Patent Description:
Such tools are mainly used when installing a heating system including a large number of radiators in a building, but also for subsequent adjustment of a heating system. Each radiator may comprise a control valve that controls the amount of hot water that passes through the radiator based on a control input from a thermostat sensing the temperature in the room.

Before attaching a thermostat to a valve, the valve is set to a specific initial setting in order to optimize the system and reduce energy usage. The initial setting is based on the radiator type, and the room's size and location in the building, for instance. Often this adjustment is made by turning a knob or similar to different positions, but in order to achieve better precision and offering more setting alternatives which will permit more reduction of energy usage, this is done with a tool of the initially mentioned type. One problem associated with this process is to provide a tool that allows for a precise initial setting of the thermostat in an efficient manner.

<CIT> describes an adjusting tool for adjusting a presetting a heat exchanger valve. The adjusting tool comprises a first and a second part, being moveable relative to each other in a preadjustment condition. In an adjustment condition said first and second parts are fixed relative to each other. The first part has a valve geometry adapted to engage a stationary part of the valve and the second part has an engaging geometry adapted to engage a presetting element of the heat exchanger valve.

One object of the present invention is to provide a heat regulation control valve adjustment tool that allows for precise initial setting of a valve in a quick and efficient manner.

This object is achieved by means of a heat regulation control valve adjustment tool as defined as in claim <NUM>. More specifically, in a tool of the initially mentioned kind, there is provided a first ring arranged coaxially with the main axis, for rotating with the handle, wherein this ring is releasable with regard to the handle for rotating about the main axis in relation to the handle. The tool further comprises a second ring arranged coaxially with the main axis and rotatably in relation to the first ring about the main axis, wherein the second ring comprises a rotation locking interface for connecting to a valve portion other than the pre-setting screw. One of the first and second rings comprises an angular position setting indication, such as a scale or the like, and the other comprises an index relating to the setting indication.

This allows a user to connect the tool to the pre-setting screw which may be rotated to an initial position, typically where it is screwed to an innermost position. Then, the first ring may be adjusted, for instance with regard to a reference position associated with the valve and acting as an index, to a starting position. Subsequently the tool is rotated, the pre-setting screw typically moving outwards until the index of the valve or the like points to a desired setting on a scale or the like on the first ring. This allows for a very precise and reproducible setting of the pre-setting screw in an efficient manner. This further allows for a simple and intuitive presetting of the valve.

The screw-drive interface may comprise outer splines for connecting with inner splines of a pre-setting screw.

The first ring may be arranged on the handle, the second ring being arranged to rotate in relation to the first ring, and the torque needed for turning first ring in relation to the handle is greater than the torque needed for turning the second ring in relation to the first ring. This allows the rings to be set correctly in an efficient manner.

The locking interface of the second ring may for instance comprise inner ribs for connecting with outer knurls of a valve.

The handle may be connected to the screw-drive interface via a torque limiter defining a maximum torque that can be applied to the screw-drive interface in one direction. This may eliminate or at least reduce the risk that the pre-setting screw of the valve is driven too hard into its reference or zero position, thereby damaging the valve. The maximum torque may be set by a torque setting nut acting on a spring, typically in a range between <NUM>-<NUM> Ncm.

The handle may comprise a visual guide pointing in a direction parallel with the main axis. This allows the tool to be used to determine an already set pre-setting value.

The present invention also considers a combination of a tool according to any of the preceding claims and a heat regulation control valve.

The present invention relates to a tool for a control valve typically for a heating system. When used in a heating system, the control valve controls the flow of a fluid, such as hot water, to a radiator in order to control the amount of heat the radiator emits to the room where it is located. Typically, a thermostat may be connected to the control valve to sense the room temperature and change the flow through the control valve accordingly by changing a flow area therein. The tool to be described herein is used to carry out an initial setting of the valve by adjusting a pre-setting screw inside the valve. This is done to ensure that a certain input from a thermostat, corresponding to a detected deviation from a desired room temperature, results in an adequate response from the valve. The adjustment is typically done depending on the radiator and the room sizes and the room's location in a building (e.g. reflecting the distance from a circulation pump and the need for balancing flows in the overall heating system of the building). The desired setting can be found by the installation personnel for instance using a lookup table or control valve type adjusted pre-determined values.

<FIG> illustrates the tool <NUM> of the present invention. The tool <NUM> comprises a handle <NUM> and a screw-drive interface <NUM> (hidden in <FIG>, cf. <FIG>) for cooperating with a mating pre-setting screw in the valve. The screw-drive interface <NUM> turns with the handle <NUM> about a main axis <NUM> of the tool <NUM>. A first ring <NUM> is arranged coaxially with the main axis <NUM>, and normally rotates with the handle <NUM>. The first ring <NUM> is however releasable with regard to the handle <NUM> such that it can rotate about the main axis <NUM> also in relation to the handle <NUM>. The first ring <NUM> may comprise a scale <NUM> converting a turning of the handle to one or more valve parameters.

The tool further comprises a second ring <NUM> arranged coaxially with the main axis <NUM> and rotatably in relation to the first ring <NUM> and the handle <NUM> about the main axis <NUM>. Thus, the user need not rely on an index on the valve when adjusting the pre-setting screw of the valve as will be shown. Further, as will be described, the second ring <NUM> comprises a rotation locking interface for connecting to a valve portion other than the pre-setting screw such that it is kept still when the handle is turned to adjust the pre-setting screw. The second ring further comprises an index <NUM> which points at different locations on the scale <NUM> of the first ring <NUM>.

Generally, the scale <NUM> may be referred to as an angular position setting indication. It is noted that the scale <NUM> and the index <NUM> in principle may switch places such that the former is associated with the second ring <NUM> and the latter with the first <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exploded view of the tool in <FIG>. The first ring <NUM> may be attached to the handle <NUM> by being snapped onto a circumferential ridge <NUM> at the front thereof, allowing the first ring <NUM> to be turned with respect to the handle <NUM> about the main axis <NUM> but against a certain amount of friction, such that the first ring <NUM> is not accidently rotated but only by deliberately applying a sufficient torque thereto.

A tool piece <NUM> having the screw-drive interface <NUM> at the front thereof projects through the handle portion <NUM> which is hollow, and the second ring <NUM> may be attached to the tool piece <NUM> rotatably about the main axis <NUM> such that it can be rotated against a low friction. As an alternative, could instead be rotatably attached to the first ring <NUM>.

The second ring <NUM> may comprise a rotation locking interface <NUM> at the interior thereof, which is more clearly visible in <FIG>, where a portion is broken off to reveal the rotation locking interface <NUM>, which in the illustrated case is a ribbed pattern devised to lock with an outer knurled surface of the valve as will be shown. Needless to say, other types of locking interfaces are conceivable.

Returning to <FIG>, a torque limiting function between the handle <NUM> and the tool piece <NUM> can be provided as will be described. This function limits the torque that can be applied to the pre-setting screw of a valve, such that the valve member or valve seat of the valve are not deformed in any way and still are safely driven to a reference position.

The rear portion <NUM> of the tool piece <NUM> may be cylindrical and fit rotatably inside a corresponding opening in a torque setting nut <NUM>. The mid portion <NUM> of the tool piece <NUM> may have a hexagonal cross section (as one example, a square cross section being another option, for instance) such that it rotates with an axial bias element <NUM> having an opening with a matching cross section. A first detent plate <NUM> is connected to the axial bias element <NUM> such that it rotates therewith, and a second detent plate <NUM> is connected to the interior of the handle <NUM> thereby following the handle <NUM> when it rotates. The first and second detent plates <NUM>, <NUM> comprise mutually facing ramp-shaped surfaces.

The torque setting nut <NUM> comprises outer threads that engage with inner threads (not shown) of the hollow handle <NUM> and screwing the torque setting nut <NUM> into the handle compresses a spring <NUM> that acts upon the axial bias element <NUM> via an axial bearing <NUM>.

When the handle <NUM> is rotated, the second detent plate <NUM> moves therewith, as does the first detent plate <NUM> thereby rotating the biasing element <NUM> and the tool piece <NUM>. However, when the applied torque comes near a maximum threshold, the ramp surfaces of the first detent plate <NUM> begins to climb on the ramp surfaces of the second detent plate <NUM> against the force of the spring <NUM> until the ramp surfaces begin snapping past each other when the maximum torque threshold is exceeded. Then, the tool piece <NUM> no longer rotates with the handle <NUM>, thus limiting the torque applied by the screw-drive interface <NUM>. The torque limit can be set by screwing the torque setting nut <NUM> further into or out of the handle <NUM>, thereby biasing the spring <NUM> to a greater or lesser extent. This is normally only done at manufacturing of the tool <NUM>, and the end of the handle can be sealed with a cap <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross section through the tool of <FIG> when connected to a valve. When performing an adjustment procedure with the tool <NUM>, the user may proceed as follows. A stuffing box (not shown) of the valve <NUM> to be adjusted may be removed. That item is otherwise fastened to the end of the valve along the main axis <NUM> to connect a thermostat to be fastened thereto to the valve member <NUM> inside the housing <NUM> of the valve.

The tool <NUM> is then inserted into the valve <NUM> where its screw-drive interface <NUM> is connected to a setting screw <NUM>, best seen in the enlarged portion of <FIG>. The screw drive interface may be devised in different ways as long as it is able to connect with the setting screw <NUM>.

At this time, the second ring <NUM> may be brought into a rotation locking engagement with a part of the valve that does not rotate with the pre-setting screw <NUM>. Typically, an outer knurled surface <NUM> of the valve normally used to keep a thermostat in place may be used to this end, engaging with a locking interface <NUM> on the inner surface of the second ring <NUM>. The user may then make sure that an index <NUM> of the second ring is located at a convenient orientation that can be easily seen by the user.

The pre-setting screw <NUM> may be hollow and provided with inner splines that engage with the outer splines <NUM> of the tool screw-drive interface <NUM> (cf. e.g. the enlarged portion of <FIG>). The outer face of the setting screw <NUM> may be provided with external threads <NUM> that engage with internal threads <NUM> in the part of the valve housing <NUM> where the setting screw is mounted. Therefore, by turning the handle <NUM> of the adjustment tool <NUM>, the user can move the setting screw <NUM> up and down in relation to the housing <NUM>. When having been screwed in a first direction far enough into the valve, the pre-setting screw <NUM> begins to act on a valve member surface <NUM> forcing the valve member downwards with reference to the orientation in <FIG>. When the valve member touches its seat, the reference position is reached. If a torque limiting function is provided, this is where the handle <NUM> begins to slip upon further turning with a clicking sound letting the user know that the pre-setting screw <NUM> has bottomed. If no torque limiting function is provided, the user should instead be careful not to apply too much torque to the handle.

In this state, the first ring <NUM> may be rotated in relation to the handle <NUM>, into a suitable starting position. Since the second ring <NUM> with an index <NUM> is provided, this could mean moving the first ring <NUM> until the index <NUM> points to a zero position on the scale <NUM> of the first ring <NUM>. According to an embodiment which does not form part of the invention, a reference mark on the valve itself could be used in a similar manner.

In a subsequent step, the handle <NUM> is turned in the direction opposite to the first direction, thereby moving the pre-setting screw from its bottom position. This is done until the index <NUM> of the second ring <NUM> (or alternatively a reference mark on the valve itself) points to a predetermined point at the scale of the first ring <NUM> as determined by a pre-setting value obtained for instance from a lookup table as mentioned earlier. Then the presetting is completed. The tool <NUM> may be removed from the valve, simply by being pulled out, the stuffing box may be re-fitted, and a thermostat may be attached to the valve, which is then ready for operation.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the handle may comprise a visual guide <NUM> pointing in a direction parallel with the main axis <NUM>. This allows the tool to be used to determine an already set pre-setting value. Then, the tool is connected to the valve with the index <NUM> of the second ring <NUM> pointing towards the visual guide <NUM>. The tool is turned until the pre-setting screw of the valve reached its bottom position, activating the torque limiting function, Then, the scale <NUM> of the first ring <NUM> is set to a zero position with regard to the index <NUM>. The tool is then turned back to the initial position as indicated by the visual guide <NUM> and the index <NUM>, and the already set value can be read from the scale <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A heat regulation control valve adjustment tool (<NUM>), comprising a handle (<NUM>) and a screw-drive interface (<NUM>) for cooperating with a mating pre-setting screw in a control valve for turning the pre-setting screw by turning the handle (<NUM>) about a main axis (<NUM>), the tool (<NUM>) comprising a first ring (<NUM>) arranged coaxially with the main axis (<NUM>), for rotating with the handle (<NUM>), wherein the first ring (<NUM>) is releasable with regard to the handle for rotating about the main axis (<NUM>) in relation to the handle, the tool (<NUM>) characterized by a second ring (<NUM>) arranged coaxially with the main axis (<NUM>) and rotatably in relation to the first ring (<NUM>) about the main axis, wherein the second ring comprises a rotation locking interface (<NUM>) for connecting to a valve portion other than the pre-setting screw, wherein one of the first (<NUM>) and second ring (<NUM>) comprises an angular position setting indication (<NUM>), such as a scale or the like, and the other comprises an index (<NUM>) relating to the setting indication.