GB2162289A

GB2162289A - Valve control device

Info

Publication number: GB2162289A
Application number: GB8518672A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Graham Richards
Original assignee: DONAGHYS ELECTRONICS Ltd
Current assignee: DONAGHYS ELECTRONICS Ltd
Priority date: 1984-07-24
Filing date: 1985-07-24
Publication date: 1986-01-29
Also published as: IL75888A0; AU4527585A; GB8518672D0; FR2568347A1

Abstract

A device, for mounting on a control valve in which flow of liquid may be turned on off by a pilot valve (30) which either covers or uncovers a port (17) associated with a main diaphragm within the valve body (10), incorporates means (25) to activate and deactivate liquid flow through said control valve, said means being operable on command of a programmable electronic module, said means being powered by a power source contained within or as part of said device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to controllable valves This invention relates to a device for mounting on a controllable valve and in particular to an irrigation control valve which flow of liquid may be turned on and off by a seal which either covers or uncovers a port associated with a main diaphragm within the valve, to activate and deactivate liquid flow through the valve.

It is desirable that an irrigation scheme be automated to reduce the labour requirement if it is to be economically attractive to farmers, orchadists and the like. Pipelines are being used more and more to improve farm and horticulture irrigation system and these systems can be automated by using the control valve to sequence water application.

Control valves are presently activated by electric solenoids, relatively large mechanical devices or hydraulic devices. These devices are mounted on the valve body to achieve the desired activation of the valve. All of these systems have a large installation cost factor, for example a solenoid activated valve needs a continuous amount of electrical energy to operate which is supplied through underground cable between a command post and the control valve. This method has disadvantages, particularly when the control valve is located many kilometers from the command post. An alternative arrangement is to provide a mechanical clock using a mechanical ladder to physically activate the control valve on and off.A disadvantage with this system apart from the reliability problems associated with the mechanical mechanism is that the facility for programming several operations daily is often not available due to their simplified design.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a device that may be coupled to a control valve, to activate and deactivate liquid flow through the valve, the device being provided with its own power source and with the facilities of electronic programming to thereby overcome the abovementioned problems.

According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a device for mounting on a control valve in which flow of liquid may be turned on and off by a seal which either covers or uncovers a port associated with a main diaphragm within the valve body, characterised in that said device incorporates means to activate and deactivate liquid flow through said control valve, said means being operable on command of a programmable electronic module, said means being powered by a power source contained within or as part of said device.

In further describing the invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partly sectioned side view of a self-contained module coupled to a control valve, showing internal detail, Figure 2 is a partly sectioned end view of Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a more detailed view showing the attachment to the control valve, and Figure 4 is a closer view showing the attachment means of the link arm to the port seal means.

Referring to the drawings the control valve is of a well known construction comprising a valve body 10 having an inlet 11 and an outlet 1 2 and a diaphragm 1 3 abutting on a valve seat 14. A chamber 1 5 is located above the diaphragm 1 3 which communicates with the outlet 1 2 via ports 1 6 and 1 7. The diaphragm 1 3 is provided with a bleed port 1 8 so that inlet pressure extends to chamber 1 5. In the drawings the valve is shown in the on or flow position whereby port 1 7 is uncovered thus allowing inlet pressure to unseat diaphragm 1 3. When port 1 7 is covered, pressure buildup in chamber 1 5 forces diaphragm 1 3 onto the valve seat 1 4 thus stopping the flow of water.

The device 1 9 comprises a body housing 20 having a removable cap 21. Within the body is a battery holder means (not shown) and an electronic consol (not shown). Consol is suitably coupled to a circuit board (not shown) which allows for the programming sequences for which the particular control valve is intended. The circuit provides for an optional radio receiving link (also not shown).

It will be appreciated that the electronic programming facilities could be any suitable embodiment currently provided for by known art.

The flow of liquid through the control valve 10 is activated and deactivated by means of an electric motor 25 coupled to a reduction gear train 26 which comprises several step down reductions to provide maximum torque.

The output shaft 27 of the gear train is coupled to a crank 28, cam or similar device which drives a member, expediently a link arm 29 provided at its terminal end with a port seal means 30.

The link arm 29 is housed within a tube 31 which couples with the valve body via an adaptor 41. A bearing 24 or guide is preferably provided in tube 31 to guide and locate the link arm 29. A bayonet type coupling is preferably provided on the adaptor on which a complementary fitting is provided in tube 31.

Alternatively a screw type or other coupling could also be used in place of the bayonet coupling. The adaptor 41 is threaded at its outer end portion so that it may be filled to the valve body. The adaptor is available in a range of sizes to accommodate different sizes of control valves.

The port seal means 30 comprises a valve head and spindle 35 which is spring biassed by spring 36 into engagement with valve seat 37 and associated port 1 7. The link arm 29 is expediently removably coupled to the valve spindle by a release means 38 shown better in Fig. 4 of the drawings. A pair of inwardly directed claws 39 engage shaped head 40 at the top of the valve spindle. As shown in Fig.

4 of the drawings a rotation of the link arm 29 allows release from the head 40 of the valve spindle when the device is removed from the valve body for battery replacement, service or the like.

Activation of the electric motor 25 via ports 16, 1 7 and 1 8 effects the opening or closing of liquid flow through the main valve 10.

Because the electric motor only operates for a very short time during each activation, the batteries have a useful life envisaged to be in the order of one year with average use. Due to the type of integrated circuits used in the electronic consol, many different time sequences for on and off are available, for example, programming may be from periods of a few seconds to months if desired.

It can be seen that the invention provides a device for attachment to a control valve which is economical to instal, can be readily moved or installed in difficult locations as the device is provided with its own inbuilt power supply.

It will be appreciated that modifications could be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof. For example, output shaft 27 could be coupled to a crank which is coupled to the port seal means by means of a rigid or flexible coupling member. It will also be appreciated that an alternative arrangement of reduction gear train and electronic programming circuits could be provided in place of the particular embodiment described.

Claims

1. A device for mounting on a control valve in which flow of liquid may be turned on and off by a seal which either covers or uncovers a port associated with a main diaphragm within the valve body, characterised in that said device incorporates means to activate and deactivate liquid flow through said control valve, said means being operable on command of a programmable electronic module, said means being powered by a power source contained within or as part of said device.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises an electric motor coupled via a reduction gear train to a member, the terminal end of which is coupled to a port seal means.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said member comprises an arm, one end of which is coupled to a crank member coupled to the output of said gear train, the other end adapted to be coupled to said port seal means.

4. A device according to claim 2 wherein said member comprises an arm, one end of which is coupled to a camming member, coupled to the output of said gear train, the other end adapted to be coupled to said port seal means.

5. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said port seal means comprises a valve head connected to a valve spindle, said valve head and spindle being spring biassdd into engagement with said port, and said other end of arm being removably coupled to said valve spindle.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said valve head and valve spindle are mounted in an adaptor mountable on said control valve body.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the body of the device is removably coupled to said adaptor.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the body of the device is removably coupled to said adaptor by a bayonet action.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said power source comprises a battery or batteries mounted in a holder within the body of the device.

10. A control valve in which flow of liquid may be turned on and off by a seal which either covers or uncovers a port associated with a main diaphragm within the valve body, and a device mounted on said control valve to activate and deactivate liquid flow through said control valve characterised in that said activation and deactivation of flow is effected by means operable on command of a programmable electronic module, said means being powered by a power source contained within or as part of said device.

11. A device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 2. A control valve substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.