Diagnostic apparatus and method for fluid control valves
First Claim
1. A method for diagnostically dynamic testing and determining the dynamic operating condition of a pneumatically operated fluid control valve assembly having a current to pressure transducer, a valve actuator connected to a valve flow control member for movement between respective closed and open valve positions, and a valve positioner pneumatically coupled between said current to pressure transducer and said valve actuator, said method comparing a dynamic output of said valve assembly in response to a dynamic input to said valve assembly and comprising the steps of:
- providing a variable control current signal input to said channel to pressure transducer and a corresponding controlled variable pneumatic pressure to the input of the valve positioner forming a dynamic input to said valve assembly to operate the valve in a dynamic test operation cycle defined by moving the flow control member between said respective closed and open valve positions;
providing a position sensor to sense movement of the flow control member;
obtaining an output signal from the position sensor corresponding to movement of the flow control member in response to said dynamic input to said valve assembly during the dynamic test operation cycle;
processing said variable control current signal and said output signal to derive valve diagnostic data representing the movement of the flow control member during the dynamic test operation cycle as a function of the variation of said variable control current signal input to said current to pressure transducer; and
displaying said valve diagnostic data for enabling determination of the dynamic performance of said valve assembly under test.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for diagnostically dynamic testing and determining the dynamic operating condition of a pneumatically operated fluid control valve assembly wherein a dynamic output of the valve assembly is compared in response to a dynamic input to the valve assembly. A controlled variable pneumatic pressure is supplied to the input of the valve positioner forming the dynamic input to move the flow control member. The controlled varying pressure is sensed to provide a first signal representing the dynamic input. The movement of the flow control member is sensed to obtain a second signal representing the responsive dynamic output, and the first and second signal are processed to develop valve diagnostic data, which is displayed to enable determination of the dynamic performance of the valve assembly under test.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method for diagnostically dynamic testing and determining the dynamic operating condition of a pneumatically operated fluid control valve assembly having a current to pressure transducer, a valve actuator connected to a valve flow control member for movement between respective closed and open valve positions, and a valve positioner pneumatically coupled between said current to pressure transducer and said valve actuator, said method comparing a dynamic output of said valve assembly in response to a dynamic input to said valve assembly and comprising the steps of:
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providing a variable control current signal input to said channel to pressure transducer and a corresponding controlled variable pneumatic pressure to the input of the valve positioner forming a dynamic input to said valve assembly to operate the valve in a dynamic test operation cycle defined by moving the flow control member between said respective closed and open valve positions; providing a position sensor to sense movement of the flow control member; obtaining an output signal from the position sensor corresponding to movement of the flow control member in response to said dynamic input to said valve assembly during the dynamic test operation cycle; processing said variable control current signal and said output signal to derive valve diagnostic data representing the movement of the flow control member during the dynamic test operation cycle as a function of the variation of said variable control current signal input to said current to pressure transducer; and displaying said valve diagnostic data for enabling determination of the dynamic performance of said valve assembly under test. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. The method of claim 7, including the steps of:
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providing a pressure sensor to sense said controlled variable pneumatic pressure at the input of the valve positioner; obtaining a third signal from the pressure sensor corresponding to said controlled varying pressure at the valve positioner input during the dynamic test operation cycle; processing said variable control current signal and said third signal to provide valve diagnostic data corresponding to variations in the variable pneumatic pressure line connected to the valve positioner as a function of said variable control signal during said test operation cycle; and displaying said valve diagnostic data and enabling determination of current to pressure transducer calibration values for said valve under test.
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Specification