Venting and / or air release valve

Abstract

A venting and / or aeration valve comprising a valve housing (1), a main valve (15, 17) arranged in the valve housing (1) for rapid venting and aeration of a pipeline connected to the valve housing (1), an auxiliary valve (21, 22) arranged in the valve housing (1) for operational venting of the pipeline at operating pressure, and a float (14) arranged within the valve housing (1) by which both the main valve (15, 17) and the auxiliary valve (21, 22) are controlled depending on the fill level of a fluid located in the valve housing (1), characterized by a valve position sensor (23) for detecting the position of a valve body (15) relative to a valve seat (17) of the main valve (15, 17).at least one further sensor (24) for detecting the humidity and pressure in an interior (4) of the valve housing (1) and an evaluation unit (28) for detecting an operating state of the air inlet and / or outlet valve depending on the values ​​detected by the valve position sensor (23) and the at least one further sensor (24), wherein the valve position sensor (23) is associated with a guide pin (18) connected to the valve body (15) for detecting its position and is arranged in a guide bushing (19) for axial guidance of the guide pin (18) connected to the valve body (15), and wherein the further sensor (24) is designed as a combination sensor for detecting pressure and humidity and is arranged in the upper part of a lower housing part (2) of the valve housing (1) in the area of ​​the valve body (15) of the main valve (15, 17).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a venting and / or aeration valve according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From DE 32 21 377 C1, a generic venting and aeration valve is known, comprising a main valve arranged within a valve housing for the rapid venting and aeration of a pipeline, and an auxiliary valve arranged in the valve housing for operational venting. Both the main valve and the auxiliary valve are actuated by a float depending on the fill level of a liquid located in the valve housing.

[0003] These types of air release and venting valves are typically placed at high points in pipeline systems and are used for start-up, venting during operation, and as a safety measure in case of pipe rupture. For example, when filling a pipeline system, air present in the system can be removed via these valves. Air that enters the pipeline during operation, either through air ingress or through the release of dissolved air from the water, and which could otherwise compromise the entire pipeline system, can also be vented through these valves. Furthermore, these valves can be used to vent the pipelines if, for example, a pipe rupture causes a rapid flow of water and the resulting negative pressure within the pipeline.However, such air release and venting valves usually have a closed design, so their operating status cannot be easily determined.

[0004] German patent application DE 20 2014 102 568 U1 discloses a safety device connectable to a water fitting for protecting a drinking water installation against backflow of used or contaminated water from a tap to the inlet side of a pipeline. The safety device comprises a directional control valve for opening or closing the pipeline, a vent valve located between the inlet side and the directional control valve for venting the pipeline, and a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the pipeline. The directional control valve is controlled based on the measured pressure. The vent valve contains a piston that is axially displaceable within a housing and is pressed against a sealing seat by the water pressure. This is intended to prevent water from escaping into the environment in the area of ​​the vent valve when water is drawn.

[0005] DE 10 2008 010 573 A1 discloses a venting and aeration valve system with a closing mechanism for a vent opening, wherein the closing mechanism has a control that depends on the water or liquid level.

[0006] US Patent 2006 / 0 231 073 A1 discloses a sensor arrangement located on the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine for controlling the fuel supply and the intake air volume. In this known sensor arrangement, several sensors are integrated into a single sensor unit. In one embodiment, the sensor unit includes, for example, a throttle position sensor, an intake air temperature sensor, and an intake air pressure sensor. These sensors are housed together in a casing located on the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine.

[0007] US 2014 / 0 130 878 A1 deals with the connection of a valve to a valve network which, in addition to a valve assembly with at least one valve for controlling a fluid or gas flow, includes various sensors, a processor for controlling the position of the valve based on the information received from the sensors, and a communication module connected to the processor which is capable of sending information to and receiving information from the valve network and is also capable of sending information received from the valve assembly about the status of the fluid flowing through the valve to the valve network.

[0008] The object of the invention is to enable simple detection of the operating state of a generic venting and / or aeration valve.

[0009] This problem is solved by a venting and / or aeration valve with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments and beneficial embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] The venting and / or aeration valve according to the invention comprises a valve position sensor for detecting the position of the main valve responsible for rapid venting and / or aeration. This allows, for example, the detection of whether the main valve is in an open or closed position. Furthermore, the venting and / or aeration valve according to the invention includes at least one additional sensor that can determine the pressure and humidity inside the valve housing and / or the temperature. The valve position sensor and the at least one additional sensor are also connected to an evaluation unit that allows the operating status of the venting and / or aeration valve to be determined based on the values ​​obtained by the valve position sensor and the at least one additional sensor.The detected valve position and at least one additional operating parameter determined by the secondary sensor allow conclusions to be drawn about the operating status or malfunctions of the venting and / or aeration valve. The valve position sensor is designed to detect the position of a valve body relative to a valve seat of the main valve. The valve position sensor is associated with a guide pin connected to the valve body for detecting its position and is arranged in a guide bushing for axial guidance of the guide pin connected to the valve body. The secondary sensor is designed as a combination sensor for detecting pressure, humidity, and, if necessary, temperature. The sensor is preferably located in the upper part of a lower housing section of the valve housing in the area of ​​a valve body of the main valve. The sensor can, for example, be screwed into a transverse bore of the lower housing section.

[0011] For example, the signals from the valve position sensor and the signals from a pressure sensor and a level or humidity sensor can be used to determine whether the air release and / or vent valve is working correctly or whether a malfunction has occurred. An additional temperature sensor can also be used to determine whether the air release and / or vent valve is frozen.

[0012] The evaluation unit processes the signals supplied by the sensors using appropriate signal processing logic and assigns them to specific operating states of the air release and / or vent valve. The evaluation unit may include a display to show the operating states. It may also have memory for recording data from the air release and / or vent valve and an interface for wired or wireless communication with an external evaluation unit. Further information about the actuation of the air release and / or vent valve can also be recorded and stored in the evaluation unit and, if required, read out or transmitted via a suitable interface to a computer or other external evaluation device. Data transmission could be wired or wireless, for example, via a USB or Bluetooth interface.

[0013] The valve position sensor and at least one other sensor can be connected to the evaluation unit via cables or wireless data transmission.

[0014] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a venting and aeration valve according to the invention in an open position; Fig. 2 a sectional view of the in Fig. 1. The air vent shown is in a closed position and Fig. 3 a sectional view of the in Fig. 1. The air vent shown during operational venting.

[0015] The in Fig.The venting and aeration valve shown in a longitudinal section comprises a valve body 1, which in the illustrated embodiment consists of a lower housing part 2 and a housing cover 3 screwed to it. The hollow cylindrical lower housing part 2, designed as a hollow body with a continuous cavity 4, has a lower connection flange 5 for mounting on a pipe connection and an upper connection flange 6 for attaching the housing cover 3. The housing cover 3 includes a laterally open valve outlet 7 and can be fastened to the upper connection flange 6 of the lower housing part 2 by several screws distributed around its circumference. To seal the housing cover 3 against the lower housing part 2, an annular seal 8 is inserted between the housing cover 3 and the upper connection flange 6 of the lower housing part 2.

[0016] A guide or flow body 9, consisting of a thin-walled sheet metal, is arranged in the interior 4 of the lower housing part 2. It has a bent upper edge 10, a cylindrical section 11 spaced from the inner wall of the lower housing part 2, and a funnel-shaped bottom 12 with an inlet opening 13. The guide or flow body 9 is held in the lower housing part 2 by the edge 10, which is clamped between the upper connecting flange 6 of the lower housing part 2 and the housing cover 3. A float 14 is axially movably guided in the cylindrical section 11 of the guide or flow body 9.

[0017] The float 14 actuates a bell-shaped first valve body 15, which is movably arranged above a rounded upper part 16 of the float 14 within the valve housing 1 between a lower open position and an upper closed position. In the upper closed position, it comes into contact with a valve seat 17 on the underside of the housing cover 3. The bell-shaped first valve body 15 is axially displaceable within a guide bushing 19 located in the housing cover 3 by means of an upwardly projecting guide pin 18. The guide bushing 19 is screwed into a threaded bore 20 on the upper side of the housing cover 3. The valve body 15 and the associated valve seat 17 form a main valve for rapid venting and purging.To improve the sealing of the main valve, the seal 8 arranged between the housing part 2 and the housing cover 3 is designed in such a way that the valve body 15, when in contact with the valve seat 17, also comes into contact with the inside of the annular seal 8.

[0018] As from Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the guide pin 18 has an end projecting downwards relative to the bell-shaped valve body 15. An angled vent bore 21 is arranged in the guide pin 18, with one end opening onto the underside of the bell-shaped valve body 15 and the other end opening into the valve drain 7 above the valve body 15. A second valve body 22, designed as a sealing disc, is arranged on the upper side of the float 14. This second valve body 22, together with the vent bore 21 in the guide pin 18, forms an auxiliary valve for venting during operation.

[0019] A valve position sensor 23 is arranged on the valve housing 1 to detect the valve position. The valve position sensor 23 is designed to detect the position of the main valve formed by the bell-shaped first valve body 15 and the valve seat 17. The valve position sensor 23, as shown in the drawing, detects the position of the bell-shaped first valve body 15 relative to the valve seat 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve position sensor 23 is associated with the guide pin 18, which is connected to the bell-shaped first valve body 15 of the main valve, and is arranged in the guide bushing 19, which is screwed into the housing cover 3. The valve position sensor 23 can be a contact switch interacting with the guide pin 18 or a contactless switch.

[0020] A further sensor 24 for detecting the temperature, pressure, and humidity inside the interior 4 of the lower housing part 2 is arranged on the valve housing 1. The sensor 24 is located in the upper part of the lower housing part 2 in the area of ​​the valve body 15 of the main valve. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 24 is designed as a combination sensor and is screwed into a transverse bore 25 in the upper area of ​​the lower housing part 2. The valve position sensor 23 and the further sensor 24 are connected to an evaluation unit 28 via lines 26 and 27, respectively. The evaluation unit 28 can detect and, if necessary, display the operating status of the air release valve based on the values ​​determined by the two sensors 23 and 24.

[0021] For example, if valve position sensor 23 provides a signal indicating the main valve is open, while sensor 24 detects neither pressure nor humidity, this indicates that the air release valve is in an open rest position. Conversely, if valve position sensor 23 provides a signal indicating the main valve is closed and sensor 24 signals operating pressure and humidity, this indicates that the air release valve is closed.

[0022] The following section explains the function of the air release and venting valve described above, using the following examples: Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 explained.

[0023] When emptying a pipeline (not shown), to which the in Fig.When the venting and aeration valve shown in 1 is connected, the liquid level in the valve housing 1 of the venting and aeration device drops, whereby the float 14 and the bell-shaped valve body 15 also move into a position due to their own weight. Fig. Move the valve to the lower rest position shown in Figure 1. In the rest position, the main valve 15, 17 is fully open, allowing air to flow through the open main valve 15, 17 into the lower housing part 2 of the valve housing 1 and vent the pipeline. In this position, the valve position sensor 23 outputs a signal indicating that the main valve is open, while the sensor 24 detects neither pressure nor humidity. This indicates that the air release valve is in an open position.

[0024] When the pipeline is refilled with liquid, the air contained in the pipeline can flow through the open main valve 15, 17 first into the valve drain 7 and from there into the atmosphere. Due to the design, the float 14 and the first valve body 15, which is designed as a valve bell, are not carried along by the escaping air. The open main valve 15, 17 ensures optimized flow for the discharge of large volumes of air.

[0025] When the pipeline is completely vented, the water level in the housing 1 rises, lifting the float 14 by the inflowing liquid into which it is placed. Fig.The valve reaches the closed position shown in Figure 2, thereby also pressing the valve body 15 of the main valve into the closed position. In this position, the valve position sensor 23 outputs a signal for the closed position of the main valve 15, 17, while the sensor 24 detects a working pressure and also humidity.

[0026] The liquid level drops as air collects in housing 1 during operation. This causes float 14 to fall, opening the vent hole 21 via the second valve body 22. The air can then escape at high speed to vent the pipeline under full operating pressure. Simultaneously, liquid flows in again, causing float 14 to regain buoyancy and close the vent hole 21 via valve body 22. During this process, the valve body 15 of the main valve remains in the closed position due to the internal pressure. During this operational venting, the valve position sensor 23 outputs a signal indicating the closed position of the main valve 15, 17, while sensor 24 detects an operating pressure but no moisture. This indicates that the venting valve is in operational venting mode.Measuring the residence time of the humidity signal from sensor 24 in conjunction with the valve position sensor 23 can provide information on whether sufficient air is being discharged from the venting valve under operating pressure.

[0027] Potential malfunctions can also be identified based on specific signal combinations from sensors 23 and 24. For example, if the valve position sensor 23 outputs a signal indicating the open position of the main valve 15, 17, and sensor 24 detects no pressure but humidity, this indicates that the air release valve is not closing. Conversely, if the valve position sensor 23 outputs a signal indicating the closed position of the main valve 15, 17, and sensor 24 detects neither pressure nor humidity, this indicates that the air release valve is not opening. An example of the signal processing logic of the evaluation unit 28 for determining different operating states based on the sensor data described above is shown in the following table. Operating state Valve position Pressure moisture temperature Valve in a rest position On No pressure No signal >0°C Valve Closed To Displays working pressure signal >0°C Valve does not close On No pressure signal >0°C Valve does not open To No pressure No signal >0°C The ventilation system is not working To Displays working pressure No signal with timing >0°C Critical peak On Displays working pressure signal >0°C Operational ventilation To Displays working pressure No signal >0°C Valve iced up On to No pressure / working pressure signal <0°C

[0028] This table shows that a comprehensive picture of the operating status of a venting valve can be obtained with the help of the sensors described above.

[0029] The invention is not limited to the air release and venting valve described above. The sensor technology can also be used with air release and venting valves of other designs or with valves that are used exclusively as air release or venting valves. Reference symbol list 1 Valve housing 2 Housing lower part 3 Housing covers 4 Interior 5 Lower connection flange 6 Upper connection flange 7 Valve drain 8 Seal 9 guide or flow bodies 10 Rand 11 Cylindrical part 12 Floor 13 Inlet opening 14 swimmers 15 First valve body 16 Upper part of the swimmer 17 Valve seat 18 guide pin 19 Guide bushing 20 threaded holes 21 vent hole 22 Second valve body 23 Valve position sensor 24 Sensor 25 transverse bore 26 Management 27 Management 28 evaluation units

Claims

[1] Venting and / or aeration valve comprising a valve housing (1), a main valve (15, 17) arranged in the valve housing (1) for rapid venting and aeration of a pipeline connected to the valve housing (1), an auxiliary valve (21, 22) arranged in the valve housing (1) for operational venting of the pipeline at operating pressure, and a float (14) arranged inside the valve housing (1) by which both the main valve (15, 17) and the auxiliary valve (21, 22) are controlled depending on the fill level of a fluid located in the valve housing (1), characterized by, a valve position sensor (23) for detecting the position of a valve body (15) relative to a valve seat (17) of the main valve (15, 17), at least one further sensor (24) for detecting the humidity and pressure in an interior (4) of the valve housing (1) and an evaluation unit (28) for detecting an operating state of the venting and / or aeration valve depending on the values ​​detected by the valve position sensor (23) and the at least one further sensor (24),wherein the valve position sensor (23) is associated with a guide pin (18) connected to the valve body (15) for detecting its position and is arranged in a guide bushing (19) for axial guidance of the guide pin (18) connected to the valve body (15), and wherein the further sensor (24) is designed as a combination sensor for detecting pressure and humidity and is arranged in the upper part of a lower housing part (2) of the valve housing (1) in the area of ​​the valve body (15) of the main valve (15, 17). [2] Venting and / or aeration valve according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one additional sensor (24) also records the temperature. [3] Venting and / or aeration valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the additional sensor (24) is screwed into a transverse bore (25) of the lower part of the housing (2). [4] Venting and / or aeration valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the valve body (15) of the main valve (15, 17) is designed as a valve bell for contact with the valve seat (17) arranged on the underside of a housing cover (3). [5] Venting and / or aeration valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the auxiliary valve (21, 22) is formed by a vent hole (21) in the guide pin (18) and a valve body (22) on the top of the float (14). [6] Venting and / or aeration valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the valve position sensor (23) and at least one other sensor (24) are connected to the evaluation unit (28) via lines (26, 27) or via wireless data transmission.

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