Apparatus for controlling a valve

• US 5,704,586 A
• Filed: 06/21/1996
• Issued: 01/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfa Laval Kolding A/S (ALFA Laval AB)
• Original Assignee: Ole Cramer Nielsen
• Inventors: Nielsen, Ole Cramer
• Primary Examiner(s): Ferensic, Denise L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, JOANNE Y
• Application Number:
  US08/666,584
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 137/554, 137/468, 137/552, 251/129.04, 251/129.01
• US Class Current: 251/129.04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0083 by measuring valve parameters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical

Abstract

Known position indicators for magnetic valves are switches which may be activated by cams on the moving parts. Following installation an individual adjustment has to be performed in order to obtain a precise acknowledgment. This disadvantage is avoided and a better monitoring of the functioning of the valve is obtained by detecting the position by means of a continuous position signaler where the data obtained from the putting into service are used as reference data at later determinations of extreme positions.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling movement of a valve between a number of fixed positions, comprising

a pressure cylinder for activating the valve;

magnetic valve means for controlling a supply of fluid from a source of pressurized fluid to said pressure cylinder;

a valve having a valve stem;

a linear position indicator which is connected to said valve and provides position indications relating to fixed positions of the valve occurring during movement of the valve stem;

means for storing desired ones of said fixed position indications in a data store; and

control means for comparing current position indications of said linear position indicator with fixed position indications stored in said data store;

wherein said control means has program means for determining, during repeated operation of the valve, the occurrence of changes in the position indications for the fixed positions of the valve and for compensating for such changes which are within a tolerance range around a stored position indication representative of correct operation of the valve.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said program means has a controlling relationship with a calculating unit for providing said tolerance range.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said calculating unit is a means for calculating an average value of a predetermined number of latest obtained and accepted position indications corresponding to a desired position for use as said stored position indication in subsequent position indication determinations.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for generating an error message in response to the occurrence of changes in the position indications which are outside of said tolerance range.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a time function for obtaining of incremental data from the linear position indicator and for producing an error message when the time function determination is below a stored reference value.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a temperature sensor positioned in association with the valve for providing temperature data to the calculating unit;

wherein said calculating unit includes means for providing temperature compensation of said position indications on the basis of said temperature data.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means is located at a distance from the valve and is connected thereto by a twin lead field bus.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the linear position indicator is an optical position indicator.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said optical position indicator is operable on the basis of a coded scale.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the linear position indicator comprises a difference transformer.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the linear position indicator is cast into an insulating and sealing compound which firmly and fluid-sealingly connects the position indicator to the valve.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for generating an error message in response to the occurrence of changes in the position indications which are outside of said tolerance range.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means is located at a distance from the valve and is connected thereto by a twin lead field bus.