Fluid handling – With indicator – register – recorder – alarm or inspection means – Position or extent of motion indicator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-23
2001-11-27
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
Position or extent of motion indicator
C251S129150
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321781
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to apparatus for monitoring the valve stroke of an electromagnetically actuated valve in which a valve member is displaced by an electromagnet and an opposition spring.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Electromagnetically activated valves, such as solenoid or electropneumatic changeover valves, are used in changeover, disconnection or vent devices, and are employed, for example, in activated-charcoal filter systems of internal combustion engines of motor vehicles or in combination with pneumatic actuators.
As known, an electromagnetically actuated changeover valve comprises a coil, an armature and a restoring spring. In the energized state, the armature is attracted by the magnetic force of the coil against the force of the restoring spring, thus opening or closing a valve inlet or outlet of the changeover valve. Such an electromagnetically actuated changeover valve is disclosed, for example, in German Patent Application DE 19733577 A.1.
A disadvantage of this type of valve, however, is that an autonomous functional check is not provided, of whether the armature actually opens or closes the inlet or outlet when it is in the energized state.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is therefore to provide an electromagnetically actuated valve in which an autonomous functional check is effected by means of the completed valve stroke.
In accordance with the invention, an autonomous functional check of the valve is obtained by feedback of its operating position to an evaluation unit. The feedback of the operating position is advantageously achieved by the use of a Hall-effect sensor switch, by means of which there is obtained a signal indicating whether or not armature attraction has occurred. Preferably, an annular magnet is disposed on the top of the armature and is arranged in facing relation with the Hall-effect sensor. Below the Hall-effect sensor there is attached a short-circuiting ring in a well-defined stroke position relative to the annular magnet.
The Hall-effect sensor can be supplied with the supply voltage of the coil, thus obviating the need for an additional external voltage source. An indicating device is connected to the output of the evaluation unit for visual display of the functional check.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3859619 (1975-01-01), Ishihara et al.
patent: 5032812 (1991-07-01), Banick et al.
patent: 5257014 (1993-10-01), Zimmermann
Chambers A. Michael
Ladas & Parry
Pierburg AG
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