A flow control valve

Abstract

A flow control valve for connecting a supply of working fluid to a heat emitter or radiator. The flow control valve has a control chamber which surrounds an inner valve piece which has a waist portion. The inner valve piece has an inlet and an outlet formed in its body wall to define at least one fluid conduit leading from the inlet to the outlet through which the working fluid flows. The inner valve piece is displaceable within the control chamber and a flow measuring device is provided which is free to displace axially and rotationally within the control chamber in dependence upon a flow rate of working fluid flowing through the flow control valve. An advantage with the invention is that it enables precise control of heat emitters and radiators and so prevents heat pumps in HVAC system from cycling.

Description

[0001] A Flow Control Valve

[0002] Field

[0003] This invention relates to a flow control valve for use with a radiator or emitter as found in heating systems, for example of the type used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) installations.

[0004] These flow control valves have particular, but not exclusive, application in HVAC systems which include a heat pump, radiator and / or gas fired heating central heating systems. In particular, the invention relates to flow control valves that include means to determine flow therethrough. The flow control valve is therefore advantageously used to measure flow through a radiator or heating element or a component in a closed circuit with a heat exchange fluid flowing therethrough.

[0005] Background

[0006] Gas fuelled boilers have been known and used in central heating systems for many years. These boilers function by burning gas to produce heat, which in turn heats water, usually in a closed heating circuit. The heated water is then circulated by a pump or circulator around the closed heating circuit which typically comprises one or more radiators or heating elements for example.

[0007] Generally, radiators or heating elements include a valve at one or both of an entrance and / or exit. These valves may be for example manually variable and / or thermostatic valves, and often include a lock means, which can be controlled manually or automatically, for example using a motorised valve.

[0008] An ambient thermostat that is positioned in one room of a house for example, provides an ambient temperature which is used in conventional feedback control central heating systems. This ambient feedback control signal is used to control the pump and the instant and duration of burning gas in a boiler or pumping of warmer fluid from a heat pump.

[0009] Likewise a central heating system may comprise a number of heating zones with multiple radiators, each heating zone is controlled individually for example with zone thermostats, and dedicated valves which can be closed when a desired temperature is reached.

[0010] In the UK there is an increasing trend to switch to non-fossil fuel heating system systems such as those utilising electrically powered heat pumps. These effectively act like refrigeration units with a cold element or coil located outside a building. The cold element is fluidly connected to a warm element or coil inside a building to form a closed circuit. The warming element usually includes a separate heat (fluid) reservoir, typically water.

[0011] Refrigerant is pumped around the circuit in a standard refrigeration cycle by compressing, such as pumping the refrigerant from the cold element with a compressor. After passing through a warm element, the refrigerant is passed through an expansion device (nozzle) which consequently cools the refrigerant, effectively taking heat from outside ambient air.

[0012] Predominantly, heating controllers that are on the market have been governing space heating systems using ambient control only; that is with a thermostat inside the area or room of a building that is being heated.

[0013] Thus, boiler control has been performed relatively crudely, usually a single thermostat which provides a local ambient feedback control signal, in the vicinity of the thermostat, without any consideration to overall system performance or efficiency, except a user option to switch off or isolate radiators in unoccupied rooms or spaces.

[0014] This type of controller has worked with gas boilers which are better able to cope with lower flow rates of the heating fluid, and which have lower heat output requirements. As newer technologies become available, systems that employ renewable heat sources, such as heat pumps, require modification in order to be able to operate at higher efficiencies, which are typically beyond conventional boiler capabilities thereby optimising overall heating capability for a building.

[0015] Heat pumps need to be provided with a relatively longer time period to allow appliances in a system to settle or stabilise. In order to maximise efficiency appliances need to stabilise their flow and return temperatures and a boiler (or heat pump) then modulates output to suit energy required in a dwelling or specific room in a dwelling. Often a so-called smart inverter driven compressor is used because these help to prevent so-called cycling which is what can occur when a gas boiler for example repeatedly heats for a period then switches off and then recommences heating. Another advantage of a smart inverter when operating with an air conditioner is that they can reach a desired temperature quickly which can in turn result in saving energy.

[0016] However, there can still be a delay until temperature transients settle before further energy is introduced into the central heating system. Heat pumps typically require four times the flow rate of the heating fluid / refrigerant compared with condensing gas boilers. They also require a minimum volume of water to heat, otherwise there is a risk that a heat pump simply operates in a cycle mode, such as switching on and off at high frequency without achieving any overall heating or colling effect.

[0017] Furthermore, a cycling heat pump, which is not given sufficient time to modulate to a steady constant rate, often risks being operated unnecessarily which can often result in damage or early failure. These challenges can lead to inefficiencies, incur higher running costs and risk expensive repair and replacement costs.

[0018] In addition, use of ambient controls, such as thermostatic radiator valves, zone valves driven via room thermostats and overall, on / off ambient thermostats, does not take into consideration the volume of water that is being lost when a zone or a system is shut down due to an ambient temperature being reached. When this occurs an ambient controller switches on the heat source, once a dwelling has cooled down below a set temperature threshold. This usually happens quite quickly and sometimes unnecessarily leading to ‘peaks’ and ‘troughs’ of usage rather than a smooth undulating heating regime.

[0019] Thus, reducing the volume of water or flow rate within a heating system tend to cause a heat pump to cycle on and off as stated above and leads to inefficiencies and risk failure.

[0020] Prior Art

[0021] UK patent GB 2 568 947 (IDZV limited) describes a combi-boiler device includes a diverter arranged to divert heated water from a first heat exchanger to a heating channel or a second heat exchanger when a predefined temperature is reached.

[0022] Chinese patent application CN 1164624, also published as US patent US 5 890 515 (Ostaco AG), describes a valve with a flow meter which enables the valve to be mounted in restricted spaces. This is achieved by a spindle which rotates by following a helical pathway.

[0023] It is an object of the invention to overcome problems associated with existing flow control valves, in particular of the type that rely on ambient air temperature, and to provide a flow control valve which measure flow temperature in a heating system.

[0024] It is another object of the invention to provide a flow control valve which has less components so that it is relatively cheap to manufacture and reliable in use especially in heating systems that include heat pumps.

[0025] Summary of the Invention

[0026] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a flow control valve for connecting a supply of working fluid to a heat emitter or radiator, the flow control valve has a control chamber which surrounds an inner valve piece which is adjustable to open and close an inlet / outlet of the flow control valve thereby defining at least one fluid conduit through which a working fluid flows and a flow measuring device is provided within the control chamber which is displaceable axially and rotationally therewithin and measures a flow rate of the working fluid flowing therethrough.

[0027] Preferably the inner valve piece has a waist portion, which when aligned with an inlet pipe or an outlet pipe, defines an opening through which working fluid enters or exhausts from the control valve.

[0028] Preferably the flow measuring device is displaceable with respect to the inner valve piece.

[0029] In some embodiments the flow measuring device comprises a rigid rod with at least one piston or disc provided at one end of the rod. More preferably a piston or disc is located at each of the two opposing ends of the rod.

[0030] In some embodiments the rod or central stem of the flow measuring device is located in a hole formed, for example by boring, along a central axis formed in the inner valve piece and the flow measuring device is able to move axially and rotationally therewithin with respect to the inner valve piece and the flow control valve. An advantage with this feature is that the flow measuring device is able to read the amount of working fluid flowing through the valve as an absolute value and independent of the flow setting of an adjustment means which opens or closes the valve. This flow rate is used to determine an exact heat output of a heat emitter or radiator as described below.

[0031] In some embodiments a thermostat or temperature sensor is provided to sense a fluid temperature of the working fluid such that both the flow rate of working fluid through a heat emitter or radiator and a differential temperature of the working fluid entering and leaving the heat emitter or radiator, is obtained. This data is therefore used to determine an absolute value for heat transferred to or from the working fluid as it passes through the heat emitter or radiator.

[0032] In some embodiments the flow measuring device comprises a rod which is located on a central axis of the control chamber and at least one piston which displaces in dependence upon the amount of working fluid flowing through the flow measuring device. Both the rod and the piston are free to move axially within the control chamber and free to rotate therewithin.

[0033] Advantageously two pistons are provided on the rod and are spaced apart. Both pistons are substantially the same mass, thickness and diameter. However, each piston may be of a different size and mass. The two pistons are connected to the rod in a spaced arrangement thereby defining in use, an upper piston and a lower piston. An advantage of this is that one or both the two pistons may be used to measure the flow respectively to the amount of fluid moving through the flow control chamber.

[0034] In some embodiments at least one piston is disc shaped and extends substantially the entire diameter of the control chamber.

[0035] In some embodiments a means to detect the vertical displacement of the flow measuring device is provided to determine an absolute vertical displacement of the flow measuring device. An output a signal that is indicative of vertical displacement of the flow measuring device and flow of working fluid is therefore obtained from a sensor or transducer in the flow control valve.

[0036] In some embodiments the inner valve piece is displaced by an actuator, such as a motor, which may be locally or remotely controlled. Likewise, a spring or means to apply a resistant force may be provided in order to allow manual adjustment of a valve setting.

[0037] In some embodiments a sensor or other means to detect displacement and / or position of the flow measuring device includes a transducer device which converts a displacement signal and / or a position signal to a signal indicative of flow rate through the flow control valve. One example of such a sensor is a Hall effect sensor which is operative to convert the displacement signal and / or the position signal to an electrical signal indicative of flow rate through the flow control valve.

[0038] Alternatively, the transducer device includes a magnetic sensor which is operative to convert the displacement signal and / or the position signal to an electrical signal indicative of flow rate through the flow control valve.

[0039] In some embodiments the transducer device includes a linear variable differential transformer which is operative to convert the displacement signal and / or the position signal to an electrical signal indicative of flow rate through the flow control valve.

[0040] In some embodiments a variable biasing means enables a user to vary a biased position of the inner valve piece in the control chamber.

[0041] In some embodiments the flow control valve includes a means to transmit signals indicative of temperature or flow rate remotely and this may include a wireless transmitter operating in accordance with a wireless protocol. Examples of the wireless protocol include Bluetooth (RTM) and Zigbee (RTM).

[0042] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining the flow rate through an emitter or radiator, the emitter or radiator including the flow control valve and determining the flow rate from the position of the flow measuring device.

[0043] Preferably the method of determining the flow rate through the heat emitter or radiator, the heat emitter or radiator including a flow control valve as hereindefined, and the method comprising the steps of determining the flow rate from the position of a flow measuring device, deriving a signal indicative of flow of working fluid; and storing data required to calculate an output of the emitter or radiator. According to a thirds aspect of the present invention there is provided a system which includes the flow control valve mounted on an inlet and an outlet of an emitter or radiator, a heat pump fluidly connected to the at least one emitter or radiator and at least one control device.

[0044] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following Figures in which:

[0045] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0046] Figure 1A (PRIOR ART) is an overall view of an existing thermostat type valve which operates using existing ambient air temperature;

[0047] Figure 1 B is an overall view of an embodiment of the present invention which operates using temperature of water flowing through the valve;

[0048] Figure 2 is a diagrammatical sectional view through the embodiment shown in Figure 1 B;

[0049] Figures 3A and 3B are side views of an inner valve piece showing an aperture in its side face (Fig 3A) and a waist portion (Fig 3B) around which working fluid flows;

[0050] Figure 4 shows the relationship between a valve housing when the inner valve piece is displaced to ‘open’ to allow flow through the flow control chamber;

[0051] Figure 5 shows the shows the relationship between the valve housing when inner valve piece is in a closed position;

[0052] Figure 6 shows an example of a flow measuring device which indicates fluid flow through the valve chamber;

[0053] Figure 7 is a diagrammatical section through an embodiment of the invention, when the valve is open, and shows a flow measuring device positioned within the inner valve piece inside a flow control chamber and illustrates features within the valve housing;

[0054] Figure 8 is an indicator receiving flow of liquid so that it is displaced;

[0055] Figure 9 shows the configuration of the flow control valve and internal components when fluid is flowing through the valve housing; Figure 10 shows the configuration of the flow control valve, the different position of the flow measuring device and pistons 6A and 6B to reduce fluid flow and shows magnetic reader in a displaced position with respect to the reading strip;

[0056] Figure 11 shows an overall view of another embodiment of the flow control valve;

[0057] Figures 12A and 12B show in detail lower piston and the relationship between its diameter (di) and the internal diameter (d2) of the outlet of the flow control valve; and

[0058] Figure 13 is an overall diagrammatic view of a system installed in a dwelling fitted with an embodiment of the invention with a central controller connected to heat pump and relay control signals to remote monitoring system.

[0059] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0060] Figure 1A shows an example of known devices in the prior art. In this example, an existing thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) valve operates by using ambient air temperature.

[0061] Figure 1 B shows an embodiment of a flow control valve 1 whereby a combination of differential temperature and flow rate of fluid is used to govern output of radiator or heating element 50.

[0062] Referring to the other Figures, in one example, shown in Figures 2 to 9, there is provided smart flow control valve 1 which is adapted to monitor certain parameters, including temperature differentials across a radiator or heating element 50 (shown in Figure 13), flow rate through the radiator or heating element 50 and to control flow of a heating (or cooling) fluid through the radiator or heating element 50.

[0063] The terms radiator, heating element and emitter should be understood as any heating (or cooling) element such as a conventional radiator, condenser or heat reservoir or such like which is adapted to pass (or absorb) heat to (from) a surrounding environment such as space room which is to be heated (or cooled).

[0064] Referring now to Figures 2 to 9 there is shown diagrammatical overall views of one example of a flow control valve 1 for connecting a supply of working fluid to a radiator 50 (shown in Figure 13). The flow control valve 1 has a control chamber 10, which surrounds an inner valve piece 12 which has a waist portion 14. The inner valve piece 12 has an inlet port 13 and an outlet 15 formed in its body wall to define at least one fluid conduit 12A leading from the inlet port 13 to the outlet portion 15 through which the working fluid flows in the directions shown by the arrows. The inner valve piece 12 is displaceable within the chamber 10.

[0065] One type of flow measuring device 16 is shown in Figure 6 and this is displaceable with respect to the inner valve piece 12 in dependence upon the amount of working fluid flowing through the flow control valve 1 . The flow measuring device 16 and its operation is described in detail below with reference to Figures 6 to 11

[0066] The flow measuring device 16 is adapted to provide a feedback signal to a main controller (shown in Figure 13). Based on the feedback signal data is derived from a transducer or a processor, such as displacement of a magnet 17 and a magnetic reading strip 5. This displacement provides a signal that is indicative of flow of fluid through the flow control valve 1 . The flow control valve 1 is therefore operative to provide a ‘call’ signal, which causes a main controller (Figure 13) to respond to this request (for heat) and thereby causes a heat generator, such as a heat pump 20, boiler or burner to be switched on. A pump or circulator (not shown) maintains a flow rate above a minimum threshold required to prevent, for example, the heat pump 20 or boiler from cycling.

[0067] The flow measuring device 16 may be provided in heating or cooling systems and provides local, instantaneous measurement of flow to the main controller 90 (Figure 13). Transmission of a signal indicative of flow rate may be carried out using a wireless transmitter 9 which is provided in the flow control valve.

[0068] Referring to Figure 13, in such systems there may be a hydraulic unit / pump system (not shown), and the system 100 may have the ability to record the flow rate and differential temperature across any radiator 50 including the temperature difference between fluid into the radiator 50 and exhausting therefrom and / or thereby determine a consequential heat output from the radiator 50.

[0069] A system 100, shown for example in Figure 13, comprising the flow control valve 1 , preferably also includes a module to record data and provide an output data signal for the wireless transmitter to send the data to a remote location or local controller 90. The controller 90 optionally receives a weather compensation temperature signal received from an external thermostat 30. The system 100 also includes a memory to record indoor temperatures of each room in a building and an outdoor temperature and energy outputs of each radiator 50 emitter (derived for example from differential temperature data and flow rate data), enabling a heat load requirement for each room in a building to be obtained and monitored in real time.

[0070] Data from external thermostat 30 and internally located thermostat 40 provide temperature data to a user control device 60 such as smartphone or a remote central monitoring system 70 which optionally stores historic user data from a large number of offices, dwellings and other locations on a database 80.

[0071] The system 100 includes at least one transmitter for transmitting an energy requirement of a dwelling to a remote central monitoring system 70 for load management and energy usage purposes.

[0072] In a domestic controller 90 for a domestic HVAC system 100, options enable a user to monitor and control the flow measuring device 16 remotely. The controller 90 may be configured to instruct the flow measuring device 16 to govern or control a specific flow rate, which may be based on previously obtained and prestored data or real time data. The specific flow rate may be calculated and pre-stored as data to determine the heat load requirements at specific times for certain buildings or rooms or sub-zones within a building.

[0073] This feature provides heating systems, such as heat pump driven systems, to run at maximum efficiency and modulate the system efficiently to suit user selected preferences.

[0074] Figure 2 shows a diagram of one example of a flow control valve 1 which consists of a valve having an input port 2 and an outlet port 3. As will be described, flow between the two is measured by the valve 1 which comprises an actuator 4 which may be an electrically controlled actuator 4 for example a motor or stepper. The actuator 4 is adapted to move a flow measuring device 16 between various positions along a longitudinal axis. A magnet 17 mounted on the flow measuring device is read by a reading strip 5 within an upper chamber of in the flow control valve 1 , as it moves with respect to the reading strip 5. Inlet port 2 of the flow control valve 1 preferably comprises a temperature sensor 11 that monitors the temperature of the flow entering the control chamber 10 of the flow control valve 1 . Temperature data may be relayed to the controller 90 via the wireless transmitter 9.

[0075] Figure 3 shows individual components that together form inner valve piece 12 that fits into the control chamber 10 of the flow control valve 1. In an example as shown in Figure 4, the inner valve piece 12 is in an open position allowing a flow of fluid to enter through the inlet into the control chamber 10 that triggers relative movement of the flow measuring device 16 within the flow control valve 1 .

[0076] As shown in Figure 5, the inner valve piece 12 is closed when the inner valve piece 12 is moved along the longitudinal axis of the control chamber 10 to a position adjacent the outlet port 3 of the flow control valve 1 . An inlet waist 14 of the inner valve piece 12 is moved (for example from the position shown) proximally to be positioned below inlet port section 7 as shown by the dotted outline to close the valve by preventing flow entering through the inlet port section 7. Such actuation can be controlled by the flow measuring device actuator 4 which may be motorised or operated under solenoid control.

[0077] As shown in Figure 6, the flow measuring device 16 includes a rigid rod 8 with pistons 6A and 6B are located at opposing ends of the stem 8 in the form of a piston which retained in and is movable within control chamber 10. The flow measuring device 16 also comprises a magnetic reader 17 on the upper piston positioned at an opposite end of the flow measuring device 16 which connects to a reading strip 5 located in the upper chamber of the flow control valve 1 .

[0078] As shown in Figure 7, the flow measuring device 16 is shown actuated to a distal position (in the chamber); this is triggered through the fluid flow through the inlet of the flow control valve 1 as shown by the horizontal arrow A from inlet port section 7 and through the outlet port subsequently shown by arrow B.

[0079] The diameter of the distal or lower piston 6B is preferably less than the diameter of the upper piston 6A and not pistons 6A and 6B are free to move in the cylindrical control chamber 10. This allows flow from the inlet port 13 to flow past the distal piston 6 to the outlet portion 15 when the piston is distal to the inlet port 2, as shown in Figure 7. Alternatively, the distal piston may have flow orifices that extend though it such as from the distal and proximal surfaces thereof, as for example in a pepper pot lid type design. In this way flow through the flow control valve 1 acts on the piston 6 to provide a hydrodynamic pressure on the inner valve piece 12 to move it downwards and this in turn can be measured in order to determine flow rate. The higher the flow the more the valve is pushed downwards by the flow impinging under hydrodynamic pressure on the proximal surface of the piston 6; thus, the position of the stem 7A upper piston is indicative of flow rate that, preferably, is measured by a reading strip 5 in the upper chamber of the flow control valve 1 . When the flow measuring device 16 and piston 6 are not actuated no external force is applied thereto.

[0080] It is to be noted that alternatively, the piston 6 may have a form of a half disc, crescent shape, flower petal or any arrangement / shape which allows flow past the valve, for example internally or between the chamber wall and the periphery of the piston.

[0081] The control chamber 10 may be narrowed in the region of the inlet port, so as to provide limited space for the flow when the flow control valve 1 is closed. This occurs when the piston 6A is adjacent to the inlet port. The periphery of the piston 6 is therefore flush with the chamber interior wall at this point, so the internal diameter of the control chamber 10 is reduced to around the diameter of the piston 6.

[0082] In an embodiment, the flow control valve 1 includes a wireless data communication means 9 to transmit wirelessly or receive signals remotely for example from a mobile device or from a central controller containing information relating to the measured flow from the reading strip 5 in the upper chamber of the flow control valve 1 as shown in Figure 11. In addition, a battery 19 is provided for powering sensors actuators and electronic devices. Other powering methods may be used such as thermocouple powered / solar means. Thermocouple power is particularly advantageous as by definition there tends to be a temperature difference across the flow control valve.

[0083] An alternative embodiment of the flow control valve 1 is shown in Figures 11 and 12 in which like parts bear the same reference numerals as the other Figures. The flow control valve 1 has a temperature sensor 11 which send a signal to a Zigbee (RTM) wireless data communication device 9.

[0084] Figures 12A and 12B show in detail lower piston 6B and the relationship between its diameter (di) and the internal diameter (d2) of the outlet 3 of the flow control valve. Ideally a clearance annulus of between 0.05 mm and 1.5 mm wide is defined therebetween in order to allow flow of the working fluid and balancing of flow between a group of radiators or emitters as explained below.

[0085] The invention will now be explained, in operation and by way of example with reference to Figures 6 to12 which show examples of preferred embodiments. The flow control valve 1 includes a flow measuring device 16 incorporated into the flow control valve 1 within a control chamber 10. The flow measuring device 16 is allowed to ‘float’ freely, such as it is not urged in any direction by any control solenoid (not shown) or actuator 4 such as a motor.

[0086] Referring to Figure 6 and 7, when (for example heating) water / fluid flows through the inlet port 13 through the inlet waist 14 into the control chamber 10, the water / fluid flows over the piston 6 at the bottom of the stem 7A of the flow measuring device 16 drawing the entire stem 7A in one direction, downwards as shown in Figure 8. A hydraulic pressure force is exerted on piston 6A, and hence it displaces against a biasing means 18 located in an upper portion of the flow control valve 1 .

[0087] This pressure force is indicative of a flow rate. In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the stem or rod 8 is biased to a vertical proximal (neutral) position by resiliently deformable means, such as a helical spring 18. Thus, when the flow measuring device 16 is allowed to move freely in response to dynamic pressure head from a main pump 20 (Figure 10) or circulator, the position / displacement of the flow measuring device 16 displaces according to a flow rate and as such is directly related to flow. In a preferred embodiment, the position / displacement of upper piston 6A of the flow measuring device 16 has a magnet 17 whose displacement is detected and measured by reading strip 5 in the upper chamber of the flow control valve 1. In an embodiment, this measurement of flow is then wirelessly transferred to another device by way of a wireless data communication means 9.

[0088] As described, preferably, this upper piston 6A of the flow measuring device 16 comprises a magnet 17 which is read by magnetic reader which connects to the reading strip 5 in the upper chamber of the flow control valve 1. This is used as part of a transducer to measure position. A longitudinally arranged sensor or transducer, such as a linear array of Hall sensors in a reading strip 5 may be used so as to provide a signal indicative of the position of the laterally extending piston due to proximity of it to Hall sensors. Hall sensors may be used as positional sensors. The flow rate as well as temperature from a temperature sensor 11 can be forwarded remotely to a controller, using the wireless means. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 11 is located in the inlet port of the flow control valve 1 and enables the temperature of the water flowing through the flow control valve 1 to be sent to a main controller to monitor and compute the data into an output.

[0089] The actuator 4, battery 19, sensor 5 and upper portion of the stem 6A may be provided in the actuator housing in the upper chamber of the flow control valve 1 . This housing also includes a hollow chamber or cylinder for the proximal portion of the stem 7 upper piston 6A as well as biasing elements 18 which may be a spring, as described below.

[0090] The upper (proximal) piston can also be used to locate one end of one or more biasing elements or springs 18 as required, which, in a preferred embodiment provides a biassing force on the flow measuring device 16, relative to the amount of flow through the control chamber 10, thereby allowing the relative positioning of the upper piston 6A on the distal end of the flow measuring device 16 to be read by the reading strip 5.

[0091] Preferably, a biasing element in the form of a spring 18 has a proximal end abutting the upper hollow cylinder end in the actuator housing and the distal end abutting the upper surface of the proximal disc. A further or alternative biasing element 18 is provided by another spring which has a proximal end abutting the distal surface of the upper piston and the distal end abutting a lower wall of the actuator housing.

[0092] One or both of the biasing elements can provide a force to move / urge the valve stem 7 (upper piston 6A) in either a proximal or distal direction way from the action or the actuator 4, as well as providing a force in the opposite direction to that acting on the upper piston by virtue of the flow, thus providing flow measurement means by virtue of stem movement 7, when the flow measuring device 16 is free to float such as not under any force form the actuator 4.

[0093] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the flow measuring device 16 is bi-directional, meaning it is sensitive to flow rate regardless of direction of flow; entry of liquid can be from the bottom of the valve 3 or from the side of flow control valve 2.

[0094] The position of the upper piston of the flow measuring device 16 at the top end of the flow control valve 1 can therefore be used to compute a flow rate by the position of the upper piston on the flow measuring device 16. In an embodiment, the upper piston preferably incorporates a magnetic reader 17, and the actuator housing incorporates a Hall effect sensor in a reading strip 5 which detects the presence of a magnetic field as the magnetic reader 17 aligns with it at any given position.

[0095] As described above, the inner valve piece is either forced upwards or pushed downwards via the actuator, this can be in multiple fashions, such as a linear actuator or a rotary actuator or a stepper actuator or an induction driven actuator.

[0096] It is appreciated that the flow control valve 1 should be actuated to close or reduce flow in some situations. Therefore, a wall-mounted controller 90 can also be used to control the actuator 4 to adjust the stem position based (for example based on data readings of the flow rate), as to govern a specific flow rate at any given time.

[0097] Whilst the Figures above represent embodiments of a flow control valve 1 with the flow measuring device 16, it will be appreciated that that various changes or modifications may be made to them without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0098] Parts List

[0099] 1 flow control valve

[0100] 2 inlet

[0101] 3 outlet

[0102] 4 actuator

[0103] 5 reading strip

[0104] 6A upper piston

[0105] 6B lower or distal piston

[0106] 7 inlet port section

[0107] 8 rigid rod

[0108] 9 wireless data communication means

[0109] 10 control chamber

[0110] 11 temperature sensor

[0111] 12 inner valve piece

[0112] 12A fluid conduit

[0113] 13 inlet port

[0114] 14 inlet waist

[0115] 15 outlet portion

[0116] 16 flow measuring device

[0117] 17 magnetic reader

[0118] 18 biasing element or spring

[0119] 19 battery

[0120] 20 heat pump

[0121] 30 external thermostat internal thermostat radiator or heating element hand-held control device or smartphone central monitoring system data base internal controller system

Claims

Claims1 . A flow control valve for connecting a supply of working fluid to a heat emitter or radiator, the flow control valve has a control chamber which surrounds an inner valve piece which is adjustable to open and close an inlet / outlet of the flow control valve thereby defining at least one fluid conduit through which a working fluid flows and a flow measuring device is provided within the control chamber which is displaceable axially and rotationally therewithin and measures a flow rate of the working fluid flowing therethrough.

2. A flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein the inner valve piece has a waist portion, which when aligned with an inlet pipe or an outlet pipe, connected to the flow control valve, defines an opening through which working passes through the control valve.

3. A flow control valve according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the flow measuring device is displaceable with respect to the inner valve piece.

4. A flow control valve according to any preceding claim wherein the flow measuring device comprises a rigid rod which displaces with respect to the inner valve piece and the rod has at least one piston or disc provided at one end thereof.

5. A flow control valve according to claim 4 wherein the flow measuring device has a piston or disc located at each of the two opposing ends of the rod in a spaced arrangement to define an upper piston and a lower piston.

6. A flow control valve according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the flow measuring device is located in a hole formed along a central axis of the inner valve piece and the flow measuring device is able to move axially and rotationally therewithin.

7. A flow control valve according to any of claims 4 to 6 wherein a clearance annulus is defined between an inner surface of the control chamber and an edge of one piston or disc provided on the measuring device.

8. A flow control valve according to claim 7 wherein the clearance annulus is between 0.05 mm and 1 .5 mm wide.

9. A flow control valve as according to any preceding claim wherein the flow measuring device has a sensing means to detect vertical displacement of the flow measuring device with respect to a datum and the sensing means outputs a signal that is indicative of a flow rate of the working fluid through the valve.

10. A flow control valve according to claim 9 wherein the sensing means detects displacement of the flow measuring device and derives a position of the flow measuring device with respect to a datum.

11. A flow control valve as according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the sensing means includes a Hall effect sensor which is operative to convert a displacement signal to an electrical signal.

12. A flow control valve as according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the sensing means includes a magnet mounted on at least one piston or disc.

13. A flow control valve according to any preceding claim includes a temperature sensor which senses a fluid temperature entering or leaving the heat emitter or radiator to enable a differential fluid temperature to be obtained across the heat emitter or radiator.

14. A flow control valve according to any preceding claim wherein an actuator is provided to displace at least the inner valve piece.

15. A flow control valve according to claim 14 wherein the actuator is an electrically operated actuator, such as a motor or a stepper motor.

16. A flow control valve according to any preceding claim wherein a variable biasing means urges the inner valve piece to a biased position in the control chamber.

17. A flow control valve according to claim 16 wherein the variable biasing means includes an adjustable sprung member which enables a user to vary a biasing force applied to at least the inner valve piece.

18. A flow control valve according to preceding claim including means to transmit signals indicative of temperature and / or flow rate to a remote receiver.

19. A flow control valve according to claim 18 wherein the means to transmit signals includes a wireless transmitter operative to transmit data according to a Bluetooth (RTM) or Zigbee (RTM) wireless protocol.

20. A method of determining the flow rate through an emitter or radiator, the emitter or radiator including the flow control valve as claimed in any preceding claim and determining the flow rate from the position of the flow measuring device.

21. A system includes the flow control valve as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19 mounted on an inlet and an outlet of an emitter or radiator, a heat pump fluidly connected to the at least one emitter or radiator and at least one control device.

22. A system according to claim 21 includes at least one of an internally mounted thermostat and an externally mounted thermostat.

23. A system according to claim 21 or 22 includes at least one transmitter for transmitting an energy requirement of a dwelling to a remote central monitoring system for load management and energy usage purposes.

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