Device for monitoring the life of a valve

Abstract

The present invention concerns a " smart device" that monitors the state of the manual valve on which it i s installed, during its li fe ( from shipment to disposal ), without the need to add electrical connections and mechanical interfaces, since the entire device is contained in a connection bracket between valve and actuator. In this way it is possible to store the number of manoeuvres made, monitor the level of vibrations to which the valve is subj ected, determine the orientation of its installation, any disassembly, the environmental characteristics of the place where the valve is installed ( temperature, humidity and pressure ). This information i s obtained by processing data collected by a network of sensors integrated in the bracket.

Description

DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE LIFE OF A VALVEScope of the invention

[0001] The present invention concerns the technical field inherent in the valves, preferably quarter-turn valves, for controlling the delivery of a fluid (liquid and / or gas) in a circuit.

[0002] In particular, the invention refers to a new type of device that is applied, therefore applicable, to said valve, preferably quarter-turn, and that allows its monitoring throughout its life of the valve, including therein the transport phase for installation and for its entire operating life.A brief outline of the prior art

[0003] Various types of valve systems have long been known which regulate the passage of an incoming fluid towards containers or along circuits in general. The relative implementation systems that allow the activation and the management of the passage sections in all the intermediate positions between the "fully open" state and the "closed" state are obviously also known.

[0004] The valves are widely used industrially in many sectors of the art.

[0005] Their integrity is obviously an essential element to ensure a proper functioning thereof.

[0006] In fact, a valve failure can also have serious consequences for safety and certainly implies the need to invest a lot of time and costs for repair and / or replacement interventions .

[0007] The failures can occur not only during operation but also during transport, starting from the sale of the valve itself .

[0008] The way in which the valve is transported, handled and stored is fundamental to maintain a correct integrity of the same.

[0009] The mounting phase and then, of course, its entire operating functioning phase, are also critical elements.

[0010] At the current state of the art, technologies are known that allow certain functioning parameters of the valve to be monitored.[Oil] Publication EP3267274 is for example known.

[0012] Although valve monitoring systems / methods are known, however, there is not a monitoring system that allows the valve to be fully monitored for its entire life starting from the moment in which, once made, it begins its life path between storages in warehouse, packing, sale, transport, etc .

[0013] Furthermore, in the specific case of manual valves, therefore operated through the use of handwheel reducers or levers, it is never provided for any integration into the distributed control system of the plant. However, extremely important functions, such as the isolation of critical parts of the plant, both during service and during maintenance are often assigned to these valves.

[0014] Thinking of instrumenting all the manual valves of a plant, hence of adding conventional electronic devices, such as positioners, limit switches or other sensors that monitor the state of the valve, so as to make at least their state (open or closed) visible at the level of the control systems of the plant, constitutes however a significant investment, both from an economic and design point of view.

[0015] In fact, it would be required to buy instrumentation that is adequate for the requirements, sometimes quite restrictive, of installation in potentially explosive environments. It would also be necessary to make available the network infrastructures for the transmission of dataand the power supply for the aforementioned instrumentation, with consequent increases in costs and installation spaces / weights . In addition, the valves are often difficult to reach, so the aforementioned needs for wired installation would be further complicated.Summary of the invention

[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a valve monitoring device, preferably quarter-turn, which solves the aforementioned technical drawbacks.

[0017] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a valve monitoring device, preferably of the quarter-turn type, which allows to monitor the life of said valve not only during its operability but in all its life phases from the moment in which it is produced.

[0018] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device for monitoring a valve, preferably manual and / or preferably quarter-turn, which therefore allows to fully and exhaustively monitor the entire life cycle of said valve .

[0019] These and other objects are achieved with the device for monitoring a valve, preferably a remote monitoring, in accordance with claim 1.

[0020] Such a device (1) comprises:A shaft (28) mounted in a rotatable manner inside a body ( 23 ’ ) of the device, said shaft being configured to allow to actuate, in use, the shutter of the valve; Means (60, 71, 80, 81) configured to allow to determine and / or monitor one or more data and / or a localization position;One or more accelerometers to detect the movements and / or the relative vibrations to which the device (1) is, in use, subjected;A motherboard (21a) ;In accordance with the invention, the device comprises connection means (23, 24) in order to be able to operatively connect, in a removable way, said device (1) to a valve (2) to be monitored.

[0021] In this way, advantageously, the device can be easily applied to any valve that is produced.

[0022] It therefore results in an accessory compatible with new valves being produced and placed on the market as well as those already existing.

[0023] Still in accordance with the invention, said motherboard (21a) is also programmed to analyse:The vibrations and / or the movements to which the device is subjected and / or;The signals (therefore the information in general) coming from said means (60, 71, 80, 81) ;The motherboard is therefore programmed to determine consequently, on the basis of said vibrations and / or movements possibly detected and / or on the basis of said signals coming from said means (60, 71, 80, 81) , the operating condition of the valve to which, in use, said device (1) is applied and / or one or any possible passage from an operating condition to another operating condition of said valve.

[0024] In this way, advantageously, all the purposes set by the invention are achieved.

[0025] There is no longer any cumbersome wirings outside the valve and the whole results in a compact device that can be easily applied to the valve for which it is intended.

[0026] It is now possible, for example through servers, to connect remotely (for example through a normal internet network) to the device and monitor on the screen all the parameters and the life state of the valve at any time and also in "real-time".

[0027] The device integrates in itself all the already programmed electronic components not only to monitor the current operating condition in which is the valve but also to determine, automatically, a possible passage from an operating condition to another operating condition for the entire life of the valve.

[0028] The motherboard therefore has the ability to acquire data (one or more of them) from the accelerometers and / or from the appropriate means (for example one or more sensors and / or other systems such as for example the geolocalization one) and process them in order to make the life state of the valve and any problems that may require intervention monitorable at a distance (for example remotely with a specific server) .

[0029] For example, sensors capable of detecting the external noise together with a system or module for localization (geo-localization) can easily allow to determine the operating condition of the valve which can correspond for example to "mounted and in use on site where intended".

[0030] Absence of light coming from the sensor monitoring the external light may imply a packed valve condition.

[0031] In essence, therefore, it is now possible to monitor any operating condition (or operating state whatever it may be called) in which the valve is located such as, for example, the operating condition of "in operation" for which the valve is mounted and functioning and also to determine a passage to another operating condition, for example dismounted and not in operation (for example for maintenance) or packed (for example because in the warehouse for shipment or being transported) .

[0032] Monitoring allows to determine the parameters of the operating condition in progress and also allows to determine the passage from an operating condition to another operating condition with the consequent monitoring of the newoperating condition determined (for example, monitoring of the "In operation" state and determination of a new subsequent operating condition corresponding to "dismounted" with relative monitoring of the same) .

[0033] The monitoring, in fact, as also clarified below, is able to analyse the conditions of vibrations and / or movements to which the valve is subjected and the information coming from said appropriate means (60, 71, 80, 81) .

[0034] Programming that crosses one or more of the received information determines the operating condition of the valve and determines the passages from an operating condition to another operating condition.

[0035] In addition, the analysis of the vibrations, as a function of the determined operating condition, allows to determine any dangerous conditions when the detected vibration is higher than a predetermined threshold value for the operating condition in which the valve is located. The determination of the operating condition in which the valve is located correlated to the vibration found in fact makes it possible to determine anomalous conditions that may require an intervention.

[0036] Although, obviously, the solution with removable device is the preferred one, since it thus results in an accessory applicable to all the valves that are produced, in a variant of the invention said device could be integrated into the valve and therefore not removable.

[0037] Advantageously said means (60, 71, 80, 81) may comprise one or more (or all) of the following:At least one position sensor (60, 70, 71) to determine the occupied open or closed position of the shutter;At least one sensor (80, 81) configured to determine the condition of mounted valve in the working condition or dismounted valve;At least one brightness sensor configured to detect the amount of light and thus be able to determine the operating condition of the device if packed or unpacked as a function of the perceived brightness;A geo-localization system, for example of the GPS type and / or an LTE loT data communication module. The combination of both (GPS and LTE ToT Module) always allows a geolocalization, even in case of absence of suitable network infrastructures .

[0038] Advantageously, therefore, a position detection system, preferably of the LTE ToT data communication module type or, in case of absence of suitable network infrastructures, of the GPS type can be comprised.

[0039] Advantageously said one or more accelerometers are integrated in said motherboard.

[0040] Advantageously said means (60, 71, 80, 81) may further include a temperature sensor and / or an environmental humidity sensor.

[0041] Advantageously the device (1) can be axial- symmetrical .

[0042] In particular, advantageously, the device (1) can comprise a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical central body (23' ) to the two ends of which two flanges (23) connect to allow in use the connection of the device (1) , on one side, to an operator device (3) and on the other to a valve body .

[0043] Advantageously, it can be provided for the generation of an alarm, or in any case a signalling in general, when any detected vibrations exceed a certain threshold set as a function of the operating phase in which the valve is located .

[0044] It is also an object of the present invention the use of a device according to one or more of the previous characteristics in order to be able to remotely monitor theentire life of a valve, and possibly also to intervene with maintenance interventions if necessary.

[0045] It is also an object of the present invention an assembly comprising a device according to one or more of the previous characteristics and a server system to which said device connects remotely (for example through the internet) , said device being monitorable through a specific web interface.

[0046] In this way, the life state of the valve, from its shipping and delivery phase until the end of its operating life, can be conveniently monitored at a distance, for example by an operational control centre.

[0047] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is a valve assembly (2) comprising:A valve (2) , preferably quarter-turn and / or manual;An operator device (3) for actuating the valve between a position in which the shutter of the valve is open and a position in which the shutter is closed;-A device (1) for monitoring said valve interposed between said valve and said operator device (3) , said device (1) comprising:A shaft (28) rotatably mounted inside a body (23' ) of the device (1) , said shaft being configured to allow to actuate the shutter of the valve, in use, through an actuation of the operator device (3) ;Means (60, 71, 80, 81) configured to allow to determine and / or monitor one or more data and / or a geo-localization position;One or more accelerometers to detect movements and / or vibrations ;And wherein said device (1) comprises a motherboard (21a) ;And where the motherboard is programmed to analyse:Any vibrations and / or movements of the valve that are detected through said one or more accelerometers and / or;The data coming from said means (60, 71, 80, 81) ;The motherboard being programmed to determine, on the basis of the detections made by said means (60, 71, 80, 81) and / or by said one or more accelerometers, the operating condition of the valve and / or the passage from an operating condition to another operating condition of the valve.

[0048] Advantageously said means may comprise one or more (or all) of the following elements:At least one position sensor (60, 70, 71) to determine the occupied open or closed position of the shutter;At least one sensor (80, 81) configured to determine the condition of mounted valve in the working condition or dismounted valve;At least one brightness sensor configured to detect the amount of light and thus be able to determine the operating condition of the device if packed or unpacked as a function of the perceived brightness;At least one strain gauge type sensor, preferably installed on a cylindrical part of the body ( 23 ’ ) , and configured to be able to measure the torque necessary to operate the valve;A position detection system, preferably obtained by exploiting the LTE ToT data communication module or, in case of absence of suitable network infrastructures, of the GPS type ;A noise sensor capable of detecting the noise level of the surrounding environment.

[0049] Advantageously said means may therefore comprise a position detection system, for example a GPS system or LTE ToT data communication module.

[0050] Advantageously, any condition in which any detected vibrations exceed a certain threshold set as a function of the operating phase in which the valve is located can be signalled, for example with an alarm.

[0051] Advantageously said one or more accelerometers can be integrated in said motherboard.

[0052] Advantageously, a GPS system and / or an LTE loT module to detect the position of said device can be comprised.

[0053] The combination of the GPS system and LTE ToT module is preferred because it always guarantees a geo-localization detection, even in the absence of a network.

[0054] Advantageously said means may further include also a temperature sensor and / or an environmental humidity sensor.

[0055] Advantageously, said device (1) for monitoring a valve connects removably to said valve.

[0056] In particular, advantageously, said device (1) is interposed between the operator device (3) and the valve body ( 2 ) .

[0057] Advantageously the device (1) can be axial-symmetrical

[0058] Advantageously, said device (1) can comprise a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical central body ( 23 ’ ) to the two ends of which two flanges (23) connect to allow in use the connection of the device (1) , on one side, to an operator device (3) and on the other to a valve body.

[0059] Advantageously, a server system to which said valve connects remotely through the device (1) can be further comprised, the valve being monitorable through a specific web interface.

[0060] The refore, the object of the invention is the use of said valve assembly to monitor the entire life of the valve.

[0061] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is a method for remotely monitoring a valve comprising:The application of the device, according to one or more of the previous characteristics described, to a valve (2) ;The monitoring at a distance, remotely, of the valve through said device (1) . Preferably, in fact, the device can be reached and therefore monitored on the network through a specific server system that generates the connection between a user and the device in question;And wherein said device analyses the vibrations and / or the movements in general of the valve detected through said one or more accelerometers of the device and / or the signals coming from its means (60, 71, 80, 81) and determines on the basis of said acquired information an operating condition in which is the valve and / or any possible passage from an operating condition to another operating condition of the valve.

[0062] Advantageously, the remote monitoring can therefore take place with a connection to an appropriate server system, preferably with a specific web interface.

[0063] Advantageously, for each operating condition of the valve a vibration threshold can be provided wherein when it is exceeded the device (1) generates an alarm or in any case signals an anomalous condition.

[0064] Advantageously, the monitored life phases of the valve are the entire life of the valve from its production and packing to the end of its operating service.

[0065] A method for monitoring a valve forms therefore a preferred configuration of the invention comprising:The application of the device according to one or more of the previous characteristics described to a valve (2) ;The monitoring at a distance of the valve through said device ( 1 ) ;And wherein said device analyses the information generally coming from the means (60, 71, 80, 81) and fromthe accelerometers with which the device is provided and determines an operating condition in which the valve i s located and / or the passage from an operating condition to another operating condition of the valve .

[0066] As already described, the valve can be thus easily monitored at a distance for its entire li fe .Brief description of the drawings

[0067] Further characteristics and advantages of the present device 1 , according to the invention, will become clearer with the fol lowing description o f some of its embodiments , made by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which :Figure 1 shows an example of possible installation for the device 1 obj ect of the invention in a manual valve ;Figure 2 shows an exploded view in order to highlight the device obj ect of the invention separated from the parts of the valve to which it i s applied (manual valve in this case of a non-limiting example ) ;Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the device obj ect of the invention in order to clearly display its structure and the on-board components ;Figure 4A shows in axonometric view the only structural part of the device obj ect o f the invention and there fore which acts as a support for the on-board electronics ; in Figure 4A, for the sake of clarity, the side covers and the on-board electronics have therefore been removed;Figure 4 shows the device in section with covers and some on-board electronic elements ;Figures 5 - 7 show the system used for detecting the opening / closing angle of the valve , in particular to veri fy the open / closed condition of the valve ;Figure 8 shows the contacts ( 80 , 81 ) for detecting the "mounted" or "dismounted" state of the valve ;Figures 9 to 13 show non-limiting examples of graphs of accelerations detected through the on-board accelerometers ;Figure 14 is a schematisation of the motherboard mounted on board and which includes the accelerometers which are therefore integrated into said motherboard;Figure 15 is a flowchart relative to the various phases of monitoring the life of the valve.Description of some preferred embodiments

[0068] The invention concerns a device, of the "smart device" type, which monitors the state of a valve.

[0069] Although the device to be described below is applicable to any valve, it is preferably applied to a manual valve and / or a quarter-turn valve.

[0070] Said device, as detailed below, is structured in such a way as to be easily applied and be able to monitor the entire life state of the valve on which it is installed, throughout the life (from shipping to disposal) of the valve, without the need to add electrical connections and using existing mechanical interfaces. This life state information is therefore easily visible remotely.

[0071] As clarified below, the whole results in a compact device, which can be easily mounted on and removed from the valve (if necessary) and free of complex external wirings so that it really results in an object that integrates perfectly into the valves.

[0072] Basically, just to give an example that will be clarified below, thanks to this solution it is possible to verify the operating condition of the valve also via a web connection with a specific dedicated portal, at any time. If this is being transported, the operating condition of the valve determined will be that of the transport (therefore not in operation but being transported) and itwill be possible to verify that the transport takes place correctly. If it is being mounted or regularly in operation, it will be possible to verify all the functionality parameters, etc.

[0073] The device, moreover, once applied to a valve that it has to monitor and once activated, automatically recognizes the passage from a certain operating state (or operating condition) of the valve to another for the entire period of life of the valve. This period of life includes not only the operating phase of the valve in which it is mounted on site for its normal functioning (therefore normally in operation) , but includes the entire period of life starting from the construction of the valve, in particular starting from the moment in which the valve has been packed and stored ready for sale, until its decommissioning when the valve is at the end of its life to be thrown away and no longer operational (therefore including the entire period of operating functioning) .

[0074] All this is made possible as the entire device is contained in a connection bracket between valve and actuator, resulting thereby in a compact and easy to install solution and inside which specific on-board electronics are provided.

[0075] The on-board electronics, then, allow the aforementioned monitoring in real time.

[0076] The device therefore gives the valve the possibility to store one or more parameters, including for example one or more (even all) of the following parameters:The position of the shutter;The number of manoeuvres made (understood as obviously opening / closing the shutter) ;The level of vibrations to which the valve is subjected throughout its life;The orientation of its installation;Control for a possible disassembly;The environmental characteristics of the place where the valve is installed (e.g. the temperature and / or humidity and / or pressure) .

[0077] It is worth reminding here that the shutter, in itself well known and not the object of the present invention, is the component of the valve, in particular a ball with a cylindrical passage, which, by rotating, regulates the passage of the fluid through the valve itself.

[0078] These and any other information can be obtained from processing data collected from a network of sensors which is integrated in the bracket.

[0079] Using the information collected from the network of sensors, the firmware of the device determines uniquely at which point the valve is located in its life cycle.

[0080] By comparing, then, the ideal situation that should exist in that precise life phase with the current measures, the dedicated software manages to establish if anomalous conditions exist, in order to inform if it is necessary to intervene on the valve.

[0081] The device is now structurally described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] Figure 1 schematizes the device 1 object of the invention .

[0083] As shown in Figure 1, the device is interposed, preferably by bolted connection, between the valve 2 and the operator 3.

[0084] The operator is the equipment that is used to move the shutter by switching it from the configuration in which the flow through the valve is blocked to the one in which the passage gap is maximum. For quarter-turn valves, this movement is rotary, on an arc of circumference equal to 90°, around the axis of the stem of the valve, integral with the aforementioned shutter. The motion can be generated manually,through a handwheel reducer 3, with worm screw and toothed segment, like for example shown in Figure 1 or 2.

[0085] Alternatively, the motion can take place by means of a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, typically of the scotchyoke, rack and pinion, helical spline or cable types (like for example described in publication EP3224514) .

[0086] Usually, the connection between the operator 3 and the valve 2 is obtained through a flanged interface and, this flange, from which the stem protrudes, is is indicated with the name of motor flange.

[0087] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the three aforementioned parts that make up the entire system of operator 3, valve 2 and monitoring device 1 object of the invention .

[0088] As can be seen, the three parts are joined together through screws (10, 11) and nuts 12 that connect the device, on one side, to the operator 3 and on the other to the motor flange of the valve 2 (see also Figure 1) .

[0089] Moving then to Figure 3, the monitoring device 1 consists of a structural part 20, on-board electronics (21a, 21b) and a side cover (22a, 22b, 22c) .

[0090] The on-board electronics may comprise an electronic motherboard 21a, a battery pack 21b, one or more sensors for the detection of the position.

[0091] The structural part, preferably metallic, consists of an axial-symmetrical body with flanged ends 23, as shown for example in Figure 4A.

[0092] The two flanged ends are made with geometries in accordance with ISO 5211 standard (see Figure 3 and Figure 4a) .

[0093] As therefore highlighted in Figure 4A, said two flanges 23 are connected to each other through a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical body 23' further highlighted in Figure 4 in section.

[0094] Obviously, the cylindrical shape of the body 23' connecting the two flanges between them is not essential and other cross-sectional shapes would be possible.

[0095] The two flanges 23 are placed at the two ends of the body 23' and therefore one above and one below the body 23' in such a way that the body 23' is comprised between these two flanges 23.

[0096] The two flanges are preferably circular (thus discshaped) with the holes for receiving the screws or nuts and bolts in general.

[0097] In this way, its mounting between parts 3 and 2 shown in Figure 2 is easy and immediate.

[0098] The cylindrical body 23' is hollow in its inside, as highlighted in Figure 4.

[0099] The axial-symmetrical body 23' houses, in said central cylindrical through cavity, a shaft 28 (also called motion transmission joint between valve and reducer) , mounted with bearings, preferably sliding ones (bushings) (27, 29) and axial thrust washers (26, 31) .

[0100] In this way, the shaft 28 can rotate around its own axis with respect to the rest of the structure within which it is mounted. In essence, said shaft rotates in its mounting seat.

[0101] The aforementioned shaft 28 is in turn hollow.

[0102] The figure shows this cavity with the numbering 30' .

[0103] In fact, thanks to this cavity 30' it is able to receive in its inside, on the side facing the valve, the stem of the valve itself, coming out of the motor flange. Since the transmission of the torque is guaranteed by using one or more tabs, the hollow part 30' of said connection joint 28 (i.e. the shaft 28) is provided with relative seat 30 for coupling with the tab.

[0104] On the opposite side, the shaft 28 has a geometry that follows the one of the valve stem, fitting a tab (32) necessary for the connection with the operator (3) .

[0105] In this way, the device acts as a means transmitting the opening / closing motion between the operator 3 and the valve 2.

[0106] The external side protection (22a, 22b, 22c) (see Figure 3) is divided into three parts: the two caps (22a, 22b) and a door (22c) .

[0107] The two caps (respectively the cap 22a and the cap 22b) are fixed by means of screws 24 to the axial- symmetrical body and embrace the central part 23' of the device in order to protect the electronic components, guaranteeing, also thanks to the gaskets used, a degree of protection IP66.

[0108] As thus shown in the exploded view of Figure 3, the two caps are two separate elements which, when joined, wrap around the part 23' comprised between the two flanges.

[0109] The two caps are therefore such that they are positioned so as to be comprised between said two flanges.

[0110] The door (22c) allows to replace the batteries (21b) without having to dismount the device from the valve.

[0111] The maintenance of the internal parts, on the other hand, is preferably carried out by removing the device 1 from the valve and by removing the side protections 22a and 22b (i.e. said caps) .

[0112] The device 1 is powered by preferably flashlighttype batteries (21b) with long life (primary Li-Mn02 cell) , for example selected to have a lifespan of 10 years. The batteries can be replaced with standard spare parts. The battery group is housed inside the device itself. For this reason, no external connection is therefore necessary for the power supply.

[0113] The device 1 object of the invention is provided with a network of sensors that allows it to monitor the operations carried out by the valve, its operating conditions and the environment surrounding it.

[0114] All the acquired data can be stored in an internal memory, for example of 128 MB.

[0115] The memory can be periodically emptied, creating a backup of the data acquired up to that moment in a dedicated server .

[0116] That said, we now describe the sensors present in the device object of the invention.SENSORS FOR THE DETECTION OF THE OPENING ANGLE OF THE VALVE:

[0117] The shutter is the element of the valve that is moved between two extreme positions, corresponding to the conditions of open valve and closed valve.

[0118] A system is therefore provided that reads and saves the position of the shutter and counts the number of manoeuvres made. For this purpose, therefore, the device is provided with a system for reading and saving the position of the shutter and for counting the number of manoeuvres made .

[0119] To detect the position of the shutter, an encoder has been made, preferably with eight bits, which uniquely identifies the positions of the shutter by reading three closed or open electrical contacts. The acquisition board of the device detects the opening or the closure of the three contacts and associates them with a binary value (0 or 1) . By interpreting the triplets of values thus obtained, the sensor system can uniquely identify the position of the shutter with a 15° resolution between the positions of 0° (closed valve) and 90° (open valve) . Out of the eight triplets available, seven are used, neglecting the all-zerobit configuration, which is difficult to distinguish from a system failure condition.

[0120] The type of contact chosen for this device is a proximity sensor preferably of the magnetic or Reed type.

[0121] The Reed-type proximity sensors are normally open or closed electromechanical contacts that change state when inserted into a magnetic field. Therefore, in order for them to change state, from open to closed, a magnet needs to be facing in the activation field of the sensor.

[0122] Figure 4 therefore shows the proximity sensors 60 in the case of the Reed type. Figure 4A shows the holes for the application of said sensors.

[0123] These sensors are screwed onto the structure of the bracket (see Figure 4 and 4A - the holes that cross the cylindrical body 23' ) . A sleeve 70 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5) has therefore been made to house the relative magnets 71 with a very precise configuration. Figure 4A indicates the bracket 70 (preferably cylindrical) facing towards the body 23' (it is mounted coaxial thereto) . The angular spacing of the holes in the bracket 70, the arrangement of the magnets on three vertical rows, as well as their configuration (angular positions occupied by a magnet and free positions in the sleeve) are better described in Figure 5.

[0124] It is underlined that, Gray coding was followed to design the arrangement of the magnets 71 on the three rows.

[0125] In particular, as highlighted in Figure 6, there are a series of holes in the sleeve according to a certain configuration where the magnets are inserted.

[0126] The magnets are then covered with a layer of resin to block them inside the seats.

[0127] Since the sleeve 70 is keyed with interference to the shaft 28, as well as fixed with a grub screw 72 thereto, see Fig. 4A, during the rotation of the shaft 28, the sleeve is integral therewith.

[0128] It is worth reminding here again that the shaft 28 is rotatably mounted inside the seat delimited by the body 23' (see Figure 4) so that the shaft 28 can rotate freely with respect to the structure 23' that acts as a containment for the shaft.

[0129] In this way, through the rotation of the shaft 28 following actuation of the valve, the sleeve will gradually expose a different group of magnets towards the three Reed proximity sensors 60 which are fixed to the fixed structure 23' . The magnets 71 therefore rotate integrally with the joint or shaft 28.

[0130] Figure 6 therefore shows the arrangement of the seats housing the magnets that are staggered between them and which, thanks to this arrangement, allow to precisely identify the operating position of the valve (open or closed) .

[0131] It should be noted that the positions corresponding to 90°, 30° and 0° can also be exploited for diagnostic or calibration functions, with only one of the three contacts 60 being magnetically excited, see Figure 7.

[0132] In fact, in these three positions it is certain to magnetically excite only one contact at a time and, therefore, it can be individually verified that the distance of the sensitive head of the sensor 60 with respect to the magnet 71 allows a correct closure of the contact, by screwing or unscrewing the body of the sensor 60.

[0133] In addition, by exciting only one sensor 60 at a time it is certain that, once this is brought up to abutment with the magnet 71, this is damaged in the event that the board does not detect the closure of the electrical contact. Otherwise the correct calibration distance between sensor 60 and magnet 71 will be found.

[0134] From what has been described above, therefore, it is evident that all the manoeuvres are automatically classifiedas openings or closures, evaluating the sequence of successive states of the encoder.

[0135] A counter gives feedback on the number of residual manoeuvres before the next maintenance intervention.

[0136] Ultimately, therefore, all the opening / closing manoeuvres are counted and stored, also indicating when the maintenance intervention is necessary, when the number of operations approaches the preset one that requires maintenance intervention.

[0137] The acquisition board therefore has a memory in its inside, preferably non-volatile, on which the positions of the shutter measured during the periods in which the board itself is switched on are recorded, as also better explained in the section "DETECTION OF THE LIFE PHASE OF THE VALVE".

[0138] In this way, the position of the shutter is actually detected and saved either during a manoeuvre, or during an event relevant to the valve itself, as will be better explained below, and without accumulating irrelevant data.

[0139] In general, therefore, all the proximity sensors that cause the movement of the valve are managed per event. This means that, when their configuration changes, a firmware routine of the acquisition board is activated which updates the localization and stores it in the non-volatile memory.

[0140] The acquisition board also performs a periodic acquisition of the state.

[0141] By way of example, and not exclusive, the Reed-type contact that can be used to perform the aforementioned function is the model MK11-1A66B500W.CONTACTS FOR THE DETECTION OF THE MOUNTING:

[0142] As shown in Figure 8, contacts (80, 81) are integrated to verify the mounting of the device to the valve.

[0143] The contacts (80, 81) are preferably of electromechanical type.

[0144] The contact is closed by the pressure exerted by the mounting which makes the highlighted button retract into the dotted rectangle.

[0145] In this way, a mounted or dismounted device condition is detected immediately.

[0146] The smart monitoring of the operations is connected to the output of these two contacts that can generate alarms in the event that an unexpected disconnection is performed.

[0147] In particular, the detection of the mounted / dismounted state is therefore continuously detected by these contacts (80, 81) which therefore allow throughout the life of the valve to store the moments in which the device is in the mounted state or in the dismounted state from the valve.

[0148] If, in fact, the valve is separated from the operator 3 for any kind of operation, at least one of the two contacts signals the separation and the event is stored. In this way, the operator that monitors, for example even at a distance or following control of the memory data, can verify whether an authorised valve dismounting operation has taken place or not.

[0149] By way of example, and not exclusive, the electromechanical contacts that can be used to perform the aforementioned function are the SB4011NCM by NKK.DESCRIPTION OF THE CONNECTIVITY MODULE:

[0150] The device 1 is also equipped with a connectivity module that can be connected with different types of communication modules.

[0151] Among these we can, for example, indicate in a nonlimiting way:LTERS-485LoraWANBLE

[0152] Most of the data transmission technologies seen above transfer the information without the need for a wiring, all except RS-485.

[0153] The data are transmitted, by using a connection with asymmetric or symmetric encryption, to a remote server that has the task of decoding, historicizing and graphically processing them.

[0154] In the case of an LTE loT module, this contributes not only to the transmission of the collected data, but also to the geo-localization of the device, allowing to track the valve during each phase of its life and the recovery thereof in the event of loss or theft. In these two cases, loss or theft, it is possible remotely, through connection servers, to also delete the sensitive the data contained in the device, to prevent them from being misused.

[0155] The connectivity module can also be provided with a GPS module with which the geo-localization of the device and, therefore, of the valve is carried out, in the event that the final destination of the system is not covered by cellular network and therefore the LTE loT module is not usable. In all other cases, the GPS module is deactivated.DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCELEROMETERS:

[0156] The device 1 is able to detect shocks and movements by measuring the accelerations undergone.

[0157] The measurement is carried out with an accelerometer, preferably of the MEMS triaxial type with 0.06 mg / bit sensitivity and full scale selectable up to ±16 g. Theorientation of the axes of the accelerometer is indicated schematically in Figure 14.

[0158] To ensure the correctness of this type of measurement, it is important to constrain the support on which the sensor is installed, by eliminating any possibility of spurious oscillations not connected to the motion of the valve. In order to guarantee this aspect, the accelerometer is directly integrated into the electronic board which, in turn, is constrained to the mechanical structure of the device, as visible in Figure 14.

[0159] Figure 14 shows, in fact, the electronic board (21a) arranged in a housing seat thereof obtained in the device 1. The seat can be in the form of an element forming the seat and in turn fixed to the structure of the device 1 (see also Figure 3) .

[0160] The choice of this type of sensor (triaxial) is important in order to be able to identify the plane of the oscillation and, with it, the nature of the stress, distinguishing between those connected to the passage of fluid in the "pipeline" and those connected to external events .

[0161] To achieve these results, the sensor is required to have a 1 mg sensitivity and a range reaching up to + / -2 g. In addition, the sensor must have the ability to sample the signal, i.e. to detect the values (samples) from the input acceleration analogue signal in a discrete succession of instants (called instants of c.) and then quantize them to obtain an analogue-to-digital conversion of the signal, at 1 kHz so as not to lose any pulses caused by shocks.

[0162] By way of example, and not exclusive, the linear accelerometer STM LIS3DSH is the component, available on the market, that can perform the aforementioned function because it is characterized by low energy consumptions, good frequency response and reduced overall dimensions. Inaddition to detecting shocks and displacements, the device 1 is able to measure the orientation of the valve in space.

[0163] This function is very important in verifying the correct installation of the valve on the line of the customer .

[0164] The f irmware of the device is configured so as to recognize, as a function the measured vibration levels, the phase of the life cycle in which the valve is located.

[0165] In particular, and by way of example, through a temporal analysis of the vibration levels on the three axes (X, Y, Z) acquired, the firmware is able to identify the operating states of storage, movement and transport.

[0166] In this regard, examples of vibrations associated with functional states of the device (and of the valveactuator system) are given, by way of example. Figure 9 reports a typical reading at rest, associated, for example, with the condition of storage in a warehouse. It can be seen very well, in the example reported, the vibration threshold detected which is well below the alarm value.

[0167] Note the presence of two different thresholds, the so-called warning threshold, which generates the awakening of the device, as better described in the section "DETECTION OF THE LIFE PHASE OF THE VALVE", and the alarm one which, if exceeded, in addition to causing the device to awaken, sends an alarm of the occurrence of a potentially dangerous event .

[0168] Figure 10, on the other hand, reports the case of a constant but other than zero vibration level, associated, for example, to the normal in-line functioning. As can be seen, the warning threshold is appropriately calibrated, so as not to cause unwanted awakenings that would significantly reduce the useful life of the device, as well as making it ineffective and unreliable.

[0169] Figure 11, on the other hand, reports the case in which, during the functioning, the warning threshold is exceeded .

[0170] In Figure 12, a typical example of impulsive events, of which the event "a" generates the awakening and the saving of the event, while the event "b" is detected as potentially harmful. Precisely because it is potentially harmful, it is immediately communicated to the remote server

[0171] Finally, in Figure 13, the example of reading during rotation around the x axis of the accelerometer is shown.

[0172] The firmware, therefore, stores all the events and generates an alarm where a certain predetermined threshold is exceeded during any operating or life phase of the valve.

[0173] If the valve is in the storage, the firmware will of course detect the storage-related vibrations that have values close to zero. Strong vibrations that trigger an alarm indicate, for example, impulses due to falls during a displacement from one place to another.

[0174] In this case the harmful event is immediately communicated to the remote server while an event of lower intensity can be catalogued for the awakening of the device.

[0175] The same applies to all the operating phases. In this way, the correct movement as well as operation can be verified at any time.DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SENSORS:

[0176] The device is provided with an environmental temperature sensor to monitor any differences or deviations from the optimal functioning conditions. The sensor preferably measures from:-20°C to +80°C.

[0177] The temperature is detected on board the electronic board, also allowing to diagnose any malfunctions of the latter, to guarantee the functionality of the device.

[0178] The device 1 can monitor the humidity and the presence of volati le organic substances in the environment in which it is located, providing information on the suitability of the place where the valve is stored or installed using an environmental sensor that detects the quality of the air .

[0179] By way of example , and not exclusive , the multisensor module that can be used to perform the aforementioned function is Bosch BME680 . The component , BME680 in addition to integrating multiple sensors into a single module , is characterised by low energy absorption, which is important for the purpose of reducing the overall consumptions of the acquisition system .

[0180] The device is further provided with a brightness sensor which, suitably mounted behind a transparent window of the protective cover, gives the possibility to monitor the packing state of the valve .

[0181] The sensor is treated with binary logic, associating the condition of packed or unpacked valve when a threshold value is exceeded .

[0182] When the sensor measures an environmental brightness level ( lumen ) lower than the preset threshold for a period of time greater than twelve hours (h) , the condition of packed valve is considered . In dual mode , the acquisition of an environmental brightness level higher than the preset threshold identi fies the condition of unpacked valve .

[0183] By way of example, and not exclusive, the brightness sensor that can be used to perform the aforementioned function is the Wurth Elektronik phototransistor WL-SMTW 150141AS73100 .DESCRIPTION OF THE MICROPHONE :

[0184] The device is also provided with a microphone with which it is possible to monitor the environmental noise toidentify the characteristic background noise and, by integrating it with the other data acquired through the network of sensors, reconstruct the condition in which the valve is located.

[0185] The use of the microphone as an environmental sensor is important to detect diagnostic information correlated to the data acquired by the other sensors, specifically to detect anomalous noise in the event of movement of the valve or noise levels not compatible with the specific operability

[0186] By way of example, and not exclusive, the microphone that can be used to perform the aforementioned function is Knowles PQ0410HR5H-B .DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTERIES:

[0187] The choice of the batteries to be installed in the device is not of secondary importance. If, in fact, to allow the latter to have a running time of at least 10 years, the acquisition board must have low consumptions (15 min active @40mA / day - Idle @100uA / day) , it is still essential that the batteries are also chosen appropriately, in particular having a self-discharge value over time that is negligible.

[0188] The type of battery that was considered as the most suitable is the so-called "C battery", because it has a better capacity-to-volume ratio, as already mentioned above

[0189] The battery M 52 EX SV (Lithium Manganese Dioxide) was chosen of the type C; it has a discharge value equal to less than 1% in one year at the temperature of 20°C, thus making them optimal for the application. It also has a very wide range of operation, from -40°C to +72°C and is also present in the ATEX certified version.DETECTION OF THE LIFE PHASE OF THE VALVE:

[0190] The network of sensors described above is functional not only for the direct monitoring of the functioning conditions of the valve, but also lends itself to the construction of a logic of recognition of the macro-phase of the life of the valve.

[0191] With reference to Figure 15, the functional map obtained through the device 1 applied or integrated in a valve, to identify the operating condition in which the valve is located, i.e. the life phase of the valve is presented .

[0192] The life phases are indicated in the ellipses above and, from left to right, are:

[0193] Production: In this phase the valve is in the warehouse and has completed internal testing. This is the phase in which the device must be initialized. In this phase, the valve should not be moved (displaced) frequently, and the position of the shutter should be fixed (open / closed) .

[0194] "Waiting for open" (packed valve) : In this phase, the packed system is transported to the plant where it will be installed or to the retailer who will distribute it to the end customers.

[0195] The position of the shutter remains unchanged, the physical position of the object varies until the site is reached, the accelerations found must be linked exclusively to transport, apart from the shocks. The monitoring of the accelerations therefore makes it possible to verify accidental shocks that are dangerous to the integrity of the valve, with a consequent warning or alarm, as previously specified in the section "DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCELEROMETERS", which can be monitored remotely in the event that the device just awakens from the "dormant" state. The brightness sensor, for example, must indicate the state of packed valve and the indication of acquisition of "Light" clearly implies a possibly unauthorised or accidental opening.

[0196] "Opened waiting" (unpacked valve) : In this phase the valve is extracted from the casing used for transport and displaced to the nearest point of the plant for installation

[0197] Operating phase: In this phase the valve is installed in the plant and, before entering the actual service phase, it may be subjected to functionality tests (manoeuvres of opening, closing and pressurisation of the plant) . Here too, an adequate level of vibrations is provided beyond which an anomaly can be signalled.

[0198] "Maintenance" phase: The valve is removed from the plant for the maintenance phase. The state is forced by the operator. In this case, the sensors (80, 81) in Figure 8 indicate the dismounting condition. In the other cases where it is mounted, they would indicate the condition of mounted valve .

[0199] As can be seen from the map in Figure 14, the states are generally traversed from left to right with no possibility of returning to the previous state.

[0200] However, some pairs of these states, such as "Packed" - "Unpacked" and "Operating phase" - "Maintenance", can be crossed also in the direction opposite to normal, in the first case because in the phases of transport of the valve and passage from the intermediary to end customer unpacking and repacking could take place while, in the second, a return to service is however provided after maintenance.

[0201] Parallel to these states, there is the possibility of going into an energy-saving condition, called "Deep Sleep" .

[0202] In es sence, in this condition there is a hibernation of the electronics in order to enable energy saving, guaranteeing a useful life of the batteries of at least 5 years (up to 10 years depending on the conditions of use) .

[0203] To switch from the "Deep Sleep" state to any one of the operating states in which the network of sensors isactive, and record the events that happen to the valve, a particular event must occur.

[0204] For the phases in which it is not provided for the valve to be operated, therefore that the shutter changes position (from 0° to 90° and / or vice versa) , the so-called "trigger" event that causes the exit from the Deep Sleep state is the exceeding of an acceleration threshold (T1 or T2) , as reported in the arrows that connect the Deep Sleep state to the others.

[0205] For the operating phase, instead, in addition to the accelerations, also the changes in the angle of the shutter cause the board to awaken and exceed a noise threshold. In all the other phases, a change in the angle of the shutter awakens the board but also causes an alarm, which is then recognized as an anomalous and dangerous condition.

[0206] For the two phases in which the valve could potentially be in a transport phase, hence Waiting for Open and Opened Waiting, the acceleration thresholds for awakening are managed adaptively, being increased to twice the threshold value T2 in the event that the vibrations of the vehicle that performs the transport are such as to awaken the board more than once per hour.

[0207] In addition, the device 1 sends a message / transport start event / transport when the conditions lead to an increase in the acceleration threshold from T1 to T2 or from T2 to 2*T2 and a transport end one when the acceleration levels are lower than the lower threshold for more than five days .

[0208] This reading is always corroborated by the detection of the position with GPS, even if the geo-localization frequencies are lower than those measuring the accelerations (max. once a week, during package sending) .

[0209] The return to the Deep Sleep phase is always done with a constraint of not exceeding the accelerationthresholds for a certain time interval , configurable by the user and by default , for example equal to two minutes .

[0210] The passages between one phase to another, on the other hand, are not managed with single thresholds but by building an index composed of the readings of all the sensors . These combinations are indicated in the tables below the individual phases .

[0211] In particular, the passage from Production to " Wai ting for Open" is caused by the reading of a brightness level lower than the preset threshold for a period o f time greater than 12 hrs and a change in the position detected by GPS that changes with respect to a reference point .

[0212] The passage from Waiting for Open to Opened Waiting is caused by the reading of a brightnes s level higher than the set dark threshold and a change in the position of the actuator, as in practice the valve is operated at least once after it is unpacked and the stop of the position changes detected by GPS . In the event that the brightness sensor returns to measuring low values for more than 12 hrs and returns to detecting frequent changes in position through GPS , it will be returned to the previous condition (Waiting for open) .

[0213] The passage from Opened Waiting to Operative , being probably the most important passage, can be both forced manually, and detected through the presence of a constant level of noise and vibrations from the surrounding environment and, above all , with the detection of the position through GPS of the position of the final destination plant .

[0214] The passage to maintenance passage is made by the operator who intervenes on the system . It is however identi fied by the two switches placed on the flanges which detect the change in the connection state of the device .

[0215] As mentioned, the passage from one state to another is enabled by events or generates events.

[0216] In addition to these base events, whose effect on the functioning of the device is the transition of state, below is reported a list of events that cover the majority of the operating cases in which the device is required to save the measures to record a major event. The events are distinguished into events that generate an alarm, events that generate a warning and events that generate functioning information, as a function of the severity of their cause.The table in Figure 15 reports some events:

[0217] The data and the information thus processed are sent to a server on which a user interface service has been implemented .

[0218] The interface allows to locate on a map all the devices on which the device in question is installed.

[0219] It is therefore possible remotely, for example through PC, to display the data in historicized form to connect the physical phenomena acting on the valve to the recorded events and a state of health of the electronics, obtained using temperature and humidity measurements.

[0220] In a subsequent menu it is possible to obtain in tabular form the data detected at the time of consulting the interface and to download a log of the past events, as well as graphs of the trends over time of the recorded values. In a second menu it is possible to remotely configure the thresholds discussed above. In a fourth menu one has the possibility of accessing the documentation relative to the valve on which V-Flange is installed and, finally, in a fifth menu, it is possible to record a log of the maintenance interventions.

[0221] In summary, therefore, in use, once the device 1 is activated and applied to a produced valve, the device starts functioning and therefore storing data that are visibleremotely (for example, as said through a PC connected to a specific management server) .

[0222] The measured brightness parameters allow to understand if one is in a packing phase.

[0223] The measured accelerations and the position allow to verify and store for example an event of transport on site.

[0224] When unpacked the device signals a light event which is therefore stored and gives an indication of the passage to unpacked state.

[0225] The operating installation is detected through the noise sensors and / or also the position and / or the activations detected of the shutter.

[0226] All the other dismounting operations, for example and maintenance, are detected through the network of sensors that in combination indicate a displacement condition and the modification of a previous operating condition.

[0227] Anomalous vibrations detected under certain operating conditions signal an anomaly and generate an alarm.

[0228] In this way, remotely, the entire life of the valve, the current state in which it is located and the passage from an operating state (or operating condition whatever it may be called) to another operating state indicating by operating state (or operating condition whatever it may be called) any moment in the life of the valve from its production to its final decommissioning are monitored.

[0229] It is thus possible to monitor the parameters relative to the detected condition (for example, with mounted valve in operation, the opening / closing numbers of the shutter) and, moreover, the device allows to determine the passage to another operating condition (for example, dismounted and packed valved) which is thus identified and signalled, as well as normally monitored with its detected parameters. For each operating condition thereare then the vibration thresholds beyond which anomalous operating conditions are identi fied with relative alarm .

Claims

CLAIMSA device (1) for monitoring a valve (2) comprising:A shaft (28) rotatably mounted inside a body (23' ) of the device, said shaft being configured to allow to actuate, in use, the shutter of the valve (2) ;Means (60, 71, 80, 81) configured to allow to determine and / or monitor one or more data and / or a geo- localization;One or more accelerometers to detect the movements and / or the related vibrations to which the device (1) is, in use, subjected;A motherboard (21a) ;Characterized in that:The device comprises connection means (23, 24) in order to be able to operatively connect, in a removable way, said device (1) to a valve (2) to be monitored;Said motherboard (21a) being further programmed to analyse:The vibrations and / or the movements to which the device is subjected and / or;Information coming from said means (60, 71, 80, 81) ;The motherboard consequently determining, on the basis of said vibrations and / or movements possibly detected and / or on the basis of the information coming from said means (60, 71, 80, 81) , the operating condition of the valve to which, in use, said device (1) is applied and / or thetransition from one operating condition to another operating condition. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said means comprise at least one of the following elements:At least one position sensor (60, 70, 71) to determine the occupied open or closed position of the shutter;At least one sensor (80, 81) configured to determine the condition of installed valve in the working condition or uninstalled valve;At least one brightness sensor configured to detect the amount of light and thus be able to determine the operating condition of the device if packed or unpacked as a function of the perceived brightness;At least one strain gauge type sensor, preferably installed on a cylindrical part of the central body (23' ) , and configured to be able to measure the torque necessary to operate the valve;A geo-localization position detection system, preferably of the GPS type or LTE loT data communication module;At least one noise sensor capable of detecting the noise level of the surrounding environment. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more accelerometers are integrated in said motherboard. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said means (60, 71, 80, 81) comprise at least one temperature sensor.The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said means (60, 71, 80, 81) comprise at least one environmental humidity sensor. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) is axial- symmetrical . The device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said device comprises a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical central body ( 23 ’ ) to the two ends of which two flanges (23) connect to allow in use the connection of the device (1) , on one side, to an operator device (3) and on the other to a valve body . The device (1) , according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the possible condition in which any detected vibrations exceed a certain preset threshold as a function of the operating phase in which the valve is located is signalled, for example through an alarm. An assembly comprising a device according to one or more of the preceding claims and a server system to which said device connects remotely, said device being monitorable through a specific web interface. A valve assembly (2) comprising:A valve (2) , preferably quarter-turn and / or manual ;An operator device (3) for actuating the valve between a position in which the shutter of thevalve is open and a position in which the shutter is closed;A device (1) for monitoring said valve and interposed between said valve and said operator device, said device (1) comprising:A shaft (28) rotatably mounted inside a body (23' ) of the device (1) , said shaft being configured to allow to actuate the shutter of the valve, in use, through an actuation of the operator device (3) ; Means (60, 71, 80, 81) configured to allow to determine and / or monitor one or more data and / or a geo- localization;One or more accelerometers to detect movements and / or vibrations;And wherein said device (1) comprises a motherboard (21a) ;Characterized in that the motherboard is programmed to analyse:Any vibrations and / or movements of the valve that are detected through said one or more accelerometers and / or;Information coming from said means (60, 71, 80, 81) ;The motherboard being programmed to determine, on the basis of the detections made by said means (60, 71, 80, 81) and / or by said one or more accelerometers, the operating condition of the valve and / or the transition from an operating condition to another operating condition of the valve . The valve assembly (2) according to claim 10, wherein said means (60, 71, 80, 81) comprises at least one of the following:At least one position sensor (60, 70, 71) to determine the occupied open or closed position of the shutter;At least one sensor (80, 81) configured to determine the condition of installed valve in the working condition or uninstalled valve;At least one brightness sensor configured to detect the amount of light and thus be able to determine the operating condition of the device if packed or unpacked as a function of the perceived brightness;At least one strain gauge sensor, preferably installed on a cylindrical part of the central body (23' ) , and configured to be able to measure the torque necessary to operate the valve;A geo-localization position detection system, preferably of the GPS type or LTE loT data communication module;At least one noise sensor capable of detecting the noise level of the surrounding environment. The valve assembly (2) , according to one or more of the preceding claims 10 or 11, wherein the possible condition in which any detected vibrations exceed a certain preset threshold as a function of the operating phase in which the valve is located is signalled, for example through the generation of an alarm. The valve assembly (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 12, wherein said one or more accelerometers are integrated in said motherboard.The valve assembly (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 13, wherein said means (60, 71, 80, 81) comprise at least one temperature sensor. The valve assembly (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 14, wherein said means (60, 71, 80, 81) comprise at least one environmental humidity sensor. The valve assembly (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 15, wherein said device (1) for monitoring a valve connects removably to said valve . The valve assembly (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 16, wherein the device (1) is axial-symmetrical. The valve assembly (2) , according to one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 17, wherein said device (1) comprises a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical central body ( 23 ’ ) to the two ends of which two flanges (23) connect to allow in use the connection of the device (1) , on one side, to an operator device (3) and on the other to a valve body. The valve assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims from 10 to 18, wherein a server system to which said valve connects remotely through the device (1) is further comprised, the valve being monitorable through a specific web interface. A method for monitoring a valve comprising:The application of the device , according to one or more of the preceding claims from 1 to 8 , to a valve ( 2 ) ;The monitoring at a distance of the valve through said device ( 1 ) ;And wherein said device analyses the vibrations , resulting from any movements of the valve , and / or the information coming from the means ( 60 , 71 , 80 , 81 ) and determines an operating condition in which is the valve and / or the transition from an operating condition to another operating condition of the valve , preferably in which the monitored li fe phases of the valve are the entire li fe of the valve from its production and packing to the end of its operating service . The method according to claim 20 , wherein for each operating condition of the valve a preset vibration threshold is provided wherein when it is exceeded this anomalous condition is signalled, for example through an alarm, pre ferably the monitored li fe phases of the valve are the entire li fe of the valve from its production and packing to the end of its operating service .

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