Stand-Alone Ball Valve Actuator for Wireless Retrofit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized ball valves and actuators for utility control, such as water and gas supply, face issues like the need for external power, short product life, lack of waterproofing, and the inability to be easily retrofitted or remotely controlled, making them inefficient, costly, and potentially hazardous for manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, hermetically sealable ball valve actuator with an electric motor, encoder assembly, transceiver system, processor, and battery-powered system that can be mounted or retrofitted on various ball valve constructions, enabling remote control and operation without external power, featuring a gearing system for precise valve control and a waterproof design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If remote controllable electrically actuated valves are installed, then utility supply control is improved, but external power supply requirement increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power source (battery) and control electronics directly into the actuator housing, merging previously separate components (power supply, control system, and actuator mechanism) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for external power connections while maintaining remote control functionality through wireless communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to be self-powered through an integrated battery source, making it independent of external power infrastructure. The self-contained design includes all necessary components (motor, encoder, transceiver, processor, and power source) within the actuator housing, allowing the device to autonomously perform valve control without external support.
2Reliability
If hermetically sealable actuator housing is used, then waterproof character is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sealing elements in the form of flexible membranes or gaskets that create hermetic seals between the actuator housing and mounting surfaces. These flexible sealing components allow for effective waterproofing while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard sealing techniques and materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stand-alone actuator with self-contained power source is designed, then adaptability for retrofitting is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to be installed on various valve types and configurations. The standardized interface and self-contained design enable the same actuator unit to serve multiple applications and be retrofitted onto existing infrastructure without requiring custom modifications for each installation scenario.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and remotely controllable motorized ball valve actuator that can be easily integrated with existing ball valves, reducing manual labor and operational costs while ensuring continuous utility management and compliance with access requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor arranged in the actuator housing, configured to selectively rotate a ball element of the ball valve via a gearing and coupling member
Implementation Method 2
an encoder assembly for producing a position signal representative of the rotational position of the coupling member
Implementation Method 3
a self-contained power source arranged in the actuator housing, for driving the processor, the transceiver system and the electric motor
Data Source
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AI summary
A stand-alone ball valve actuator (2) comprising an actuator housing (20) including an valve interface (24) configured for releasably coupling the stand-alone ball valve actuator to a ball valve; an electric motor (21) arranged in the actuator housing, configured to selectively rotate a ball element of the ball valve via a gearing (211) and coupling member (23), an encoder assembly (4) for producing a position signal representative of the rotational position of the coupling member; a transceiver system (5) arranged in the actuator housing, for wirelessly receiving configuration information regarding a desired rotational position of the coupling member; a processor (6) arranged in the actuator housing, configured to process said position signal and said configuration information, and control the electric motor to rotate the ball element, accordingly, and a self-contained power source (7) arranged in the actuator housing, for driving the processor, the transceiver system and the electric motor.