Valve sensor and method for tracking the position of an associated valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve sensor (10) which includes a unit for detecting information representative of the position of the valve between the open position and the closed position. The valve sensor (10) comprises a mounting end-piece (30) which is configured to be inserted onto the control member and a control head (32) which is intended to be controlled by a control tool in order to drive the mounting end-piece (30) together with the control member of the valve. The detection unit (36) comprises an antenna (96) for transmitting information representative of the position of the valve, which is recessed in the control head (32).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Valve sensor and associated method for tracking the position of a valve

[0003] The present invention relates to a valve sensor, intended to be mounted on an operating member of a valve operable between at least one open position and one closed position, in particular by passing through at least one intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, the valve sensor comprising a unit for detecting information representative of the position of the valve between the open position and the closed position.

[0004] The representative information is, for example, a measurement of a movement of the operating member during an operation. Alternatively, the representative information is an indication of the position of the valve after operation, advantageously determined from a measurement of the movement of the operating member during the operation.

[0005] The detected position of the valve may be the open position, the closed position or advantageously at least one intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, preferably any intermediate position between the open position and the closed position.

[0006] Such a sensor is intended in particular to be removably mounted on a valve of a fluid circulation network, in particular a valve of a water supply network, in particular drinking water, or of a wastewater recovery network.

[0007] The valve can be operated, for example, to regulate the flow in a network pipe, or to isolate sections of the network from each other.

[0008] In particular, the valve sensor is intended to equip sectoring valves of drinking water supply networks, in particular to create isolated zones within the drinking water network in order to carry out measurements or to stabilize the pressure in an isolated zone.

[0009] Drinking water supply networks include a large number of valves that are purely mechanical and operated manually, without any instrumentation. These valves are generally located at the bottom of extension pipes installed in the ground and are often only accessible after removing a key-operated valve that overhangs the extension pipe.

[0010] These valves are regularly moved from an original position to a new position as part of maintenance or repair operations. In some cases, once the operation is completed, operators may forget to return one or more valves in the network to their original positions. This can cause malfunctions in the water supply, for example by hindering or even canceling pressure stabilization, or even in some cases, cause water cuts or produce erroneous network yields.

[0011] It is then very difficult to detect which valves are not in their original positions, and many valve access operations must be performed to find those that are not in the desired position.

[0012] To overcome this problem, it may be considered to monitor by flow meter the volume of water passing from one sector to another after the sector valves have been operated and to deduce from this which valves are likely not to occupy the desired position.

[0013] However, flow meter monitoring is not precise enough to know which valve was operated, particularly when several valves are adjacent.

[0014] Alternatively, non-instrumented valves in the network can be replaced with instrumented valves.

[0015] This is however very expensive, because in particular:

[0016] - it is necessary to create a manhole instead of the extension tube and keyhole device

[0017] - you must have a power supply and a remote transmitter

[0018] - there are a large number of valves involved and replacement can only be carried out through deep earthworks.

[0019] An aim of the invention is to provide a valve sensor which makes it possible to provide and transmit information on the position of a valve in a fluid circulation network, the valve sensor not affecting the operation of the valve, while being inexpensive to install.

[0020] To this end, the invention relates to a valve sensor of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the valve sensor comprises a mounting end piece, configured to engage on the operating member and an operating head, intended to be operated by an operating tool to jointly drive the mounting end piece and the operating member of the valve, the detection unit comprising an antenna for transmitting information representative of the position of the valve, the antenna being housed in the operating head.

[0021] The valve sensor according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination: the operating member can be operated by rotation about an operating axis to move the valve between the open position and the closed position; the operating head comprises a cavity, the antenna being received in the cavity; the cavity opens axially outwards along a longitudinal axis of the valve sensor; the cavity is delimited by an internal peripheral surface of the operating head, the antenna being arranged away from the internal peripheral surface; it comprises an intermediate body between the mounting end piece and the operating head, the intermediate body being in particular configured to be driven jointly with the mounting end piece and with the operating member of the valve; the intermediate body receives at least in part the detection unit;the intermediate body comprises an upper section and a lower section, the upper section and the lower section being telescopically engaged in one another, the intermediate body comprising a system for fixing the lower section relative to the upper section in at least one relative position between the upper section and the lower section; the upper section and the lower section are movable relative to one another in a plurality of relative positions between the upper section and the lower section, the fixing system being configured to fix the upper section relative to the lower section selectively in at least two positions among the plurality of relative positions; the upper section and the lower section each have a polygonal, in particular quadrilateral, in particular rectangular or square, cross-section;the detection unit comprises a housing defining an interior volume and an electronic device for measuring information representative of the position of the valve, arranged in the interior volume of the housing; it comprises an intermediate body between the mounting end piece and the operating head, the housing being fixed in the intermediate body, the electronic measuring device being connected to the antenna, the housing being in particular removably fixed to the intermediate body; the housing delimits a passage slot, the antenna projecting relative to the housing, the detection unit comprising a connection link connecting the electronic measuring device to the antenna through the passage slot; the electronic measuring device is embedded in a filling material arranged in the interior volume; the electronic measuring device comprises a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer and / or a satellite positioning device;the detection unit comprises a battery for supplying electricity to the electronic measuring device, and a system for recharging the battery, in particular by induction and / or by wired connection.;

[0022] The invention also relates to a method for monitoring the position of a valve between an open position and a closed position, comprising the following steps: mounting a valve sensor as defined above by engaging the mounting tip of the valve sensor on an operating member of the valve between the open position and the closed position; engaging an operating tool on the operating head, and driving the operating tool to jointly move the operating head, the mounting tip and the operating member to a new position of the valve; determining, by the detection unit, information representative of the new position of the valve; transmitting the representative information by the detection unit using the antenna located in the operating head.

[0023] The method according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination: the valve sensor comprises an intermediate body between the mounting end piece and the operating head, the intermediate body comprising an upper section, a lower section, the upper section and the lower section being telescopically engaged in each other, the method comprising, prior to mounting the valve sensor on the operating member, adjusting the length of the intermediate body by moving the lower section relative to the upper section into a relative position and setting up a system for fixing the lower section relative to the upper section in the relative position; dismantling the valve sensor by disengaging the mounting end piece of the valve sensor from the operating member;reassembly of another valve sensor by engaging the valve sensor mounting tip on the operating member.;

[0024] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which: - figure 1 is a schematic view in partial section of an extension tube of a water circulation network valve, equipped with a valve sensor according to the invention, mounted on a valve operating member;

[0025] - Figure 2 is an elevational view of the valve sensor of Figure 1;

[0026] - figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2, taken in section along a median axial plane of the valve sensor;

[0027] - Figure 4 is an end view of the upper end of the valve sensor, comprising an operating head in which is arranged the antenna of a unit for detecting information representative of the position of the valve;

[0028] - Figure 5 is an end view of the lower end of the valve sensor provided with a mounting tip on the valve operating member;

[0029] - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the detection unit, equipped with its antenna.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates a valve sensor 10 according to the invention, mounted on a valve 12 of a fluid circulation network.

[0031] The network is in particular an underground network of pipes 14 for distributing fluid, in particular drinking water and / or recovering fluid, in particular waste water.

[0032] In the example shown in Figure 1, the valve 12 is located in a tabernacle 17 at the lower end of an extension tube 16 of the network, opening onto the ground surface, the extension tube 16 being closed by a removable keyhole 18.

[0033] As visible in Figure 1, the valve 12 comprises a valve body 20 mounted on a pipe 14 of the network, and an operating member 22 movable relative to the valve body 20 by means of the valve sensor 10, to operate the valve 12 between an open position of maximum passage of fluid through the valve body 20, and a closed position of minimum passage of fluid through the valve body 20.

[0034] The operating member 22 is here rotatable around a vertical operating axis A-A'.

[0035] Here it comprises a rotating head 24, which is formed of a square having several flats, on which the valve sensor 10 is removably engaged.

[0036] In this example, the valve head 24 projects vertically upward from the valve body 20.

[0037] The valve sensor 10 is removably mounted on the valve head 24. It is configured to carry out measurements of movements of the operating member 22 allowing the valve 12 to be operated between the open position and the closed position.

[0038] It is also configured to transmit the displacement measurements and / or a valve position determined from the displacement measurements to a surface network monitoring device (not shown), located at a distance from the extension tube 16. This monitoring device is for example a data server, a remote control counter or a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a tablet.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 1, the valve sensor 10 extends vertically upwards from the valve head 24, along a longitudinal axis A-A'. The longitudinal axis A-A' here coincides with the operating axis of the operating member 22.

[0040] The valve sensor 10 comprises a tip 30 for mounting on the valve head 24, located at its lower end, and an operating head 32, located at its upper end, to be operated by an operating tool (not shown) of the valve 12.

[0041] The valve sensor 10 further comprises an intermediate body 34 located between the mounting tip 30 and the operating head 32.

[0042] The valve sensor 10 also comprises a unit 36 ​​for detecting information representative of the position of the valve 12 between the open position and the closed position, which is here mounted in the intermediate body 34 and through the head 32.

[0043] The mounting end piece 30 is formed of a nut engaged in the lower end of the intermediate body 34.

[0044] The mounting tip 30 defines a blind housing 40 opening downwards. The housing 40 is of a shape complementary to the valve head 24, in particular of a shape complementary to the square of the valve head 24.

[0045] Thus, when the valve sensor 10 is mounted by its end piece 30 on the valve head 24, the valve sensor 10 and the operating member 22 are jointly movable in rotation to operate the valve 12 between the open position and the closed position.

[0046] The intermediate body 34 is here telescopic. Its length, taken along the longitudinal axis AA', can be adjusted by an operator, depending on the depth of the extension tube 16.

[0047] The intermediate body 34 thus comprises an upper section 42 and at least one lower section 44. The upper section 42 is here configured to slide telescopically in the lower section 44. Alternatively, the lower section 44 is configured to slide telescopically in the upper section 42.

[0048] The intermediate body 34 further comprises a system 46 for removable attachment of the upper section 42 relative to the lower section 44 in a plurality of determined positions along the longitudinal axis A-A', each corresponding to a respective length of the valve sensor 10. It further comprises a system 48 for mounting the mounting end piece 30, and a system 50 for mounting the operating head 32.

[0049] Each section 42, 44 is here formed from a hollow profile, of polygonal section, in particular of quadrilateral section, in particular square. In the example shown in Figure 3, the upper section 42 fits into the lower section 44 to be movable exclusively in translation in the lower section.

[0050] The outer contour of the cross-section of the upper section 42 is of a shape conjugate, apart from a sliding clearance, to the inner contour of the internal cross-section of the lower section 44.

[0051] The inner contour of the cross-section of the lower section 44 is furthermore of a shape conjugate to the outer contour of the cross-section of the upper part of the mounting end piece 30, which is fitted to the lower end of the lower section 44.

[0052] In this example, the upper section 42 has, for example, a fixed length, taken along the longitudinal axis A-A', less than 20 cm, in particular between 5 cm and 17 cm.

[0053] The lower section 44 comprises, for example, a fixed length, taken along the longitudinal axis A-A', greater than 17 cm, and in particular between 24 cm and 100 cm.

[0054] Thus, the length of the intermediate body 34, taken along the longitudinal axis A-A', is generally adjustable, between 20 cm and 120 cm, here by sliding the lower section 44 and the upper section 42 relative to each other, to adapt to extension tubes 16 of different depths.

[0055] The fixing system 46 comprises a plurality of through holes 52 formed in a face of the lower section 44, and advantageously, at least one corresponding through hole 54 formed in a face of the upper section 42. It further comprises a retractable fixing member 56, engaged through a hole 52 of the lower section, and through at least one hole 54 of the upper section 42.

[0056] The fixing member 56 is for example a transversely projecting lug, elastically biased towards a deployed rest configuration, from a contracted configuration of positioning or displacement of the upper section 42 relative to the lower section 44.

[0057] The mounting system 48 of the mounting end piece 30 also comprises at least one hole 52 provided in the lower section 44, preferably the hole 52 located closest to the lower end of the section 44. It comprises at least one hole 58 provided in the upper part of the end piece 30, and a fixing member 60 which may be similar to the fixing member 56.

[0058] Likewise, the mounting system 50 of the operating head 32 comprises a hole 54 provided in the upper section 42, a corresponding hole 62 provided in the head 32, and a fixing member 64, which may be similar to the fixing member 56. Thanks to this configuration of the sections 42, 44, of the fixing system 46, and of the mounting systems 48, 50, it is possible to easily assemble and disassemble the intermediate body 34, the operating head 32 and the mounting end piece 30.

[0059] It is also possible to provide the operator with a plurality of operating heads 32 and / or mounting ends 30 of different structures, and / or a plurality of upper sections 42 or lower sections 44 of different lengths, the operator choosing to assemble a particular mounting end 30, a particular operating head 32, a particular lower section 42 and a particular upper section 44 from among all the elements available to him, to adapt to different configurations of valves 12 or extension tubes 16.

[0060] Alternatively, the mounting end piece 30 is permanently mounted or is in one piece with the lower section 44. The operating head 32 is permanently mounted or is in one piece with the upper section 42. Optionally, the intermediate body 34 is in one piece.

[0061] With reference to Figure 3, the operating head 32 comprises a base 70 engaged at the upper end of the upper section 42, and a projecting operating part 72, the base 70 and the projecting operating part 72 delimiting a central through cavity 74, opening at the longitudinal ends of the operating head 32.

[0062] The operating head 32 further comprises an annular antenna support 76 arranged in the through cavity 74.

[0063] The base 70 comprises a lower region 78 having a cross section with an external contour conjugated to the internal contour of the cross section of the upper section 42. It further comprises a radially projecting collar 80 applied to the upper edge of the upper section 42.

[0064] The operating part 72 is for example formed from a square of a shape corresponding to the valve head 24 of the operating member 22 and / or of a shape matching the housing 40 of the end piece 30.

[0065] The cavity 74 here passes through the entire head 32. It opens axially upwards outside the valve sensor 10, and downwards into the upper section 42.

[0066] In this example, the antenna support 76 is annular in shape. It projects radially towards the longitudinal axis AA' from the lower region 78. It delimits a central through-light 82.

[0067] The detection unit 36 ​​comprises a housing 90, removably mounted in the intermediate body 34, and a reversible fixing system 92 of the housing in the intermediate body 34. The detection unit 36 ​​further comprises an electronic device 94 for measuring the valve position, arranged in the housing 90, an antenna 96 projecting upwards from the housing 90, and a connection link 98 between the electronic measuring device 94 and the antenna 96.

[0068] The detection unit 36 ​​further comprises a battery 100, and a system 102 for recharging the battery 100.

[0069] As illustrated by figures 3 and 6, the housing 90 comprises a bottom 110, side walls 112, the bottom 110 and the side walls 112 defining an interior volume 114 opening through an access opening 116 located opposite the bottom 110. The interior volume 114 contains the electronic measuring device 94, the battery 100 and the recharging system 102.

[0070] A side wall 112 of the housing delimits a slot 118 through which passes the connecting link 98, which connects the electronic measuring device 94 in the interior volume 114 with the antenna 96 located outside the interior volume 114.

[0071] Advantageously, the electronic measuring device 94, the battery 100, and the recharging system 102 are wedged in the interior volume 114 by means of a filling material, in particular a resin.

[0072] The reversible fixing system 92 comprises at least one orifice 120, preferably a plurality of orifices 120 provided in the bottom 110 of the housing, at least one orifice 122 corresponding to each orifice 120, provided in a face of the upper section 42, and at least one removable fixing member 124 introduced through the orifices 120, 122.

[0073] Thus, the housing 90 is configured to be fixed in a removable manner by its bottom 110 inside the upper section 42. It is suitable for being removed from the upper section 42 in particular to be replaced in the event of a malfunction, or to allow the battery 100 to be recharged using the recharging system 102.

[0074] The electronic measuring device 94 is configured to detect a movement of the valve sensor 10 and to carry out measurements of the amplitude of movement of the valve sensor 10, in particular the angle of rotation of the valve sensor 10. These measurements correspond to the amplitude of the joint movement of the operating member 22 of the valve 12 in order to determine the position of the valve 12 between the open position and the closed position.

[0075] It is further advantageously configured to determine the geographical position of the valve 12, and to transmit, by wireless transmission using the antenna 96, the rotation angle measurements, as well as advantageously, the geographical position of the valve 12. In a particular example, the electronic measuring device 94 comprises at least one electronic card 130 carrying a gyroscope 132, an accelerometer 134, advantageously a magnetometer, and preferably, a satellite positioning system 136, in particular a GPS system.

[0076] The electronic measuring device 94 further comprises a data transmission system 138, in particular, a wireless data transmission system by means of a mobile telecommunications network, in particular a cellular network operating according to a telecommunications standard such as the 1G (AMPS), 2G (GSM), 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE) or 5G standard, or the NB-loT, Wifi, Bluetooth protocols, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy, etc.

[0077] For example, after each modification of the position of the valve detected by the accelerometer 134, the data transmission system 138 is configured to transmit the angle variation determined by the gyroscope 132 and / or by the accelerometer 134, to determine the new position of the valve.

[0078] The antenna 96 projects axially upwards relative to the housing 90. It is completely contained in the cavity 74 of the head 32 of the valve sensor 10. Its upper end is located below or at the same level as the opening through which the cavity 74 opens upwards.

[0079] Preferably, the antenna 96 is located completely away from the peripheral surface delimiting the cavity 74 around the longitudinal axis A-A'. It is preferably positioned in the center of the cavity 74, along the longitudinal axis A-A'.

[0080] The antenna 96 is electrically connected to the data transmission system 138 contained in the housing 90 via the link 98.

[0081] Link 98 is here a rigid link. It projects through slot 118.

[0082] The link 98 passes through the antenna support 76, and the antenna 96 rests on the antenna support 76.

[0083] Thanks to the presence of the antenna 96 arranged in the cavity 74 within the end piece 30, the antenna 96 is located as close as possible to the ground when the valve sensor 10 is mounted on the valve 12 in the extension tube 16.

[0084] Thus, wireless data transmission from the valve sensor 10 to the outside is facilitated, without having to significantly increase the transmission power.

[0085] The antenna 96 being completely housed in the cavity 74, it is protected from shocks by the operating head 32, with a limited risk of damage.

[0086] Since the cavity 74 nevertheless opens upwards, the data transmission remains little affected by the operating head 32. Furthermore, the antenna 96 is easily separable from the link 98 to extract the box 90 from the upper section 42 and allow the box 90 to be loaded or replaced.

[0087] The battery 100 is connected to the detection unit 36 ​​to electrically power the detection unit 36 ​​for a given period, for example greater than 365 days.

[0088] The recharging system 102 is connected to the battery 100. It comprises, for example, a wireless battery charger, for example by induction, or a wired battery charging socket, configured to be connected to an electrical network or to an electrical power source when the housing 90 is dismantled.

[0089] The operation of the valve sensor 10 according to the invention will now be described.

[0090] Initially, when a valve 12, advantageously not instrumented, is to be equipped, the keyhole 18 is removed to free up access to the extension tube 16.

[0091] Depending on the depth at which the valve 12 and its operating member 22 are located, the length of the valve sensor 10 is adjusted by moving the upper section 42 relative to the lower section 44, then activating the fixing system 46 when the desired length is reached.

[0092] For this purpose, the upper section 42 is slid along the longitudinal axis A-A' relative to the lower section 44 until the intermediate body length 34 is obtained to place the antenna 96 as close as possible to the ground, in particular under the keyhole 18. Then, the fixing member 56 is put in place between the holes 52, 54 to immobilize the upper section 42 relative to the lower section 44 in translation along the axis A-A'.

[0093] Given the correspondence of shape between the upper section 42 and the lower section 44, the sections 42, 44 are also immobilized relative to each other in rotation around the axis A-A'.

[0094] If necessary, the mounting end piece 30 is fixed to the lower end of the lower section 44 via the mounting system 48 and the operating head 32 is fixed to the upper end of the upper section 42 via the mounting system 50.

[0095] The operator then locates the current position of the operating member 22 to determine the corresponding position of the valve 12. He transmits this position to the network monitoring station so that the network monitoring station has a reference position of the valve 12 when the valve sensor 10 is installed.

[0096] The reference position can be the open position, the closed position, or an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position.

[0097] The valve sensor 10 is then lowered into the extension tube 16 and the mounting end piece 30 is engaged on the valve head 24 of the operating member 22. This is advantageously done by introducing the square of the valve head 24 into the corresponding housing 40 provided in the end piece 30.

[0098] The initial angular position of the operating member 22 around the central axis A-A' in the reference position of the valve 12 which corresponds to a determined angle relative to an angular reference around the central axis A-A' is then determined and / or verified by the operator and is transmitted to the tracking device to be stored.

[0099] Then, the keyhole 18 is advantageously put back in place.

[0100] When an operation of the valve 12 is to be carried out, the keyhole 18 is again moved to open access to the extension tube 16.

[0101] An operator then inserts, into the extension tube 16, an operating tool (not shown) for the valve 12, in particular a handwheel or an operating bar. He engages the operating tool directly on the head 32 of the valve sensor 10, for example by inserting the square of the valve head 32 into a corresponding housing of the operating tool.

[0102] The accelerometer 134 detects the positioning of the operating tool on the operating member 22. This wakes up the electronic measuring device 94 of the valve sensor 10 to be able to measure movements of the operating member 22.

[0103] Then, in the example of Figure 1, the operator rotates the operating tool around the longitudinal axis A-A', which jointly rotates the operating head 32, the intermediate body 34, and the mounting end piece 30 of the valve sensor 10. The rotation of the valve body 10 around the longitudinal axis A-A' is transmitted to the valve head 24 of the operating member 22, which modifies the position of the valve 12 to a desired position.

[0104] When the valve sensor 10 is moved, the electronic measuring device 94 determines that a movement is occurring on the valve 12 via the accelerometer 134. The gyroscope 132, possibly together with the accelerometer 134, determines the angle of rotation about the longitudinal axis AA' of the valve sensor 10, which corresponds to the angle of rotation of the operating member 22.

[0105] When the movement of the valve sensor 10 stops, the wireless data transmission system 138 stores the rotation angle measured by the electronic measuring device 94. This information is then transmitted to the network monitoring device via the wireless data transmission system 138 and the antenna 96, for example daily or N times per day, N being configurable.

[0106] Thus, the network tracking device can calculate and record the new position of the valve 12 from the measured rotation angle and advantageously from the initial angular position of the operating member, guaranteeing reliable tracking of this position over time.

[0107] The valve sensor 10 according to the invention is therefore particularly simple to mount on an existing non-instrumented or defective valve 12, by being easily placed on a head 24 of the operating member 22 of the valve 12 normally intended to receive an operating tool.

[0108] Given the presence of a head 32 on the valve sensor which is suitable for being engaged by an operating tool identical to that which can be used to operate the operating member 22 of the valve 12, it is very simple to operate the valve 12 via the valve sensor 10. Thus, the electronic measuring device 94 on board the valve sensor directly measures information representative of the position of the valve 12 after operation. This is done inexpensively, without having to replace the valve 12 or carry out expensive public works.

[0109] In the case where the intermediate body 34 is telescopic, its length is easily adjustable to place the operating head 32 and the antenna 96 which it contains as close as possible to the ground, ensuring efficient transmission of the data measured by the valve sensor 10.

[0110] The valve sensor 10 has a long battery life. However, when the battery 100 runs out, the valve sensor 10 is easily replaced with another valve sensor 10.

[0111] The housing 90 can then be removed from the intermediate body 34 to be recharged by placing the recharging system 102 in contact with an electrical power source by induction, or by direct connection.

[0112] Furthermore, in the event of a malfunction of one or more sensors 132, 134, 136, it is possible to simply replace the box 90 containing the defective electronic measuring device 94 with another box 90 containing a functional electronic measuring device 94.

[0113] Maintenance of the valve sensor 10 is therefore simple and inexpensive.

[0114] In a variant, the operating member 22 is not simply rotatable about the axis A-A', but is movable in another movement to operate the valve 12 between the open position and the closed position. As before, the valve sensor 10 is mounted on the operating member 22 and is engaged by an operating tool to operate the valve 12.

[0115] The electronic measuring device 94 then more generally records the movement of the valve sensor 10 during the operation of the valve 12. Advantageously, the monitoring device is equipped with a computer and a human-machine interface configured to execute a software application allowing the management operations of the or each valve sensor 10 to be carried out.

[0116] For example, the software application is configured to associate the valve sensor 10 with the valve 12 by associating an identifier of the valve sensor 10 with an identifier of the valve 12. This makes it possible to retrieve via data transmission the physical data of the valve 12 in question, in particular its section, the number of turns, the installation depth of the valve, etc.

[0117] Advantageously, the software application is configured to provision the valve sensor 10. During manufacturing, the valve sensor 10 is tested wired. To be able to send the data to a remote tracking device, a configuration is necessary. An identifier of the valve 12 physically present on the valve 12, for example a QR code engraved on the valve 12, makes it possible to retrieve the computer identifier of the valve 12 and to provision it in a considered reference file. This authorizes communication between the valve sensor 10 and the tracking device. Thus, the physical identifier engraved on the valve 12 is identical to the computer identifier of the valve 12 in the tracking device.

[0118] Advantageously also, the software application is configured to check the operation of the valve sensor 10, perform its calibration in the field, and / or adjust the number of data transmissions per day.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Valve sensor (10), intended to be mounted on an operating member (22) of a valve (12) operable between at least one open position and a closed position, in particular by passing through at least one intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, the valve sensor (10) comprising a detection unit (36) for detecting information representative of the position of the valve (12) between the open position and the closed position, characterized in that the valve sensor (10) comprises a mounting end piece (30), configured to engage on the operating member (22) and an operating head (32), intended to be operated by an operating tool to jointly drive the mounting end piece (30) and the operating member (22) of the valve (12), the detection unit (36) comprising an antenna (96) for transmitting information representative of the position of the valve (12), the antenna (96) being housed in the head maneuver (32).

2. Valve sensor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the operating head (32) comprises a cavity (74), the antenna (96) being received in the cavity (74).

3. Valve sensor (10) according to claim 2, wherein the cavity (74) opens axially outwards along a longitudinal axis (A-A') of the valve sensor (10).

4. Valve sensor (10) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the cavity (74) is delimited by an internal peripheral surface of the operating head (32), the antenna (96) being arranged away from the internal peripheral surface.

5. Valve sensor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an intermediate body (34) between the mounting end piece (30) and the operating head (32), the intermediate body (34) being in particular configured to be driven jointly with the mounting end piece (30) and with the operating member (22) of the valve (12).

6. Valve sensor (10) according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate body (34) comprises an upper section (42) and a lower section (44), the upper section (42) and the lower section (44) being telescopically engaged in each other, the intermediate body (34) comprising a fixing system (46) of the lower section (44) relative to the upper section (42) in at least one relative position between the upper section (42) and the lower section (44).

7. The valve sensor (10) of claim 6, wherein the upper section (42) and the lower section (44) are movable relative to each other in a plurality of relative positions between the upper section (42) and the lower section (44), the fixing system (46) being configured to fix the upper section (42) relative to the lower section (44) selectively in at least two positions among the plurality of relative positions.

8. Valve sensor (10) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the upper section (42) and the lower section (44) each have a polygonal, in particular quadrilateral, in particular rectangular or square, cross-section.

9. Valve sensor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the detection unit (36) comprises a housing (90) defining an interior volume (114) and an electronic device (94) for measuring information representative of the position of the valve (12), arranged in the interior volume (114) of the housing (90).

10. Valve sensor (10) according to claim 9, comprising an intermediate body (34) between the mounting end piece (30) and the operating head (32), the housing (90) being fixed in the intermediate body (34), the electronic measuring device (94) being connected to the antenna (96), the housing (90) being in particular removably fixed to the intermediate body (34).

11. Valve sensor (10) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the housing (90) delimits a passage slot (118), the antenna (96) projecting relative to the housing (90), the detection unit (36) comprising a connection link (98) connecting the electronic measuring device (94) to the antenna (96) through the passage slot (118).

12. Valve sensor (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the electronic measuring device (94) is embedded in a filling material disposed in the interior volume (114).

13. Valve sensor (10), according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the electronic measuring device (94) comprises a gyroscope (132), an accelerometer (134), a magnetometer and / or a satellite positioning device (136).

14. Valve sensor (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the detection unit (36) comprises a battery (100) for supplying electricity to the electronic measuring device (94), and a system (102) for recharging the battery (100), in particular by induction and / or by wired connection.

15. A method for tracking the position of a valve (12) between an open position and a closed position, comprising the following steps: mounting a valve sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 by engaging the mounting tip (30) of the valve sensor (10) on an operating member (22) of the valve (12) between the open position and the closed position; engaging an operating tool on the operating head (32), and driving the operating tool to jointly move the operating head (32), the mounting tip (30) and the operating member (22) to a new position of the valve (12); determining, by the detection unit (36), information representative of the new position of the valve (12); transmitting the representative information by the detection unit (36) using the antenna (96) located in the operating head (32).

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the valve sensor (10) comprises an intermediate body (34) between the mounting end piece (30) and the operating head (32), the intermediate body (34) comprising an upper section (42), a lower section (44), the upper section (42) and the lower section (44) being telescopically engaged in each other, the method comprising, prior to mounting the valve sensor (10) on the operating member (22), adjusting the length of the intermediate body (34) by moving the lower section (44) relative to the upper section (42) into a relative position and installing a fixing system (46) for fixing the lower section (44) relative to the upper section (42) in the relative position.

17. Method according to one of claims 15 or 16, comprising the following steps: disassembling the valve sensor (10) by disengaging the mounting tip (30) of the valve sensor (10) from the operating member (22); reassembling another valve sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 by engaging the mounting tip (30) of the valve sensor (10) on the operating member (22).

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