Wireless Valve Position Sensor for Filling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automated bottling systems, non-electrically operated filling valves pose challenges in monitoring valve positions due to the lack of electrical connections, making it difficult to ensure reliable cleaning and prevent contamination, especially during cleaning cycles where blockages can impair valve function and lead to residue in containers.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor system for detecting valve positions in filling devices, comprising a sensor module with an energy receiving device, an electrical energy storage unit, and a position sensor that uses resonant circuits and magnetic field sensors to detect valve positions without a wired electrical supply, allowing for inductive readout of valve states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-electrical means are used to operate filling valves in rotating carrier arrangements, then the reliability of the filling system is improved by avoiding complex electrical connections, but the ability to monitor valve positions and provide electrical feedback signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field serves as an intermediary between the non-electrical valve actuation system and the electrical monitoring system. The magnetic field can penetrate through the valve body to detect valve pin position without requiring direct electrical connections to the rotating filling valves, thus maintaining system reliability while enabling position monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical sensing with a magnetic field-based detection system. Instead of using electrical sensors that would require wired connections to rotating valves, the system uses magnetic fields that can detect valve position through the valve body, substituting mechanical/electrical contact with field-based detection.
2Measurement precision
If electrical sensors are installed inside the valve body to monitor valve position, then the measurement precision of valve position is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary that allows position detection without physical contact with the valve pin. The magnetic field can sense the position of the valve pin through the valve body wall, eliminating the need to install sensors inside the valve and reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Use of energy by moving object
If wired electrical connections are provided to rotating filling valves, then the capability to provide electrical energy and readout sensor signals is improved, but the ease of operation and reliability of the rotating carrier arrangement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wired connections with wireless electromagnetic energy transmission and magnetic field-based sensing. This substitution eliminates the physical constraints of rotating connections, improving ease of operation and reliability while still enabling electrical energy supply and signal readout for the rotating filling valves.
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 reliable monitoring of valve positions in bottling plants without the need for electrical connections, ensuring effective cleaning and preventing contamination by providing a direct method to detect open or closed states of filling valves, even in rotating carrier arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor module on the at least one filling device with an energy receiving device that is designed to wirelessly receive energy and provide it as electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
the sensor module to have a resonant circuit which is designed to oscillate using the electrical energy provided
Implementation Method 3
The valve pin can, for example, be controlled pneumatically by applying compressed air. Since the valve pin is generally not accessible from the outside, it is necessary to arrange a sensor system for detecting the valve position as directly as possible on the valve body or inside the valve
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor system for detecting the position of a filling valve (8), particularly in a filling system, comprising: - a support arrangement (4) for moving at least one filling device (5), wherein the at least one filling device (5) has a filling valve (8) for supplying a medium to a container (2) to be filled; - a sensor module (15) on the at least one filling device (5) with an energy receiving device (30) configured to wirelessly receive energy and provide it as electrical energy, with an electrical energy storage device (33) for storing the provided electrical energy, and with a position sensor (16) configured to detect a position of the filling valve (8) using the provided electrical energy and to provide a corresponding electrical sensor value (S);- a stationary reading device (50) configured to detect a measurement signal (M) dependent on the electrical sensor size (S) when the at least one filling device (5) moves past it and to provide a detection signal (D) dependent on the measurement signal (M).