Method for controlling a valve actuator and a valve actuator control device

• US 10,268,211 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2016
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Imi Hydronic Engineering International SA (IMI PLC)
• Original Assignee: Imi Hydronic Engineering International SA (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Carette, Jean-Christophe, Lenoir, Andre, Henke, Bernhard, Rohwetter, Christoph
• Primary Examiner(s): Keasel, Eric
• Application Number:
  US15/299,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20170115669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/00 Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices regulating means G05D
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0025 Electrical or magnetic means F16K37/0075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0075 For recording or indicating the functioning of a valve in combination with test equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0617 specially adapted for fluid materials

Abstract

A method for controlling a valve actuator, a valve actuator control device and a valve actuator assembly. The method includes the steps of providing a valve actuator control device, connecting the control device to a valve actuator with a signal transmitting wire, and supplying operating power to the valve actuator from the control device. The method further includes a step of transmitting control signals from the control device to the valve actuator via the signal transmitting wire in order to control the actuator. Hereby, configuration, control and maintenance of valve actuators are facilitated.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a valve actuator when it is disconnected from a grid, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a valve actuator control device being portable and connectable with a signal transmitting wire to the valve actuator;

connecting the valve actuator control device to the valve actuator with the signal transmitting wire;

supplying operating power to the valve actuator from an energy storage unit connected to the valve actuator control device, the energy storage unit providing power to the valve actuator control device and the valve actuator;

transmitting control signals from the valve actuator control device to the valve actuator via said signal transmitting wire in order to control the valve actuator;

receiving information signals from the valve actuator to the valve actuator control device via said signal transmitting wire in order to retrieve a set of internal parameters of the valve actuator; and

detecting a model type of said valve actuator from the received information signals from the valve actuator.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said signal transmitting wire is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

establishing a connection between a portable handheld device and the valve actuator control device.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

configuring the valve actuator according to a set of predefined parameters stored in a memory storage unit within the valve actuator control device by;

uploading said set of predefined parameters from said valve actuator control device to a control unit within the valve actuator.