General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Automatic Switch Company

Bruce Robert Penning

Robert Lynn LaFountain

Bruce S Rigsby

Jingli Li

Michael John Simmons

Scott Carpenter

A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.

Valve signature diagnosis and leak test device

In a method for estimating a remaining lifetime of a solenoid coil of a valve controller operating in a process control system, a record of a duration of activation of the solenoid coil is maintained during operation of the solenoid coil. An operating temperature of the solenoid coil is determined. An estimate of the remaining lifetime of the solenoid coil is generated based on the duration of activation of the solenoid coil and the operating temperature of the solenoid coil.

Method and apparatus for predicting lifetime of a solenoid coil

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.

Switching module for a valve controller

Magnetic switches are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a mount and a switch actuator assembly coupled to the mount. The switch actuator assembly includes a body, a trigger, and a first magnet oriented to be attracted to a second magnet. Movement of the body from a first position to a second position is to cause relative movement between the first magnet and the second magnet and relative movement between the trigger and a switch.

Magnetic switch actuators

A poppet valve assembly to control a pneumatic actuator may include a housing having a central bore. A first module may be disposed within the central bore, and the first module may have a first and second poppet valve. A second module may also be disposed within the central bore, and the second module may have a third and fourth poppet valve. A supply of pressurized fluid may be in fluid communication with a plurality of control valves such that pressurized fluid from the control valves opens and closes the poppet valves. The supply of pressurized fluid may also be in fluid communication with the first module and the second module such that the opening and closing of the poppet valves controls the position of the pneumatic actuator.

Poppet valve assembly for controlling a pneumatic actuator

A switch module used for position sensing may be operated in a number of modes for compatibility with a number of legacy position sensing products. A dry switch circuit can be configured to provide a direct output, emulating dry reed, high-side or low-side switched configurations. Alternatively, the dry switch circuit can be connected to an input of a NAMUR circuit to provide the known current output for that standard. In another configuration the dry switch can be selectively coupled to one of two NAMUR circuits allowing the switch module to provide a low-to-high current NAMUR output or a high-to-low current NAMUR output.

Switch module

An automatic speed searching device for a partial stroke test of a control valve includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve and a blocker valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve. In an open position of the spool valve, a first control fluid inlet is fluidly connected to a first control fluid outlet, and in a closed position of the spool valve the first control fluid outlet is fluidly connected to a second control fluid outlet. A method of determining an optimum stroke speed includes iteratively powering a main and secondary solenoid in the electrical module and updating parameters to move a control element of the control valve until movement of the control element is within a desired range.

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Louisville, KY, United States of America

Bruce Robert Penning