Method and apparatus for monitoring and measuring dynamic loads in thrust inducing systems
First Claim
1. In a valve and valve operator assembly including a valve body, a valve plug within the body movable to and between a valve open position and a valve closed position, a valve stem attached to he valve plug, the valve operator assembly including a source of motive power, an operator housing attached to the valve body to provide an attachment interface therebetween, and power transmission means operatively connecting the power source and the valve stem and disposed to transmit an operating load from the power source to the stem for effecting movement of the valve plug, an apparatus for monitoring and measuring the actual valve stem operating load comprising:
- (a) load sensing means operatively connected to the attachment interface between the valve body and the operator housing for sensing a force that is directly proportional to the dynamic valve stem operating load at any position of the valve plug and for generating a signal representative of the load sensed; and
(b) means for converting the load signal into an actual dynamic valve stem operating load signal and for generating an output indication of the valve stem operating load.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Actual valve stem thrust loads in a motor operated valve are monitored and measured directly by the use of load cells disposed directly between the valve and the operator. Direct measurement of stem thrust eliminates the errors associated with indirect methods. Analysis of actual thrust load measurements and correlation with other operating parameters, such as switch actuation and motor current, provides the capability to accurately calibrate valve operators and to detect valve and operator problems at an early stage.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. In a valve and valve operator assembly including a valve body, a valve plug within the body movable to and between a valve open position and a valve closed position, a valve stem attached to he valve plug, the valve operator assembly including a source of motive power, an operator housing attached to the valve body to provide an attachment interface therebetween, and power transmission means operatively connecting the power source and the valve stem and disposed to transmit an operating load from the power source to the stem for effecting movement of the valve plug, an apparatus for monitoring and measuring the actual valve stem operating load comprising:
-
(a) load sensing means operatively connected to the attachment interface between the valve body and the operator housing for sensing a force that is directly proportional to the dynamic valve stem operating load at any position of the valve plug and for generating a signal representative of the load sensed; and (b) means for converting the load signal into an actual dynamic valve stem operating load signal and for generating an output indication of the valve stem operating load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. In a valve and valve operator assembly including a valve body, a valve plug within the body movable to and between a valve open position and a valve closed position, a valve stem attached to the valve plug, the valve operator assembly including a source of motive power, an operator housing attached to the valve body to provide an attachment interface therebetween, and power transmission means operatively connecting the power source and the valve stem and disposed to the stem for effecting movement of the valve plug, a method for monitoring and measuring the actual valve stem operating load comprising the steps of:
-
a. attaching load sensing means to the attachment interface for sensing the reaction forces between the valve body and the operator housing resulting from the load transmitted to the valve stem by the power source; b. sensing the reaction forces at any position of the valve plug at or between the open and closed positions; c. generating signals representative of the sensed reaction forces; d. converting the reaction force signals into actual valve stem operating load signals; and
,e. generating an output indication of the valve stem operating loads. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification