Permanently instrumented actuated valve assembly, with internally-gauged, permanently instrumented shaft
First Claim
1. A valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve stem having a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, a valve seal mounted to said second end, and an internal bore formed within said valve stem and extending from said first end of said body to an intermediate point within said valve stem;
a monitoring instrument received within said internal bore for monitoring internal strains acting on said valve stem and generating signals indicative of the monitored parameters of said valve stem;
means for moving said valve stem to open and close the valve assembly; and
receiving means for receiving signals from said monitoring instrument to indicate the condition of said valve stem.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A permanently instrumented actuated valve assembly includes at least one internally-gauged, permanently instrumented shaft functioning as a load bearing component through which an actuator drives a valve element. The shaft has a longitudinal (preferably axial), internal bore generally extending from the one end of the shaft to a point therewithin. A thrust monitoring instrument is mounted within the axial bore and monitors axial forces acting on the shaft to provide an indication of the performance of the valve assembly. Alternatively, one or more transverse bores extending from the internal bore to the external surface of the valve stem are provided with torsional force monitoring instruments being received within such transverse bore(s).
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A valve assembly, comprising:
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a valve stem having a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, a valve seal mounted to said second end, and an internal bore formed within said valve stem and extending from said first end of said body to an intermediate point within said valve stem;
a monitoring instrument received within said internal bore for monitoring internal strains acting on said valve stem and generating signals indicative of the monitored parameters of said valve stem;
means for moving said valve stem to open and close the valve assembly; and
receiving means for receiving signals from said monitoring instrument to indicate the condition of said valve stem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification