Valve monitoring and controlling system

• US 7,784,490 B1
• Filed: 02/27/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Foresman
• Original Assignee: Robert Foresman
• Inventors: Stewart, Ryall, Foresman, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Kevin L
• Application Number:
  US11/711,183
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 137/554, 137/556, 137/553, 137/556.6, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 137/556
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 13/02 Ports for passing water through vessels' sides jet propulsors with clogging prevention means B63H11/01
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8275 Indicator element rigidly carried by the movable element whose position is indicated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8309 Pointer integral with handle

Abstract

A valve monitoring system including at least one valve having a movable handle with an activator therein mounted adjacent to a support panel on which are disposed a plurality of sensor devices responsive to the activator and a separate indicator panel for displaying the position of the valve handle. The activator at the handle and the sensor devices interact to selectively indicate operational conditions of the valve. In addition, a motor can be used to move the handle, and reconfigure the valve, as desired.

Claims

1. An adjustable valve for use in a monitoring system comprising,

positioning means for determining the operational position of said valve,

support means mounted on said valve adjacent to said positioning means,

detector means mounted on said support means for producing a signal representative of the position of said positioning means relative to said valve, and

remote display means for producing an indication of the signal produced by said detector means.

2. The system recited in claim 1 wherein,

said display means comprises at least one light producing means.

3. The system recited in claim 2 wherein,

said light producing means comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

4. The system recited in claim 1 wherein,

said positioning means includes a handle rotatably mounted to the valve.

5. The system recited in claim 4 including,

actuator means mounted on said handle to selectively activate said detector means.

6. The valve recited in claim 1 wherein,

said positioning means includes drive means.

7. A valve monitoring system comprising,

a valve for selectively permitting the flow of a fluid material therethrough,

said valve comprising a valve body and a handle rotatably mounted to said valve body,

actuator means mounted to said handle,

sensor means mounted to said valve body,

said sensor means operative to respond to said actuator means to produce a signal representative of the position of said rotatable handle, and

display means responsive to said signal produced by said sensor means indicative of the position of said rotatable handle and the operative status of said valve.

8. The system recited in claim 7 including,

control means connected to said rotatable handle to selectively adjust the position thereof relative to said valve body.

9. A control system comprising,

a valve,

said valve comprising a valve body and a movable component within said valve body,

actuator means mounted to said movable component to selectively position said movable component within said valve body,

activator means mounted to said actuator means,

drive means connected to said actuator means to selectively move said actuator means and said moveable component,

detector means mounted to said valve body,

said detector means operative to respond to said activator means to produce a signal indicative of the position of said rotatable handle, and

display means responsive to said signal produced by said detector means.

10. The system recited in claim 9 wherein,

said valve is fabricated of non-magnetic material.

11. The system recited in claim 9 wherein,

said display means comprises at least one light producing means.

12. The system recited in claim 11 wherein,

said light producing means comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

13. The system recited in claim 9 wherein,

said detector means includes a support panel mounted on said valve body.

14. The system recited in claim 9 wherein,

said actuator means includes a rotatable handle connected to said movable component.

15. A valve for use in a remote monitoring system comprising,

a valve body, a movable component within said valve body and a control element for moving said movable component within said valve body,

activator means mounted to one surface of said control element,

sensor means mounted to said valve body in proximity to said activator means,

said sensor means operative to respond to said activator means to produce a signal representative of the position of said control element, and

display means responsive to said signal produced by said detector means indicative of the position of said rotatable handle and the operative status of said valve.

16. The valve recited in claim 15 wherein,

said activator means comprises a magnet, and

said sensor means comprises a Hall-effect device.

17. The valve recited in claim 15 wherein,

said control element includes a motor for selectively moving said movable component.