Patent ID: 12196338

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of the following description, the terms referring to the location or position of a particular element and its variations, will refer to the invention as oriented on the Figures. However, we should understand that the invention may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except when it is expressly specified the opposite. Also, it is necessary to realize that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following descriptive memory, are merely exemplifications of the invention. Therefore, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related with the developments described in this document should not be considered as limiting factors.

In relation to theFIGS.1,2,3A and3Bhereafter we will describe the assembly of a valve100with automatic closing according to this invention. The valve100is composed of a case200, a shutter300, an actuator500, a turbine600, and a controller700.

The case200defines a conduit201with an inlet202and an outlet203, the case200is set to couple through the inlet202and outlet203, between a pipeline of a supply line (not shown), using the hydraulic, pneumatic or gas connections (not shown), to allow the flow of the fluid, whether liquid or gas, coming from the pipeline (not shown) from the inlet202to the outlet203. The case200has inside a first guide support204, a second guide support205, a seat ring206positioned between the first and the second guide supports204,205, a first support for the turbine207, a second support for the turbine208, and a flow distributor209. The case20can be elaborated with cast metal or plastic.

The shutter300is inside the conduit201, between the first guide support204and the seat ring206, and it is adapted to operate between a first position that allows the flow of the fluid through the conduit201(when the shutter300is separated from the seat ring206) and a second position that blocks the flow of the fluid in the conduit201(when the shutter300is hermetically settled in the seat ring206).

The shutter300is displaced between the first and the second position and vice versa through a mechanism of a rod-crank-slider400formed by a slider410, a rod420and a crank430, the shutter300is connected mechanically in a fixed and concentric manner to the slider body411, of the slider410. The slider410is formed by the body of the slider411, a first ending section of the slider412, and a second ending section of the slider413; the first ending section of the slider412passes through the first guide support204, while the second ending section of the slider413passes through the second guide support205, in such a manner that the slider400is confined by the first and second guide support204,205to a linear displacement to allow the shutter300to pass from the first to the second position and vice versa.

The second ending section of the slider413of the slider410is connected mechanically to the foot of the rod421of the rod420. The rod420is formed by the foot of the rod421, the body of the rod422and the head of the rod423. The rod420is mechanically connected to the head of the rod423to the crank430of angular displacement.

The crank430is formed by the crank body431, a first stopper432, a second stopper433. The first stopper432and second stopper433are positioned in the opposite way of the body of the crank of the crank body431and arranged perpendicularly to each other. The first stopper422collides on one side of the second ending section of the slider413of the slider410when the shutter300is on the first position, while the second stopper433collides on the opposite side to the second ending section of the slider413of the slider410when the shutter300is on the second position, in such a way that the angular displacement of the crank430is limited by an angle of 90° that corresponds to the stroke of the slider410.

The mechanism of the rod-crank-slider400is driven by the actuator500. The actuator500includes a stem510, a retention support520, a trigger mechanism530, an impeller540, an automatic rotation crank550, a crank support560, a flat coiled spring570, and alternatively a manual rotation crank580.

The stem510is formed by the body of the stem511, a first ending section of the stem512and a second ending section of the stem513. The stem510is fixed to the body of the crank430, specifically to the stem body511is fixed and perpendicularly connected to the body of the crank431. The stem510rotates in its own shaft and it can or cannot pass through the crank body431. When the stem510passes through the crank body431, the first ending section of the stem512is supported to a bearing514that is located inside the case200to maintain its position and freedom of rotation. The bearing514might be made of graphite, Teflon, ceramic, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or other similar bearings that can support the rotation of the stem510. When the stem510does not pass through the body of the crank431, the first ending section of the stem512ends in the body of the crank431or passes the body of the crank431without the need to be supported on the case200. The second ending portion of the stem513extends from the outside of the case200and passes through a hole in the case200where it has a bushing (not shown) and/or at least an o-ring (not shown) that allows it to maintain its position and freedom of rotation of the stem510and at the same time avoid run-offs or leaks outside the case200.

Now, in reference toFIG.4, it is shown with a perspective view of the explosion of the actuator500in action, according to this invention. As we indicated above, the actuator500is formed by the stem510, the retention support520, the trigger mechanism530, the impeller540, the automatic rotation crank550, the crank support560, the flat coiled spring570, and the manual rotation crank580.

The retention support520is formed by a round base521with a central hole522which extends concentrically in a retention bushing523. The retention supports520fixes to the case200through the round base521and holds the impeller540. The retention bushing523includes one or more spring retention lots5231.

The second ending section of the stem513of the stem510passes through the central hole522of the retention support520that way the stem510maintains its position and freedom of rotation.

The automatic rotation crank550has a round body551, a perimeter wall arch552to the round body551, a spring retaining pin553located in at the perimetric border of the round body551not comprised by the perimeter wall arch552and a central hole of the crank554that extends concentrically to a bushing of the crank555that includes a threaded hole5551.

The crank base560has a round body561, a slot562to support and place the trigger mechanism530, and a central hole of the base554that has a larger diameter than the diameter of the retention bushing523of the retention support520. In the slot562are located two holes for the pivot563.

The flat coiled spring570, also known as spiral torsion or clock spring, has an internal retaining end571, a spiral body572and an eternal retaining end573.

The automatic rotation crank550is firmly attached to the crank base560forming a box that contains inside the flat coiled spring570, so the external retaining end573of the flat coiled spring570holds the spring retaining pin553of the automatic rotation crank550. The automatic rotation crank550is automatic and is used to automatically activate the closure of the valve100.

The box that is integrated by the automatic rotation crank550, the crank base560and the flat coiled spring570is assembled on the retention support520, in a way that the central hole of the base554of the crank base560and the central hole of the crank554of the automatic rotation crank550stay concentric to the retention bushing523to the retention support520and the second ending section of the stem513of the stem510, that extends above the bushing of the crank555; the internal retaining end571of the flat coil torsion spring570is fixed to the holes of the spring retention slot5231of the retention bushing523, while the automatic rotation crank550holds firmly to the second ending section of the stem513of the stem510through a set screw or cotter pin (not shown) inserted in the threaded hole5551of the bushing of the crank555.

The above configuration allows that at the moment the potential energy of the flat coil spring570is liberated, this energy is transferred to the automatic rotation crank550by the torque effect applied by the external retaining end573over the spring retaining pin553of the automatic rotation crank550as the flat coiled spring570unwinds, and that torque at the same time is transferred to the second section of the stem513causing the angular movement of the stem510at the same time it boost the rod-crank-slider mechanism400, provoking the shutter300to switch to the second position to block the flow of the fluid of the conduit201of the case200(close the valve100).

The manual rotation crank580has a round body581, a perimeter wall582, a trigger pin583placed at the inside of the perimeter wall582and a central hole584. The manual rotation crank580is placed over the automatic rotation crank550in a concentric manner and attached at the border of the second section of the stem513through a safety cotter pin585. The manual rotation crank580is manual and is used to activate manually the trigger mechanism530to close the valve100.

Now theFIGS.5and6illustrate a detailed perspective view of the trigger mechanism530and the impeller540of the valve100of automatic closure according to this invention. The trigger mechanism530is located and supported in the slot562(not shown) of the crank base560(not shown). The trigger mechanism530includes a flat coiled spring531and a lever532.

The flat spring531includes a fixed end section5311, a free end section5312, a locking hole5313and a clip5314. The flat coiled spring531is firmly attached by its fixed end section5311a crank base560(not shown), while the free end section5312is slightly lifted in relation to the plan of the fixed end section5311.

The lever532is pivotable and has a “L” form body5321supported on a pivot5322. The pivot5322is inserted on the holes for the pivot563(not shown) of the slot562(not shown) of the crank base560(not shown). The “L” form body5321consists of a first arm5324that is inserted in the clip5314of the flat spring531and a second arm5325that is free.

The impeller540is formed by an engine541, a transmission542connected to the engine541, a shaft543connected to the transmission542and a lock544joined perpendicularly to the shaft543. The lock544is insertable to the locking hole5313of the flat spring531. The impeller540is firmly attached to the retention support520and is connected electrically to the controller700.

While the impeller540is not energized (i.e., it is deactivated), the lock544stays inserted to the locking hole5313of the flat spring531, so the crank base560stays locked and the potential energy of the flat coil torsion spring570is not released, so the shutter300it maintains the first position (the shutter300is separated from the seat ring206), allowing the flow of the fluid through the conduit201.

On the other side, when the impeller540is energized (i.e., activated), automatically the shaft543rotates and the lock544is liberated from the locking hole5313of the flat spring531, causing the crank base560to unlock, so the potential energy of the flat coiled spring570is liberated. This energy transfers to the automatic rotation crank550by the torque effect applied by the external retaining end573over the spring retaining pin553of the automatic retention crank550as the flat coiled torsion spring570unwinds, and that torque at the same time is transferred to the second ending section of the stem513causing the angular movement of the stem510that at the same time boosts the rod-crank-slider mechanism400, causing the shutter300switches to the second position to block the flow of the fluid of the conduit201of the case200(closure the valve100).

In a different scenario, if the impeller540is not energized (i.e., deactivated), the lock544stays inserted in the locking hole5313of the flat spring531, but it needs to be turned manually to the manual rotation crank580, the trigger pin583contacts the second arm5325and the lever532, causing the lever532to pivot, so the first arm5324lifts more the free end section5312, causing the flat spring531to release the lock544of the impeller, originating that the crank base560unlocks, so the potential energy of the flat coiled spring570is liberated. This energy is transferred to the automatic rotation crank550by the torque effect applied by the external retaining end573over the spring retaining pin553of the automatic rotation crank550as the flat coiled spring570unwinds and that torque is transferred to the second ending section of the stem513causing the angular movement of the stem510that boosts the rod-crank-slider mechanism400, provoking that the shutter300switches to the second position to block the flow of the fluid in the conduit201of the case200(closure of the valve100).

Going back to theFIGS.1,2,3A and3B, the valve100is formed by a flowmeter600connected electrically to the controller700. The flowmeter600is formed by a turbine610inside the conduit201and supported by the first support for the turbine207and second support for the turbine208. The turbine610is formed by a series of blades611arranged radially around a disk612, the turbine610is located on the flow distributor209of the conduit201, so the flow distributor209makes an impact on the flow of the fluid over the blades611on a default impact angle so it makes the disk612to spin and at the same time it allows the continuity of the flow of the fluid to the outlet203. The impact angle is determined based on the expected pressure of the fluid to the inlet202, the counterpressure on the outlet203and the needed revolutions per minute (RPM) of the turbine610. During the functioning, the fluid that flows acts over the turbine610making it to turn in only one direction within the conduit201, particularly within the flow distributor209.

Because the turbine610is rotatory it is maintained in position with a pair of bearings613. The bearings613might be made of graphite, Teflon, ceramic, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or other similar bearings capable of supporting the rotation of the shaft of the turbine610.

Changing toFIG.6, a block diagram is illustrating the controller700according to this invention. The controller700includes a microprocessor710, a controllable clock711, connected to the microprocessor710, a programmable memory712connected to the microprocessor710and alternatively a user interface713connected to the microprocessor710. In an alternative version, the controller700might include a wireless communication interface714connected to the microprocessor710.

The microprocessor710might be for general purposes or for special purposes and it has an electrical and logical connection with the batteries800or any other electrical power source supply. The microprocessor710is enabled to process entries, data, signals, commands and/or instructions from the controllable clock711, the flowmeter600, the batteries800, the user interface713and/or the wireless communication interface714, so the microprocessor710is enabled to restart the controllable clock711, to control the functioning of the impeller540, control the recording and logging of the data and information in the programmable memory712, analyze the signal that comes from the flowmeter600to determine a continuous measurement of fluid flow through the conduit201and to send and receive data and information through the user interface713or through the wireless communication interface714.

The microprocessor710analyzes the signal that comes from the flowmeter600to determine a continuous measurement of fluid flow through the conduit201and logs when the flow rates fall to zero. The quantity of flow is collected by the microprocessor710. The microprocessor710finds a continuous flow and reestablishes the controllable clock711every time the flow is zero. If there is a continuous flow, the microprocessor710determines if the preset elapsed time duration has been exceeded. If it has, it restarts the controllable lock711and starts monitoring again to repeat the duration of the preset time. The microprocessor710verifies the quantity of the flow within the preset time frame. If it has exceeded the quantity of the flow within the preset time frame, it energizes the impeller540to unlock the trigger mechanism530, unleashing the potential energy of the flat coiled spring570and transfers it to the stem510to boost the rod-crank-slider mechanism400to switch the shutter300from a first position that allows the flow of the fluid through the conduit201of the case200to a second position that blocks the flow of the fluid in the conduit201of the case200until the system is reestablished manually.

The controllable clock711can be directly attached to the microprocessor710or be separated from the microprocessor710. The controllable clock711always restarts when the flow rate is zero (there is no fluid flow through the conduit201) or when the preset period is exceeded, before exceeding the preset amount of fluid allowed to flow within that time frame. If it exceeds the flow rate of the preset quantity of fluid within the timeframe (allowed), the impeller540gets energized.

The programmable memory712might be a Dynamic Random-Access Memory DRAM or a Read Only Memory such as ROM or FLASH. In a version, the microprocessor710executes the programming instructions stored in the programmable memory712. The programmable memory712might be a separated component from the microprocessor710or might be included with the microprocessor710. The programmable memory712is enabled to receive and store as preset, among other information, at least one information of a quantity of permissible fluid on a time unit, and to keep a record of the event of automatic closure of the valve100.

Alternatively, the user interface panel (not shown) might be attached to a case200from the same valve100or be separated to the valve100but the connection and communication with the microprocessor710through a user interface713. Typically, through the user interface panel, a user can select some operative characteristics and operation modes and supervise the function of the valve100. In some versions, for example, the user interface panel might be a General Purpose Input/Output device (GPIO) or a functional block. The user interface panel can also include input components, may be one or more than one type of input devices, mechanical or electromechanical or electric, including joysticks, push buttons and touch pads. The user interface panel can include a visualization component as well, such as a digital or analogical visualization device designed to provide operative information of the valve100to a user.

In an alternative version, the valve100has the ability to “schedule” flow timeframes, and also programmed closures. In other words, to program different flow ranges of permissible flow depending on the specific week day or year. As well to program forced automatic closures with the same criteria. That is to say, the valve can be programmed to close independently of the flows, for example at a certain date or hour.

Based on the above-described outputs, we can consider that these modifications and the alternative implementations will be evident for an expert in the art of the mentioned technique. It is therefore contemplated that the claims include those alternative implementations within the scope of this invention or its equivalents.

Having previously described the invention, the following claims are declared as property.

LIST OF REFERENCES TO THE FIGURES

100valve200case201conduit202inlet203outlet204first guide support205second guide support206seat ring207first support for the turbine208second support for the turbine209flow distributor300shutter400rod-crank-slider mechanism410slider411slider body412first ending section of the slider413second ending section of the slider420rod421foot of the rod422body of the rod423head of the rod430crank431crank body432first stopper433second stopper500actuator510Stem511Body of the stem512First stem end section513Second stem end section520retention support521round base522central hole523retention bushing5231spring retention slot530trigger mechanism531flat spring5311fixed end section5312free end section5313locking hole5314clip532lever5321“L” form body5322pivot5324first arm5325second arm540impeller541engine542transmission543shaft544lock550automatic rotation crank551round body552perimeter wall arch553spring retaining pin554central hole of the crank555bushing of the crank5551threaded hole560crank base561round body562slot562central hole of the base570flat coil torsion spring571internal retaining end572spiral body573external retaining end580manual rotation crank581round body582perimeter wall583trigger pin584central hole585safety cotter pin600flowmeter610turbine611blades612disk613bearings700controller710microprocessor711controllable clock712programmable memory713user interface714wireless communication interface800batteries