US 4,399,836 AGranted

Self-contained closed-loop electrically operated valve

AssigneeMarotta Scientific Controls, Inc.

InventorsWilliam I. de Versterre, Donald A. Worden

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Abstract

The invention contemplates an electrically operated valve construction for control of fluid flow wherein an actuator module is adapted for detachable connection to a valve-body module which contains the valve member to be automatically positioned by a driver element of the actuator module. All electronic components for moving the driver element are self-contained in the actuator module, and these elements include a fluid-sensing transducer producing an electrical output, for closure of the control loop. The transducer has sealed exclusive exposure to fluid in the valve-body module via a special port within the confines of the interface between the modules, when the modules are assembled to each other; this port communicates directly with that part of the valve-body passage which is on the downstream side of the valve member. An electric cable for external supply of power (and, if desired, command signals) is provided to the actuator module via connector elements exposed for detachable connection at the interface between modules, so that the actuator module requires no wiring or plumbing or other mechanical coupling that is not detachable at the interface between modules.

Claims13

Dependent claims

In combination, a unitary valve-positioning actuator module comprising a housing having a mounting face, a valve-body module having a mounting face adapted for removable assembly in register to the mounting face of said actuator module, said valve-body module having an internal passage between spaced inlet and outlet ports which are offset from the mounting face of said valve-body module;

said valve-body module including (a) a movable valve member for controlling flow in said passage, (b) an actuating stem for said valve member and exposed within the confines of said valve-member mounting face, and (c) means normally biasing said stem to a fully projected extent of such exposure;
said actuator module including (a) a guided valve-stem-engageable element exposed within the confines of the mounting face of said actuator module and engaging the exposed end of said stem when said modules are in registered assembly, (b) electromagnetic means including a driver winding for applying displacement force to said valve stem via said valve-stem engageable element in accordance with electrical excitation of said winding, and (c) signal-processing means including a transducer exposed at the mounting face of said actuator module and producing an electrical signal output in accordance with a physical-quantity change detected in fluid to which said transducer is exposed, said signal-processing means further including a command-signal external input connection and comparator means having a first input connected to said command-signal input connection and a second input connected to the electrical-signal output of said transducer;
and said body module further having within the confines of its mounting face a transducer port communicating with said passage on the downstream side of said valve member, said port having sealed exclusive communication with said transducer when said modules are in registered assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.