Condensate drain for removing 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 includes 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, and a valve disposed in the housing and having a valve body. The valve body is configured to be movable to an open position and a closed position. When the valve body is in the open position, it releases the fluid flow between the internal volume and the outlet. When the valve body is in the closed position, it blocks the fluid flow between the internal volume and the outlet. The condensate drain further includes 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 the 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 can cope with pressure fluctuations in the system.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] While this type of condensate drain, known from prior art, has demonstrated performance, there is still room for improvement. For example, depending on the steam pressure, float-type drains generally have a relatively large volume to accommodate a float with corresponding buoyancy. Furthermore, the responsiveness of this type of condensate drain is clearly predetermined by its design and mechanical structure. In addition, it has been found that monitoring this type of classic float-type condensate drain and integrating it, especially into digitized plants, is difficult.

[0004] While the initial concept of using a motor drive in a compressed air system to move the valve body is more well known, this type of drive cannot be used in plants with high steam pressure and steam temperature while ensuring the required sealing and heat resistance.

[0005] Considering the background circumstances described above, the objective of the present invention is to further develop the above-described type of condensate drain in order to eliminate as many of the shortcomings of the prior art as possible. In particular, a condensate drain is proposed that is compactly designed, easily monitorable, and can operate safely even when used in plants with high steam temperature and pressure, and in this case, should achieve high sealing performance to the surroundings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the case of the type of condensate drain described above, the problem of the present invention is solved by configuring the drive device as an electromagnetic drive or a magnetically acting drive, or by having an electromagnetic drive. The present invention takes advantage of the understanding that by using such an electromagnetic drive, precise movement of the valve body is possible, and at the same time, high sealing performance of the condensate drain is guaranteed. Further advantages, it can be well integrated into digitized control systems, a compact design is possible, and precise operation of the valve body is possible.

[0007] The drive preferably comprises a movable drive unit arranged in the internal space of the housing and coupled to the valve body, and a static drive unit arranged outside the internal space and fluid-tightly separated from the internal space, particularly by a wall portion, wherein the static drive unit is configured to drive the movable drive unit by magnetic driving force.

[0008] In this preferred further configuration, the recognition that the movable drive unit within the housing's internal space is fluid-tightly separated from the static drive unit outside the internal space is utilized. This allows the drive to operate the valve body without requiring, for example, a movable feedthrough through the housing. Thus, the internal space is isolated in a sense from the static drive unit, thereby ensuring that the condensate drain remains tightly closed at all times, even when used in conjunction with high steam temperatures and high steam pressures. At the same time, each drive allows for a compact configuration of the condensate drain without requiring a large internal volume to accommodate a float of the corresponding dimensions. The drive can further be adapted to desired operating parameters through appropriate control.

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

[0010] The present invention is further developed by having a drive unit having a tube, which is fluidly conductively connected to the housing on its inside, and a runner is housed inside the tube. The outside of the tube is sealed to the housing, and the stator is positioned or formed on the outside of the tube. According to the present invention, dynamic seals that are exposed to greater wear can be avoided. The idea that the internal space of the tube, and therefore the runner, is separated from the stator on the outside of the tube is also realized by positioning the stator on the outside of the tube and housing the runner on the inside of the tube. Furthermore, the tubular 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 or disc-shaped magnets. According to a preferred embodiment, the permanent magnets are separated from each other by non-magnetic distance 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 configuring the linear motor to capacitively determine the position of the runner. Based on the above features, the runner can not only be driven by reliably transmitting the required force, but its position can also be determined, thereby simultaneously enabling the detection of the valve body's position. In other words, this allows monitoring of the valve's open state, and this information can be used to control condensate drainage.

[0013] The present invention is further developed by the fact that the valve body is configured as a roller ball, which is configured to open the valve seat of the valve when it is in the open position and to close the valve seat when it is in the closed position. According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body is further configured to partially open the valve seat at at least one intermediate position located between the open position and the closed position. This allows the valve to be fully open, fully closed, or only partially open. Thus, the discharge of condensate from the condensate drain becomes more finely controllable in that the valve body is moved to a desired position for controllable reasons.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the roller ball is positioned on a roller ball lever, which is connected to the runner such that the translational motion of the runner moves the roller ball from the open position to the closed position and from the closed position to the open position. Furthermore, by using such a roller ball lever while taking the lever principle into consideration, the required operating force can be applied to the roller ball.

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

[0016] According to preferred and alternative embodiments, the condensate drain flows substantially vertically in the operating position, and the runner of the linear motor is driven substantially vertically.

[0017] When the condensate drain flows vertically, preferably the rollerball lever is supported by a spring element in the housing, the movement of the rollerball lever to the open position is supported by the spring force of the spring, and the movement of the rollerball lever to the closed position is assumed to be biased by the spring. As a result, when the condensate drain flows vertically, the operating force of the rollerball lever in the closed position direction and the open position direction are approximately the same, making it easier to control or adjust the linear drive.

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

[0019] Preferably, the rotor has three or more permanent magnets, especially six permanent magnets, which are spaced equally apart from the rotor's axis of rotation and equally spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. This allows for sufficient transmission of operating force and further enables good control capabilities of the axial flux motor.

[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 being at the same distance from the rotor's axis of rotation as the magnets, and at least one, particularly all, coils having 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 by having the rotor housed inside the housing wall of the internal space, and the stator positioned outside the housing wall. This seals the rotor away from the stator, thus reliably preventing steam leakage outside the housing. In this case, there is no need to guide the moving parts through the housing opening, so the risk of leakage as a whole is greatly reduced.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the rotor is connected to the spindle so as not to rotate relative to it, and the spindle is rotatably mounted in the housing. The present invention is further developed by configuring the valve body as a disk that is rotatable about a rotation axis and has an aperture recess, in which case the aperture recess is opened when the disk is rotated to the open position and overlaps with the flow path, thereby opening the fluid connection to the outlet, and closed when it is rotated to the closed position, thereby closing the fluid connection to the outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the spindle has a spindle runner, which is coupled to the disk via an actuation part, so that axial movement of the spindle runner along the spindle results in rotation of the disk to the open and closed positions.

[0023] In a preferred further configuration, the actuarial part is rotatably mounted at the end away from the spindle runner, and the disc has a cam, which is movably guided in a groove of the actuarial part, so that the rotatable motion of the actuarial part causes the disc to rotate. In a preferred embodiment, the disc is an upper disc, and a lower disc, which acts as a rotational bearing for the upper disc, is positioned below the upper disc, in which case the upper disc in particular is pressed against the lower disc by a spring element. This reduces the operating resistance due to the formation of two discs positioned above and below each other. At least one of the discs, in particular both discs, is made of ceramic material. This also positively affects the frictional behavior and wear.

[0024] In a further preferred and alternative configuration, the valve body is formed as a valve pin rotatably housed in a valve sleeve, the valve pin having an outlet groove, which, in the open position, is in fluid-conductive 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 be moved to an intermediate position in which the outlet groove is at least partially in fluid-conductive connection with the aperture opening.

[0025] The present invention is further developed by connecting a valve pin to a lever, which is connected to the runner such that the translational motion of the runner moves the valve pin from the open position to the closed position and from the closed position to the open position. This converts the translational motion of the runner into rotational motion to actuate 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 for 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 to move the valve body and / or output a control signal to a superior controller. The sensor device and / or the control device can be directly assigned to the condensate drain or be part thereof, or alternatively can be configured as individual components coupled to the condensate drain. By this aspect of the condensate drain, advantageously, the signal provided by the sensor device for controlling a drive device, in particular a drive acting electromagnetically or magnetically or an electromagnetic drive, is transmitted, 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. Contrary 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 level electrodes formed on the housing for detecting the level of the fluid, which level electrodes preferably extend substantially vertically in the operating position and are 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 a runner and / or a 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 by a control device being wired or wirelessly connected to a sensor to transmit signals, and the control device being configured such that a drive device moves the valve body to a closed position or an open position in accordance with at least one measurement 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 by having a Peltier element disposed on a housing, particularly on a drive unit, and the Peltier element configured to generate electrical energy from the temperature difference between the housing temperature and the ambient temperature of the housing, and / or by having an external energy source for the condensate drain. This makes it possible to supply energy to the condensate drain from an external energy source or to generate energy itself using the Peltier effect. The present invention is further developed by having a Peltier element connected to a drive unit and / or control unit, and the electrical energy generated by the Peltier element being used to operate the drive unit and / or control unit.

[0032] The control device preferably has a data interface configured to receive data from and / or transmit data to a wired or wireless network, and includes at least one of the following: namely, at least one measurement value at a sensor, the position of the runner or rotor as an indicator of valve position, and control data for controlling the drive unit. This makes it possible to control the drive unit or condensate drain via an external controller and to transfer each measurement value, such as fluid level, pressure, temperature, and runner or rotor position, to the corresponding data network. The data is preferably stored in a cloud or transmitted from the cloud to the condensate drain. Thus, for example, data relating 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 present invention has been described above in relation to condensate drains. In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for discharging condensate using a condensate drain according to at least one of the exemplary embodiments described above. With respect to this method, the present invention solves the above-described problems by the following steps: sensing a measured value indicating the fluid level in the internal space of the condensate drain, and 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 measured value.

[0034] This method utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the condensate drain method according to the present invention, and vice versa. The above description is provided for further details and is included herein.

[0035] The present invention will now be described in detail based on preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing a first exemplary embodiment of the condensate drain according to the present invention in a first operating state. [Figure 2] This is a detailed view showing the condensate drain in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figures 1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams showing an exemplary embodiment of the condensate drain according to the present invention in a second operating state. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing a second exemplary embodiment of the condensate drain according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing a second exemplary embodiment of the condensate drain according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing a third exemplary embodiment of the condensate drain according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth exemplary embodiment of the condensate drain according to the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a detailed view showing the condensate drain area. [Figure 9]Figure 7 is a detailed diagram showing various aspects of the condensate drain. [Figure 10A] Figure 7 is a detailed diagram showing various aspects of the condensate drain. [Figure 10B] Figure 7 is a detailed diagram showing various aspects of the condensate drain. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Figures 1 to 3 show a condensate drain 2 for discharging condensate. The condensate drain 2 comprises a housing 4. The housing 4 has an internal space 6 configured to contain fluid. The housing 4 further has an inlet 8. This inlet 8 is configured to introduce fluid into the internal space 6 of the housing 4. The housing 4 further has an outlet 10. This outlet 10 is configured to discharge fluid from the internal space 6 of the housing 4. A valve 12 is further located inside the housing 4. The valve 12 has a valve body 14, which is configured to move between an open position F and a closed position S. When the valve body 14 is in the open position F, it releases the fluid flow between the internal space 6 and the outlet 10, and when it is in the closed position S, it blocks the fluid flow between the internal space 6 and the outlet 10. The condensate drain 2 further comprises a drive device 16 for moving the valve body 14.

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

[0039] The drive unit 16 further includes a stationary drive unit 20, which is located 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 magnetic driving force. In Figures 1 and 2, the valve body 14 is in the open position F, so the fluid flow between the internal space 6 and the outlet 10 is released.

[0040] The drive unit 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 unit 16 has a tube 32, which is fluidly conductively connected to the housing 4 inside. The runner 28 is housed inside 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 located outside 35 of the tube 32. The runner 28 has permanent magnets 34 formed as ring-shaped magnets or disc-shaped magnets. The permanent magnets 34 are separated from each other by their respective distance pieces 36. The stator 30 has at least two coils, and more coils in the illustrated embodiment, 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 exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 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 in the release position F and to close the valve seat when in the shut-off position S. As described above, Figures 1 and 2 show the release position F, and Figure 3 shows the shut-off 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 located on a roller ball lever 42. The roller ball lever 42 is connected to the runner 28 such that the translational motion 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 exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the condensate drain flows substantially vertically in the operating position. In this respect, the runner 28 of the linear motor 26 is also driven substantially vertically. The rollerball lever 42 is supported in the housing 4 by a spring element 44 and a spring bearing 88 such that its movement to the open position F shown in Figures 1 and 2 is supported by the spring force of the spring element 44. The movement of the rollerball 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 the fluid and / or at least one operating state in the condensate drain 2. The condensate drain 2 further includes a control device 72 configured to output a control signal to a drive device 16 for moving the valve body 14. The sensor device 70 further includes a pressure sensor 78 and a temperature sensor 80 housed in the housing 4. The control device 72 is wired or wirelessly connected to the sensors 74, 78, and 80 to transmit signals. The control device 72 is configured to control the drive device 16 to move the valve body 14 to a closed position S or an open position F in accordance with at least one measurement value from the sensors 74, 78, and 80.

[0044] A Peltier element 82 is located on the housing 4, particularly on the drive unit 16. 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 is provided with an external energy source. The Peltier element 82 is connected to the drive unit 16 and / or the control unit 72. The electrical energy generated by the Peltier element 82 is used to operate the drive unit 16 and the control unit 72. The control unit 72 further has a data interface (not shown). The data interface is configured to receive data from and / or transmit data to a wired or wireless network, in which case the data includes at least one of the following: at least one measurement value at sensors 72, 78, 80, the position of the runner 28 as an indicator of valve position, and control data for controlling the drive unit 16.

[0045] As can be seen particularly in Figure 2, a compensatory gap 24 is provided between the runner 28 and the tube 32. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the drive rod 46 is connected to the runner 28 via a bearing 47. The drive rod 46 is guided by an elongated hole 43 in the rollerball lever 42, and two pins 50 ensure axial connection. The pins 50 have the effect of the drive rod 46 "leading" the rollerball lever 42. The drive rod 46 is further connected to a sliding sleeve 52 supported by a position indicator 54. The movement of the rollerball lever 42 is caused by the movement of the drive rod 46. As can be seen particularly in Figure 2, the runner 28 has an end piece 86. The drive unit 16 further has a drive housing 92, which 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 Figure 3.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5, the drive device 16 described in relation to Figures 1 to 3 is used. In contrast to the exemplary embodiments in Figures 1 to 3, the drive device 16 shown in Figure 4 has a Hall sensor 76. The Hall sensor 76 is configured to sense the position of the runner 28 and to determine the valve position from the position of the runner 28. In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5, the drive rod 46 acts on the valve body 14 formed as a valve pin 58. The valve pin 58 is rotatably housed in the valve sleeve 60. The valve pin 58 has an outlet groove 61, which, in the open position F, is in fluid conduction connection with the 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 this case, the valve body 14 can be moved to an intermediate position Z in which the outlet groove 61 is at least partially in fluid conduction connection with the aperture opening 63. This point is particularly evident from Figure 5. The valve pin 58 is connected to a lever 62, which is connected to a runner 28 via a drive rod 46. This connection is configured such that the translational motion 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 includes a sensor magnet 94.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 6, in contrast to the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3, the condensate drain 2 flows substantially horizontally. The runner 28 of the linear motor 26 is driven substantially horizontally. For other details, please refer to the description related to Figures 1 to 3.

[0048] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the condensate drain 2 shown in Figure 6 further lacks a spring element 44 for supporting the rollerball lever 42. This is because the runner 28 is horizontally positioned, and therefore the operating force is equal in both lever directions. A recess 45 into which the rollerball 40 rolls ensures a stable opening position.

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

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

[0051] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the drive unit 116 is configured as an axial flux motor (axial magnetic 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, in particular six permanent magnets 132, which are arranged at equal intervals from the rotation axis 134 of the rotor 128 and are equally spaced apart 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, in particular six coils 136. These coils 136 are configured to generate a magnetic field for driving the rotor 128. The coils 136 are at 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 an internal space 106, also referred to as a magnetic window 186. The stator 130 is located outside the housing wall 140 or the magnetic window 186. The rotor 128 is connected to the spindle 142 so as not to rotate relative to it, and the spindle 142 is rotatably mounted on the housing 104.

[0053] The valve body 114 is configured as a disc 144, which is rotatable around its axis of rotation and has an aperture recess 146. The aperture recess 146 can be opened when the disc 144 is rotated to the open position F and aligns with the flow path 148 formed as the outlet hole 196, thereby opening the fluid connection with the outlet 110, and closed when the disc 144 is rotated to the closed position S, thereby closing the fluid connection with the outlet.

[0054] The spindle 142 has a spindle runner 150, which is coupled to the disk 144 via an actuation part 156, so that the axial movement of the spindle runner 150 along the spindle 142 causes the disk 144 to rotate to an open position F and a closed position S. The actuation part 156 is pivotably mounted at the end away from the spindle runner 150. The disk 144 has a cam 154, which is movably guided in a groove 157 of the actuation part 156, so that the pivoting motion of the actuation part 156 causes the disk 144 to rotate.

[0055] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the disk 144 is an upper disk 144, and the lower disk 158, which functions as a rotating bearing for the upper disk 144, is positioned 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 ceramic material.

[0056] The condensate drain 2 further comprises a sensor device 170. The condensate drain 2 further comprises 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 inside the housing 104. The sensor device 170 further comprises a Hall sensor 176. The Hall sensor 176 is configured to sense the position of the rotor 128 and to determine the valve position from the position of the rotor 128. The sensor device 170 further comprises a pressure sensor 178 and / or a temperature sensor 180 housed in the housing 104.

[0057] The control device 172 is wired or wirelessly connected to the sensors 174, 176, 178, and 180 to transmit signals. The control device 172 is configured to control the drive unit 116 to move the valve body 114 to a closed position S or an open position F in accordance with at least one measurement value from the sensors 174, 176, 178, and 180. A Peltier element 182 is further positioned 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 is provided with an external energy source (not shown). The Peltier element 182 is connected to the drive unit 116 and the control device 172, in which case the electrical energy generated by the Peltier element 182 is used to operate the drive unit 116 and the control device 172.

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

[0059] Figure 10a shows the rotor 128. The rotor 128 has a permanent magnet 132 that interacts with a coil 138 (not shown) of the stator 130. The coil 138 has a ferromagnetic core 138. A sensor magnet 198, also shown in Figure 10b, is further positioned on the stator 128. A Hall sensor 176 enables position monitoring of the rotor 128. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 2. Condensate drain 4 Housing 6. Interior space 8 Entrance 10 exit 12 valves 14 Valve body 16. Drive unit (electromagnetic drive) 18 Movable drive unit 20 Static drive unit 22 Wall section 24. Compensation Gap 26 Linear motor 28 Runner 30 staters 32 tubes 33 Inside of the tube 34. Permanent magnets (ring-shaped magnets or disc-shaped magnets) 35 Outside of the tube 36 distance pieces 38 coils 40 Rollerball 41 Valve Seat 42 Roller ball lever 43 Slot hole 44 Spring elements 45. Indentation 46 Drive Rod 47 Bearings 50 pins 52 Sliding sleeve 54 Position Indicator 58 Valve pins 60 Valve Sleeve 61 Exit groove 62 Lever 63 Aperture opening 70 Recovery device 72 Control device 76 Hall Sensors 78 Pressure Sensor 80 Temperature Sensor 82 Peltier element 84 Data Interfaces 86 End Piece Runner 88 Spring bearing 90 Housing screw connection 92 Drive Housing 94 Sensor Magnets 102 Condensate drain 104 Housing 106 Interior space 108 Entrance 110 Exit 112 valves 114 Valve body 116 Drive unit (electromagnetic drive) 118 Movable drive unit 120 Static drive unit 122 Wall section 126 Axial Flux Motor 128 Rotor (Drive Disc) 130 stator 132 Permanent Magnets 134 Rotor axis 136 coils 138 Ferromagnetic coil 140 Housing Walls 142 spindles 144-degree rotatable disc 146 Aperture recess 148 channels 150 Spindle Runner 152 Swivel bearing 154 Disc Cam 156 Operating part 157 Grooves of the operating parts 158 Lower disk 160 spring elements 170 Sensor device 172 Control device 174 level electrodes 176 Hall sensor 178 Pressure Sensor 180 Temperature Sensor 182 Peltier element 184 Data Interfaces 186 Magnetic window 188 Housing screw connection 190a Spindle Bearing 190b Spindle bearing 192a Bearing block 192b Bearing block 194 Drive Housing 196 Exit hole 198 Sensor Magnet F release position S closed position Z middle position

Claims

1. - Housing (4,104) and, - An internal space (6, 106) formed in the housing (4, 104) for containing a fluid, and - 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), - To discharge fluid from the internal space (6, 106) of the housing (4, 104), an outlet (10, 110) formed in the housing (4, 104) is provided, - A valve (12, 112) having a valve body (14, 114) and positioned within the housing (4, 104), configured to be movable between an open position (F) and a closed position (S), wherein the valve body (14, 114) releases the fluid flow between the internal space (6, 106) and the outlet (10, 110) when in the open position (F), and blocks the fluid flow between the internal space (6, 106) and the outlet (10, 110) when in the closed position (S), and 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 equipped with, The drive unit (16, 116) is configured as an electromagnetic drive (16, 116) or a magnetically acting drive (16, 116), or has an electromagnetic drive (16, 116), The condensate drain (2, 102) is equipped with at least one sensor device (70, 170) for detecting the fluid and / or at least one operating state of the condensate drain (2, 102) and for providing at least one signal representing the at least one operating state. The system includes a control device (72, 172) configured to receive at least one of the aforementioned signals and to output a control signal to the drive device (16, 116) and / or a higher-level controller to move the valve body (14, 114), A condensate drain, characterized in that the control device (72, 172) is connected by wire or wireless to sensors (74, 76, 78, 80, 174, 176, 178, 180) 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 measurement value of the sensors (74, 76, 78, 80, 174, 176, 178, 180).

2. A condensate drain (2, 102) according to claim 1, wherein the drive device (16, 116) is arranged in the internal space (6, 106) of the housing (4, 104) and comprises a movable drive unit (18, 118) coupled to the valve body (14, 114), A stationary drive unit (20, 120) is positioned outside the aforementioned internal space (6, 106) and is fluid-tightly separated from the aforementioned internal space (6, 106) by a wall portion (22, 122), It has, A condensate drain in which the stationary drive units (20, 120) are configured to drive the movable drive units (18, 118) by magnetic driving force.

3. A 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).

4. A condensate drain (2) according to claim 3, wherein the drive unit (16) has a tube (32) which is fluidly connected to the housing (4, 104) on its inside, the runner (28) is housed inside (33) of the tube (32), the outside (35) of the tube (32) is sealed to the housing (4, 104), and the stator (30) is arranged or formed on the outside (35) of the tube (32).

5. A 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 in particular as ring-shaped magnets or disc-shaped magnets.

6. A condensate drain (2) according to claim 5, wherein the permanent magnets (34) are separated from each other by distance pieces (36).

7. A condensate drain (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the stator (30) has at least two coils (38) configured to generate a magnetic field for driving the runner (28).

8. A condensate drain (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the linear motor (26) is configured to capacitively determine the position of the runner (28).

9. A condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the valve body (14) is configured as a roller ball (40), and the roller ball (40) is configured to open the valve seat (41) of the valve (12) when it is in the open position (F), and to close the valve seat (41) when it is in the shut-off position (S).

10. A condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the valve body (14) is configured to partially open the valve seat (41) at at least one intermediate position (Z) located between the open position (F) and the shut-off position (S).

11. A condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a roller ball (40) is positioned on a roller ball lever (42), and the roller ball lever (42) is connected to the runner (28) such that the translational motion of the runner (28) moves the roller ball (40) from the open position (F) to the shut-off position (S) and from the shut-off position (S) back to the open position (F).

12. A condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 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. A condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 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. A condensate drain (2) according to claim 11, wherein the roller ball lever (42) is supported by a spring element (44) in the housing (4), the movement of the roller ball lever (42) to the open 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).

15. A 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 unit (118) is configured as a rotor (128), and the stationary drive unit (120) is configured as a stator (130).

16. A 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 equally apart from the rotation axis (134) of the rotor (128) and are spaced equally apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

17. A condensate drain (102) according to claim 15, 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), the coils (136) being at 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) having a ferromagnetic core (138) for strengthening the magnetic field.

18. A condensate drain (102) according to claim 15, wherein the rotor (128) is housed inside the housing wall (140) of the internal space (106), and the stator (130) is located outside the housing wall (140).

19. A condensate drain (102) according to claim 15, wherein the rotor (128) is connected to a spindle (142) so as not to rotate relative to it, and the spindle (142) is rotatably mounted on a housing (104).

20. A condensate drain (102) according to claim 15, wherein the valve body (114) is configured as a disc (144) that is rotatable around a rotation axis and has an aperture recess (146), the aperture recess (146) is configured such that when the disc (144) is rotated to an open position (F) and overlaps with a flow path (148), the fluid connection with the outlet (110) is released, and when it is rotated to a closed position (S), the fluid connection with the outlet (110) is closed.

21. A condensate drain (102) according to claim 19, wherein the spindle (142) has a spindle runner (150), and the spindle runner (150) is coupled to a disk (144) via an operating part (156), so that 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. A condensate drain (102) according to claim 21, wherein the operating part (156) is rotatably mounted at the end away from the spindle runner (150), and the disk (144) has a cam (154) which is movably guided in a groove (157) of the operating part (156), so that the rotational motion of the operating part (156) causes the disk (144) to rotate.

23. A condensate drain (102) according to claim 20, wherein the disk (144) is an upper disk (144), and a lower disk (158) which functions as a rotational bearing for the upper disk (144) is positioned 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. A condensate drain (102) according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the discs (144, 158), in particular both discs (144, 158), is made of a ceramic material.

25. A condensate drain (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the valve body (14) is formed as a valve pin (58) rotatably housed in a valve sleeve (60), the valve pin (58) has an outlet groove (61), the outlet groove (61) is fluid-conductively connected to an aperture opening (63) formed in the valve sleeve (60) in the open position (F) and releases the fluid flow through the valve (12), the outlet groove (61) is fluid-conductively connected to an aperture opening (63) formed in the valve sleeve (60) and releases the fluid flow through the valve (12), the outlet groove (61) is fluid-conductively connected to an aperture opening (63) in the closed position (S), and the valve body (14) can be moved to an intermediate position (Z) in which the outlet groove (61) is at least partially fluid-conductively connected to the aperture opening (63).

26. A 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 motion of the runner (28) moves the valve pin (58) from the open position (F) to the shut-off position (S) and from the shut-off position (S) to the open position (F).

27. A condensate drain (2,102) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a sensor device (70,170) has a level electrode (74,174) formed on the housing (4,104) for detecting the level of the fluid, and the level electrode preferably extends substantially vertically in the operating position and is configured to detect the fluid level within the housing (4,104).

28. A condensate drain (2,102) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a sensor device (70,170) has one or more Hall sensors (76,176), and the one or more Hall sensors (76,176) sense the position of the runner (28) and / or rotor (128), and are configured to determine the valve position from the position of the runner (28) and / or rotor (128).

29. A condensate drain (2, 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 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).

30. A condensate drain (2,102) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a Peltier element (82,182) is disposed on the housing (4,104), particularly on the drive unit (16,116), 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) is provided with an external energy supply source.

31. A condensate drain (4,104) according to claim 30, wherein the Peltier element (82,182) is connected to the drive unit (16,116) and / or the control unit (72,172), and the electrical energy generated by the Peltier element (82,182) is used to operate the drive unit (16,116) and / or the control unit (72,172).

32. A condensate drain (4, 104) according to claim 27, wherein the control device (72, 172) has a data interface, and the data interface is configured to receive data from and / or transmit data to a wired or wireless network, and the data is - At least one measurement value from sensors (74, 76, 78, 80, 174, 176, 178, 180), and - the position of the runner (28) or rotor (128) as an indicator of valve position, - Control data for controlling the drive unit (16, 116), A condensate drain having at least one of the following.

33. A method for discharging condensate using a condensate drain (2,102) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, - A step of sensing a measured value indicating the fluid level in the internal space (6,106) of the housing in the condensate drain (2,102), - A step of controlling the drive unit (16, 116) so that the drive unit (16, 116) moves the valve body (14, 114) of the condensate drain (2, 102) to a closed position (S) or an open position (F) according to the measured value, Methods that include...

34. - Housing (4,104) and, - An internal space (6, 106) formed in the housing (4, 104) for containing a fluid, and - 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), - To discharge fluid from the internal space (6, 106) of the housing (4, 104), an outlet (10, 110) formed in the housing (4, 104) is provided, - A valve (12, 112) having a valve body (14, 114) and positioned within the housing (4, 104), configured to be movable between an open position (F) and a closed position (S), wherein the valve body (14, 114) releases the fluid flow between the internal space (6, 106) and the outlet (10, 110) when in the open position (F), and blocks the fluid flow between the internal space (6, 106) and the outlet (10, 110) when in the closed position (S), and 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 equipped with, The drive unit (16, 116) is configured as an electromagnetic drive (16, 116) or a magnetically acting drive (16, 116), or has an electromagnetic drive (16, 116), The valve body (14) is configured to partially open the valve seat (41) at at least one intermediate position (Z) located between the open position (F) and the closed position (S), The condensate drain (2, 102) is equipped with at least one sensor device (70, 170) for detecting the fluid and / or at least one operating state of the condensate drain (2, 102) and for providing at least one signal representing the at least one operating state. The sensor device (170) has a level electrode (174) formed on the housing (104) and configured to sense the fluid level inside the housing (104), The system includes a control device (72, 172) configured to receive at least one of the aforementioned signals and to output a control signal to the drive device (16, 116) and / or a higher-level controller to move the valve body (14, 114), A condensate drain, characterized in that the control device (72, 172) is wired or wirelessly connected to a level electrode (174) to transmit a signal, 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), the at least one intermediate position (Z), or the open position (F) according to the measurement value of the level electrode (174).

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