A hydraulic control device for liquid-conducting appliances and systems

Abstract

A hydraulic control device for liquid-conducting appliances or systems comprises: - a device body (2', 3') having a duct (30a-30b) extending between an inlet fitting (2a) and an outlet fitting (3a) for the liquid, - a non-mechanical flow meter, associated with the device body (2', 3'), and - a valve arrangement associated with the device body (2', 3 '), including a shutter member (31), which is displaceable between an open position and a closed position of the duct (30a-30b), and a driving mechanism (33, 34, 39) of the shutter member (31), including an electrically powered actuator, - a control circuit arrangement (19, 20) on the device body (2'-3'), wherein the driving mechanism (33, 34, 39) is switchable based on a detection performed by the non-mechanical flow meter, for the purpose of displacing the shutter member (31) from the open position to the closed position of the duct (30a-30b), wherein the non-mechanical flow meter is an ultrasonic flow meter that includes at least: - two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22) arranged on the device body (2', 3') outside the duct (30a-30b), and - an insert (40) positioned inside the duct (30a-30b) and configured to guide an ultrasonic signal emitted by one of the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22) towards the other of the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22).

Description

[0001] Hydraulic control device for liquid-conducting appliances and systems"

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to hydraulic control devices for liquid-conducting appliances or systems, arranged for connection between a liquid supply source and an appliance or system using said liquid. The invention has been developed with particular reference to a hydraulic control device configured to measure the flow or volume of liquid passing through the device itself and to interrupt the liquid flow when the measured volume reaches or exceeds a preset volume, or the measured flow differs from preset values or ranges of values.

[0005] The device according to the invention finds a preferred application in the field of domestic water-conducting appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, where the device itself essentially fulfills anti-flooding safety functions. More generally, the invention can be used in combination with all those hydraulic devices and systems where it may be useful or necessary to interrupt a liquid flow upon reaching or exceeding a preset volume, for example in plumbing systems, heating or air conditioning systems, irrigation systems, etc.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] Hydraulic control devices for liquid-conducting appliances and systems of the indicated type are known, for example from document WO2019069186A1, on which the preamble of claim 1 is based.

[0008] The cited document concerns a hydraulic control device of the indicated type that includes a flow meter and a valve arrangement switchable based on a detection performed by the flow meter, between an open position and a closed position of a liquid duct. The flow meter is a non-mechanical flow meter, in particular an electromagnetic induction flow meter or a hot-wire flow meter, which includes one or more electrical detection elements (for example in the form of electrodes or electrically conductive tracks on a respective support) that are positioned at least partly inside the liquid duct, or in any case in contact therewith. The hydraulic body of the known device is provided for this purpose with one or more through apertures, generally transverse to the flow direction, configured to allow the insertion into the liquid duct of at least a part of said electrical detection elements, so that said part is immersed or in any case in contact with the liquid. According to solutions described in the cited prior document, a detection support bearing electrically conductive tracks or electrodes is provided, where one part of said support is inserted into a respective oblong-shaped aperture made in the hydraulic body that forms the duct, and another part protrudes outside the duct for connection to a control circuit of the device.

[0009] This known solution is not free from risks of possible malfunctions, and complicates to some extent the construction of the device, that is, it presents drawbacks particularly in terms of complexity in the production process and / or reliability risks. For example, to avoid the risk of fluid leakage to the outside or towards a chamber containing said electronic control circuit of the device, it is necessary to use a support for the detection elements made with special materials, which are not subject to infiltration: this results in a high cost of the support and consequently of the electrical detection element. The solution also complicates the realization of the device, with the aim of guaranteeing the peripheral seal between said detection support and the duct body: for example, due to the typically rectangular cross-section profile, or with corners, of the detection support, it is difficult to achieve a seal via gaskets, while the use of sealing resins involves the difficulty of containing material dispersion during the production process and the difficulty of guaranteeing good adhesion between different materials, unless using particularly high-cost processes and materials.

[0010] The use of electrical detection elements directly in contact with the liquid limits the possible fields of use, for example in the presence of regulations that prohibit the use of electrical elements in contact with the liquid in the absence of a low-voltage electrical supply isolated from the mains electrical supply, in order to prevent the risk of electrocution: to avoid this risk, galvanic isolation of the voltage is typically necessary, for example through the use of expensive and bulky electrical transformers.

[0011] The use of an electromagnetic type flow meter could also generate radiated electromagnetic disturbances, which could be picked up by wires or electrical conductors located near the device and / or other apparatuses, generating conducted electromagnetic disturbances in an electrical circuit: for example, a radiated electromagnetic disturbance from the electromagnetic flow meter could generate a conducted electromagnetic disturbance in the adjacent electrical control circuit of the actuator of the device, propagating then to its power supply circuit, up to the power supply network and / or other apparatuses, unless expensive anti -disturbance filters are also provided on said electrical actuator control circuit.

[0012] Aim and summary of the invention

[0013] In its general terms, the present invention aims to realize a hydraulic control device that includes at least a flow meter and a valve arrangement, of improved construction and / or lower cost and / or increased reliability and / or precision.

[0014] This and other aims, which will become clearer in the following, are achieved according to the present invention by a hydraulic control device for liquid-conducting appliances or systems having the characteristics indicated in the appended claims. The claims constitute an integral part of the technical teaching provided here in relation to the invention.

[0015] Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Further aims, features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, provided purely by way of explanatory and non-limiting example, wherein:

[0017] - figure l is a schematic perspective view of a hydraulic control device according to possible embodiments of the invention, provided for installation between a generic liquid source and an appliance or system using said liquid;

[0018] - figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of two functional assemblies of a hydraulic control device according to possible embodiments of the invention;

[0019] - figures 3 and 4 are schematic perspective views, from different angles, of the two assemblies of figure 2, in an assembled condition with each other;

[0020] - figure 5 is a schematic partially exploded view of a hydraulic control device according to possible embodiments of the invention;

[0021] - figure 6 is a schematic vertical section of a hydraulic control device according to possible embodiments of the invention;

[0022] - figure 7 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a first assembly of a hydraulic control device according to possible embodiments of the invention;

[0023] - figure 8 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a second assembly of a hydraulic control device according to possible embodiments of the invention;

[0024] - figures 9 and 10 are schematic perspective partially exploded views of a part of the assembly of figure 7 from different angles;

[0025] - figure 11 is a partially exploded view of a first control circuit that equips a hydraulic control device according to possible embodiments of the invention;

[0026] - figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly part of figures 9-10;

[0027] - figure 13 is a schematic partially exploded perspective view of a part of the assembly of figure 7;

[0028] - figure 14 is a schematic top view of a hydraulic body of the assembly of figure 7;

[0029] - figure 15 is a schematic perspective view of a propagation element of a hydraulic control device according to possible embodiments of the invention;

[0030] - figures 16, 17 and 18 are schematic exploded perspective views from different angles of the propagation element of figure 15;

[0031] - figure 19 is a schematic section along line XIX-XIX of figure 14;

[0032] - figure 20 is a schematic section along line XX-XX of figure 14;

[0033] - figure 21 is detail XXI of figure 20;

[0034] - figure 22 is a sectioned perspective view of an outlet portion of a hydraulic body of the assembly of figure 7;

[0035] - figure 23 is a sectioned perspective view of a hydraulic body of the assembly of figure 7, with inside a propagation element of the type shown in figure 15;

[0036] - figure 24 is a sectioned perspective view of the two functional assemblies of figure 2 assembled together, with a circuit support omitted;

[0037] - figure 25 is a schematic vertical section of the two functional assemblies of figure 2 assembled together;

[0038] - figure 26 is a partial and schematic sectional representation of a hypothetical device falling outside the scope of the invention; and

[0039] - figure 27 is a schematic exploded perspective view of three body parts of a propagation element usable in possible embodiments. Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0040] The reference to "an embodiment", to "various embodiments" and the like, within this description, indicates that at least one particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "in various embodiments" and the like, possibly present in different places of this description, are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, but may instead refer to different embodiments. Furthermore, particular conformations, structures or characteristics defined within this description can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, even different from those depicted. The numerical and spatial references (such as "upper", "lower", "high", "low", "front", "rear", "vertical", etc.) used here, particularly in reference to the examples in the figures, are for convenience only and therefore do not define the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments. In the present description and in the appended claims, the generic term "liquid" shall be understood to include water or other liquids, including mixtures and solutions containing water and / or other liquids. Similarly, the generic definition "liquid-conducting appliances and systems" shall be understood to include all those devices, appliances, plants and systems that are supplied or that, more generally, use at least one liquid (such as, for example, domestic appliances or systems, plumbing systems, heating or air conditioning systems, irrigation systems, etc.).

[0041] In the figures, the same reference numbers are used to indicate analogous or technically equivalent elements.

[0042] Referring to figure 1, 1 indicates as a whole a hydraulic control device according to possible embodiments of the invention, intended to be connected between a generic source or withdrawal point of a liquid, designated by WN, and a generic liquid-conducting appliance or system or plant, designated by UA. In the following example, assume that the withdrawal point WN is a tap belonging to a domestic water network and that the appliance UA is a domestic washing machine (such as a washing machine or a dishwasher), represented only by a part of its water loading tube. The device 1 is, however, usable in fields other than the domestic one, as indicated in the introductory part of the present description.

[0043] In general terms, a duct for the liquid is defined inside the device 1, having an inlet IN and an outlet OUT. Along this duct, which is defined by an annular or substantially cylindrical wall of the device, a flow meter and a valve arrangement are operative, the latter being arranged to close said duct based on measurements performed via the flow meter, for example when - in the presence of a continuous flow - the reaching of a quantity of liquid that is equal to or greater than a given limit, conventionally defined here as "safety limit", is detected, which can be predefined during production or settable by the user. The device 1 can also be arranged to close said duct when a liquid flow outside a range of normal or preset values is detected (therefore a flow that is too low or too high).

[0044] The device has a connection body defining the inlet IN and the outlet OUT, which is preferably formed - at least in a part provided with the flow meter - with an electrically insulating material and / or a material provided with suitable acoustic impedance or capable of allowing the passage of sound waves, particularly ultrasound or sound waves at a frequency above 20 KHz. The material in question can be a polymer or a plastic material, in particular polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or a composite material, such as a mixture of polymers and / or a polymer doped or loaded with fibers or powders or other material, although it can be a metal or a metal alloy or other material suitable for the purpose.

[0045] Referring also to figure 2, in various embodiments, the device 1 comprises two functional assemblies 2 and 3, each of which is preferably provided with its own body 2' and 3' having a respective annular or substantially cylindrical wall, which defines a respective part of the duct for the liquid. Preferably, the two functional assemblies 2 and 3 integrate the flow meter and a valve arrangement, respectively: in the following, the assemblies 2 and 3 are also defined as "first assembly" or "meter assembly" and "second assembly" or "valve assembly", respectively.

[0046] The bodies 2' and 3' of the two assemblies 2 and 3 are mechanically connected in a sealed manner. The case of integration of the flow meter and the valve arrangement in a same functional assembly, or the realization of the connection body of the device in a single piece, is not excluded from the scope of the invention.

[0047] Preferably, at least one of the bodies 2' and 3' of the two assemblies 2 and 3, in particular at least the body 2’, is made at least partly of polyphenylene sulfide or PPS, preferably loaded with glass fiber, where the loading percentage can be for example between 30% and 50%, particularly a PPS loaded at 40% with glass fiber. The preferential use of PPS allows better performance in combination with an ultrasonic type sensor described below.

[0048] The other of the bodies 2' and 3' of the two assemblies 2 and 3, and in particular the body 3’, can be made of polyamide (PA) or Nylon, such as a PA66, preferably also loaded with glass fiber, for example at 30%.

[0049] In various embodiments, such as those exemplified in the figures, the flow meter, or its respective assembly 2, is located upstream of the valve arrangement, or its respective assembly 3, along the duct for the liquid, but this is not an essential characteristic, as an inverted arrangement is indeed possible.

[0050] The bodies 2' and 3' have an inlet connection or fitting 2a and an outlet connection or fitting 3 a, respectively, at terminal portions of the duct for the liquid. The fitting 2a can comprise a body portion provided internally with a female thread (not indicated), and be shaped in the form of a rotatable nut, so as to facilitate screwing onto a corresponding male thread, particularly of the tap WN; for this purpose, an inlet portion 2a' of the body 2' (see figures 6 and 7) can be configured, in a manner known per se, for coupling to said nut fitting 2a. On the other side, the fitting 3a can comprise a body portion provided externally with a male thread, onto which a corresponding female thread is susceptible to being screwed, for example defined in a nut F of the water loading tube of the appliance UA. The device 1 can obviously provide fitting arrangements different from those exemplified, according to known technique, for example using fixed nuts and / or bayonet coupling fittings.

[0051] The device 1 can be provided with an external housing. In various embodiments, a housing formed in at least two parts is provided. Referring also to figure 5, in the example shown, the housing part designated by 4 substantially forms a hollow shell, open at the two longitudinal ends, which houses therein the two functional assemblies 2, 3 joined together, with the exception of their respective fittings 2a and 3 a, which preferably protrude in opposite directions and / or according to a same axial direction. The housing part designated by 5 substantially forms an upper closure lid of the part 4, and is provided with at least one passage for a portion of the body 2' of the assembly 2 to which the fitting 2a is associated (the part 5 is preferably associated with the body 2' before mounting the nut that forms the fitting 2a). Said passage can be provided with a female thread, intended for engagement with a corresponding male thread provided at a flange portion 2b (see figures 6 and 7) of the body 2', below the fitting 2a.

[0052] In various embodiments the housing - here the part 5 thereof - also has at least one further passage, for a cable C (with interposition of a sealing element designated by GC for example in figure 7), whose function will be clarified later. In the example, the end of the cable C external to the housing 4-5 is provided with a connection connector U, for example a USB-type connector. The other end of the cable, i.e., of its conductors, is connected to a connector CC.

[0053] In the device 1, at least one of the flow meter and the valve arrangement, preferably both, is / are of the electrically powerable type. For this purpose, the device can be configured for power supply via an external electrical network, by means of a wired connection, for example for a 5 Vdc power supply. For this purpose, the aforementioned cable U can be used, which can be possibly used also as a wired connection for the transmission and reception of information relative to the on-board electronics of the device 1. Alternatively, the device 1 can be provided with its own autonomous electrical power source, which preferably comprises at least one battery. The said battery can be of the replaceable or rechargeable type. In the case of using a rechargeable battery, the internal circuit of the device can be configured to exploit the cable U for charging purposes. Even in the case of power supply from the electrical network, it is still preferable to equip the device 1 with a buffer power source, such as that designated by SC in figures 2-7, for example in the form of a high-capacity capacitor or supercapacitor (for example 5 Farad), in order to cope with possible interruptions of the external electrical power supply.

[0054] In addition and / or as an alternative to the supercapacitor SC, the device 1 can be equipped with a battery, such as that designated by 6 in figures 3-7. In the example, to the two poles of the battery 6 are associated respective conductors 6a, connected at the other end to a connector 6b.

[0055] In various preferred embodiments, the control electronics of the device 1 are arranged so as to cause the closure of the valve arrangement in the absence of electrical power from the external network for safety reasons, if the charge level of the battery 6 and / or of the supercapacitor SC falls below a determined threshold.

[0056] In the example shown, the housing part 4 has a lower wall, not indicated, provided with a passage, so that it can be fitted from below through the outlet fitting 3a defined by the body 3', and coupled to the housing part 5 previously mounted on the same body 3' (see for example figure 5) by exploiting the thread of the aforementioned flange portion 2b. The housing part 4 can thus be secured axially in position, relative to the housing part 5, by means of a lower fixing nut, designated by D in figures 5 and 6, screwed for example onto the same male thread of the fitting 3 a.

[0057] In various embodiments, the housing part 4 is provided with a through seat, designated by 4a for example in figures 5 and 6, at its front, preferably a seat of circular cross-section, for a reset member (36) described later. As will become clear later, in fact, in preferred embodiments, the valve arrangement of the device 1 is configured for its manual reset by acting on a member directly accessible from outside the housing 4-5, in a simple and rapid manner, preferably without the need to hydraulically disconnection from the liquid withdrawal point and from the served appliance or system.

[0058] The housing parts 4 and 5 are preferably molded from plastic material and are preferably associated with one or more sealing elements, particularly of elastomeric material. As visible for example in figure 6, a sealing element, such as that designated by 8a, can be provided at the lower area of the housing part 4, to create a seal between said part 4 and the body 3': in the exemplified case, the sealing element 8a is substantially at the lower wall of the housing part 4, where the passage through which the outlet fitting 3a can extend is defined, just upstream of which the body 3' defines a seat for the sealing element 8a. A similar sealing element 8b can be provided at the passage of the housing part 5 through which part of the body 2' extends, to create a seal between said part 5 and the body 2'. Also in this case the body 2' defines a suitable seat for the sealing element 8b. A further sealing element 8c can be provided at a respective seat defined in the periphery of the housing part 5, to create a seal between the housing parts 5 and 4.

[0059] The meter assembly 2 and the valve assembly 3 are visible in a separate condition in figure 2, while in figures 3 and 4 they are shown in an assembled condition, i.e., with their respective bodies 2’ and 3’ coupled together. The partially exploded view of figure 5 highlights how the two assembled assemblies 2, 3 are insertable inside the housing part 4, while figure 6 shows a section of the assembled device 1, in which the duct for the liquid extending between the fittings 2a and 3a is visible: in the exemplified case, this duct is formed by duct parts 30a and 30b, defined in the body 2’ and in the body 3’, respectively. In figures 7 and 8, the meter assembly and the valve assembly are shown exploded, respectively.

[0060] Referring in particular to figure 7, the body 2' presents a lower hydraulic coupling portion 11, generally opposite the fitting 2a and defining a seat preferably suitable for receiving inside it a respective hydraulic coupling portion 12 (figure 8) of the body 3’. In the coupling region, as visible in figures 6 and 8, a gasket, designated by 13, is preferably provided. The bodies 2' and 3' can be mechanically secured together in various ways: in the exemplified case, the bodies 2' and 3' define, at or near the coupling portions 11 and 12, respective brackets 14' and 14" for mutual fixing via screws 15 (figure 2).

[0061] In various embodiments, the valve arrangement that equips the hydraulic control device according to the invention is actuatable via an electrically powered actuator, at least for its passage from the open position to the closed position of the duct for the liquid. In various preferred embodiments, the electrical actuator comprises a thermoelectric actuator element, particularly a shape memory actuator element, such as a wire that contracts following heating.

[0062] As is known, shape memory actuator elements use metal alloys capable of deforming following the exceeding of a predetermined transition temperature, where the heating can be obtained by feeding an electric current through the actuator element so as to heat it by Joule effect. These shape memory alloy actuator elements are produced so as to maintain, under low temperature conditions, i.e., not heated, a martensitic-type configuration, with a low yield limit, in which the element is easily deformable; following heating, the alloy rearranges into another crystalline structure, of austenitic type, to assume a configuration predetermined during production. The transition temperature, from which the alloy "remembers" its primitive or predetermined shape, can be modified through variations in composition or with appropriate heat treatments during production.

[0063] In preferred embodiments of the invention, an actuator element is used that comprises a flexible wire, such as that designated by 16 in figures 2, 3 and 8, made at least partly with a shape memory material. The material in question is preferably selected from shape memory alloys Ni-Ti, Ni-Ti-Cu, Cu-Al-Zn, Cu-Al-Ni, which are capable of recovering deformation considerably or which generate a considerable force during the phase transition, in particular a tensile force following a contraction or shortening of the wire. The use of a shape memory wire actuator is extremely advantageous, in view of its simple structure, its limited bulk, its low cost and its reduced electrical consumption.

[0064] The wire 16 can possibly be provided with an external sheath, or a layer of elastic coating can be molded thereon, which adheres to the wire itself and is chosen from an elastomeric or silicone or synthetic material. This coating can be operative to favor the cooling of the wire 16 after the interruption of the passage of electric current in the latter, and possibly to contribute to the return of the wire 16 to a rest configuration, due to the elastic return of the coating (moreover, as will be seen, in various embodiments this return can be determined by elastic means, advantageously included in the valve arrangement of the device).

[0065] The wire 16 is arranged for anchoring thereof at the respective ends, in particular between the body 2'-3' of the device 1 and a movable element (described later) of the corresponding valve arrangement. In various embodiments, for example, respective electrical terminals 16a are secured to two opposite end regions of the wire, defining passages used for anchoring the wire itself: such terminals 16a can advantageously also be exploited for connecting two respective conductors 17 for electrical power supply of the actuator 16, which can in turn be connected, at the opposite end, to a connector designated by 17a for example in figure 8.

[0066] In the exemplified case, one terminal 16a of the wire actuator 16 is anchored at a peg or similar engagement element, designated by 18a in figure 3, defined by the device body or associated therewith. The other terminal 16a of the wire 16 is anchored at a peg or similar engagement element 38c, defined by, or associated with, a movable element 38 of the valve arrangement, as explained later.

[0067] In various embodiments, the cited engagement element 18a is defined in the body 3' of the valve assembly 3, or associated therewith. Preferably, the body 3' of the assembly 3 has on one side an axial extension, designated by 18, in figures 2, 3 and 8.

[0068] The axial extension 18 extends vertically upwards, beyond the hydraulic coupling portion 12 of the body 3' (figure 8), in a position at least partly alongside the body 2', generally parallel to the axis of the body part 2', where this extension 18 is provided with the engagement element 18a. In various preferential embodiments, the extension 18 has a bottom wall 18', on the outer side of which the engagement element is provided, and two side walls 18", generally parallel to each other. The profile of the outer side of the bottom wall 18' can be shaped to couple to a corresponding portion of the outer surface of the body 2' of the assembly 2, for more precise positioning; the shaping of the outer side of the wall 18' can for example include an axial radiused recess (designated by 18b in figure 8), for resting on a corresponding curved outer surface of the body 2'.

[0069] In the assembled condition, as visible for example in figure 24, a substantial part of the extension 18 where the engagement element 18a is located extends at a distance from the outer surface of the body 2' of the assembly 2.

[0070] The extension 18, and in particular its bottom wall 18' acts as a guide and protection element for the actuator 16, during its contraction and extension movements, avoiding possible interference and friction with other parts of the device body, as can instead occur in known devices. Thanks to the presence of the extension 18 with the respective engagement element 18a, the two ends of the wire actuator 16 are anchored to elements that belong to the same functional assembly, here the assembly 3, and this greatly simplifies the production phase, as the assembly 3 can be prepared in advance with the actuator 16 in view of coupling to the assembly 2. In a preferential configuration, the walls 18', 18" have reduced thickness and / or the arrangement of the extension 18, configured as an extension of the body 3', is predefined to have reduced dimensional shrinkage during molding with polymer material, and therefore less dependence on possible production tolerances: in this way it is possible to guarantee correct positioning of the shape memory alloy actuator wire, so that it is not excessively in tension or excessively slack. In this regard, consider that in the case of the cited prior art document, the shape memory wire is anchored to two different functional assemblies, with consequent complications in assembly (the wire actuator can only be mounted after the two functional assemblies are assembled together); moreover, in the prior solution, the machining tolerances of the two distinct assemblies, such as greater or lesser dimensional shrinkage of the polymer during molding, particularly in the case of molding bodies having a large thickness, can determine, following assembly, different lengths, with consequent positioning inaccuracies of the wire actuator, such as excessive tension of the wire causing an abnormal opening of the shutter of the valve arrangement, or a bend in the wire that could result in a failure to actuate the valve arrangement when the actuator is electrically powered.

[0071] The fact that a substantial part of the extension 18 is at a distance from the body 2' of the assembly 2 facilitates obtainment thereof via molding with a smaller thickness, and therefore less shrinkage, resulting in a greater dimensional precision.

[0072] The control of the electrical power supply to the wire actuator 16 is managed by a circuit arrangement comprising a first electronic circuit, designated by 19 in the figures, which preferably includes a circuit support or PCB, designated by 19' in the figures, preferably of the rigid type. Preferably, the first electronic circuit 19, or the respective PCB support 19', is carried by the body 2' of the meter assembly 2.

[0073] The first circuit 19, or the PCB 19', can be provided with a connector (not visible, but the position of which can be inferred from figure 4) to which the connector 17a for powering the actuator 16 is intended to be coupled. The first circuit 19, or the PCB 19', can be provided with a connector, designated by 6c for example in figures 2 and 3, for coupling with connector 6b to which the conductors 6a of the battery 6 lead. The first circuit 19, or the PCB 19', can be provided with a connector, not visible in the figures, for coupling the connector CC (figures 5 and 7) of the cable C.

[0074] In various embodiments, the circuit arrangement that equips the device 1 comprises at least a second electronic circuit 20, which preferably includes a circuit support or PCB, designated by 20' in the figures, preferably of the rigid type, in particular for controlling the flow meter, as explained later.

[0075] Preferably, the second electronic circuit 20, or the respective PCB 20', is also carried by the body 2' of the meter assembly 2.

[0076] In various embodiments, the body 2' defines positioning elements for both PCBs 19' and 20', in particular so as to keep them substantially parallel to each other, in a condition at least partially overlapping. In various embodiments, the two PCBs are provided with elements for mutual coupling, preferably represented by complementary- type electrical connectors, in particular axial -coupling connectors.

[0077] In various preferred embodiments an electric current is supplied through the actuator element 16, in particular under the control of the first circuit 19 implemented on the PCB 19', so as to heat the actuator itself by Joule effect, in order to drive a corresponding contraction or shortening. Alternatively, the actuator can comprise or be in contact with an electrical heating element (not depicted), such as a positive temperature coefficient resistor(PTC), which heats up when electrically powered, and consequently heats the actuator element 16 located in contact with or near the heating element. For this purpose, the conductors 17 could be used to electrically power said heater, rather than directly the wire actuator 16.

[0078] The flow meter of the hydraulic control device according to the invention is a flow meter that does not involve moving parts, and is preferably an ultrasonic flow meter.

[0079] The ultrasonic flow meter of the device according to the invention comprises an electrical part located on assembly 2 outside the duct part 30a, preferably associated with a mechanical part without electrical power supply located inside the duct part 30a; such a sensor is capable of measuring the velocity of a fluid such as water, via ultrasound, to consequently compute the volumetric flow rate of the fluid. The operation of such a sensor is based on measuring the difference between the time of flight (or TOF) of ultrasonic pulses transmitted upstream and downstream relative to the fluid direction, where essentially the pulses transmitted upstream are ultrasonic signals that travel in the direction of the flow, while the pulses transmitted downstream are acoustic signals that essentially travel in the opposite direction to the flow direction.

[0080] Referring for example to figures 9-11, the flow meter employed according to the invention comprises a first transducer 21 and a second transducer 22, where preferably each transducer is capable of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal. In particular, the two transducers are arranged to alternately transmit a first ultrasonic pulse and a second ultrasonic pulse through the fluid, typically water, flowing through the duct of the device, here the duct part 30a.

[0081] The emission of said pulses from the respective transducer preferably occurs in a direction substantially normal to the direction of the liquid flow, i.e., to the axis of the duct 30a-30b; this obviously does not preclude that the same pulses may subsequently be propagated and / or guided and / or directed and / or routed towards the other transducer in a direction angled or inclined relative to the direction of the fluid flow, it being understood that the propagation and / or guidance and / or direction and / or routing of the ultrasonic wave occurs according to a substantially predefined direction.

[0082] The transducers 21 and 22, which may for example be elements of piezo-ceramic material, for example in the form of disks, are in particular arranged spaced apart along the body 2', so as to generate an upstream pulse and a downstream pulse, respectively. The transducers 21 and 22 are arranged outside the duct part 30a and the ultrasonic pulses generated by each transducer are guided and / or propagated and / or directed towards the other transducer via a signal propagation and / or guidance and / or direction and / or routing element, particularly configured as an insert arranged inside the duct part 30a of the assembly 2: such an element is designated as a whole by 40 in figure 7, and will hereinafter also be identified as an insert or propagation insert, given that the same is preferably provided with means for the propagation and / or guidance and / or routing of the ultrasonic signals, for example in the form of reflecting means or, more generally, elements suitable for controllably varying the direction of the ultrasonic signals.

[0083] The emission of the pulses is managed by the electronic circuit 20 carried by the PCB 20', which preferably comprises a control integrated circuit or a microcontroller designated by MC in figure 11, electrically connected to the two transducers 21 and 22. This electronic circuit 20, or the related controller MC, is configured to cause the two transducers to transmit the upstream and downstream pulses, and to perform a measurement of the time of flight of the two pulses.

[0084] The control logic of the ultrasonic flow sensor can be of any type suitable for the purpose. The electronic circuit 20, or the related controller MC, can for example be configured to obtain a plurality of sequences of said measurement, each of which comprises multiple measurements of the time of flight of the upstream and downstream pulses.

[0085] The measurements are preferably of the same type, although a combination of different types of measurements is not excluded, preferably selected from among the following:

[0086] (a) measurement of the time between consecutive rising edges of a pulse emitted by the first transducer 21 and directed by the insert 40 to the second transducer 22, and the time between consecutive rising edges of a subsequent pulse emitted by the second transducer 22 and directed by the insert 40 to the first transducer 21,

[0087] (b) measurement of the time between consecutive falling edges of a pulse emitted by the second transducer 22 and directed by the insert 40 to the first transducer 21, and the time between consecutive falling edges of a subsequent pulse emitted by the first transducer 21 and directed by the insert 40 to the second transducer 22,

[0088] (c) measurement of the time between consecutive rising edges of a pulse emitted by the second transducer 22 and directed by the insert 40 to the first transducer 21, and the time between consecutive rising edges of a subsequent pulse emitted by the first transducer 21 and directed by the insert 40 to the second transducer 22, (d) measurement of the time between consecutive falling edges of a pulse emitted by the first transducer 21 and directed by the insert 40 to the second transducer 22, and the time between consecutive falling edges of a subsequent pulse emitted by the second transducer 22 and directed by the insert 40 to the first transducer 21.

[0089] As visible in figure 11, for the purpose of connecting the transducers 21 and 22, the first circuit 19, or the PCB 19', is provided with suitable contact elements 20a, connected in signal communication with the microcontroller MC.

[0090] Referring again to figures 9-10, the body part 2' preferably presents at least one flat external surface, designated by 2c, on which the transducers 21, 22 are rested, the contact elements 20a extending over the latter. The body 2', at the side thereof provided with the flat surface 2c, is preferably equipped with a plurality of positioning elements for the PCB 20'. Preferably, said positioning elements for the PCB 20' comprise a peg or the like 50, an intermediate portion of which is received in a first through hole 20b of the PCB 20'. The positioning elements for the PCB 20' can comprise brackets or the like 51, possibly provided with holes for receiving respective screws (not shown), inserted through second holes 20c of the PCB 20'. The positioning elements for the PCB 20' can also comprise pegs 52, having intermediate portions received in respective through holes 20a' of the contact elements 20a. The pegs 52 can protrude from respective brackets, also defining surfaces 54 for resting and / or fixing the PCB 20'.

[0091] In various embodiments, the lower side of the PCB 20' and the transducers 21, 22 are locally secured to the body 2' via an adhesive, such as for example a same epoxy resin. In preferential embodiments, the epoxy resin, in particular a two-component resin, proves advantageous both for the correct transmission of the ultrasound from the transducers 21, 22, and for the correct resistance to thermal and mechanical stresses. In figure 10, possible localized deposition areas of the adhesive or resin are highlighted in dark color, for example at the flat surface 2c for fixing the transducers 21, 22, and / or at the upper surfaces of the brackets 51, and / or on the upper surfaces of the brackets from which the pegs 52 rise, for fixing the PCB 20'.

[0092] As can be seen, preferably, for the purpose of fixing the transducers 21 and 22 and the lower side of the PCB 20' to the body part 2', exclusively the aforementioned same adhesive or resin is used, which allows an assembly free from mechanical stresses that could occur using other fixing methods (for example screwing), such as breaks on the PCB during thermal cycles of device use.

[0093] Figure 12 shows the body 2' equipped with the second circuit 20 comprising the PCB 20', where it can be seen how an upper portion of the positioning peg 50 protrudes in height beyond the PCB 20', and has an axial end appendage 50'.

[0094] The body 2', at the side thereof provided with the flat surface 2c, is also preferably equipped with a plurality of positioning elements for the first circuit 19 comprising the PCB 19'. The positioning elements for the PCB 19' can comprise for example pegs 55, having intermediate portions received in respective through holes of the PCB 19': said through holes are designated by 55a for example in figure 7, while in figures 4 and 5 the protruding part of the respective pegs 55 is also visible. From the same figures it is also possible to note how a further positioning element for the PCB 19' can be constituted by the axial appendage 50' of the peg 50, which is received in a respective through hole 50a (figure 7) of the same PCB.

[0095] Figure 13 schematically shows the coupling phase of the PCB 19' to the body 2' of the meter assembly 2, which is substantially achieved by superimposing part of the same PCB 19' onto the PCB 20' previously mounted on the body 2'. In various embodiments, one or more axial-coupling electrical connectors are provided on the upper face of the PCB 20'. Referring for example to figure 11, such connectors can include at least a main multipolar connector Cl (for example with 24 contacts), and possibly further auxiliary multipolar connectors, such as those designated by C2, C3 and C4, which are intended for axial coupling with corresponding complementary connectors (not indicated) provided on the lower face of the PCB 19'. In the example, the connectors C1-C4 provided on the PCB 20' are of the male type, and therefore those provided on the PCB 19' are of the female type, but an inverted arrangement, or the use of other types of electrical connections, is evidently possible.

[0096] It will therefore be appreciated that, via the superposition movement of the PCB 19' onto the PCB 20', guided through the provided positioning elements (50', 55), the coupling between the aforementioned connectors of the two PCBs is also obtainable. The fixing in position of the PCB 19' relative to the body 2' can be completed for example by applying an adhesive, such as an epoxy resin, particularly a two-component epoxy resin, between the upper face of the PCB 19' and the ends of the appendage 50' and of the pegs 55 that protrude beyond the PCB 19' (see for reference figures 4 and 5), or via a hot mechanical riveting of said appendage and pegs.

[0097] It will also be appreciated that the PCBs 19' and 20' are both entirely supported by the body part 2' of the device 1, which considerably simplifies the production phase, as the assembly 2 can be prepared in advance with both PCBs in view of the coupling to assembly 3. The fact that the two PCBs are mounted in substantially parallel and at least partially overlapping positions, as well as close to each other, also allows reducing the overall bulk of the device (for example compared to the case of a single PCB or the case of two PCBs arranged at an angle to each other). As said, this arrangement of the PCBs 19' and 20' advantageously allows obtaining their interconnection by exploiting respective axially coupling connectors, during the operation of coupling the PCB 19' onto the device body already equipped with the PCB 20'.

[0098] In various embodiments, the second circuit 20, or its PCB 20', can be provided with the electronic components configured for controlling the ultrasonic flow meter and conditioning the corresponding signals, which - as said - preferably includes an integrated circuit or controller MC and is in signal communication with the transducers 21 and 22, while the PCB 19' can be provided with the electronic components configured for controlling the electrical power supply of the device 1, for controlling the actuator 16 and for connections to the possible buffer battery 6 and the possible supercapacitor SC, if present.

[0099] In various embodiments, the on-board electronics of the PCB 19' is also configured for receiving and / or transmitting signals in wireless mode (e.g., WiFi, LTE / NB-IoT, LoRa, etc.). The receivable signals can be, for example, related to the programming of the device 1, while the transmittable signals can be, for example, related to the reporting of flow measurements performed or operating conditions of the device itself (e.g., liquid flow rate values, total volume of liquid passed in a time interval, possible flow reversals, possible daily micro-leaks or low continuous leaks, consumed liquid volumes outside the norm, etc.).

[0100] As previously indicated, the flow meter used comprises an insert 40, which is inserted inside the duct part 30a of the body 2' of the meter assembly, as also shown in figure 14. Said insert 40 is configured to guide, and / or propagate, and / or direct or route the ultrasonic signal generated by one of the transducers 21, 22 to the other transducer. The guiding and / or propagation and / or directing, which is preferably obtained via reflection, can be obtained by providing the insert 40 with suitable ultrasonic directing elements.

[0101] In various embodiments, the ultrasonic transducers and said directing elements are arranged so as to guide, and / or propagate, and / or direct an ultrasonic signal emitted by one of the transducers 21, 22 and received by the other transducer along a substantially W-shaped path.

[0102] In figure 15, the cited insert 40 is shown isolated according to a possible embodiment thereof. In various preferential embodiments, the insert 40 has a body formed in multiple parts assembled together, and provided for this purpose with elements for mutual coupling, in particular for relative positioning. The coupling is preferably configured to allow minimal movements or adaptations between at least some of the body parts, while maintaining their relative positioning substantially predefined inside the duct part 30a. In other words, the body of the insert can first be loosely assembled and subsequently inserted in such condition inside the duct part 30a, for example to allow compensation for possible dimensional molding tolerances of the body part 2'.

[0103] At least some of the parts constituting the insert 40 can be constrained together substantially via a plurality of shape couplings, not necessarily via mutual engagement: as said, the mutual coupling is preferably of the type that is maintained following the insertion of the parts themselves inside the duct part 30a.

[0104] The parts composing the insert are preferably obtained via molding of plastic material, with relatively thin walls.

[0105] In various embodiments, the insert 40 and the body 2'-3' of the device 1 are provided with elements for mutual coupling and / or positioning inside the duct for the liquid. As clarified later, in various embodiments, said elements for mutual coupling and / or positioning comprise first and second engagement elements defined in the body of the insert 40, and corresponding first and second engagement elements defined at an internal surface of the duct for the liquid, particularly its part 30a. Preferably, the first engagement means are configured for a snap coupling, while the second engagement means are configured for a substantially shape coupling.

[0106] In figure 15, the cited propagation insert 40 is shown isolated according to a possible embodiment thereof.

[0107] As said, in various preferential embodiments, the insert 40 has a body formed in multiple parts assembled together, and provided for this purpose with means for mutual coupling or positioning, said parts being in particular constrained or positioned relative to each other substantially via a plurality of shape couplings, when the insert is inserted into the duct part 30a.

[0108] The parts composing the insert are preferably obtained at least partly via molding of plastic or polymeric material, with relatively thin walls. Preferably, the parts composing the insert are molded with a polymer that allows injection into thin cavities of a mold and / or that has limited dimensional shrinkage following molding, in order to obtain parts with thin walls and / or dimensionally precise, preferably molded in polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0109] The polymer body parts of the insert are preferably co-molded or overmolded onto ultrasonic propagation and / or guiding elements, particularly made at least partly with metal or other material coated with metal; alternatively, such propagation elements can be associated with the body parts of the insert after their molding, for example fitted, hooked, glued, or welded.

[0110] In the depicted example, three body parts are provided, designated with 41, 42 and 43, each of which is preferably provided with a respective surface or element for propagating and / or guiding and / or directing, in particular suitable for directing or routing ultrasound, for example a surface obtained from a small stainless steel plate or sheet; in figure 15, directing elements Ml and M2 of the body parts 41 and 42 are partially visible, while a directing element M3 of the body part 43 is visible for example in figure 17. Preferably, the parts 41 and 42 each define a respective longitudinal end of the body of the insert 40, while the body part 43 is coupled superiorly to the parts 41-42 coupled together.

[0111] The three body parts 41-43 are shown exploded in figures 16-18. The part 41 has a hollow body portion 41a for supporting the respective directing element Ml (here the upstream element) in a position inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the insert 40, indicated with X in figure 15 (indicatively with an angle not exceeding 45°), so as to face the directing element M3 carried by the body part 43. The part 41 preferably has a bottom wall 41' and two sides or flanks 41b.

[0112] The flanks 41b are preferably shaped so as to define first seats 41b' within which corresponding elements 42c of the body part 42 are receivable, with minimal space or clearance, designated by P in figure 15, and / or to define first engagement elements 41d for coupling or positioning with the body part 43, preferably configured as pins.

[0113] In various embodiments, from a longitudinal end of the flanks 41b opposite the portion 41a, elastically deformable portions extend in the axial direction, which obtain respective coupling and / or positioning elements 41c, particularly in the form of flexible tabs, each bearing in a respective end region a corresponding coupling and / or positioning element or protrusion 41c'.

[0114] The part 42 also has a hollow body portion 42a for supporting the respective directing element M2 (here the downstream element) in a position inclined relative to the longitudinal axis X of the insert 40, but with an opposite and / or mirrored inclination relative to the directing element Ml, so as to also be facing towards the directing element M3 carried by the body part 43. The part 42 also has a bottom wall 42' and two sides or flanks 42b, which are preferably shaped so as to define first seats 42b', preferably generally arched, for receiving and lower support of corresponding first shaped parts 43b' of the body part 43, and / or to define second seats 42b" for receiving and supporting corresponding second shaped parts 43d of the body part 43. The flanks 42b of the body part 42 can also be shaped so as to define lower support zones 42e for corresponding portions 43e of the body part 43. The same flanks 42 can define, in a lower zone thereof, receiving seats 42f for said coupling and / or positioning elements 41c of the body part 41, which are preferably configured as flexible tabs, as well as coupling and / or positioning seats 42c' for the respective coupling elements or protrusions 41c'. Preferably, from a longitudinal end of the flanks 42b opposite the portion 42a, respective elastically deformable portions 42c extend in an axial direction, in particular in the form of flexible tabs, each bearing in a respective end region a corresponding engagement element or passage 42d.

[0115] The body part 43 has a bottom wall 43', and corresponding flanks 43b preferably shaped so as to define elements couplable with the body parts 41 and 42. For example, the flanks 43b can define elements 43b' couplable with the seats 42b' of the body part 42, and / or elements 43d couplable with the seats 42b" of the body part 42, and / or end portions 43e, for support at the zones 42e of the body part 42. The body part 43 can have, at the end opposite the portions 43 e, further portions 43c for resting on corresponding upper surfaces of the flanks 41b of the body part 41, in which the engagement elements 41d are defined. As noted in figure 17, corresponding to the lower surface of such end portions 43 c of the body part 43, receiving seats 43 c' can be defined for said engagement elements 41d of the body part 41.

[0116] As can be understood, in the assembled condition, the elastically deformable portions 41c of the body part 41 are facing part of the flanks of the body part 42, and the elastically deformable portions 42c of the body part 42 are partially facing part of the flanks of the body part 41.

[0117] In the non-limiting example provided, the body parts 41 and 42 can be coupled together so that the coupling protrusions 41c' of the tabs 41c of the part 41 couple into the respective seats 42c' of the part 42, and simultaneously the tab portions 42c of the part 42 occupy the seats 41b' of the part 41.

[0118] In various embodiments, the seats 41b' are not in contact with the tab portions 42c, so as to leave a small space between them, intended to allow even a minimal movement of the portions 42c, i.e., a flexion of these tab -configured portions, for the purpose of engagement with corresponding engagement elements (2d, described later) provided inside the duct part 30a: said space, as mentioned, is indicated by P in figure 15. Note that a space suitable to allow flexion of tab portions would be difficult to obtain if the body parts 41 and 42 were replaced by a single piece, and would imply complications at the production level (shape modifications, use of movable inserts, provision of extremely thin or delicate parts, and therefore potentially subject to deformation or breakage). On the other hand, the provision of the two body parts 41 and 42 makes it easy to obtain elastically deformable parts, such as the parts 41c and 42c, in particular those extending cantilevered.

[0119] The body part 43 is then arranged on the assembly formed by the parts 41 and 42, so that the respective portions 43b', 43d and 43 e couple to the corresponding seats 42b', 42b" and 42e, and the portions 43c rest on the flanks 41b of the part 41, with the coupling between the corresponding engagement seats 43c' and the engagement elements 41d of the part 41. Preferably, the engagement elements 41d of the body part 41 are not fixedly hooked into the corresponding engagement seats 43 c' of the body part 43, said elements being configured to allow a coupling and positioning between the parts, which is then maintained after the loose-tacked insert 40 has been inserted into the duct part 30a.

[0120] Obtainment of the body of the insert 40 in multiple parts constrained together substantially by means of a plurality of positioning elements, preferably by shape couplings, guarantees the necessary precision of relative positioning between the parts themselves, when the insert 40 is inserted into the duct part 30a, which in turn guarantees the necessary precision of relative positioning between the directing elements Ml -M3.

[0121] The precision of relative positioning is also ensured by the construction of the body of the insert 40 in multiple parts. A molded plastic material is usually subject to so- called "shrinkage" after the molding phase, consisting substantially in a dimensional decrease of the material that occurs following its cooling and hardening. This shrinkage is generally variable depending on the type of material and as a function of other process parameters, also potentially subject to variations due to various factors (for example ambient and / or mold temperature, wear, molding speed, etc.). In any case, material shrinkage is dependent on the dimensions of the piece to be molded: in general, the larger the dimensions of the piece, the greater its shrinkage. As a consequence of shrinkage, in the case of a device of the type considered herein where the directing elements were arranged directly inside the duct part 30a, fixed to the internal surface thereof, dimensional variations of the body 2' relative to the optimal design dimensions could take place, which in turn could be the origin of subsequent incorrect arrangement of the flow meter's directing elements, and therefore with possible detection errors.

[0122] In the solution proposed herein, the body of the insert 40 is formed in at least three distinct parts, having relatively contained dimensions and with relatively thin wall thicknesses: following injection molding, preferably with polyphenylene sulfide or PPS, said parts 41-43 will therefore be subject to very contained shrinkage, such as to guarantee in any case the correct positioning precision on said parts of the respective directing elements M1-M3, as well as an extremely precise definition of the aforementioned elements for the reciprocal coupling between the parts 41-43, and therefore with a shape coupling between the parts 41-43 as precise as possible, such as to guarantee their precise relative positioning and, ultimately, the correct relative positioning between the directing elements M1-M3, thereby preventing even modest angular positioning errors from causing high percentage losses on the ultrasonic vibrations that are transmitted between the two transducers 21, 22.

[0123] In various embodiments the propagation and / or guiding insert 40 and the body 2' are configured for mutual engagement inside the duct part 30a. Referring in particular to figures 19-22, in various embodiments, engagement elements 2d are defined inside the duct part 30a, in particular in the form of protruding elements, preferably in opposite or diametrical positions of the duct part 30a, for example in the form of protrusions or teeth. Said engagement elements 2d, which are therefore facing each other, are configured for coupling with the engagement passages 42d provided on the portions 42c of the part 42 of the insert 40 (see also figures 15-18), which are located in opposite or homologous positions on the two side or flanks of the insert 40. In this way, the correct axial position of the insert 40 inside the duct 30b can be ensured, relative to the transducers 21, 22 arranged outside it.

[0124] For coupling purposes, the wing portions 42c of the part 42 flex slightly elastically during the insertion of the insert 40 inside the duct part 30a, as their front part slides on the inclined plane of the engagement protrusions or teeth 2d; when this front part of each wing portion 42c has passed the respective protrusion or tooth 2d, the same wing portion 42c returns overall to the original position, elastically, with the consequent engagement in the respective passage 42d at the respective protrusion or tooth 2d. As already indicated, the possibility of elastic flexing of the wing portions 42c is allowed thanks to the presence of the space P in figure 15; in addition to this, it is also preferable to provide a small space in the axial direction - designated by F in figure 21 - between the free end of each wing portion 42c and a stop or end-of-insertion surface PS' (described later, see also figure 22) for the insertion of the insert 40 into the duct part 30a. The axial space F allows the portion 42d to return elastically and engage on the protrusion or tooth 2d, and is defined to account for possible shrinkage of the material constituting the body part 2', in order to allow the elastic return into engagement.

[0125] In various embodiments the insert 40 and the body 2' are configured for a formfit or shape coupling, inside the duct part 30a.

[0126] As visible in figures 20 and 22, the internal surface of the duct part 30a defines an axial coupling element PS, for example in the form of a groove, suitable for slidably receiving the flanks of the body of the insert 40. In the example, within the groove that forms the axial coupling element PS are received visible outer surfaces of the flanks 42b of the body part 42, and visible outer surfaces of the flanks 43b of the body part 43 (specifically, surfaces of the end portions 43 e).

[0127] In the example, the element or groove PS extends substantially from the inlet 2a of the body 2', and has a narrowed terminal portion, so as to define a stop surface PS' (figure 22) for the ends of the wings 42c of the body part 42, i.e., an end-of-insertion surface for the insertion of the insert 40 into the duct part 30a.

[0128] The conformation of said visible surfaces of the flanks of the body parts 42 and 43, on one hand, and the conformation of the element or groove PS, on the other hand, are such as to create a form-fit coupling that ensures precise relative positioning between the insert and the duct, as well as between the body part 42 (to which the part 41 is secured) and the body part 43, with further increase in the precision of relative positioning between the parts composing the insert 40. The arrangement also fulfills a guiding function during the insertion of the insert 40 into the duct part 30a.

[0129] Figures 23 and 24 show the insert 40 in its operative position inside the duct part 30a. This position is also visible in figure 24, where the partially overlapping and substantially parallel condition of the PCBs 19' and 20' is also noted, as well as the arrangement of the ultrasonic transducers 21 and 22 in positions corresponding to the directing elements Ml and M2 of the insert. In this figure, the double arrows between the elements Ml -M3 highlight the path of the ultrasonic signals, substantially in a W shape. The solution of using three directing elements Ml -M3 allows the total path of such signals to be lengthened, while keeping the total bulk of the insert limited, where a longer path corresponds to greater measurement precision.

[0130] In embodiments of the invention, at least one portion of the annular wall of the device body 2'-2" that defines the duct 30a-30b is shaped, on the inner side thereof, so as to present at least one surface region that is substantially planar at a position corresponding to a transducer 21 and / or 22, or so as to define at least one region of the annular wall that has a substantially uniform thickness at such a transducer. In preferential embodiments, such conformation can be obtained by providing one or more thickness reductions in said annular wall. The annular wall delimiting the duct 30a-30b can be shaped to present a single planar surface region or a single region of substantially uniform wall thickness at both transducers 21, 22, or - as in the case exemplified in the figures - two planar surface regions or two wall regions having substantially uniform thickness, each at a respective transducer 21, 22. In preferential embodiments, said conformation is obtained in the body part 2' to which the flow meter is associated.

[0131] In the exemplified case, said planar surface regions, which in the example also correspond to said wall regions having substantially uniform thickness, are designated with 30c, for example in figures 6, 19, 22, 24 and 25.

[0132] The regions 30c preferably extend from a respective end of the duct part 30a and can be obtained by using two respective movable inserts of the mold used for forming the body part 2'. During the injection molding operation, these inserts extend to shape the internal portion of the duct part 30a at the two transducers 21, 22, and are subsequently retracted for the purpose of removing the finished piece (i.e., the body part 2') from the mold. For this reason, the regions 30c extending towards each other from each end of the duct part 30a can define a planar surface, which at least in part may possibly have a minimal inclination towards the respective end of the duct part 30a, to facilitate extraction of the insert; at least at the position corresponding to the two transducers 21, 22, said regions can however be planar, i.e., without inclination. For example, in figure 22, the region 30c extending from the end of the duct part 30a corresponding to the hydraulic coupling portion 11 is visible: in this figure, 30c' indicates the slightly inclined internal surface portion, while 30c" indicates the substantially planar internal surface portion, which is substantially parallel to the planar external surface 2c on which the transducers 21, 22 are intended to rest. See also figure 25 for reference, where it is perceived how the surface portions 30c' are substantially inclined, while the surface portions 30" at the transducers 21, 22 are substantially planar and / or substantially parallel to the surface 2c on which the transducers 21, 22 rest. From the same cited figures, it is noted how the described conformation is obtainable via thickness reductions of the annular wall of the body part 2'.

[0133] Thanks to the indicated conformation, each wall portion of the body part 2' facing a transducer results in having a substantially constant thickness, unlike the case where the internal surface of the duct part 30a were cylindrical. To clarify the concept, figure 26 schematically and partially shows a hypothetical device having a hydraulic body 102', comprising an annular wall 102a' delimiting a respective duct part 130a with a cylindrical internal surface, as well as an external surface 102c for the support of an ultrasonic transducer T: it is evident how, due to the cylindrical internal surface of the duct 130a, the ultrasonic waves (represented by the vertical double arrows) must necessarily traverse a wall portion with non-uniform thickness, resulting in non-uniformities in the transmission and / or reception of the signals. In contrast, the solution according to the invention allows for uniform transmission and / or reception of the ultrasonic signals, by virtue of the fact that these signals traverse a wall of substantially uniform thickness, and therefore the corresponding acoustic impedance and / or signal propagation is also uniform.

[0134] The fact that the regions 30c are preferably defined by reductions in the thickness of the annular wall of the body part 2' contributes to further improve the signal quality, considering that, during traversal of a generic medium, ultrasonic waves are subject to attenuation phenomena that act in a dissipative manner: the smaller thickness of the wall that the waves must traverse, at the regions 30c" facing the transducers 21, 22, contributes to attenuate this dissipative effect.

[0135] The specific measurement technique is independent of the purposes of the invention, and can be any according to the known art in the field of ultrasonic flow meters. For example, the circuit 20 provided on the PCB 20' is configured to:

[0136] - cause the transducer 21 to generate at least a first ultrasonic pulse or upstream pulse, which is received by transducer 22, and cause transducer 22 to generate at least a second ultrasonic pulse or downstream pulse, which is received by transducer 21;

[0137] - measuring the difference in the flight time of the at least one first ultrasonic pulse traveling with the flow (upstream pulse, from transducer 21 to transducer 22) and a second ultrasonic pulse traveling in the opposite direction to the flow (downstream pulse, from transducer 22 to transducer 21);

[0138] - computing based on the differences in flight times quantities such as the flow rate and / or the volume of liquid in transit or having transited through the device.

[0139] As previously indicated, in various embodiments of the invention, the valve arrangement provided by the device 1 is electrically powered and may for this purpose employ a shape memory alloy actuator element 16, i.e., an electrothermal type actuator.

[0140] Referring in particular to figures 6 and 24, in various embodiments, inside the body 3' of the valve assembly 3, in particular of its duct part 30b, a shutter member 31 is mounted, preferably movable axially relative to the body itself and parallel to the liquid flow in the duct 30a-30b. Preferably, as visible in figure 8, the shutter member 31 comprises a head 31a, to which a gasket or similar sealing element 31b is associated, intended to cooperate in closure on an underlying valve seat 3b (figure 6) defined in the duct part 30b. The valve seat 3b is preferably defined at a narrowing of the duct. In various embodiments, the shutter member 31 has a lower part 31c (figure 8), preferably with a substantially cross-shaped section (i.e., with radial spokes or walls), for its centering inside a corresponding section of the duct part 30b.

[0141] In various embodiments, in the duct for the liquid, upstream of the shutter member 31, a deflector element 32 may be provided, for example with inclined surfaces and radial walls or vanes: the function of the deflector element 32 is to avoid excessive thrust of the liquid on the shutter member 31, particularly on the head 3 la thereof. Preferably, between the deflector element 32 and the shutter member 31, an elastic element M is arranged, such as a helical spring, tending to urge the shutter member downward, i.e., into the respective closed position of the duct.

[0142] The valve arrangement comprises a control or driving mechanism for the shutter member 31, which is actuable by means of the electrical actuator, here the thermoelectric wire actuator 16, particularly for the passage of the shutter member 31 from the open position to the closed position of the duct 30a-30b: as will become clearer later, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the resetting of the device (i.e., the movement of the shutter member from said closed position to said open position) must be performed manually. According to other non-represented embodiments, the resetting or rearming of the device 1 can be performed in another way, for example via a further electrical actuator, or with a different mechanism that controls both the closing of the duct and its reopening via a single actuator. A manual type reset is still to be considered preferable, in order to allow a technician or operator called to perform the reset to ascertain the causes of the safety intervention of the device 1.

[0143] In various embodiments, said driving mechanism comprises a retaining element for the shutter member 31 in the open position, which is associated with a respective movable element, in particular a rotatable shaft or pin, that extends transversely relative to the axis of the duct 30a-30b, at least partly inside it. Said pin is in turn associated in rotation with a respective control element, preferably substantially of the cam type, which is located outside the duct and which interacts with an engagement / disengagement lever that is actuable via the actuator 16. Said pin and control element, and therefore the retaining element, are preferably subject to the elastic reaction of a spring, which urges them towards the condition of releasing the shutter member. The engagement / disengagement lever, which is preferably a rocker lever hinged to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pin, is connected to the actuator 16 and is in turn subject to the elastic reaction of a spring, which urges the lever itself to rotate in a direction opposite to that determined by the action of the actuator.

[0144] A possible embodiment of the aforesaid driving mechanism for the shutter member 31 is visible in figures 3 and 8.

[0145] In the exemplified case, the lower end of the shutter member 31, i.e., the lower end of its part 31c, rests on a retaining element designated by 33, which is located inside the duct for the liquid (here the part 30b thereof). This retaining element can be for example an eccentric or cam support, on whose outer profile the lower part 31c of the shutter member 31 rests. The retaining element 33 is associated with a shaft 34, so as to rotate therewith. The shaft 34 is mounted on the body 3' so as to be rotatable about its own axis, so as to extend at least partly inside the duct for the liquid, transversely thereto (i.e., substantially perpendicular to the lower part 31c of the shutter member 31).

[0146] The shaft 34 is inserted into the body 3', up to inside the duct part 30b, via a lateral aperture of the body 3', designated by 3e for example in figure 8. At this transverse aperture 3e, at least one sealing element 33b may be provided, for example at least one o-ring type gasket, to avoid leakage of liquid to the outside of the body 3'. The sealing element or elements 33b can be held in position within the aperture 3e by the head surface of a cylindrical head portion 34a of the shaft 34 (see in particular figure 8).

[0147] The rotatable shaft 34 can rotate about its own axis when the valve arrangement of the device 1 is actuated: in this way, the retaining element 33 can be moved from a working position thereof, generally raised (visible for example in figures 6 and 24), to a release position, generally lowered (not represented). When the retaining element 33 is in said working position, the gasket 31b of the head 31a of the shutter member 31 is at a distance from the valve seat 3b, thus allowing the flow of liquid through the section 3d of the duct part 30b. Conversely, when the retaining element 33 is in said release position, the shutter member 31 - pushed by the return spring M - can move downward, until the gasket 3 lb of the head 3 la thereof comes to rest on the valve seat 3b, thereby preventing the passage of liquid towards the outlet fitting 3a. As will be seen, the retaining element 33 can then be returned to the raised working position by a manual intervention on a reset member (36), which is preferably accessible from outside the housing of the device. The shaft 34, at its end opposite the one inserted into the duct part 30b, has a control element 35, substantially a cam -type element, which can be formed integrally with the shaft 34 or be configured as a distinct part fixed to the corresponding end of the shaft 34. In various embodiments, the control element 35 is intended to cooperate with an actuation lever, actuable via the actuator 16, and with the previously mentioned reset member. In the exemplified case, the control element 35 has a radial lug 35a, defining a cam or sliding surface. The element 35 also presents frontally an engagement element 35c, which can be for example defined by a diametral protrusion - as represented in figure 8. This engagement element 35c is intended to couple with a corresponding engagement element, not visible, of the previously mentioned reset member, designated overall by 36 in figures 5 and 6.

[0148] The coupling between the engagement element 35c and the homologous engagement element of the reset member 36 (or, more generally, the mechanical coupling between the elements 35 and 36, which could also be in a single piece) is such that a rotation imparted manually to the member 36 is transferred to the control element 35, which can rotate correspondingly and cause the shaft 34 and the corresponding retaining element 33 to rotate therewith. In the same way, a rotation of the element 35 is transferred to the member 36.

[0149] Preferably, the control element 35 is urged in rotation by an elastic element, together with the shaft 34, towards a position corresponding to the release position of the retaining element 33: in the illustrated example, this elastic element comprises a torsion spring 37, interacting between the element 35 and the body 3'.

[0150] The reset member 36 preferably has at least a part of its peripheral profile generally cylindrical, or in any case such as to be receivable in a respective seat provided on the housing part 4, such as the tubular seat 4a of figures 5-6, and to rotate in it. The member 36 can be provided with an engagement tooth 36a or similar, for the purpose of its retention with the possibility of rotation inside the corresponding seat 4a.

[0151] In this way, the end of the reset member 36 opposite the control element 35 can be accessible from outside the housing 4-5 of the device 1, as clearly visible for example in figure 1. This accessible end is conveniently shaped to allow easy imparting of a rotation to the member 36: in the case exemplified in the figures, a frontally protruding element 36b is provided for this purpose, such as a transverse projection, so that said rotation can also be imparted by hand to the member 36. Instead of such a protruding element 36b, in the reset member 36 (or directly in the control element 35, if in a single piece) a seat of a shape different from that illustrated could be provided, for example a diametral notch, or cross-shaped or hexagonal or polygonal, or with substantially starshaped forms, for a suitable tool, such as a screwdriver. Preferably, between the part of the member 36 inserted in the corresponding seat 4a and the cylindrical wall of said seat, a sealing element is interposed, designated by 36c for example in figure 5, such as an annular gasket. The member 36 can also possibly be biased into its inoperative position by an elastic element 36, such as a torsion spring 36d interacting between the same member 36 and the housing part 4.

[0152] Returning to figures 3 and 8, a stop member 38 is mounted laterally to the body 3', having an end 38a intended to interact with the projection or cam 35a of the control element 35. The stop member 38, here configured substantially as a rocker lever, is pivoted on a respective pin 3f defined by the body 3' or associated therewith, which preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the pin 33. The end of the lever 38 opposite the end 38a has a peg or similar element 38b (figure 3) for anchoring the first end of a reset element, such as a spring 39, in particular a helical spring, whose other end is anchored to a corresponding peg or similar engagement element 2g defined in the body part 3', particularly within the axial extension 18.

[0153] The lever 38, in the arm thereof that includes the end 38a, comprise a further peg or similar element 38c for anchoring the second end of the shape memory actuator element 16 (see for example figure 3).

[0154] In the figures, the device 1 and the valve assembly 3 are shown in the open position of the liquid duct . In this condition, the wire actuator 16 is not electrically powered and the torsion spring 37 tends to rotate - here counterclockwise - the assembly constituted by the pin 34 with the retaining member 33, the control element 35 and the reset member 36: this assembly is, however, prevented from rotating, due to the interference between the end 38a of the lever 38 and the projection 35a of the control element 35. The lever 38 is maintained in this stable position thanks to the action of the spring 39, which here tends to rotate the lever itself clockwise.

[0155] As visible particularly in figures 6 and 24, in this stable condition the pin 34 is in a position such that the associated retaining member 33 is in its working position, substantially vertical or upright, with the lower part 31c of the shutter member 31 resting on the most eccentric part of the peripheral profile of the same member 33 (which in this position is oriented towards the axis of the duct 30a-30b).

[0156] The gasket 31b of the shutter member 31 is therefore lifted relative to the valve seat 3b, allowing the flow passage.

[0157] A possible operation of the valve arrangement of the device 1 is as follows.

[0158] In the presence of a continuous flow of liquid, the control electronics of the device calculates, via the flow meter, the flow rate of the liquid itself and from this the quantity of liquid that has passed through the device 1. When - with the flow constant - a quantity of liquid greater than a given safety limit is detected, or when the detected flow rate is outside a range of predefined values (therefore a flow that is too low or too high), the control electronics controls the closure of the valve arrangement. For this purpose, via the circuit implemented on the PCB 19, the wire actuator element 16 is powered which, heating up by Joule effect, deforms, in particular contracts or shortens (as mentioned, alternatively an electric heater associated with a shape memory alloy actuator element could be provided, where the heating determined by the heater causes the heating of the shape memory alloy element, and therefore the consequent contraction). In possible variants, instead of the wire actuator 16, a thermoelectric actuator could be employed which - when heated - lengthens and pushes (an actuator comprising a material suitable for expanding with temperature) and an electric heater, with such actuator appropriately positioned to move the element 38 .

[0159] The deformation of the actuator determines the angular movement of the lever 38, against the action of the spring 39, with such rotation of the lever 38 occurring counterclockwise. Following this rotation, the end 38a of the lever 38 is released from the projection 35a of the control element 35, with the latter then being pushed to rotate - here counterclockwise - by the action of the torsion spring 37. The rotation of the element 35 can be stopped by a suitable stop or abutment element, for example the one designated by 3g in figure 8, defined by the body 3'.

[0160] The rotation of the element 35 determines the corresponding rotation of the reset member 36, on one side, and of the pin 34 on the other side. The retaining member 33 associated with the pin 34 thus assumes its release position, allowing the shutter member 31 to lower, under the thrust of the spring M, also with the aid of the incoming liquid. The gasket 3 lb then rests on the valve seat 3b, preventing further outflow of the liquid.

[0161] Following the electrical powering of the actuator 16 and consequent closure of the valve arrangement, the control circuit 19 of the PCB 19' interrupts the electrical power to the actuator 16. The electrical power to the actuator 16 can be timed, given that only a few seconds are needed to obtain a contraction of the shape memory alloy wire from its extended condition to the contracted one sufficient to cause the rotation of the lever 38, or a suitable sensor (for example a microswitch) can be provided to detect the reaching, for example by the lever 38 or the element 35, of a command position for closing the valve seat 3b; possibly, an actual closure of the shutter member 31 could be detected by verifying an absence of flow (i.e., the electrical control of the actuator 16 could be determined based on signals from the flow meter).

[0162] Following the interruption of power, the actuator 16 cools down and resumes the original extended condition, with the lever 38 which, also under the action of the helical spring 39, returns to the initial position thereof. The element 35 and the pin 34 with the associated retaining member 33, however, remain in the reached position, also under the action of the torsion spring 37, with the shutter member 31 thus remaining in the position of closing the liquid duct, even in the absence of electrical power.

[0163] The reset of the valve arrangement can subsequently be performed manually, by acting on the reset member 36, i.e., imparting to the latter a rotation opposite to that which occurred during closure, aimed at also rotating the projection 35a (which, as said, is rotationally fixed to the member 36) and the associated pin 34, bearing the retaining member 33. The rotation thus imparted to the retaining member 33 - which in the example occurs clockwise - causes the corresponding interaction of the peripheral profile thereof with the lower end 31c of the shutter member 31, returning said member 31 to its respective condition of opening the liquid duct, as represented in the figures. In this phase, the rotation of the control element 35 causes the cam surface of the corresponding projection 35a to interfere with the end 38a of the lever 38, determining a temporary upward rotation of the latter, until said end 38a - biased in this sense by the spring 38 - re-engages with said projection 35a, as in the initial condition: the shutter member 31 is thus reset or maintained again in its respective condition of opening the liquid duct.

[0164] It will therefore be appreciated that, in various embodiments of the device 1, the valve arrangement, i.e., the driving mechanism of the shut-off member, can be reset without the need to disconnect the fittings 2a and 3a from the liquid source (such as the tap WN in figure 1) or the served appliance or system (such as the appliance UA including the tube visible in figure 1).

[0165] In various embodiments, the thermoelectric actuator 16 extends in a zone or region of the device body 2'-3 ' that is generally opposite (with reference to the diametral direction of the duct 30a-30b) to a zone or region where the ultrasonic flow sensor is located, in particular the transducers 21, 22 thereof, particularly for protection purposes.

[0166] When passing through a generic medium, ultrasound waves are subject to absorption, i.e., the transformation of acoustic energy into thermal energy. This phenomenon can cause heating of the affected medium, with an extent dependent on the ultrasonic frequency. For this reason, and given that the operation of the actuator 16 can be affected by ambient temperature conditions, it is preferable to position the actuator itself in a spaced, preferably opposite, position relative to the transducers 21, 22, i.e., the portion of the device body on which they rest. In this way, the risk that any heat generated at the surface 2c (see for example figure 9) transfers to the actuator 16, thus influencing operation thereof, is avoided or at least reduced.

[0167] This protective effect can be further improved thanks to the presence of the extension 18 previously described, at which the wire actuator 16 extends. As stated, in fact, in preferential embodiments, a substantial part of the extension 18, where also the engagement element 18a for the wire actuator 16 is found, extends at a distance from the outer surface of the body 2' of the assembly 2, as visible for example in figures 24 and 25. Clearly, the fact that the wire actuator 16 is anchored at its two opposite ends (16a, figure 3) to respective elements defined or carried by the body part 3' also reduces the risk of the actuator itself being reached by heat generated on the body part 2' due to the operation of the transducers 21, 22.

[0168] As seen, the hydraulic control device according to the invention is capable of detecting the flow or flow rate of liquid directed to a generic appliance or system, and based on the value of this detected flow or flow rate, to act according to a given operating logic.

[0169] In various embodiments, this operating logic is predetermined or stored during production. For this purpose, the control electronics of the device can be programmed by imposing a priori a preset flow rate range (e.g., minimum and maximum flow rate) intended for the device's use, particularly in view of the type of application, and / or a predefined or maximum liquid volume, i.e., the previously mentioned safety limit. In this case, one or more of the following intervention conditions of the device 1 can be provided: i) the flow rate detected by the flow meter is lower than the minimum value of the preset flow rate range: this means that a first type of anomaly is present in the hydraulic system in which the device is included, in particular downstream of the device 1 (e.g., an undesired water leak within the appliance UA of figure 1); in this case, the control logic can control powering of the actuator 16 to cause the closure of the valve arrangement and / or generate an alarm signal; ii) the flow rate detected by the flow meter is greater than the maximum value of the preset flow rate range: this means that a second type of anomaly is present in the hydraulic system in which the device is included, in particular downstream of the device 1 (e.g., a break in the supply tube of the appliance UA of figure 1); also in this case the control logic can control powering of the actuator 16 to cause the closure of the valve arrangement and / or generate an alarm signal; iii) the flow rate detected by the flow meter in the presence of a continuous flow is within the preset flow rate range, but the total quantity of water supplied reaches or exceeds the predefined or safety limit, which is indicative of a third type of condition or anomaly, in particular downstream of the device (e.g., excessive consumption by the appliance UA of figure 1 or reaching the predefined liquid amount at which to interrupt the flow); in this case the control logic preferably controls powering of the actuator 16 to cause the closure of the valve arrangement, and if provided, generates an alarm signal; iv) the control electronics of the device detects the absence of the external supply voltage and the simultaneous drop of the charge level of the buffer battery 6 and / or the supercapacitor SC below a predefined safety threshold: also in this case the control logic controls powering of the actuator 16 to cause the closure of the valve arrangement, essentially for safety reasons, and / or generates an alarm signal.

[0170] Following these intervention situations, the device 1, or the valve arrangement thereof, can be manually reset by the user as explained above, in particular after verifying the cause of the anomaly.

[0171] In various embodiments, the control electronics of the device 1 is configured to be programmed at least in part by the end user, preferably with the possibility of communicating information and alarm signals wirelessly. In this case, as mentioned, the control electronics will preferably include a wireless transceiver (e.g., Bluetooth or WiFi and / or an internet connection gateway).

[0172] Also in embodiments of this type, the control electronics is programmed by imposing a priori at least one of a flow rate limit or range (e.g., minimum and maximum flow rate) and a maximum liquid volume (safety limit), but these parameters can be modified by the end user, via the communication circuitry of the device 1 and an external electronic device of the type previously mentioned, in particular to vary the factory parameters or settings (such as the flow rate range and / or the safety limit) and / or to query the device regarding alarm states or other information concerning liquid consumption and / or to receive remote alarm notifications (e.g., intervention for closure of the valve arrangement and / or notification of the low charge state of the battery 6). The intervention conditions of the device 1 can be similar to those indicated above at points i), ii), iii) and iv). It is obviously also possible to provide for remote command for closing the valve arrangement, by sending a suitable command from said external electronic device. Even in the case where the device is equipped with communication electronics, for safety reasons, it is still preferable that the resetting of the valve arrangement must occur manually, for example in the ways previously mentioned.

[0173] In various embodiments, the circuit arrangement of the device 1, in particular its part implemented on the PCB 20, can be arranged for the purpose of writing and / or communicating and / or modifying parameters useful or necessary to optimize the operation of the device itself, particularly the ultrasonic flow meter thereof.

[0174] From the description provided, the characteristics of the present invention are clear, as are its advantages. It is clear that numerous variants are possible for a person skilled in the art to the hydraulic control device described as an example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow.

[0175] As previously indicated, in embodiments not shown, the driving mechanism of the valve arrangement of the device according to the invention could be of a type different from that previously exemplified and / or resettable via an actuator belonging to the mechanism itself. As stated, moreover, the mechanism could be arranged for resetting thereof after disconnection from the liquid source or the served appliance or system.

[0176] The shape memory alloy actuator element could be heated via a respective electrical heating device, rather than being directly powered with electric current. Furthermore, such an actuator element could have a shape different from a wire and / or be arranged to deform in a different way than exemplified.

[0177] The device could be designed for its power supply via an electrical network: also in embodiment variants of this type, however, it may be advantageous to equip the device with an auxiliary electrical power source, such as a buffer battery, preferably rechargeable, to ensure the operation of the device itself even in case of possible absence of mains voltage.

[0178] As previously indicated, the body parts 41-43 of the insert 40 are preferably comolded or overmolded onto the elements Ml -M3 for the propagation and / or guidance of ultrasound.

[0179] Figure 27 schematically represents the three body parts 41-43 of the insert 40, with their respective directing elements Ml -M3. The figure highlights, for each body part 41-43, respective zones 81-83 in which the directing elements Ml -M3 are partially embedded, following the molding process; the figure highlights how these zones 81-83 also have portions 81'-83' at which peripheral anchoring appendages Ml'-M3' of the elements Ml -M3 are positioned, which following the molding operation are preferably substantially completely embedded in the material of the body parts 41-43 (in the example, the zones 81-83 with their corresponding portions 81'-83' as shown are determined only following the co-molding or overmolding operation).

[0180] In particularly advantageous embodiments, the elements Ml -M3 are provided with seats, in particular positioning seats, at their peripheral profile, in particular in the form of recesses. In the example, these seats are designated by 91-93 and have a substantially semicircular shape. Preferably, each element Ml -M3 is provided with two seats 91-93 at positions generally opposite each other on said peripheral profile.

[0181] The seats 91-93 are used for the positioning or fixing of the elements Ml -M3 on relative positioning pins or protrusions, preferably circular, belonging to the mold, which are provided to keep the same elements Ml -M3 in the correct position during the molding operation of the body parts 41-43.

[0182] The body parts 41-43 can be provided, at a peripheral position of the zones 81-83, with corresponding passages 91'-93', possibly defined by part of said positioning pins or protrusions of the mold that do not occupy the corresponding seats 91-93 of the respective elements Ml -M3.

[0183] Preferably, given that said positioning pins or protrusions of the mold preferably have a circular shape, the passages 91 '-93' will also have a semicircular profile; however, the positioning pins or protrusions of the mold could have a shape corresponding to that of the seats 91-93, in which case the passages 91 '-93' would be absent.

[0184] As can be understood, following the molding operation of the body part 41, or 42, or 43, each seat 91-93 is opposed to a respective passage 91 '-93 ', defining a closed profile, in particular circular, as seen in figures 15-17, corresponding to the profile of the respective positioning pin or protrusion (in figure 15 alone, two opposed seats 92 and 92' are indicated).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hydraulic control device for liquid-conducting appliances or systems, the device (1) being intended for connection between a source of a liquid and an appliance or system using the liquid, the hydraulic control device (1) comprising:- a device body (2', 3') having a duct (30a-30b) extending between an inlet connection (2a) and an outlet connection (3a) for the liquid,- a flow meter, associated with the device body (2’, 3’), and- a valve arrangement associated with the device body (2’, 3 ’), including a shutter member (31), which is displaceable between an open position and a closed position of the duct (30a-30b), and a driving mechanism (16, 33-39) of the shutter member (31), including an electrically powered actuator (16),- a control circuit arrangement (6, 19, 20, SC ) on the device body (2'-3'), wherein the driving mechanism (16, 33-39) is switchable in function of a detection performed by the flow meter, for the purpose of displacement of the shutter member (31) from the open position to the closed position of the duct (30a-30b), wherein the flow meter is an ultrasonic flow meter that includes at least:- two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22) arranged on the device body (2', 3') outside the duct (30a-30b), and- an insert (40), positioned inside the duct (30a-30b) and configured to propagate and / or guide and / or direct an ultrasonic signal emitted by one of the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22) towards the other of the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit arrangement includes at least a first circuit (19) on a first PCB (19') and a second circuit (20) on a second PCB (20'), the first PCB (19') and the second PCB (20') being mounted on the device body (2’, 3’) and connected in signal communication, wherein preferably the first circuit (19) is configured for controlling the driving mechanism (16, 33-39) and the second circuit (20) is configured for controlling the ultrasonic flow meter.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first PCB (19') and the second PCB (20') are mounted in an at least partially overlapping condition and substantiallyparallel to each other, wherein in particular on mutually facing surfaces of the first PCB (19') and the second PCB (20') respective axial -coupling connector means (C1-C4) are provided, electrically coupled to each other.

4. The device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the device body comprises a first body part (2') and a second body part (3') defining a first portion (30a) and a second portion (30b) of the duct (30a-30b), and wherein the first PCB (19') and the second PCB (20') are entirely supported by one of the first body part (2') and the second body part (3'), wherein preferably one of the first body part (2') and the second body part (3') carries the ultrasonic flow meter, and the other of the first body part (2') and the second body part (3') carries the valve arrangement.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the insert (40) has an insert body formed from at least three insert body parts (41-43) made of molded plastic material, assembled together and provided with elements for coupling and / or mutual positioning.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the insert body has three propagating and / or guiding and / or directing elements (Ml -M3) associated thereto, each at a respective insert body part (41-43), the propagating and / or guiding and / or directing elements (MIMS) being arranged to propagate and / or guide and / or direct an ultrasonic signal emitted by one of the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22) towards the other of the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22), in particular along a substantially W-shaped path, wherein preferably each propagating and / or guiding and / or directing element (Ml -M3) has, at a respective outer profile, at least two seats or recesses (91-93) in positions generally opposite each other.

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said elements for coupling and / or mutual positioning are configured to enable a substantially loose tacking of the three insert body parts (41-43) for the purpose of insertion of the insert (40) inside the duct (30a-30b), or to enable positional adaptations between at least some of the three insert body parts (41-43) following said insertion, without prejudice to their substantiallypredefined relative positioning inside the duct (30a-30b).

8. The device according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein the three insert body parts (41-43) comprise a first insert body part (41) and a second insert body part (42) each defining a respective longitudinal end of the insert body, the first insert body part (41) and the second insert body part (42) being coupled to each other in an axial coupling direction, the first insert body part (41) comprising first elastically deformable portions (41c) facing at least partially outside respective flanks of the second insert body part (42), and the second insert body part (42) comprising second elastically deformable portions (41c) facing at least partially outside respective flanks of the first insert body part (41), where preferably:- the first elastically deformable portions (42c) are provided with at least one first engagement element (41c1) engageable with a respective first engagement element (42c1) defined in a respective flank of the second insert body part (42), and / or- the elastically deformable second portions (42c) are provided with at least one second engagement element (42d) engageable with a respective second engagement element (2d) defined inside the duct (30a-30b), and / or- a third insert body part (43) is constrained on the first insert body part (41) and on the second insert body part (42) assembled together by means of one or more shapecouplings.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the device body (2', 3') comprises a first body part (2') which has one flat outer surface (2c), to which the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22) are coupled, where in particular the first body part (2') has, in a portion thereof including the flat outer surface (2c), a plurality of first positioning elements (50, 51, 52) for a first PCB (19') and / or a plurality of second positioning elements (50', 55) for a second PCB (20'), the positioning elements preferably including support brackets and / or pegs or the like received in through openings of the corresponding first PCB (19') or second PCB (20').

10. The device according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein:- the electrically powered actuator is a thermoelectric actuator which comprises awire actuator element (16) formed at least in part with a shape memory alloy,- the device body comprises a first body part (2') and a second body part (3') which defines a first portion (30a) and a second portion (30b) of the duct (30a-30b) and which carries the ultrasonic flow meter and the valve arrangement, respectively, and- the wire actuator element (16) is anchored at two opposite ends thereof (16a) to respective elements defined or carried by the second body part (3').

11. The device according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the device body (2', 3') comprises a first body part (2') and a second body part (3') having respective hydraulic- coupling portions (11, 12), the second body part (3') having an axial extension (18) which extends beyond the respective hydraulic-coupling portion (12), at least partially in a position alongside the first body part (2'), preferably generally parallel thereto and / or at a distance therefrom, and wherein the axial extension (18) has an anchoring element (18a) for a first end (16a) of a wire actuator element (16) formed at least partly with a shape memory alloy.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein:- the electrically powered actuator is a thermoelectric actuator comprising a wire actuator element (16) formed at least in part from a shape memory alloy,- the wire actuator element (16) extends in a region of the device body (2'-3') which is generally opposite to a region of the device body (2'-3') at which the ultrasonic flow sensor is positioned, in particularly the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22) thereof.

13. The device according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the device body (2'- 2") has at least one annular wall defining at least a part of the duct (30a-30b), at least a portion of the annular wall being shaped, at an inner side thereof, so as to present at least one of:- at least one surface region that is substantially flat, in a position corresponding to at least one of the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22),- at least one annular wall region having a substantially uniform thickness in a position corresponding to at least one of the two ultrasonic transducers (21, 22),- at least one thickness reduction.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insert (40) and the device body (2'-3') have elements for mutual coupling inside the duct (30a-30b), comprising first engagement elements (42d) defined in the body of the insert (40), and corresponding second engagement elements (2d) defined at an internal surface of the duct (30a-30b), the first engagement elements (42d) and the second engagement elements (2d) being arranged according to a diametral direction of the duct (30a-30b), the first engagement elements and the second engagement elements being in particular configured for snap coupling.

15. The device according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein the insert (40) and the device body (2'-3') are configured for a shape coupling inside the duct (30a-30b), wherein in particular:- the duct (30a-30b) has an internal surface defining two axial coupling elements (PS) in opposite positions, each axial coupling element (PS) being configured to slidingly receive respective external portions of the insert (40).

16. A hydraulic control device, in particular for liquid-conducting appliances or systems, comprising:- a device body (2', 3') having a duct (30a-30b) which extend between an inlet connection (2a) and an outlet connection (3a) for a liquid,- a flow meter, associated with the device body (2’, 3’), and- a valve arrangement associated with the device body (2’, 3 ’), including a shutter member (31), which is displaceable between an open position and a closed position of the duct (30a-30b),- an electrically powered actuator (16), wherein the flow meter is an ultrasonic flow meter.

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