Switching module for a valve controller
First Claim
1. A method of operating a valve controller assembly, the valve controller assembly including a first switch that generates a first input signal based on an operational parameter of a control valve and a docking assembly communicatively coupled to the first switch, the method comprising:
- securing a first switching module to the docking assembly such that the first switching module is communicatively coupled to the docking assembly, the first switching module including a first emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a first output signal that is different than the first input signal;
removing the first switching module from the docking assembly such that the first switching module is not communicatively coupled to the docking assembly; and
securing a second switching module to the docking assembly such that the second switching module is communicatively coupled to the docking assembly, the second switching module including a second emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a second output signal that is different than the first input signal and the first output signal;
wherein the first switch and the docking member are each fixed to a printed circuit board.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valve controller assembly includes a first switch that generates a first input signal based on an operational parameter of a control valve, and a docking assembly is communicatively coupled to the first switch. A switching module is removably secured to and communicatively coupled to the docking assembly such that the first switch is communicatively coupled to the switching module when the switching module is secured to the docking member. The switching module includes a first emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a first output signal that is different than the first input signal.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of operating a valve controller assembly, the valve controller assembly including a first switch that generates a first input signal based on an operational parameter of a control valve and a docking assembly communicatively coupled to the first switch, the method comprising:
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securing a first switching module to the docking assembly such that the first switching module is communicatively coupled to the docking assembly, the first switching module including a first emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a first output signal that is different than the first input signal; removing the first switching module from the docking assembly such that the first switching module is not communicatively coupled to the docking assembly; and securing a second switching module to the docking assembly such that the second switching module is communicatively coupled to the docking assembly, the second switching module including a second emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a second output signal that is different than the first input signal and the first output signal; wherein the first switch and the docking member are each fixed to a printed circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of controlling a control valve comprising:
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generating a first input signal from a first switch, the first input signal based on an operational parameter of the control valve; processing the first input signal using a first emulation circuit included in a first switching module, the first switching module being communicatively coupled to a docking assembly that is communicatively coupled to the first switch; and outputting a first output signal from the first emulation circuit, the first output signal being different than the first input signal; processing the first input signal using a second emulation circuit included in a second switching module, the second switching module being communicatively coupled to the docking assembly that is communicatively coupled to the first switch; and outputting a second output signal from the second emulation circuit, the second output signal being different than the first input signal and the first output signal; wherein the first switch and the docking member are each fixed to a printed circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. A valve controller system comprising:
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a first switch that generates a first input signal based on an operational parameter of a control valve; a docking assembly communicatively coupled to the first switch; a first switching module adapted to be removably secured to and communicatively coupled to the docking assembly such that the first switch is communicatively coupled to the first switching module when the first switching module is secured to the docking assembly, the first switching module including a first emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a first output signal that is different than the first input signal; a second switching module adapted to be removably secured to and communicatively coupled to the docking assembly such that the first switch is communicatively coupled to the second switching module when the second switching module is secured to the docking assembly, the second switching module including a second emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a second output signal that is different than the first input signal and the first output signal; wherein the first switch and the docking member are each fixed to a printed circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A control valve assembly comprising:
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a control valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a closure element adapted to displace from a first position in which process fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet to a second position in which process fluid is prevented from flowing from the inlet to the outlet; an actuator coupled to the closure element to displace the closure element; a valve controller in communication with the actuator to control the displacement of the closure element, the valve controller comprising; a first switch that generates a first input signal based on an operational parameter of a control valve; a docking assembly communicatively coupled to the first switch; a first switching module adapted to be removably secured to and communicatively coupled to the docking assembly such that the first switch is communicatively coupled to the first switching module when the first switching module is secured to the docking assembly, the first switching module including a first emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a first output signal that is different than the first input signal; a second switching module adapted to be removably secured to and communicatively coupled to the docking assembly such that the first switch is communicatively coupled to the second switching module when the second switching module is secured to the docking assembly, the second switching module including a second emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a second output signal that is different than the first input signal and the first output signal; wherein the first switch and the docking member are each fixed to a printed circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification