Valve position detection device and method for starting a valve position learning program

Abstract

To grasp an angular position when a valve is fully closed and an annular position when the valve is fully opened easily by a valve state monitoring device for monitoring a state of the valve remotely.SOLUTION: A valve open / close position detection device comprises: a magnetic angle sensor 4 that detects an operating angle of a valve on the basis of a magnetic field generated by a magnet that rotates in accordance with a rotating operation of the valve; and a processor 6. The processor can execute a program for open / close position learning by which a plurality of angles of the magnet rotated in accordance with valve opening and closing operations are determined and stored in a memory 8. The processor starts the program for open / close position learning when a predetermined time elapses from the occurrence of a state in which the magnetic angle sensor cannot detect the magnet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a valve position detection device and a method for initiating a valve position learning program. [Background technology]

[0002] Valves are used in various locations in various plants and factories. After being installed in the plant or factory equipment, the valves used are required to operate stably for a long period of time. However, the valves installed are often placed in positions, locations, or environments where it is difficult for operators or inspectors to directly contact them.

[0003] In response to this, valve status monitoring devices have recently been developed that monitor the soundness of plant and factory equipment operation by remotely monitoring the status of valves, thereby helping to prevent sudden trouble or breakdowns. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-73154 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-191760 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2004-169887 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There is a demand for a valve status monitoring device for remotely monitoring the status of a valve to easily grasp the angle and position related to the opening and closing of the valve, for example, the angle and position when the valve is fully closed and the angle and position when the valve is fully open. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The valve opening / closing position detection device disclosed herein includes a magnetic angle sensor that detects the operating angle of the valve by a magnetic field generated by a magnet that rotates in accordance with the rotational movement of the valve, and a processor; The processor runs a program for learning the opening and closing positions of the valve, which determines a plurality of angles in the rotation of the magnet related to the opening and closing of the valve and stores them in the memory. In this valve opening and closing position detection device, the processor starts the program for learning the opening and closing positions when a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence of a state in which the magnetic angle sensor cannot detect the magnet. Effect of the Invention

[0007] By utilizing the valve opening / closing position detection device and method for starting a valve opening / closing position learning program of the present disclosure, a valve status monitoring device for remotely monitoring the state of a valve can easily grasp the angle and position related to the opening and closing of the valve, for example, the angle and position when the valve is fully closed and the angle and position when the valve is fully open. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a valve position detection device according to an embodiment and peripheral devices. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is (1) a perspective view of a valve position detection device according to an embodiment, and (2a) a perspective view and (2b) a partially enlarged view of the valve position detection device, a cylinder, and a valve unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the cylinder at the top of the valve section, showing the position indicator section and in particular the sensor magnet, which are configured to rotate in accordance with the movement of the cylinder and, further, the rotational movement of the valve disc (valve) in the valve section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing in the valve position learning mode of the valve position detection device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a procedure for auto-recovery learning in which the valve position detection device according to the embodiment automatically transitions to the position learning mode. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(1) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a three-way valve. Fig. 6(2) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a three-way valve showing positions (1) to (4) of the ball valve and the state of the flow path at each position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0010] It should be noted that the inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the present disclosure, and they do not intend to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] 1. [Background to this disclosure] The valve open / close position detection device in the present disclosure is a valve state monitoring device. The valve state monitoring device is a monitoring unit for monitoring the state of the valve and is a data logger that records a profile of the opening and closing angles of the valve over time.

[0012] The valve status monitoring device as a monitoring unit, i.e., a valve open / close position detection device, uses a magnetic angle sensor with a sensor magnet to monitor the position of the valve open / closed, i.e., the angular transition of the valve between fully open and fully closed with respect to the flow path, in real time. The magnetic angle sensor here is a TMR (Tunneling Magneto Resistance) sensor. The valve status monitoring device monitors the angular transition of the valve open / closed in real time using the magnetic angle sensor, and records and stores the angle transition as an angle profile in memory by data logging.

[0013] Incidentally, in the operation of a valve position detection device, it is essential for each individual valve to determine the rotation angle of the sensor magnet when the valve is fully open and fully closed, for example, and record this in the memory of the valve position detection device (i.e., valve state monitoring device) as a kind of initial setting (hereinafter referred to as "open / close position learning"). The main reasons why open / close position learning is essential for each individual valve are as follows: (1) and (2).

[0014] (1) Each valve has a different operating range from fully closed to fully open. The components that make up valves and actuators have machining tolerances, and the operating range between fully open and fully closed for valves, which are industrial products, is not necessarily 90°. For example, it can be 89°, 89.5°, 90.2°, etc. In order to accurately and reliably grasp the fully open and fully closed positions of the valve using a sensor magnet and magnetic angle sensor, it is essential to grasp the operating range from fully open to fully closed for each valve.

[0015] (2) The positions of the south and north poles of the sensor magnet attached to the cylinder are different. 3 is a top view of the cylinder 12 above the valve section 22, showing the position indicator section 13 and especially the sensor magnet (magnet 14) that are configured to rotate in accordance with the movement of the cylinder 12 (not shown) and further with the rotational movement (not shown) of the valve body (valve) in the valve section 22. The sensor magnet (magnet 14) is attached to the top of the cylinder 12 with the position indicator section 13 in between, and the positions and directions of the south and north poles of the sensor magnet (magnet) when attached are not constant but vary. Therefore, it is essential to determine and record the positions and directions (i.e., angles) of the south and north poles of the sensor magnet (magnet) when the valve is fully open and fully closed, for example, when the valve is fully open and fully closed.

[0016] The opening / closing position learning performed for the reasons shown in (1) and (2) above is usually executed by a computer program running on a processor of the valve condition monitoring device. The valve condition monitoring device is equipped with wireless and wired circuits, and the program for opening / closing position learning is run by a command sent via the wireless or wired circuit from an external personal computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, or the like, and the valve condition monitoring device enters "open / close position learning mode."

[0017] Therefore, after initially installing a sensor magnet and a valve status monitoring device for the valve and cylinder, an open / close position learning mode is started from an external device via a wireless or wired line by a communication command.

[0018] However, due to communication conditions or from the viewpoint of information security, there are situations in which wireless communication or wired communication cannot be used at certain times in the field equipment in which the valve is installed. In such cases, a communication command cannot be sent from an external device to the valve status monitoring device in the vicinity of the field equipment in which the valve is installed. In order to set the valve status monitoring device to the "open / close position learning mode", it becomes necessary to take steps such as moving the valve status monitoring device sufficiently away from the field equipment in which the valve is installed and then sending a communication command to the valve status monitoring device from an external terminal. Such steps are cumbersome and incur additional costs.

[0019] There is a demand for a valve state monitoring device that can easily grasp the angle related to the opening and closing of a valve (i.e., a sensor magnet (magnet)), for example, the angle when fully closed and the angle when fully open. In view of these circumstances, the inventors of the present application came up with the idea of ​​an auto-recovery learning program, which is the invention according to the present disclosure. This auto-recovery learning program realizes an automatic transition to an opening / closing position learning mode.

[0020] Valves called three-way valves and five-way valves are also used in various plants and factories. A three-way valve is a type of ball valve, and is a valve that has inlets and outlets for fluid in three directions. FIG. 6(1) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example three-way valve 22'. The example three-way valve 22' shown in FIG. 6(1) has a front inlet / outlet 23u, a right inlet / outlet 23r, and a left inlet / outlet 23l. In the three-way valve 22' shown in FIG. 6(1), the positions and angles of four ball valves 22' for flowing fluid are assumed and specified as shown in FIG. 6(2). First, in FIG. 6(2)(1), the position and angle of the ball valve 22' are at 0 rotations, and in this state, the fluid flows between the front inlet / outlet 23u, the right inlet / outlet 23r, and the left inlet / outlet 23l. In addition, in FIG. 6(2)(2), the position and angle of the ball valve 22' are 1 / 4 turn, and at this time, the fluid flows between the front inlet / outlet 23u and the right inlet / outlet 23r. 6(2) and 6(3), the position and angle of the ball valve 22' are at 1 / 2 rotation, and in this state, the fluid flows between the right inlet / outlet 23r and the left inlet / outlet 23l. 6(2) and 6(4), the position and angle of the ball valve 22' are at 3 / 4 rotation, and in this state, the fluid flows between the left port 23l and the front port 23u. In the operation of the open / close position detector for such a three-way valve, it is still essential to determine the above-mentioned four positions and angles of rotation of the sensor magnet and record them in the memory of the valve open / close position detector for each individual valve. Therefore, a program for learning the open / close positions can be prepared for the three-way valve as well, and it can be operated in a timely manner.

[0021] A five-way valve is also a type of ball valve, and is a valve with five inlets and outlets for fluid. Of course, a program for learning the open / close positions of a five-way valve can be prepared and it can be operated at the appropriate time.

[0022] More generally, N-way valves (N is a natural number of 2 or more) may be envisioned. In such a case, it is assumed that there are, for example, M positions and angles (M is a natural number of 2 or more and is not necessarily equal to N) to be grasped and stored as initial settings. For such N-way valves, a program for learning the open / close positions may be prepared and the valves may be operated in a timely manner.

[0023] The auto-recovery learning program, which is the invention according to the present disclosure, realizes automatic transition to the opening / closing position learning mode by any of the above-mentioned programs for opening / closing position learning.

[0024] 2. [Embodiment] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] 2.1. [Configuration of valve position detection device] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a valve position detection device 2 according to an embodiment and peripheral devices. As will be described later with reference to Fig. 2, the valve position detection device 2, which is a valve state monitoring device, is provided in a valve section 22, particularly above a cylinder 12 for operating a valve body (valve).

[0026] The valve position detection device 2 includes an angle sensor 4, a processor 6, a memory 8, and a communication unit 10.

[0027] The angle sensor 4 is a sensor that detects the rotational movement of the magnet 14 provided on the upper part of the cylinder 12 (through the opening indicator part 13) in a non-contact manner, and is mainly composed of a TMR element. The magnet 14 is configured to rotate through the opening indicator part 13 shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with the movement of the cylinder 12 and further in accordance with the rotational movement of the valve in the valve part 22. Therefore, the angle sensor 4 detects the operation angle of the valve. The magnet 14 is mainly assumed to be ring-shaped, but may be other shapes such as a rod shape or a fan shape. The angle sensor 4 here is a magnetic angle sensor that is paired with the magnet 14. A general angle sensor is not limited to a magnetic angle sensor, and as an angle sensor, for example, an angle sensor using a potentiometer, an angle sensor using a rotary encoder, or a gyro sensor that is an angular velocity sensor may be used, but the angle sensor 4 in the present disclosure is a magnetic angle sensor that is paired with a magnet.

[0028] The processor 6 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The various functions of the valve position detection device 2 according to this embodiment are realized by the processor 6 executing various programs. The various functions may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like, or may be realized by a combination of an ASIC and a CPU that loads various programs.

[0029] The memory 8 is a rewritable storage unit within the valve opening / closing position detection device 2, and is configured, for example, by a RAM (Random Access Memory) including a large number of semiconductor memory elements. The memory 8 temporarily stores specific computer programs, variable values, parameter values, and the like when the processor 6 executes various processes. The memory 8 stores, for example, intermediate data and result data of valve state monitoring, such as (valve) opening / closing trend data, angle profile data, histogram data, and operation data, as well as various setting data.

[0030] Here, (valve) opening / closing trend data is a collection of information that indicates the valve operation status, such as the valve operation date and time, the time required for operation, the operation direction, the initial angle, the final angle, etc. Angle profile data is two-dimensional data for one valve operation that is shown by plotting the valve angle (from fully open to fully closed, or from fully closed to fully open) on the vertical axis and the (elapsed) time on the horizontal axis, and is data that indicates how the valve moved during opening and closing operations.

[0031] The memory 8 may include a so-called ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores in advance a computer program for implementing the processing of the valve position detection device 2 described below. The processor 6 reads out the computer program from the ROM and loads it into the RAM, thereby enabling the processor 6 to execute the computer program.

[0032] The communication unit 10 is a circuit that performs wired and wireless communication with the outside, and is an interface circuit that includes various network terminals, a USB terminal, and the like, and is capable of outputting data to the outside and acquiring data from the outside. Examples of wired and wireless communication include Bluetooth (registered trademark), RS485, USB, and the like. Intermediate data and result data regarding the valve state monitoring may be transmitted to, for example, a PC (personal computer) 16 via the wired communication function of the communication unit 10. Similarly, intermediate data and result data regarding the valve state diagnosis may be transmitted to, for example, a smartphone 18 via the wireless communication function of the communication unit 10. The smartphone 18 may be a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0033] Furthermore, a communication command can be transmitted from an external device, such as a PC (personal computer) 16, a smartphone 18, or a tablet terminal, to the processor 6 via the communication unit 10 by wired communication and wireless communication.

[0034] In this embodiment, it is assumed that each process relating to valve opening / closing position detection is performed by the processor 6 of the valve opening / closing position detection device 2.

[0035] 2 is (1) a perspective view of a valve position detection device 2 according to an embodiment, and (2a) a perspective view and (2b) a partially enlarged view of the valve position detection device 2, the cylinder 12, and the valve unit 22 according to the embodiment. The partially enlarged view (2b) particularly shows the relationship between the valve position detection device 2 and a ring-shaped magnet 14 provided on the upper part of the cylinder 12 via an opening indicator unit 13. Inside the valve position detection device 2 above the magnet 14, three layers constituting a magnetic angle sensor are provided, that is, from the bottom, a magnetic film of a free layer, a nonmagnetic insulating film, and a magnetic film of a pinned layer (not shown).

[0036] As shown in the oblique view of FIG. 2(2a), the valve position detection device 2 is equipped with a USB connection connector 24, and a power supply and RS485 connection connector 26, which are configured to be connected to a USB communication cable 28 and an RS485 communication cable 30, respectively.

[0037] The valve position detection device 2 is attached to the cylinder 12 by using the mounting holes 34, the screws 32, and the screw holes in the upper part of the cylinder 12. The mounting holes 34, the screws 32, and the screw holes each comprise at least a pair, but the perspective views of Figures 2(1) and (2a) only show one of the pair.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a top view of the cylinder 12. A ring-shaped magnet 14, which is a sensor magnet, is attached to the upper rotating shaft of the opening indicator part 13 shown in the center of Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the positions and directions of the south and north poles of the magnet 14 when attached to the rotating shaft of the opening indicator part 13 may not be constant but may vary.

[0039] 2.2. [Operation of valve position detection device] 2.2.1. [Processing in Open / Close Position Learning Mode] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing in the valve position learning mode of the valve position detection device 2 according to the embodiment.

[0040] When the valve position detection device 2 enters the open / close position learning mode, the processor 6 starts running a program for open / close position learning (step S52). The opening / closing position learning mode in the valve position detection device 2 is started in the following two ways. (1) Transmission of a communication command from an external device such as a PC 16 or a smartphone 18 via a wireless or wired line. (2) The angle sensor 4 is unable to detect the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 for a predetermined period of time.

[0041] The above (1) is a manual transition by inputting a communication command. The above (2) is an automatic transition for recovering the storage in the memory 8 when it is assumed that the angle (position) of the sensor magnet (magnet 14) regarding the opening and closing of the valve, for example, when the valve is fully closed and fully open, has changed. In particular, the above (2) will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0042] After the program for learning the opening / closing positions starts to operate (step S52), the position of the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 is monitored, and a check is made to see whether an event has occurred in which the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 has stopped at a certain angle (position) for a predetermined period of time or longer (step S54 / NO or YES). If an event has occurred in which the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 has stopped for a predetermined period of time or longer (step S54 / YES), that certain angle is set as a first angle and temporarily stored (step S56).

[0043] Then, it is checked whether an event has occurred in which the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 stops for a similar predetermined period of time at an angle (position) different from the first angle (step S58 / NO or YES), and if an event in which the magnet stops for a predetermined period of time has occurred (step S58 / YES), the different angle is set as the second angle and temporarily stored (step S60).

[0044] Then, it is further checked whether an event has occurred in which the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 stops for a similar predetermined period of time at an angle (position) different from the first angle and the second angle (step S62 / NO or YES), and if an event in which the magnet stops for a predetermined period of time has occurred (step S62 / YES), the further different angle is set as a third angle and temporarily stored (step S64).

[0045] The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are verified as to whether they correspond to when the valve is at its widest opening (i.e., when fully open) or when the valve is at its widest closing (i.e., when fully closed) (step S66).

[0046] When power is applied to the valve unit 22, the valve may be stopped in an intermediate position that is neither fully open nor fully closed. Therefore, in the operation process of the opening / closing position learning mode shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4, the three stop states of the first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are confirmed and stored, and then the fully open angle (position) and the fully closed angle (position) are determined by verification.

[0047] The determined fully open angle (position) and fully closed angle (position) are stored in the memory 8 (step S68), and the open / close position learning mode of the valve open / close position detection device 2 ends (step S70).

[0048] It should be noted that the processing procedure in the opening / closing position learning mode shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and a different processing procedure may be used to determine the rotation angle of the sensor magnet (magnet 14) when the valve is fully open and fully closed and record the angle in the memory 8.

[0049] In the process flow chart of the open / close position learning mode shown in Fig. 4 described above, three stationary states of the first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are confirmed and temporarily stored in order to determine and store the angle (position) when fully open and the angle (position) when fully closed. As described above in [Background to the present disclosure], there are valves for which it is assumed that there are, for example, M (M is a natural number of 2 or more) positions and angles to be grasped and stored as initial settings.

[0050] In the case of such a valve, the processes may be executed in the following order: process [1] to process [M+1], process [verify and store]. Process [1]: "It is checked whether an event has occurred in which the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 stops at a certain angle (position) for a predetermined period of time or more. If an event has occurred in which the magnet stops for a predetermined period of time or more, the certain angle is set as a first angle and temporarily stored." Process [2]: "Then, it is checked whether an event has occurred in which the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 stops for a similar predetermined time or longer at an angle (position) different from the first angle, and if an event in which the magnet stops for a predetermined time or longer occurs, the different angle is set as the second angle and temporarily stored." ... Process [M+1]: "Then, a check is further made to see whether an event has occurred in which the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 stops for a similar predetermined period of time at an angle (position) different from any of the first angle to the Mth angle, and if an event of the magnet being stopped for a predetermined period of time has occurred, that further different angle is set as the (M+1)th angle and temporarily stored."

[0051] Process [Verification and storage]: The first angle to the (M+1)th angle are verified to see if they are angles and positions related to opening and closing of the valve, and M angles and positions related to opening and closing of the valve are determined. The determined M angles and positions related to opening and closing of the valve are stored in memory 8, and the opening and closing position learning mode for the valve that is expected to have M positions and angles to be grasped and stored as initial settings is completed.

[0052] 2.2.2. [Auto-recovery learning process] 5 is a flowchart of the auto-recovery learning process for automatically switching to the opening / closing position learning mode in the valve opening / closing position detection device 2 according to the embodiment. After the auto-recovery learning process starts (step S02), the processor 6 checks whether the angle sensor 4 is in a state (non-detection state) in which it cannot detect the sensor magnet (magnet 14) in the first place (step S10: NO) or whether there is (step S10: YES), and if the non-detection state is confirmed (step S10: YES), the processor 6 stores the occurrence of the non-detection state and then checks whether a predetermined time (e.g., one second) has elapsed since the occurrence of the non-detection state (step S20: YES) or not (step S20: NO).

[0053] If the processor 6 confirms that the non-detection state of the angle sensor 4 (step S10, YES) continues for a predetermined time or more (step S20, NO), the mode automatically transitions to the "opening / closing position learning mode" shown in Fig. 4 (step S50) and proceeds to the end of the auto-recovery learning processing procedure (step S80). The "opening / closing position learning mode" here may be for the aforementioned "valve for which it is assumed that there are M positions and angles to grasp and store as initial settings".

[0054] 2.2.3. [Situations in which auto-recovery learning is necessary and can be beneficially used] As described above, the situation in which the auto-recover learning process is necessary is when "(2) the state in which the angle sensor 4 cannot detect the magnet (sensor magnet) 14 continues for a predetermined period of time" occurs, and "when it is possible to assume that the angle (position) of the sensor magnet (magnet 14) has changed with respect to the opening and closing of the valve, for example, when the valve is fully closed and fully open." Specifically, the following cases [1] to [3] can be cited.

[0055] [1] When the valve opening / closing position detection device 2 is removed from the cylinder 12 to which the sensor magnet (magnet 14) is attached while electricity is being applied. [2] When the sensor magnet (magnet 14) is not attached to the cylinder 12, but the valve position detection device 2 is attached and energized. [3] When electricity is applied in an environment where the valve position detection device 2 cannot detect the magnetic field generated by the sensor magnet (magnet 14).

[0056] In the case of [1] above, even if the valve position detection device 2 is removed and then attached to the cylinder 12 again, it is possible to assume that the angle (position) of the sensor magnet (magnet 14) regarding the opening and closing of the valve, for example, when the valve is fully closed and fully open, may slightly fluctuate due to slight play or gaps in the mounting hole 34, the screw 32, and the screw hole. In the case of [2] above, it can be said that there was no information (data) regarding the angle (position) of the sensor magnet (magnet 14) regarding the opening and closing of the valve, for example, when the valve is fully closed and fully open, that was stored before this situation, and that the situation requires the auto-recovery learning process because there was no information (data). The above [3] includes, for example, a state in which an electromagnetic shield such as an iron plate or piece of iron is inserted between the sensor magnet (magnet 14) and the angle sensor 4, and the angle sensor 4 cannot detect the magnetic field generated by the sensor magnet (magnet 14).

[0057] Furthermore, a situation in which the auto-recovery learning process can be advantageously utilized is "a situation in which wireless communication such as Bluetooth or wired communication such as USB or RS485 cannot be used depending on the timing at the field equipment where the valve is installed due to communication conditions or from the viewpoint of information security." In such a situation, first of all, it is not possible to operate a program for learning the open / close positions by communication commands.

[0058] In such a situation, in order to easily operate the program for opening / closing position learning, it is sufficient to intentionally create a state in which the valve opening / closing position detection device 2 cannot detect the magnetic field generated by the sensor magnet (magnet 14). Specifically, for example, by creating the following states [A] and [B], the auto-recovery learning process will be performed. [A] The state in which the valve opening / closing position detection device 2 is removed from the cylinder 12 to which the sensor magnet (magnet 14) is attached while electricity is being applied. This is the same state as in the above [1]. [B] A state in which the valve position detection device 2 is energized at a location away from the valve. This state is included in the above case [3].

[0059] In the above case [A], once the valve position detection device 2 goes into the open / close position learning mode by the auto-recover learning function, even if the power is subsequently turned off, the program for open / close position learning will run if the valve position detection device 2 is attached to the cylinder 12 again and the valve position detection device 2 is turned on. Also, in the above case [B], once the valve position detection device 2 goes into the open / close position learning mode by the auto-recover learning function, even if the power is subsequently turned off, the program for open / close position learning will run if the valve position detection device 2 is attached to the cylinder 12 and the valve position detection device 2 is turned on.

[0060] 2.3. [Summary of the embodiment] The valve opening / closing position detection device 2 according to the embodiment includes a magnetic angle sensor 4 that detects the operating angle of the valve from a magnetic field generated by a magnet 14 that rotates in accordance with the rotational operation of the valve, and a processor 6. The processor 6 operates a program for opening / closing position learning that determines a plurality of angles in the rotation of the magnet 14 related to the opening and closing of the valve and stores them in the memory 8. The processor 6 starts the program for opening / closing position learning when a predetermined time has passed since the occurrence of a state in which the magnetic angle sensor 4 cannot detect the magnet 14.

[0061] By utilizing the valve opening / closing position detection device 2 according to the embodiment, a valve state monitoring device for remotely monitoring the state of a valve can easily grasp the angle and position related to the opening and closing of the valve, for example, the angle and position when the valve is fully closed and the angle and position when the valve is fully open.

[0062] 3. [Other embodiments] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and may be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate.

[0063] In addition, the accompanying drawings and detailed description are provided to explain the embodiments. Therefore, among the components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description, not only essential components for solving the problem but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology may be included. Therefore, the fact that the non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that the non-essential components are essential.

[0064] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology in the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 2...Valve opening / closing position detection device, 4...Angle sensor, 6...Processor, 8...Memory, 10...Communication unit, 12...Cylinder, 13...Opening angle indicator unit, 14...Magnet (sensor magnet), 16...PC (personal computer), 18...Smartphone, 22...Valve unit, 24...USB connection connector, 26...Power supply and RS485 connection connector, 28...USB communication cable, 30...RS485 communication cable, 32...Screw, 34...Mounting hole.

Claims

1. a magnetic angle sensor that detects the valve operating angle by a magnetic field generated by a magnet that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the valve; A processor; a communication unit for receiving a communication command from an external device; The processor is configured to be able to run a program for learning an opening / closing position, the program determining a plurality of angles in rotation of the magnet related to opening and closing of the valve and storing the determined angles in a memory; The processor, When the communication command is received via the communication unit, a program for learning the opening / closing position is started, if the communication command is not received via the communication unit, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence of a state in which the magnetic angle sensor cannot detect the magnet, the program for learning the opening / closing position is started. Valve opening / closing position detection device.

2. The valve opening / closing position detection device and the magnet are each removably attached to a cylinder that is attached to the valve to operate the valve, The magnetic angle sensor includes: When the valve position detection device is removed from the cylinder to which the magnet is attached while the valve position detection device is energized, or When the valve opening / closing position detection device is energized with the magnet not attached to the cylinder, The magnet is configured to be in a state where it cannot be detected. The valve opening / closing position detection device according to claim 1 .

3. The multiple angles of rotation of the magnet related to opening and closing of the valve are angles of rotation of the magnet when the valve is fully open and when the valve is fully closed. The valve opening / closing position detection device according to claim 1 .

4. A method executed by a valve position detection device which, upon receiving a communication command from an external device, initiates a program for learning an opening / closing position, the program determining and storing in memory a plurality of angles in the rotation of the magnet related to opening and closing of a valve, the method comprising: If the communication command is not received, a magnetic angle sensor detects the valve operation angle by a magnetic field generated by a magnet that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the valve, and when a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence of a state in which the magnetic angle sensor cannot detect the magnet, the program for learning the opening and closing positions is started. method.

5. The multiple angles of rotation of the magnet related to opening and closing of the valve are angles of rotation of the magnet when the valve is fully open and when the valve is fully closed. The method according to claim 4.

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