Automated valve with self-contained valve actuator system

• US 8,467,907 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2010
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Certus Process Solutions
• Original Assignee: Certus Process Solutions
• Inventors: Hagler, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Shechtman, Sean
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUNN, DARRIN D
• Application Number:
  US12/688,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20100180954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 137 14- 15, 137 21- 4, 137/38, 137/47, 137/174, 137/178, 137/274, 137/455, 137/803, 251/12, 251/14, 251/142, 251/289, 251/304, 251/339, 700/3, 700/9, 700 12- 13, 700/19, 700/282, 700/289, 702/45, 702/50, 702/100, 702/138, 340/853, 340/870.01
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/07 of cutting-off parts of tanks, e.g. tank-cars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0753 Control by change of position or inertia of system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0971 Speed responsive valve control

Abstract

A self-contained valve actuator of the present invention can comprise an actuator component. This actuator can be linear or quarter turn depending on the valve. The actuator can be double acting which means the piston will move once to open and once to close. The self-contained valve system uses hydraulic fluid to operate the valve. The valve system is directly powered with electric power from a battery. Solar panels are also incorporated to capture solar energy and convert this energy into electrical energy. This converted electrical energy is stored in the battery which enables the battery to continuously supply energy while substantially reducing the possibility of exhausting battery power. This resupply of electrical energy and the use of the hydraulic fluid creates a self-contained valve actuation system.

Claims

1. An automated valve control system having a self-contained valve actuator and a self-contained power generating source comprising:

a valve positioned in a flowline for altering a flowline volume in order to affect a flow of content in the flowline;

an actuator means connected to said valve, said actuator means being a valve positioned in the flow in order to affect the flow of the content of the flowline;

one or more sensors positioned in the flowline to measure various parameters of the flowline and flowline content;

a hydraulic fluid for supplying power to said actuator means to enable said actuator means to change positions of the valve in the flowline;

a hydraulic pump for supplying pressure to said hydraulic fluid thereby generating power to said actuator means;

an information processing module, at the remote location of the positioned self contained valve actuator, said information processing module being in communication with said one or more sensors and with said hydraulic pump, said information processor module containing software programs capable of processing information received at the processing module from said one or more sensors and capable of transmitting control commands to said hydraulic pump;

a valve position indicator, said valve position indicator being positioned along said actuator means, said valve position indicating means capable of visually displaying a current position of position of the valve in the flowline, and said valve position indicator comprising;

a housing having an upper end section and a lower section and a linear central section connected to both said upper end section and said lower end sections, both said upper end section and said lower end section further comprises a front end and to back end of said back end being attached to said linear central section of said housing;

a linear rod attached to said housing, extending the length of said housing and attached to said upper end section and said lower end section and positioned parallel to said linear central section;

a slidable magnetic element attached to said linear rod, the slidable magnetic element capable of moving along said linear rod in response to a change in the position of the value;

a plurality of multiple sided level indicator sockets positioned adjacent each other and forming a linear configuration; and

a transparent surface attached to the housing the front ends of said upper end section and said lower end sections of the housing for protecting and display said level indicator sockets;

a power supply for supplying electrical power to said processing module; and

a power generating module connected to said power source for replenishing electrical power in said power source.

2. The self-actuating valve control system as described in claim 1 wherein said power source is a rechargeable battery source.

3. The self-actuating valve control system as described in claim 2 wherein said power generating module further comprises one or more solar panels.

4. The self-actuating valve control system as described in claim 3 further comprising a power conversion module for converting solar power into electrical power.

5. The self-actuating valve control system as described in claim 4 further comprising a power level monitor to determine when power in the power supply has reached predefined power threshold levels.

6. The self-actuating valve control system as described in claim 1 father comprising a hydraulic accumulator for containing the hydraulic fluid and supplying the hydraulic fluid the actuator means through the hydraulic pump.

7. The self-actuating valve control system as described in claim 6 further comprising a hydraulic tank connected to said hydraulic accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic accumulator and supplying hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic accumulator

8. The self-actuating valve control system as described in claim 1 wherein said hydraulic pump is powered through an electronic motor.

9. The self-actuating valve control system as described in claim 7 wherein said hydraulic tank further comprising a diaphragm in said hydraulic tank to isolate the hydraulic fluid from air contaminants.

10. The self-actuating valve control system as described in claim 1 further comprising valve control instrumentation for detecting and transmitting valve actuator control information and for receiving valve control information from another location, said valve control instrumentation be positioned on the self-actuating valve control system and being enclosed such that said valve control instrumentation is protected from environmental elements and such that said valve control instrumentation is secured from vandalism or theft.

11. The self -actuating valve control system as described in claim 1 wherein said self-activating valve control system components including said actuator means, hydraulic pump, processing module, power supply, power generating module, power conversion module, power level indicator, hydraulic accumulator and hydraulic tank are configured and positioned in relationship to each other on said self-actuating valve control system such that a gravitational center for said self-actuating valve control system is maintained in the center of the configuration of the system components such that physical stability of the self-actuating valve control system is maintained regardless of environmental conditions.