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METHOD OF CONTROLLING A VALVE

  • US 20110155251A1
  • Filed: 12/29/2009
  • Published: 06/30/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a valve having a first arrangement wherein fluid is provided from an inlet of the valve to an outlet of the valve and a second arrangement wherein fluid is not provided from the inlet of the valve to the outlet of the valve;

  • the method comprising the steps of;

    emitting a plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy into a detection zone;

    receiving through a multi-element sensor optical energy reflected from the detection zone;

    determining a presence of an object in the detection zone based in part on the received optical energy and at least one characteristic of the plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy; and

    automatically configuring the valve in the first arrangement when it is determined that the object is present.

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