US4891975A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for remote monitoring of valves and valve operators
Assignee: Crane Nuclear Inc
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Filing: 1988-12-01
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Granted: 1990-01-09
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Expires: 2008-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing a previously unattainable yet desirable function of monitoring at a remote location and/or in a remote (non-intrusive) manner the condition of a valve operator to signal a need for more thorough inspection and for possible maintenance of the valve or valve operator; the method and apparatus including the relating of power parameters such as motor power and motor power factor to the valve operator stem load, setting up a control value for the power parameter based on a maximum allowable operator thrust depletion; and periodically monitoring actual power parameter values at a remote location for comparison to the control value.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur G. Charbonneau
- 👤 Stanley N. Hale
- 👤 Edmond A. Sayed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:00
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K37/00; F16K37/0075; F16K37/0083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Method for monitoring the condition of a valve and valve operator to signal a need for maintenance of the valve or valve operator, said method comprising the steps of: imposing a thrust load in the valve operator during a calibration period; measuring the thrust load imposed in the valve operator; measuring a power parameter of the valve operator during imposition of the thrust load; calibrating thrust load to the power parameter; ending the imposing of thrust load in the valve operator during the calibration period; placing the valve and valve operator in use; measuring the power parameter of the valve operator during valve-in-use generation of thrust load in the valve operator; and correlating the power parameter measured during imposition of the load with the power parameter measured during valve-in-use to provide an indication of thrust load developing in the valve operator during valve-in-use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Method for monitoring the condition of a valve and valve operator to signal a need for maintenance of the valve or valve operator, said method comprising the steps of: imposing a thrust load in the valve operator during a calibration period; measuring the thrust load imposed in the valve operator; measuring a power parameter of the valve operator during imposition of the thrust load; calibrating thrust load to the power parameter; ending the imposing of thrust load in the valve operator during the calibration period; placing the valve and valve operator in use; measuring the power parameter of the valve operator during valve-in-use generation of thrust load in the valve operator; and correlating the power parameter measured during imposition of the load with the power parameter measured during valve-in-use to provide an indication of thrust load developing in the valve operator during valve-in-use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method of claim 1, wherein the step of imposing a load in the valve operator comprises the steps of: engaging the valve stem of the valve operator; and resisting movement of the valve stem.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring a power parameter comprises the step of measuring the operator motor power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring a power parameter comprises the step of measuring the power factor associated with the operator motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Method of claim 1, wherein the steps of measuring a power parameter and monitoring the power parameter are accomplished at a terminal located at a location removed in space from said valve operator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1993-01-08 | 1993-07-10 | 1994-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-08 | 1997-07-10 | 1998-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-08 | 2001-07-10 | 2002-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |