Lift Valve Position Sensing With Nested Encoders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting valves with integrated measuring devices often lack compactness and safety, as they can be prone to mechanical impairment and interference from objects or particles, especially when not using a control head.
Innovation Solution
A lifting valve design that incorporates a compact measuring device with a first and second encoder, where the measurement customers are arranged to detect the position of the drive rod, allowing for a more compact and safer arrangement by reversing the measuring principle and using contactless measurement methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are mounted on the rod section extending from the actuator, then the measuring device can detect the position of the drive rod, but the sensors are exposed to mechanical impairment and interference from objects or particles
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is nested within the actuator housing, with the sensor arranged inside the actuator and the transmitter arranged on the drive rod. This nesting arrangement protects the sensor from external mechanical impairment and interference while still allowing it to detect the position of the drive rod through the transmitter signal.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional components such as a surrounding cylinder are added to protect the rod, then mechanical protection is provided, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is merged with the actuator housing, where the sensor is integrated inside the actuator housing rather than being a separate external component. This merging eliminates the need for additional protective cylinders or surrounding components, providing mechanical protection without increasing installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is nested within the actuator housing, utilizing the existing internal space of the actuator. This nesting approach provides protection for the sensor without requiring additional external protective structures, thereby avoiding increased installation space requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If sensors are placed outside the control head, then installation is simpler, but the risk of sensor misalignment and shearing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is merged with the actuator housing as an integrated component, eliminating the need for separate mounting procedures. This integration ensures proper alignment during manufacturing while maintaining installation simplicity, and prevents sensor shearing by providing structural support within the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is pre-positioned and secured within the actuator housing during manufacturing, ensuring correct alignment before the actuator is installed. This preliminary action eliminates alignment issues that would otherwise require complex adjustment procedures during installation and operation.
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 design achieves a more compact and secure arrangement of the lifting valve, reducing the risk of mechanical impairment and interference, while ensuring precise measurement and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first encoder (17) and a second encoder (18), wherein the first encoder (17) is arranged to detect the position of the drive rod (22)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lift valve having a valve housing (1) and a lift drive (13), which comprises a drive rod (22) that can be moved along a lift axis (A) into a first and a second end position (E1, E2), and a measuring apparatus (15), which is coupled to the lift drive (13) on a side of the lift drive (13) facing away from the valve housing (1) and comprises a first sensor (17) and a second sensor (18), and having a first transducer (30), which is arranged so as to follow the movement of the drive rod (22), the first transducer (30) being arranged on a sensor rod (29) which is arranged in an end region of the drive rod (22). In order to achieve a compact and safe design, a second transducer (31), which is arranged so as to follow the movement of the drive rod (22), is provided and the first sensor (17) is arranged between the second sensor (18) and the lift drive (13) and the first sensor (17) is excited by the second transducer (31), which is arranged on a side of the first transducer (30) facing the drive rod (22), when the drive rod (22) is in the second end position (E2).