Apparatus and method for detecting a leak within a duplex valve assembly

• US 8,020,585 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2008
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airgas Incorporated (L'Air Liquide SA)
• Original Assignee: Airgas Incorporated (L'Air Liquide SA)
• Inventors: Mieczkowski, Andrew, Weiss, Steven, Shock, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US12/196,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20100043896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 137/613, 137/312, 137/553, 137/554, 137/556
• US Class Current: 137/613
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2876 for valves G01M3/30 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 137/87917 Flow path with serial valves and/or closures

Abstract

A leak detection system for detecting a leak within a duplex valve assembly is disclosed. The duplex valve assembly includes a first valve, a second valve and an intermediate fluid flow passageway fluidly interconnecting the first valve to the second valve. The leak detection system includes a means for indicating whether the first valve is maintained in a closed position or an open position, a means for indicating whether the second valve is maintained in a closed position or an open position, and a pressure change detector within the intermediate fluid flow passageway. The pressure change sensing means is at least partially positioned within the intermediate fluid flow passageway for detecting a pressure change within the intermediate fluid flow passageway.

Claims

1. A duplex valve assembly comprising:

a first valve assembly including an inlet opening for receiving fluid, an outlet opening for delivery of fluid, a fluid flow passageway defined between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and means for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid flow passageway;

means for indicating whether said first valve assembly is in a closed position or an open position;

a second valve assembly including an inlet opening for receiving fluid, an outlet opening for delivery of fluid, a fluid flow passageway defined between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and means for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid flow passageway;

means for indicating whether said second valve assembly is in a closed position or an open position;

an intermediate fluid flow passageway defined between the outlet opening of the first valve assembly and the inlet opening of the second valve assembly, the intermediate fluid flow passageway positioned for the delivery of the fluid from the first valve assembly to the second valve assembly;

a pressure change detector within the intermediate fluid flow passageway, said pressure change detector at least partially positioned within the intermediate fluid flow passageway to detect fluid leakage at either the first valve assembly or the second valve assembly; and

a control system for receiving signals from said indicating means and said pressure change detector,

said control system configured to indicate fluid leakage when said pressure change detector detects a change of pressure within the intermediate fluid flow passageway and said indicating means indicate that the valve assemblies are maintained in a closed position,

wherein, in the event of a fluid leakage, said control system is configured to determine which of the valve assemblies has failed based entirely upon the change in pressure detected by the pressure change detector.

2. The duplex valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the controlling means of the first and second valve assemblies each includes a valve seat positioned within the fluid flow passageway and a valve stem cooperating with the valve seat,

wherein in a closed position of a valve assembly the valve stem bears on the valve seat to block the flow of fluid through the fluid flow passageway and in an open position of a valve assembly the valve stem is separated from the valve seat to permit the flow of fluid through the fluid flow passageway.

3. The duplex valve assembly of claim 2, wherein each indicating means comprises a position sensor for indicating the position of the valve stem within the fluid flow passageway of a valve assembly.

4. The duplex valve assembly of claim 3, said position sensor comprising a magnet mounted to the valve stem and a Hall-effect sensor positioned adjacent the magnet, said Hall-effect sensor configured to provide an output voltage responsive to movement of the magnet.

5. The duplex valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure change detector comprises a piston at least partially positioned within the intermediate fluid flow passageway, a portion of the piston positioned for exposure to fluid within the intermediate fluid flow passageway and another portion of the piston positioned for exposure to atmospheric pressure, said piston moveable in response to a change of pressure within the intermediate fluid flow passageway.

6. The duplex valve assembly of claim 5, wherein said pressure change sensing means comprises a position sensor for indicating the position of the piston moveably positioned within the intermediate fluid flow passageway.

7. The duplex valve assembly of claim 6, said position sensor comprising a magnet mounted to the piston and a Hall-effect sensor positioned adjacent the magnet, said Hall-effect sensor configured to provide an output voltage responsive to movement of the magnet.

8. A leak detection system for detecting fluid leakage within a duplex valve assembly including a first valve, a second valve and an intermediate fluid flow passageway fluidly connecting the first valve to the second valve, said system comprising:

means for indicating whether said first valve is in a closed position or an open position;

means for indicating whether said second valve is in a closed position or an open position; and

a pressure change sensing means for sensing fluid within the intermediate fluid flow passageway, said pressure change sensing means at least partially positioned within the intermediate fluid flow passageway for detecting pressure change within the intermediate fluid flow passageway; and

a controller for receiving signals from said indicating means and said pressure change sensing means, said controller configured to indicate a status of said pressure change sensing means when said indicating means indicate that the first and second valves are closed,

wherein, in the event of a fluid leakage, said controller is configured to determine which of the valves has failed based entirely upon the change in pressure detected by the pressure change sensing means.