SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR FIELD-INITIATED FLUID REGULATION TESTING

• US 20080236679A1
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dresser, LLC (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: Dresser Incorporated (Nagano Keiki Company Limited)
• Inventors: Esposito, Sandro
• Granted Patent: US 8,573,241 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/487.5
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 7/14 arranged to be deformed against a flat seat
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0629 characterised by the type of regulator means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

Systems and processes may provide field-initiated testing and/or control of fluid regulatory systems. In one aspect, a fluid regulatory testing system may include a field test initiator and a fluid regulator control system. The field test initiator may alter control signal delivered to the fluid regulator control system upon activation of a user input device. The fluid regulator control system may receive control signals from the field test initiator and generate fluid regulator control signals. The fluid regulator control system may also detect whether a control signal has been altered, and initiate a fluid regulator testing sequence, if the control signal has been altered. The fluid regulator control system may include a latch mode. When a latch mode is commenced, generation of fluid regulator control signals based on received control signals and/or alteration of a position of a fluid regulator may be inhibited.

Claims

1. A system for fluid regulation, the system comprising:

a field test initiator adapted to;

receive a control signal for a fluid regulator control system;

convey the control signal to the fluid regulator control system; and

alter the control signal conveyed to the fluid regulator control system upon detecting activation of at least one user-input device of the field test initiator; and

the fluid regulator control system coupled to the field test initiator, the fluid regulator control system adapted to;

receive the control signal from the field test initiator;

generate fluid regulator control signals based on the received control signal; and

determine whether to initiate a fluid regulator testing sequence based on the control signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the control signal comprises a current signal.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the field test initiator is adapted to alter the control signal delivered to the fluid regulator control system by between approximately 2 mA and approximately 4 mA, upon detection of activation of at least one of the user-input devices of the field test initiator.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the field test initiator comprises at least one user-input device adapted such that activation of the at least one user-input device activates a portion of a control signal modifier, and wherein the control signal modifier is adapted to alter the control signal by a predetermined amount.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the field test initiator comprises at least one user-input device adapted such that activation of the at least one user-input device activates at least a portion of a control signal modifier, and wherein the control signal modifier is adapted to alter the control signal to a predetermined signal, and wherein the predetermined signal corresponds to a signal for positioning a fluid regulator in a safe mode position.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid regulator control system includes a controller adapted to initiate a partial stroke test, if the control signal has been altered.

7. A method for fluid regulation, the method comprising:

receiving a control signal for a fluid regulator control system at a field test initiator;

conveying the control signal from the field test initiator to the fluid regulator control system;

altering the control signal via the field test initiator upon detecting activation of at least one user-input device of the field test initiator;

receiving the control signal from the field test initiator at the fluid regulator control system, the fluid regulator control system adapted to generate fluid regulator control signals based on the control signal; and

determining whether to initiate a fluid regulator testing sequence based on the control signal.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein initiating the fluid regulator testing sequence comprises:

detecting whether the control signal has been altered; and

initiating a partial stroke test of a fluid regulator, if the control signal has been altered.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein initiating the fluid regulator testing sequence comprises:

altering a position of a fluid regulator coupled to the fluid regulator control system;

monitoring one or more of the components of the fluid regulator control system; and

determining a health of the fluid regulator control system based on the monitoring.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

detecting activation of at least one of the user-input devices of the field test initiator; and

activating a portion of a control signal modifier of the field test initiator upon detection of activation of the at least one user-input device.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the control signal received at the fluid regulator control system further comprises a predetermined signal, the predetermined signal corresponding to a signal for positioning a fluid regulator in a safe mode position;

and further comprising;

terminating the fluid regulator testing sequence of the one or more components in response to receiving the predetermined signal; and

positioning the fluid regulator in the safe mode position.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

sending a status signal from the fluid regulator control system to the field test initiator related to the fluid regulator testing sequence; and

altering an illumination of one or more indicators of the field test initiator based on the status signal, wherein the illumination of one or more of the indicators is related to the fluid regulator testing sequence.

13. A method for fluid regulation, the method comprising:

receiving a control signal for a fluid regulator control system at a field testing initiator;

conveying the control signal from the field test initiator to the fluid regulator control system;

altering the control signal at the field testing initiator upon detecting activation of at least one user-input device of the field test initiator;

determining if the control signal satisfies first operational criteria or second operational criteria;

generating a fluid regulator control signal to adjust a position of a fluid regulator to a safe mode, if the conveyed control signal satisfies the first operational criteria; and

determining whether to initiate a fluid regulator testing sequence based on whether the conveyed control signal satisfies the second operational criteria.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first operational criteria includes whether the control signal is within a predetermined range.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the second operational criteria includes whether the control signal has been adjusted by a predetermined amount

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the second operational criteria includes whether the control signal is within a predetermined range for at least a predetermined period of time.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein determining if the control signal satisfies the first operational criteria or the second operational criteria is performed by the controller.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein determining whether the control signal satisfies the first operational criteria is performed by a control signal modifier of the field test initiator;

and further comprising altering the control signal via the control signal modifier if activation of the user-input device is detected and the control signal satisfies the first operational criteria.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining whether the conveyed control signal comprises a predetermined signal, wherein the predetermined signal corresponds to a signal for positioning a fluid regulator in a safe mode position.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein initiating a fluid regulator testing sequence comprises:

monitoring one or more components of the fluid regulator control system; and

determining a health of the fluid regulator control system based on the monitoring.

21. The method of claim 13 further comprising interrupting a fluid regulator testing sequence, if the control signal comprises a predetermined signal, wherein the predetermined signal corresponds to a signal for positioning a fluid regulator in a safe mode position.

22. A system for fluid regulation, the system comprising:

a field test initiator adapted to initiate a fluid regulator testing sequence, the field test initiator comprising;

a first wire loop coupler configured to receive a control signal for a fluid regulator control system;

a control signal modifier adapted to alter the control signal to indicate that a fluid regulator testing sequence should be performed; and

one or more user-input devices adapted to activate a portion of the control signal modifier upon activation of at least one of the user-input devices.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the control signal modifier is adapted to alter the control signal by a predetermined amount.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the control signal modifier comprises a passive electronic device.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the control signal modifier includes one or more shunts, and wherein the control signal modifier is adapted to alter the control signal via one or more of the shunts when the control signal satisfies specified operational criteria.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein the control signal modifier is configured to:

determine a value of the received control signal; and

convey the received control signal without significant alteration when the value of the control signal is less than a specified value.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein the control signal comprises a current signal, and wherein the control signal modifier is adapted to alter the control signal by between approximately 2 mA and approximately 4 mA when at least one of the user-input devices is activated.

28. The system of claim 22 wherein the control signal modifier is further configured to alter the control signal to a predetermined signal, wherein the predetermined signal corresponds to a signal for positioning a fluid regulator in a safe mode position.

29. The system of claim 22 wherein the field test initiator further comprises one or more indicators, and wherein one or more of the indicators provide a visual signal related to the fluid regulator testing sequence.

30. A system for fluid regulation, the system comprising a fluid regulator control system comprising:

an electric-to-pressure converter; and

a controller communicably coupled to the electric-to-pressure converter, the controller adapted to;

receive control signals;

generate fluid regulator control signals for the electric-to-pressure converter based on the received control signals;

commence a latch mode;

determine if an unlatch signal has been detected;

inhibit generation of the fluid regulator control signals based on the received control signals, if the latch mode has been commenced and the unlatch signal has not been detected; and

reinitiate generation of the fluid regulator control signals based on the received control signals, if the unlatch signal has been detected.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the controller commences a latch mode when the received control signals indicate that a fluid regulator should be transitioned to a predetermined position.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein the latch mode is associated with a safe mode position of a fluid regulator.

33. The system of claim 30 wherein the controller detects the unlatch signal when a short circuit is detected.

34. The system of claim 30 wherein the controller detects the unlatch signal when a voltage interrupt is received.

35. The system of claim 30 further comprising a user-input device coupled to the fluid regulator control system and electrically coupled to the fluid regulator control system, wherein activation of the user-input device conveys the unlatch signal to the controller.

36. The system of claim 30 further comprising a field test initiator coupled to the fluid regulatory control system, the field test initiator comprising a user-input device electrically coupled to the controller, wherein activation of the user-input device conveys the unlatch signal to the controller.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein the field test initiator includes one or more other user-input devices, and wherein the field test initiator is adapted to:

receive the control signals for the fluid regulator control system;

convey the received control signals to the fluid regulator control system; and

alter the control signals conveyed to the fluid regulator control system upon detecting activation of at least one of the other user-input devices of the field test initiator.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein the received control signals for the fluid regulator control system are altered, when at least one of the other user-input devices is activated, to indicate to the controller that a fluid regulator testing sequence should be performed.

39. The system of claim 37 wherein the received control signals for the fluid regulator control system are altered, when at least one of the other user-input devices is activated, to indicate to the controller that a fluid regulator control signal should be generated to position the fluid regulator in a safe mode.

40. The system of claim 37 wherein the field test initiator is coupled to the fluid regulator control system such that the field test initiator is in a communication circuit of the fluid regulator control system.

41. A method for fluid regulation at a fluid regulator control system, the method comprising:

receiving control signals at the fluid regulator control system generating fluid regulator control signals for an electric-to-pressure converter of the fluid regulator control system based on the received control signals;

commencing a latch mode;

determining if an unlatch signal is detected;

inhibiting generation of fluid regulator control signals based on the received control signals, if the latch mode has been commenced and the unlatch signal has not been detected; and

reinitiating generation of fluid regulator control signals based on the received control signals, if the latch mode has been commenced and the unlatch signal has been detected.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising commencing the latch mode of the fluid regulator control system when the received control signals indicate that a fluid regulator should be transitioned to a predetermined position.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein detecting the unlatch signal includes detecting an interrupt.

44. The method of claim 41 further comprising detecting activation of a user-input device coupled to the fluid regulator control system, wherein activation of the user-input device generates the unlatch signal.

45. The method of claim 41 further comprising initiating a fluid regulator testing sequence when received control signals indicate a fluid regulation testing sequence should be performed, if the fluid regulator control system is not in latch mode.