Control Valve Torque and Angle Measurement in Compact Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices for control valves in industrial settings are bulky and require significant cabling efforts, limiting their compactness and versatility in use.
Innovation Solution
A compact measuring device with a housing between the control valve and actuating drive, featuring a resilient element, torque and rotational-angle sensors, and a central connecting shaft, allowing for contactless and wear-free torque and angle measurement, with adjustable resolution and minimal footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional measuring devices are used for torque and angle measurement in control valves, then measurement functionality is provided, but the device size increases and cabling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measuring functions (torque measurement via resilient element deflection and angle measurement via magnetic sensors detecting shaft position) into a single integrated measuring device housing that interfaces with both the control valve and actuating drive, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems and reducing overall device volume
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures torque through resilient element deflection, measures rotation angle through magnetic sensors detecting connecting shaft position, and provides structural coupling between the control valve and actuating drive, making it a multi-functional component that replaces several separate devices
2Measurement precision
If traditional measuring devices with multiple sensors are used, then comprehensive measurement data is obtained, but the cabling effort and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor systems (torque measurement via resilient element and angle measurement via magnetic sensors) are merged into a single measuring device with integrated signal processing, eliminating the need for separate cabling for each sensor and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device utilizes the existing mechanical connection elements (resilient element, connecting shaft) as integral parts of the measurement system, so that the structural components serving to connect the valve and drive also serve as the measurement elements, eliminating the need for additional separate measurement components and their associated cabling
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
Enables efficient, space-saving monitoring of control valve operations with reduced cabling and consistent measurement accuracy across varying dimensions, facilitating easy integration and calibration for different valve assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
At least one resilient element is provided between the first connecting wall and the connecting element
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic sensor is arranged on the connecting element and points towards the first connecting wall
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring device (10) for recording at least one force and/or torque curve resulting when a control valve (32) is actuated by an actuating drive (34), comprising a housing (11) which can be arranged between the control valve (32) and the actuating drive (34). The housing (11) is provided with a first and a second connecting wall (14, 16) and at least one connecting element (18) which connects the first and the second connecting wall (14, 16). The first connecting wall (14) is connected to the actuating drive (34), and the second connecting wall (16) is connected to the control valve (32). A connecting shaft (12) for connecting a drive shaft of the actuating drive (34) to an actuating shaft of a control valve (32) is arranged in a central through-opening (14c, 16c) in the two connecting walls (14, 16). The connecting shaft (12) penetrates the measuring device (10). The connecting shaft (12) is arranged at a distance from and freely rotatable with respect to the connecting walls (14, 16), and at least one resilient element is provided between the first connecting wall (14) and the connecting element (18), with a measuring unit being provided in the housing (11). The measuring unit has at least two sub-measuring units. The first sub-measuring unit is in the form of a torque sensor unit, and the second sub-measuring unit is in the form of a rotational-angle sensor unit. The sub-measuring units each have a signal transmitter and a signal receiver. The signal receivers are arranged in a common measuring module (20). The invention is characterized in that the first signal transmitter is arranged on the first connecting wall (14), and the second signal transmitter is arranged on the connecting shaft (12).