US4693113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor operated valve analysis and testing system
Assignee: NSS OF DELAWARE Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1986-06-23
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Granted: 1987-09-15
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Expires: 2006-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A Valve Analysis and Testing System includes various devices for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the corresponding imposed valve stem load, which devices are attached to the valve operator. These devices provide for statically calibrating the operator relative to the imposed valve load and provide recording traces of the imposed load and associated parameters during dynamic conditions as related to the operation of the operator and valve combined. The System provides initial dynamic traces after initial assembly, maintenance and/or periodic testing of the operator and valve. The System is then used to provide diagnostic dynamic traces at any specified time in the future for the operator and valve. These further traces are used to compare with earlier traces to verify correct performance and most importantly to detect induced or impending damage, malfunctions, or maintenance requirements for the operator and valve.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. McNennamy
- 👤 Steven Nafziger
- 👤 Arthur G. Charbonneau
- 👤 Dwaine A. Godfrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/12; G07; G07C; G07C3/00; F; F16; F16K; F16K37/00; F16K37/0075; F16K37/0083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A spring pack movement monitoring device for monitoring the movement of the spring pack found within a valve operator, wherein the valve operator includes a driven worm shaft, which in turn drives a worm, which in turn drives a worm gear which in turn drives a valve stem to open and close a valve attached to the valve stem, and a spring pack provided at one end of the worm shaft for compression by the worm, said spring pack movement monitoring device comprising: a spring pack engagement member for making contact with the spring pack; tension means for maintaining said spring pack engagement member in constant contact with the spring pack; said engagement member moving in direct response to movement of the spring pack; a linear velocity differential transducer in communication with said spring pack engagement member and comprising a core element movable relative to a bracket element, wherein movement of the spring pack results in a relative movement between said core element and bracket element; said linear velocity differential transducer further comprising means for detecting the relative movement between said core element and bracket element; and means for recording the detected movement between said core element and bracket element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A spring pack movement monitoring device for monitoring the movement of the spring pack found within a valve operator, wherein the valve operator includes a driven worm shaft, which in turn drives a worm, which in turn drives a worm gear which in turn drives a valve stem to open and close a valve attached to the valve stem, and a spring pack provided at one end of the worm shaft for compression by the worm, said spring pack movement monitoring device comprising: a spring pack engagement member for making contact with the spring pack; tension means for maintaining said spring pack engagement member in constant contact with the spring pack; said engagement member moving in direct response to movement of the spring pack; a linear velocity differential transducer in communication with said spring pack engagement member and comprising a core element movable relative to a bracket element, wherein movement of the spring pack results in a relative movement between said core element and bracket element; said linear velocity differential transducer further comprising means for detecting the relative movement between said core element and bracket element; and means for recording the detected movement between said core element and bracket element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
153 words
In combination: a valve operator including a driven shaft, which in turn drives a worm, which in turn drives a worm gear which in turn drives a valve stem to open and close a valve attached to the valve stem, wherein operation of the valve operator effects movement of said worm; worm movement measuring means for measuring the movement of said worm element; valve stem load measuring means for measuring an initial load induced on said valve stem by way of said driven shaft; means for calibrating said worm movement measuring means to the initial induced stem load on said valve stem is measured by said valve stem load measuring means; means for providing a worm movement/time curve in response to the measurement of movement of said worm element; and means for correlating said worm movement time curve to the actual load delivered to said valve stem to provide a stem load/time curve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
153 words
In combination: a valve operator including a driven shaft, which in turn drives a worm, which in turn drives a worm gear which in turn drives a valve stem to open and close a valve attached to the valve stem, wherein operation of the valve operator effects movement of said worm; worm movement measuring means for measuring the movement of said worm element; valve stem load measuring means for measuring an initial load induced on said valve stem by way of said driven shaft; means for calibrating said worm movement measuring means to the initial induced stem load on said valve stem is measured by said valve stem load measuring means; means for providing a worm movement/time curve in response to the measurement of movement of said worm element; and means for correlating said worm movement time curve to the actual load delivered to said valve stem to provide a stem load/time curve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Combination of claim 2, wherein said drive shaft of said valve operator is motor driven.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
Combination of claim 2, wherein said worm movement measuring means comprises: a spring pack associated with said valve operator which spring pack moves in response to action of said worm element; a spring pack engagement member for making contact with the spring pack; tension means for maintaining said spring pack engagement member in constant contact with the spring pack; said engagement member moving in direct response to movement of the spring pack; a linear velocity differential transducer in communication with said spring pack engagement member and comprising a core element moveable relative to a bracket element, wherein movement of the spring pack results in a relative movement between said core element and bracket element; said linear velocity differential transducer further comprising means for detecting the relative movement between said core element and bracket element; and means for recording the detected movement between said core element and bracket element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
188 words
In combination: a valve operator including a motor, a worm shaft driven by said motor, a worm driven by said worm shaft, a worm gear driven by said worm, a valve stem driven by said worm gear, a spring means for reacting to movement of said worm, and a torque switch means for reacting to movement of said worm, said torque switch means being a switch means comprised of a torque switch, said spring means comprising a cluster of compression springs hereinafter called a spring pack; a first parameter determining device and a second parameter determining device, each said parameter determining device comprising means for determining a valve operator parameter wherein said parameter is one of either the load on said valve stem or spring pack movement or motor current or torque switch positions, of said valve operator; and a correlating and recording device for providing an interrelated time relationship of said valve operator parameters, said parameters comprising those determined by the aforesaid first and second parameter determining devices, said parameters being used as a verification and diagnostic tool to determine the operating characteristics of the valve operator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
188 words
In combination: a valve operator including a motor, a worm shaft driven by said motor, a worm driven by said worm shaft, a worm gear driven by said worm, a valve stem driven by said worm gear, a spring means for reacting to movement of said worm, and a torque switch means for reacting to movement of said worm, said torque switch means being a switch means comprised of a torque switch, said spring means comprising a cluster of compression springs hereinafter called a spring pack; a first parameter determining device and a second parameter determining device, each said parameter determining device comprising means for determining a valve operator parameter wherein said parameter is one of either the load on said valve stem or spring pack movement or motor current or torque switch positions, of said valve operator; and a correlating and recording device for providing an interrelated time relationship of said valve operator parameters, said parameters comprising those determined by the aforesaid first and second parameter determining devices, said parameters being used as a verification and diagnostic tool to determine the operating characteristics of the valve operator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Combination of claim 5, further comprising third parameter determining device comprising means for determining a valve parameter wherein said parameter is one of either the load on said valve stem or spring pack movement or motor current or torque switch positions; and wherein said correlating and recording device provides an interrelated time relationship of parameters determined by said first, second and third parameter determining devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
A spring pack movement monitoring device for monitoring the movement of the spring pack found within a valve operator, wherein the valve operator includes a driven worm shaft, which in turn drives a worm, which in turn drives a worm gear, which in turn drives a valve stem to open and close a valve attached to the valve stem, and a spring pack provided in communication with the worm for compresssion by the worm, said spring pack movement monitoring device comprising: a spring pack interaction member in communication with the spring pack; said interaction member moving in direct response to movement of the spring pack; movement detecting means for detecting movement of said interaction member; and means for recording movement of said interaction member as detected by said detecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
A spring pack movement monitoring device for monitoring the movement of the spring pack found within a valve operator, wherein the valve operator includes a driven worm shaft, which in turn drives a worm, which in turn drives a worm gear, which in turn drives a valve stem to open and close a valve attached to the valve stem, and a spring pack provided in communication with the worm for compresssion by the worm, said spring pack movement monitoring device comprising: a spring pack interaction member in communication with the spring pack; said interaction member moving in direct response to movement of the spring pack; movement detecting means for detecting movement of said interaction member; and means for recording movement of said interaction member as detected by said detecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Device of claim 7, wherein said recording means comprises means for providing a spring pack movement/time curve in response to the detection of movement of said interaction member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
Device of claim 8, further comprising: means for calibrating said interaction member movement to the stem load induced on said valve stem by way of said drive shaft; and means for correlating said spring pack movement/time curve to the actual load delivered to said valve stem to provide a stem load/time curve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
120 words
In combination: a valve operator including a driven shaft, which in turn drives a worm, which in turn drives a worm gear which in turn drives a valve stem to open and close a valve attached to the valve stem, wherein operation of the valve operator effects movement of said worm; a spring pack associated with said valve operator which spring pack moves in response to action of said worm element; a spring pack interaction member in communication with the spring pack; said interaction member moving in direct response to movement of the spring pack; movement detecting means for detecting movement of said interaction member; recording means for recording movement of said interaction member as detected by said detecting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
120 words
In combination: a valve operator including a driven shaft, which in turn drives a worm, which in turn drives a worm gear which in turn drives a valve stem to open and close a valve attached to the valve stem, wherein operation of the valve operator effects movement of said worm; a spring pack associated with said valve operator which spring pack moves in response to action of said worm element; a spring pack interaction member in communication with the spring pack; said interaction member moving in direct response to movement of the spring pack; movement detecting means for detecting movement of said interaction member; recording means for recording movement of said interaction member as detected by said detecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Combination of claim 10, wherein said recording means comprises means for providing a spring pack movement/time curve in response to the detection of movement of said interaction member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
Combination of claim 11, further comprising: means for calibrating said interaction member movement to the stem load induced on said valve stem by way of said drive shaft; and means for correlating said spring pack movement/time curve to the actual load delivered to said valve stem to provide a stem load/time curve.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-09-14 | 1991-03-16 | 1991-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-14 | 1995-03-16 | 1995-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-14 | 1999-03-16 | 1999-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |