U.S. patent application number 10/890003 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for magnetically overridden flow control device.
Invention is credited to Moroney, Brady J., Rentmeester, Paul C., Vanderzee, Joel C..
Application Number | 20040249514 10/890003 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24966520 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040249514 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rentmeester, Paul C. ; et
al. |
December 9, 2004 |
Magnetically overridden flow control device
Abstract
A flow control device. The flow control device comprises a
valve; an actuator operably connected to and positioning the valve
and a controller operably connected to the actuator and providing
control signals thereto. An external signal provides control input
to the controller. A magnetically actuated sensor is operatively
connected to the controller and provides a signal thereto in
response to the movement of a magnetic field.
Inventors: |
Rentmeester, Paul C.; (La
Crosse, WI) ; Moroney, Brady J.; (La Crescent,
MN) ; Vanderzee, Joel C.; (La Crosse, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William O'Driscoll - 12-1
Trane
3600 Pammel Creek Road
La Crosse
WI
54601
US
|
Family ID: |
24966520 |
Appl. No.: |
10/890003 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10890003 |
Jul 13, 2004 |
|
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|
09738089 |
Dec 15, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/86397 20150401;
F25B 41/34 20210101; G05D 7/0635 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/282 |
International
Class: |
G05D 007/00; G05D
011/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. A method of controlling an electronic expansion valve
comprising the steps of: providing an electronic expansion valve
having a normal mode of operation and an override mode of
operation; controlling the operation of the electronic expansion
valve in its normal mode responsive to a first condition; and
controlling the operation of the electronic expansion valve in its
override mode responsive to a magnetically actuated sensor.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the override controlling step
positions the electronic expansion valve to predetermined positions
responsive to the magnetically actuated sensor.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first condition is pressure,
temperature or a command from a main processor.
15. A method of controlling a control device comprising the steps
of: providing a control device having a housing; inducing a
magnetic field in the housing; sensing the presence or absence of
the magnetic field; and initiating a control mode sequence of the
control device responsive to the sensed magnetic field.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the initiating step includes the
further steps of determining if the flow control device has been
provided with an identity by an external controller and ignoring
the sensed magnetic field if an identity is so determined.
17. The method of claim 16 including the further steps of
responding to the commands of an external controller once the
magnetic field has been sensed and the control mode sequence
initiated.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. A method of configurating a device having a control portion and
a functional portion comprising the steps of: sending a magnetic
signal to the device; receiving the magnetic signal in the device;
recognizing the magnetic signal in the control portion of the
device; transmitting from the control portion of the device a
signal requesting an identity and operating parameters to a remote
main process; and receiving and implementing the identity and
operating parameters from the remote main processor.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the implementation of the
identity in operating parameters subsequently prevents the control
portion from transmitting a signal requesting an identity and
operating parameters.
24. A device comprising: a control portion; a functional portion
operably connected to the control portion and responsive thereto;
and a magnetic sensor operably connected to the control portion and
operably configured to receive a magnetic signal.
25. The device of claim 24 wherein the control portion, responsive
to the presence or absence of a magnetic signal detected by the
magnetic detector, includes a transmitter and circuitry operatively
capable of transmitting a signal requesting an identity and/or
operating parameters responsive to the magnetic sensor.
26. The device of claim 25 wherein the functional portion includes
an analog input, a digital input, an analog output or a digital
output.
27. The device of claim 26 wherein the digital input, the analog
input, the digital output or the analog output may be a temperature
sensor, a pressure sensor, a level sensor, a solenoid, an actuator,
a control device or an expansion valve.
28. The device of claim 27 wherein the control portion further
includes override circuitry preventing the transmission of the
signal requesting an identity and operating parameters if the
control portion determines that an identity and operating
parameters have already been implemented within the control
portion.
29. A device comprising: a control portion operatively connected to
a communications bus for two way communications; a functional
portion operably connected to the control portion and responsive
thereto; and a non-invasive sensor operably connected to the
control portion and operably configured to receive a non-invasive
signal and report the detection of the non-invasive signal to the
control portion.
30. The device of claim 29 wherein the non-invasive sensor senses
magnetism, heat or light.
31. The device of claim 29 wherein the presence of a non-invasive
signal causes the control portion to commence operative
communications on the communications bus with an external
controller.
32. The device of claim 31 wherein the control portion requests an
identity and parameters from the external controller.
33. The device of claim 32 wherein the control portion determines
whether an identity and operating parameters have previously been
implemented and ignores the detection of the non-invasive signal if
such a determination is made.
34. The device of claim 29 wherein the control portion transmits a
predetermined signal to the functional portion upon detection of
the non-invasive signal.
35. A device that provides an analog or digital input or output
comprising: a control portion and a functional portion operably
connected and controlled by the control portion; the functional
portion being operably capable of providing an analog or digital
input or output; the control portion including an external
communications port operably connected to a control bus, an
actuator responsive to a non-invasive signal, and a controller
operably connected to the external communications port and capable
of sending and receiving communications through that port; wherein
the controller is operably connected to the actuator and receives a
signal from the actuator, the controller transmitting a signal to
the external port upon receipt of an actuator signal.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the actuator is sensitive to a
magnetic field and provides the actuator signal upon recognizing a
magnetic field.
37. The device of claim 36 wherein after transmitting the signal
initiated by the actuator, the controller awaits and receives an
identification and operating parameter providing signal which the
controller retains in a memory portion of the controller.
38. The device of claim 37 wherein the controller will only
initiate an actuator initiated signal if the controller does not
have an identification and operating parameters in the memory
portion.
39. A device that provides an analog or digital input or output
comprising: a control portion and a functional portion operably
connected and controlled by the control portion; the functional
portion being operably capable of providing an analog or digital
input or output; the control portion including an external
communications port operably connected to a control bus, an
actuator responsive to a magnetic signal, and a controller operably
connected to the external communications port and capable of
sending and receiving communications through that port; wherein the
controller is operably connected to the actuator and receives a
signal from the actuator, the controller enabling itself to receive
a signal from the external port upon receiving a signal from the
actuator.
40. The device of claim 39 wherein the controller places itself in
the enabling configuration mode anytime it receives an actuator
signal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to override modes for flow
control devices. More specifically, the present invention is
directed to the use of a magnetically actuated sensor in the
electronic expansion valve of an HVAC or refrigeration system and
the initiation of an additional or override mode of operation
responsive to the sensed magnetic field.
[0002] To position an electronic flow control device prior to
installation of its main processor and its connective cabling is
difficult since the main processor is used to implement the
position of such a flow control device. Examples when it would be
advantageous to implement pre-installation positioning occur during
manufacturing tests of the device itself, during factory tests on
the assembly line of the HVAC system, and at a job site after an
HVAC system or refrigeration system has been installed but before
the electronic controls are in place.
[0003] Additionally, a service technician initiating diagnostics or
fault testing on an HVAC system having an electronic flow control
device such as an electronic expansion valve may wish to initiate
an override in the flow control device which either avoids the HVAC
system controller or allows the technician to initiate the override
remotely from the controller's operator interface.
[0004] There are various situations in the field where the owner of
a system having a flow control device such as an electronic
expansion valve may wish to manually control or override the
operation of a flow control device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object, feature and advantage of the present
invention to address the problems of the prior art.
[0006] It is an object, feature and advantage of the present
invention to provide an apparatus and method for testing flow
control devices prior to control circuitry being fully attached to
such devices.
[0007] It is an object, feature and advantage of the present
invention to allow a service technician to initiate an override or
test functions in a flow control device using a manual device. It
is a further object that this manual device be a simple magnet.
[0008] It is an object, feature and advantage of the present
invention to allow a service technician to initiate an override in
a flow control device remotely of a system controller.
[0009] It is an object, feature and advantage of the present
invention to allow an owner of a flow control device to initiate a
manual or override operation of a flow control device. It is a
further object, feature and advantage of the present invention that
the manual or override operation be cancelled if the existence of a
system controller is identified, thereby avoiding control
conflicts.
[0010] It is an object, feature and advantage of the present
invention to allow an electronic expansion valve to be positioned
prior to installation of cabling and a main processor. It is a
further object, feature and advantage of the present invention that
the pre-installation positioning be accomplished without custom
software or an additional personal computer. It is a further
object, feature and advantage of the present invention to eliminate
additional hardware and software to focus trouble shooting when a
problem arises.
[0011] The present invention provides a flow control device. The
flow control device comprises a valve; an actuator operably
connected to and positioning the valve and a controller operably
connected to the actuator and providing control signals thereto.
The controller operates in response to an external signal or in
response to the main processor. A magnetically actuated sensor is
operatively connected to the controller and providing a signal in
response to the movement or presence of a magnetic field.
[0012] The present invention also provides a flow control device.
The flow control device comprises a valve; controller circuitry,
and a magnetically actuated sensor. The controller circuitry is
operatively connected to the valve and controls a position of the
valve in response to a first condition. The magnetically actuated
sensor is operatively connected to the control circuitry to detect
a magnetic field and initiate a control mode sequence in the
control circuitry.
[0013] The present invention additionally provides a method of
controlling an electronic expansion valve. The method comprises the
steps of: providing an electronic expansion valve having a normal
mode of operation and an override mode of operation; controlling
the operation of the electronic expansion valve in its normal mode
responsive to a first condition; and controlling the operation of
the electronic expansion valve in its override mode responsive to a
magnetically actuated sensor.
[0014] The present invention further provides a method of
controlling a flow control device. The method comprises the steps
of: providing a flow control device having a housing; inducing a
magnetic field in the housing; sensing the presence or absence of
the magnetic field; and initiating a control mode sequence of the
flow control device responsive to the sensed magnetic field.
[0015] The present invention yet further provides a flow control
device. The device comprises a housing; an actuator located within
the housing; a controller operably connected to and controlling the
actuator in response to a first condition; and a magnetically
actuated sensor. The magnetically actuated sensor is operably
connected to the controller and provides a signal to the controller
in response to sensing the presence or absence of a magnetic field.
The controller initiates a predetermined control sequence in
response to the sensed presence of a magnetic field.
[0016] The present invention further provides a method of
configurating a device having a control portion and a functional
portion. The method comprises the steps of: sending a magnetic
signal to the device; receiving the magnetic signal in the device;
recognizing the magnetic signal in the control portion of the
device; transmitting from the control portion of the device a
signal requesting an identity and operating parameters to a remote
main processor; and receiving and implementing the identity and
operating parameters from the remote main processor.
[0017] The present invention also provides a device. The device
comprises a control portion; a functional portion operably
connected to the control portion and responsive thereto; and a
magnetic sensor operably connected to the control portion and
operably configured to receive a magnetic signal.
[0018] The present invention additionally provides a device. The
device comprises a control portion; a functional portion operably
connected to the control portion and responsive thereto; and a
non-invasive sensor operably connected to the control portion and
operably configured to receive a magnetic signal.
[0019] The present invention also provides a device that provides
an analog or digital input or output. The device comprises: a
control portion and a functional portion operably connected and
controlled by the control portion. The functional portion is
operably capable of providing an analog or digital input or output.
The control portion includes an external communications port
operably connected to a control bus, an actuator responsive to a
magnetic signal, and a controller operably connected to the
external communications port and capable of sending and receiving
communications through that port. The controller is operably
connected to the actuator and receives a signal from the actuator,
and the controller enables itself to receive a signal from the
external port after receiving a signal from the actuator. The
controller places itself in the enabling configuration mode anytime
it receives an actuator signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an HVAC or refrigeration system
showing the major components and the flow of refrigerant through
the system, including an electronic flow control device.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present invention used in
accordance with the flow control device of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention used in accordance with the flow control
device of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a further alternative
embodiment of the present invention used in accordance with the
flow control device of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the present invention in a
generalized form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. The same reference
numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts including the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 3 and
4.
[0026] While the invention is described in connection with these
embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to
these embodiments or to an HVAC or refrigeration system. On the
contrary, the invention is directed to electronic flow control
devices in general and includes all alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a heating, ventilating or
air conditioning (HVAC) system or refrigeration system 10 which
includes a compressor 12, a condenser 14, an electronic flow
control device 16 such as an expansion valve, and an evaporator 18.
These components are connected by refrigeration conduits 20, 22, 24
and 26 to form a refrigeration circuit 29. In this circuit 29,
refrigerant gas enters the compressor 12 from the conduit 26 and is
compressed in the compressor 12, thus raising its temperature and
increasing its pressure. The compressed gas from the compressor 12
enters the condenser 14 via the conduit 20. In the condenser 14,
the hot compressed gas is condensed into liquid form and contacted
with a heat sink 28 such as ambient air, ground water, chilled
water from a cooling tower, or another cooling medium, to remove
heat from the condensing refrigerant. The condensed refrigerant
passes from the condenser 14 through the conduit 15 and through an
electronic flow control device 16 such as an electronic expansion
valve. The electronic flow control device 16 modulates to allow a
limited quantity of liquid refrigerant to enter the evaporator
through the conduit 24, while maintaining the pressure difference
between the higher pressure condenser 14 and the lower pressure
evaporator 18. The liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator 18
evaporates after contacting a heat load 30, preferably a fluid such
as water or air that is to be cooled, thus absorbing heat from the
heat load 30. The refrigerant vapor leaves the evaporator 18 via
the conduit 26 and returns to the compressor 12 to repeat the
cycle.
[0028] Exemplary systems are sold by The Trane Company, a Division
of American Standard Inc., having a place of business in La Crosse,
Wis., under the trademarks Series R and 3D. As shown in FIGS. 2-4,
the present invention is directed to the flow control device 16 and
to methods of controlling or actuating that device 16 under special
circumstances. Various electronic flow control devices including
electronic expansion valves (EXV) are known in the art as
exemplified by applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,494 to Glamm and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,083 to Eber, both of which are commonly
assigned to the owner of the present invention and hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0029] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown
with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the electronic flow control
device is implemented as an electronic expansion valve having a
valve portion 40 operable to control the flow of refrigerant from
the conduit 22 through the flow control device 16 and into the
conduit 24. The valve portion 40 is operatively connected to an
actuator portion 42 which conventionally positions the valve
portion 40 so as to control and modulate the refrigerant flow. The
actuator portion 42 is operatively connected to and controlled by a
controller 44 by means of a control line 46. The controller 44
issues control signals to the actuator portion 42 responsive to a
signal received from a temperature or pressure sensor 48, or an
additional system controller such as a main processor 51, by means
of an electrical connection line 50.
[0030] The present invention adds a magnetically actuated sensor 60
which provides a signal in response to sensing a magnetic
field.
[0031] The magnetically actuated sensor 60 is preferably
implemented as a hall effect sensor. This allows an assembler in
the factory, a field technician, or an owner to use a readily
available magnet 70 external of the flow control device 16 to
initiate a test function, an override, or a predetermined control
sequence. The test function might consist of initiating a sequence
to move the valve portion 40 to required positions, thereby
allowing a functional test upon final assembly such as placing the
valve portion 40 in a fully closed and/or a mid-position setting.
The mid-position setting allows the valve portion 40 to be brazed
while at that mid-position and then driven closed and/or driven
open for a subsequent pressure test.
[0032] FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention
where the controller 44 is external of the housing 62 of the flow
control device 16. The magnetically actuated sensor 60 is still
located within the housing 62 and provides its signal to the remote
controller 44 in a manner similar to the preferred embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a further alternative embodiment where the hall
effect sensor is replaced by an object 80 which can be moved by a
magnetic force. For example, the external magnet 70 is moved in a
direction 82 such that the object 80 is lifted by the magnetic
force in that same direction 82. The object 80 either closes an
electrical connection as indicated by electrical lines 84 or opens
an electrical connection as indicated by lines 86. It is also
contemplated that fiberoptic cabling could be used instead of
electrical lines and the object 80 could be used to physically
block or open an optical path in an optical line.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a block diagram 100 of the invention in a more
generalized form. Previously the invention has been described in
terms of a preferred embodiment utilizing an expansion valve, but
the present invention also applies to a variety of other devices
which have a control portion 102 including a microprocessor 104,
and a functional portion 106. The combination of the control
portion 102 and the functional portion 106 make up a unitary device
108. The functional portion 106 may be a sensor such as a
temperature sensor, a pressure sensor or a level sensor or the
functional portion 106 may be a control device such as a valve or
an actuator such as the solenoid. For purposes of this application,
such a unitary device is referred to as a low level intelligent
device or LLID. The low level intelligent devices are installed
throughout an industrial product such as the HVAC or refrigeration
system 10 of FIG. 1, and are interconnected by a communications bus
110 (or electrical connection 50) that provides each low level
intelligent device 108 with the necessary power and with
communications to a main processor 112 for each system 10.
[0035] Each low level intelligent device 108 must be provided with
an identity which the low level intelligent device will thereafter
use to identify itself when communicating on the bus 110 and when
recognizing communications on the bus 110 directed to that
particular low level intelligent device 108. Additionally, the
control portion 102 of each low level intelligent device must be
provided with the appropriate operating parameters. This is
accomplished by adding the magnetically actuated sensor 60,
preferably in the control portion 102, but potentially in the
functional portion 60 as indicated by the dashed lines. A magnetic
actuator 120 is then used to enable the control portion 102 of the
particular low level intelligent device so that that control
portion 102 will recognize and accept an identity and operating
parameters.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the use of the magnetic actuator
120 basically resets the control portion 102 to an identity of zero
so that the main processor 112 can initially determine that only
one control portion 102 is presently under and using the zero
identity, and then send a command to the zero identity address
configuring the controller using the zero identity to change its
identity to a particular identity and to operate using particular
operating parameters. In this preferred embodiment, any time the
control portion 102 is exposed to and receives a signal from the
magnetically actuated sensor 60, the control portion 102 will place
itself in the configuration enabling mode such that the control
portion 102 can be reconfigured by the main processor 112.
[0037] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the magnetic actuator 120 is used to cause the magnetic sensor 60
to send a change of state signal to the microprocessor 104 by means
of any conventional connection 122. The control portion 102 then
sends a signal on the bus 110 (as long as an identity and operating
parameters have not already been downloaded from the main processor
112) to the main processor 112 requesting such identity in
operating parameters. The main processor 112 then sends a return
signal providing the requisite identity and operating
parameters.
[0038] The functional portion 106 may be any digital or analog
input or output conventionally used to control a product and
includes an operable connection 124 to the microprocessor 104
allowing the control portion 102 to receive the digital or analog
input or output from the functional portion 106 and control that
functional portion 106.
[0039] In all of these embodiments a simple make break connection
provides a signal to the controller 44 in response to the movement
or presence of a magnetic field external to the housing 62. This
allows the initiation of modes of operation in addition to the
modes of operation initiated by the sensor 48 or a remote system
controller 51.
[0040] While the present invention has been disclosed in terms of
an electronic flow control device such as an electronic expansion
valve, it will be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in
the art that the invention can be applied to any electronically
controlled device to initiate additional or override modes of
operation in that control device. All such modifications and
alterations are considered to fall within the spirit and scope of
the claimed invention.
[0041] What is desired to be secured for Letters Patent of the
United States is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *