Valve for a fluid line, device for a fluid line with a valve, and use of a valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve (1) for a fluid line (2), comprising at least: a valve housing (3) with an inlet (4) for a fluid and an outlet (5) for the fluid; a pressure sensor (6) arranged at least partially in the valve housing (3); and at least one valve body (7) which can be adjusted for opening the valve (1) into an open position (8) and closing the valve (1) into a first closed position (9) and a second closed position (10), wherein a pressure of the fluid in the inlet (4) can be measured by the pressure sensor (6) in the first closed position (9) and the pressure of the fluid in the outlet (5) can be measured in the second closed position (10). The invention also relates to a device (14) comprising a valve (1) of this type and a use of a valve (1) of this type.

Description

[0001] Valve for a fluid line, device for a fluid line with a valve and use of a valve

[0002] The present invention relates to a valve for a fluid line, a device comprising such a valve, and a use of such a valve. The fluid line can be shut off by means of the valve.

[0003] Buildings regularly contain a large number of fluid pipes, for example in the form of water pipes, which lead from a fluid source, such as a public water supply network or public gas supply network, to various consumers, such as sanitary fittings, dishwashers, boilers, heating or washing machines.

[0004] Pressure sensors can be installed in these fluid lines to measure or monitor, for example, the supply pressure of the fluid being conveyed from the fluid source to the building. This can ensure that consumers are not damaged by excessive fluid pressure.

[0005] Furthermore, pressure sensors can be used to detect leaks in fluid lines. Methods are known for detecting drip leaks in which a pressure drop in the fluid lines caused by drip leaks is measured over an extended period of time. With these measuring methods, the fluid lines must be closed with a valve for an extended period of time (e.g., 15 minutes) so that the pressure profile in the fluid lines can be measured during this time. In order to cover various applications, multiple pressure sensors often have to be arranged in the fluid lines, which leads to high installation effort and high costs. The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and, in particular, to provide a valve for a fluid line whose pressure sensor can be used for various applications.Furthermore, a device for a fluid line whose pressure sensor can be used for various applications is to be specified. Furthermore, a valve whose pressure sensor can be used for various applications is to be specified.

[0006] These objects are achieved with a valve, a device, and a use according to the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically expedient manner and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features listed in the patent claims are further specified and explained in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

[0007] A valve for a fluid line contributes to this, which has at least the following:

[0008] - a valve housing with an inlet for a fluid and an outlet for the fluid;

[0009] - a pressure sensor; and

[0010] - at least one valve body which is adjustable to open the valve into an open position and to close the valve into a first closed position and a second closed position, wherein in the first closed position a pressure of the fluid in the inlet and in the second closed position the pressure of the fluid in the outlet can be measured by the pressure sensor.

[0011] The valve is in particular connectable to a fluid line, which in particular runs at least partially inside or outside a building and / or from a fluid source to at least one consumer, such as a sanitary fitting, a dishwasher, a boiler, a heater, or a washing machine. The fluid source can in particular be a liquid source, for example in the manner of a public water supply network, and / or a gas source, for example in the manner of a public gas supply network. The fluid line is in particular made at least partially of plastic and / or metal, such as copper, and / or is designed in the manner of a pipeline. The fluid line in particular has a diameter of 10 mm (millimeters) to 60 mm, preferably 1 / 2" [inch] to 2".

[0012] The valve comprises a valve housing with an inlet for a fluid and an outlet for the fluid. The fluid can be a gas or a liquid, in particular water. The valve housing can be made at least partially of plastic and / or metal, such as brass or copper. The inlet and / or outlet can be designed, at least partially, in the manner of a channel or bore within the valve housing. The inlet and / or outlet can:

[0013] - each have a diameter of 5 mm [millimeters] to 50 mm,

[0014] - each have a length of 5 mm to 200 mm,

[0015] - each have an at least partially straight, curved and / or angled course,

[0016] - be coaxially aligned and / or

[0017] - each have a thread for connection to the fluid line.

[0018] The inlet and / or the outlet can be alternatively or cumulatively soldered, crimped or connected to the fluid line by means of quick-release fasteners.

[0019] The inlet can lead from an inlet opening of the valve housing to at least one valve body of the valve. The outlet can lead from the valve body to an outlet opening of the valve housing. The valve comprises one (in particular a single) pressure sensor. The pressure sensor can be arranged at least partially in or on the valve housing. The pressure sensor can in particular be arranged in and / or on a side wall of the valve housing, on an outer side of the valve housing and / or so as to be non-movable relative to the valve housing. Alternatively, the pressure sensor can also be connected to the valve housing and / or the fluid line via a supply line and / or bore. By means of the valve, a pressure of the fluid can be measured or, in particular, converted into an electrical output variable as a measure of the pressure. The pressure of the fluid can, for example, be transmitted to the pressure sensor via a membrane.The valve can be connected to a controller, which can be designed, for example, in the form of a microcontroller.

[0020] The valve body of the valve can be at least partially spherical, cylindrical, have a valve body diameter of, for example, 10 mm to 150 mm, be arranged at least partially in the valve housing and / or be arranged between the inlet and the outlet. The valve can be designed in the manner of a ball valve or a cylindrical valve. Alternatively, the valve can also have two valve bodies, which can each be designed, for example, in the manner of, in particular, flat, slide valves. The valve body can be adjusted to an open position to open the valve and to a first closed position and a second closed position to close the valve. Alternatively or cumulatively, the valve body can be continuously adjustable and / or to intermediate positions, e.g., to reduce flow, in which the pressure of the fluid is, in particular, not measurable.The pressure of the fluid can in particular only be measured by the pressure sensor in the open position, first closed position and second closed position. In the open position, the fluid can in particular flow from the inlet to the outlet, through the valve, through the valve body and / or through the fluid line. In the first closed position and / or the second closed position, the fluid can in particular not flow from the inlet to the outlet, through the valve, through the valve body and / or through the fluid line. In the first closed position and / or the second closed position, the inlet and the outlet are in particular separated by the valve body. The valve body is in particular adjustable relative to the valve housing, in particular rotatable about a rotation axis. The valve body can be adjustable, in particular by a user of the valve, manually and / or by an actuator or drive, in particular an electric drive.The drive can be controlled by the controller.

[0021] In the first closed position, the pressure sensor can selectively or alternatively measure the pressure of the fluid in the inlet and, in the second closed position, the pressure of the fluid in the outlet. In the first closed position, the pressure of the fluid can be measured by the (one) pressure sensor, in particular only in the inlet and / or not in the outlet. In the second closed position, the pressure of the fluid can be measured by the (same) pressure sensor, in particular only in the outlet and / or not in the inlet. In the first closed position, the pressure of the fluid can be measured by the pressure sensor (in a flow direction of the fluid from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of the valve housing), in particular downstream of the valve body and / or, in the second closed position, the pressure of the fluid upstream of the valve body.In the first closed position, the pressure sensor can measure, in particular, the pressure of the fluid at which the fluid is supplied to the building from the fluid source. In the first closed position and / or second closed position, the pressure sensor can measure, in particular, the pressure of the fluid for detecting a leak. Thus, with a single pressure sensor, the pressure of the fluid and / or a leak can be measured in two different areas of the valve and / or in two different areas of the fluid line. The pressure sensor can thus be used for at least two different applications.

[0022] In the open position, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the valve can be measured by the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor can therefore be used for a further application or purpose. In the open position, a supply line to the pressure sensor for measuring the operating pressure can be released or can be released by the valve body. The valve body can be rotatable by at least 90° about a rotation axis between the first closed position and the second closed position. In particular, the valve body can be rotatable by at least 180° between the first closed position and the second closed position. For example, the valve body can be rotatable by 90° to 270°, preferably 170° to 190°, particularly preferably (essentially) 180°, about the rotation axis between the first closed position and the second closed position.The open position of the valve body can be located between the first closed position and the second closed position, in particular exactly between the first closed position and the second closed position. This can mean that the valve body can be rotated from the open position in a first direction of rotation (for example counterclockwise) with a first angle of rotation about the axis of rotation into the first closed position and / or from the open position in a second direction of rotation (opposite to the first direction of rotation) (for example clockwise) with a second angle of rotation about the axis of rotation into the second closed position. The first angle of rotation can correspond to the second angle of rotation. For example, the first angle of rotation and the second angle of rotation can be 45° to 135°, preferably 85° to 95°, particularly preferably (essentially) 90°.

[0023] The valve body can comprise a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel, wherein the first fluid channel extends through the valve body and wherein the second fluid channel opens into the first fluid channel. The first fluid channel can, in particular, extend orthogonally to the axis of rotation, extend completely through the valve body, have a straight course, have a first channel length of, for example, 5 mm to 50 mm, have a first channel diameter of, for example, 5 mm to 50 mm and / or intersect the axis of rotation, in particular centrally. The second fluid channel can, in particular, extend orthogonally to the axis of rotation, extend from a circumferential surface of the valve body into the first fluid channel, have a straight course, have a second channel length of, for example, 2.5 mm to 25 mm, have a second channel diameter of, for example, 2.5 mm to 50 mm and / or not intersect the axis of rotation.The first channel length can be greater than the second channel length and / or the first channel diameter can be greater than the second channel diameter. The first fluid channel and the second fluid channel can extend orthogonally to one another. In particular, the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel can jointly be T-shaped.

[0024] When the valve body is in the open position, the first fluid channel can connect the inlet to the outlet, and the second fluid channel can connect the first fluid channel to the pressure sensor. This allows fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet via the first fluid channel when the valve body is in the open position. Furthermore, when the valve body is in the open position, the fluid can flow to the pressure sensor via the second fluid channel, allowing the pressure sensor to measure the fluid pressure as it flows through the valve.

[0025] In the first closed position of the valve body, the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel can connect the inlet to the pressure sensor. This allows the fluid to flow from the inlet via the second fluid channel and the first fluid channel to the pressure sensor in the first closed position, allowing the pressure of the fluid in the inlet to be measured by the pressure sensor.

[0026] In the second closed position of the valve body, the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel can connect the outlet to the pressure sensor. This allows the fluid to flow from the outlet via the second fluid channel and the first fluid channel to the pressure sensor in the second closed position, allowing the pressure sensor to measure the fluid pressure in the outlet.

[0027] According to a further aspect, a device for a fluid line is also proposed, which device has at least one valve according to the invention. The device can be designed, for example, in the manner of a leak detector and / or fluid meter. In this case, the valve can, in particular, be arranged at least partially within a housing of the device. The fluid meter can, in particular, be a water meter. According to yet another aspect, the use of a valve according to the invention for a leak detector and / or a water meter is also proposed.

[0028] For further details on the device and / or method, reference is made in full to the description of the valve.

[0029] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, but are not limited thereto. Identical components in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. They show, by way of example and schematically:

[0030] Fig. 1: a device with a first embodiment of a valve in an open position;

[0031] Fig. 2: the device with the first embodiment of the valve in a first closed position;

[0032] Fig. 3: the device with the first embodiment of the valve in a second closed position;

[0033] Fig. 4: a building with the device connected to a fluid line; and

[0034] Fig. 5: the device with the second embodiment of the valve in a partially open position. Fig. 1 shows a partial representation of a device 14 in the manner of a leak detector in a longitudinal section. The device 14 comprises a housing 15 in which a first embodiment of a valve 1 is arranged. The valve 1 comprises a valve housing 3 with an inlet 4 and an outlet 5 for a fluid. The inlet 4 and the outlet 5 are each formed in the manner of a channel in the valve housing 3. A valve body 7 is arranged between the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 and is in an open position 8 in Fig. 1. The valve body 7 is rotatable relative to the valve housing 3 by means of an actuator (not shown here) about an axis of rotation 11 which runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.In the open position 8, a first fluid channel 12 of the valve body 7 connects the inlet 4 to the outlet 5, so that the fluid can flow from the inlet 4 through the valve body 7 into the outlet 5. Thus, the valve 1 is open in the open position 8 of the valve body 7. The valve body 7 further has a second fluid channel 13, which extends orthogonally to the first fluid channel 12 and opens into the first fluid channel 12. The first fluid channel 12 and the second fluid channel 13 are therefore T-shaped. In the open position 8 of the valve body 7, the second fluid channel 13 connects the first fluid channel 12 to a pressure sensor 6 of the valve 1, so that the pressure of the fluid flowing through the valve 1 can be measured with the pressure sensor 6. The pressure sensor 6 is arranged in the valve housing 3 and connected to a controller 16 of the device 14.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows the device 14 with the first embodiment of the valve 1, after the valve body 7 has been rotated clockwise by 90° about the axis of rotation 11 into a first closed position 9 compared to the open position 8 shown in Fig. 1. In the first closed position 9, a connection between the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 is interrupted, so that the valve 1 is closed. In the first closed position 9, the pressure sensor 6 is connected to the inlet 4 via the first fluid channel 12 and the second fluid channel 13 of the valve body 7, so that a pressure of the fluid in the inlet 4 can be measured by the pressure sensor 6. Fig. 3 shows the device 14 with the first embodiment of the valve 1, after the valve body 7 has been rotated 180° about the axis of rotation 11 into a second closed position 10 compared to the first closed position 9 shown in Fig. 2.In the second closed position 10, the connection between the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 is interrupted, so that the valve 1 is closed. In the second closed position 10, the pressure sensor 6 is connected to the outlet 5 via the first fluid channel 12 and the second fluid channel 13 of the valve body 7, so that the pressure of the fluid in the outlet 5 can be measured by the pressure sensor 6.

[0036] Fig. 4 schematically shows a building 17 with the device 14. The device 14 is arranged in a fluid line 2 or connected to the fluid line 2, so that the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 of the valve 1 are connected to the fluid line 2. By means of the fluid line 2, the fluid can be guided from a fluid source 18 to a consumer 19. The device 14 has the valve 1, by means of which the fluid line 2 can be closed or shut off. If the valve body 7 of the valve 1 is in the open position 8 shown in Fig. 1, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the valve 1 can be measured by means of the pressure sensor 6 of the valve 1. If the valve body 7 of the valve 1 is in the first closed position 9 shown in Fig. 2, the pressure of the fluid in the inlet 4 of the valve 1 or in a first line section 20 of the fluid line 2 located upstream of the valve 1 can be measured by means of the pressure sensor 6 of the valve 1.If the valve body 7 of the valve 1 is in the second closed position 10 shown in Fig. 3, the pressure of the fluid in the outlet 5 of the valve 1 or in a second line section 21 located downstream of the valve 1 can be measured by means of the pressure sensor 6 of the valve 1. In the second closed position 10 of the valve body 7, a pressure chamber 22 can also be formed in the fluid line 2. The pressure chamber 22 extends from the valve 1 to the consumer 19. The pressure of the fluid and thus a pressure drop in the pressure chamber 22 can be determined by the pressure sensor 6 of the valve 1 when the valve body 7 is in the second closed position 10 (as shown in Fig. 3). Fig. 5 shows the device 14 with a second embodiment of the valve 1. The second embodiment of the valve 1 differs from the first embodiment of the valve 1 only in that the valve housing 3 has a third fluid channel 23.The third fluid channel 23 can, for example, be designed in the manner of a slot, distribution slot, gap, or groove and / or be arranged between the valve body 7 and the pressure sensor 6. The third fluid channel 23 extends at an angle 24 around the rotational axis 11 of the valve body 7, around the valve body 7, and / or around a circumferential surface 25 of the valve body 7, so that the second fluid channel 13 opens into the third fluid channel 23 when the valve body 7 is in a partially open position 8. If the valve body 7 is completely in the open position 8 (as shown in Fig. 1), the second fluid channel 13 of the valve body 7 opens, in particular, into a center 26 or the middle of the third fluid channel 23. Alternatively or cumulatively, the third fluid channel 23 makes it possible for the first fluid channel 12 and the second fluid channel 13 not to be orthogonal to one another. The angle 24 can, for example, be 45° to 135°.In the partially open position 8 of the valve body 7, the second fluid channel 13 connects the first fluid channel 12 via the third fluid channel 23 to the pressure sensor 6 of the valve 1, so that the pressure of the fluid flowing through the valve 1 can be measured with the pressure sensor 6. Otherwise, the second embodiment of the valve 1 is identical to the first embodiment of the valve 1.

[0037] Alternatively or cumulatively, the third fluid channel 23 can also be formed in the circumferential surface 25 of the valve body 7. The third fluid channel 23 can be designed as previously described and / or as shown in Fig. 5. The third fluid channel 23 can have a triangular cross-section. In particular, the second fluid channel 13 of the valve body 7 opens into the center 26 or into the middle of the third fluid channel 23. The third fluid channel 23 enables, in particular as a secondary function, to flush a channel between the second fluid channel 13 and the pressure sensor 6, since, particularly in drinking water areas, stagnant water areas are only permissible to a very limited extent due to possible bacterial growth, etc.

[0038] The present invention enables in particular the use of the pressure sensor 6 for different applications.

[0039] List of reference symbols

[0040] 1 valve

[0041] 2 fluid line

[0042] 3 valve housings

[0043] 4 Inlet

[0044] 5 Procedure

[0045] 6 Pressure sensor

[0046] 7 Valve body

[0047] 8 Open position

[0048] 9 first closed position

[0049] 10 second closing position

[0050] 11 axis of rotation

[0051] 12 first fluid channel

[0052] 13 second fluid channel

[0053] 14 Device

[0054] 15 housings

[0055] 16 Control

[0056] 17 buildings

[0057] 18 Fluid source

[0058] 19 consumers

[0059] 20 first line section

[0060] 21 second line section

[0061] 22 Printing room

[0062] 23 third fluid channel

[0063] 24 angles

[0064] 25 circumferential area

[0065] 26 Center

Claims

Patent claims 1. Valve (1) for a fluid line (2), comprising at least: - A valve housing (3) with an inlet (4) for a fluid and an outlet (5) for the fluid; - a pressure sensor (6); and - at least one valve body (7) which is adjustable to open the valve (1) into an open position (8) and to close the valve (1) into a first closed position (9) and a second closed position (10), wherein in the first closed position (9) the pressure of the fluid in the inlet (4) can be measured by the pressure sensor (6) and in the second closed position (10) the pressure of the fluid in the outlet (5) can be measured.

2. Valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein in the open position (8) the pressure of the fluid can be measured by the pressure sensor (6) when flowing through the valve (1).

3. Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (7) is rotatable by at least 90° about a pivot axis (11) between the first closed position (9) and the second closed position (10).

4. Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (7) comprises a first fluid channel (12) and a second fluid channel (13), wherein the first fluid channel (12) extends through the valve body (7) and wherein the second fluid channel (13) opens into the first fluid channel (12).

5. Valve (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first fluid channel (12) and the second fluid channel (13) are orthogonal to each other.

6. Valve (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein in the open position (8) of the valve body (7) the first fluid channel (12) connects the inlet (4) to the outlet (5) and the second fluid channel (13) connects the first fluid channel (12) to the pressure sensor (6).

7. Valve (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein in the first closed position (9) of the valve body (7) the first fluid channel (12) and the second fluid channel (13) connect the inlet (4) to the pressure sensor (6).

8. Valve (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein in the second closed position (10) of the valve body (7) the first fluid channel (12) and the second fluid channel (13) connect the drain (5) with the pressure sensor (6).

9. Device (14) for a fluid line (2) comprising a valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Use of a valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for a leak detector or a fluid counter.

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