Method and operating arrangement for evaluating the properties of an elastomeric or plastic seal on a valve element or seat - Patents.com
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-10
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
FIELD OF THEINVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the properties of an elastomeric or plastic seal on a valve element or valve seat such that deterioration or wear of the elastomeric or plastic seal may be identified prior to valve failure.
[0002] The present invention relates to an actuation arrangement capable of measuring the properties of an elastomeric or plastic seal on a valve element or valve seat, and the present invention also relates to a valve system comprising one or more actuation arrangements, wherein the valve system is configured to interrogate the sealing properties of one or more valves.
[0003] As is well known, the characteristics of seals for actuated valves change and deteriorate over time, at some point requiring the seals to be replaced to prevent failure or damage to the valve.
[0004] Degradation can be expansion, contraction or wear of elastomeric or plastic seals. Degradation usually occurs over months or years depending on valve usage and / or type of seal. It is currently difficult to predict when the seals will need to be replaced and most require manual maintenance where the user checks the seals. This causes valve downtime and reduces productivity.
[0005] There is therefore a need for a method and operating arrangement that allows the properties of a seal to be evaluated. There is a further need for a method and operating arrangement that allows the properties of a seal to be evaluated during normal operation of the operating arrangement.
[0006] The present invention aims to provide a method and operating arrangement making it possible to evaluate the properties of said seal.
[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method for evaluating the properties of an elastomeric or plastic seal on a valve element or a valve seat, wherein said valve element is actuated by an actuation arrangement, said valve element comprising: a contact state in which the valve element is in contact with the valve seat; - Between the valve element and the valve seat in a non-contact state It is operated by.
[0008] The method comprises: - a change step for changing the state from a non-contact state to a contact state; - measuring the initial contact position of the valve with the valve seat (where the elastomeric or plastic seal contacts the valve element or the valve seat); - storing the initial contact position of the valve in a computer readable medium; - a repeating step of repeating said varying, measuring and storing steps; and - evaluating the properties of the elastomeric or plastic seal as a function of the stored initial valve contact positions; Includes.
[0009] The method can detect changes in the initial contact position of the valve over time, and by repeatedly measuring the initial contact position of the valve, the seal quality can be evaluated, allowing a user or system to predict when the seal should be replaced.
[0010] In the case of seal expansion, the initial valve contact position changes over time in one direction. In the case of seal contraction or seal wear, the initial valve contact position changes over time in a different direction.
[0011] When referring to seals throughout this patent application, the seals may be elastomeric seals or plastic seals.
[0012] There may be various embodiments of the seal shape, as the seal is selected depending on the particular embodiment of the valve element and the valve seat complementary to the valve element. The seal may be located either on the valve element or on the valve seat. If the seal is located on the valve element, the initial contact position of the valve is where the seal contacts the valve seat, since the seal is considered to be part of the valve element, whereas if the seal is located on the valve seat, the initial contact position of the valve is where the valve element contacts the seal, since the seal is considered to be part of the valve seat. The two possibilities are equivalent.
[0013] The valve element is actuated between a contact state, in which the valve element is in contact with the valve seat, and a non-contact state, in which the valve element is not in contact with the valve seat, and the method collects data by measuring an initial valve contact position, which is where the valve element and valve seat first contact when the valve element state changes to the contact state.
[0014] The initial contact position of the valve may be measured as the position at which the actuated configuration encounters higher resistance to movement of the valve element, resulting in a change in the velocity of the valve element.
[0015] The initial valve contact positions are stored in a computer readable medium since characterizing an elastomeric or plastic seal requires repeating the method over time. The computer readable medium may be that of a local computer or may be a server, as long as the stored data is accessible when performing the seal characterization process.
[0016] The method may be carried out over an extended period of time, such as weeks, months or years, and if the state of the valve element is changed several times per minute or day, the method does not require data from each state change to perform the step of evaluating the seal properties.
[0017] There may therefore be an exchange process in which elastomeric or plastic seals are replaced as a function of the sealing properties.
[0018] In one aspect, the measuring step may include measuring a valve velocity from contact with the valve seat to a rest position of the valve element, the storing step may include storing the valve velocity in a computer readable medium, and the evaluating step may include evaluating a characteristic of the elastomeric or plastic seal as a function of the stored valve velocity.
[0019] The expansion or contraction of an elastomeric seal transforms other materials into an elastomeric seal. Expansion of an elastomeric seal typically makes it softer. Contraction typically makes it harder. As a result, the valve velocity from contact with the valve seat to the rest position has a different velocity profile compared to the elastomeric seal before it expanded or contracted. Thus, the valve velocity correlates to the seal properties.
[0020] The method may use an external clock to provide time, or the operating arrangement may comprise a clock to provide time, so that the velocity can be calculated based on position data.
[0021] In one aspect, the method may be performed during normal operation of the operating arrangement.
[0022] The method thus allows the operational arrangement to be performed during normal operation, and thus downtime of the operational arrangement can be significantly reduced compared to the prior art, since the elastomeric or plastic seal is evaluated based on data acquired during normal operation.
[0023] In one aspect, the evaluating step may include a predicting step of predicting the remaining operating time until failure of the elastomeric or plastic seal.
[0024] The steps of the method are repeated over time, and since the rate of degradation can be estimated, the remaining operating time until failure of the elastomeric or plastic seal can be estimated, preferably continuously during normal operation, making maintenance predictable.
[0025] The evaluating and predicting steps may further be performed as a function of data collected from a number of other seals in other operational configurations.
[0026] Further machine learning may be used during the evaluation and prediction steps.
[0027] The method may further include a sending step of sending an alert to a user or a server as a function of remaining operating time until failure of the elastomeric or plastic seal.
[0028] In one aspect, the magnet may be mechanically coupled to the valve element, where actuation of the valve element causes the magnet to act along a magnet path.
[0029] The measurement process includes: - measuring the magnetic field along the magnet path; and - calculating values for the initial contact position of the valve as a function of the magnetic field along the magnet path; may include:
[0030] The actuation of the magnet may be directly correlated to the actuation of the valve element, where if the valve moves linearly 1 cm, the magnet also moves linearly 1 cm. This would be the case if the magnet was connected to a piston shaft which actuated the valve element.
[0031] However, the actuation arrangement may also comprise a linear drive driving a rotary drive which drives a butterfly valve including a valve element and a valve seat. In this case, the magnet may be connected to the linear drive, so that the movement and position of the magnet does not directly correlate to the movement and position and / or velocity of the valve element, although this can be calculated with basic mathematics. The reverse situation may also be true.
[0032] Therefore, by measuring the magnetic field along the magnet path, the position of the valve can be calculated, and therefore the initial contact position of the valve can likewise be calculated as a function of the magnetic field along the magnet path.
[0033] In one aspect, the calculating step may include calculating the valve velocity as a function of the magnetic field along the magnet path.
[0034] This allows the solution to detect both the initial valve contact position and the valve velocity, and the initial valve contact position is the position where the valve velocity starts to change from a constant value.
[0035] The valve velocity may be an angular velocity of the valve.
[0036] The objects of the invention are achieved by a valve including a valve element and a complementary valve seat, and an actuation arrangement comprising an elastomeric or plastic seal on the valve element or valve seat.
[0037] The valve element comprises: a contact state in which the valve element is in contact with the valve seat; - Between the valve element and the valve seat in a non-contact state It is operated by.
[0038] The operating arrangement comprises: - position sensing means adapted to measure the position of the valve element relative to the valve seat, including the initial contact position of the valve where the elastomeric or plastic seal contacts the valve element or the valve seat; Further includes:
[0039] The operating arrangement comprises: - an evaluation module including a computer readable medium for storing at least the initial contact positions of the valve and evaluation means for evaluating a characteristic of the elastomeric seal as a function of the stored initial contact positions of the valve; and / or - a communication module adapted for wired or wireless communication with an external evaluation module adapted for evaluating a characteristic of the elastomeric or plastic seal as a function of the stored initial valve contact position; Further includes:
[0040] There may be various embodiments of the seal shape, as the seal is selected depending on the particular embodiment of the valve element and the valve seat complementary to the valve element. The seal may be located either on the valve element or on the valve seat. If the seal is located on the valve element, the initial contact position of the valve is where the seal contacts the valve seat, since the seal is considered to be part of the valve element, whereas if the seal is located on the valve seat, the initial contact position of the valve is where the valve element contacts the seal, since the seal is considered to be part of the valve seat. The two possibilities are equivalent.
[0041] The valve element is actuated between a contact state, in which the valve element is in contact with the valve seat, and a non-contact state, in which the valve element is not in contact with the valve seat, and the method collects data by measuring an initial valve contact position, which is where the valve element and valve seat first contact when the valve element state changes to the contact state.
[0042] The initial contact position of the valve may be determined by the position detection means as the position at which the actuated configuration experiences higher resistance to movement of the valve element, resulting in a change in the velocity of the valve element.
[0043] The initial contact position of the valve may be stored in a computer readable medium of the evaluation module and / or transmitted by a communication module to an external evaluation module so that data may be collected over time, where the data includes at least the initial contact position of the valve.
[0044] This allows for an evaluation process in which the properties of the elastomeric or plastic seal are evaluated as a function of the stored initial valve contact position.
[0045] The external evaluation module may collect data from multiple operating configurations and may use the data from the multiple operating configurations during the evaluation process to evaluate the characteristics of a particular elastomeric seal or a particular plastic seal.
[0046] The external assessment module may use machine learning.
[0047] In one embodiment, the position detection means may include a potentiometer or resistance measurement. The position detection means includes an electrical contact mechanically coupled to the valve element, such that actuation of the valve element activates the electrical contact. The electrical contact contacts a resistive track, such that the measured output is related to the change in position of the electrical contact and thus the position change of the valve element. In another embodiment, actuation of the valve element activates the resistive track, but the resulting output remains the same.
[0048] In another embodiment, the position sensing means may include a ferrous material mechanically coupled to the valve element such that actuation of the valve element causes the ferrous material and one or more inductive sensors positioned to sense the ferrous material to pass near the one or more inductive sensors. This embodiment may be used with the embodiments disclosed in Figures 4-7 or other previously described embodiments by replacing the magnet with a ferrous material and by replacing the one or more magnetic sensors with one or more inductive sensors.
[0049] In one embodiment, the position detection means may include a light source configured to send light to the piston shaft and a light detection sensor configured to detect the light, where the position of the valve element and the valve velocity are calculated based on the time of flight of the light. The light source may send light pulses. The light source may be a laser sending light pulses. The light may be directed to a top of the piston shaft that is mechanically coupled to the valve element. When the valve element is actuated, the top will actuate. The position of the valve element or a change in its position can be calculated based on the change in the time of flight of the light.
[0050] In one embodiment, the position sensing means may include a rotary encoder mechanically coupled to the valve element, where the angular rotation axis of the rotary encoder may be used to measure position, direction and valve speed. The rotary encoder may be of the incremental or absolute type.
[0051] In one aspect, the position sensing means may be further configured to measure valve velocity from contact with the valve seat to a rest position of the valve element.
[0052] The expansion or contraction of an elastomeric seal transforms other materials into an elastomeric seal. Expansion of an elastomeric seal typically makes it softer, whereas contraction typically makes it harder. As a result, the valve velocity from contact with the valve seat to the rest position has a different velocity profile compared to the elastomeric seal before it expanded or contracted.
[0053] Thus, valve speed correlates to seal quality and the speed data provides an improved assessment of seal quality.
[0054] The operating arrangement may include a clock to provide a time so that speed can be calculated based on the position data.
[0055] In one aspect, the operating arrangement may be adapted to perform a method of evaluating a property of an elastomeric or plastic seal.
[0056] In one aspect, the actuation arrangement may include an actuator housing having a first piston chamber with a first piston separating the first piston chamber into a first upper cavity and a first lower cavity and having a first piston stem configured to actuate a valve element outside of the actuator housing.
[0057] This arrangement allows precise control of the piston, and hence the valve actuated by the piston shaft, so that the valve element can be moved with high precision while the position sensing means measures the position of the valve with high precision.
[0058] The hydraulic fluid may be hydraulic oil or hydraulic water.
[0059] In one aspect, the actuation arrangement may include one or more linear drives and / or one or more rotary drives configured to actuate the valve element.
[0060] The actuation arrangement may include a linear drive driving a rotary drive coupled to the butterfly valve.
[0061] The actuation arrangement may include a rotary drive driving the linear drive.
[0062] The actuation arrangement may include a rotary drive coupled to the butterfly valve.
[0063] In one aspect, the position detection means is - a magnet mechanically coupled to the valve element, where actuation of the valve element causes the magnet to act along a magnet path; and - a number of magnetic sensors arranged to measure the magnetic field along the magnet path; may include:
[0064] Embodiments of the position detection means allow the valve element to be detected with an accuracy of about 10-100 μm.
[0065] The magnet is mechanically linked to the valve element so that actuation of the magnet and valve element can be directly correlated, i.e. when the valve moves linearly 1 cm the magnet also moves linearly 1 cm, as would be the case if the magnet was connected to a piston shaft which actuated the valve element.
[0066] However, the actuation arrangement may also comprise a linear drive driving a rotary drive which drives a butterfly valve including a valve element and a valve seat. In this case, the magnet may be connected to the linear drive, so that the movement and position of the magnet does not directly correlate to the movement and position and / or velocity of the valve element, although this can be calculated with basic mathematics. The reverse situation may also be true.
[0067] Other embodiments of the mechanical connection between the magnet and the valve element are possible.
[0068] In one embodiment, the actuation arrangement may include a rotary drive for driving a butterfly valve including a valve element and a valve seat, where the magnet is connected to an exterior of the rotary drive, such as a portion of a piston shaft of the rotary drive that is exterior to a piston chamber of the rotary drive, and the magnet is then actuated along a curved or arcuate magnet path, with the magnetic sensor positioned along the magnet path.
[0069] Preferably, the magnet is a permanent magnet.
[0070] In one aspect, one or more of the plurality of magnetic sensors may be a Hall sensor.
[0071] The Hall sensors provide sufficient accuracy for measuring the magnetic field, allowing the position measurement of the magnet.
[0072] In one aspect, the magnet path may be a substantially straight line and the plurality of magnetic sensors includes a series of magnetic sensors arranged along a substantially straight line parallel to the magnet path.
[0073] With the magnet path being a straight line and the magnetic sensors positioned parallel to the magnet path, the computational power required to calculate the position of the magnet and hence the position and / or velocity of the valve element is simplified.
[0074] In one embodiment, the magnet may be incorporated into a magnet holder having a first opening complementary to a support rod extending through the first opening parallel to the first magnet path to support the magnet and reduce its play. This embodiment improves the accuracy of the magnet and therefore the position of the valve element to an accuracy of 10-25 μm.
[0075] In one aspect, the magnet path may be a curve or an arc, and the plurality of magnetic sensors includes a series of magnetic sensors arranged in a curve or arc complementary to the magnet path.
[0076] In embodiments where the magnet path is curved or arcuate, there may be a series of magnetic sensors along the curved or arcuate magnet path to obtain better magnetic field data.
[0077] The object of the invention is achieved by a valve system with one or more actuation configurations, said valve system comprising a common evaluation module adapted to receive data from said one or more actuation configurations, said common data evaluation module also comprising evaluation means for evaluating a characteristic of an elastomeric or plastic seal as a function of a stored initial valve contact position.
[0078] The number of actuation configurations may be 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 or more, so the valve system collects data from all actuation configurations, which may then be used to improve the characterization of individual elastomeric or plastic seals.
[0079] The actuation arrangement may include a communications module adapted for wired or wireless communication with said valve system.
[0080] The valve system may comprise means for carrying out a method for evaluating a property of an elastomeric or plastic seal on a valve element or a valve seat. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0081] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an actuation arrangement with position detection means. FIG. 2 illustrates a state diagram of a valve element being manipulated between contacting and non-contacting states. FIG. 3 shows two graphs of seals with different properties. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an actuation arrangement for controlling two valves. FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of an actuation arrangement for controlling the two valves. FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of an actuation arrangement for controlling the butterfly valve. FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the position detection means comprising a magnet and a magnetic sensor. FIG. 8 shows the valve system. FIG. 9 illustrates a method for evaluating the properties of an elastomeric or plastic seal on a valve element or seat.
[0082] TIFF2025506971000002.tif231114 Detailed Description of the Invention
[0083] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an actuation arrangement 10 equipped with position detection means 40 .
[0084] The actuation arrangement 10 comprises an actuator housing 60. The actuator housing 60 comprises a piston chamber 62 containing a piston 64 separating a first piston chamber 62I into an upper cavity 66U and a lower cavity 66L and having a piston shaft 68I configured to actuate the valve element 22 outside the actuator housing 60. The solution shown is a linear drive, but the invention also works for rotary drives.
[0085] Actuation of piston 64 displaces piston shaft 68. Piston shaft 68 is connected to valve element 22 of valve 20. Valve 20 further comprises a valve seat 24 complementary to valve element 22. Valve 20 further comprises a seal, which is either an elastomeric seal 30 or a plastic seal 32 (not shown). Elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 is disposed on valve element 22 or valve seat 24, and are referred to as the respective valve element 22 or valve seat 24.
[0086] Upon said actuation, the valve element 22 a contact state 92 in which the valve element 22 is in contact with the valve seat 24; and - a non-contact state 94 in which the valve element 22 is not in contact with the valve seat 24 The state changes between
[0087] The illustrated embodiment is shown in a non-contact state 94 .
[0088] The position sensing means 40 is adapted to measure the position of the valve element 22 relative to the valve seat 24 (including the valve initial contact position 26 where the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 contacts the valve element 22 or valve seat 24).
[0089] The piston shaft 68 has an axial end that extends from the actuator housing 60 in a direction away from the valve 20 .
[0090] The position detection means 40 comprises a measuring means for measuring the position of the shaft end.
[0091] This may be done using resistivity, where the shaft end is contacted with a resistor and the voltage across it is measured. The position of the shaft end can then be calculated as a function of voltage, and as the second shaft moves in conjunction with the valve element 22, the position of the valve element 22 can be calculated.
[0092] The magnet 42 may be connected to a shaft end and therefore displaceable along a magnet path 44. The position detection means 40 may comprise a number of magnetic sensors 46 along the magnet path 44, so that the position of the magnet 42 can be calculated as a function of the measured magnetic field. In this embodiment, the magnet 42 moves in conjunction with the valve element 22 and therefore the position of the valve element 22 can be calculated.
[0093] This allows the actuation arrangement 10 to detect the initial valve contact position 26 where the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 contacts the valve element 22 or valve seat 24. The actuation arrangement 10 may use the data regarding the valve position to calculate and / or measure the valve velocity 28 from contact with the valve seat 24 to the rest position of the valve element 22.
[0094] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation arrangement 10 further comprises an evaluation module 12 including a computer readable medium 16 for storing at least the valve initial contact position 26, and an evaluation means for evaluating a characteristic of the elastomeric seal as a function of the stored valve initial contact position 26. Figure 3 shows examples of various valve speeds as a function of seal characteristic.
[0095] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a communication module 14 adapted for wired or wireless communication with an external evaluation module adapted to evaluate the characteristics of the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 as a function of the stored valve initial contact position 26.
[0096] The valve initial contact position 26 and valve velocity can be measured during normal operation of the valve 20, i.e., the operating arrangement 10 can evaluate the seal characteristics using the valve position and valve velocity data stored during its normal operation.
[0097] FIG. 2 illustrates a state diagram of valve element 22 being operated between a contacting state 92 and a non-contacting state 94 .
[0098] The valve element 22 is a contact state 92 in which the valve element 22 is in contact with the valve seat 24; - a non-contact state 94 in which the valve element 22 is not in contact with the valve seat 24; It is operated by.
[0099] Upon changing state from the non-contact state 94 to the contact state 92, the actuation arrangement 10 performs a method or at least some steps of a method according to one or more of claims 1 to 6. Although the evaluation step 600 and the storage step 400 may be performed on an external computer or server, in some embodiments the actuation arrangement 10 may perform all steps of the method for evaluating a property of an elastomeric or plastic seal on a valve element or valve seat.
[0100] The state change process 200 is performed during normal operation of the operational arrangement 10, so that no out-of-service is required to check the seals 30 and 32 as they are evaluated while in use.
[0101] 3 shows two graphs (A, B) for seals 30 and 32 with different properties. These graphs are simulations of possible data based on elastomeric seal 30.
[0102] Graph A shows valve velocity 28 as a function of valve position for elastomeric seals 30I, 30II and 30III. Elastomeric seal 30I is shown new and unworn. Position values are relative.
[0103] As the elastomeric seal 30I softens over time, i.e., the shore decreases, the valve velocity 28 changes to that of the elastomeric seal 30III because the elastomeric seal 30III offers less resistance at the valve's initial contact position 26, and therefore the velocity change is smaller compared to the elastomeric seal 30I.
[0104] As this elastomeric seal 30I hardens over time, i.e., the shore increases, the valve velocity 28 changes to that of the elastomeric seal 30II because the elastomeric seal 30II offers more resistance at the valve's initial contact position 26 and therefore the velocity change is smaller compared to the elastomeric seal 30I.
[0105] Therefore, the performance of the elastomeric seal 30I can be estimated by comparing the valve velocities 28 of the same seal measured over time.
[0106] Graph B shows valve velocity 28 as a function of valve position for elastomeric seals 30I, 30II and 30III. Elastomeric seal 30I is shown new and unworn. Position values are relative.
[0107] Graph B shows how wear of elastomeric seal 30I changes the graph. Elastomer seal 30I is a new elastomeric seal with no material loss due to abrasion. Elastomer seal 30II has worn down, resulting in a displacement of valve initial contact position 26 relative to elastomeric seal 30I.
[0108] Elastomeric seal 30II has worn even more, so that valve initial contact position 26 is displaced relative to elastomeric seals 30I and 30II.
[0109] The displacement described above may be due to contraction, but the change in velocity of the valve element 22 as it moves towards rest may indicate that the displacement is due to contraction.
[0110] 4 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an actuation arrangement 10 for controlling two valves 20I and 20II. A detailed embodiment of the actuation arrangement 10 is shown in FIG.
[0111] Each of the valves 20I and 20II includes a valve element 22I and 22II and a complementary valve seat 24I and 24II. The first valve element 22I or first valve seat 24I includes an elastomeric seal 30 or a plastic seal 32. The second valve element 22II or second valve seat 24II includes an elastomeric seal 30 or a plastic seal 32.
[0112] The actuation arrangement 10 includes an actuator housing 60 having a first piston chamber 62I containing a first piston 64I separating the first piston chamber 62I into a first upper cavity 66IU and a first lower cavity 66IL and having a first piston shaft 68I configured to actuate the first valve element 22I outside the actuator housing 60.
[0113] The actuator housing 60 further includes a second piston chamber 62II including a second piston 64II separating the second piston chamber 62II into a second upper cavity 66IIU and a second lower cavity 66IIL and having a second piston shaft 68II configured to actuate the valve element 22 outside the actuator housing 60.
[0114] The second piston shaft 68II extends through the first piston shaft 681. Each of the piston shafts 68I and 68II includes a shaft end 69I and 69II that extends from the actuator housing 60 in a direction away from the valves 20I and 20II.
[0115] The actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a first position detection means 40I including a first magnet 42I mechanically coupled to the first axial end 69I, and thus to the first valve element 22I, wherein upon actuation of the first valve element 22I the first magnet 42I is actuated along a first magnet path 44I.
[0116] The actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a number of magnetic sensors 46, two shown but in most cases there will be at least three magnetic sensors 46. The multiple magnetic sensors 46 are arranged to measure the magnetic field along the first magnet path 44I such that the position of the first magnet 42I can be measured as the first magnet 42I is directly connected to the first valve element 22I by the piston shaft 68I, and thus the position of the first valve element 22I can be measured.
[0117] Thus, the first position detection means 40I can measure the position of the first valve element 22I relative to the first valve seat 24I (including the valve initial contact position 26 where the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 is in contact with the first valve element 22I or the first valve seat 24I).
[0118] The actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a second position detection means 40II including a second magnet 42II mechanically coupled to the second axial end 69II and thus to the second valve element 22II, wherein actuation of the second valve element 22II causes the second magnet 42II to act along a second magnet path 44II.
[0119] The plurality of magnetic sensors 46 are also positioned to measure the magnetic field along the second magnet path 44II, thereby allowing the position of the first magnet 42I to be measured, and therefore the position of the second valve element 22II, since the second magnet 42II is directly connected to the second valve element 22II by the second piston shaft 68II.
[0120] The second position detection means 40II can therefore measure the position of the second valve element 22II relative to the second valve seat 24II (including the valve initial contact position 26 where the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 is in contact with the second valve element 22II or the second valve seat 24II).
[0121] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the actuation arrangement 10 controlling two valves 20I and 20II. The actuation arrangement 10 allows mixing of two liquids. The function of the actuation arrangement 10 is explained in more detail in EP3374679.
[0122] This embodiment includes a driver housing 60 as shown in FIG. 4, which will not be described in detail.
[0123] This embodiment has the additional feature of enabling the actuation arrangement 10 to measure the position and valve velocity of the valve elements 22I and 22II of the two valves 20I and 22II.
[0124] Each of the valves 20I and 20II includes a valve element 22I and 22II and a complementary valve seat 24I and 24II. The first valve element 22I includes an elastomeric seal 30 or a plastic seal 32. The second valve element 22II includes an elastomeric seal 30 or a plastic seal 32.
[0125] 4, the first piston shaft 68I is connected to the first valve element 22I, and the second piston shaft 68II is connected to the second valve element 22II. The second piston shaft 68II extends through the first piston shaft 68I.
[0126] The first and second piston shafts 68I and 68II have first and second shaft ends 69I and 69II that extend from the actuator housing 60 in a direction away from the valves 20I and 20II.
[0127] The actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a first position detection means 40I including a first magnet 42I mechanically coupled to the first axial end 69I, and thus to the first valve element 22I, wherein upon actuation of the first valve element 22I the first magnet 42I is actuated along a first magnet path 44I.
[0128] The first magnet 42I is mounted in a first magnet holder 43I which has a first opening which extends parallel to the first magnet path 44I and is complementary to a support rod 70 which supports the first magnet 42I through the first opening, reducing its play.
[0129] The actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a plurality of magnetic sensors 46 arranged to measure a magnetic field along the first magnet path 44I such that the position of the first magnet 42I can be measured as the first magnet 42I is directly connected to the first valve element 22I by the piston shaft 68I, and thus the position of the first valve element 22I can be measured.
[0130] Thus, the first position detection means 40I can measure the position of the first valve element 22I relative to the first valve seat 24I (including the valve initial contact position 26 where the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 is in contact with the first valve element 22I or the first valve seat 24I).
[0131] The actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a second position detection means 40II including a second magnet 42II mechanically coupled to the second axial end 69II and thus to the second valve element 22II, wherein actuation of the second valve element 22II causes the second magnet 42II to act along a second magnet path 44II.
[0132] The second magnet 42II is mounted in a second magnet holder 43II which extends parallel to the first magnet path 44I and the second magnet path 44II and is provided with a second opening complementary to a support rod 70 which supports the second magnet 42II through the second opening and reduces its play.
[0133] The second position detection means 40II can therefore measure the position of the second valve element 22II relative to the second valve seat 24II (including the valve initial contact position 26 where the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 is in contact with the second valve element 22II or the second valve seat 24II).
[0134] 6 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the actuation arrangement 10 for controlling the butterfly valve 20. The position and valve velocity of the butterfly valve 20 are measured as described in the previously described embodiments.
[0135] The butterfly valve 20 includes a valve element 22 that includes an elastomeric or plastic seal 30 or 32 and a complementary valve seat 24. The actuation arrangement 10 includes a linear drive that actuates a rotary drive, which in turn actuates the butterfly valve 20.
[0136] The linear drive has a shaft end 69 that extends away from the butterfly valve 20 .
[0137] The actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a position sensing means 40 including a magnet 42 mechanically coupled to the shaft end 69, and thus to the valve element 22, where actuation of the valve element 22 causes the magnet 42 to act along a magnet path 44. The position of the magnet 42 is mechanically coupled to the position of the butterfly valve 20 via linear and rotary drives, such that there is a relationship between the position and velocity of the magnet 42 along the magnet path 44 and the position and valve velocity of the butterfly valve 20.
[0138] The magnet 42 is mounted in a magnet holder 43 having an opening complementary to a support rod 70 extending through said opening parallel to the magnet path 44 to support the magnet 42 and reduce play as it moves along the magnet path 44.
[0139] The actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a number of magnetic sensors 46 arranged to measure the magnetic field along magnet path 44I, thereby allowing the position of magnet 42I to be determined, and as magnet 42I is connected to valve element 22 by a shaft end 69, the position of valve element 22I to be determined.
[0140] Thus, the position sensing means 40 is capable of measuring the position of the valve element 22 relative to the valve seat 24 (including the valve's initial contact position 26 where the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 contacts the valve seat 24 ).
[0141] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the position detection means 40 comprising a magnet 42 and a magnetic sensor 46. The embodiment shown can be used in the embodiment shown in figure 5 or 6 or in other embodiments of the actuation arrangement 10.
[0142] The position sensing means 40 comprises a magnet 42 mechanically coupled to the shaft end 69, and thus to the valve element 22, where actuation of the valve element 22 causes the magnet 42 to act along a magnet path 44. The position of the magnet 42 is therefore mechanically coupled to the position of the valve element 22, such that there is a relationship between the position and velocity of the magnet 42 along the magnet path 44 and the position of the valve element 22 and the valve velocity.
[0143] The magnet 42 is mounted in a magnet holder 43 having an opening complementary to a support rod 70 extending through said opening parallel to the magnet path 44 to support the magnet 42 and reduce play as it moves along the magnet path 44.
[0144] The actuation arrangement 10 further comprises a number of magnetic sensors 46 arranged to measure the magnetic field along the magnet path 44. This allows the position of the magnet 42 to be determined, and as the magnet 42 is connected to the valve element 22 by a shaft end 69, the position of the valve element 22 to be determined.
[0145] Thus, the position sensing means 40 is capable of measuring the position of the valve element 22 relative to the valve seat 24 (including the valve's initial contact position 26 where the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 contacts the valve seat 24 ).
[0146] FIG. 8 shows a valve system 50 having N×M actuation arrangements 10-11, ..., 10-NM, which may include one or more of the actuation arrangements 10 discussed above, such as the embodiments disclosed in FIG. 5 and / or FIG. 6.
[0147] The valve system 50 comprises a common evaluation module 52 adapted to receive data from one or more actuation configurations 10-11,..., 10-NM, and the common evaluation module 52 comprises evaluation means for evaluating a characteristic of the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 as a function of the stored valve initial contact position 26. This allows production to be investigated while the valve system 50 is running during normal operation.
[0148] 9 illustrates a method 100 for evaluating the properties of an elastomeric or plastic seal 30 or 32 on a valve element 22 or valve seat 24. The valve element 22 is actuated by an actuation arrangement 10, where the valve element 22: a contact state 92 in which the valve element 22 is in contact with the valve seat 24; - a non-contact state 94 in which the valve element 22 is not in contact with the valve seat 24; It is operated by.
[0149] Method 100 is - a change step 200 for changing the state from the non-contact state 94 to the contact state 92; - a measuring step 300, measuring the initial contact position 26 of the valve in contact with the valve seat 24 (where the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 contacts the valve element 22 or the valve seat 24); - a storing step 400 of storing the initial contact position 26 of the valve in a computer readable medium 16; a repeating step 500 for repeating said varying step 200, measuring step 300 and storing step 400, and - an evaluation step 600 for evaluating the properties of the elastomeric or plastic seal 30 or 32 as a function of the stored valve initial contact position 26; Includes.
[0150] The measuring step 300 may include the valve velocity 28 from contact with the valve seat 24 to a rest position of the valve element 22. The storing step 400 may include storing the valve velocity 28 in the computer readable medium 16, and the evaluating step 120 may include evaluating a characteristic of the elastomeric seal 30 or plastic seal 32 as a function of the stored valve velocity 28.
[0151] The method 100 may be performed during normal operation 90 of the operating arrangement 10 .
[0152] The evaluation process 120 may include a prediction process 610 that predicts the remaining operating time until failure of the elastomeric seal 30 or the plastic seal 32 .
[0153] The magnet 40 may be mechanically coupled to the valve element 22, where actuation of the valve element 22 causes the magnet 42 to act along a magnet path 44. The measurement process 300 includes a measurement step 300 for measuring the magnetic field along the magnet path 42 and a calculation step 310 for calculating the initial contact position 26 of the valve as a function of the magnetic field along the magnet path 42.
[0154] The calculating step 310 may include calculating the valve velocity 28 as a function of the magnetic field along the magnet path 42 .
Claims
1. A method (100) for evaluating the properties of an elastomeric seal (30) or plastic seal (32) on a valve element (22) or valve seat (24), wherein the valve element (22) is actuated by an actuation arrangement (10), the valve element (22) comprising: a contact state (92) in which the valve element (22) is in contact with the valve seat (24); and a non-contact state (94) in which the valve element (22) is not in contact with the valve seat (24). It is operated by The method (100) comprises: a change step (200) of changing the state from a non-contact state (94) to a contact state (92); a measuring step (300) of measuring the initial contact position (26) of the valve in contact with the valve seat (24) (where the elastomeric seal (30) or plastic seal (32) contacts the valve element (22) or valve seat (24)); and a measuring step (300) of measuring the valve velocity (28) of the valve element (22) from contact with the valve seat (24) to the rest position of the valve element (22); a storing step (400) of storing the initial contact position (26) and valve velocity (28) of the valve in a computer readable medium (16); a repeating step (500) of repeating the changing step (200), measuring step (300) and storing step (400); and an evaluation step (600) of evaluating the properties of the elastomeric seal (30) or plastic seal (32) as a function of the stored valve initial contact position (26) and the stored valve velocity (28); A method (100) comprising:
2. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein the method (100) is performed during normal operation (90) of the operating arrangement (10).
3. 3. The method (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaluating step (120) includes a predicting step (610) of predicting the remaining operating time until failure of the elastomeric seal (30) or plastic seal (32).
4. A magnet (40) is mechanically coupled to the valve element (22), and actuation of the valve element (22) causes the magnet (42) to move along the magnet path (44), and a measuring step (300) includes: a measuring step (300) of measuring the magnetic field along the magnet path (42); and a calculating step (310) of calculating the initial contact position (26) of the valve as a function of the magnetic field along the magnet path (42); Including, The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the calculating step includes calculating the valve velocity as a function of the magnetic field along the magnet path.
6. An actuation arrangement (10) comprising a valve (20) including a valve element (22) and a complementary valve seat (24), and an elastomeric seal (30) or plastic seal (32) on the valve element (22) or the valve seat (24), said valve element (22) comprising: a contact state (92) in which the valve element (22) is in contact with the valve seat (24); and a non-contact state (94) in which the valve element (22) is not in contact with the valve seat (24). It is operated by The actuation arrangement (10) comprises: Position sensing means (40) adapted to measure the position of the valve element (22) relative to the valve seat (24), including the initial valve contact position (26) where the elastomeric seal (30) or plastic seal (32) contacts the valve element (22) or valve seat (24). wherein the position sensing means (40) is configured to measure valve velocity (28) from contact with the valve seat (24) to a rest position of the valve element (22); The actuation arrangement (10) comprises: an evaluation module (12) including a computer-readable medium (16) for storing at least the initial contact position (26) and the valve velocity (28) of said valve, and evaluation means for evaluating the sealing properties of the elastomer as a function of the stored initial contact position (26) and the stored valve velocity (28); and / or a communication module (14) adapted for wired or wireless communication with an external evaluation module adapted to evaluate the characteristics of the elastomeric seal (30) or plastic seal (32) as a function of the stored valve initial contact position (26) and valve velocity (28); The actuation arrangement (10) further comprises:
7. The actuation arrangement (10) according to claim 6, wherein said actuation arrangement (10) is adapted to carry out the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
8. 8. The actuation arrangement (10) of claim 6 or 7, wherein the actuation arrangement (10) comprises a driver housing (60) having a first piston chamber (62I) containing a first piston (64I), the first piston (64I) separating the first piston chamber (62I) into a first upper cavity (66IU) and a first lower cavity (66IL), and having a first piston shaft (68I) configured to actuate the valve element (22) outside the driver housing (60).
9. 9. The actuation arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the actuation arrangement (10) comprises one or more linear drives and / or one or more rotary drives configured to actuate the valve element (22).
10. The position detection means (40) a magnet (42) mechanically coupled to the valve element (22), where actuation of the valve element (22) causes the magnet (42) to actuate along a magnet path (44); and A plurality of magnetic sensors (46) arranged to measure the magnetic field along the magnet path (44). An actuation arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising:
11. The actuation arrangement (10) of claim 10, wherein one or more of the plurality of magnetic sensors (46) is a Hall sensor.
12. the magnet path (44) is substantially linear, and the plurality of magnetic sensors (46) comprises a series of magnetic sensors (46) arranged along a substantially straight line parallel to the magnet path (44); or The magnet path (44) is curved or arc-shaped, and the plurality of magnetic sensors (46) includes a series of magnetic sensors (46) arranged in a curve or arc complementary to the magnet path (44). An actuation arrangement (10) according to claim 10 or 11.
13. A valve system (50) comprising one or more actuation arrangements (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, the valve system (50) comprising a common evaluation module (52) adapted to receive data from the one or more actuation arrangements (10), the common evaluation module (52) comprising evaluation means for evaluating characteristics of an elastomeric seal (30) or a plastic seal (32) as a function of a stored initial valve contact position (26).