Process fluid flow device with variable orifice
First Claim
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1. A process fluid flow control device comprising:
- a closure mechanism disposed in a flow conduit, the closure mechanism providing a selective degree of fluid flow obstruction through the flow conduit;
an actuator coupled to the closure mechanism to control the selective degree of fluid flow obstruction based upon a control signal;
a differential pressure sensor disposed to sense differential process fluid pressure across the fluid flow obstruction;
measurement circuitry coupled to the differential pressure sensor, the measurement circuitry configured to obtain an indication of differential pressure from the differential pressure sensor;
a controller coupled to the measurement circuitry and the actuator, the controller executing a control algorithm to generate the control signal based on the indication of differential pressure; and
a loop communication module coupled to a plurality of loop terminals and the controller, the loop communication module being adapted to communicate in accordance with a process industry standard protocol.
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Abstract
A process device providing total fluid flow control is provided. The device includes a closure mechanism disposed in a flow conduit. The closure mechanism, which is preferably an iris-type diaphragm, provides a variable internal diameter. The device includes a differential pressure sensor for sensing the differential pressure on opposite sides of the diaphragm. A controller receives an indication of differential pressure and generates a control signal to an actuator that actuates the closure mechanism. The closure mechanism, differential pressure sensor and controller create a closed-loop flow controller in a single process device.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A process fluid flow control device comprising:
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a closure mechanism disposed in a flow conduit, the closure mechanism providing a selective degree of fluid flow obstruction through the flow conduit; an actuator coupled to the closure mechanism to control the selective degree of fluid flow obstruction based upon a control signal; a differential pressure sensor disposed to sense differential process fluid pressure across the fluid flow obstruction; measurement circuitry coupled to the differential pressure sensor, the measurement circuitry configured to obtain an indication of differential pressure from the differential pressure sensor; a controller coupled to the measurement circuitry and the actuator, the controller executing a control algorithm to generate the control signal based on the indication of differential pressure; and a loop communication module coupled to a plurality of loop terminals and the controller, the loop communication module being adapted to communicate in accordance with a process industry standard protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of controlling process fluid flow using a single process device, the method comprising:
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measuring a differential pressure of process fluid flowing through an iris-diaphragm; generating a control output based upon a selected fluid flow setpoint and the measured differential pressure; and adjusting the iris-diaphragm based upon the control output. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of measuring process fluid flow, the method comprising:
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directing the process fluid flow through a variable orifice; measuring differential pressure of the process fluid across the variable orifice;
an&adjusting the variable orifice if the measured fluid flow meets a selected threshold. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A method of verifying operation of a process fluid flow device having a variable orifice and a differential pressure sensor disposed to sense differential pressure across the variable orifice, the method comprising:
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measuring a first differential pressure across the variable orifice when the variable orifice is set to a first closure level; setting the variable orifice to a second closure level different than the first closure level; measuring a second differential pressure across the variable orifice set to the second closure level; and comparing the first differential pressure with the second differential pressure to generate a verification output. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification