Device and method for mechanically locating and reading the setting of an adjustable valve
Inventors
Negre, Philippe • Moureaux, Christophe • Lemaitre, Jean-Philippe
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8733394-B2
Publication Date
2014-05-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
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 (D) comprises a magnetic compass (10) and a selector (20) provided with an alignment mark (21) for aligning the magnetic compass (10) with respect to the direction (D) in which the fluid flows through the valve (V). The compass (10) comprises a reference plane 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 valve setting being represented by the angle (β) formed, in the reference plane, between the magnetic indicator (12) and the alignment mark (21) when the magnetic indicator (12) is positioned perpendicular to the reference plane, the magnetic compass then being centered on the magnetic center of the valve.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a mechanically operated device for locating and reading the setting of an adjustable magnetic valve that controls the flow of a fluid in a predetermined direction. The device includes a selector provided with an alignment mark for aligning the magnetic compass with respect to the direction in which the fluid flows through the valve.
The invention further provides a magnetic compass having a reference plane and a magnetic indicator mounted so that it can pivot in all three dimensions of space under the effect of the magnetic field of the valve. 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 perpendicular to the reference plane, with the magnetic compass then being centered on the magnetic centre of the valve.
The described embodiments also include perpendicularity detection for centering sight and pivot/restore structures for 3D pivoting, including a pivot-angle restriction cage and reinforcing means for the pivoting magnetic indicator. Additional refinements include magnetic screening against external magnetic fields, and separability between the compass and the selector so that a programmer can remotely adjust the valve setting.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers mechanically locating and reading an adjustable magnetic valve setting using an aligned selector and a pivoting magnetic compass, where the setting is expressed as an angle in a reference plane under a perpendicularity condition. The independent claim set therefore focuses on the structural arrangement and the mapping of valve setting to a measurable angle using a perpendicular magnetic-indicator condition, with further inventive features refined in dependent claims.
Mechanically aligned selector for fluid-flow direction
A selector provided with an alignment mark for aligning the magnetic compass with respect to the direction in which the fluid flows through the valve.
Three-dimensional pivoting magnetic indicator with reference plane representation
A 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.
Valve setting represented by angle in reference plane under perpendicularity centering
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 perpendicular to the reference plane, the magnetic compass then being centered on the magnetic centre of the valve.
Across the independent-claim concept, the inventive coverage ties the valve magnetic field response of a three-dimension pivoting magnetic indicator to a defined reference plane, and expresses the valve setting as an angle when the indicator is positioned perpendicular to the reference plane so that the compass centers on the valve’s magnetic centre.
Stated Advantages
Provides mechanical locating of the magnetic centre of the adjustable magnetic valve and reading of the valve setting using a single angle representation in the reference plane.
Perpendicularity of the magnetic indicator relative to the reference plane enables centering on the magnetic centre of the valve.
Magnetic screening protects the magnetic compass from an external magnetic field other than that of the valve.
Documented Applications
Mechanically locating and reading the setting of an adjustable magnetic valve for controlling the flow of a fluid in a predetermined direction.
Using a programmer to remotely adjust the valve setting through separability between the compass and the selector.
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