Monitoring system for valve device

• US 7,584,668 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2007
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Onodera, Kenji, Ohta, Hiroyuki, Tanno, Yohei, Shimazu, Hiromi, Araki, Kenji, Kiyotoki, Yoshihisa
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US11/834,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20080034882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 737/77, 737/60, 731/68
• US Class Current: 73/777
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0083 by measuring valve parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/18 using change in resistance

Abstract

A monitoring system for valve device according to the present invention comprises a semiconductor single crystalline substrate including a bridged circuit and the bridged circuit comprising impurity-diffused resistors. The semiconductor single crystalline substrate is mounted to any of a valve device'"'"'s valve stem, valve yoke, drive shaft, or elastic body disposed at the end of the drive shaft. Thrust and torque of the valve device are measured by the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and then the measured values are used for monitoring the valve device.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for a valve device, comprising:

a semiconductor single crystalline substrate including a bridged circuit, the bridged circuit comprising impurity-diffused resistors, wherein;

the impurity-diffused resistors are p-type impurity-diffused resistors having a longitudinal direction located in a <

110>

direction of the semiconductor single crystalline substrate; and

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is mounted to a portion of the valve device such that the <

110>

direction of the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is located in an axial direction of a valve stem or a drive shaft of the valve device.

5. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 1, wherein:

the portion of the valve device is any of the valve device'"'"'s valve stem, drive shaft, valve yoke, or elastic body disposed at an end of the drive shaft.

8. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 1, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate further includes a temperature sensor.

11. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 1, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed inside the valve stem.

14. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 1, wherein:

a planar portion is provided on a side face of the valve stem; and

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed on the planar portion.

17. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 1, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed on a side face of the valve stem; and

the valve stem is hollow in the vicinity of an area where the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed.

20. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 1, wherein:

the valve device is a manual valve device.

23. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 1, wherein:

the monitoring system further comprises a controlling and transmitting unit;

the controlling and transmitting unit is mounted to a portion of the valve device; and

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit detect an open or closed condition of the valve device and transmit data of the condition.

26. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 23, wherein:

transmission from the transmitting unit is wireless transmission.

29. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 26, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to detect the open or closed condition of the valve device; and

the wireless transmission is conducted when the open or closed condition of the valve device changes.

32. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 26, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to measure thrust and torque of the valve device; and

the wireless transmission is executed when an amount of change of the measured value is larger than a prescribed value.

35. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 26, wherein:

the open or closed condition of the valve device is transmitted to receiving equipment, and the transmission is executed continuously or intermittently until a receipt confirmation signal sent from the receiving equipment is received.

38. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 26, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to detect the open or closed condition of the valve device and execute intermittent transmission; and

when the open or closed condition changes, intermittent transmission is executed at shorter time intervals than those executed when the open or closed condition does not change, or continuous transmission is executed.

41. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 26, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to detect the open or closed condition of the valve device and execute intermittent transmission; and

when the open or closed condition changes, intermittent transmission is executed at shorter time intervals than those executed when the open or closed condition does not change, or continuous transmission is executed.

44. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 26, wherein:

the monitoring system further comprises a storage device to store data measured or processed by the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit.

47. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 26, wherein:

an amount of change of a measured value or processed measured data is transmitted.

50. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 26, wherein:

the monitoring system further comprises an internal power supply in the controlling and transmitting unit; and

the controlling and transmitting unit transmits a numerical value indicating a remaining amount of the internal power supply.

53. A monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a controlling and transmitting unit; and

an alarm device built in or connected to the controlling and transmitting unit, wherein;

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are mounted to a portion of the valve device;

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to detect an open or closed condition of the valve device and transmit data of the condition; and

the alarm device informs the condition of the valve device.

54. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 53, wherein:

the alarm device is comprised of a luminary device disposed in the controlling and transmitting unit.

55. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 54, wherein:

the alarm device is operated according to a condition of strain of the valve device measured by the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit.

56. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 53, wherein:

the open or closed condition of the valve device comprises;

a first condition which indicates that the valve device is open, and

a second condition which indicates that the valve device is closed, and

a third condition which indicates that the valve device is in the condition between the first condition and the second condition; and

the alarm device is operated when the valve device is in the third condition.

57. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 26, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to measure thrust and torque of the valve device and to execute intermittent transmission; and

when an amount of change of the measured value is larger than a prescribed value, intermittent transmission is executed at shorter time intervals than those executed when an amount of change of the measured value is smaller than a prescribed value, or continuous transmission is executed.

2. A monitoring system for a valve device, comprising:

a semiconductor single crystalline substrate including a bridged circuit, and the bridged circuit comprising impurity-diffused resistors, wherein;

the impurity-diffused resistors are n-type impurity-diffused resistors having a longitudinal direction located in a <

100>

direction of the semiconductor single crystalline substrate; and

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is mounted to a portion of the valve device such that the <

100>

direction of the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is located in an axial direction of a valve stem or a drive shaft of the valve device.

6. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 2, wherein:

the portion of the valve device is any of the valve device'"'"'s valve stem, drive shaft, valve yoke, or elastic body disposed at an end of the drive shaft.

9. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 2, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate further includes a temperature sensor.

12. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 2, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed inside the valve stem.

15. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 2, wherein:

a planar portion is provided on a side face of the valve stem; and

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed on the planar portion.

18. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 2, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed on a side face of the valve stem; and

the valve stem is hollow in the vicinity of an area where the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed.

21. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 2, wherein:

the valve device is a manual valve device.

24. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 2, wherein:

the monitoring system further comprises a controlling and transmitting unit;

the controlling and transmitting unit is mounted to a portion of the valve device; and

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit detect an open or closed condition of the valve device and transmit data of the condition.

27. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 24, wherein:

transmission from the transmitting unit is wireless transmission.

30. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 27, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to detect the open or closed condition of the valve device; and

the wireless transmission is conducted when the open or closed condition of the valve device changes.

33. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 27, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to measure thrust and torque of the valve device; and

the wireless transmission is executed when an amount of change of the measured value is larger than a prescribed value.

36. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 27, wherein:

the open or closed condition of the valve device is transmitted to receiving equipment, and the transmission is executed continuously or intermittently until a receipt confirmation signal sent from the receiving equipment is received.

39. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 27, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to detect the open or closed condition of the valve device and execute intermittent transmission; and

when the open or closed condition changes, intermittent transmission is executed at shorter time intervals than those executed when the open or closed condition does not change, or continuous transmission is executed.

42. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 27, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to measure thrust and torque of the valve device and to execute intermittent transmission; and

when an amount of change of the measured value is larger than a prescribed value, intermittent transmission is executed at shorter time intervals than those executed when an amount of change of the measured value is smaller than a prescribed value, or continuous transmission is executed.

45. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 27, wherein:

the monitoring system further comprises a storage device to store data measured or processed by the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit.

48. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 27, wherein:

an amount of change of a measured value or processed measured data is transmitted.

51. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 27, wherein:

the monitoring system further comprises an internal power supply in the controlling and transmitting unit; and

the controlling and transmitting unit transmits a numerical value indicating a remaining amount of the internal power supply.

3. A monitoring system for a valve device, comprising:

a semiconductor single crystalline substrate including a bridged circuit, the bridged circuit comprising impurity-diffused resistors, wherein;

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is mounted to a portion of the valve device; and

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate includes a first bridged circuit comprising p-type impurity-diffused resistors and a second bridged circuit comprising n-type impurity-diffused resistors.

4. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 3, wherein:

longitudinal directions of the p-type impurity-diffused resistors are located in a <

110>

direction of the semiconductor single crystalline substrate; and

longitudinal directions of the n-type impurity-diffused resistors are located in a <

100>

direction of the semiconductor single crystalline substrate.

7. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 3, wherein:

the portion of the valve device is any of the valve device'"'"'s valve stem, drive shaft, valve yoke, or elastic body disposed at an end of the drive shaft.

10. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 3, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate further includes a temperature sensor.

13. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 3, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed inside valve stem of the valve device.

16. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 3, wherein:

a planar portion is provided on a side face of a valve stem of the valve device; and

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed on the planar portion.

19. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 3, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed on a side face of a valve stem of the valve device; and

the valve stem is hollow in the vicinity of an area where the semiconductor single crystalline substrate is disposed.

22. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 3, wherein:

the valve device is a manual valve device.

25. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 3, wherein:

the monitoring system further comprises a controlling and transmitting unit;

the controlling and transmitting unit is mounted to a portion of the valve device; and

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit detect an open or closed condition of the valve device and transmit data of the condition.

28. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 25, wherein:

transmission from the transmitting unit is wireless transmission.

31. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 28, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to detect the open or closed condition of the valve device; and

the wireless transmission is conducted when the open or closed condition of the valve device changes.

34. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 28, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to measure thrust and torque of the valve device; and

the wireless transmission is executed when an amount of change of the measured value is larger than a prescribed value.

37. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 28, wherein:

the open or closed condition of the valve device is transmitted to receiving equipment, and the transmission is executed continuously or intermittently until a receipt confirmation signal sent from the receiving equipment is received.

40. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 28, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to detect the open or closed condition of the valve device and execute intermittent transmission; and

when the open or closed condition changes, intermittent transmission is executed at shorter time intervals than those executed when the open or closed condition does not change, or continuous transmission is executed.

43. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 28, wherein:

the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit are configured to be used to measure thrust and torque of the valve device and to execute intermittent transmission; and

when an amount of change of the measured value is larger than a prescribed value, intermittent transmission is executed at shorter time intervals than those executed when an amount of change of the measured value is smaller than a prescribed value, or continuous transmission is executed.

46. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 28, wherein:

the monitoring system further comprises a storage device to store data measured or processed by the semiconductor single crystalline substrate and the controlling and transmitting unit.

49. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 28, wherein:

an amount of change of a measured value or processed measured data is transmitted.

52. The monitoring system for a valve device according to claim 28, wherein:

the monitoring system further comprises an internal power supply in the controlling and transmitting unit; and

the controlling and transmitting unit transmits a numerical value indicating a remaining amount of the internal power supply.