US5320123A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve with dynamic function checking capability
Assignee: Parker Intangibles LLC
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Filing: 1993-05-24
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Granted: 1994-06-14
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Expires: 2013-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A valve is provided with a means for determining the operability of the valve without causing it to change fluid conduction state. A spool member is axially moveable within a valve housing in response to pressure changes caused by the plunger of a pilot valve. The plunger is moved in response to an electromagnetic field induced by a solenoid coil. The coil is sequentially actuated at ever increasing intervals of time while the movement of the spool member is monitored by observing an output from a magnetically sensitive device which can be affected by the presence of a permanent magnet within its zone of detection. The permanent magnet is attached for movement with the spool member and the magnetically sensitive device, such as a Hall effect element, is attached to a stationary portion of the valve at a predetermined location. When the interval of deactuation of the coil is sufficient to cause the spool member to move the permanent magnet into the zone of detection of the magnetically sensitive device, a signal is provided and the valve is determined to sufficiently move the spool member to indicate its operability. None of the actions described immediately above result in a change in fluid conduction state of the valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas C. Corso
- 👤 Wilhelm H. Horlacher
- 👤 Harry S. Kuhlman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K37/00; F16K37/0025; F16K37/0033; F16K37/0041; H; H01; H01F; H01F7/00; H01F7/06; H01F7/08; H01F7/18; H01F7/1844; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8225; Y10T137/8242; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86574; Y10T137/86582; Y10T137/86614
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A valve, comprising: a spool member movable between a first position at a first limit of travel in a first direction and a second position at a second limit of travel in a second direction; means for causing said spool member to move a partial distance from said first position toward said second position; means for sensing a movement of said spool past a predetermined location intermediate said first and second positions; a pilot valve operatively associated with said spool, said pilot valve comprising a moveable plunger; and a solenoid coil for moving said plunger between an energized position and a de-energized position, said energized position urging said spool to move toward said first position, said de-energized position urging said spool to move toward said second position; and said causing means comprising a means for de-energizing said solenoid coil for sequential increasing intervals until said spool moves past said predetermined location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A valve, comprising: a spool member movable between a first position at a first limit of travel in a first direction and a second position at a second limit of travel in a second direction; means for causing said spool member to move a partial distance from said first position toward said second position; means for sensing a movement of said spool past a predetermined location intermediate said first and second positions; a pilot valve operatively associated with said spool, said pilot valve comprising a moveable plunger; and a solenoid coil for moving said plunger between an energized position and a de-energized position, said energized position urging said spool to move toward said first position, said de-energized position urging said spool to move toward said second position; and said causing means comprising a means for de-energizing said solenoid coil for sequential increasing intervals until said spool moves past said predetermined location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The valve of claim 1, wherein: said sensing means comprises a Hall element disposed proximate said spool member at said predetermined location and a magnet attached to said spool member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The valve of claim 1, further comprising: means for adjusting said predetermined location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A valve, comprising: means for repeatedly moving a spool member of said valve a variable distance from a first position toward a second position; means for increasing said variable preselected distance for each successive movement of said spool member; and means for sensing the movement of said spool member past a predetermined location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A valve, comprising: means for repeatedly moving a spool member of said valve a variable distance from a first position toward a second position; means for increasing said variable preselected distance for each successive movement of said spool member; and means for sensing the movement of said spool member past a predetermined location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The valve of claim 4, wherein: said moving means comprises a pilot valve operatively associated with said spool member to control an actuation pressure which urges said spool member toward said first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The valve of claim 4, wherein: said sensing means comprises a Hall element disposed proximate said spool at said predetermined location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The valve of claim 6, wherein: said sensing means comprises a magnet attached to said spool member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The valve of claim 4, wherein: said moving means comprises a solenoid coil and a plunger disposed within said solenoid coil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The valve of claim 8, wherein: said increasing means comprises a means for regulating the duration of periods of de-energization of said solenoid coil.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for determining the operability of a valve, comprising: moving a spool member of said valve a variable preselected distance from a first position toward a second position; increasing said variable distance for each successive movement of said spool member; and sensing the movement of said spool member past a predetermined location.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for determining the operability of a valve, comprising: moving a spool member of said valve a variable preselected distance from a first position toward a second position; increasing said variable distance for each successive movement of said spool member; and sensing the movement of said spool member past a predetermined location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: said moving step is repeated at a constant frequency.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: said moving step is repeated at a variable frequency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: said moving step comprises the steps of de-energizing a solenoid coil of a pilot valve for a variable preselected time period.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: said sensing step comprises the step of monitoring an output signal of a Hall effect sensor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-06-13 | 1997-12-13 | 1998-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-13 | 2001-12-13 | 2002-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-13 | 2005-12-13 | 2006-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |