settle more or less perpendicLtlarly. 6. A cut-off valve system as claimed in claim 5, m which th magnetic electromagnetic member (4) holding/releasing th lever <i4) , contains an electromagnet activated by th electronic circuit (3) triggered by an external signal fro a unit detecting an emergency condition, associated with permanent magnet (2ø) with magnetic polarization opposite t the polarization of the electromagnetic field of the coi (21) of the electromagnet, so that in the open position o the membrane valve, in the absence of a signal indicatin the presence of an emergency condition, the magnetic fiel of the permanent magnet (2ø) , acting through pole εhoeε (22) of a magnetic core of the electromagnet, creates a forc holding down the lever (14) . 7. A CL4t-off valve εyεtern aε claimed in claim 6, in which th lever (1.4) contains, inside its motive arm (2_3) , a small magnetic armature (24) which serves to coLtple the pole shoe (22) of the magnetic core of the electromagnet's coil (21) with the lever (JL4) » the said pole shoes (22) bei polarized by the permanent- magnet (2ø) , and where there is return spring (26) between the motive arm (23) of the lever (14) and the opposite wall (25) of the houεing 1 ) . - 2ø - 8. A cut-off valve system aε claimed in claim 7, in which t ends of the pole shoes (22) of the magnetic core of the coi (21) of the electromagnet, polarized by the permanent magn (2ø), coupling the magnetic armature (24) of the lever (14 are located visibly in the wall (2ϊ> of the housing < which iε opposite to the inside of the motive arm (; 3) o the lever (14) . 9. A cut-off valve system as claimed in claim 8, in which th magnetic core of the coil (2J of the electromagne consist of a permanent magnet (2ø) and two separate magneti longitudinal strip elements (27) associated in such a wa that their ends are (27) located inεide the housing (1) an adhere, each to one side of the permanent magnet- (2ø) , thu forming the magnetic channel core of the electromagnet. lø. A cut-off valve system aε claimed i claim 5 or 6 or 7 or or 9, in which the coil (21) of the electromagnet- iε locate on one arm of the magnetic core above the permanent magne (2ø) and is associated with the contac switch (29) F-referably a reed contact, located within the limits o influence of the coil's magnetic field, the said contac switch (29) being the element applying fLtll εupply voltag to the coil (21) of the electromagnet during the detectio of an emergency condition. 11. A cut-off valve system as claimed in claim lø, in which th lever (14) has settled on the end of the εide wall of its motive arm (23) an element indirectly disconnect ng one pole of an exchangeable d.c. supplying member from one end of the coil (21) of the electromagnet- immediately after releasing the magnetic armature (24) of the lever (1__4) from the field of the permanent magnet (2ø) during the motion forced by its- return εp-ring (26) and the elastic driving element 5) of the membrane valve that iε compressed by the lever (14) when the valve is open. 12. A CL4t-off valve syεte aε claimed in claim 11, in which the element indirectly disconnecting the coil (21) and cutting off the SJPF'ly voltage iε an additional permanen magnet (3ø) whose magnetic field iε aεsociated, , in the open state of the valve, with an auxiliary contact switch (31 , preferably a reed contact, located inside the housing (1) in such a way that an addi i n l permanent magnet (30 . ) - locate in one of the side walls of the motive arm (23) of the lever ( 14) surrounding the housing ) from each side, holdε the auxiliary contact switch (3 in the closed state by means of its magnetic field, while the emergency motion of the motive arm (23) of the lever (14) together with its additional permanent magnet (3j3) , initiated by the field of the coil (21) of the elect omagnet, actuated by the electronic circuit (3), triggered by an external signal from a unit detecting an emergency condition and forced by the return spring (26) , results in the transition of the auxiliary switch (3j_) to the open state. 13. A cut-off valve system aε claimed in claim 12, in which the unit detecting an emergency condition lε an electrode unit which contains two conducive electrodes (3_4) , located visibly in ' its insulating body (33 . ) ? separated by a shaped part (37) of the insulating body (33) , the length of the surface of the par (37) m an expanded view in any axial plane of the unit being greater than the distance between the conductive electrodes (34). 14. A cut-off valve system aε claimed in claim 13, m which the shaped part (37) of the electrode unit separating the conductive electrodes (34) lε united throLjgh these electrodes with shaped supporting elements (36) of the insulating body (33) forming, m any service position of the unit, through-clearance (43) between the surface (38) protected against flooding and the lower profile of the segment of the unit located between these shaped supporting elements (36) . 15. A cut-off valve system aε claimed in claim 14, in which the the shaped supporting elements (36) of the insulating body (33) of the electrode unit, its shaped part (37) and the conductive electrodes (34) separated by the εhaped part (37), form a solid of revolution whose longitudinal axis is arallel to the flat surface (38) protected against flooding in any service position of the unit. 16. A cut-off valve system aε claimed in claim 15, in which the shaped part (3_7) of the insulating body (33 ) of the electrode unit separating the conductive electrodes (34) contains the connecting wires (35) of these electrod within itself. 17. A cL4t-off valve system aε claimed m claim 16, m which t connecting wires (35) of the condLtctive electrodes (34) o the electrode unit are inserted into one common insijlatm guard in a protective element (44) forming, at its exit, signal cable (32) which, together with the protectiv element (44) , is a. member that- forces transition of the uni from an unstable position to a rest service position on th protected surface (38) . 18. A cut-off valve system as claimed in claim 17, m which th protective element (44) of the electrode unit is located o the shaped part (37) of the insulating body (33) , preferabl m a central F-art- of the distance between the conductiv electrodes (34) separated by the shaped part. 19. A cut-off valve system as claimed in claim 18, in which th protective element (44) iε permanently joined with th shaped part (32 of the insulating body (33) of th electrode unit, thuε forming a uniform element.

Inventors: JALOWSKI FELIKS MICHAL, JALOWSKI, FELIKS, MICHAL
Applicants: JALOWSKI FELIKS MICHAL, JALOWSKI, FELIKS, MICHAL
Application year: 1992
Main classification: D06F39
IPC codes: D06F39