Valve actuator control system and method of use

• US 9,163,619 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2011
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safoco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Safoco Incorporated
• Inventors: Lymberopoulos, David
• Primary Examiner(s): MURPHY, KEVIN F
• Application Number:
  US13/234,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20120073670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: 251/30.01, 251/129.04, 911/65, 911/66, 913/61, 914/62, 914/65, 603/75, 604/86
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 23/00 Pumping installations or systems pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors F04B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/03 by means of valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 20/00 Safety arrangements for fluid actuator systems; Applications of safety devices in fluid actuator systems; Emergency measures for fluid actuator systems
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/42 by means of electrically-actuated members in the supply or discharge conduits of the fluid motor F16K31/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85978 With pump

Abstract

A valve actuator control system for use with a valve actuator may include two pump assemblies, two control valve assemblies, two transducers, a fluid reservoir, and a controller assembly. The controller assembly may actuate the pump assemblies to direct fluid from the fluid reservoir to the valve actuator, and may actuate the control valve assemblies to direct fluid from the valve actuator to the fluid reservoir. A method of actuating a valve actuator using a valve actuator control system may comprise sending a signal to the valve actuator control system, injecting pressurized fluid from a fluid reservoir of the valve actuator control system into a first chamber of the valve actuator, discharging pressurized fluid from a second chamber of the valve actuator into the fluid reservoir, and actuating the valve actuator from a first position to a second position.

Claims

1. A valve actuator control system for use with a valve actuator, comprising:

a first pump assembly;

a second pump assembly;

a first control valve assembly in fluid communication with the first pump assembly;

a first relief valve assembly configured to open and close fluid flow between the first control valve assembly and the valve actuator;

a second control valve assembly in fluid communication with the second pump assembly;

a second relief valve assembly configured to open and close fluid flow between the second control valve assembly and the valve actuator;

a fluid reservoir in communication with the first pump assembly, the second pump assembly, the first control valve assembly, the second control valve assembly, the first relief valve assembly, and the second relief valve assembly via one or more fluid circuits; and

a controller assembly operable to actuate the first pump assembly or the second pump assembly via one or more relays to direct fluid from the fluid reservoir to the valve actuator via the one or more fluid circuits, and operable to actuate the first control valve assembly or the second control valve assembly via one or more relays to direct fluid from the valve actuator to the fluid reservoir via the one or more fluid circuits.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote control device operable to control the controller assembly via wired or wireless communication.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote control device is operable to select the first or second pump assembly via the controller assembly to direct fluid from the reservoir to the valve actuator.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote control device is operable to select the first or second control valve assembly via the controller assembly to direct fluid from the valve actuator to the fluid reservoir.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an explosion proof housing for enclosing the first and second pump assemblies, the first and second control valve assemblies, the fluid reservoir, and the controller assembly.