Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Crane Nuclear, Inc.

Christopher P Smith

David E Morlan

Paul G Anderson

Rodney M Eslinger

Klane B Anderson

An instrument mounting system for repeatable field testing of equipment or other test object, comprising a frame and an inner surface defined at least in part by the frame. Exactly three object contact points are disposed upon the inner surface, the three object contact points defining a plane.

High-stability instrument mounting system for repeatable field testing of equipment

A device for measuring forces on a sensor body, comprising a beam. An array comprising at least one recess is formed in the beam. The array has a length-to-height ration of less than 1.0. At least one strain transducer is mounted in at least one recess, wherein when incorporated in a sensor body the device is sufficiently rigid to provide low overall deflection while providing adequately high metric strain levels.

Flexure system for strain-based instruments

A permanently instrumented actuated valve assembly includes at least one internally-gauged, permanently instrumented shaft functioning as a load bearing component through which an actuator drives a valve element. The shaft has a longitudinal (preferably axial), internal bore generally extending from the one end of the shaft to a point therewithin. A thrust monitoring instrument is mounted within the axial bore and monitors axial forces acting on the shaft to provide an indication of the performance of the valve assembly. Alternatively, one or more transverse bores extending from the internal bore to the external surface of the valve stem are provided with torsional force monitoring instruments being received within such transverse bore(s).

Permanently instrumented actuated valve assembly, with internally-gauged, permanently instrumented shaft

An optical system for determining the axial load, the torsional load or both on a generally cylindrical member, such as a valve stem in a motor operated valve, includes a first system for producing a test light that is modified by a physical change in the valve stem caused by the load, a second system for receiving the test light and converting the same to a first signal indicative of the physical change, and a third system for converting the first signal to a second signal indicative of the load, preferably by utilizing one or more of the relations defined in Equations 1-3. The physical change in the cylindrical member can be, for example, a diametrical change or a longitudinal change, which can be measured by the first and second systems. The dimensional changes can be related to the axial load according to Hooke's Law or Poisson's relation by the third system when material properties and the geometry of the cylindrical member are known. Similarly, the torsional load applied to the cylindrical member can be obtained by measuring the twist angle between two longitudinally separated planes of the member, and applying a known relation between the twist angle and known geometric and material characteristics of the cylindrical member.

Method and apparatus for measuring axial and torsional loads on a valve

Disclosed is apparatus and a system for measuring and monitoring the actual mechanical power being produced by an electric motor and measuring and monitoring the reactive torque acting on and the rotational speed of a drive shaft of the electric motor used to drive a valve actuator of a motor operated valve (MOV). The apparatus and system is comprised of a motor power measuring cell inserted between and bolted to the electric motor housing and to the valve actuator housing of commercial MOVs to provide continuous in-service valve and motor diagnostics. The motor power measuring cell is provided with a first measuring means for measuring the torque acting on the drive shaft and a second measuring means for measuring the rotational speed of the drive shaft.

Motor power measuring cell for motor operated valves

A method and apparatus for measuring and monitoring the axial load or thrust on the valve stem of an air operated valve assembly. The top end of the valve stem is connected to bottom end of the valve actuator drive shaft by a marriage block connector member having a plurality of strain gages capable of generating an electrical signal representative of the axial load or thrust on the valve stem. The marriage block connector member is also provided with a gage capable of generating an electrical signal representative of the axial position of the valve stem. The apparatus and methods disclosed are used for valve diagnostic testing from a remote location or for a valve control system.

Method and apparatus for measuring the axial load and position of a

Disclosed is apparatus and a system for the diagnostic testing of a valve actuator used in an electric motor operated valve that is able to induce a variety of actively controllable and adjustable torsional and axial loads on the valve actuator and while providing measurement of both the torsional and axial forces being produced by the actuator while subject to the induced loads.

Motor operated valve actuator diagnostic system and test stand

An in-series load bearing sensor is provided for use with a motor operated valve assembly. The in-series load bearing sensor is installed in the mechanical load path between the actuator and valve yoke to provide a direct measurement of valve stem thrust and/or actuator output torque under actual operating conditions. Sensor is precalibrated and can be installed temporarily for testing purposes or permanently for ongoing monitoring of valve performance. Webs (40) have strain gauges (41, 42, 43) thereon which measure the valve stem torque and valve stem thrust at any given moment. Webs (40) link an inner load ring (30) and an outer load ring (20).

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Acworth, GA, United States of America

Christopher P Smith