Programmable flow control valve unit
AssigneeAnsan Industries Ltd.
InventorsDennis A. Wilson, Dennis W. Anesi, Mark S. Williamsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A programmable flow control valve unit has a valve assembly with a solid state control cooperating with a programmable timing device to provide the operating mode for the purpose of operating the valve unit for a predetermined time period or periods in order to achieve the functioning of the valve assembly to thereby move a fluid such as a gas, a liquid, or a slurry to a particular place in a desired time pattern. The time periods may be set individually or by a repeat mode.
Claims12
A flow control valve for controlling flow of a fluid, said flow control valve including a valve assembly, a drive mechanism for said valve assembly operably secured to said valve assembly with an electronic assembly cooperating with said drive mechanism to provide for operation of said flow control valve, wherein:
- a. said flow control valve includes a housing for said flow control valve;
- b. said housing contains, protects and mounts said valve assembly, said drive mechanism, and said electronic assembly, in a cooperating relationship;
- c. said electronic assembly includes a solid state control and a solid state timing circuit for operating said flow control valve for a predetermined time period;
- d. said housing includes a base plate substantially containing and protecting said valve assembly;
- e. said housing includes a shield assembly substantially containing and protecting said drive mechanism;
- f. said housing includes an electronic case substantially containing and protecting said electronic assembly;
- g. said solid state timing circuit comprising a programmable timing device having a means to set a timing mode and a means to simply copy said timing mode;
- h. said shield assembly is connected to said base plate and is between and separate from said base plate and said electronic case;
- i. said electronic case includes a panel cover;
- j. said programmable timing device includes a readout housing assembly for securing said programmable timing device in said electronic case;
- k. said readout housing assembly includes a keypad overlay to secure a push button assembly and a liquid crystal readout in said electronic case;
- l. said said push button assembly is operably connected to said liquid crystal readout to provide a visible indication of activation of a button member of said push button assembly;
- m. said drive mechanism includes a shaft cover mounted at least partially within said electronic case, and between said drive mechanism and said electronic assembly;
- n. an activating source is secured between said base plate and said liquid crystal readout to provide a visible indication of activation of a button member of said push button assembly;
- o. said push button assembly is operably connected to said drive mechanism;
- p. said drive mechanism includes said shaft cover having a securing means to position said shaft cover between said electronic assembly and said drive mechanism;
- q. said shaft cover is supported by at least two shaft cover mounts;
- r. said shaft cover mounts are molded into and form an integral part of said shield assembly;
- s. said shaft cover mounts protrude upwardly from said shield assembly to support said shaft cover;
- t. said shaft cover is secured to said shaft cover mounts;
- u. said shaft cover is separated from and located within said electronic case;
- and
- v. said base plate is removably secured to said shield assembly.
The flow control valve of claim 10 wherein
- shaft screws pass through shaft cover apertures into threaded relation with said shaft cover mounts to hold said shaft cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.