Actuation system with modular fixation

Abstract

Actuating system (1, 1') for operating at least one flow regulating element (2) for regulating a fluid flow of a fluid transport pipe (3, 3'), comprising: an actuator (10, 10') having a servomotor coupled to a rotatable shaft (20, 20') of the flow regulating element (2, 2'), and an actuator housing (100, 100'), wherein the servomotor is connected to the actuator housing (100, 100'); at least one fastening component (4, 4', 4") for fastening the fastening component (4, 4', 4") to a wall (30, 30') of the fluid transport pipe (3, 3'); wherein the actuator housing (100, 100') has a connection port (1000, 1000') for connecting the fastening component (4, 4', 4") to the actuator housing (100, 100').

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to an actuation system for operating at least one flow regulating element for regulating a fluid flow rate of a fluid transport pipe according to the invention, comprising: an actuator having a servomotor which is coupled to a rotatable shaft of the flow regulating element of the fluid transport pipe, and an actuator housing, wherein the servomotor is connected to the actuator housing.PRIOR ARTIn the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings, in particular in residential, office, industrial and industrial buildings, automatic control of fluid flows is becoming increasingly important. For this purpose, a plurality of sensors and actuators are used for regulating the flow, which are controlled by automatic, centrally or decentrally arranged control units. Servomotors, sensors such as pressure and temperature sensors, and controllers are generally combined in a compact unit.Rotatable fluid regulating members, such as flaps, are important components for automatic flow control systems. The volume flow is measured with a suitable sensor and the measured values are forwarded to an electronic system. To rotate the fluid regulating elements, actuators actuate the flow regulating elements. Due to the relatively high torque which arises in this case, the connection between the actuators and the respective fluid pipe must be stable and reliable. In particular, it must be prevented that the servomotor rotates due to the exerted torque. On the other hand, the mounting of the actuators on the pipe must be kept as simple as possible. If the motor is fixedly coupled to a fluid regulating element, it may also be necessary to absorb any eccentricity of the rotating shaft axis in addition to a torque.The patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,684 B2 discloses a rotation prevention device which permits a corresponding linear movement in the longitudinal direction but prevents a rotation of the servomotor. However, the assembly of the actuator on a pipe is still complicated and the actuators and the fastening components must be specifically matched to one another.OBJECT OF THE INVENTIONThe object of the present invention is to provide an actuation system for actuating at least one flow regulating element for regulating a fluid flow of a fluid transport pipe, which enables a secure and reliable connection between the actuation system and the pipe and at the same time reduces the complexity of the assembly process.TECHNICAL SOLUTIONThe object is achieved by an actuation system according to claim 1.An actuation system for actuating at least one flow regulating element, e.g. a flap, a valve closure, etc., for regulating a fluid flow of a fluid transport pipe according to the invention comprises: an actuator having a servomotor coupled to a rotatable shaft of the flow regulating element of the fluid transport pipe, and an actuator housing, wherein the servomotor is connected to the actuator housing; at least one fastening component for fastening the fastening component to a wall of the fluid transport pipe; wherein the actuator housing comprises a connection port for connecting the fastening component to the housing.In particular, the actuation system is a modular system which consists of the actuator and at least one of the fastening components. Conventional actuators and gears differ in their size and design, e.g. in the size of the base plate and the design of the housing. There are therefore a multiplicity of actuating systems for fluid control, all of which have different, also customer-specific, fastening systems for fastening to the installation site, for example to a fluid pipe. The provision of the fastening component and the actuator as separate, modular components reduces the variety of connection concepts and the variants of the base module.With the aid of the invention, a simplified assembly method is possible, namely the assembly of a fixing element such as a screw on the tube and the subsequent fastening of the actuator and of the fastening element, which is matched both to the fixing element and to the actuator housing, on the pre-assembled fixing element. This ensures that no further accessories (e.g. anti-rotation means, further screws) are required which could be lost during the assembly process. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the fixing element can be pre-assembled.A further advantage of the concept according to the invention is that the solution is backwards compatible and also functions with existing anti-rotation means.Preferably, the fastening component is detachably fastened to the connection port of the housing.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening component can be connected to the connection port by a clamping connection. The fastening component that can be connected to the connection port by a clamping connection can be snapped in and then fastened to fixing elements (e.g. screws) already pre-assembled at the mounting location.The clamping connection may comprise at least two flexible arms which may be inserted into corresponding receptacles of the connection port.Preferably, the system comprises a locking element for locking the connection between the connection port and the fastening component. In particular, the locking element can be inserted into an intermediate space between the clamping arms in order to prevent a movement of the engagement lugs of the clamping arms of corresponding clamping grooves in the port of the housing.In a particular embodiment, the fastening component comprises a slot for receiving a fixing element which is fastened in a wall of the fluid transport tube. The fixing element can be a screw, a bolt or another pin which can be mounted, in particular pre-assembled, in the wall of the tube. The fastening component, which has a longitudinal slot or recess that may be open at one end of the slot or recess, is particularly useful for applications where the actuation system must accommodate or balance the eccentricity of the rotation of the shaft of the flow regulating member. The slot allows for (linear) movement of the housing along a longitudinal axis relative to the tube, such that stresses in the attachment components (or other components of the system) can be avoided. In other words, even in the case of eccentricity of the rotating shaft of the flow regulating member, the eccentricity can be compensated. The amount of eccentricity depends on the diameter of the rotating shaft which is attached to a universal adapter capable of accommodating multiple diameters. The smaller the diameter, the greater the eccentricity. Another cause of eccentricity may be inaccurate assembly.In this case, one side of the actuator is mounted with play to allow longitudinal movement, but the mounting member prevents rotation about the shaft of the fluid regulating member. Moreover, this construction enables an actuator to be mounted on a pipe in a short time, since only an already pre-assembled screw is required. As a result, installation, also overhead, is much simpler.The attachment component may comprise a fixation element inserted into a bore in the wall of the fluid transport tube at a distance from the rotatable shaft of the flow regulating element. In this embodiment, the fastening component has a fixing element which is integrally formed on or fastened to it and replaces the separate fixing element. The fixing element can be, for example, a bolt or a spring element which extends from the body of the fastening component towards the tube wall. During assembly, a bore could be made in the tube before the actuation system is attached to the tube. Also in this embodiment, the number of components is small and assembly is possible even with only one hand.The actuation system may comprise a fixation element attached to the wall of the fluid transport tube at a distance from the rotatable shaft of the flow regulating element. The distance is expediently selected such that the fixing element can project through an opening or a slot of the fastening component. The fixing element can consist of a screw and / or a bolt, which can be introduced into the slot of the fastening component or projects through a bore of the fastening component. In particular, in the presence of a slot, the fixing element is arranged approximately in the middle of the slot.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing element comprises a sleeve which is fastened to the screw or the bolt. The provision of a sleeve has the effect that the assembly process is improved. In the case of eccentricity, which is caused by different diameters of the shaft and a clamp, the eccentricity could hitherto only be compensated by the anti-rotation means having been installed with play in the slot so that the system does not clamp. This is prone to errors and a relatively complicated assembly step. In order to simplify this assembly step, it is optimized by the sleeve with the pre-assembled screw, so that it is substantially simpler and no misassembly is possible. A central clamping block is thus no longer necessary. In addition, the sleeve helps in pre-assembling the fixing element because it functions as a spacer, which indicates how deep the fixing element can be fastened in the tube wall.Preferably, the fastening component is provided to prevent at least one rotation of the housing about an axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft.In a further embodiment of the invention, the fastening component is provided to enable a movement of the housing along a longitudinal axis of the fluid transport tube.In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuation system comprises at least two fastening components and the housing comprises at least two corresponding connection ports. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if there is no eccentricity, for example because the drive is mounted via a form fit which does not block the shaft in a vertical directional connection, or via a locking mechanism. Then the servomotor only needs to absorb the torque, but no eccentricity. The locking is practically always located centrally to the drive shaft of the butterfly valve. The housing of the servomotor is screwed to the tube and thus prevents the system from rotating with the shaft. In addition, the servomotor is secured in the axial direction of the drive shaft. A longitudinal play as in the above-described embodiments is not required.If eccentricity is not a matter, both sides of the actuator may be provided with a fastening component, in particular of the same type, which are fixedly mounted on the tube in order to prevent (longitudinal) axial play and rotation.A method of assembling an actuation system as described above comprises the steps of: pre-assembling the fixation element at a distance from the rotatable shaft, the distance being adjusted such that the fixation element is positioned in the slot of the attachment component when the actuator is coupled to the rotatable shaft.Preferably, the fixing element is arranged substantially in the middle of the slot of the fastening component.The invention relates to any combination of the features described in this application.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESThe invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an actuation system according to the invention in the mounted state; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the first embodiment of the invention in an unmounted state; FIG. 3 is a plan view of a detail of the first embodiment of the invention in the mounted state; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of a second embodiment of the invention in an unmounted state; FIG. 5 is a sectional view from above of a detail of a second embodiment of the invention in the mounted state; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention in the mounted state; and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a component of a third embodiment of the invention.DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTIONFIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an actuation system 1 according to the invention for operating a flow regulating element, e.g. a flap or a valve closure 2 (indicated in the drawing, but not visible), for regulating a fluid flow in a fluid transport pipe 3.The actuation system 1 comprises an actuator 10 with a servo motor coupled to a rotatable shaft 20 of the flow regulating element 2 protruding from the wall 30 of the tube 3. The actuator motor may include a reduction gear for rotating the shaft 20 exactly at a predetermined angle. The coupling can be effected, for example, by a positive fit or force fit, for example by clamping. The actuator 10 has an actuator housing 100, in which the servomotor is accommodated.Furthermore, the actuation system 1 comprises a fastening component 4 for fastening the fastening component 4 to a wall 30 of the fluid transport pipe 3. the actuator housing 100 comprises a connection port 1000 for connecting the fastening component 4 to the actuator housing 100. The actuator 10 and the fastening component 4 are designed as a modular system 1.The regulating element 2 is arranged inside the tube 3. It is connected to or integral with a shaft 20 which extends through the wall 30 of the tube 3. The shaft 20 is fixed to and coupled to the motor of the actuator 10 so that the actuator 10 is capable of rotating the shaft 20. The motor may be axially coupled to the shaft 20 by a clamping connection 11. This connection, however, need not be entirely axial, but may have an eccentricity which depends on the shaft diameter when the shaft 20 is fastened by a universal clamping connection 11 suitable for fastening different shaft diameters. Therefore, the housing may move along a longitudinal axis x of the tube 3 when the shaft 20 is rotated by the motor of the actuator 10.The fastening component 4 is fastened to the housing 100 via the connection port 1010 and connected to the wall 30 of the pipe 3 by means of a self-tapping screw 5.FIG. 2 shows details of the fastening component 4 of the first embodiment of the invention and the connection between the fastening component 4 and the housing 100.The fastening component 4 is made of plastic, but could also be made of any other suitable material such as sheet metal. It has a first connecting portion 40 for connection to the wall 30 of the pipe 3. In an assembly operation, a screw 5 may be screwed into the wall 30 of the pipe 3 before the actuation system 1 is fastened to the pipe 3, or the screw may be fastened to the wall 30 after the actuation system 1 is arranged. Thus, the system 1 can be attached to the pipe 3 by a person with only one hand.The screw 5 is provided with a sleeve 6 which is fixed to the screw 5. The sleeve 6 has the function of a spacer. It limits the depth of screwing the screw 5 into the tube 3 and prevents the screw 5 from being screwed too deeply.A longitudinal slot 400 is formed in the first connecting portion 40. The shank 50 of the pre-fixed screw 5 extends through the slot 400. The slot 400 is bounded by a first leg 401 of the first connecting portion 40 and a second leg 402 of the first connecting portion 40. The screw 5 is arranged approximately in the middle of the x-extension of the slot 400 (see FIG. 1 ). By this arrangement, the fastening component 4 can move relative to the tube 3 along a longitudinal axis x.The second connecting portion 41 of the fastening component 4 is provided for fastening the component 4 to the housing 100 of the actuator 10. Therefore, the second connecting portion 41 includes a body 410 extending at an angle of about 90° from the first connecting portion 40, and two engaging arms 411 and 412 for engaging with the terminal port 1000 provided in the housing 100. The arms 411 and 412 extend parallel to and on the opposite side of the first connecting portion 41. the arms 411 and 412 are at least partially resilient and have an outwardly extending engagement protrusion 4110 and 4120 for engaging corresponding recesses (not shown) formed in the terminal port 1000.When the system 1 is mounted on the pipe 3, the screw 5 carrying the sleeve 6 is screwed into the wall 30 of the pipe 3. Then, the slot 400 of the fastening component 4 is fastened to the bolt by sliding the fastening component 4 so that the bolt 5 is inserted into the slot 400. When the fastening component 4 is in the proper position, the actuator housing 100 is connected to the fastening component 4 by inserting the engagement arms 411 and 412 of the fastening component 4 into the terminal port 1000 of the housing of the actuator 10. Subsequently, a locking member 7 may be inserted through an opening 413 formed in the body 410 of the second terminal portion 41 between the arms 411 and 412. The locking member 7 locks the arms 411 and 412 and prevents the fastening component 4 from coming off the terminal port 1000.The steps for fastening the fastening component 4 to the housing 100 or to the pipe 3 can be carried out in different orders.FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of the connection between the housing 100 and the fastening component 4, using the same reference numerals. In this view, it can be seen that the fastening component has supporting projections 414 (two of which are marked by way of example) for positionally correct support of the fastening component 4 relative to the housing 100. Furthermore, the recesses 1001 and 1002 for the engagement of the latching noses 4110 and 4120 and the blocking function of the locking element 7 can be seen.The fastening component 4 and the screw 5 align the actuator 10 and hold it in a predetermined longitudinal orientation, i.e. a rotation of the actuator 10 in a plane x-y (see FIG. 1 ) and / or a rotation of the actuator 10 about the shaft 20 of the regulating element 2 is prevented, wherein an eccentric alignment of the shaft 20 relative to the actuator 10 is compensated. Rather, an eccentricity caused by the fit between the servomotor and the shaft 20 can be compensated for without any problems during the rotation of the drive shaft 20.In FIG. 4 a second embodiment of the modular system 1' according to the invention is shown. The corresponding components have the same reference numerals with a high point as in the first embodiment.FIG. 4 shows a detail of the system 1' with an actuator 10' and two fastening components 4' (only one fastening component is shown in FIG. 4), one for each side of the actuator 10'. In this embodiment, the shaft is coupled only for transmitting the rotational movement, but the system 1 is not, as in the first embodiment, attached along the shaft axis (e.g. by clamping) to the tube / shaft 3, so that two attachment components are required.The actuator 10' includes a terminal port 1000' for engaging the engaging arms 411' and 412' of the fastening component 4'. The fastening component 4' is different from the fastening component 4 of the first embodiment in that it does not have a slit formed in the first connecting portion 40' but has a through hole 400' for inserting a screw 5'.FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the invention in the assembled state with engaging protrusions 4110' and 4120' engaging recesses 1001' and 1002', respectively, of the terminal port 1000'.Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the complete system 1' of the second embodiment mounted on the wall 30' of a pipe 3'. The figure shows that the actuator 10' is attached at each of the longitudinal ends to the tube 3' by a respective fastening component 4' which are fastened to the wall 30' of the tube 3' by respective screws 5'. It will be seen that the actuator 10' is not movable along the axis x', i.e. the system 1' is provided in the event that no eccentricity occurs which has to be compensated for when the shaft 20' of the actuator rotates. The system 1' is firmly connected to the tube 3' at least in the x' and y' extents.The mounting of an actuating system 1 or 1' according to one of the embodiments comprises the preassembly of the fixing element 5, 5' at a predetermined distance from the rotatable shaft 20, 20', wherein the distance is adjusted such that the fixing element 5, 5' engages in the slot 400 or the through hole 400' of the fastening component 4, 4' when the servomotor is coupled to the rotatable shaft 20, 20'.FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the fastening component 4". In comparison with the first and second embodiments, instead of a through hole for a screw, the fastening component 4'' has a spring element 5'' or a fastening protrusion which extends from the underside (facing the tube) of the first connecting portion 40''. When fastening the fastening component 4'' to the pipe, the spring element or the fastening projection 5'' is latched, inserted or snapped into a corresponding blind hole (not shown) formed in the pipe wall. Moreover, the fastening component 4'' has a locking element 7'' with which the fastening component 4'' is locked to the housing of the actuator, similar to the first embodiment.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedU.S. Pat. No. 8,061,684 B2

[0004]

Claims

An actuation system (1, 1') for operating at least one flow regulating element (2) for regulating a fluid flow of a fluid transport pipe (3, 3'), comprising: an actuator (10, 10') having a servo motor coupled to a rotatable shaft (20, 20') of the flow regulating element (2, 2'), and an actuator housing (100, 100'), wherein the servo motor is connected to the actuator housing (100, 100'); at least one fastening component (4, 4', 4") for fastening the fastening component (4, 4', 4") to a wall (30, 30') of the fluid transport pipe (3, 3'); wherein the actuator housing (100, 100') has a connection port (1000, 1000') for connecting the fastening component (4, 4', 4") to the actuator housing (100, 100').The actuation system (1, 1') according to claim 1, wherein the actuation system (1, 1') is a modular system comprising the actuator (10, 10') and at least one of the fastening components (4, 4', 4").The actuation system (1, 1') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening component (4, 4', 4") is detachably fastened to the connection port (1000, 1000') of the actuator housing (100, 100').The actuation system (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening component (4, 4', 4") is connectable to the connection port (1000, 1000') by a clamping connection.The actuation system (1, 1') according to claim 4, wherein the clamping connection comprises at least two flexible arms (411, 412; 411', 412'; 411", 412") insertable into corresponding receptacles of the connection port (1000, 1000').The actuation system (1') according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation system (1') comprises a locking element (7, 7") for locking the connection between the connection port (1000) and the fastening component (4, 4")The actuation system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening component (4) comprises a slot (400) for receiving a fixing element (5) which is fastened in a wall (30) of the fluid transport tube (3).The actuation system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening component (4") comprises a fixing element (5") inserted into a bore in the wall of the fluid transport tube at a distance from the rotatable shaft of the flow regulating element.The actuation system (1, 1') according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1, 1') comprises a fixing element (5, 5') which is fastened in a wall (30, 30') of the fluid transport pipe (3, 3') at a distance from the rotatable shaft (20, 20') of the flow regulating element (2).The actuation system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the fixing element (5) comprises a screw and / or a bolt that is / can be inserted into the slot (400) of the fastening component (4).The actuation system (1, 1') according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the fixing element (5, 5') comprises a sleeve (6) which is fastened to the screw or the bolt, respectively.The actuation system (1, 1', 1") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening component (4, 4', 4") is provided to prevent at least a rotation of the actuator housing (100, 100') about an axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft (20, 20').The actuation system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening component (4) is provided to enable a movement of the housing (10) along a longitudinal axis (x) of the fluid transport tube (3).The actuation system (1') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1') comprises at least two fastening components (4', 4") and the housing (10') comprises at least two corresponding connection ports (1000').

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