Condensate drain for discharging condensate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a condensate drain (2, 102) for discharging condensate. The condensate drain (2, 102) includes a housing (4, 104), an internal space (6, 106) formed in the housing (4, 104) for accommodating fluid, an inlet (8, 108) formed in the housing (4, 104) for introducing fluid into the internal space (6, 106) of the housing (4, 104), an outlet (10, 110) formed in the housing (4, 104) for discharging fluid from the internal space (6, 106) of the housing (4, 104), and a valve (12, 112) having a valve body (14) and disposed in the housing (4, 104). The valve (12, 112) is configured to be movable between an open position (F) and a closed position (S). When the valve body (14, 114) is in the open position (F), the valve (12, 112) releases the fluid flow between the internal space (6, 106) and the outlet (10, 110), and when the valve body (14, 114) is in the closed position (S), the valve (12, 112) blocks the fluid flow between the internal space (6, 106) and the outlet (10, 110). The present invention further includes a drive device (16, 116) configured to move the valve body (14, 114) to the open position (F) and / or the closed position (S). According to the present invention, the drive device (16, 116) is configured as an electromagnetic drive (16, 116) or a drive (16, 116) that acts magnetically, or has an electromagnetic drive (16, 116).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a condensate drain for discharging condensate, the condensate drain including a housing, an internal space formed in the housing for accommodating a fluid, an inlet formed in the housing for introducing the fluid into the internal space of the housing, an outlet formed in the housing for discharging the fluid from the internal space of the housing, a valve disposed in the housing and having a valve body, the valve being configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position, the valve body releasing a fluid flow between the internal volume and the outlet when located in the open position and blocking the fluid flow between the internal volume and the outlet when located in the closed position, and a drive device configured to move the valve body to the open position and / or the closed position.

Background Art

[0002] This type of condensate drain is known in the prior art. These condensate drains are used, for example, to discharge condensate generated in steam transport plants in the chemical industry or energy industry. In the prior art, for example, float-type condensate drains are known, and these drains are installed at specific positions in steam transport plants where condensate accumulation is expected. In the case of such float-type condensate drains, the discharge of condensate is performed according to the filling level in the housing of the float-type condensate drain. When the filling level in the housing exceeds a predetermined level or height, a flat ball disposed in the housing and coupled to the valve floats, thereby operating the valve and opening the flow path cross-section of the condensate drain. Thereafter, the condensate flows out of the housing in the direction of the outlet. When the filling level falls below a predetermined minimum value, the float ball sinks and the valve closes. In this case, the function of the float-type condensate drain hardly depends on the temperature of the condensate and responds to pressure fluctuations in the system.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] This type of condensate drain, which is known in the prior art, has proven performance but still has room for improvement. For example, depending on the steam pressure, float drains generally have a relatively large volume so as to accommodate a float with a corresponding buoyancy. Furthermore, the responsiveness of this type of condensate drain is clearly predefined in advance by its design and mechanical structure. In addition, it has been found to be difficult to monitor this type of classical float-type condensate drain and integrate it, especially into digitized plants.

[0004] A first concept of using a motor drive with a compressed air system to move the valve body is further known, but in plants with high steam pressure and steam temperature, it is not possible to use this type of drive while ensuring the required sealing and heat resistance.

[0005] In view of the above background, the object of the present invention is to further develop a condensate drain of the above type in order to eliminate the drawbacks found in the prior art as much as possible. In particular, a condensate drain is proposed that is designed compactly, can be easily monitored, and can operate safely even when used in plants with high steam temperature and steam pressure, and in this case, achieves a high sealing performance against the surroundings.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In the case of a condensate drain of the above type, the problem according to the present invention is solved by the drive being configured as an electromagnetic drive or a drive acting magnetically, or by having an electromagnetic drive. The present invention utilizes the recognition that by using such an electromagnetic drive, accurate movement of the valve body becomes possible, and at the same time, high sealing performance of the condensate drain is guaranteed. More advantageously, it can be well integrated into a digitized control system, enables a compact design, and enables accurate operation of the valve body.

[0007] The drive is preferably arranged in the interior space of the housing and has a movable drive part coupled to the valve body, and a stationary drive part arranged outside the interior space and fluid-tightly separated from the interior space, in particular by a wall part. The stationary drive part is configured to drive the movable drive part by a magnetic driving force.

[0008] In this preferred further configuration, the recognition that the movable drive part in the interior space of the housing is fluid-tightly separated from the stationary drive part outside the interior space is utilized. Thereby, the valve body can be driven without the drive having a movable feed-through through the housing, for example. Thus, the interior space is in a sense isolated from the stationary drive part, so that even when used in connection with high steam temperatures and high steam pressures, the condensate drain always remains in a tightly closed state. At the same time, each drive can be configured compactly for the condensate drain without the need for a large internal volume to accommodate a float of corresponding dimensions. This drive can furthermore be adapted to the desired operating parameters by appropriate control.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the drive is configured as a linear motor, the movable drive part is configured as a runner, and the stationary drive part is configured as a stator. The use of a linear motor has proven to be suitable for driving the valve body, and based on the basic principle of the linear motor, the runner and the stator can be formed separately.

[0010] The present invention is further developed by the drive device having a tube, which is fluid - conductively connected to the housing on its inside, and a runner is accommodated inside the tube. The outside of the tube is sealed against the housing, and the stator is arranged or formed on the outside of the tube. According to the present invention, a dynamic seal that is more exposed to wear can be avoided. By arranging the stator on the outside of the tube and accommodating the runner inside the tube, the idea that the internal space of the tube, and thus the runner, is separated from the stator on the outside of the tube is also realized. Furthermore, the tube - shaped basic shape provides a particularly suitable guide for the runner inside the tube.

[0011] The runner has at least two permanent magnets, which are formed in particular as ring - shaped magnets or disk - shaped magnets. According to a preferred embodiment, the permanent magnets are separated from each other by non - magnetic spacer pieces. According to a preferred embodiment, the stator has at least two coils configured to generate a magnetic field for driving the runner.

[0012] The present invention is further developed by the linear motor being configured to capacitively determine the position of the runner. Based on the above - described features, not only can the runner be driven by reliably transmitting the required force, but it is further realized that the position of the runner can also be determined, and thereby the position of the valve body can also be detected at the same time. In other words, the open state of the valve can be monitored thereby, and this information can be used to control the condensate drain.

[0013] The present invention is further developed in that the valve body is configured as a roller ball, and this roller ball is configured to release the valve seat of the valve when it is in the release position and to close the valve seat when it is in the shut-off position. According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body is further configured to partially release the valve seat at at least one intermediate position arranged between the release position and the shut-off position. Thereby, the valve can be fully opened or fully closed, but can also be opened only partially. Accordingly, the discharge of condensate from the condensate drain can be controlled more finely in terms of moving the valve body to a desired position for control reasons.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the roller ball is arranged on a roller ball lever, and this roller ball lever is connected to the runner such that the translational movement of the runner moves the roller ball from the release position to the shut-off position and from the shut-off position to the release position. Furthermore, by using such a roller ball lever while taking into account the lever principle, the necessary operating force can be applied to the roller ball.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the condensate drain is circulated substantially horizontally in the operating position, and the runner of the linear motor is driven substantially in the horizontal direction.

[0016] According to a preferred and alternative embodiment, the condensate drain is circulated substantially vertically in the operating position, and the runner of the linear motor is driven substantially in the vertical direction.

[0017] When the condensate drain is vertically circulated, preferably, the roller ball lever is supported by the housing by a spring element, the movement of the roller ball lever to the release position is supported by the spring force of the spring, and the movement of the roller ball lever to the closed position is assumed to energize the spring. Thereby, when the condensate drain is vertically circulated, the operating forces of the roller ball lever in the closing position direction and the release position direction become substantially the same, and the control or adjustment of the linear drive becomes easy.

[0018] According to a preferred and alternative embodiment, the drive is configured as an axial flux motor, the movable drive part is configured as a rotor, and the stationary drive part is configured as a stator. Such an axial flux motor utilizes substantially the same operating concept as a linear drive, but converts the motion into a rotational motion instead of a linear motion.

[0019] The rotor preferably has three or more permanent magnets, particularly six permanent magnets, and these permanent magnets are equally spaced from the rotation axis of the rotor and are equally spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. Thereby, sufficient transmission of the operating force becomes possible, and furthermore, good control ability of the axial flux motor is realized.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the stator has three or more coils, particularly six coils, configured to generate a magnetic field for driving the rotor. The coils particularly have the same distance from the rotation axis of the rotor as the magnets, and at least one, particularly all of the coils, have a ferromagnetic core for strengthening the magnetic field. By forming the stator with three or more, particularly six coils, reliable force transmission from the stator to the rotor is possible. Furthermore, the magnetic field is strengthened by the ferromagnetic core.

[0021] The present invention is further developed in that the rotor is accommodated inside the housing wall of the internal space and the stator is arranged outside the housing wall. Thereby, the rotor is isolated from the stator in a sealed state, and thus leakage of vapor to the outside of the housing is reliably avoided. In this case, since it is not necessary to guide the moving parts from the opening of the housing, the risk of leakage is significantly reduced as a whole.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the rotor is connected to the spindle in a non-rotatable relative manner, and the spindle is rotatably attached to the housing. The present invention is further developed in that the valve body is configured as a disk that is rotatable about the axis of rotation and has an aperture recess. In this case, when the disk is rotated to the open position and overlaps with the flow path, the fluid communication connection with the outlet is released, and when rotated to the closed position, the fluid communication connection with the outlet is blocked. According to a preferred embodiment, the spindle has a spindle runner, and this spindle runner is coupled to the disk via an operating part, so that the axial movement of the spindle runner along the spindle results in the rotation of the disk to the open position and the closed position.

[0023] According to a further preferred configuration, the operating part is pivotally attached to the end on the side away from the spindle runner, and the disk has a cam, and this cam is movably guided in the groove of the operating part, so that the pivoting movement of the operating part results in the rotation of the disk. According to a preferred embodiment, the disk is an upper disk, and a lower disk that functions as a rotary bearing for the upper disk is arranged below the upper disk. In this case, in particular, the upper disk is pressed against the lower disk by a spring element. Thereby, the operating resistance is reduced due to the formation of two disks arranged one above the other. At least one, in particular both, of the disks is made of a ceramic material. This also has a positive effect on the frictional behavior and wear.

[0024] According to a further configuration which is suitable and alternative, the valve body is formed as a valve pin rotatably received in the valve sleeve, the valve pin having an outlet groove which, in the open position, is in fluid-conducting connection with an aperture opening formed in the valve sleeve and releases the fluid flow through the valve, and in the closed position blocks the fluid flow through the valve, and the valve body can in particular additionally be moved to an intermediate position in which the outlet groove is at least partially in fluid-conducting connection with the aperture opening.

[0025] The invention is further developed in that the valve pin is connected to a lever which is connected to the runner such that the translational movement of the runner moves the valve pin from the open position to the closed position and from the closed position to the open position. Thereby, the translational movement of the runner is converted into a rotational movement for actuating the valve pin.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the condensate drain comprises at least one sensor device for detecting at least one operating state of the fluid and / or the condensate drain and providing at least one signal representative of the at least one operating state. The condensate drain preferably further comprises a control device configured to receive at least one signal and output a control signal to move the valve body and / or to an upper controller. The sensor device and / or the control device can be directly assigned to or made part of the condensate drain, or alternatively can be configured as individual components coupled to the condensate drain. With this aspect of the condensate drain, advantageously, the signal provided by the sensor device is transmitted for controlling a drive device, in particular an electromagnetically or magnetically acting drive or an electromagnetic drive, and thus an autonomous system is realized from a control-related aspect, which system is based on values measured by the sensor device and used for the operation of the drive for controlling and moving the valve body. In contrast to, for example, a float-type condensate drain, this system has further advantages, which are that, for example, in an integrated control system with a high proportion of digital technology, sensor data can be detected, further processed, evaluated, and used for the control of the condensate drain.

[0027] The invention is further developed in that the sensor device has a level electrode formed on the housing for detecting the level of the fluid, which level electrode preferably extends substantially vertically in the operating position and is configured to detect the fluid level within the housing.

[0028] The sensor device preferably has a Hall sensor, which is configured to sense the position of the runner and / or the rotor and, in particular, to determine the valve position from the position of the runner and / or the rotor.

[0029] The sensor device is preferably a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor housed in the housing.

[0030] The present invention is further developed in that the control device is connected to the sensor, either wired or wirelessly, for transmitting signals, and the control device is configured such that the drive device moves the valve body to a closed position or an open position in response to at least one measured value of the sensor. The control device is further preferably configured to move the valve body to an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position.

[0031] The present invention is further developed in that the Peltier element is arranged on the housing, in particular on the drive device, and the Peltier element is configured to generate electrical energy from the temperature difference between the housing temperature and the ambient temperature of the housing, and / or the condensate drain is further developed by comprising an external energy supply source. Thereby, it is also possible to supply energy to the condensate drain from an external energy source or to generate energy by itself using the Peltier effect. The present invention is further developed in that the Peltier element is connected to the drive device and / or the control device, and the electrical energy generated by the Peltier element is used to operate the drive device and / or the control device.

[0032] The control device preferably has a data interface, which is configured to receive data from a wired or wireless network and / or to transmit data to a wired or wireless network, and includes at least one of the following, namely, at least one measured value in the sensor, the position of the runner or rotor as an indicator of the valve position, and control data for controlling the drive device. Thereby, it becomes possible to control the drive device or the condensate drain via an external controller and transfer each measured value such as the fluid level, pressure, temperature, the position of the runner or rotor to the corresponding data network. The data is preferably stored in the cloud or transmitted from the cloud to the condensate drain. Therefore, for example, data related to chemical, energy technology, or other industrial plants can be advantageously detected and evaluated by the condensate drain according to the present invention.

[0033] The above is the description of the condensate drain according to the present invention. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for discharging condensate by using the condensate drain according to at least one of the exemplary embodiments described above. Regarding the present method, the above-described problems are solved by the following steps, namely, a step of sensing a measurement value indicating the fluid level in the internal space of the condensate drain, and a step of controlling a drive device so that the drive device moves the valve body of the condensate drain to a closed position or an open position according to the measurement value.

[0034] This method utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the condensate drain according to the present invention, and vice versa. In this regard, the above description is referred to and the content thereof is included herein.

[0035] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10A

Figure 10B

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] Figs. 1 to 3 show a condensate drain 2 for discharging condensate. The condensate drain 2 includes a housing 4. An internal space 6 configured to accommodate a fluid is formed in the housing 4. Further, an inlet 8 is formed in the housing 4. This inlet 8 is configured to introduce fluid into the internal space 6 of the housing 4. Further, an outlet 10 is arranged in the housing 4. This outlet 10 is configured to discharge fluid from the internal space 6 of the housing 4. A valve 12 is further arranged in the housing 4. The valve 12 has a valve body 14, and this valve body 14 is configured to be movable to an open position F and a closed position S. When the valve body 14 is located at the open position F, it releases the fluid flow between the internal space 6 and the outlet 10, and when it is located at the closed position S, it blocks the fluid flow between the internal space 6 and the outlet 10. The condensate drain 2 further includes a drive device 16 for moving the valve body 14.

[0038] The drive device 16 is configured to move the valve body 14 to the open position F and / or the closed position S. The drive device 16 is configured as an electromagnetic drive or a magnetically acting drive 16. The drive device 16 has a movable drive part 18, and this movable drive part 18 is arranged in the internal space 6 of the housing 4 and is coupled to the valve body 14.

[0039] The drive device 16 further has a stationary drive unit 20 which is arranged outside the internal space 6 and is fluid-tightly separated from the internal space 6 by a wall portion 22. The stationary drive unit 20 is configured to drive the movable drive unit 18 by a magnetic driving force. In FIGS. 1 and 2, since the valve body 14 is located at the open position F, the fluid flow between the internal space 6 and the outlet 10 is released.

[0040] The drive device 16 is configured as a linear motor 26. The movable drive unit 18 is configured as a runner 28. The stationary drive unit 20 is configured as a stator 30. The drive device 16 has a tube 32 which is connected to the housing 4 in fluid communication inside thereof. The runner 28 is accommodated in the interior 33 of the tube 32. The outside 35 of the tube 32 is sealed, welded or soldered to the housing 4. The stator 30 is arranged on the outside 35 of the tube 32. The runner 28 has permanent magnets 34 formed as ring-shaped magnets or disk-shaped magnets. The permanent magnets 34 are separated from each other by respective spacer pieces 36. The stator 30 has at least two coils and, in the illustrated embodiment, has a larger number of coils which are configured to generate a magnetic field for driving the runner 28. The linear motor 26 is further configured to capacitively determine the position of the runner 28.

[0041] In the case of the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the valve body 14 is configured as a roller ball 40. The roller ball 40 is formed to release the valve seat 41 of the valve 12 when located at the release position F and to close the valve seat when located at the shut-off position S. As described above, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the release position F, and FIG. 3 shows the closed position S. The valve body 14 is further configured to partially release the valve seat 41 at at least one intermediate position Z. This intermediate position Z is located between the release position F and the shut-off position S. The roller ball 40 is disposed on a roller ball lever 42. The roller ball lever 42 is connected to the runner 28 such that the translational movement of the runner 28 moves the roller ball 40 from the release position F to the shut-off position S and vice versa.

[0042] In the case of the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the condensate drain is circulated substantially vertically in the operating position. In this regard, the runner 28 of the linear motor 26 is also driven substantially in the vertical direction. The roller ball lever 42 is supported by the housing 4 by a spring element 44 and a spring bearing 88 such that the movement to the release position F shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is supported by the spring force of the spring element 44. The movement of the roller ball lever 42 to the closed position S biases the spring element 44.

[0043] The condensate drain 2 further includes a sensor device 70 for detecting at least one operating state in the fluid and / or the condensate drain 2. The condensate drain 2 further includes a control device 72 configured to output a control signal for moving the valve body 14 to the drive device 16. The sensor device 70 further has a pressure sensor 78 and a temperature sensor 80 housed in the housing 4. The control device 72 is connected to the sensors 74, 78, 80 by wire or wirelessly so as to transmit signals. The control device 72 is configured to be controllable such that the drive device 16 moves the valve body 14 to the closed position S or the release position F according to at least one measured value in the sensors 74, 78, 80.

[0044] On the housing 4, particularly on the drive device 16, a Peltier element 82 is arranged. This Peltier element 82 is configured to generate electrical energy from the temperature difference between the housing temperature and the ambient temperature of the housing 4. Alternatively or additionally, the condensate drain 2 comprises an external energy supply source. The Peltier element 82 is connected to the drive device 16 and / or the control device 72. The electrical energy generated by the Peltier element 82 is used to operate the drive device 16 and the control device 72. The control device 72 further has a data interface (not shown). The data interface is configured to receive data from a wired or wireless network and / or to transmit data to a wired or wireless network. In this case, the data includes at least one of the following, namely, at least one measurement value at the sensors 72, 78, 80, the position of the runner 28 as an indicator of the valve position, and control data for controlling the drive device 16.

[0045] As can be seen particularly from FIG. 2, a compensation gap 24 is provided between the runner 28 and the tube 32. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive rod 46 is connected to the runner 28 via a bearing 47. The drive rod 46 is guided in the elongated hole 43 of the roller ball lever 42, and two pins 50 ensure an axial connection. The pins 50 have the effect that the drive rod 46 "drags along" the roller ball lever 42. A sliding sleeve 52 supported by a position indicator 54 is further connected to the drive rod 46. The movement of the roller ball lever 42 is caused by the movement of the drive rod 46. As can be seen particularly from FIG. 2, the runner 28 has an end piece 86. The drive device 16 further has a drive housing 92, and this drive housing 92 is screwed to the housing 4 via a housing screw connection 90. As described above, the valve body 14 is in the closed position S in the state shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drive device 16 described in connection with FIGS. 1-3 is utilized. In contrast to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the drive device 16 shown in FIG. 4 has a Hall sensor 76. The Hall sensor 76 is configured to sense the position of the runner 28 and determine the valve position from the position of the runner 28. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drive rod 46 acts on a valve body 14 formed as a valve pin 58. The valve pin 58 is rotatably received in a valve sleeve 60. The valve pin 58 has an outlet groove 61 which, in the open position F, is in fluid communication connection with an aperture opening 63 formed in the valve sleeve 60 and releases the fluid flow through the valve 12, and in the closed position blocks the fluid flow through the valve 12, in which case the valve body 14 can be moved, in particular additionally, to an intermediate position Z in which the outlet groove 61 is at least partially in fluid communication connection with the aperture opening 63. This can be seen particularly from FIG. 5. The valve pin 58 is connected to a lever 62 which is connected to the runner 28 via the drive rod 46. This connection is formed such that the translational movement of the runner 28 rotates the valve pin 58 from the open position F to the closed position S and vice versa. The runner 28 further has a sensor magnet 94.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in contrast to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, the condensate drain 2 is flowed substantially horizontally. The runner 28 of the linear motor 26 is driven substantially horizontally. For other points, reference is made to the description related to FIGS. 1-3.

[0048] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the condensate drain 2 shown in FIG. 6 further does not include a spring element 44 for supporting the roller ball lever 42. The reason for this is that the runner 28 is horizontally arranged and thus the operating forces in both lever directions are equal. The depression 45 into which the roller ball 40 rolls ensures a stable opening position.

[0049] Figures 7 to 9 show further exemplary embodiments of the condensate drain 102 for discharging condensate. The condensate drain 102 comprises a housing 104. An internal space 106 for accommodating fluid is formed in the housing 104. The housing 104 is further formed with an inlet 108 for introducing fluid into the internal space 106 of the housing 104. The housing 104 is further formed with an outlet 110 for discharging fluid from the internal space 106 of the housing 104. A valve 112 having a valve body 114 is disposed within the housing 104. The valve body 114 is configured to move to an open position F (see Figures 7 and 8) and a closed position S. The valve body 114 releases the fluid flow between the internal space 106 and the outlet 110 when it is in the open position F.

[0050] The valve body 114 does not release the fluid flow between the internal space 106 and the outlet 110 when it is in the closed position S, i.e., the fluid flow is blocked. The condensate drain 102 further comprises a drive device 116 for moving the valve body 114. The drive device 116 is configured to move the valve body 114 to the open position F and the closed position S. The drive device 116 is configured as a magnetically acting drive 116, in particular a direct drive 116, and is surrounded by a drive housing 194. The drive device 116 has a movable drive part 118. The movable drive part 118 is disposed in the internal space 106 of the housing 104 and is coupled to the valve body 114. The condensate drain 102 further comprises a stationary drive part 120, which is disposed outside the internal space 106 and is particularly fluid-tightly separated from the internal space 106 by a wall part 122. The stationary drive part 120 is configured to drive the movable drive part 118 by a magnetic driving force.

[0051] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the drive device 116 is configured as an axial flux motor (axial flux motor) 126. The movable drive unit 118 is configured as a rotor 128. The stationary drive unit 120 is configured as a stator 130. The rotor 128 has three or more permanent magnets 132, particularly six permanent magnets 132, which are arranged at equal intervals from the rotation axis 134 of the rotor 128 and are equally spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. The rotor 128 further has a sensor magnet 198.

[0052] The stator 130 has at least three coils 136, particularly six coils 136. These coils 136 are configured to generate a magnetic field for driving the rotor 128. The coils 136 have the same distance from the rotation axis 134 of the rotor 128 as the magnets 132. The coils 136 further have a ferromagnetic core 138 for strengthening the magnetic field. The rotor 128 is housed inside the housing wall 140 of the internal space 106, also referred to as the magnetic window 186. The stator 130 is arranged outside the housing wall 140 or the magnetic window 186. The rotor 128 is non-rotatably connected to the spindle 142, and the spindle 142 is rotatably mounted on the housing 104.

[0053] The valve body 114 is configured as a disk 144, which is rotatable around the rotation axis and has an aperture recess 146. The aperture recess 146 allows the fluid conduction connection with the outlet 110 to be released when the disk 144 is rotated to the open position F and overlaps with the flow path 148 formed as the outlet hole 196, and the fluid conduction connection with the outlet is blocked when the disk 144 is rotated to the closed position S.

[0054] The spindle 142 has a spindle runner 150, and this spindle runner 150 is coupled to the disk 144 via an actuating part 156, so that the axial movement of the spindle runner 150 along the spindle 142 brings about the rotation of the disk 144 to the release position F and the closed position S. The actuating part 156 is pivotally attached to the end on the side away from the spindle runner 150. The disk 144 has a cam 154, and this cam 154 is movably guided in the groove 157 of the actuating part 156, so that the pivotal movement of the actuating part 156 brings about the rotation of the disk 144.

[0055] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the disk 144 is an upper disk 144, and a lower disk 158 that functions as a rotary bearing for the upper disk 144 is disposed below the upper disk 144. In this case, in particular, the upper disk 144 is pressed against the lower disk 158 by a spring element 160. These disks 144, 158 are made of a ceramic material.

[0056] The condensate drain 2 further includes a sensor device 170. The condensate drain 2 further includes a control device 172 configured to control the drive device 116. The sensor device 170 has a level electrode 174 formed on the housing 104. The level electrode 174 is configured to sense the fluid level within the housing 104. The sensor device 170 further has a Hall sensor 176. The Hall sensor 176 is configured to sense the position of the rotor 128 and determine the valve position from the position of the rotor 128. The sensor device 170 further has a pressure sensor 178 and / or a temperature sensor 180 housed in the housing 104.

[0057] The control device 172 is connected to the sensors 174, 176, 178, 180 either wired or wirelessly so as to transmit signals. The control device 172 is configured to be controllable such that the drive device 116 moves the valve body 114 to the closed position S or the release position F according to at least one measured value in the sensors 174, 176, 178, 180. Further, a Peltier element 182 is arranged on the housing 104. This Peltier element 182 is configured to generate electrical energy from the temperature difference between the housing temperature and the ambient temperature of the housing 104. Alternatively or additionally, the condensate drain 102 includes an external energy supply source (not shown). The Peltier element 182 is connected to the drive device 116 and the control device 172. In this case, the electrical energy generated by the Peltier element 182 is used to operate the drive device 116 and the control device 172.

[0058] The magnetic window 186 is screwed to the housing 104 by the housing screw connection 188. The spindle 142 is further attached to the housing 104 by bearings 190a, 190b. The operating part 156 is attached by bearing blocks 192a, 192b, and the bearing block 192b is formed as a swivel bearing 152.

[0059] FIG. 10a shows the rotor 128. The rotor 128 has permanent magnets 132 that interact with the coils 138 (not shown) of the stator 130. The coils 138 have ferromagnetic cores 138. Further, a sensor magnet 198, also shown in FIG. 10b, is arranged on the stator 128. The hall sensor 176 enables the position monitoring of the rotor 128.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0060] 2 Condensate drain 4 Housing 6 Internal space 8 Inlet 10 Outlet 12 Valve 14 Valve body 16 Drive device (electromagnetic drive) 18 Movable drive unit 20 Stationary drive unit 22 Wall portion 24 Compensation gap 26 Linear motor 28 Runner 30 Stator 32 Tube 33 Inside of tube 34 Permanent magnet (ring-shaped magnet or disk-shaped magnet) 35 Outside of tube 36 Distance piece 38 Coil 40 Roller ball 41 Valve seat 42 Roller ball lever 43 Elongated hole 44 Spring element 45 Depression 46 Drive rod 47 Bearing 50 Pin 52 Sliding sleeve 54 Position indicator 58 Valve pin 60 Valve sleeve 61 Outlet groove 62 Lever 63 Aperture opening 70 Sensor device 72 Control device 76 Hall sensor 78 Pressure sensor 80 Temperature sensor 82 Peltier element 84 Data interface 86 End piece runner 88 Spring bearing 90 Housing screw connection 92 Drive housing 94 Sensor magnet 102 Condensate drain 104 Housing 106 Internal space 108 Inlet 110 Outlet 112 Valve 114 Valve body 116 Driving device (electromagnetic drive) 118 Movable drive part 120 Stationary drive part 122 Wall part 126 Axial flux motor 128 Rotor (drive disk) 130 Stator 132 Permanent magnet 134 Rotation axis of the rotor 136 Coil 138 Ferromagnetic coil 140 Housing wall 142 Spindle 144 Rotatable disk 146 Aperture recess 148 Flow path 150 Spindle runner 152 Swivel bearing 154 Disk cam 156 Actuating part 157 Groove of the actuating part 158 Lower disk 160 Spring element 170 Sensor device 172 Control device 174 Level electrode 176 Hall sensor 178 Pressure sensor 180 Temperature sensor 182 Peltier element 184 Data interface 186 Magnetic window 188 Housing screw connection part 190a Spindle bearing 190b Spindle bearing 192a Bearing block 192b Bearing block 194 Driving housing 196 Outlet hole 198 Sensor magnet F Release position S Closed position Z intermediate position

Claims

1. - A housing (4, 104), - An internal space (6, 106) formed in the housing (4, 104) for containing a fluid, - An inlet (8, 108) formed in the housing (4, 104) for introducing a fluid into the internal space (6, 106) of the housing (4, 104), - An outlet (10, 110) formed in the housing (4, 104) for discharging a fluid from the internal space (6, 106) of the housing (4, 104), - A valve (12, 112) having a valve body (14) and disposed in the housing (4, 104), which is configured to be movable between an open position (F) and a closed position (S), and when the valve body (14, 114) is located at the open position (F), the fluid flow between the internal space (6, 106) and the outlet (10, 110) is released, and when the valve body (14, 114) is located at the closed position (S), the fluid flow between the internal space (6, 106) and the outlet (10, 110) is blocked, the valve (12, 112); - A drive device (16, 116) configured to move the valve body (14, 114) to the open position (F) and / or the closed position (S), In a condensate drain (2, 102) for discharging condensate, comprising: The drive device (16, 116) is configured as an electromagnetic drive (16, 116) or a drive (16, 116) that acts magnetically, or has an electromagnetic drive (16, 116), characterized in that the condensate drain.

2. The condensate drain (2, 102) according to claim 1, wherein the drive device (16, 116) is disposed in the internal space (6, 106) of the housing (4, 104) and is coupled to the valve body (14, 114) and a movable drive part (18, 118), A stationary drive unit (20, 120) that is disposed outside the internal space (6, 106) and is fluid-tightly separated from the internal space (6, 106) by a wall portion (22, 122), in particular, having A condensate drain in which the stationary drive unit (20, 120) is configured to drive the movable drive unit (18, 118) by a magnetic driving force. **Claim 3** The condensate drain (2) according to claim 2, wherein the drive device (16) is configured as a linear motor (26), the movable drive unit (18) is configured as a runner (28), and the stationary drive unit (20) is configured as a stator (30). **Claim 4** The condensate drain (2) according to claim 3, wherein the drive device (16) has a tube (32), the tube (32) is connected to the housing (4, 104) in a fluidly conductive manner inside thereof, the runner (28) is accommodated inside the tube (32), the outside (35) of the tube (32) is sealed with respect to the housing (4, 104), and the stator (30) is disposed or formed on the outside (35) of the tube (32). **Claim 5** The condensate drain (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the runner (28) has at least two permanent magnets (34), and the permanent magnets (34) are formed as ring-shaped magnets or disk-shaped magnets in particular. **Claim 6** The condensate drain (2) according to claim 5, wherein the permanent magnets (34) are separated from each other by a distance piece (36). **Claim 7** The condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the stator (30) has at least two coils (38) configured to generate a magnetic field for driving the runner (28). **Claim 8** The condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the linear motor (26) is configured to volumetrically determine the position of the runner (28).

9. The condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the valve body (14) is configured as a roller ball (40), and the roller ball (40) is configured to release the valve seat (41) of the valve (12) when located at the release position (F), and to close the valve seat (41) when located at the shut-off position (S).

10. The condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the valve body (14) is configured to partially release the valve seat (41) at at least one intermediate position (Z) located between the release position (F) and the shut-off position (S).

11. The condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the roller ball (40) is arranged on a roller ball lever (42), and the roller ball lever (42) is connected to the runner (28) such that the translational movement of the runner (28) moves the roller ball (40) from the release position (F) to the shut-off position (S) and from the shut-off position (S) to the release position (F).

12. The condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the condensate drain (2) flows substantially horizontally in the operating position, and the runner (28) of the linear motor (26) is driven substantially horizontally.

13. The condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the condensate drain (2) flows substantially vertically in the operating position, and the runner (28) of the linear motor (26) is driven substantially vertically.

14. The condensate drain (2) according to claim 11, wherein the roller ball lever (42) is supported by a housing (4) by a spring element (44), and the movement of the roller ball lever (42) to the release position (F) is supported by the spring force of the spring element (44), and the movement of the roller ball lever (42) to the closed position (S) biases the spring element (44). Condensate drain.

15. The condensate drain (102) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive device (116) is configured as an axial flux motor (126), the movable drive part (118) is configured as a rotor (128), and the stationary drive part (120) is configured as a stator (130). Condensate drain.

16. The condensate drain (102) according to claim 15, wherein the rotor (128) has three or more permanent magnets (132), particularly six permanent magnets (132), and the permanent magnets (132) are spaced equidistantly from the rotation axis (134) of the rotor (128) and are equally spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. Condensate drain.

17. The condensate drain (102) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the stator (130) has three or more coils (136), particularly six coils (136), configured to generate a magnetic field for driving the rotor (128), and the coils (136) particularly have the same distance from the rotation axis (134) of the rotor (128) as the magnets (132), and at least one, particularly all of the coils (136), have a ferromagnetic core (138) for strengthening the magnetic field. Condensate drain.

18. The condensate drain (102) according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the rotor (128) is accommodated inside the housing wall (140) of the internal space (106), and the stator (130) is arranged outside the housing wall (140). Condensate drain.

19. The condensate drain (102) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the rotor (128) is connected to the spindle (142) so as not to be relatively rotatable, and the spindle (142) is rotatably mounted on the housing (104).

20. The condensate drain (102) according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the valve body (114) is rotatable about the axis of rotation and is configured as a disk (144) having an aperture recess (146), and the aperture recess (146) is rotated to the open position (F) When the disk (144) overlaps with the flow path (148), the fluid communication connection with the outlet (110) is released, and when rotated to the closed position (S), the fluid communication connection with the outlet (110) is blocked.

21. The condensate drain (102) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the spindle (142) has a spindle runner (150), and the spindle runner (150) is connected to the disk (144) via an operating portion (156). Thus, the axial movement of the spindle runner (150) along the spindle (142) causes the disk (144) to rotate to the open position (F) and the closed position (S).

22. The condensate drain (102) according to claim 21, wherein the operating portion (156) is pivotally mounted at an end on the side away from the spindle runner (150), and the disk (144) has a cam (154). The cam (154) is movably guided in a groove (157) of the operating portion (156), so that the pivoting movement of the operating portion (156) causes the disk (144) to rotate.

23. The condensate drain (102) according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the disk (144) is the upper disk (144), and a lower disk (158) functioning as a rotary bearing of the upper disk (144) is disposed below the upper disk (144), and in particular, the upper disk (144) is pressed against the lower disk (158) by a spring element (160).

24. The condensate drain (102) according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the disks (144, 158), and in particular both disks (144, 158), are made of a ceramic material.

25. The condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the valve body (14) is formed as a valve pin (58) rotatably received in a valve sleeve (60), the valve pin (58) has an outlet groove (61), and the outlet groove (61) is in fluid communication connection with an aperture opening (63) formed in the valve sleeve (60) at the release position (F) and releases the fluid flow through the valve (12), and at the closed position (S), blocks the fluid flow through the valve (12), and the valve body (14) can be moved, in particular additionally, to an intermediate position (Z) where the outlet groove (61) is at least partially in fluid communication connection with the aperture opening (63).

26. The condensate drain (2) according to claim 25, wherein the valve pin (58) is connected to a lever (62), and the lever (62) is connected to the runner (28) such that the translational movement of the runner (28) moves the valve pin (58) from the release position (F) to the blocking position (S) and from the blocking position (S) to the release position (F).

27. The condensate drain (2, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the condensate drain (2, 102) comprises at least one sensor device (70, 170) for detecting at least one operating state of the fluid and / or the condensate drain (2, 102) and for providing at least one signal representing the at least one operating state.

28. The condensate drain (2, 102) according to claim 27, characterized in that it comprises a control device (72, 172) configured to receive the at least one signal and to move the valve body (14, 114) and / or output a control signal to a higher-level controller.

29. The condensate drain (2, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the sensor device (70, 170) has level electrodes (74, 174) formed on the housing (4, 104) for detecting the level of the fluid, the level electrodes preferably extending substantially vertically in the operating position and being configured to detect the fluid level within the housing (4, 104).

30. The condensate drain (2, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that the sensor device (70, 170) has one or more Hall sensors (76, 176), the one or more Hall sensors (76, 176) being configured to sense the position of the runner (28) and / or the rotor (128) and in particular to determine the valve position from the position of the runner (28) and / or the rotor (128).

31. The condensate drain (2, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the sensor device (70, 170) has a pressure sensor (78, 178) and / or a temperature sensor (80, 180) housed in the housing (4, 104).

32. A condensate drain (2, 102) according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the control device (72, 172) is connected to sensors (74, 76, 78, 80, 174, 176, 178, 180) either wired or wirelessly so as to transmit signals, and the control device (72, 172) is configured such that the drive device (16, 116) moves the valve body (14, 114) to the closed position (S) or the open position (F) according to at least one measured value of the sensors (74, 76, 78, 80, 174, 176, 178, 180).

33. A condensate drain (2, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein a Peltier element (82, 182) is arranged on the housing (4, 104), in particular on the drive device (16, 116), and the Peltier element is configured to generate electrical energy from the temperature difference between the housing temperature and the ambient temperature of the housing (4, 104), and / or the condensate drain (2, 102) comprises an external energy supply source.

34. A condensate drain (4, 104) according to claim 33, wherein the Peltier element (82, 182) is connected to the drive device (16, 116) and / or the control device (72, 172), and the electrical energy generated by the Peltier element (82, 182) is used to operate the drive device (16, 116) and / or the control device (72, 172).

35. A condensate drain (4, 104) according to at least any one of claims 28 to 34, wherein the control device (72, 172) has a data interface, and the data interface is configured to receive data from a wired or wireless network and / or transmit data to a wired or wireless network, and the data includes - at least one measured value in the sensors (74, 76, 78, 80, 174, 176, 178, 180), and - The position of the runner (28) or rotor (128) as an indicator of the valve position, and - Control data for controlling the drive device (16, 116), and at least one of which is provided in the condensate drain.

36. A method for discharging condensate, in particular, a method for discharging condensate using the condensate drain (2, 102) according to at least one of claims 1 to 35, the method comprising: - Sensing a measured value indicating the fluid level in the housing internal space (6, 106) in the condensate drain (2, 102); - By controlling the drive device (16, 116), moving the valve body (14, 114) of the condensate drain (2, 102) to a closed position (S) or an open position (F) by the drive device (16, 116) according to the measured value; The method comprising.

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