Systems for testing valves

• US 10,350,069 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2018
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TA Instruments-Waters L.L.C. (Waters Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TA Instruments-Waters L.L.C. (Waters Corporation)
• Inventors: Dingmann, David Louis, Duffin, Kyle P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raevis, Robert R
• Application Number:
  US15/915,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20180193146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2472 Devices for testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 99/008 by doing functionality tests
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/00 Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress

Abstract

A chamber assembly for testing a valve includes a proximal chamber portion that defines a proximal interior space, and a distal chamber portion that defines a distal interior space. The distal interior space includes a gas space. When a liquid is inserted into the proximal and distal chambers there is an interface between the liquid and a gas in the gas space. A valve holder is disposed adjacent to the proximal interior space and the distal interior space. The valve holder is configured to receive the valve in a bore of the valve holder. A shortest distance between a center of the valve when in the bore and the interface is at least about 45 mm.

Claims

1. A system for testing a valve, the system comprising:

a chamber assembly comprising;

a proximal chamber portion that defines a proximal interior space configured to receive a liquid;

a distal chamber portion that defines a distal interior space, the distal interior space including a gas space and configured to receive at least a portion of the liquid from the proximal interior space;

the liquid disposed within the proximal and distal chambers and defining an interface between the liquid and a gas in the gas space; and

a valve holder that is disposed adjacent to the proximal interior space and the distal interior space, the valve holder configured to receive the valve in a bore of the valve holder, wherein an area of the interface A_s in cm² with the liquid at rest is set so that an agitated liquid depth D_a is no greater than a distance from the interface to a top edge of the valve, wherein the agitated liquid depth is a distance that agitated liquid with bubbles reaches below the interface in cm during testing of a valve;

wherein the relationship between A_s and D_a is substantially D_a=mA_s+b with m being in the range of about −

0.6 cm<sup>−

1</sup> to about −

2.2 cm<sup>−

1</sup> and b being in the range of about 13.1 cm to about 20.8 cm.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a shortest distance between a center of the valve when in the bore and the interface is at least about 50 mm.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a shortest distance between a center of the valve when in the bore and the interface is at least about 55 mm.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a shortest distance between a center of the valve when in the bore and the interface is at least about 60 mm.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a shortest distance between a center of the valve when in the bore and the interface is at least about 65 mm.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more baffles which are located in the distal interior space at least partially on a first side of the interface and at least partially on a second side of the interface with the liquid at rest, the one or more baffles reducing reflection of waves in the liquid off sides of the distal chamber portion.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the relationship between A_s and D_a is substantially D_a cm=−

1.6 A_s cm<sup>−

1</sup>+18.4 cm.