Valve automation mechanism and valve automation method
AssigneeTAKATORI SEISAKUSHO Co., Ltd.
InventorKojiro Fujiyama
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve automation mechanism that can be easily attached to a large manual valve, can motorize the valve, and is sufficiently downsized so as to be placeable in a narrow installation space is provided. A valve automation mechanism includes a gear attaching mechanism, a support mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a control part. Further, the gear attaching mechanism has a handle rotating gear. Further, the drive mechanism rotates the handle rotating gear and generates a driving force for motorizing the rotation of a handle.
Claims14
A valve automation mechanism that is attached to a predetermined valve having a valve box, which is attached to a valve rod and a handle, and controls a flow of a fluid inside the valve box by rotating the handle and moving the handle and the valve rod forward and backward along a longitudinal direction of the valve rod, and is capable of automatically rotating the handle, the valve automation mechanism comprising:
- a handle holding portion attached to the handle;
- a handle rotating gear located between the valve box and the handle in the longitudinal direction of the valve rod, attached to the handle holding portion, and configured to rotate integrally with the handle;
- a gear supporting portion comprising:
- a substantially tubular body that is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the handle and is located between the valve rod and the handle rotating gear and
- a through hole into which the valve rod is inserted;
- a valve attaching portion located between the valve box and the handle in the longitudinal direction of the valve rod, connected to the gear supporting portion, and attached to the predetermined valve such that rotation around a position of the valve rod is restricted;
- a drive mechanism located between the valve box and the handle in the longitudinal direction of the valve rod, attached to the valve attaching portion, and having a motor and a speed reducer;
- and
- a drive mechanism gear attached to the speed reducer, configured to be rotatable by a driving force of the motor, and transmitting power by engagement of the handle rotating gear and the drive mechanism gear.
A valve automation method for automatically rotating a handle of a predetermined valve that has a valve box, which is attached to a valve rod and the handle, and controls a flow of a fluid inside the valve box by rotating the handle and moving the handle and valve rod forward and backward along a longitudinal direction of the valve rod, the method comprising:
- an attaching step of attaching, between the valve box and the handle in the longitudinal direction of the valve rod:
- a handle rotating gear rotating integrally with the handle;
- a gear supporting portion for supporting the handle rotating gear;
- a valve attaching portion connected to the gear supporting portion on one side, attached to the predetermined valve on another side, and restricted in rotation around a position of the valve rod;
- a drive mechanism attached to the valve attaching portion and having a motor and a speed reducer;
- and
- a drive mechanism gear rotated by a driving force of the motor and transmitting power by engagement of the handle rotating gear and the drive mechanism gear;
- and
- a handle rotating step of driving the motor, rotating the drive mechanism gear, and rotating the handle.
A valve automation mechanism that is attached to a predetermined valve having a valve box, which is attached to a valve rod and a handle, controls a flow of a fluid inside the valve box by rotating the handle and moving the handle and the valve rod forward and backward along a longitudinal direction of the valve rod, and is capable of automatically rotating the handle, the valve automation mechanism comprising:
- a handle rotating gear arranged between the valve box and the handle in the longitudinal direction of the valve rod and rotating integrally with the handle;
- a holding mechanism arranged between the valve box and the handle in the longitudinal direction of the valve rod, supporting the handle rotating gear, attached to the predetermined valve, and restricted in rotation around a position of the valve rod;
- and
- a gear drive mechanism arranged between the valve box and the handle in the longitudinal direction of the valve rod, attached to the holding mechanism, rotated based on a driving force of a motor, and transmitting power by engagement of the handle rotating gear and the drive mechanism gear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.