Fitting

Abstract

A fitting (1) for a pressurized fluid circuit comprises an impeller (16) capable of being driven in rotation by a pressurized fluid passing through the fitting. The impeller (16) supports a plurality of magnets (18) coupled with the plurality of coils (20) to generate an electrical current in the presence of a variable magnetic field generated by rotation of the magnets (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fitting for a fluid, such as compressed air, comprising an impeller arrangement which can be driven by the pressurized fluid passing through the fitting to generate electrical energy. Background Art

[0002] It is known that pneumatic or hydraulic devices, in particular valves for regulating the flow of fluids, are provided with means for recovering kinetic and / or potential energy which would otherwise be wasted. These energy recovery devices generally comprise a rotating element and a diffuser adapted to direct the fluid towards the recovery device.

[0003] A valve of this type is described, for example, in WO 2014132187 A2.

[0004] However, in addition to recovering energy that would otherwise be lost, there is an increasing need to utilize a portion of the kinetic and / or potential energy of the fluid flowing in pneumatic and hydraulic components in order to generate electrical energy.

[0005] Some hydraulic devices have emerged, for example, in domestic heating and plumbing installations, where water circulating within components of the system (e.g. pipes, taps, shower heads, etc.) actuates turbines that power electronic devices to, for example, produce light and / or sound effects.

[0006] There are industrial applications where it is necessary to detect or monitor by means of a sensor some quantity associated with the passage of a fluid, ranging from simply detecting the presence or absence of a fluid flow in a portion of a circuit, to detecting some characteristic of the fluid flow, such as flow rate, pressure, temperature, humidity, etc., but where it is very inconvenient or expensive, if not impossible, to run the wiring of the sensor in the portion of the circuit concerned.

[0007] Furthermore, also due to the environment in which components or parts of the pressurized fluid circuit are installed, there may be very strict constraints in terms of space and / or insulation (with respect to water, humidity, external media, heat, etc.) that the electrical energy generation device must meet. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to propose a fitting for a pressurized fluid circuit capable of generating electrical energy, for example for powering sensors, while satisfying the aforementioned requirements of compactness, robustness, simplicity of design and insulation.

[0009] The object is achieved by the accessory claimed in the present application. The embodiments of the present application also describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the accessory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The features and advantages of the fitting according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an accessory according to the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a partial axial cross section of the fitting;

[0013] Figure 3 is the axial cross section of the fitting;

[0014] Figure 4 is the cross section of the fitting at the impeller;

[0015] Figure 5 is a partial axial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the fitting;

[0016] Figure 6 is an axial cross-section of a first element which, in one embodiment, forms the body of the fitting;

[0017] Figure 7 is an axial cross-section of a second element which, in one embodiment, forms the body of the fitting;

[0018] Figure 8 is a cross section of an impeller according to the present invention;

[0019] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a coil ring of an accessory according to the present invention;

[0020] Fig.10 is a perspective view of an electronic board of an accessory according to the present invention;

[0021] Fig.11 is an axial cross-section of a third element forming the body of the fitting;

[0022] Fig.12 is a perspective view of an example of a one-way valve for use in a fitting according to the present invention; and

[0023] Fig.13 Some circuits of the main electronic board of an accessory according to the invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In said figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a fitting for a pressurized fluid circuit, for example a pneumatic circuit.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the term "fitting" does not have to be strictly understood as a component having the sole function of sealingly connecting two tubes or conduits of a pressurized fluid circuit (although the present invention is particularly conducive to the application of such components due to its compactness and robustness characteristics), but may also include other components or parts of components, in which the pressurized fluid flows from a first channel (which can be defined as an inlet channel) to at least one second channel (which can be defined as an outlet channel), wherein other functional elements may also be present, such as gates.

[0026] In addition, all directional references (e.g., up, down, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are used only for identification purposes to assist the reader in understanding the described embodiments and do not create limitations, especially with respect to the position, orientation, or use of the described embodiments.

[0027] Conjunctive references (eg, fixed, coupled, connected, etc.) must be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate elements between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. Thus, connection references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected to each other in a fixed relationship.

[0028] In a general embodiment, the fitting 1 includes a fitting body 10, wherein a main passage 11 is provided through the fitting body 10, and the main passage 11 is used for a pressurized fluid, such as compressed air, to flow through.

[0029] The main channel 11 extends between a fluid inlet opening 12 and a fluid outlet opening 14 .

[0030] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the fitting body 10 extends mainly along a fitting axis Y, along which the inlet opening 12 and the outlet opening 14 are aligned with each other. In other words, the fitting 1 is an inline fitting, which extends in the same direction as the axis of the inlet pipe and, therefore, also in the same direction as the axis of the outlet pipe (not shown).

[0031] However, the present invention may be implemented with other fitting arrangements, such as "L" or "T" shaped fittings.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the inlet opening 12 and the outlet opening 14 receive a coupling sleeve 60 , for example of the super-fast type, for connection to corresponding pipes.

[0033] Housed in the fitting body 10 is an impeller 16 , which is rotatably driven by pressurized fluid flowing through the fitting body 10 .

[0034] In one embodiment, the impeller 16 is of radial type, ie it is provided with a plurality of blades 16 ′, preferably curved blades, extending mainly in radial direction from the center of the impeller towards the outside, the center of the impeller coinciding with the axis of rotation X of the impeller.

[0035] In one embodiment, the impeller 16 has a rotation axis X that is coaxial with at least a portion of the main channel 11 .

[0036] In other embodiments, the impeller 16 may have a rotation axis X that is orthogonal to the main channel 11 .

[0037] The impeller 16 also supports a plurality of magnets 18, for example arranged in corresponding magnet seats 182 provided in the body of the impeller 16 itself.

[0038] The magnets 18 are distributed circumferentially to form a magnet ring 180. For example, the magnet seats 182 are arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation X of the impeller 16 and are preferably axially superimposed on the blades 16' of the impeller 16 so as to encompass the radial dimension of the fitting.

[0039] A plurality of coils 20 are also disposed within the accessory body 10. The coils 20 are distributed circumferentially so as to form a coil ring 200 that is magnetically coupled to the magnet ring 180. In the presence of a variable magnetic field generated by the rotation of the magnet ring 180, an electric current is generated in the electrical windings of the coils 20, the electric current having a sufficient intensity to be used to power an electronic device, as will be described below.

[0040] For example, the coil ring 200 is coaxial with the impeller's axis of rotation X. Preferably, the coil ring 200 is axially superimposed on the magnet ring 180 in order to maximize the current generated by the variable magnetic field while encompassing the radial dimensions of the assembly.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the current generated by coil 20 powers at least one sensor 22 that is integrated into accessory body 10 or otherwise enclosed in a protective housing 220 secured to accessory body 10. Figure 3 ). For example, the sensor 22 is suitable for detecting one or more of temperature, humidity, fluid pressure, and flow rate.

[0042] In one embodiment, the current generated by the coil 20 also powers an electronic data transmission unit 24, such as a microprocessor unit.

[0043] In one embodiment, the current generated by coil 20 also powers at least one LED, for example to indicate when the impeller is generating energy.

[0044] The electronic data transmission unit 24 is operatively connected to the at least one sensor 22 and is configured to wirelessly transmit data received from the at least one sensor 22 .

[0045] In one embodiment, the data transmission unit 24 is configured to transmit a wireless presence signal via a radio transmitter, for example, when it receives voltage, i.e., when it is powered by the current generated by the coil 20. For example, the presence signal is transmitted to a network or a receiving device according to a predetermined communication protocol.

[0046] Also in the absence of a sensor, the electronic data transmission unit 24 is therefore configured to communicate at least the fluid passage in the fitting without further processing. This signal is sufficient to indicate that the impeller is rotating.

[0047] In one embodiment, for example, a presence signal sent to the network includes a data packet containing a unique code for the accessory. This allows one or more devices receiving the presence signal, as well as other components of the network, to identify the presence of the accessory.

[0048] Thus, an accessory can be plugged into a network consisting of several similar “smart” accessories1.

[0049] For example, if in a network comprising a plurality of accessories 1, each of which periodically sends a flow presence signal, the network detects that one of the accessories has stopped sending the signal, the network can automatically identify the abnormal accessory and assume that there is a problem (e.g., a pipe detached or a gasket damaged).

[0050] Now refer to Fig.13 , an example of an electronic circuit 300 suitable for managing the energy generated by the impeller 16 is described in more detail. The electronic circuit 300 includes, in addition to the microcontroller 24 which also implements the functionality of the radio transmitter, a power supply 26 for powering the components of the electronic circuit.

[0051] When the fluid flow is sufficient to allow the impeller 16 to generate electrical energy, the periodic wave thus generated is rectified by means of a rectifier bridge 28 .

[0052] The rectified wave, suitably filtered and limited, powers a portion of the circuitry configured to generate the voltages required for the correct operation of the microcontroller 24.

[0053] In one embodiment, the power circuit 26 includes a Zener diode 30 for protection because the sinusoidal current wave produced by the coil 20 can reach peak-to-peak voltage levels that are harmful to the power supply in the presence of high flow rates.

[0054] Although this solution implies not using the part of the energy generated by the impeller that is above the activation threshold of the Zener diode 30 , the Zener diode is chosen in such a way that the available energy is always sufficient to ensure correct functioning of the components of the electronic circuit.

[0055] In one embodiment, the electronic circuit 300 is adapted to detect fluid flow characteristics. To this end, the electronic circuit 300 comprises a rectified voltage reading circuit 32 and a half-wave voltage reading circuit 34, which allow the microprocessor 24 to read the rectified voltage and the half-wave voltage by means of a voltage divider.

[0056] From the rectified voltage and the half-wave voltage, the available instantaneous energy can be calculated. With this information, a strategy for managing the low power modes allowed by the microprocessor can be implemented, such as enabling or disabling the sensor 22.

[0057] By reading the half-wave voltage, pressure and flow rate values ​​can be estimated, for example, with the aid of suitable algorithms.

[0058] In addition to one or more sensors 22 that may be connected to the electronic circuit 300, actuators may also be connected for manipulating the flow rate or indicating the state of the device and thus the physical quantity monitored.

[0059] All information collected by the sensors, calculated data and control signals for the actuators are transmitted via wireless technology (such as Bluetooth Low Energy) integrated into the microprocessor 24. This technology allows communication with external devices and therefore allows one or more users to monitor, configure and control the connection.

[0060] Turning now to the construction features of the fitting, in one embodiment the coils 20 are arranged with their respective axes parallel to the axis of rotation X of the impeller.

[0061] Furthermore, the electrical terminals 202 of the coils 20 may also be oriented parallel to the impeller's rotation axis X. This also allows the coils 20 to be connected in series to each other via an annular-shaped electronic coil connection plate 36 supported by the fitting body 10 coaxially with the impeller's rotation axis X.

[0062] In other embodiments, for example where the magnets 18 are arranged on the outer circumference of the impeller 16, the coils 20 may also be arranged in such a way that the associated axis is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the impeller.

[0063] The electronic coil connection board 36 is in turn connected to a main electronic board 38 on which the above-mentioned electronic circuit 300 is arranged and on which at least one sensor 22 can be mounted.

[0064] The main electronic board 38 may be arranged perpendicularly relative to the electronic coil connection board 36 , ie, in a plane parallel to the rotation axis X of the impeller 16 .

[0065] In the fitting body 10 there are a plurality of nozzles 40 for supplying the impeller 16. In one embodiment, the nozzles 40 extend radially from the main channel 11. For example, in the fitting body 10 there are four nozzles 40, which are spaced apart at an angle of 90° and perpendicular to the rotation axis X of the impeller 16.

[0066] The nozzles 40 appear between the curved radial blades 16 ′ of the impeller 16 .

[0067] In one embodiment, the impeller body 16 integrates a ferromagnetic ring 162, ie a steel plate, suitable for amplifying the magnetic field.

[0068] In one embodiment, the impeller 16 is mounted on at least one impeller support 164 coupled to the fitting body 10 to rotate and guide the impeller. For example, the impeller support 164 is composed of a ball bearing or a sliding bushing.

[0069] In a variant embodiment, the impeller 16 is mounted on the fitting body 10 with clearance so that when driven in rotation, an annular air cushion is formed between the impeller 16 and the fitting body 10. This air cushion allows the impeller to rotate suspended in the fitting body without contact with the body and therefore without friction.

[0070] According to one aspect of the invention, the impeller 16 is in fluid communication with the outlet opening 14 for the fluid, so that a portion of the fluid flow entering the supply nozzle 40 and supplying the impeller 16 is re-conveyed towards the outlet opening 14 .

[0071] For example, the impeller 16 is in fluid communication with a distal section of the main channel 11 , which ends in the outlet opening 14 .

[0072] Thus, all of the pressurized fluid flow passes through the fitting and is discharged from the outlet opening 14 , including the portion of the flow supplied to the impeller 16 .

[0073] On the other hand, not all of the fluid entering the fitting flows through the impeller 16, ie not all of the fluid is supplied to the impeller, but only a portion of the total fluid entering the fitting is supplied to the impeller.

[0074] There are several advantages to dividing the fluid entering the fitting into portions before feeding it to the impeller.

[0075] The energy extracted from the fluid flow entering the fitting feeding the impeller is a small fraction of the total energy, so that most of the flow remains available for the final application (eg, actuation of a pneumatic cylinder).

[0076] In the event of a breakage of the impeller or some of its parts, the risk of debris being transported into the circuit downstream of the fitting is limited.

[0077] Considering the small area of ​​the impeller blades, the forces generated by a small portion of the flow entering the fitting are discharged to the impeller, so the forces are reduced compared to the forces generated by the total flow, which helps to increase the reliability of the fitting.

[0078] It should be noted that the ratio between the flow circulating in the impeller and the flow flowing in the main channel 11 is due to the fact that the path of the impeller supplying the fluid has several pressure drops, in particular caused by the radial nozzles which have a very small diameter and force a sudden deviation of the main flow, and by the impeller itself which directs the flow by extracting mechanical work.

[0079] In one embodiment, the impeller 16 is housed within an impeller chamber 50 which is fluidly connected to the main passage 11 via a return passage 52 .

[0080] The nozzle 40 , the impeller chamber 50 and the return passage 52 actually form a secondary or bypass passage connected in parallel with the main passage 11 .

[0081] In one embodiment, the return channel 52 joins the main channel 11 near the outlet opening 14, or in any case joins the distal portion of the main channel 11 between the supply nozzle 40 and the outlet opening 14. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the fitting body 10 comprises a first body portion 102 and a second body portion 104, which are arranged successively along the flow direction of the fluid passing through the fitting.

[0082] More specifically, the first portion 11a of the main channel 11 is formed in the first body portion 102. The first body portion 102 extends between a first proximal portion 102a and a first distal portion 102b where the inlet opening 12 is formed.

[0083] In one embodiment, the coil loop 200 is supported by the first body portion 102 .

[0084] In the second body portion 104, the second portion 11b of the main channel 11 is provided. The second body portion 104 extends between a second proximal portion 104a and a second distal portion 104b forming the outlet opening 14.

[0085] like Figure 3 As shown, the first portion 102 of the fitting body 10 is partially axially inserted into the second portion 104 of the fitting body 10. In particular, the second proximal portion 104a coaxially surrounds the first distal portion 102b so as to form the impeller chamber 50 for accommodating the impeller 16 with the first distal portion 102b.

[0086] The impeller chamber 50 is in fluid communication with the second portion 11b of the main channel 11. For example, the impeller chamber 50 is cup-shaped, a larger portion of which accommodates the impeller, and a portion of which gradually narrows and merges into the second portion 11b of the main channel 11.

[0087] Thus, the portion of the fluid flow that enters the nozzle 40 and feeds the impeller 16 is redirected toward the outlet opening 14 of the fitting.

[0088] In one embodiment, the first distal portion 102b of the first part 102 of the fitting body 10 forms a peripheral flange 102c having a threaded outer surface 102d. The second proximal portion 104a of the second part 104 of the fitting body forms an internally threaded collar 104c adapted to be screwed onto the peripheral flange 102c. The sealing ring 42 may be inserted between the two connection elements.

[0089] For example, the inner wall of the peripheral flange 102c radially defines an annular coil seat 204, in which the coil ring 200 ( Figure 6 ).

[0090] In the attached figure ( Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Fig.11 ), the first portion 102 of the fitting body 10 is further formed by an axial connection between a first portion first element 1022 (close to the fluid flow direction in the fitting) and a first portion second element 1024 (distal element).

[0091] In this first portion second element 1024, a nozzle 40 for supplying the impeller 26 with fluid can be obtained.

[0092] In one embodiment, in the main channel 11, downstream of the impeller 16 relative to the direction of the pressurized fluid, a one-way device 70 is accommodated, which is configured to allow the fluid to pass through the main channel 11 when the fluid acting on the one-way device 70 has reached a pressure sufficient to cause a predetermined amount of electrical energy to be generated.

[0093] The energy required to start the impeller from rest is actually greater than the energy required to keep the impeller spinning once started.

[0094] In one embodiment, one-way device 70 is calibrated to open when the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet openings of the fitting reaches a minimum pressure differential threshold (ΔP). All fluid entering inlet opening 12 impacts impeller 26 until this threshold is reached, facilitating activation of impeller 26.

[0095] In one embodiment, the one-way device 70 is constituted by a one-way valve.

[0096] More specifically, in one embodiment, the one-way valve 70 is accommodated in the second body portion 104 , and a gate element 72 elastically urged, for example, by a coil spring 74 is provided at a closed position at the distal end of the first section 11 a of the main passage 11 .

[0097] For example, the gate element 72 is supported by a hollow valve body 76 provided with a side opening 78 to allow the portion of the fluid flow supplied to the impeller 16 to flow toward the outlet opening 14 even when the non-return valve 70 is in the closed position of the main channel 11 .

[0098] In a possible variant embodiment, the one-way device 70 includes a duckbill valve, which is a rubber element that allows air to pass in only one direction when the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet exceeds a certain value.

[0099] The non-return device 70 also makes it possible to limit the pressure drop and ensure a sufficient flow rate at the outlet of the fitting.

[0100] A person skilled in the art may make numerous changes, adjustments, adaptations and substitutions of elements with other functionally equivalent elements to the embodiments of the accessory according to the invention to meet contingent needs without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Each feature described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be obtained independently of the other described embodiments.

Claims

1. An accessory (1) for a pressurized fluid circuit, comprising: A fitting body (10) provided with a main passage (11) for a pressurized fluid passing through the fitting body (10), the main passage (11) extending between a fluid inlet opening (12) and a fluid outlet opening (14); an impeller (16) housed in the fitting body (10) and capable of being driven to rotate by a pressurized fluid passing through the fitting body (10); A plurality of magnets (18) supported by the impeller (16) and circumferentially distributed to form a magnet ring (180); a plurality of coils (20) housed in the accessory body (10) and circumferentially distributed to form a coil ring (200) magnetically coupled to the magnet ring (180) to generate an electric current in the presence of a variable magnetic field generated by the rotation of the magnet ring (180), A plurality of nozzles (40) for supplying the impeller (16) are provided in the accessory body (10), and the plurality of nozzles (40) extend radially from the main channel (11). And wherein the impeller (16) is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet opening (14) so ​​that part of the fluid flow entering the supply nozzle (40) and supplied to the impeller (16) is re-conveyed towards the outlet opening (14).

2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein: The impeller (16) is accommodated in an impeller chamber (50), the impeller chamber is in fluid communication with the main channel (11) through a return channel (52), and the nozzle (40), the impeller chamber (50) and the return channel (52) form a secondary channel connected in parallel with the main channel (11).

3. The accessory according to claim 2, wherein: The return channel (52) flows into the main channel (11) near the outlet opening (14).

4. Accessory according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an electronic data transmission unit (24) driven by the electric current generated by the coil (20).

5. Accessory according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one sensor (22) driven by the current generated by the coil ring (20).

6. The accessory according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The electronic data transmission unit (24) is configured to wirelessly transmit a presence signal when driven by the current generated by the coil loop (20).

7. The accessory according to claim 6, wherein: The presence signal includes a data packet containing an accessory unique code.

8. An accessory according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: The electronic data transmission unit (24) is operably connected to the at least one sensor (22) and is configured to wirelessly transmit data received from the at least one sensor (22).

9. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The coils (20) are arranged to have respective axes parallel to the rotation axis (X) of the impeller.

10. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The impeller (16) has a rotation axis (X) coaxial with at least a portion of the main channel (11).

11. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The electrical terminals (202) of the coil (20) are oriented parallel to the axis of rotation (X) of the impeller.

12. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The accessory body (10) comprises: a first main body portion (102) in which a first section (11a) of the main channel (11) is provided, the first section (11a) extending between a first proximal portion (102a) and a first distal portion (102b) forming the inlet opening (12), the coil loop (200) being supported by the first main body portion (102); a second body portion (104) in which a second section (11b) of the main channel (11) is provided, the second section extending between a second proximal portion (104a) and a second distal portion (104b) forming the outlet opening (14), wherein the second proximal portion (104a) coaxially surrounds the first distal portion (102b) so as to form an impeller chamber (50) with the first distal portion (102b) in which the impeller (16) is accommodated, And wherein the impeller chamber (50) is in fluid communication with the second section (11b) of the main channel (11).

13. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A one-way device (70) is housed in the main passage (11) downstream of the impeller (16) relative to the direction of the pressurized fluid, the one-way device being configured to open the main passage when the fluid reaches a pressure sufficient to generate a predetermined amount of electricity.

14. Accessory according to claims 12 and 13, wherein The one-way device (70) is housed in the second body portion (104) and has a gate element (72) adapted to cooperate with the distal end of the first section (11a) of the main channel (11).

15. An accessory according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The one-way device is a one-way valve, and the gate element (72) is usually pushed by an elastic element to close the distal end of the first section (11a) of the main channel (11).

16. An accessory according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The one-way device (70) comprises a duckbill valve.

17. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein In order to rotate and guide the impeller (16), the impeller (16) is mounted on at least one impeller support (164) coupled to the fitting body (10), and the impeller support (164) is, for example, a ball bearing or a sliding bushing.

18. The accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The impeller (16) is mounted on the fitting body (10) with a gap, so that when the impeller (16) is driven to rotate, an annular air cushion is formed between the impeller (16) and the fitting body (10).

19. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The coils (20) are electrically connected in series with each other.

20. An accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein: The fitting body (10) extends along a fitting axis (Y), and the inlet opening (12) and the outlet opening (14) are aligned with each other along the fitting axis (Y).

21. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a main electronic board (38) and an annular coil board (36), wherein at least one sensor, a data transmission unit and an electronic control unit are mounted on the main electronic board (38), the annular coil board (36) is connected to the electrical terminals of the coil (20), and the annular coil board (36) is also connected to the main electronic board (38).

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