Device for mechanically locating and reading the setting of an adjustable valve
Inventors
Moureaux, Christophe • Negre, Philippe
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7921571-B2
Publication Date
2011-04-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention proposes a device for mechanically locating and reading the setting of an adjustable magnetic valve for controlling the flow of a fluid in a predetermined direction to locate the magnetic centre of the valve and to determine the setting of the valve. The device comprises a magnetic compass (10), an alignment mark for aligning the magnetic compass (10) with respect to the direction in which the fluid flows, a reference plane (Pr), and a magnetic indicator (12), which is mounted such that it can pivot in all three dimensions of space under the effect of the magnetic field of the valve. The magnetic indicator (12) includes at least one magnet capable of receiving a magnetic field and having a north-south direction, wherein the north-south direction is substantially perpendicular to the reference plane (Pr) when the magnetic indicator (12) is positioned substantially perpendicular to the reference plane (Pr).
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device for mechanically locating and reading the setting of an adjustable-pressure magnetic valve for controlling the flow of a fluid in a predetermined direction. The device comprises a magnetic compass and an alignment mark for aligning the magnetic compass with respect to the fluid flow direction through the valve, and the valve setting is represented by an angle formed, in a reference plane, between the magnetic indicator and the alignment mark.
The magnetic compass comprises a reference plane and a magnetic indicator mounted such that it can pivot in all three dimensions of space under the effect of the magnetic field of the valve. The valve setting is read when the magnetic indicator is positioned substantially perpendicular to the reference plane, and the magnetic compass is centered on the magnetic centre of the valve. The magnetic indicator is equipped with at least one magnet capable of receiving a magnetic field and having a north-south direction.
The magnets are arranged such that their north-south direction is substantially perpendicular to the reference plane when the magnetic indicator is positioned substantially perpendicular to the reference plane. This vertical arrangement makes the device virtually insensitive to the Earth’s magnetic field by preventing the Earth’s magnetic field from influencing the compass reading in the specified centered and positioned configuration.
Claims Coverage
The partial claims data identifies one independent claim. That claim covers the mechanical locating and reading of an adjustable-pressure magnetic valve setting via a magnetic compass with a pivoting magnetic indicator, an alignment mark, a reference plane, and a specific magnet orientation relative to the reference plane.
Magnetic compass with reference plane and pivoting magnetic indicator for angle reading
A device with a magnetic compass comprising a reference plane and a magnetic indicator mounted to pivot in all three dimensions under the effect of the magnetic field of the valve, wherein the valve setting is represented by the angle formed in the reference plane between the magnetic indicator and the alignment mark when the magnetic indicator is positioned substantially perpendicular to the reference plane.
Centered compass on valve magnetic centre with perpendicular indicator condition
The magnetic compass is centered on the magnetic centre of the valve, and the valve setting is defined for the reading condition when the magnetic indicator is positioned substantially perpendicular to the reference plane relative to the alignment mark.
Magnet north-south direction substantially perpendicular to the reference plane via vertical arrangement
The magnetic indicator includes at least one magnet capable of receiving a magnetic field and having a north-south direction, arranged such that this north-south direction is substantially perpendicular to the reference plane when the magnetic indicator is positioned substantially perpendicular to the reference plane.
The independent claim coverage combines a magnetic compass with a reference plane, a pivoting magnetic indicator used with an alignment mark to read the valve setting as an angle, centering on the valve magnetic centre, and a magnet arrangement that orients the north-south direction substantially perpendicular to the reference plane in the reading condition.
Stated Advantages
Virtually insensitive to the Earth’s magnetic field.
Documented Applications
Non-invasive post-implantation adjustment/reading of a CSF-drainage valve setting in a medical context for hydrocephalus drainage.
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