F16K37/0083

System and method for detecting deterioration of a control valve

Automatic testing for control valves is provided for diagnosing of actuators, including actuators not equipped with analog or discrete position transmitters. A valve controller confirms steady-state conditions for a turbo-compressor system that includes a control valve in a first position and sends, to an actuator for the control valve, a signal to initiate a partial valve stroke to move the control valve away from the first position. The valve controller receives feedback signals from sensors in the turbo-compressor system and monitors the feedback signals for a change from the steady-state conditions. When the monitoring detects a change from the steady-state conditions within a defined time period, the valve controller sends, to the actuator, a signal to return the control valve to the first position. When the monitoring does not detect a change from the steady-state conditions within the defined time period, the valve controller generates an alarm signal.

Thermostatic cartridge
11487305 · 2022-11-01 · ·

The thermostatic cartridge includes: a cartridge body, inside which are delimited a chamber, a hot and cold fluid inlet passages and a mixed fluid outlet passage; a slide valve regulating the temperature of the mixed fluid, movable along an axis to close, in inverse proportions, the inlet passages; a thermostatic element, a mechanism for adjusting a thermostatic regulation temperature, which is, in a usage configuration, mechanically connected to the body to set, and by actuation, to modify the position of the piston of the thermostatic element along the axis; and a control member rotationally mounted on the body so as to, in the usage configuration, actuate it when the control member is rotationally driven in between positions associated with extreme low and high values of the thermostatic regulation temperature. When the control member is driven past a first position, the adjustment mechanism is disconnected from the body or control member.

Determining the operability of a fluid driven safety valve
11486515 · 2022-11-01 · ·

For determining the operability of a fluid driven safety valve, a method comprising the following steps is described: A partial stroke test is performed on the safety valve, resulting in a stroke-pressure curve. The stroke pressure curve is extrapolated (330, 340) beyond the measured range (360) up to the safety closing position (350). From the extrapolated stroke-pressure curve, the closing pressure reserve (320) can be determined. In this way, the functionality of the safety valve can be checked during operation.

INDUSTRIAL RECHARGEABLE WIRELESS SOLENOID VALVE SYSTEM
20230085709 · 2023-03-23 ·

An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an industrial rechargeable wireless solenoid valve system, and a technical problem to be solved is to provide an industrial rechargeable wireless solenoid valve system which is controlled by a wireless control signal and receives power supplied from a rechargeable battery. To this end, the present disclosure provides an industrial rechargeable wireless solenoid valve system comprising: a wireless communication unit for receiving a command from a factory control unit; a solenoid valve control unit which receives input of the command from the wireless communication unit to output an operation signal corresponding to the command; an output unit which receives input of the operation signal from the solenoid valve control unit to drive a solenoid valve; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the wireless communication unit, the solenoid valve control unit, and the output unit, respectively.

ACTUATOR AND FLUID CONTROL DEVICE
20220349494 · 2022-11-03 ·

The actuator includes a control unit configured to allow a first control capable of driving a drive part with a first driving force and a second control capable of driving the drive part with a second driving force which is stronger than the first driving force, a moving part configured to move in a predetermined direction, an elastic member configured to receive at least one of the first driving force and the second driving force from the drive part and to supply a force for the moving part to move to the moving part, and a detection unit configured to supply a detection signal for detecting a stop of the drive part to the control unit, in which the control unit performs the second control when a stop of the drive part is detected after performing the first control.

Predictive diagnostics systems and methods using vacuum pressure control valves

Calibration of a valve in a vacuum system and providing a diagnostic indication in the vacuum system using the calibration includes measuring conductance of the valve as a function of angular valve position and generating a conductance calibration map or function for use during operation of the valve. An actual angular valve position is set based on the received set point angular valve position and a difference between the measured valve conductance and a predefined metric of conductance versus angular valve position. An actual system conductance and a difference between the actual system conductance and a reference system conductance for the system are determined. The diagnostic indication of a fault in the system is generated based on the actual angular valve position of the valve and the difference between the actual system conductance and the reference system conductance for the system.

VALVE POSITIONER AND DIAGNOSTIC METHOD
20220333714 · 2022-10-20 · ·

Fault diagnostics utilize an embedded tracking digital twin of a valve assembly physical part in a microprocessor system of the valve positioner. The digital twin has simulation model parameters including a fault-related simulation model parameter. The digital twin receives a control signal representing a real control of the at least part of the valve assembly, and generates simulated measurements relating to the simulated control result. The digital twin compare the simulated measurements with real measurements that relate to the real control result, to track an error between the results of simulated operation and the real operation of the valve assembly to adjust the fault-related simulation model parameter in a sense that the error is decreased. The fault-related simulation model parameter relates to a specific physical fault in the physical part of the valve assembly, and it is detectable and identifiable based on the simulation model parameter adjusted value.

Injector pressure calibration system and method

A calibration system for calibrating a pressure output of a fluid injector having a housing configured for connecting to the fluid injector; a drive member engagement portion configured for contacting a drive member of the fluid injector; a compressible member, which may have a known modulus of compression, connected at its proximal end to the drive member engagement portion, wherein the compressible member is compressed with movement of the drive member of the fluid injector between a first, uncompressed position and a second, at least partially compressed position of the fluid injector in a distal direction; and a sensor connected to the compressible member is described. The sensor is configured for measuring at least one of a force imparted by the drive member and a displacement of the drive member when the compressible member is in the second, at least partially compressed position. The system may generate a calibration curve for the drive member of the fluid injector and allow the generation of a fault condition. Methods for calibrating a fluid injector are also described.

PNEUMATICALLY-OPERATED EMERGENCY ISOLATION VALVE SWITCHOVER KIT
20230121412 · 2023-04-20 · ·

An emergency shutdown (ESD) system for a process control system includes an air supply coupled to a solenoid valve used to control a pneumatically-operated emergency isolation valve (ZV) via a switchover kit, a smart valve positioner coupled to the solenoid valve via the switchover kit, and an ESD controller. The ESD controller is configured to: control the supply of air from the air supply by the solenoid valve to open and close the ZV, and control the smart valve positioner so as to perform a partial stroke test on the ZV. The switchover kit includes a manifold having a plurality of valves coupling the air supply, the solenoid valve, and the smart valve positioner such that: based on a first setting of the plurality of valves, a first air flow path through the manifold connects the air supply directly to the solenoid valve, and based on a second setting of the plurality of valves, a second air flow path through the manifold connects the air supply to the solenoid valve through the smart valve positioner.

TESTING CONTROL VALVES IN THE FIELD
20230122668 · 2023-04-20 ·

A controller is configured to perform in-situ testing on a control valve. These configurations can generate a signal that changes position of a closure member in the valve during operation of a process. These changes exercise components of the valve for a short period of time. This testing may result in data that can indicate whether the device is operating properly or may be in need of maintenance or repair.